If you have returned for part two of this missive I hope you are here with an open mind. If you didn't read part one you may want to take a couple of minutes and read http://cluelessat50.blogspot.com/2011/03/pressed-down-and-shaken-together.html
"It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (emphasis mine), while we wait for the blessed hope.... eager to do what is good (again, emphasis mine)." (Titus 2:12-14)
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous quotes the Bible when it states that "faith without works is dead." True enough, but I think more is at work here. In yesterday's post I stated that the proof of the awakening is the result of the awakening. How is that? If I have undergone any type of change (say from selfish, self-serving a**wipe to a reasonable facsimile of a decent human being), might there be some evidence of that change? Shouldn't there be something to demonstrate that I am not the same? Might that be a change in attitude from what I was to what I am now? And might that attitude reflect a giving, caring person, one who endeavors to "give away what he has so freely received?"
To long for the return of Christ is to long for the conditions that will prevail on His return. That longing compels me to live my belief. If I long for a world free from hunger I must try to feed the hungry. If I want mercy, I must be merciful. If I believe in peace I must be peaceful.
And these are the measuring cups by which I have received the promised spiritual awakening. I receive love by loving, forgiveness by forgiving; and it leaves me eager to do what is good. To create a heaven-on-earth, in this present age, I can only do my part. But I get to live in a world that increases my satisfaction exponentially for my efforts. And this heaven here is only a taste of the treasures I am storing up.
The twelve steps, as I have come to understand them, were designed to re-connect me with a God I had abandoned, by giving me a glimpse of how His plan works in a [relatively] controlled environment. So equipped, I can carry that experience out of my self-absorbed world and into His universe.
Expressions like, "You can't keep it unless you give it away," fall short of my reality. Having had a spiritual awakening, the change in my life makes it improbable I will attempt to keep it, because whatever I am giving away seems to come back in multiples of my measurement. My God is like that. I would bet yours is, too. Dare you to take Him up on the offer.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Pressed Down And Shaken Together
I've been asked a number of times recently to account for my positive attitude. On the surface, to many my situation seems dire, and I refuse to expound upon it. In truth, I can't completely explain my belief that my automatic response of, "I've just never had it so good," to queries about my life will actually make everything better.
I suppose it is a result of my "having had a spiritual awakening." As I have come to understand such awakenings, they are best examined in the light of the results they produce in a life. The proof of the awakening is the result of the awakening.
My admission of powerlessness and decision to pursue the spiritual solution has led me on a path more gratifying than I'd dreamed or imagined. It began with the gift of hope borne of desperation. Hope has made me a man of passion and compassion. It has allowed me to re-prioritize my personal and public life.
My faith in God, belief in His son Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit has made a number of spiritual principles manifest n my life. Chief among those today is that I cannot out-give God. And He demonstrates that to me in so many ways.
In seeking recovery from alcoholism and addiction, were I to have received only sobriety I would have been overpaid for my efforts. But through a regular practice of the twelfth step, my spiritual awakening my spiritual awakening continues to expand and fill my world, actually crowds me out of that universe of one, nudging me into His world. And in His world, the limit exceeds my sky.
"'Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'" (Malachi 3:10) I'd read that passage before, drunk and sober, and never been willing to take God up on His offer. After all, it seemed arrogant to stand before the Creator of the Universe and call His bluff.
"Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38) I realize that my limitation in receiving God's blessings has been my own definition of my measure.
I've always assumed that God's measurement and mine (the world's, perhaps?) were the same device; money. After all, isn't that what I hear people, churches, agencies, governments clamoring for? How wrong could I have been? Check back tomorrow and I'll fill you in.
I suppose it is a result of my "having had a spiritual awakening." As I have come to understand such awakenings, they are best examined in the light of the results they produce in a life. The proof of the awakening is the result of the awakening.
My admission of powerlessness and decision to pursue the spiritual solution has led me on a path more gratifying than I'd dreamed or imagined. It began with the gift of hope borne of desperation. Hope has made me a man of passion and compassion. It has allowed me to re-prioritize my personal and public life.
My faith in God, belief in His son Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit has made a number of spiritual principles manifest n my life. Chief among those today is that I cannot out-give God. And He demonstrates that to me in so many ways.
