Paulo's version of mind over matter is fairly direct. If you believe you can overcome the physical obstacle you will. His example is the bending of an iron bar. If viewed as heavy and forbidding , it will over come the mind. If the mind realizes that as pressure is applied to the bar in an effort to bend it, it will initially resist the change in form. As the pressure is continued in the effort to bend the bar, the metal begins to gain heat from the action of stress. As the metal bar heats, it will begin to soften and then begin to conform to the pressure applied. Continued pressure equates to an increase in heat and softening of the metal, with the original goal of having the bar conform to the minds desired shape. With continued applied pressure the creation of the desired shape takes place. In the area of matter over mind, If one decides that the difficulty of overcoming the obstacle is beyond their belief in over coming, then only failure will follow, with all it's mental and emotional ramifications. the end result is a guarantee of failure. What I gained in the concept of mind over matter is not all that different in concept. In my case the matter is the false apparition of the limits and denials projected of the physical world. This is not to say that I can jump off the top of a tall building and not suffer the consequences of my actions, as gravity is not a false apparition. The limits we place on ourselves in relation to the physical world and interaction within its natural realms are the ones I speak of. To use myself as an example an example, I am a survivor of horrendous brutality, and for many decades was a victim who was to be held to blame for what had happened and that in self perception was no different than my tormentors. Fully convincing my self the the true nature of others was base, self-serving and vile, regardless of how they acted. When I began to develop a new world view, I found myself seing miracles in the smallest and most mundane of things. The tenmacity and resiliance of the weed that I constantly battled with, the return of each season and the beauty which each in turn holds, and the inate good heart and love of most people. Mind over matter was not a choise of what to pick and choose from. good or evil, it became the journey of embrasing the joy of life and the joy of helping others to find their own path to truth. It is a journey where I constantly must look beyond the "limits" imposed by my being encumbered with sever menatal ilness, and realize the only limits are the ones I impose upon myself. I was told that I could never work again. So, instead I hold one unpaid elected office and eight other volunteer positions. On the other hand..... Matter over mind, I will speak for me only. It is so very easy to surrender to defeat and allow my fears of people, places, things and the physical world in general drown out the life in my soul and smother my connection to our great creator. The two choices in essence are either to belive in mind over matter and travel the journey I take regardless of the challenges I will overcome, or accepting the choise of matter over mind the allow the self-destruction of my very being to take place. You ask what greviances that I still hold against myself. There are to many to share within one simple writing. The clearest is not the worst by any means... During times of "armed conflict" you at times have the ability to make a decision as if it is necessary to take life. I made the decision , not based on need but based on cold twisted reasoning. I took the life from two people that I did not have to for reasons that are beyond reason themselves. When you live with the rage of a storm consuming your whole essence, then the outcome is of almost any action will be inhuman. The major grievances that I hold to myself is the projection and fantasizing of doing to others what was wrought upon me as a small child and throughout my life. I am in a lifelong battle against this illness and do fear that some day I may be so horrid as to act out my own life's experiences acting upon another. I have been in psychotherapy for over a score of years and this is what keeps me grounded and in check. I use twenty six separate psychoactive medications per day, prayer, and have the most wonderful help of my counselors and doctors . They give me someone to trust in to some degree, and help me keep my head screwed on straight. I gravely doubt that I would ever act out, yet if the fantasy can be there, I see it as a short trip to becoming one of the vile ones that have peppered my life. How do I deserve the punishment placed upon myself? Simply put, it works as a preventative countermeasure. In the way of blessings, that is easy, my life experience has made me more respectful of all who have suffered at the hands of others whether it was by individual act or institutionalized sicknesses such as hate based beliefs. I am able to be comfortable with all socio-ethnic and racial groups, as I most personal and brutally understand what it is to be the outsider, the reject for the sake of just existing. The blessings have given me the ability to since another'soffrontive. One example of many was when I was in NASAP in San Diego at Mirmar Naval Air Station due to a compulsive-addiction problem on my own. There were several instances in which I could fell the pain of another and would know why it was there, this is but one. A young marine was not doing well in the program and holding back from going to the point of her pain and dealing with it so that she could move on with her life. We were sitting in the smoking room where men and women could meet and talk late at night when sleep would not come. We. both were regulars. One night it was just the two