March 30, 1998 ****************************************
. . . . . The possibility has crossed my mind that the C.S. Lewis quote yesterday might have conveyed exactly the opposite sense I wished to impart in my last entry. Admittedly it does perhaps capture the essence of this web site, i.e., people just aren't hearing God or they wouldn't keep being this way. Still that Lewis quote might have come at an inappropriate time and place, and I did yesterday think that it might have been more appropriate to use one from Lao Tsu, specifically "When men lose a sense of awe disasters occur." (That is a paraphrase of the particular translation I have in mind, and it uses the plural as opposed to the singular 'disaster' in the original, but it really is important [I think all would agree with Lao Tsu when he said to] "Move with the present." As long as people have no sense of awe, and it happens whenever any of us resort to ordinary, judgmental mind, I think we shouldn't be surprised at disasters.)
. . . . . I have been thinking again of my desire to stop posting journal entries, and yesterday read in II Corinthians 11:16 "I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little." This gave me pause, as did a number of verses following it, much of which struck me as remarkably obtuse. This morning I stumbled across another interesting note in my Companion Bible. It was on II Timothy 3:16 and reads in part that the Revised Version "reads 'Every Scripture inspired of God is also profitable', thus suggesting that some Scriptures are not inspired." The author of the note, who I'll remind anyone reading this didn't allow his name to be used anywhere in the Bible "so that its usefulness may neither be influenced nor limited by any such consideration", did continue to say, "It is true that the A.V. rendering is given in the margin of the R.V., but it is difficult to see why that should be disturbed." More importantly, the author basically seeks to disseminate traditional (man's) doctrine, but in such a fashion that "the reader may realize that the pervading object of the book is not merely to enable him to interpret the Bible, but to make the Bible the interpreter of God's Word, and Will". (Lao Tsu wrote:
. . . . . "With an open mind, you will be openhearted.
. . . . . Being openhearted, you will act royally.
. . . . . Being royal, you will attain the divine.
. . . . . Being divine, you will be at one with the Tao."
I think that kind of parallels my exhorting readers to be free thinkers on this site. And yeah, I realize that much of my writings have focused on alternate translations and such, but I keep going back to Timothy's "rightly dividing the word of truth", thinking that's a camel rather than a gnat. Hebrews 5:14, by the way, which addresses people who are "skillful in the word..." [see verse 13], talks of them "who of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil". The Greek word for 'use' appears only here and translates 'long practice' or 'habit', and when you consider that the Bible tells us [in 1 Corinthians 1:27] fools are gonna confound the [worldly] wise, it seems to me that God's real mysteries which are gonna be revealed are quite contrary to conventional doctrine [and i know i repeat and repeat], although these fools might need to work to understand those mysteries. As in change their minds and hearts.). . . . . Well, talk about committed, I'm actually considering posting my site on some of the search engines around el Web. Maybe I'll send some folks the URL, even. If anybody's out there, don't worry, I don't think anything will happen like enough visitors to clog up my server. <smile>
. . . . . First, though, I want post those verses with a rendered "conversation" (maybe "lifestyle" would be better) that I didn't mention the other day; maybe I'll just post all twenty of the verses, and hey, don't I remember writing that there were a total of nineteen of them? Anyway it looks like two in the Old Testament, both in Psalms, and eighteen in the New. None of them in the gospels, by the way.
(Psalm 37:14 KJV) The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
. . . . . This is pretty interesting, like people who rationalize serving money, say, are the lawless ones, and since rich people don't usually kill rich people maybe it's an indication that those who are of "upright conversation" seldom have money to any degree. Maybe there's a grain of truth to all I've been saying, and my idea of conspiracy wasn't totally a figment of my imagination. More likely the 'slay' is indicative of spiritual violence and we see that violence when rich folks push poor folks into desperate straits indeed. (Can anybody tell me where the proverbial poor folks home is around here? Don't get me started on welfare reform and/or 'make work' [which is what many states will probably try to push for since there aren't tons of options I see].)(Psalm 50:23 KJV) Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.
