“Killing in the Name of?” Part 1

All that is done in loving action, in tune with God, the creator receives it as worship. What is done in ignorant violence and hostility can only be received by the author of evil. Regardless of the name hail from, no acts of love will be received by evil. When we go to war with the name of God on our lips only makes it our war, and not Gods. When nations oppress the weak, kill the innocent, or treat their neighbor with contempt they do so unto their own legacy. Religious labels and dogma too quickly seduce us. All of humanity needs to push past the packaging of religious and political jargon and seek to be in tune with love. If God is pure love like the beloved apostle John said, then as Christ followers we must insist on operating in tune with Love. Jesus was idealistic and his teachings at times appear to me as naive. However, I choose to turn the other cheek with him, loose my life to find it, and forgive those who operate with ill will towards me. How long will we claim to be Christians in tittle, and then act as devils in deeds? I start with forgiving myself, for my own shortcomings and incongruences. I can reframe my world to follow the ways of Jesus and live out the teachings he gave humanity. When his teachings goes against my own ideals, I will lay down my life in hopes to find it and we all have been invited into this good death. The promise is pain, persecution, and trials, but its also life abundant, the kingdom of God on earth, joy to the fullest, and a relationship with the Abba of Jesus.

Dog Vomit

Jesus, in the gospel accounts, speaks of a dog that returns to its vomit, as a creative metaphor for a lot of our personal spiritual journeys. In the parable he compares us to dogs who love to eat their own puke. Vomit should be cleaned up, scrubbed out of the carpet, left in the lawn, or at the bar toilet. As we seek God we are not forced to return to old vomit. Often we chucked and rejected non-sacred visions of God for a new space. We have been invited into new insights, greater openness, love, faith and hope. Let vomit be what it is and don’t go eating it up again. You may have rejected a version of god in the past for a good reason; this projection may have made you spiritually sick. There is a new invitation calling out with in your soul, you hear the Spirit, w its yours to walk in Gods Spirit and discover a vision that transcends your vomit, there is goodness, mercy, justice and much more waiting for us. Love is the essence of God, and its yours for the taking.

“Everything things happen for a reason,” common western spiritual commentary

Imagine saying this to a survivor or rape or genocide! God is a master at turning our messes into something good when we fall into the music of Spirit, but make no mistake, everything doesn’t happen for a reason. “Shit Happens,” is a better alternative theology, because it leaves room for questions, and the questions are invitations to the heart of God. Look for the path down into the darkness, into the questions, the mystery; this is where God will meet your hungry soul. The Spirit is waiting in the questions and will take your soul softly up into transcendence. Be wary of answers, because every answer posses at least 20 new questions. Answers that are worthy, only lead us into greater mystery, a sacred space where those 20 new questions can be help with in an expanded self.