I tend to put a bit more emphasis on practice, since it can be expressed outwardly to our neighbors. But I have found a wealth of value in the belief-faith components as I have experienced the Episcopal Church traditions and the devotional material in the Book of Common Prayer. And I’m influenced by how much more I find Jesus’ attending to teaching the Disciples in their actions as well as their faith. I haven’t studied enough to know if that assertion is accurate.
I guess, to me, it's all about his crucifixion and resurrection. It's God's reconciliation and redemption of the world. So much of it is beyond our understanding. it's easy to start thinking we 'get it', when we never will. None of us will.
I think following Jesus is both belief and practice. Check out Matthew 25. I am a retired Episcopal priest and have spent a lot of time sorting this out for myself.
I want to be careful not to worship things or actions or thoughts. Things: my money. Actions: my “good deeds.” Thoughts: my mind. Worship of God is a way to mute the worship of our minds and turn it into communion. Jesus is the pattern; we learn to live as he did. And he acted decisively so we can act. Of course, God loves all sides, not just my side and their side. But Jesus showed us to pay close attention to actions and what they tell us of thoughts. Acceptance of the Other does not require acceptance of all actions. Forgiveness lacks a core of truth if it has no visible action. I worry that we get too close to the “thoughts and prayers” school of devoutness.
At this point in my faith development I would say God is all-powerful, all-present, and all-patient. Like Moses, I can’t approach the burning bush directly. I can’t understand the overwhelming glory of creation. But I believe I walk within the spirit of God because Jesus has taught me what being a child of God is. I fail at this all the time. But a patient and loving God waits for me. Even when my ego-driven judgmental BiPolar brain thinks that it is in charge.
It is incredibly difficult to maintain a non-dualistic mindset in these times. But I’ve been daily practicing what you’re stating - reminding myself that God loves “the other side” every bit as much as He loves “my side” and trying to get out of God’s way.
I do believe that Jesus has asked us to DO something, though. He has asked us to “love one another as I have loved you”. And love is a verb - it’s a way of relating to and interacting with ALL other people that is often counterintuitive to our human egos.
i think you’re right. we’re called to love our neighbors as ourselves. i think Jesus also reminds us frequently that our neighbor is often the very person we find hardest to love.
I tend to put a bit more emphasis on practice, since it can be expressed outwardly to our neighbors. But I have found a wealth of value in the belief-faith components as I have experienced the Episcopal Church traditions and the devotional material in the Book of Common Prayer. And I’m influenced by how much more I find Jesus’ attending to teaching the Disciples in their actions as well as their faith. I haven’t studied enough to know if that assertion is accurate.
I guess, to me, it's all about his crucifixion and resurrection. It's God's reconciliation and redemption of the world. So much of it is beyond our understanding. it's easy to start thinking we 'get it', when we never will. None of us will.
I think following Jesus is both belief and practice. Check out Matthew 25. I am a retired Episcopal priest and have spent a lot of time sorting this out for myself.
It's always interesting to me that in Matthew 25, neither the sheep nor the goats have any idea...
I want to be careful not to worship things or actions or thoughts. Things: my money. Actions: my “good deeds.” Thoughts: my mind. Worship of God is a way to mute the worship of our minds and turn it into communion. Jesus is the pattern; we learn to live as he did. And he acted decisively so we can act. Of course, God loves all sides, not just my side and their side. But Jesus showed us to pay close attention to actions and what they tell us of thoughts. Acceptance of the Other does not require acceptance of all actions. Forgiveness lacks a core of truth if it has no visible action. I worry that we get too close to the “thoughts and prayers” school of devoutness.
" Forgiveness lacks a core of truth if it has no visible action." This is a statement I will use as I pray and journal, thank you.
At this point in my faith development I would say God is all-powerful, all-present, and all-patient. Like Moses, I can’t approach the burning bush directly. I can’t understand the overwhelming glory of creation. But I believe I walk within the spirit of God because Jesus has taught me what being a child of God is. I fail at this all the time. But a patient and loving God waits for me. Even when my ego-driven judgmental BiPolar brain thinks that it is in charge.
potentially, yes. and also - how powerful do we think God is in our everyday lives?
It is incredibly difficult to maintain a non-dualistic mindset in these times. But I’ve been daily practicing what you’re stating - reminding myself that God loves “the other side” every bit as much as He loves “my side” and trying to get out of God’s way.
I do believe that Jesus has asked us to DO something, though. He has asked us to “love one another as I have loved you”. And love is a verb - it’s a way of relating to and interacting with ALL other people that is often counterintuitive to our human egos.
i think you’re right. we’re called to love our neighbors as ourselves. i think Jesus also reminds us frequently that our neighbor is often the very person we find hardest to love.