of us and I asked her point blank, why she did not want talk about the sexual abuse she had endured, rape. What we talked about that quiet night will always remain between the two of us. The point being, that she did bring up her anguish to her counselor and group, began to leave her undeserved self guilt behind and was able to finally move on with her life, receiving the help she so richly deserved. As she got ready to leave our community she turned to me, gave me a big grin and said "I Love You and then blushing, said but not in that way!" This kind of making contact had happened many times before, and has happened many times since. I also have moved on, and through my meeting these people and sharing a small bit of their lives I gained the strength to face my own mental illness. I see myself at the weak link that came along at the right time to join up with another and find mutual strength between us to overcome what what must be met that day. ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar |
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Seminary Program
Friday, January 08, 2010
Metaphysics
| At the end of SpiritQuest. My own previous beliefs were confirmed and even expanded upon. This is why I am happy I took this class. I remember the day I reread the bible ,I say re-read because I had read it often before. My eyes were upon the words from Genesis,"And he created them in his own image,"Or some other bibles God said,"Let us create them in our own image" Well some people say God made us look like him some will say he (she)gave us the abilities to be like him some say both.But one thing I knew deep in my heart was,god was our creator,some like the Native Americans even refer to him as "The Creator" so if hes the creator and like him in his image we are created,Then we are creators! I often knew it was more than a coincidence when I spoke something and it happened.but I'm not saying there's anything special about me I'm talking about everyone on earth,We are creators and like children running lose in the house with a crayon,We humans spend our life running around earth.creating and coloring everything in sight good or bad unaware of our creative powers.I wish more people would take the time to understand we are creators out of control.Well that's generalizing. Because a lot of people indeed do know the power of thought and intent a lot really. So in the Spirit quest course a person learns the tools to direct the creative energy stored in us.Like a carpenter who stands on a piece of land, in front of a pile of wood and bricks with the intent of building there. Spirit Quest is like a truck full of tools pulls up and says, here's what you need to get the job done.Buy learning to use the tools included in the Spirit quest classes ,I realized they worked and it wasn't long before I realized that I could make tools of my own like a example within the carpentry theme would be ,Spirit quest handed me a hand saw and it wasn't long before I discovered the power saw or if you not a carpenter let me say this, Spirit Quest taught me how to bake bread and by the end of the class I had learned on my own how to serve an entire dinner. In other words I learned that the basic tools in the class if applied ,worked so I invented ,discovered , made some of my own.The golden sun was especially helpful to me and it wasn't long till I added a silver sparking star to assist the golden sun.The Golden sun was my favorite but the grounding cord was a with out question the most useful.The way these tools changed my life is, this is beautiful, there always there. I don't have to wait till I go and get the tool to fix the problem there always with us in our mind available and read to be used.This has helped me control a lot of emotions and uncomfortable life situations. Before I felt somewhat victim to my problems in life.now I have the tools to take that uncomfortable energy and transform.Problems now become removed or at least bearable .I recommend the information in this course to anyone with a open mind willing to apply it to their life. Pastor Diane Louise Watkins ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free and lasts for life, so use the button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar |
Chaplaincy Studies
Buddhism Course
| Questions 1. Does the story of Siddhartha Guatama, particularly in the years before he became the Buddha, ring true? Yes Is it legend or hearsay? Both Does it matter? No 2. What does enlightenment mean to you? To me enlightenment means having true compassion without limitations to sex, creed, caste or sexual orientation. There are good in all and through work and practice we all can achieve this higher state of being. 3. Do you believe that enlightenment is possible? Enlightenment is possible for all through rigorous work and practice regardless of sex or caste. Is there more than one way to be enlightened? Yes If so, what? 1) Enlightenment comes from work and practice. 2) It can also comes from knowing yourself with no external refuge. or 3) Combine raja yoga with rigorous thought and concentration, find new strength in food and comfort and vow to attain relief from all suffering. Questions 1. Which of these guidelines do you think is the most important? Renounce desire Why? The cause of suffering is desire and desire is the root to all violations of Ethical Conduct, i.e. Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood. 2. What is the unifying concept of these guidelines? To attain perfect enlightenment 3. What do you think the Buddha would have to say today about "Right Livelihood?" He would know this to be someone on the path to enlightenment. Can you think of any positions in today's workforce that he might use as an activity one should avoid? Corporate executive, car salesman, lawyer, armed forces, raising animals for slaughter... etc In other words, avoid deception and do not violate the principles of Right Speech or Right Action. Questions 1. Could the fact that the Dharma wasn't written by the Buddha himself be problematic? Some interpretations would say yes. If so, in what ways? It is asked, "How much of the Buddha is left and how much of the writer is placed in the Dharma for their own gain?" These are the ways. 2. Imagine you are preparing to go for refuge. What necessary changes would you need to make in your life first? My only change would be continued commitment in taking refuge to pursue enlightenment. I will remain on the path of the ten grave precepts and add to this way of life the three pure precepts. 3. When going for refuge, are you relying on forces outside of yourself for peace of mind, or are the Three Jewels ultimately found inside yourself? Though it is true that the Three Jewels are found outside one's self, ultimately these are found inside yourself and taking the Three Jewels inside yourself is a commitment to reorient your life around them. The principle person one must go to for salvation is his or herself. "Be lamps unto yourselves," the Buddha said. Questions 1. Why do you think Buddhism resonated so deeply with so many kings and rulers? It was a common factor that resonates accross borders and opened up lines of communication toward peace. Their eyes were finally open to the death and carnage left by their conquests before the decision to rule according to Buddhism. 2. What elements were necessary for the spread of Buddhism? a. Recitation & Translation; Dao-an translated much of the dharma into written Chinese and are responsible for much of the spread of Buddhism throughout China. b. Kings decided to rule their kingdoms according to Buddhism. c. Missionaries were assigned to travel the known world, preaching the dharma. d. Buddha's teachings were finally written down for the first time in Sri Lanka. e. Sutras written in Sanskrit, the true account of the life and teachings of the Buddha, are said to be a turning point in the spread of Buddhist thought. 3. What, if anything, could rulers of today's world learn from the dharma? They could learn from the dharma how to rule their kingdoms with kindness, compassion, charity, and tolerance. ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free and lasts for life, so use the button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar |
Religious Philosophy
| I can only speak for myself God gave us all thing and in his word we have the best of all that is is one and only Son. His word came to us from the Hebrew Greek,and Latin. It was by the inspiration of God that the Bible was wrote to us all we need to do is read in the book of 2 Tim. 3:16-17 and believe what we read. 2.We are borrowing from all the one's that was just talking about, and we still it is the truth. Now can we say that they are doing anything wrong by taking good out of all they know to make the world a better place.I am glad it is not for me to judge. maybe we are not that much of a difference if we look at it from that way. Can we be sure of our on way of believing, and we are right, and they are wrong did we not borrow from John Calvin, and other,s.1-2. No we borrowed from others, but I don't think that what we have has diluted, and it's value has not diminished our faith. 2.-1. I think that more of us could learn a little from what we know about them. From what we have been reading about them in this lesson,about how they are or must be a caring ,and sensitive,socially tolerant people. I think that if you are not sincere with it the truth will come out,and I think l that is a real and good , sure way of knowing that it is legitimate, and the way that the dominant culture treats them so wrong or poorly their on government does because of their position say that they are savage's. Now how would that make you feel about our on country is it because we think our on government is against us. More and more every day I feel that way,but we must keep on keeping on and this is the way I think. 1. No it does not give me or nobody else the right to do just what they wont to some may like to kill,but some would do anything 1.-2 We can kill for food by this I am saying a buck we should not kill any thing just for the sport of killing for no reason at all surely not just for a rack, but as human being's we kill because it is there and no other reason to me I think if you kill it you better like it. 1.-3 No again w should always take only what is needed for us to live,and not anything more. To me that would be wrong, but I did not see it that way for a long time. Truth is I well tell you or anyone that I was like those people a few years back. That fill's like age's now that my Lord changed the stone I had we call a heart now it is soft and tender full of love for every one and every thing now I not that person anymore thank GOD because I would be died by this time. 2. Myself I think that china does not have the resource's that they need for just any kind of organic type of food as we do, but we are slowly using them up like all the other thing's in our world we are destroying it to. 1.No I believe that we are in the place where GOD want's us to be, the Holy Spirit is our teacher and one more is teaching us that is his word that we study ,but not as much as we should. These are where we get our knowledge. When we do not the thing's that we know is wrong that is when our social advance's come to us from God by the Holy Spirit that lives in us all,and science as we know is from our bible if we would stop and think about it. 2. The Social problem is very important and more so than the others I think not. Psychological problems are to me is also important. To be a whole and complete human so I think each one of the two is as important as the other. Only when we need them in the place where we are I believe that is when we need them the most,and I believe at one time or another we need help from both of them. Now I think that I have confused us all long enough for now. Rev. Johnnie Woodall ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free and lasts for life, so use the button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar |
