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24706
From: Nevada, [DNS_Address]
Subject: The Privilege of Life Itself
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The Privilege of Life Itself CAC teacher Brian McLaren identifies awe and wonder as essential to encountering creation: The first pages of the Bible and the best thinking of today’s scientists are in full agreement: it all began in the beginning, when space and time, energy and matter, gravity and light, burst or bloomed or banged into being. In light of the Genesis story, we would say that the possibility of this universe overflowed into actuality as God, the Creative Spirit, uttered the original joyful invitation: Let it be! And in response, what happened? Light. Time. Space. Matter. Motion. Sea. Stone. Fish. Sparrow. You. Me. Enjoying the unspeakable gift and privilege of being here, being alive…. The Creator brought it all into being, and now some fourteen billion years later, here we find ourselves: dancers in this beautiful, mysterious choreography that expands and evolves and includes us all. We’re farmers and engineers, parents and students, theologians and scientists, teachers and shopkeepers, builders and fixers, drivers and doctors, dads and moms, wise grandparents and wide-eyed infants. Don’t we all feel like poets when we try to speak of the beauty and wonder of this creation? Don’t we share a common amazement about our cosmic neighborhood when we wake up to the fact that we’re actually here, actually alive, right now?... The romance of Creator and creation is far more wonderful and profound than anyone can ever capture in words. And yet we try, for how could we be silent in the presence of such beauty, glory, wonder, and mystery? How can we not celebrate this great gift—to be alive? To be alive is to look up at the stars.... and to feel the beyond-words awe of space in its vastness. To be alive is to look down from a mountaintop ... and to feel the wonder that can only be expressed in “oh” or “wow” or maybe “hallelujah.” To be alive is to look out from the beach toward the horizon at sunrise or sunset and to savor the joy of it all in pregnant, saturated silence. [It’s] to gaze in delight at a single bird, tree, leaf, or friend, and to feel that they whisper of a creator or source we all share. Genesis means “beginnings.” It speaks through deep, multilayered poetry and wild, ancient stories. The poetry and stories of Genesis reveal deep truths that can help us be more fully alive today. They dare to proclaim that the universe is God’s self-expression, God’s speech act. That means that everything everywhere is always essentially holy, spiritual, valuable, meaningful. All matter matters…. Genesis describes the “very goodness” that comes at the end of a long process of creation…. That harmonious whole is so good that the Creator takes a day off, as it were, just to enjoy it. That day of restful enjoyment tells us that the purpose of existence isn’t money or power or fame or security or anything less than this: to participate in the goodness and beauty and aliveness of creation. |
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24708
From: georg, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself
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except for being against the murder of a foetus like on the National Board ... then it is castigation time for trying to talk sense to immoral people ... yes, life is sacred ... but it was not in this nation for nearly fifty years ... why is that pray tell of enlightened one? |
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24709
From: Nevada, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself
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George asked... except for being against the murder of a foetus like on the National Board ... then it is castigation time for trying to talk sense to immoral people ... yes, life is sacred ... but it was not in this nation for nearly fifty years ... why is that pray tell of enlightened one? "That day of restful enjoyment tells us that the purpose of existence isn’t money or power or fame or security or anything less than this: to participate in the goodness and beauty and aliveness of creation." The "enlightened one" would suggest to you that God created the earth for "us" to test our spiritual skills. Would we seek power and dominion at all costs as we have been doing as a nation for some time now, or would we choose to participate in the goodness and beauty and aliveness of creation? Personally I prefer solitude and sunsets to shock and awe in the holy land. Both approaches eventually lead to the same conclusion... ...just depends on how much time you want to allocate to the journey. Nice to hear from you George. |
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24736
From: Eve, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself
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Aliveness of creation as in do not kill animals whose lives are their own to live... we are to guard them and keep them safe not kill or pay a hit person to have them killed so as to devour their flesh and satiate the god of the belly. To disrespect others life given by God is to disrespect God. The good news gospel is you can repent and cease indulging and make atonement. Why would God suffer forever in the hereafter with disrespectful souls? Why would God marry that forever? God's not gonna make or force us to chose God's ways and not mans ways as that is not love...we chose freely God gave us that because God is love. Do not kill is part of God's testimony and speaks to who God is which is why we are to love, respect and revere God so much as to follow in obedience as Christ did who said to follow him he knows the way whereas we don't including you. ALL life is sacred does not apply to humans only but most view it to be that way. God's ways are not man's ways. |
24738
From: Nevada, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself
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Eve, why did God create both the bunnies I befriend and feed at my Zen garden and the hawks that prey on them? Both are God's creation as am I. How does God explain that? |
24739