. . . . . It's easy to worship God (maybe not in spirit and in truth, as Jesus admonished) when things are going well, but I'm thinking of people I know who might do it in a smug sort of spirit, glorying as it were, at how good and smart they are, discovering that narrow gate to heaven. And I'll be the first to admit that people who attend church regularly and really do have things going their way in the worldly sense are better at praising God (and asking His help) that pore folks, say. But I'm still sorely afraid that going to church and praying and praising and having real good intentions might be short of the mark, indeed, these might be of the unchosen among the many on the broadway :-( to the black hole lurking who knows how near. Oh, I was driving by a church today and noticed (on both sides) a sign saying "The ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic was built by professionals." It made me think of the film's director winning an Oscar and likening the great ship to our civilization.(II Corinthians 1:12 KJV) For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
. . . . . C.S. Lewis writes "It is no good asking for a simple religion." Very often, he continues, "this silly procedure is adopted by Christians who are not silly, but who, consciously or unconsciously, want to destroy Christianity. . . Notice, too, their idea of God 'making religion simple'; as if 'religion' were something God invented, and not His statement to us of certain quite unalterable facts about His own nature." Simple indeed. And don't think that I don't recognize how I'm trying to achieve the impossible with what must be the simplest theory of the universe ever presented.. . . . . Part of the problem with my 'plan' is that there appear to be tons of sincere people, and people with a real devotion to what I must call their god. Sincerely brainwashed and indoctrinated to the rule of the preachers and priests I must say, and it is quite understandable that those people (and preachers and priests [who are indoctrinated as well]) love to have it so. (Yeah, I know I posted that verse (2014 note: "The priests bear rule by their means, and my people love to have it so." is the verse, one which shows that The People actually rule.) a time or three.)
(Galatians 1:13 KJV) For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
. . . . . This one makes sense only if you use 'manner of living', say. And don't forget that in that time past, Paul was Saul, and he was very orthodox and extremely committed to the god he worshiped and the letter of the law was followed by him to a degree quite to be commended_yet he says here he 'wasted' what he now considered the true church of God, finally (maybe I should say 'suddenly') doing good works with all his might (and dying a martyr' death).(Ephesians 2:2-3 KJV) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
. . . . . That is verses two and three up there; I put the first up because it seems to lend some credence to my exegesis. I mean, ordinary mind is seen here and there taking the form of 'hot air' huh? And I'm sure this is not ascribed to me. (Ho Ho Ho)(Ephesians 4:22 KJV) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
. . . . . The transformation of Romans 12:2 can take a long time or, I believe, it can happen suddenly; I'm gonna have to survey the population and see how many sentient beings there are. Yeah. Maybe I should just seek the dark angels (Yeah, Paul sure seemed to believe in angels in the guise of human beings, asking whether that guy was in the third heaven.) but Paul said that didn't work, that there's no way to tell if people are sentient or not. That reminds me of a note I made last week, a quotation from a novel I was trying to read: "(Samuel Coleridge) says materialism may influence the characters of individuals and even of communities to a degree that almost does away with the distinction between men and devils." The book (Remembrance Day, by Brian Aldiss) also attributed the following quotation to Coleridge: "(Materialism) will make the page of a future historian resemble the narration of a madman's dream." I thought that was kind of cool. Or is it hot?(Philippians 1:27-28 KJV) Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (verse 28:) And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
. . . . . Perdition is like utter destruction, like lawless people (those not knowing God [or should I say those who don't worship him in spirit and truth; those who don't know his thoughts and ways]) were (and are) so out of touch that they thought the Christians' approach to life (having all things in common and not being interested in getting more stuff and loving their enemies and the whole nine yards) was (and is, only now maybe it's anybody and anything they don't relate to, the old stiff-necked thing) on the broad way, the stupid way, the way of the wide gate leading to destruction. Because we need to remember that Jesus hung out mostly with what might be termed the motley crew, you know, prisoners and all that, and though he "came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance", there is no doubt he didn't consider the scribes and pharisees and orthodox (to the letter of the law) Jews to be on the straight and narrow.(Philippians 3:21-22) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
. . . . . This is kind of a toughie; maybe this is just a reflection of how Paul felt about his worldly existence, certainly evidenced in his writings, and how unimportant he counted those things he had to do to maintain his life, and it might even be considered derogatory toward those who did spend most of their time engaged in activities aimed at providing more than they needed (you know that conspicuous consumption existed before Paul's time) instead of being obedient to God or (maybe instead of 'or' I should say 'by being') merciful to their fellow citizens. (It does make me think about the saying 'he's spending so much time with his head in the clouds he ain't no earthly good.')(1 Timothy 4:12 ) These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity (Hebrews 13:5-7) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Verse 6) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Verse 7) Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation..