In seeking recovery from alcoholism and addiction, were I to have received only sobriety I would have been overpaid for my efforts. But through a regular practice of the twelfth step, my spiritual awakening my spiritual awakening continues to expand and fill my world, actually crowds me out of that universe of one, nudging me into His world. And in His world, the limit exceeds my sky.
"'Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'" (Malachi 3:10) I'd read that passage before, drunk and sober, and never been willing to take God up on His offer. After all, it seemed arrogant to stand before the Creator of the Universe and call His bluff.
"Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38) I realize that my limitation in receiving God's blessings has been my own definition of my measure.
I've always assumed that God's measurement and mine (the world's, perhaps?) were the same device; money. After all, isn't that what I hear people, churches, agencies, governments clamoring for? How wrong could I have been? Check back tomorrow and I'll fill you in.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Pork Chops
In a zoo in California, a mother tiger gave birth to a rare set of triplet tiger cubs. Unfortunately, due to complications in the pregnancy, the cubs were born prematurely, and due to their tiny size they died shortly after birth.
Though physically fine following delivery, the mother tiger began to decline in health. Veterinarians felt that she had fallen into a depression due to the loss of her cubs. Their feeling was that if she could surrogate another tiger's cubs she might improve.
But after checking with zoos across the country they learned there were no cubs of the right age to introduce to the grieving tigress. The veterinarians decided to try an experiment never before attempted with this species. They knew that some species would mother infants of another species if conditions were right. The only "orphans" they could find quickly were a litter of weanling pigs. The zoo keepers and vets wrapped the piglets in tiger skin and placed them around the momma tiger. The only question was, "Would she accept them as cubs, or would they become pork chops?"
I don't know how you take this, but I find hope in it.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Fuller
It is not love that completes a man.
He must be complete in order to love.
But love does make him fuller.
He must be complete in order to love.
But love does make him fuller.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Reprinted Withhout Permission
Associated Press
AUGUSTA, Ga. -
A U.S. Marine reservist collecting toys for children was stabbed when he helped stop a suspected shoplifter in eastern Georgia. Best Buy sales manager Orvin Smith told The Augusta Chronicle that man was seen on surveillance cameras Friday putting a laptop under his jacket at the Augusta store.
When confronted, the man became irate, knocked down an employee, pulled a knife and ran toward the door. Outside were four Marines collecting toys for the service branch's "Toys For Tots" program. Smith said the Marines stopped the man, but he stabbed one of them, Cpl. Phillip Duggan, in the back.
The cut did not appear to be severe. The suspect was transported to the local hospital with two broken arms, a broken leg, possible broken ribs, multiple contusions and assorted lacerations including a broken nose and jaw...injuries he sustained when he fell trying to run after stabbing the Marine.
CLUMSY BASTARD ! ! !
AUGUSTA, Ga. -
A U.S. Marine reservist collecting toys for children was stabbed when he helped stop a suspected shoplifter in eastern Georgia. Best Buy sales manager Orvin Smith told The Augusta Chronicle that man was seen on surveillance cameras Friday putting a laptop under his jacket at the Augusta store.
When confronted, the man became irate, knocked down an employee, pulled a knife and ran toward the door. Outside were four Marines collecting toys for the service branch's "Toys For Tots" program. Smith said the Marines stopped the man, but he stabbed one of them, Cpl. Phillip Duggan, in the back.
The cut did not appear to be severe. The suspect was transported to the local hospital with two broken arms, a broken leg, possible broken ribs, multiple contusions and assorted lacerations including a broken nose and jaw...injuries he sustained when he fell trying to run after stabbing the Marine.
CLUMSY BASTARD ! ! !
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Hey!!! Pick Up The Phone!!!
"I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?'" (Isaiah 6:8)
There are many things that compete for my attention on a daily basis: friends call and text, recovery from alcohol and drug addiction is a priority, family members ('nuff said), children, a new granddaughter I have seen but twice and who managed to capture my heart. Television and radio advertising may refocus my attention for a spell, sporting events and a desire for physical activity also call to me.
Some of these "calls" will be answered and others will not be heard. Calls are an expression of the nature of the one who calls. This is not an abstract concept. It is a matter of communication and relationship, expressed in terms of human understanding. Except in one case.
