Find Religion

“… Move beyond any attachment to names.” Every war

and every conflict between human beings has happened because

of some disagreement about

names. It’s such an unnecessary foolishness, because just

beyond the arguing there’s a long

table of companionship, set and waiting for us to sit down.

“What is praised is one, so the praise is one too, many jugs being poured

into a huge basin. All religions, all this singing, one song.

The differences are just illusion and vanity.

Sunlight looks slightly different

on this wall than it does on that wall and a lot different

on this other one, but

it is still one light. We have borrowed these clothes, these

time-and-space personalities,

from a light, and when we praise, we pour them back in.

mevlana jelaluddin rumi - 13th century

Practice moving beyond attachment by consciously using no words. You may have to close your eyes. We have a tendency to name and mentally say names of different things we see in our environs. For this exercise, let’s close our eyes. Have no TV or radio on. Make the sacred sound of the OHM, vibrating the ‘O’ in your chest, the ‘H’ in the throat and the ‘M’ on the lips. OHM carefully over and over until you become a vibrating tone of chest, throat, lip symbol speak. Say it until it makes no sense and you blur into the vibration. This is beyond attachment. This is the the place of wonder,  the child’s eye, that we can hope to distill down into an elixir that vitalizes our life. This is the gateway to the source of exploring the language of the soul. After doing this exercise, I recommend drawing a mandala or wheel of life. Find creative expression for the intangibles experienced and create so you can make your inner language manifest real for you to see.

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field.

I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language- even the phrase “each other” -do not make any sense.

This Rumi poem/prayer of truth is the way we are to approach sacred circle. Empty out so the space can be filled with Her grace. Divine femininity is characteristic by the chalice, the bowl; such as the womb. It is hidden, open & receiving of the abundance that is our birthright. She gathers her knowledge and wisdom not thru words but thru sacred imagery and symbol. This is why creativity is so essential to nurture the spirit. Our creative endeavors are Divinity Herself being made real for all to see. This is why beauty is so important not only to the senses but the sensibilities. We were created for ecstasy and pleasure. Art is the God/dess Herself manifest. I can’t imagine much more exciting than that right now. Go create! Let’s see what She wants to say thru You! This is a challenge. Read the Rumi Poem & begin. Be Inspired!

Email me pictures of your creations so I can show them in a future post. Thanks!

I’m Christian, and so every weekend I’d like to given anyone who is willing to take it a “homework” assignment. They’ll be Christian in nature sometimes, but you can use these as a starting point to reflect you own religious beliefs. Stop back every Friday for your homework!

This weekend’s homework: Forgive someone.

Bible verse: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, eve as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” - Ephesians 4:32

Devotional: Forgiveness can be extremely power. So can holding on to a grudge. When someone wrongs you, the Bible says to forgive them, and I don’t think they mean “when you’re ready.” You’re supposed to turn the other cheek right now. It’s your Christian duty.

As a real person, we all know that’s not possible. As much as we want to do the “right” thing, we also want to reach out and slap the other person right back.

Today I’m asking you to forgive someone from your past. As you look back over your life, many people have hurt you in many ways. Holding onto that hurt will only continue to damage you, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

I’m not asking you to forgive every person out there who has “slapped” you. Even if you say that you forgive them, that won’t be the truth. Instead, look to your past and choose someone you can forgive…and do it. For real. Say it out loud, right it down, or pray about it.

Forgiving just one person, sincerely, can take off a lot of weight. Tomorrow, start on the rest of them. No one said it would be easy, but it will make you a happier and less stressed person if you practice forgiveness more often.

forgiveness, God, homework, weekend, prayer, forgive, Jesus, Bible

I’m Christian, and so every weekend I’d like to given anyone who is willing to take it a “homework” assignment. They’ll be Christian in nature sometimes, but you can use these as a starting point to reflect you own religious beliefs. Stop back every Friday for your homework!

This weekend’s homework: Share your favorite religious passage.

Devotional: Helping one another find religion means sharing the things that are important to us. So, I’d like to know–what is your favorite religious passage? It can be a poem, Bible verse, prayer or religious quotation (or anything else you’d like, really!).

More importantly, why is this your favorite? When did it become your favorite? What does that say about you? I want your story as a comment on this post. Don’t be shy–I have lots of people who read this blog, but many never leave a comment. That’s why this is your weekend homework: Only by discussing religion with one another can we each learn and evolve as a person.

Check back on Monday and read all of the comments left by readers. Comment again with your reactions if you feel inspired.

And if you don’t have a favorite? This weekend is a great time to read the Bible or do a bit of research!

I’ll start: My favorite is the serenity poem.

God,
Grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage
to change the things I can,
and the wisdom
to know the difference.

No, I’m not a member of AA! I like this prayer/poem because it represents the struggle inside of me all the time, and has helped me learn to stop stressin’ about things I can’t control.

Another favorite:

“God doesn’t require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.” - Mother Theresa

To me, this sums up the meaning of life–to try your best, always, to be happy and to create a happy place for those around you while you’re here on this earth.

YOUR TURN!