. . . . . Gosh, "command and teach" stuff like manner of life, and love, and faith, and purity? Tough love, seems to me. And there's that ugly 'covetousness' word again. Gosh I don't like it And right now I don't know the reference to 'the end of their conversation; perhaps John the Baptist and Stephen and others whose 'conversation' offended the world rulers like. Well, this has been an all-day effort that's taken me too far into the night. I guess some of my fans <laughter> want me to keep going, so I'll try to take it up again tomorrow. God willing, etc.
April 3 **********************************
. . . . . I've no idea where the energy came from to write all of that (well, I guess I worked on it every day since I last posted anything on el 'Net).
. . . . . First I want to try and finish those 'conversation verses: (but i just realized that means i won't be posting my site on search engines; so what __ like Lao Tsu said "In action, watch the timing.")
(James 3:13 KJV) Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
. . . . . I think I managed to lose the comments on this verse (duhl), and they were the best I've ever written (haha), but I'll try again. And I didn't think it before, but this is a great 'works' verse. Good manner of life, good behavior is what we're supposed to show with 'meekness of wisdom'. Actually must be someone striving for the perfection Jesus exhorted us towards. The 'meekness of wisdom' reminds me of Jesus saying to be wise as serpents and simple as doves; if you run into a stiff-necked, hard-hearted person you don't argue, but present if you can what you (I'm saying you and thinking me2) think is the true gospel, say (and works is the basis of our lifestyle, and works seem to be doing unto others as you would be done by, and that mostly seems to be sacrificing self for the benefit of others. It gets complicated quick, like I said on that Next Step addendum). If someone or some group doesn't buy into your opinions, (maybe it would be more appropriate to say if they hear and see but remain deaf and blind) then shake the dust off your feet on the way out of the situation. It ain't easy in my experience, but that's why I've been kind of spreading what I think is God's message to humanity, throwing away anonymity even, 'cause I've got a little light of mine and I'm gonna let it shine, shine, shine as much as I can, hopefully (as usual) doing what God wants me to do.(1 Peter 1:13-15 KJV) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
. . . . . I think I used the 13th verse in one of my studies, but I'm including it again since I have to go back and see things time and again some times to (maybe) understand them; also I'm thinking if anybody reads stuff on this site it's like Chinese water torture (Lao Tsu said something like "The softest thing in the universe overcomes the hardest thing in the universe" and water is softer than stone and the repetition might overcome hard hearts via rejecting ordinary mind.) Like the verse I recently encountered anyway (and might have posted in a quote or paraphrase here) which goes like people worshiping their stomachs; think about our grocery stores and food banks and how many fast food places and restaurants are around, and then consider one church's effort to relieve the mess in North Korea (which really gets me depressed, because it was over six months ago the media started talking about [yeah, I think I posted something about it earlier] the situation there and just this past week I see a plan to help out there]). Let me refer to notes again: First of all, I'm not saying the church had anything to do with the selection of materials to go in each box. But it really scares me more to think this is what like some huge agency suggested. Here's the contents of every box to be sent to people who six months ago reportedly had (what was it) one-third of kids under six years old malnourished: Twelve pounds of dried beans, fifteen pounds of corn meal, fifteen pounds of flour, six to ten pounds of spaghetti ("depending on available space" [and we don't know if they've ever seen spaghetti and i'm betting it's spahetti pasta they're talking about]), fifteen pounds of rice, and the mix for twenty quarts of powdered milk. (The milk sounds good anyway.). . . . . I'm sorry, but when I think about Jesus saying people who tithe "have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith" it is quite relevant to my discussion with el computer? Because people who tithe do sacrifice stuff in order to tithe, but in no small degree they sacrifice spices (while some people sacifice pepper, say, yeah, it's a spice I guess, but we're not talking little picture here) and continue buying new cars, say, and going on vacations and such. (Not that I'm saying don't do those things; it was Jesus who said it. (Not to forget 'Be ye holy', which reminds me of 'Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.") But maybe the gnat that needs to hit some glasses is the proverb I think which goes like "the sacrifice of the wicked is abomination to God." Yeah, the boxes of relief food cost like forty bucks, which can be big to some people and nothing to others (who doubtless will send ten boxes), but for pities sake I just can't believe (maybe it's not so bad now) after six months the Koreans would ask for this stuff. "How about a couple of cans of tuna" somebody might have asked a go-between. Naw, nobody asked anybody anything would be my guess.