From: Eve, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself
URL: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2011%3A1-9&version=NRSVUE
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Your response infers "do not kill" is not a true commandment and is not the testimony of a God of love the life giving spirit... your reflections on such is that of the teachings of the flesh of men IMO. To me you lean on your own understanding, trust in self and believe in mans ways which are not God's ways. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (from the book of Proverbs) I may fall short in relaying this but what I have received since my prayer was answered as to the food is humans have dominion when they go astray and kill the spirit that became one that spread to other other creatures and they began to do so. The adversary is the one who began it all the first murderer and the father of lies. In the new kingdom the peaceable kingdom no creature harms another as it was in the beginning it will be so again...this is the place we chose where to go to the peaceable kingdom or otherwise. "Do not kill" as I shared before is not specific to humans only...it is simple and easy to understand but this world makes that hard to see because of the darkness and the killing spirit is gargantuan at this time ...the end times as in the days of Noah. Again, the good news of the gospel of Christ is one can repent and make atonement. Not everyone makes it to the peaceable kingdom it's a choice. Many follow the worldly teaching of all belief is the same deity as in a form of henotheism, I do not believe in that...that is a spell casting spirit in that and many there are who are under that spell. I try not to speak to you often as I don't care for the way you respond and how it's a sort of provoking annoyance. As if you are reverent of life and aliveness but doing otherwise which is revealed by a double talk manner. Also imo you come across as thinking yourself some sort of guru instructing others because you know deep things spiritually...I don't think so...but that's me. Some might say that of me but I try not to constantly troll others like you used to do on national and somewhat starting here recently with your frilly guru verbiage. Respond if you wish which will probably involve some of your personal leaning on your own understanding speak but I may pass it by and not respond or read because of the mood you seed in your responses is for me unlike others whom are your fans is not appealing. Your response really was what I expected of you...not so deep. I would that I had not been in the mood to respond or stopped myself as I have done most recently as what's the point in me wasting my time responding to one who has a void. |
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24742
From: Nevada, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself
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Eve, I obviously can't and shouldn't control what others think of me, but I can and probably should control what I think of others. Christ sort of set the example for that. As for my critter friends, my response was to acknowledge the natural chain of life on earth but at the same time, since it was my "feeding" of my many friends that was creating the problem, I become more sensitive to "designing" safety options into the feeding area that offered them more escape routes and security options that seem to be working. I wish I could do the same for my human friends but I really don't know how... ..yet. I feel blessed that you responded to my post and hope you will continue to. |
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24710
From: georg, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself
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you are good, excellent ... drift off into the ozone and pretend nothing is wrong with the world ... it's just us bad people who make things awful for "sensitive souls" such as yourself ... confined to this stupid ghetto ... amazing you have not cracked up by this treatment he puts you through ... oh no Nevada, you must not post on any board but this one ... cheese |
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24712
From: Nevada, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself involves "choices"...
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...which George chose to respond to: you are good, excellent ... drift off into the ozone and pretend nothing is wrong with the world ... it's just us bad people who make things awful for "sensitive souls" such as yourself ... confined to this stupid ghetto ... amazing you have not cracked up by this treatment he puts you through ... oh no Nevada, you must not post on any board but this one ... cheese Nevada was banished permanently from Earthboppin quite some time ago, but was allowed the privilege of remaining as a "lurker" that could stay current with dialogue but could no longer contribute. By a fluke, I tried to post a couple months ago and it went through. I assumed Bopp/ryan had allowed me back but quickly discovered that was not the case. It became obvious that Bopp and most of the other posters here didn't care for my particular type of energy. It occurred to me that perhaps Bopp would compromise and allow me on a board that by it's very title would promote positive energy while encompassing compassion and reverence for our higher nature. I prayed that Charles would take my presence in a positive light and that perhaps Bible/Religion might serve as a common ground to help all of us more carefully navigate the difficult times many of us see for the immediate path now facing our shaky World. I still read and emotionally react to most of Earthboppin's forums and considered asking Bopp for a "trial return" to open posting, especially in today's "climate", but honestly speaking, to do so would probably be counterproductive to both me and the rest of the Boppers that still see me as the problem, not part of the solution. I hope you will be a frequent visitor here George as we travel through difficult if not interesting times. |
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24715
From: georg, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself involves "choices"...
