  Spiritual
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“We may have different religions, different languages, different
colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.”
Kofi Annan
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Hello and welcome to this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter! Your editor’s are, Puditat  , Becky Simpson , kittiara, and me, windac. A belated Merry Christmas to those who celebrate this most special of occasions, and to those that don’t, a belated Happy Holidays to you and yours!
"What is tolerance? -- it is the consequence of humanity. We are all formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other's folly -- that is the first law of nature."
Voltaire
There’s been much in the news over the past few weeks of those that object to the Christmas tree in public places and what it symbolizes. Here in the United States, debates such as this have been growing more and more frequent, and not all of them are religous in nature. Whether it be prayer in public, standing for the national anthem at sporting events, or the ever increasing use of the Spanish language, it would seem that we are becoming less and less tolerant of just about everything and everybody whose beliefs and ways of life differ from our own. Truthfully, there are times when I am just as guilty of this sort of intolerant behavior, and I don’t much care for it, thank you very much.
To those of you that are non-Christian in belief, bear with me. To you, this may seem just another sermon from a preachy, self-righteous, and overbearing Bible-thumper. Think what you will, but the subject of tolerance, or intolerance as the case may be, can be understood and taken for what its worth by Christians and non-Christians alike. Now that you’ve been properly forewarned, I’m about to share a daily e-mail devotional from PurposeDrivenLife.com. John Fischer writes:
December 15, 2006
Christians in Babylon
One of the most well-known Bible stories – right up there with David and Goliath and Jonah and the whale – is the story of Daniel in the lion's den. It's the story of how Daniel gained favor within the upper echelons of the Babylonian Empire during a time when the Jewish nation was disbanded and in exile in that state. Like Joseph, who rose to a place of prominence in Egypt, God blessed Daniel and his three Jewish friends with him and gave them favor and responsibility in the king's court. The king was so fond of Daniel that he was distraught over having to punish him due to his refusal to bow to the Babylonian god. Daniel's usefulness to the king made his refusal to bow even more stunning.
Our mark as Christians in the world will be more compelling and effective the more useful we are to society. Lined up against society and locked in a culture war that sets us apart makes us that much easier to dismiss along with our beliefs. But as Christians who are contributors to the social fabric, we become an asset to the community, making our faith that much more attractive. At least our faith stands a better chance of being rejected for what it truly is rather than for other reasons.
The biblical account says, “God gave [Daniel and his three friends] knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning … In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them 10 times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.” (Daniel 1:17, 20) In other words, they knew everything their contemporaries knew and then some. They knew more about Babylon than Babylonians and, remarkably, God gave them that kind of knowledge.
God is not opposed to our being informed about the world we live in - its culture, history, philosophy, science, and its religions. In fact, that knowledge becomes an important part of how he wants to use us in the world.
Daniel served the king short of bowing to him. He refused to give him honor due only to God, but he gave him all the respect due a king. Likewise, we need to take the high road in our neighborhoods and communities and not get locked into mud wrestling over differing values and morals. Respecting others goes hand in hand with the Gospel message. Our neighbors deserve both.
As a Christian this way of thinking makes perfect sense (or it shoud), but it does so on a strictly humane level as well. The world is growing and changing, and doing so at a pace that boggles the mind, and some changes are simply out of our sphere of control. I may not agree with some of these changes, but that doesn't give me the right to judge and condemn those on the other side of the fence just for the sake of a so called spiritual, 'I'm right, you're wrong' argument. For me, one Bible passage brings it all into focus:
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn,
and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
Matthew 6:37 NIV
Being tolerant does not in any form of the word mean that anything and everything goes. There are things that shouldn't be tolerated: oppression and tyranny, physical and sexual abuse, and so on. But, what it does mean is that we must search our hearts and do what is good and right. Speak up when speaking up is the correct course of action, but do so in a respectful and tasteful manner, and if at all possible, within the confines of whatever spiritual, legal and governmental system you adhere to. And please remember that there are human beings on the other side of that fence, and proceed as you would have them do if the tables were turned.
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Submitted by: Ominous
"Now, He did not wish to have a robot but someone with free will who could make a conscious decision to have a relationship with Him. That gives US purpose. We are to fellowship with Him. That’s what we are supposed to do. When God created us it gave purpose to His creation."
How do you then view the serpent in the garden? He was after all the one who awakened man-kind to free-will.
I usually find that most people's views on religion and spirituality are far too simplistic for my taste.
Thank you Ominous, for taking the time to send feedback. As to your question, I'm not sure I can answer in a way that will be understandable to you, but will instead offer excerpts from Genesis:
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "
"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:1-5 NIV
And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." Genesis 3:22 NIV
I cannot speak for anyone else, but as far as my views on religion and spirituality, in my mind they are anything but simplistic. I continue to learn and grown daily, and hope to do so until the moment I leave this world. Please feel free to share with us your own beliefs.
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Submitted By: Hidley Boxn
Spiritual Newletter is greater if more people of non-Christian faith could say something without being attacked by them.
Thank you for responding Hidley, but I'm not aware of any attacks on readers of non-Christian beliefs. Any and all comments are welcome, no matter the spiritual path you've chosen.
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Submitted By: Kenzie 
Here is a man who is suffering. But he has decided to write about his journey and has invited us along. What strength that shows, and what faith. I tried putting the item number in the box above and it wouldn't take it.
This is Bud's blog about his journey with cancer is so inspirational. He exhibits such strong faith and a wonderful and intimate relationship with God, whom he lovingly calls Dad. I have been sharing Bud's blog with everyone!
Hi Kenzie! I'd just discovered Bud's blog through another wdc acquaintance a couple of days before you sent me the link. As you can see, his blog has been highlighted above. He is truly an amazing, inspiring and extremely humorous man!
Thank you though, for sending his blog info my way. 
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Submitted By: Being Diane
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Submitted Comment:
It's been a long time since I was really reading something that became so important to respond to and let my feelings be known. Wind Beneath my Wings did such an excellent job especially because research on the subject. I so enjoyed reading it as I do all of these newsletters. Here's my opinion; it took awhile to get it down right and there is still some work to be done but I think I got the point across. Thanks again! BeDiane
Submitted Item:
Submitted Comment:
This is my explanation of God's purpose. This is from someone with a small simple mind.
I must say the ones I recommend are very diverse. Some of the books I recommend to further your spirituality are: Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen, Nest Door Savior by Max Lucado, There's a Spiritual Solurtion to Every Problem by Wayne Dyer, The Soul Search by Gary Collins, and The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.
I would really like to read some more opinions on this topic and plan to read these in the current newsletter.
Thank you so much bediane1954, for taking the time to respond to my last issue, and for submitting items for the readership as well.
The glory for any good that might come from what I write goes to God, after all, He is the one who gave me this ability. Many blessings! |
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Spiritual: December 27, 2006 Issue [#1454]
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