The call of God is an expression of His nature and is beyond my understanding. He has carefully woven His call throughout my life and once in a while I have been wise enough to pick up the phone. I use that metaphor quite purposely because I believe God wants me, and You too, to know Him so desperately that He will go to extraordinary lengths to get my (our) attention. And once He has me focused on Him, He will speak directly into my heart.
For much of my life I had no idea of the nature of God and so I could not understand what He was saying to me. As I awakened from my self-absorptive slumber His voice became more clear. Today I recognize that He's using the most advanced wireless technology imaginable.
Isaiah was in tune with God due to a great crisis he had endured, and God's word penetrated his soul. At that point it was literally decision time - Listen or Ignore?
Me. Send Me Lord!
There are many things that compete for my attention on a daily basis: friends call and text, recovery from alcohol and drug addiction is a priority, family members ('nuff said), children, a new granddaughter I have seen but twice and who managed to capture my heart. Television and radio advertising may refocus my attention for a spell, sporting events and a desire for physical activity also call to me.
Some of these "calls" will be answered and others will not be heard. Calls are an expression of the nature of the one who calls. This is not an abstract concept. It is a matter of communication and relationship, expressed in terms of human understanding. Except in one case.
The call of God is an expression of His nature and is beyond my understanding. He has carefully woven His call throughout my life and once in a while I have been wise enough to pick up the phone. I use that metaphor quite purposely because I believe God wants me, and You too, to know Him so desperately that He will go to extraordinary lengths to get my (our) attention. And once He has me focused on Him, He will speak directly into my heart.
For much of my life I had no idea of the nature of God and so I could not understand what He was saying to me. As I awakened from my self-absorptive slumber His voice became more clear. Today I recognize that He's using the most advanced wireless technology imaginable.
Isaiah was in tune with God due to a great crisis he had endured, and God's word penetrated his soul. At that point it was literally decision time - Listen or Ignore?
Me. Send Me Lord!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Sufi Story - Part II
It has been my experience that whenever I am struggling with some aspect of my life, such as a painful decision, or a recalcitrant and stubborn part of me, a peculiar thing will happen. God will spontaneously place people in my life who are facing the same inner demons or issues. Or even more strangely, He will position me in a place where I can open up to someone who has successfully dealt with the problem.
Oddly, these instruments of God (I will not call them tools. That has a negative connotation from my childhood.) are completely unaware of how crucial their impact is on my experience of life. In relating their struggle, they offer insight to myself and my battle. Often, a single sentence or thought will cut through my cluttered mind, and free me.
God's like that. He continues to recognize my needs way ahead of me, and at the moment I am ready to face these things He springs His surprise. Somewhat uncanny, that God of mine; Omniscient, Omnipresent and Omnipowerful. Maybe He'll see fit to use me that way someday. But I hope it's behind my back. My head swells too easily.
Oddly, these instruments of God (I will not call them tools. That has a negative connotation from my childhood.) are completely unaware of how crucial their impact is on my experience of life. In relating their struggle, they offer insight to myself and my battle. Often, a single sentence or thought will cut through my cluttered mind, and free me.
God's like that. He continues to recognize my needs way ahead of me, and at the moment I am ready to face these things He springs His surprise. Somewhat uncanny, that God of mine; Omniscient, Omnipresent and Omnipowerful. Maybe He'll see fit to use me that way someday. But I hope it's behind my back. My head swells too easily.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The God of My (Not Quite) Understanding
In my walk with God it is becoming clear the only thing He wants to be clear is the way He deals with me. I am baffled by the sorrows and trials in the lives of others. As soon as I feel I have a grasp on someone else's problems, God will reveal the same shortcoming in my life.
The Spirit is hard at work to expose vast areas of stubbornness, pride and ego in me. And until I quiet all my pseudo-intellectual ramblings and get with Him, I get no peace. When He gets me alone, through suffering, heartbreak, disappointment, temptation, thwarted desires, broken friendships - when He has me to Himself, speechless - He will reveal myself to me and from there He leads me to a better relationship with "The One Who Has All Power."