Universal Life Church
Hello Rev.Amy, I know that I sent you a e-mail a while back letting you know about my new ministry so I thought I would give you an update. First off I already have my ministry registered as a business in the state of Oregon and already have my business license approved and I should have it in hand by the end of the week. I have had to take these steps because of the weddings I will be doing. I have a friend working on my web site and it will be up and going soon. The wedding side of my business is just the beginning. I became ordained in the ULC while I was working as a Chemical Dependency Counselor in the hope of starting a faith based treatment program. Since working in that field I have always had a passion for working with people struggling with addiction. I have a special connection with people in recovery because I myself am in recovery from a drug addiction. Because the people that I worked with knew that I was also in recovery it produced a bond of trust between us. They knew that I understood the pain and the struggle of recovery. I no longer work in the Chemical Dependency field but I still have the passion for working and helping these people. They are my people. This is the vision of my ministry. To help give these people that are truly dedicated to their recovery efforts hope and direction in their lives. Amy, at this point I am willing to try anything to see that my vision for this ministry becomes a reality. I respectfully ask for your wisdom and would appreciate any advice you have to give me ideas to see my vision come to a reality.I recal reading in a newsletter of some sort of publication from the ULC that Sharon Stone in Hollywood is a a ordained ULC minister. Do you recal seeing something about this? I think it would be a blessing if Sharon knew about my vision for this ministry and could help get my message out about my ministry's desire to give people support and help. I'm not sure what needs to be done to get my message out but I think just people knowing and understanding the struggles that these people have is a good start. I do know there are plenty of people in Hollywood that are in recovery. These people understand the pain of being an addict. I'm not sure how involved Sharon is in the ULC Church but it would be great if I could at least let her know about my ministry and it's vision of hope. If you have any Idea how I could get my ministry's message to her it would be greatly appreciated. As far as the wedding end of this I hope to be booking weddings before Valentines Day. I am very blessed to have a lot of good friends that are helping me get this off the ground. I do appreciate your time and I hope to here from you soon. Blessing and peace, -- Loren H. Holloway Minister Universal Faith Ministry and Weddings ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free and lasts for life, so use the button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar |
Miracle of Prayer
The first item to challenge my concept of free will came from this course. I had always believed that free will was my innate ability to travel in what ever direction I choose to go spiritually. Without boundaries, as so to say. To me the concept of free will being the giving up of directions and paths chosen by by me to be the exact opposite of what I had conceived free will to be. Though I resisted this alternate concept of free will from the onset, I am beginning to grasp its true depth of meaning. Changing my thoughts of convention has never been a fast process for myself. I at first viewed the concept of surrendering the guidance and purpose of my life to God was tantamount to slavery. By fully accepting that I am a creation of God, then it would only seem to be natural that I should follow that course and directions set by my creator, my father. That is a personal problem that logic should simply answer, yet I am stubborn (ego). As far as all creation being the sons and daughters of God, with Jesus as our elder brother was an easy concept for me to meld with my preconceptions developed from my series of studies over the years. Even in the good book,Jesus had made this concept of spiritual brothers and sisters to be clear. The man versus the lesson, broadened my concepts of what his life's mission was . I was raised with the emphasis being on the physical Jesus more than his actions, coupled with the teaching that we are not his equal in any fashion and that we should admire and emulate the persona. Through various teachings, including this course, I have come to re-examine the focus of what I was taught and to in essence abandon the physical man and to grasp the Message of Jesus. By accepting Jesus as a spiritual teacher, I have began to have faith in the unbelievable, the miracles that have always been taking place and not isolated to an era of time past. This course has again broadened my understanding of the purpose of his visit, and given me a greater understanding of his spiritual life. To me prayer was always a give me, asking for what I thought I wanted or needed to make life a little better for myself or another. Here I have taken a radical change in