It is very easy in the hurly burly modern day life that we all live in as complex as it can be. But to deal in life with human beings and not just someone that we bounce around with but we do give regard and respect is something that takes us far. To go back to square one and be courteous in perhaps an old fashioned way may equate to what faith is about.
I don't have children and I do have a family that has gone through much - I think that are entire family has - and I recall the days that we all did go to church together as one. I don't write much with regards to religion as I think that to stand rigidly with religion. I believe that each person regardless of where they are from has the right to believe in what they believe in.
I recall when I was a child when I asked my father if he believed in God. My mother was catholic and we were all raised that way - BUT - what always impacted me was that he said "if you treat your fellow man good perhaps there is a place up there in with God. I never forgot that. And I do believe in the thoughts of what people say as well as write. Some play it for all it's worth and some are authentic. You can pick that up so quickly when you meet a person.
I was going to drive down to go to church for the first time in a long time tomorrow morning but I am going to take some time. However I am not lazy I have many things I have to prepare for for this upcoming week. So with all that said, I believe in God - I think that I have matured into it as I know that I have taken on challenges that only by way of determination and faith could one do. Yet in no manner am I evangelical. It's just not my way.
Most of my friends are agnostic or at least so it seems they are. This is all fine with me as I believe in an ethic of good intentions and consideration to people I come to know as well as to those out there on the internet that I have come to know by way of writing.
Going back to the foundation of how we were raised sometimes comes to give way to an understanding that some things are worthy and do prevail. I think that indicates my values in a moderately personal manner here on this blog. I so often think of the substance. As within the write is something that is of value.
Being kind is one element of our characteristic. And I think that to do as such does enforce what the meaning of life is. As well during a time in which most people are spending with family.
However I know that some are alone and to take consideration of those that are out there and that do have some manner of exceedingly having an intention for good things. Is what this is about during this weekend. Going back to square one does not mean anything more than giving some understanding to the act of being a human being.
Being nice during certain times is worthwhile. As it's a faithfull act perhaps. The words that come to mind are sincere, kind, understanding. And that all said it's a time in which communities are becoming more rare as we live in that "fast lane".
So as I have wrote so often before - it's not about where your from, it's not about where your your born. What it's about is then genuine that gives what to some structure of faith. It may sound intense - but I really find the value of authenticy to be the one marvelous thing.
Very nice blog, Jack. It seems that you're out of your slump. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat blog Jack thanks for sharing...and Happy Easter
ReplyDeleteI was going to drive down to go to church for the first time in a long time tomorrow morning but I am going to take some time""
ReplyDeleteI believe in God with all my heart. Just take some time with Him. That is all that matters. Your heart, that is all that really matters.
Your blog spoke volumes. Great pictures as well. I appreciate your writing and your introspective blogs. Happy Easter my friend.
Jenna
In a predominantly Catholic nation, someone with a different belief is most often viewed as an outcast of sorts... a jinx even. For me, it's not all about religion since no religion could boast of spiritual salvation --- it's faith. I am not religious since I am not blindly obedient. I ask questions and that's something the old folks don't just take so lightly. They want the younger people to do as they say without questions. Well, I thought it would have been best if I were born without a questioning mind, eh.
ReplyDeleteSo when someone asks me what my religion is, I say I am a Christian but with no definite church to affiliate with. I am open to the idea of going into different congregations since it isn't about religion anyway, it's about faith, it's about God. So there goes--- I am not religious, but I am faithful.
This is definitely one of your best writes, Jack. Have a Happy Easter.
To respect and love others as we would like to be respected and loved is certainly a start to a better life for all. There are good aspects in religions for they suggest structures and behaviors for any society. An interesting post Jack, and your pictures are very good. I wish a very Happy Easter week to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jo - Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you Toni.
ReplyDeleteWell if there are volumes I am not sure what frequency they are at Jenna. With a coffee at hand with a tad of milk and honey. Let me say when we believe - there is always a way. Happy Easter and I hope the sun does shine on your and your inner spirit.
ReplyDeleteThanks and smiles always form in return.
