Hi Everybody!! Happy Holidays and much well deserved rest to all!!
I found an interesting piece of info to share!
*12 Days of Christmas*
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this card as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for Faith, Hope and Love.
The four calling birds were for the four gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke & John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese-a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans-a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.
The eight maids-a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness & Self-Control.
The ten lords-a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
Class is over, but life learning, thank you Goddess, continues on!! Sweet Times to All! Jeanie*
Monday, December 28, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
soul growth
12/16/09 Bible Blog 2
Wow! Here it is, the thing that's been nagging at me about the whole human condition of isolation re: race & religion. I had read Frye's comments a few times, but today I think I see it ; p. 232, where he puts it more clearly to what my question is:
“From our present vantage point we can characterize this conception of original sin more precisely as man's fear of freedom and his resentment of the discipline and responsibility it brings.”
Now I ask if this maybe is my question, “Is the human soul much as a human child, as in the way it develops? Infancy, toddler, childhood, adolescence, young adult, mature adult, elder?"
So let me take a whack at this idea for a minute. I'll guess that humans as a species, are possibly in the adolescent stage at least, I hope! It rushes into a discipline that it soon grows resentful of, just like an adolescent trying to grow into the adult.
That probably means I won't see much apocoliptic revalations (other than in my own mind!!),in my lifetime in the way of more outstanding group soul progress, but as long as we keep our integrity with ourselves and each other, progress is assured. That's what is important to me, anyhow. Okay, I'm done; this is a subject best discussed in person. Happy Safe Holidays!
Wow! Here it is, the thing that's been nagging at me about the whole human condition of isolation re: race & religion. I had read Frye's comments a few times, but today I think I see it ; p. 232, where he puts it more clearly to what my question is:
“From our present vantage point we can characterize this conception of original sin more precisely as man's fear of freedom and his resentment of the discipline and responsibility it brings.”
Now I ask if this maybe is my question, “Is the human soul much as a human child, as in the way it develops? Infancy, toddler, childhood, adolescence, young adult, mature adult, elder?"
So let me take a whack at this idea for a minute. I'll guess that humans as a species, are possibly in the adolescent stage at least, I hope! It rushes into a discipline that it soon grows resentful of, just like an adolescent trying to grow into the adult.
That probably means I won't see much apocoliptic revalations (other than in my own mind!!),in my lifetime in the way of more outstanding group soul progress, but as long as we keep our integrity with ourselves and each other, progress is assured. That's what is important to me, anyhow. Okay, I'm done; this is a subject best discussed in person. Happy Safe Holidays!
Whatzup wit dat?
12/16/09 Bible Blog
As I continue this last week of the semester with the studies of Lit -240, and read more of the Bible than I ever thought possible for me to accomplish, one question keeps nagging me for an answer.
I mean, does anyone else think this?! I'm not sure what exactly my gripe is except, what's with all the ethnic 'snobbery' with Jews?? I'm beginning to think they are the root of all racism! Why? Because the Bible is full of rules about keeping the Hebrews genetically clean of other human races/religions. Am I wrong to question this sort of mentality? To me it doesn't feel very 'Christian-like, as the saying goes, not like a win-win situation for all concerned, and time has proven that it is not. (Anyway, what about the gene pool?)
Just today in the news, Israel and Palestine are fighting again, actually throwing rocks at each other because they don't want to share the planet with each other's belief systems. How arrogant we humans are; where will it all end?!
Seriously, Hebrew or Christian or Muslim or whatever; they all snub humans of other religions and races. I thought that most major religions were all preaching about THE ONE TRUE GOD?! Or is that for only their one true God? Where is the logic in that? Where is the Love?!
And so I also ask, if there is to be only one God for all the world, no matter how they dress him, (I say him because I do accept that we live in a patriarchal world right now), that's saying that all men of all religions and races were created by this one God; all men of all religions/races are the same re: equal. No matter if we agree with them and their foreign beliefs, they too were created by the same God and therefore must be afforded the same respect as does all of God's creation.
Is it too much to ask of us to treat one another as we would our selves wish to be treated? Are we not taught this golden rule, and in so many translations of human religions!?! Why by golly, yes, that is indeed a historical fact.
Why has everyone been so freaked since the history of the Bible, about mixing things up? It happens anyway; biracial/bi-religion couples have been creating families for eons, and we're all still here growing and learning. I think that the different mixes of people and religions give us more of a variety of colorful people, colorful ideas and imaginations, and the opportunity to share all the human insights of God. Something wrong with that?