(I Peter 1:17-18) And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
. . . . . I added verse 17 since I just used it in that 'works' lesson; Chinese water torture (like examining gnats) might help us to open our minds, and open our hearts too, like Lao Tsu said, if you'll allow me to repeat myself. But check out verse 18: the "vain (behavior) received by tradition from your fathers." Worldly success is in no way to be any kind of measuring device for how good (or bad, for that matter) a person is. Every man for himself, root hog or die, charity begins at home. Heaven help us all.(I Peter 2:11-12) Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
. . . . . I added verse 11 since Paul apparently didn't like to judge anybody any more than I do addressing the readers as he did here, but more importantly so people would get the idea that Paul wanted everyone to judge themselves. Verse 12 interestingly could be interpreted as faith in the basic decency of human-kind in general, saying that they maybe will have opportunity to turn away from ordinary mind, to be transformed from a renewing of their minds. since I just used it in that 'works' lesson; Chinese water torture also an aim of me me mine.(I Peter 3:1-2) Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
. . . . . Here we find 'conversation' in two adjoining verses. I figure man and woman are expected to be the servant of each other, with the tie-breaker automatically belonging the man (who in turn should really try to let the woman have her way on enough small stuff that she'll be able to believe the man really wants to treat her like she wants to be treated). Also this addresses the problem of people being 'unequally yoked', believer to non-believer. These verses just presume that all the men were believers, I reckon, but Paul definitely says that behavior should be what wins over any non-believer, that each should try to lead by example. And don't forget how difficult it can be just to get on the straight and narrow, to say nothing of staying on it. And lets not forget the awesome exhortation that our behavior should be coupled (I almost said 'motivated') by the fear of the Lord.(I Peter 3:15-16) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
. . . . . Work on making our hearts pure, trying not to lean on ordinary mind, which rationalizes our every move. In other words, don't pay any attention to the thoughts you have unless your heart says maybe that's true. Particularly don't take a negative thought about anybody and run with it, so to speak. Meditate on it and realize that the fewer bad actions we take (like judging somebody or not doing to them what we'd want them to do to us [and that gets deep in a hurry I know) the better off we have to be. Heart and mind. Being still (from the Psalm) doesn't address merely our physical being. And on the conscience thing hopefully any guilt that might be felt can be assigned to inner works; "in our patience we save our soul" might be a good paraphrase of something Jesus said. Paul was big on staying the course and fighting the good fight and putting the past behind to press forward toward the mark of our high calling. But let's not forget that many are called, but few are chosen.(II Peter 2:1-10) But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
. . . . . I'll start at the end of this selection since it unveils something of a paradox in me, in particular the 'despise government' phrase. Government translates 'dominion' or 'authority' and dignities translates 'glories' ( which ain't nothing to do with people in positions of authority, say). When I first posted this site, the focus was to bring about change through the Amerikan system. Perhaps it is possible, but I still see Kongress playing pork-barrel politics with the public. (2014 note: Kongress is enough said.). . . . . We are part and parcel sold out to materialism, in particular (for the middle class [yeah, it might still be disappearing] and above) the never-ending reach for financial security. Rich people I mean. Pore folks ain't doing much better, but their struggle has a closer focus; forget saving money for a tv, say, it's a struggle for daily bread and power bills and such. The bad news is that that struggle stretches out past the horizon, so to speak, and I'm sure if anybody is reading this they'd agree that providing yes, beans (gotta have some protein) and rice and such just as a rule of thumb, there'd be much less spiritual violence, 'cause don't forget free enterprise is the freedom to stab your neighbor in the back. I love this next quote so I'm gonna post it again: "The way of heaven is to take from those who have too much and give to those who don't have enough. Man's way is different".
. . . . . Verse 9 corroborates (nuthin' but black and white, huh? Don't forget whose web site this is.) my contention that Paul's "we wrestle against not flesh and blood but ...spiritual wickedness in high places" was a reference to people who have overcome the flesh and the wrestling basically is against the ordinary mind of those who haven't done this. God doesn't tempt us without giving us a way to escape it is a verse somewhere (kind of). (2021 note: gotta say now it's us versus the ordinary mind of so many of our "leaders" [political, financial, religious, you name it] that it kinda blows my mind)
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