 Spiritual: April 19, 2006 Issue [#990] |
  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: windac
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Every mind must make its choice between truth and repose. It cannot have both.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson -
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Hello, and welcome to this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter! Your editors are Puditat  , kittiara, Love is a Mommy (no foolin)  , and me, windac. Let's get right to it, shall we?
I am a sinner by birth, human by race, Lutheran by demonination, and Christian by faith. A true ~Wind in my Wings~ testimonial if ever there was one. You may find this a strange and blunt way to open a newsletter, but as always, there is a method to my madness. And while this edition is written from a distinctly Christian viewpoint, may you find a thought or two expressed here to be inspirational in nature.
Have you ever noticed the affect that the mere mention of the word Christian has on people? It must be powerful because it wields the power to repel, anger, frighten, disgust or amuse. It almost always elicits some form of response, whether it be positive or negative. The world climate as a whole seems extremely anti-Christian these days, although this is by no means a new trend. Those who follow Christ have been persecuted for centuries, so that comes as no big surprise.
Besides here in the SNL, it is very rare that I go into detail about my faith with those who do not share my outlook. (Although, I have been known to debate a point or two with those who do not share my views... ahem.) But there are those who know where I stand without us ever having an in-depth conversation. It could be the small cross that's taped to my work computer, a comment slipped in here or there in a conversation, or any other of a number of ways I am perceived by my words and actions. No matter your faith or belief system, it is those two things that leave a lasting, sometimes impossible to change, impression. This is where some Christians have stumbled, and why I think Christianity as a whole has gotten a bad rap.
I suppose that the catergories below could be said about most any faith or belief system, but when put to the test, I would categorize Christians as I know them to be in one of the following:
 Those who wish to save your soul, at all costs.
Those who are loathe to associate with others who do not believe.
Those who quietly go about their way without ever sharing their faith.
Those who, at first glance, seem strong in faith but do not practice what they preach.
Those who are still reaching, but hold back in fear.
Those whose strength of faith oozes from every pore, with every word, with every nuance.
Those who would twist the word of God for their own selfish and ugly purpose.
Those who shout their faith from the pulpit, not to save, but to line their own pockets.
With the exception of one or two, I can be all of these things, and have been. The thing is, the spiritual path never ends. You don't simply shout a joyful hallelujah, and become perfect in the blink of an eye. You must remember, when it comes to humanity there is no perfection. We are all flawed, and we all sin. Let me share a couple of personal snippets with you in order to make my point.
I have an ex-son-in-law serving two life sentences in prison for the murder of my step-daughter and her baby. Not once has he shown any remorse. Anger is a normal, healthy response to such a heinous act, and yes, we felt it and expressed it. But the anger was not allowed to grow bitter. What would that have accomplished? Nothing. Nothing but detrimental, undesirable and inexcusable suffering and anguish. Hanging on to anger long enough for it to grow bitter serves no purpose, especially God's. Just because I've not committed the actual act of murder, I am no less a sinner than he. I am no better than he, and have prayed for the salvation of his soul. Trust me when I say, this didn't come easily or quickly, but it did come, thanks be to God.
A previous pastor of our church had really begun to make me nervous, and I was personally relieved when he was called to preach in another state. His way of thinking bordered a bit on the maniacal side in my opinion. No television, no association with non-Christians or non-Christian events, and women were only allowed to teach Sunday school or sing in the choir as a way of serving the church. In those days I worked at a casino, and had to be at work at 9am on Sundays. The only church that held a service early enough for me to attend had a female pastor. Yikes! I got an ear full on that one. I happen to believe that if your heart is true and faithful, God doesn't care what gender you happen to be when speaking His word and sharing His message. And, to be perfectly honest, I don't steadfastly agree with all of the teachings of my church. As far as the pastor's attitude, Jesus himself ministered to those of the lower classes - those that society would have simply thrown away.
Long faces, coarse manners, a ridiculous appearance, a repelling air.
Is that how you hope to inspire others to follow Christ?
- Bl. Josemaria Escriva. -
My point is this. An attitude of self-righteousness is perhaps one of the biggest stumbling blocks to building a life of faith, and where many Christians have failed miserably. Living a life of faith should enable you to see with new eyes, to feel with a new heart, and to act in a new, more faithful and loving way. It doesn't happen in the blink of an eye, but our walk of faith is never ending. There are always new heights to strive for, and much room for improvement.
We were not made to be on our own, to be better than anyone else. We were all created equal at birth, and it is only man who has deemed some worthy and others not. Think about this the next time you perceive yourself to be greater than those around you. It just ain't so... we all put our pants on one leg at a time. I have to remind myself of this every single day.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other,
just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31, 32 NIV
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Thank you to everyone who took the time to send comments! They are always welcomed and appreciated. But I do have a small favor to ask. If you wish to send in comments, please mention the name of that issue's editor. There are times when many of us are behind with our reading - including the NL's. If feedback is sent during the week when another editor takes their turn, it can sometimes be difficult to know which NL the comments belong to. I think I speak for all the editors when I say, we do not wish for anyone's comments to be overlooked.
Submitted By: karabu
Submitted Comment:
The story at the end of this week's newsletter reminded me of a great quote from Carl Sagan: "If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe."
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Submitted By: donnabateson
Submitted Comment:
I would like to say how much I enjoyed reading your newsletter. Whe I started reading it I was feeling really down and very fed up by the time I finished reading your newsletter I felt whole much better thank you for a great newsletter.
Donna
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Submitted By: PlannerDan
Submitted Comment:
Ecellent editorial, Wind. Given an additional thousand word it could not have been better. Sometimes shooting from the hip works very well.
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Submitted By: Erik Stark
Submitted Comment:
Thanks so much for featuring my poem in you editors picks! When I wrote this poem it seemed awfully hard to write for something so simple. Looking at it now, it seems pretty powerful for such a simple thing. I might not have reflected upon it without you featuring it - oops! I've gotten some very nice reviews and comments and it makes me really happy if I know someone has enjoyed it. Keep up the great newsletters!
Erik
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Submitted By: zwisis
Submitted Comment:
People just don't seem to have the time to make the time these days... and it doesn't cost much to smile and say "thank you" to a helpful shop assistant or the guy behind the post office counter. How about letting someone into your lane when the traffic is heavy? You may loose just one minute of driving time, but he'll feel great after you've done that. I know I do when someone does it for me! Great newsletter, Windac!
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Submitted By: jaya h
Submitted Comment:
I liked the little story-a convrsation with the God! I enjoyed the newsletter.
Thanks,
Jaya H.
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Submitted By: Kenzie 
Submitted Comment:
I loved this newsletter! Sometimes short is good. And often times, when we're too busy to think of a topic, God comes along and does it for us.
I loved the quote from St. Francis of Assisi. And that joke about creation was a great ending as well.
Thanks!
Blessings,
Kenzie
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Submitted By: Iva Lilly Durham
Submitted Item:
Submitted Comment:
I found your comments interesting this month. I often use my writing to vent my anger or other uncomfortable feelings. Therefore, I don't need to vent them on people or try not to. The only problem is that sometimes people will think I feel such things always when, in fact, they may have been very temporary feelings. Either way, I thank God for the ability to write what I feel. Nice newsletter. |
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Until next time, humble yourself to others, and God bless! 