Maybe all the races and all the religions will mix and become one, and then we'll be all done with wasting time and energy on skin color and worship practices. We would then have no choice but to get on with the concerns of the 'one' people of the same shade and the same praises for the one true Creator of all that is.
Merry Christmas and Blessings on You & Yours! Jeanie*
As I continue this last week of the semester with the studies of Lit -240, and read more of the Bible than I ever thought possible for me to accomplish, one question keeps nagging me for an answer.
I mean, does anyone else think this?! I'm not sure what exactly my gripe is except, what's with all the ethnic 'snobbery' with Jews?? I'm beginning to think they are the root of all racism! Why? Because the Bible is full of rules about keeping the Hebrews genetically clean of other human races/religions. Am I wrong to question this sort of mentality? To me it doesn't feel very 'Christian-like, as the saying goes, not like a win-win situation for all concerned, and time has proven that it is not. (Anyway, what about the gene pool?)
Just today in the news, Israel and Palestine are fighting again, actually throwing rocks at each other because they don't want to share the planet with each other's belief systems. How arrogant we humans are; where will it all end?!
Seriously, Hebrew or Christian or Muslim or whatever; they all snub humans of other religions and races. I thought that most major religions were all preaching about THE ONE TRUE GOD?! Or is that for only their one true God? Where is the logic in that? Where is the Love?!
And so I also ask, if there is to be only one God for all the world, no matter how they dress him, (I say him because I do accept that we live in a patriarchal world right now), that's saying that all men of all religions and races were created by this one God; all men of all religions/races are the same re: equal. No matter if we agree with them and their foreign beliefs, they too were created by the same God and therefore must be afforded the same respect as does all of God's creation.
Is it too much to ask of us to treat one another as we would our selves wish to be treated? Are we not taught this golden rule, and in so many translations of human religions!?! Why by golly, yes, that is indeed a historical fact.
Why has everyone been so freaked since the history of the Bible, about mixing things up? It happens anyway; biracial/bi-religion couples have been creating families for eons, and we're all still here growing and learning. I think that the different mixes of people and religions give us more of a variety of colorful people, colorful ideas and imaginations, and the opportunity to share all the human insights of God. Something wrong with that?
Maybe all the races and all the religions will mix and become one, and then we'll be all done with wasting time and energy on skin color and worship practices. We would then have no choice but to get on with the concerns of the 'one' people of the same shade and the same praises for the one true Creator of all that is.
Merry Christmas and Blessings on You & Yours! Jeanie*
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Book of Job
The Attitude of Gratitude
Who was is that said “Yahweh gave, and Yahweh hath taken away; blessed be the name of Yahweh.” I'm more familiar with “God giveth, and God taketh away” ;but it was Job that said that, right after his wife advised him to curse God and die! Boy, was she ever demanding!!
I suppose I have to give her some room to be human, after all, unbeknown to her or faithful Job, Satan made a wager with God that Job would lose his perfect faith if he lost his property and family. And when that did not take Job's faith, he was overcome with skin-sore diseases, black leprosy, deadly and loathsome in other men's minds because the Hebrew mind believed if you were struck down with bad things, God was punishing you for something.
Job is the first of five books commonly referred to as the 'books of poetry', because of their poetic style of narrative. Most of it reads like a poem and can be as difficult to understand. The other books include Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes are also known as the 'wisdom literature,' because the teachings within are the real 'hot sheets' for getting your life in order.
Solomon, Isaiah, Hezekiah, and even Job have all been suggested as the author of the Book of Job, but Jewish tradition teaches that it was Moses.
Here is something I read and found to be an interesting insight to pass on to you; a summary written of these five 'books of poetry' by a Scottish minister and teacher, Oswald Chambers (1874-1917).
Job - How to suffer
Psalms - How to pray
Proverbs - How to act
Ecclesiastes - How to enjoy
Song of Solomon - How to love
I chose to do my Bible Literature final paper on the Book of Job because at the time, I was feeling like I was being tested by God, in fact our whole class seemed to be getting a taste of Job, so I thought the timing was right for the Book of Job. I know that we all have our 'days of Job'; just think back on all the challenging events this one class has dealt with this very semester. I had low grade fevers for three weeks and still coughing, my oldest son fell from a ladder and broke his collar-bone, my youngest got thrown out of rehab for allowing the kid's father to visit, and there's more, there's always more, isn't there!?! Sounds campy, but bear with me, this is the Book of Job I'm talking about, and that's some pretty dramatic out of the ordinary happenings that happened, and to only one person, me..., I mean Job.