In my last post, I talk about how important it is to take some time to learn about religions other than your own. Daniel and April took some time to do their homework and answer some religious trivia questions. I’m still looking for a few more answers:

3. How many chapters are in the Qur’an?

4. In what Wiccan ritual is the Goddess requested to enter the body of the High Priestess, so as to speak through her?

5. Who was the 10th and final guru in the Sikh tradition?

Can anyone provide one of these answers?

Weekend Homework, religion, religious, questions, trivia, Bible, God, Quaran, Wicca, Sikh, cultures, traditions

I’m Christian, and so every weekend I’d like to given anyone who is willing to take it a “homework” assignment. They’ll be Christian in nature sometimes, but you can use these as a starting point to reflect you own religious beliefs. Stop back every Friday for your homework!

This weekend’s homework: Do some research about a religion other than your own.

Devotional: The world is a really hateful place, and my belief is that this is due to ignorance. This weekend, do your part to make the world a better place by starting with your own ignorance. Learn about a religion (or two, or three, or…) other than your own. You can do research on the Internet, talk to religious leaders in the community, or even visit a different religious house of worship. Try to understand why these faiths believe what they do.

Here’s a challenge for you to start. Using whatever resources your want, who can be the first to answer ONE of these questions and leave as a comment (please only answer one at a time). Winners get ultimate bragging rights in tomorrow’s post (as well as links back to your site!). Step out of the box and don’t answer a question from your own faith!

1. Who was the founder of Scientology?

2. Which Hindu god is known as the destroyer or transformer?

3. How many chapters are in the Qur’an?

4. In what Wiccan ritual is the Goddess requested to enter the body of the High Priestess, so as to speak through her?

5. Who was the 10th and final guru in the Sikh tradition?

Hopefully, once you find the answers to this trivia information you’ll read more into the religion.

Let’s see how fast my readers can come up with the answers!

Weekend Homework, weekend, religion, God, Goddess, Hindu, Wiccan, Christian, Christianity, Sikh, Islam, Scientology, learning, education

I’m Christian, and so every weekend I’d like to given anyone who is willing to take it a “homework” assignment. They’ll be Christian in nature, but you can use these as a starting point to reflect you own religious beliefs. Stop back every Friday for your homework!

This weekend’s homework: Love your significant other.

Bible verses: “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. You love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” -John 13:34-35

Devotional: This week, I read an interesting post about accepting your partner’s differences and learning to grow together in love. The author really hit the nail on the head with this one. Many people look at the Bible as an old-fashioned stuck-up guide to life, but it’s so much better than that. Read the Song of Songs and you’ll get what I mean! What the Bible does say is that you have to appreciate your significant other and work at your relationship. And that’s exactly what RN’s post is talking about.

This weekend, go beyond telling your love that you care–show him or her your love. Pay to take him/her out to eat or to a movie. Give him/her a back rub, no strings attached. Bake him/her a favorite desert. Hold hands. Pick up some flowers on the way home from work. Pray together for a continued successful relationship.

God is love. God wants us to love one another. When we’re in a long-term relationship, that can sometimes be a bit difficult. This extends to friend and family relationships as well. Don’t forget to tell people that you love them and show this love in your actions.

(I love you, Steve)

Bible quotes, love, weekend homework, religion, Bible verses, God

I’m Christian, and so every weekend I’d like to given anyone who is willing to take it a “homework” assignment. They’ll be Christian in nature, but you can use these as a starting point to reflect you own religious beliefs. Stop back every Friday for your homework!

This weekend’s homework: Get charitable!

Bible verses: “”Little children, let us love, neither in word nor with the tongue, but in deed and truth.” -1 John 3:18

“Become doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves with false reasoning. For if anyone is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, this one is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, and off he goes and immediately forgets what sort of man he is. But he who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and who persists in it, this man, because he has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, will be happy in his doing it.” - James 1:22-25

Devotional: We are taught that we cannot get to heaven through good works alone. However, charity is a rewarding part of life, and like most of us, I have recently found myself fairly busy with other obligations and, in effect, haven’t had “time” for charity. We need to make time. Whether it’s donating money to a local organization or volunteering yourself for a day, having charity in your life is important.

Last Black Friday, I did a special on charities where you could donate your money. Here’s the link.

Need even more inspiration? A number of celebrities make time in their lives, which are often busier than mine or yours, for charity. Here are just a few examples:

Jason Alexander at the Celebrity Grand Slam Paddle Jam to benefit St. Jude’s (presented by Dippin’ Dots)

Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo at the Candie’s Foundatino 4th Annual “Event to Prevent” Benefit

Sarah Ferguson visits the Ronald McDonald House

Rihanna at the Links for Life Gala to benefit DKMS and the Bone Marrow Foundation

Weekend homework, Christianity, charity, Rihanna, Sarah Ferguson, Fergie, Nick Lachey, Vanessa Minnillo, Jason Alexander

There was no weekend homework on Friday because I have a special assignment to be done during the weekend instead! As always, if you participated in the homework challenge leave a comment here or send my a private message using the contact button to the right!