I understand what you mean here Jean as so often within religions they are about conforming people. I myself as a person that was raised catholic and I found that I got busy with life and that never stopped me from having a faith. And nor am I new age. I think that would lead to a person being something of some sort.
ReplyDeleteAgnostic or otherwise within each and everyone of us there is a desire for happiness and fairth. Faith covers so many areas. And the ideal that you have wrote to is rather a fine one if I may say. Thank you.
Christianity: 2.1 billion,Islam: 1.5 billion,Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist: 1.1 billion
,Hinduism: 900 million,Chinese traditional religion: 394 million
Buddhism: 376 million,primal-indigenous: 300 million, African Traditional & Diasporic: 100 million,Sikhism: 23 million
Juche: 19 million,Spiritism: 15 million,Judaism: 14 million,Baha'i: 7 million,Jainism: 4.2 million,Shinto: 4 million,Cao Dai: 4 million
Zoroastrianism: 2.6 million,Tenrikyo: 2 million,Neo-Paganism: 1 million,Unitarian-Universalism: 800 thousand,Rastafarianism: 600 thousand,Scientology: 500 thousand
Danielle a happy Easter to you and may it be a good one for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteReligion will never get anyone anywhere. After all it was the "religious" people who had JESUS crucified.
ReplyDeleteI see you as a person who treats all with a great deal of respect, no matter what their background, religion might be. I believe that is what the LORD would have us all to do. Sometimes being nice and showing respect to others might not be easy to do, but it is what we should do.
Happy Easter. GOD bless you this Sunday Jack.
scott
Scott as my ponder is "Rev Scott" a blog thing or is it something that you have brought on as a manner online. Just a question as there is a very large following of bloggers that just indicate that they are something. Regardless of that - your writes are great. And I do read them. A happy easter to you my friend I guess I am hitting on Authenticity in a courteous way as I never judge, it not for me to do, I just enjoy writing and connecting. But within what is here and what I have seen - you seem like a very nice chap. In no way am I down playing you. Happy Easter to you Scott.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I think people are mistaken sometimes when they say religious folks are blindly obedient to their religion . I know some are;I know some people just practice the religion they were brought up in : to some it means something, to others, it does not. But I cannot help but think that the original followers of Christ asked question after question after question. Some are recorded in scripture. I am a Christian. I go to a Baptist church, but that is secondary. I am a Christian because I have put my faith and trust in Christ as the way to Heaven. Christ offers this way to all. This is why He came. It doesn't matter what the sign in front of your church says; what matters is that each of us obeys what God lays out for us in His Word. Some have told me I believe only because I grew up going to church and that I have been brainwashed. Hogwash! I have asked my own questions and plenty of them. I have thought deeply about many things. I was taken to church as a chilld, but my beliefs are those of an adult.
ReplyDeleteI concur.
ReplyDeleteLet me add that I want to show respect to everyone. Beyond that, I want to be loving to all, for that is the main characteristic of God. His believers can do no less.
ReplyDeleteFaith as you say is with regards and respect. I am just reading all the thoughts. And Scott, you are right I do write with a respect to others. I think that there are some in here that would know that. Althought it's all within the right. And if I may add, I went to mass for the first time and it's a long drive from here to down town. But there was some quality in it in comparision to just going shopping.
ReplyDeleteenoying my coffee, readings and glad I now know you better!
ReplyDeleteJack,
ReplyDeleteI am a liscenced and ordained minister, I am not a pastor, I did pastor a church for awhile. The LORD was wanting me to know what pastors do go through. That is why I have rev in front of scott. Reverend Scott W.
I never thought you were not. At first I was pondering if you where all that you said you were and you know what Scott only by way of time to we come to understand each other. Don't ask me what I do please.
ReplyDeleteBut as I am doing things around here and coming back to this I am seeing that there are some postings and if I thought you were a fake, or flake I would have taken you off my blog Scott. I see you as a very decent man. It's rare to have other men on men's blogs - Ironically but so true. - Peace and a Great Sunday to you!