The Spirit is hard at work to expose vast areas of stubbornness, pride and ego in me. And until I quiet all my pseudo-intellectual ramblings and get with Him, I get no peace. When He gets me alone, through suffering, heartbreak, disappointment, temptation, thwarted desires, broken friendships - when He has me to Himself, speechless - He will reveal myself to me and from there He leads me to a better relationship with "The One Who Has All Power."
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
On Perseverance
Perseverance through adversity is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are longing for is going to happen. Perseverance means more than merely hanging on, which may only be exposing our fear of letting go and falling. Perseverance is our supreme effort of refusing to believe that our hero can be conquered, or our team will be defeated.
But what of spiritual perseverance? My greatest fear is not that I will be damned for all eternity, but that somehow my Jesus will be defeated. Fears need not be rational, so play this out and see if it resonates.. In analyzing this fear I realize it's a fear that the very things He stood for - love, justice, forgiveness, kindness, charity - will not win out in the end; that my pursuit of these things will have been in vain, that these are unattainable goals.
This is at the core of my call to Spiritual Perseverance. It is not a call to hang and do nothing, but to work deliberately, knowing with certainty that God will never be defeated.
But what of spiritual perseverance? My greatest fear is not that I will be damned for all eternity, but that somehow my Jesus will be defeated. Fears need not be rational, so play this out and see if it resonates.. In analyzing this fear I realize it's a fear that the very things He stood for - love, justice, forgiveness, kindness, charity - will not win out in the end; that my pursuit of these things will have been in vain, that these are unattainable goals.
This is at the core of my call to Spiritual Perseverance. It is not a call to hang and do nothing, but to work deliberately, knowing with certainty that God will never be defeated.
A Sufi Story
There is a Sufi story about a man who is so good that the angels ask God to give him the gift of miracles. God wisely tells them to ask him if that is what he would wish.
So the angels visit this man and offer him first the gift of healing hands, then the gift of conversion of souls and lastly the gift of virtue. He refuses them all. They insist he choose one or they will choose for him. "Very well," he replies. "I ask that I may do a great deal of good without ever knowing it."
The angels were perplexed but devised a plan. Everywhere the man's shadow fell behind him it would have the power to cure disease, soothe pain and comfort sorrow. As he walked, behind him his shadow made dry paths green, caused flowers to bloom, brought color to pale children and joy to unhappy men and women. The saint simply went about his daily life diffusing virtue, as the moon and stars diffuse light, or as flowers share their scent, without even being aware of it.
The people, respecting his humility, followed him silently and never spoke of his miracles. Soon they even forgot his name and called him, "The Holy Shadow."
We can effect change in others' lives, often while merely passing through. A random act of kindness (at one time it was called chivalry), opening a door for someone, a smile and hello, or extending a hand in friendship may be just the miracle someone needs to make their day tolerable.
While it seems at times the world is growing more unfriendly, I believe it is a collective lack of concern for the good we can each do merely by being present. After all the harm I have caused in my life I doubt I will ever be universally considered a good man. But I believe we can all be considered good by the few whose lives we actually touch, or even just pass throuugh.
So the angels visit this man and offer him first the gift of healing hands, then the gift of conversion of souls and lastly the gift of virtue. He refuses them all. They insist he choose one or they will choose for him. "Very well," he replies. "I ask that I may do a great deal of good without ever knowing it."
The angels were perplexed but devised a plan. Everywhere the man's shadow fell behind him it would have the power to cure disease, soothe pain and comfort sorrow. As he walked, behind him his shadow made dry paths green, caused flowers to bloom, brought color to pale children and joy to unhappy men and women. The saint simply went about his daily life diffusing virtue, as the moon and stars diffuse light, or as flowers share their scent, without even being aware of it.
The people, respecting his humility, followed him silently and never spoke of his miracles. Soon they even forgot his name and called him, "The Holy Shadow."
We can effect change in others' lives, often while merely passing through. A random act of kindness (at one time it was called chivalry), opening a door for someone, a smile and hello, or extending a hand in friendship may be just the miracle someone needs to make their day tolerable.
While it seems at times the world is growing more unfriendly, I believe it is a collective lack of concern for the good we can each do merely by being present. After all the harm I have caused in my life I doubt I will ever be universally considered a good man. But I believe we can all be considered good by the few whose lives we actually touch, or even just pass throuugh.
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