A little background on Job:
The name Job is derived from an Arabic word describing 'repentance,' (how befitting!).
Book of Job is fundamentally the inner experience of one man.
Job was a prosperous, yet pious Hebrew landowner, who had health, wealth, family and honor, he was distinguished far and wide; He feared God, was obedient to his religion, and turned away from evil.
It's been suggested that the Book of Job is not a real narrative, but artificial, or even an allegory; hence the sacred numbers three, five and seven; seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred donkeys, seven sons, three daughters, three friends sat with him seven days and seven nights.
Throughout Job's trials, he kept a constant attitude of worship.
a. He offered burnt sacrifices to God when he thought his children 'may have sinned.'
b. When he was told all his children and possessions were gone (Ch1:20), “Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head (extreme move for a Hebrew), and fell on the ground and worshiped.” (Over head or Ppt)
“ Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Job's wisdom was tested when his wife suggested 'he give up the goat,' he asked her “Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?”
In my life, I discovered that when I count my blessings and I am grateful for what I have, my life just flows easier.
Job and his friends Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Elihu discussed the question about why innocent people suffer.
Job curses the day he was born, but never curses God. His friend Eliphaz reminds Job how he was patient for others, but now impatient with himself; that his fear of God is his confidence, and Job's integrity of his ways are his hope.
His friend Bildad assures him (Ch8:20), “See, God will not reject a blameless person, nor take the hand of evildoers.”
His friend Zophar admonishes him (Ch11:9), “Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.”
His friend Elihu rebukes him, proclaims God's Justice, condemns self-righteousness, exalts God's Goodness, and proclaims God's Majesty.
With all their talk, they believed Job guilty of something.
The Lord answers Job, and he is humbled and satisfied
Job's friends are humiliated by the Lord (Ch 42:7); “for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.”
When Job had prayed for his friends; (Ch 42:10), “...the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” He had a thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand donkeys; he also had seven sons and three daughters and lived another one hundred and forty years to see his children, and his children's children, four generations.
Job rose from the depths of spiritual gloom and doubt to a new dawn of insight and faith, and (Ch42:17), “...died, old and full of days.
For me the themes and lessons in the Book of Job have to do with:
The sovereignty of God
How to be a comfort to others
Remaining faithful to God in times of distress
Our attitude toward suffering is important
Have faith that God's ways are perfect, even if we don't comprehend them.
This semester I learned that the Bible is a book of stories whose intent is to teach the human race about their past. Comprehending the Bible teachings affords you the ability to apply this knowledge to your own personal and contemporary life. And remember to be grateful.
Who was is that said “Yahweh gave, and Yahweh hath taken away; blessed be the name of Yahweh.” I'm more familiar with “God giveth, and God taketh away” ;but it was Job that said that, right after his wife advised him to curse God and die! Boy, was she ever demanding!!
I suppose I have to give her some room to be human, after all, unbeknown to her or faithful Job, Satan made a wager with God that Job would lose his perfect faith if he lost his property and family. And when that did not take Job's faith, he was overcome with skin-sore diseases, black leprosy, deadly and loathsome in other men's minds because the Hebrew mind believed if you were struck down with bad things, God was punishing you for something.
Job is the first of five books commonly referred to as the 'books of poetry', because of their poetic style of narrative. Most of it reads like a poem and can be as difficult to understand. The other books include Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes are also known as the 'wisdom literature,' because the teachings within are the real 'hot sheets' for getting your life in order.
Solomon, Isaiah, Hezekiah, and even Job have all been suggested as the author of the Book of Job, but Jewish tradition teaches that it was Moses.
Here is something I read and found to be an interesting insight to pass on to you; a summary written of these five 'books of poetry' by a Scottish minister and teacher, Oswald Chambers (1874-1917).
