Tag: christianity

Okay, here I am. I admit it. I am a softie; I am an 82-year-old ex-Marine who loves the Hallmark channel on TV. And I know it’s 9:57 PM, my bedtime, because the two leads, indicating that the show is over, have gotten together. . . and kissed! Amen! And Good night!

I know this sounds awfully negative but that is not my intention here. But what better time than Easter. I know we celebrate the raising of Jesus from death. There can be nothing more profound or glorious than that to celebrate. However, and this is a huge however; this is NOT what Jesus would want. Now I am speaking of the first century Jesus, not some twenty-first century mock-up.

Jesus did not teach from a beautiful flower-gilded altar; His altar was a hillside. I think he would be much more comfortable in a run-down building with cobwebs in the corner and people sitting on the floor rather than on padded pews. There would be no organs playing and certainly no demand for a weekly offering called a tithe. And His words would not be shouted out through a microphone but softly spoken for all to hear.

Thinking of the simple messages of Jesus, I quote the intelligence of James in the novel, of the same name by Percival Everett, “If one knows Hell as home, then is returning to Hell a homecoming?” We do not and never have truly listened to the messages of Jesus. True, He spoke in parables, which we still do not understand. Whlat? Did you say we do? Then how come we cannot follow His two simple commandments?

Come on now! You remember them! Love God! Love your neighbor as you love yourself! In our world today, our neighbors are half a world away! We do have an odd way of showing our love, one Jesus would not approve of. I have no trouble with loving God, and I try my best to love my neighbor, but I forget that includes our politicians and I fail miserably at the second. I ask God’s forgiveness every tie that I pray for tis failure in my character. Do you do the same?

So, “If one knows Hell as home, then is returning to Hell a homecoming?”

Russell Kendall Carter, BA. MAT. Dlitt.

If you are inspired, read my latest book. Kindle eBook $3.99

“In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.” (Dan.2:44)

I read this today just prior to my allotted time of meditation. Now the book of Daniel was written sometime in the vicinity of the sixth century BC, or around the corner of three thousand years ago. Who knows how many “adjustments” have been made by the religious authoritarians as they stumbled their way through translation after translation to the present undecipherable version . However, there seems to be a valid point: God Loves Us, as He Loves all of His Creation.

Regardless, I doubt they have the insouciance to deal with such a minor topic

Anyway, my point is that God had and has already created the enduring overpowerful kingdom here on earth that can demolish any evil that man can imagine. God created it; God improved it; and God enhances it with each generation. That Kingdom that God reinvents is the human mind, the intelligence that in its stupidity rejects God, but when it gets smart accepts God in all Its Greatness, Kindness, and All-consuming Love, finds the ability to create a civilization that flourishes. History has shown this several times. That is until man’s greed takes over, and he no longer listens to God.

So, look around! . . . God, I hate that word (so). Thus! No, too archaic! Anyway, look! Around you! At your family! See the beauty! Look in the mirror! See the beauty! God created all of that! That, and the kingdom of God’s world of Love is yours! Just go out and spread the word to all. It is easy! Just say “Good Morning” and pretend you are seeing God’s face in that person. And you are on your way!!! (and here is the secret – soon. . . very soon. . .you will be seeing God’s face in all you meet) And boy oh boy will your days be bright.

 And your life will, I repeat will, change. The love in your heart will change, will grow, will bound out of you, others will see your love, see your heart, see you in a whole new light. You will be spreading God’s Love throughout your group of friends. . . without bringing religion into the picture.

That is my uplifting thought for today!

Russell Kendall Carter, BA. MAT. Dlitt.

If you are inspired, read my latest book. Kindle eBook $3.99

I need only say, “ I am slipping

For your faithful love, Yahweh, to support me.

how great the anxiety of my heart,

Your consolations soothe me.” (Ps 94: 18,19 New Jer. Bible)

I awaken each morning with awe in my heart that God has allowed me one more day.

One more day; if I were a great poet, or a great song writer, I would compose something that would be a show stopper on Broadway that would wake everyone up to what one more day really means. One more day means life; but more than that it means that God loves me. And God loves my family; my wife, two children, their spouses and my three grandchildren are foolish enough to still want this crusty just about 83-year-old to stay around awhile longer.

Come to think about this, Goldie does sing about this in Fiddler on the Roof. I share a lot in common with Tevya; I also think that idiot on the roof playing the fiddle  is tempting nature. Or maybe, like Tevya, I’m deathly afraid of heights.

So, before I get to maudlin, and as a Christian who is trying to emulate a wonderful Jewish friend, Tevya, To Life, to Life L’chaim; and yes, Tevya, I think we are loved by an all-loving God and an all-loving family.

Russell Kendall Carter, BA. MAT. Dlitt.

If you are inspired, read my latest book. Kindle eBook $3.99

Truth be told, our hunger for knowledge of our personal minds is brought on by our own desire to be closer to God. And we study the Bible and other religious literature to enrich our understanding of who we are and how our minds work in conjunction with the physical brain. In truth, it is a search for lifelong serenity; at least that is one man’s opinion. . . mine!