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compromise? him? its my way or the highway with him and intimidation if you don't behave the way "he likes" ... it's all about him and he picks and chooses opinions he likes to flourish and lets the pickers pick with glee and question every post with smarmy comments and tripe ... yes, so have a lovely day Nevada ... if it were up to me everyone would post with a certain modicum of civility but since that is not the case I fight back ... the HOLY WORD of the Name is all I respect and it is him that I fear and worship |
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24717
From: Joe, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself involves "choices"...
| So sad that you have to fear your God. |
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24728
From: georg, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself involves "choices"...
| so sad that you do not |
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24718
From: Nevada, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself involves "choices"...
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So sad that you have to fear your God... I agree Joe. God can and should be one's greatest source of support, love and inspiration. It's up to each of us to pass that "gift" into our lives and relationships. |
24719
From: Joe, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself involves "choices"...
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BTW, I had not read your reply to georg. If he only knew, alas. |
24720
From: Nevada, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself involves "choices"...
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...apparently a compassionate, loving, caring, fairly accessible God seems to be one of the worlds best kept secrets. You'd think that would be a hard truth to hide in a world that possesses so many new methods of instant communication. Maybe we should lower the speed limit. |
24735
From: Eve, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself involves "choices"...
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Yes God is compassionate, God is love which is why he created animals friends NOT food as they feel pain just like us, as they suffer just like us. Walk the walk OR talk the talk. |
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24721
From: Joe, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself involves "choices"...
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My experience has shown me that God not only has infinite love for all of us but has an unbearable compassion in the midst of all melodrama of our lives. I lifted the last part from ram dass but best describes what I felt. Spread around the good news. All of us should try to act more like God. |
24726
From: Nevada, [DNS_Address]
Subject: All of us should try to act more like God...
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...pretty much hit that one out of the park Joe. The problem arises when we believe our inner God is more "Warrior" than "Savior". |
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24723
From: chaskuchar@stcharlesmo, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself involves "choices"...
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God is my companion all day long. He doesn't say much but i know he is listening. each time i finish a task i thank him for not messing up. well sometimes i mess up but thats life. i have been doing that all my life, moreso now that in the past. it is nice to have a friend like that. |
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24716
From: Nevada, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself involves "choices"...
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...and it is him that I fear and worship" Why would you want to "fear" or "worship" God George? I "love" God as my ultimate mentor. Our relationship is timeless and our experience on earth just one step of many on this holy path. Truth be told, "ryan/Bopp" is not the problem, our failure to adequately communicate is closer to that mark. The day will come when we are best friends again and our current miscommunications will fade into the distant present. You'll just have to trust me on this... ...and have a little more faith in both our "Creator" and our own shared future. |
24727
From: georg, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself involves "choices"...
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did you forget hour Sunday school lesson again ... yes, we are to fear the LORD ... do you know nothing? and we are to worship the LORD ... that's our job ... then he loves us ... but only if we love him and part of loving him is fearing him and worshipping him ... it's in the OT so you probably know nothing about that right? |
24737
From: Eve, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself involves "choices"...
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To me it means reverence and respect to understand we are the created not the Creator. |
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24743
From: Nevada, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself involves "choices"...
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...perhaps God is also showing us how to be good creators as well? That would explain a lot. |
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24711
From: chaskuchar@stcharlesmo, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself
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i don't understand you George. i thought Nevada had a truthful post. |
24713
From: Nevada, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself
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John 14:2-6 New King James Version 2 In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Charles, I'm not sure about the many mansions in "Heaven", but your forum Bible/Religion is one of the best habitats on the Planet. |
24714
From: chaskuchar@stcharlesmo, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself
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it's finally a place i can post at without getting hollered at. thank you ryan. |
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[24724]
24724
From: Joe, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: The Privilege of Life Itself
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Yes, God is there for everyone. Think of Him and He will be there. |
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