Job - How to suffer
Psalms - How to pray
Proverbs - How to act
Ecclesiastes - How to enjoy
Song of Solomon - How to love
I chose to do my Bible Literature final paper on the Book of Job because at the time, I was feeling like I was being tested by God, in fact our whole class seemed to be getting a taste of Job, so I thought the timing was right for the Book of Job. I know that we all have our 'days of Job'; just think back on all the challenging events this one class has dealt with this very semester. I had low grade fevers for three weeks and still coughing, my oldest son fell from a ladder and broke his collar-bone, my youngest got thrown out of rehab for allowing the kid's father to visit, and there's more, there's always more, isn't there!?! Sounds campy, but bear with me, this is the Book of Job I'm talking about, and that's some pretty dramatic out of the ordinary happenings that happened, and to only one person, me..., I mean Job.
A little background on Job:
The name Job is derived from an Arabic word describing 'repentance,' (how befitting!).
Book of Job is fundamentally the inner experience of one man.
Job was a prosperous, yet pious Hebrew landowner, who had health, wealth, family and honor, he was distinguished far and wide; He feared God, was obedient to his religion, and turned away from evil.
It's been suggested that the Book of Job is not a real narrative, but artificial, or even an allegory; hence the sacred numbers three, five and seven; seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred donkeys, seven sons, three daughters, three friends sat with him seven days and seven nights.
Throughout Job's trials, he kept a constant attitude of worship.
a. He offered burnt sacrifices to God when he thought his children 'may have sinned.'
b. When he was told all his children and possessions were gone (Ch1:20), “Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head (extreme move for a Hebrew), and fell on the ground and worshiped.” (Over head or Ppt)
“ Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Job's wisdom was tested when his wife suggested 'he give up the goat,' he asked her “Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?”
In my life, I discovered that when I count my blessings and I am grateful for what I have, my life just flows easier.
Job and his friends Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Elihu discussed the question about why innocent people suffer.
Job curses the day he was born, but never curses God. His friend Eliphaz reminds Job how he was patient for others, but now impatient with himself; that his fear of God is his confidence, and Job's integrity of his ways are his hope.
His friend Bildad assures him (Ch8:20), “See, God will not reject a blameless person, nor take the hand of evildoers.”
His friend Zophar admonishes him (Ch11:9), “Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.”
His friend Elihu rebukes him, proclaims God's Justice, condemns self-righteousness, exalts God's Goodness, and proclaims God's Majesty.
With all their talk, they believed Job guilty of something.
The Lord answers Job, and he is humbled and satisfied
Job's friends are humiliated by the Lord (Ch 42:7); “for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.”
When Job had prayed for his friends; (Ch 42:10), “...the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” He had a thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand donkeys; he also had seven sons and three daughters and lived another one hundred and forty years to see his children, and his children's children, four generations.
Job rose from the depths of spiritual gloom and doubt to a new dawn of insight and faith, and (Ch42:17), “...died, old and full of days.
For me the themes and lessons in the Book of Job have to do with:
The sovereignty of God
How to be a comfort to others
Remaining faithful to God in times of distress
Our attitude toward suffering is important
Have faith that God's ways are perfect, even if we don't comprehend them.
This semester I learned that the Bible is a book of stories whose intent is to teach the human race about their past. Comprehending the Bible teachings affords you the ability to apply this knowledge to your own personal and contemporary life. And remember to be grateful.
being human
12/9/09 Bblog
The days are darkened too early in the numbers of time,when all I crave is more of His Light.
His Light is the essence of His Love supreme, full of all the comforts that mean,
we are His and Worthy. Worthy to take His comfort once more, knowing He is All That Is.
The days are darkened too early in the numbers of time,when all I crave is more of His Light.
His Light is the essence of His Love supreme, full of all the comforts that mean,
we are His and Worthy. Worthy to take His comfort once more, knowing He is All That Is.
Monday, December 7, 2009
stories
The Bible is a book of stories whose intent is to teach the human race about their past. We are taught that comprehending the Bible teachings affords you the ability to apply this knowledge to your own personal contemporary life.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
12/2/09 Bible Blog
While reviewing for a Com110 quiz I came across info in the class text ch. 9 on Ethics (!), about the proverbial 'Golden Rule'. Mentioned religions are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Zoroastrianism, and Judaism. All the religions agree on the 'Golden Rule' re: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,;but to my surprise, Judaism says that is the whole truth, the rest is commentary! Pretty simple, huh!?!
While reviewing for a Com110 quiz I came across info in the class text ch. 9 on Ethics (!), about the proverbial 'Golden Rule'. Mentioned religions are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Zoroastrianism, and Judaism. All the religions agree on the 'Golden Rule' re: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,;but to my surprise, Judaism says that is the whole truth, the rest is commentary! Pretty simple, huh!?!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)