Tag: jesus

Purifying Salt

by rkcdlitt

It’s a funny thing about salt. We use it so freely for many different things on a daily basis. It makes a very good flavor enhancer for our favorite foods. But salt through the years, including today, has had other purposes.
My ancient Italian great grandmother used to throw salt over her shoulder to ward off evil spirits when she felt threatened by others’ words or deeds. My cousins and I used to fall down laughing at her.
Today, doctors warn us that too much salt upsets the chemical balances in our bodies and put us on salt-free diets; we sprinkle salt on our driveways and walks in the winter to melt ice; and, there are many of us that use salt as a cleansing of negative karma in their lives, and others who use salt as a way to illuminate the spiritual path.
I don’t know why I became so curious about the spirituality of salt, but as for a high school history teacher, I am sure that from before the time that man began to form colonies to the present day, the possession of salt has been an important commodity. We worry about the nuclear bomb! A little white grain has caused a great deal of hardship in the history of the world.
Funny thing about mankind. Even the possession of the littlest things causes the greatest amount of greed.
I am so curious why some faith traditions use salt as a spiritual purification rite. But that’s for another day.
With thoughtful Love and God’s Grace, Russ.
©Russell Kendall Carter, BA. MAT. Dlitt.

If you are inspired, read my latest book.

Gift of Free Will

by rkcdlitt

Free will comes with many different restrictions. A few of these are: do not discriminate; don’t hit a man when he’s down; don’t insult the poor because they are poor. There are many more don’ts on the stairway to the top rung.
I believe in what one man said. That man lived over 2000 years ago. He was Jesus of Nazareth. Some call him Christ; most call him a prophet. Whatever you call him, he was a man of great vision. One of his greatest sayings was that there are really only two great commandments. The first is to love God. . . no argument there. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself. Your neighbor is in fact yourself and you in fact are your neighbor. And who is your neighbor? Anyone and everyone whom you may meet.
This is my simple philosophy. So, everyone I meet, I love. Everyone I meet is a brother or sister, born of a different physical mother, but here, walking on this earth by the love of God, just as I am. Therefore, I love them as myself, a brother or sister in the love of God now and forever.
So. Good night – this is my free will!

I love you! Everyone God-loving one of you!

©Russell Kendall Carter, BA. MAT. Dlitt.

If you are inspired, read my latest book.

Who am I

by rkcdlitt

I am a retired high school history teacher and college writing and literature professor. In my prayer life, I have attended church since I was a five-year-old in East Orange, NJ. After a tour in the Marine Corps, I was in my own business for almost twenty-five years. During this time, I attended a UCC church in Summit, NJ and served as the chair of the Christian Education program and was a Sunday School teacher for almost twenty years. While there, I became a Stephen minister tending to the needs of those in spiritual need of missing God in their lives.
My wife and I moved to Fredericksburg, VA in 2009 and I immediately became active in prayer ministries. With two others, I helped create a Stephen Ministry at our local Episcopal church. I also helped in the creation of a prayer corner allowing people to offer prayers after our celebrating the Eucharist.
I am now an active member of prayer programs in both churches (NJ and VA). With others I spend most of my day in Bible reading and prayer.
This website is dedicated to prayer through meditations, prayers, and poetry and prose meditations on Love, Faith, Community, and prayer.
I pray that you will be nourished by my offerings of prayer.
©Russell Kendall Carter, BA. MAT. Dlitt.

Leave a comment