Our minds, as with our souls, are the sole possessions of God. People say they change their minds, what they really do is change their thinking, which is part of their active brain function. What we really need to do, and doing this in a controlled group is probably the best way, is to choose a primary goal while studying biblical writings (not just the Bible), dissect any suspicions or questions we have individually, or as a group, and discuss, discuss, discuss.

Posturing in our pride hides the truth of our suffering about many things that a great deal that goes on around us of which we have no control and of which we are no long a part of. This is our antiquated brain trying not to let go. It is telling us to remain aware of everything around us as it did for so many years; we have to do this to make it in the world, to be aware of everything that is going on, and to control it. AND. . . NO WE DON’T!!!!

Let your mind take over! It won’t hurt. Stop thinking!

Let God in! Let God In. . .

Russell Kendall Carter, BA. MAT. Dlitt.

If you are inspired, read my latest book. Kindle eBook $3.99

Some days it’s so easy to lose direction that we need a giant compass to find our way. Some things just do not fit the way they should. It is those days that we need a magic genie on our shoulders to tell us what way to turn and where to go. I thought I would get past this age when I grew up; then I thought as I grew  older, I would know better; then as I aged, well, now I realize that as long as I am alive there will be days when no matter which leg I step out with first, it will be the wrong one.

What can we do, oh. . . what can we do! We can turn around, go home; get back in our jammies; climb back in bed; turn the electric blanket up to 9; resume the pre-natal position; suck our thumbs; and hope the day passes us by. Or. We can act like true children of God and realize that days like this are of our own making. And there’s nothing to be worried about.

Because God will be with us. Always. . . Especially on days like these, and any trouble that we seem to be in, or make for ourselves. . . well, our paths will be smoothed out,  and  we will come through the other end just fine.

Can you tell my day is starting out bad? Pray for me as I pray for you.

See you tomorrow.

Russell Kendall Carter, BA. MAT. Dlitt.

If you are inspired, read my latest book. Kindle eBook $3.99

I have dedicated too many hours of my life defending my position on man’s relationship with God and whether there is a God. God loves us whether we believe in him or not. He accepts us as we are, as broken and lost as we are.

I am thoroughly convinced that while I am in the stillness and self-imposed silence of my time of contemplation and prayer, while I have slowed my breathing to an untraceable level, I am as spiritually close to God as possible, but in actuality, I am no closer than he who does not outwardly accept God for God shows no preference for his children. . . and we are all his equal children. All is not lost when we approach our lives in His kingdom. God asks us to stop and take a look at ourselves in His world, meaning that the artificial boundaries we have set are invalid and if we drop these boundaries, we might just be able to love our neighbor, because we will see the differences  between us are minor.

Incidentally, the title is a quotation from the Bible (John 17:19), and I guess I could probably shorten by saying that “all is ours.” That’s nice and short, but that’s also very selfish leaving nothing for others, and I do not feel as if we deserve it all. I just want to believe that the gifts that God gives me are gifts that are meant to be shared. He gives them to me for a reason. I didn’t get all the gifts, just certain ones, and with those certain ones, I can perform miracles, even if those miracles involve merely the act of sharing.

I want to believe in prophecies. I believe that even if I am not capable of being a noted world-changing person, perhaps my talent has inspired another on to greatness and I have done my job. Thus, I have served my purpose for God. And as an 80+ year old retired school Marm, that’s my perfection, and that’s certainly enough for me. . . and I hope for God.

I meditate every morning before, during, and after I study the Bible readings for the day according to our Episcopalian study. This helps me settle into a day of love and forgiveness to begin my day. In addition, each day, I choose a passage or two to possible include in my writing for the day. Yesterday, it was “Open rebuke is better than secret love.”(Prov. 27; 5).

I’ll save the open rebuke until later; I’ve got too much to say about that at this time. It’s the love part that interests me with special interest on the secrecy, for today’s reading includes a cryptic reference in Ecclesiasticus,  “Blessed, those who will see you, and those who have fallen asleep in love: for we too shall certainly have life.” (11),

I don’t know what I was going to write yesterday; that was about a century ago. But today I know I have deep sorrow, deep remorse, for I have not lived up to the promises I made to myself and to others years ago as a young man just starting   life’s journey. I made mistakes of which I am not proud. And I tried to atone for them. I also did things for which I am very sure were correct, but handled the repercussions incorrectly, resulting in lifelong anger and hurt.

My life very much rebounds like the write of Psalm 37, “For I am a stranger in your house, A w like all my ancestors.” My mistakes are many as I wander from room to room. Those I hurt are no longer with me, so it is impossible for me to make amends now.            Nevertheless. I prayed that ABBA. Has let them know. Said I never met them any harm. And then I’d love them deeply. Still. Amen

And so, ends yesterday’s musings for today, may the love of God make your steps lighter with the birds singing your ears; where the sun always lights your way may the air always have the aroma of fresh irises. Have a good day.

During my morning meditation, I could not settle my mind. I could never calm myself to a state of pure serene prayer; so I returned to my old trick of letting my Bible open to a passage to allow me to read unprepared for what was to follow; and hence this is it:

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Russell Kendall Carter, BA. MAT. Dlitt.

If you are inspired, read my latest book. Kindle eBook $3.99