our materialist point of view
eliminates divine and metaphysical
basis of moral order, instead
we are bound by a secular concern
with social and economic welfare

modern Christianity is made more appealing
by the promise of economic prosperity
as "other worldliness" fades
into the background

how "inconvenient" Christ is
with his rantings
about not being of this world

"I pray not for the world
but for them which thou
hast given me...
While I was in the world
I kept them in thy name...
they are not of the world
even as I am not of the world."
John 17:9-16

in early christian history
followers dedicated themselves
to living the spiritual life
even a three year preparation
for baptism:
vigils, fasting and training in prayers

of more importance
they were not prepared to compromise
with the growing worldliness of the church

what we now have
is a "watered-down" version of Christianity
perhaps, we need to re-discover, uncover
Christian values

in regards to Original Sin
the doctrine that we are redeemed
saved by Jesus Christ
is a cop-out

we too must assume
personal accountability
bear our own cross
as did Jesus

"If any man will come after me
let him deny himself
and take up his cross daily
and follow me"
Luke 9: 23

life is nothing, more or less
than learning how to love
dissolving past patterns
which bind us

Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount:
"Love your enemies"
Matthew 5

tangible joy
that i know you to be
extend your touch
to hearts grown cold
break down barriers
boundaries
forces that isolate
let go ego, let go

in silence i sit
a living sacrifice
in a world gone mad
with trivial pursuit

what good is suffering
without redemption
we all suffer but how many of us
lay claim to redemption

accept suffering, begin redemption

there is no linear journey
to paradise
we are already in it
surrounded by it
we must only, awaken
there is nothing for us "to do"
all is done, complete and waiting

all beauty, all joy
beckons us
all is just as it should be

only ego blocks reception, perception
of the divine
thus, the need for "self-destruction"

God rules the world, sublime
no reason for ego to create
creation already is
but for us to receive, experience

Heart informing mind?
isn't that what happens
when we "fall" in love
and thus "second thoughts"
cold feet

as mind is not familiar
at least consciously
with the ways of Heart

...been thinking
(and trying to practice)
the phrase "Christ be with you"
to give real meaning to it
we would have to literally
keep it in mind 24/7

"Christ be with you" requires
a closer connection
between heart and mind
maybe, even a reversal

where heart is dominant
where the heart informs the mind
establishes priorities, relationships
(ego let go)
where mind is subservient
as it should be