This weekend’s homework: Take God to work.

Bible verse: “No on can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” -Matthew 6:24

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” - Psalm 105:4

Devotional: Last week we talked about Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day. But what about God? You might make lots of time for God in your home and on the weekend, but does He can a place in the office?

The answer, of course, is yes. God should be in our lives at all times, including when we are at work, but this can be somewhat tricky if there are multiple religious faiths represented in your office/place of employment. The trick is to include God in your workday without making others feel uncomfortable. Here are some suggestions for taking God to work:

-Start off your day right by taking God on your commute. Leave your house a bit early so that you don’t have to rush on your way to work. That way, you can be less tense in traffic. Allow others to go and if someone cuts you off say a silent prayer for them instead of throwing the finger.

-Keep a Bible in your desk at work. You may never have time to read it during your work day, but it will be there in case you do need/want it someday.

-Don’t be a pushover, but do some favors now and again. In the Bible, it is written that it is better to give than to receive.

-Pray before your meals. If you’re worried about offending someone who is not of your religion when you’re out to lunch with others, say a silent prayer. Remember, prayer doesn’t have to be ten minutes long. You can simply say “God, thank you for the food I am about to eat. Amen.”

-If you hang pictures on your walls, choose one with and inspirational Bible quote. This will not only guide you during the day, but will also possible motivate others who come into your office.

I’m Christian, and so every weekend I’d like to given anyone who is willing to take it a “homework” assignment. They’ll be Christian in nature, but you can use these as a starting point to reflect you own religious beliefs. Stop back every Friday for your homework!

This weekend’s homework: Talk to a child about God.

Bible verse: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” -Proverbs 22:6

“Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” -Ephesians 6:4

Devotional: This week, I featured an essay about God from a young friend of mine, Rachel. She had a lot to say about God, and truly, many children do. You don’t have to teach your child a specific religion if you don’t want to, but in my opinion, it is important to teach them about God and about all of the different views of God.

If you’re a parent, spend some time this weekend–eve if its only a few minutes–talking to your child about God. He or she might be confused and scared to voice his or her beliefs, simply because no one ever made it “ok” to talk about religion.

At the very least, talk to your child about morals. In Christianity, this starts with the ten commandments, but its important to bring that to a “real” level for your child. You don’t have to use a Christian theology–do with whatever is comfortable to your. Teach your child about respect for others, care, love, and peace. Remember, the children really our our future.

I’m Christian, and so every weekend I’d like to given anyone who is willing to take it a “homework” assignment. They’ll be Christian in nature, but you can use these as a starting point to reflect you own religious beliefs. Stop back every Friday for your homework!

This weekend’s homework: Pray.

Bible verse: “But if you pray to God and seek favor of the Almighty, if you are pure and live with complete integrity, he will riseup and restore your happy home. And though you started with little, you will end with much” -Job 8:5-7

Devotional:Prayer is a strong medicine, simply because it can help you stay calm in the face of danger. With all that has happened this week in the country, it can be easy to ask God “Why?” and not so easy to simple pray for the future. Get back to the basics–pray. Are there times in your life when you feel unhappy with yourself or your life? Are you constantly stressed and upset? Starting this weekend, try to get into the groove of praying regularly. Pick a quiet time of the day to do this, such as when you are in the shower or right before you goto bed.

Remember A.C.T.S. to help you pray:

Adoration–Praise God, appreciate God, and love God. Take notice of the spectacular world around you.

Confession–Talk about your sins and ask for forgiveness. Ask for help with future sins.

Thanksgiving–Look at the things in your life that make your thankful. Express gratitude. Thank God for forgiveness and for listening to your prayer.

Supplication–Ask God for what you need in life, whether that be material possessions or peace of mind.

If you aren’t comfortable praying free-style, you can always use the Lord’s Prayer to help you get started.

If you do this weekend’s homework, leave me a comment here to let me know how it went or send me a private comment using the contact box!

God, Jesus, Prayer, devotional, Bible versus

I’m Christian, and so every weekend I’d like to given anyone who is willing to take it a “homework” assignment. They’ll be Christian in nature, but you can use these as a starting point to reflect you own religious beliefs. Stop back every Friday for your homework!

This weekend’s homework: Bring a friend to church.

Bible verse: “Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28: 18-20

Devotional: Do you remember the first time you attended church? Many of us don’t–I was a child, so I personally don’t remember. The first memory I have of church is singing in Sunday School, and I was probably about 4 years old. Some people, however, are not so lucky. If you don’t belong to a church, it can be difficult to get involved with a church community. Everyone already knows everyone else, and it can be overwhelming to meet so many new people at once. There are people out there silently begging for a friend to invite them to church so that they can muster the courage to go.

Be that friend. Jesus teaches that we can spread the Good News of everlasting life by going out into the world and talking about His love. If you know someone right now who hasn’t had the opportunity to attend church and hear the Gospel, invite them this weekend. The worst they can say is no!

If you do this weekend’s homework, leave me a comment here to let me know how it went or send me a private comment using the contact box!

God, Jesus, Church, devotional, Bible versus