viewpoint. While reading this course, words i heard as a child by President john Fitzgerald Kennedy came to my mind. Blazened into my consciousness were the words, " Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country". For the life of me, I had never made the connection to not asking what God could do for me, but what I could do for God. When it comes to healing depression , fear and relationships, I must agree that spiritual wellness is the key to a balance life of happiness. Yet, I must respectfully disagree in that there are changes to the brain that are chemical in nature when serious trauma had unfolded, whether it be of a short and violent nature of having taken place over many years of one's life. In my personal experience, I have found that spiritual growth will always be confounded by the inability to trust and the unwillingness to change from a know to an unknown. This where medications and professional counseling have a place in restoring and maintaining some semblance of balance in those encumbered by the socially dreaded disease of mental illness. Try an experiment, tell other that you suffer from moderate to sever mental illness and see their reaction. Then you will be able to grasp the trust issue, more often than not they will either treat you as if it were contagious, or will attempt to change the subject. Mieacels happen every day around us. We are all capable of making them happen, if we just listen to the small quiet voice of God in each of us. Miracles are rarely the catching of an airplane falling from the sky. I believe that they are mostly seeing the pain in others that we ourselves have experienced and bridging that gap. By making a bridge, they can begin to speak of it, and unleash the pain from a place hidden from far within. What I have seen as ironic, though it is easy to help another, it is sometimes impossible to accept the same healing hand from another. What am I. In our societies we teach that we are what we own, what standing we hold, what we appear to be like, and so on. This course had helped me further redefine what I am. A spiritual being made from love and filled with love. This course had given me such food for thought. I has radically changed some of what I firmly believed, reinforced other beliefs I have and has challenged me to re-think some of the foundation of my beliefs. More so and most importantly, I believe that the lessons of the course will help me come closer to accepting that I can touch the spiritual face of God, and allow myself to begin to trust in what I know is true. What I have just written seems like an oxymoron, and does not make sense. Trust me, to me it does. Rev. James Price ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free and lasts for life, so use the button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar |
Religious Philosophy
Master degree course for Religious Philosophy Lesson 13 Food for thought; Questions:
Answers by part to questions: 1.) Cooperation, it has taken a life time to realize the impact that we have had on the environment. We are all learning to be more receptive to our "foot print" on the planet. As a minister I also look at my world and have created away through doctrine to justify my impression and impact on my daily life by looking at the situation with a reverence as well. In this way I keep myself in check to adhere to both respects. 2.) I have taken a general interest in certain renewable energy technologies that utilize the natural elements that nature provides and convert it to our daily use, while keeping the footprint as low as possible. This is not only good for the planet but it is also good for the soul as well as humanity. As for economics, it will be a major player in our modern capitalistic culture. Again, I feel it to be a win, win situation for all mankind for generations to come. 3.) I have found through the study of many religious beliefs that most take their responsibility to the environment seriously and they along with several non-profit organizations keep us ever mindful of the fact that we are not only the problem but, also the solution. Even though many folks have been trying to make it known for quite some time, we as the human race are now waking up to the facts and I think it is in just the nick of time. We can undo a lot of what impact we have done to the environment through the years but we are now making a committed effort to resolve the situation as well as making it cost effective and profitable in order to generate new economic stability for the human race. As ministers, we can "get away with" speaking on and including scripture to help influence the people we come into contact with on a daily basis. Spiritual people seem to have a better grasp on the outlook of this matter and can convey an active solution to the problem of communication, simply by putting their belief into action. As by living a life style by example through a conscious effort. Showing that one person at a time can and will make a difference. ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free and lasts for life, so use the button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar |
Comparative Religion
| This course was invaluable as well as extremely interesting. I never knew so many different religious practices existed. I was also surprised to find how similar they can be, and to reaffirm there is only one God. Some of the information challenged my own belief system. I was able to find a deep appreciation with not only my own chosen religion, but the ability to accept other forms of religion, as a means of providing ministry, to people from a variety of backgrounds. The information about Masons was interesting since my Grandfather belonged to the Masonic Lodge, and spent the remaining days of his life in care of the Masonic Lodge in Northern California. The information provided such a background in different areas of religion, that I felt like I had a front row seat, around the world. The pictures were a big favorite of mine. I'm a very visual person, and find it easier to retain information, if I can relate it to pictures. I feel I gained a broader appreciation, and understanding of other religious practices. I'm sure I will feel pulled in a certain direction, based on my own religion. I will ultimately be able to realize that worship, comes in many forms. I especially appreciated the beautiful pictures. The illustrations were great, and even though I took this class via internet, the pictures printed out beautifully. Praise be to ink jet color! I also found the summarizing at the end of some of the lessons invaluable. So much information was presented, it was great to re cap the important areas. I've acquired a great library, due to the suggested reading. I have found some very interesting books, which build on the information I now have. I've been able to share some of the books with my brother, and gained a better relationship in the process. The Lord truly works in mysterious ways. I feel truly blessed, as I shared with my brother, he noticed a peace, and a difference in me. I can't think of anything I liked the least. Any information that makes you think, as well as challenges your soul, is great. I truly am thirsty, and can't wait to take more courses. If you had to improve any of the content, or maybe its just my perception. Some of the information went so deep, I found myself getting lost in it. This of course is my first attempted study in a seminary class. I have taken classes as a child, and took classes as an adult, while teaching preschool at St. Angela De Merici in Brea, Ca. I sincerely want to take more classes in my endeavor to minister, to many in need. I definitely feel the Lords pull on a daily basis. I also hope to one day soon, visit ULC and make new friends. Thank you so much for this opportunity. I hope to take more classes with Rev. Kythera Ann. I like the way her information was presented. I also found some of the books she suggested, were great. I now subscribe to Sojourners magazine, and find the articles interesting. Bless all of you! Rev. Patricia A. Vallett ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free and lasts for life, so use the button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar |
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Religious Philosophy
Spiritual Awareness
A Course in Miracles
Moses and Bible Chronology
| Moses and Bible Chronology By Robert J. Heyer Many persons dismiss the stories of Moses and Exodus as mythology. It seems that the secular press is quick to accept these so called experts and assume that there is no archaeological and scientific evidence to support the Biblical accounts of Moses and the Exodus. When a person takes the time to examine the facts they will see there is actually quite a bit of evidence to support both the existence of Moses and the Exodus. In fact, there is no evidence to be found that would prove the Biblical accounts to be false. What follows is a brief examination of how the study of Bible chronology affects the understanding of Biblical accounts of Moses and the Exodus. Many of the problems that are commonly cited to discredit the existence of Moses are related to dates. Biblical chronology has always been problematic and been a prime source of citation for Bible skeptics and detractors. The best starting point for Biblical scholars would be to rethink many of the oldest chronologies that are currently in use. For many years scholars have been working backwards, assigning dates and then looking for the archaeological evidence to support the timelines. The opposite method should be used, letting the archaeological evidence create a new and useful chronology. Numbers are the main problem with our understanding of the Bible. We hear accounts of men that lived what seems to be impossible ages. We also see measurements that make accounts seem unlikely, Noah's Ark is a good example of this. Modern engineers are quick to point out how unlikely it would have been to build Noah's Ark to the dimensions listed in the Bible. Many seize on this fact and say that scientists dispute the existence of Noah's Ark. When however the measurements are looked at scaled down some we see that what would have resulted would have been a highly stable and seaworthy craft. It seems more likely we have interpreted the measurements wrong in our many translations and handing downs of such an ancient story. The same can be said for measurements of time. For many years scholars have been trying to assign a timeline to events of the Bible. Almost all of these accounts rely totally on the Bible for starting points and time markers. The problem with this approach is that if we are using dates and numbers that are incorrectly understood, then all the measurements we make with them are erroneous. Most chronologies are based on the passage in 1Kings 6:1 where it states that the Exodus from Egypt occurred 480 years before the fourth year in the rule of King Solomon. This places it somewhere near 1445 B.C.. This has been the starting point in the search for archaeological proof for the Exodus. But, what if we assume that the number 480 is not an actual number. Instead, it might be a symbolic number that represents a certain number of generations. Or even more possible what if the real number was lost in oral passing of the stories and changed with written down for the first time. This would mean we have been looking in the wrong place for archaeological evidence. My suggestion is that we let the archaeology tell the story instead of trying to bend it to fit. The sad fact is it may be decades between relevant archaeological finds that relate to Exodus. So it is only natural that scholars, in their haste, have tried to set the time line to their own needs. Perhaps there is plenty of archaeological evidence there we can use to get the actual dates of Exodus if we just look for it. Let's start with an examination of the events most likely to be preserved in the archaeological evidence. It doesn't seem likely there would be much written about the great exploits of Moses in ancient Egyptian writings. We know of very few people that were not directly related to the rulers of Egypt and their continuation of their religious practices. There is little popular literature available, especially when it comes to news of common people. We must remember that the written history left for us by the Pharaohs is what they wanted us to know and believe. They went to great lengths to extinguish the writings of their forbearers so there is very little chance they would memorialize an enemy of the state like Moses. There are some events that would, however, be preserved. One would be proof that there were indeed Jews in Egypt. Another might be for evidence that young Jewish males were ordered put to death. The finding of these events in the written or archaeological record would seem a good place to date the life of Moses. Of all the Biblical events involving Moses, the ten plagues would seem the mostly likely to have left both written and archaeological evidence. We would expect to find some type of political accounts of such suffering as caused by the plagues. A large scale dying of young male children would also leave some strong physical evidence behind for some lucky archaeologist to stumble on. We should be looking for these types of evidence to use as time markers for finding the true date for the life and exploits of Moses. Other archaeological markers could be looking for evidence for settlements in the desert for the wanderings of the Jews. There should be physical evidence left behind from all their wanderings. Not only will their discovery be useful in the dating of Exodus, but will also be invaluable in the plotting of the actual routes taken. In Summary, it seems to me that many of the issues with proof of the existence of Moses and the Exodus revolve around an incorrect Bible chronology for this time. There is a tremendous amount of archaeological evidence to support the events when one steps away from the currently used chronologies. A good review of this evidence can be seen in the Universal Life Church Seminary course on Biblical Egyptology by Rev. Nick Federspiel. Another less conventional, but highly interesting account of archaeological evidence, is presented by Simcha Jacobovici in his documentary on the subject. When the erroneous current time line is removed there is little reason to doubt the Bible accounts. It is hoped that further archaeological evidence will help clarify the time line to better fit the available artifacts. ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary. 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Monday, January 04, 2010
Metaphysical Healing
The most poignant lesson I learned from this class is that I am, in all probability, never going to be a true meta-physician. All joking aside, I feel that metaphysical healing is a wonderful and legitimate supplement to modern medicine. I have dabbled in focusing/wielding energy for a number of years but, and you can call me ignorant for this because I certainly did, I had no idea that traditional healing encompassed so much training and time. My biggest surprise was learning that traditional healers spend as much (if not more) time training to be healers as doctors of modern medicine do. There is so much more that goes into metaphysical healing than I ever considered, from preparing the patient by scanning to combing the aura to diagnosis and the actual act of healing. I was quite honestly overwhelmed by how much must be learned to become a healer. One thing I really liked about the class was that some information I already knew, such as the fact that illness is reflected in the aura. The thing I liked the least, and one of the main reasons I will never be a traditional/metaphysical healer, is the patience it takes. I have found throughout the years that while I have a great deal of patience, I do not have patience when it comes to rituals, and this type of healing involves some amount of ritual. I've never had the patience for meditating for long periods, which is required in healing to clear your head so that you may focus on the patient. I would contend that I don't need to meditate to clear my head, and that I don't need to go through some of the ritualistic motions in order to heal, but I would be told I am wrong. I would have a very long way to go if I were to choose the path of healer. I originally took this class because my best friend has diabetic neuropathy in his feet, and I wanted to see if I could learn better methods of healing to help him with it. The methods offered in this course are indeed better, but alas, I do not think I have the skill set to be a metaphysician, so he is just going to have to live with foot massages. If anyone wishes to learn what it takes to become a metaphysician, this class is a treasure trove of information. I would recommend it to anyone with leanings toward the healing arts. God bless! Rev. Ire J. Potter ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free and lasts for life, so use the button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar |
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