Daily Reflections, Day Forty four, God doesn't make junk.

Day Forty four

God doesn’t make junk.

“Wholeness is the perceptual content of miracles. They thus correct, are atone for, the faulty perception of lack.” ACIM.T-1.1.41:1-2

Deep down, truth be told, most humans are afraid that they are inadequate or defective in some way. This feeling of lack generates a sense of shame. We spend our lives trying to prove to ourselves and others that we are okay, that we are whole.

The spiritual term for wholeness is abundance to distinguish this experience from scarcity. Even in marriage we often describe our spouse as our “other half” or our “better half” as if we are lacking in some way and require another person or relationship to complete us.

This principle tells us that our experience of wholeness, completeness, abundance, and not lack, inadequacy, defectiveness is a miracle. This experience of lack arises from our separation from God, the source of our being. We are not the authors of our own lives. Our own consciousness has been given to us, and it is something we must cultivate, and as we cultivate it, we come to realize that we are part of a greater whole from which we have separated ourselves.

When we eschew our egos and willingly return to that from which we have come, peace, and joy and abundance is experienced.

Today, several times, I will remind myself that at my core, I lack nothing. I will remind myself that I am not defective, inadequate, and separate. I will remind myself in turning my will over to my Higher Power that I am one with God and God doesn’t make junk.

Greatest moral imperative of our time - Protect out climate.

First, the project of remaking the planet so that it is undeniably ours, a project whose exhaust, the poison of emissions, now casually works its way through millennia of ice so quickly you can see the melt with a naked eye, destroying the environmental conditions that have held stable and steadily governed for literally all of human history. That has been the work of a single generation. The second generation faces a very different task: the project of preserving our collective future, forestalling that devastation and engineering an alternate path. There is simply no analogy to draw on, outside of mythology and theology—and perhaps the Cold War prospect of mutually assured destruction.

Wallace-Wells, David. The Uninhabitable Earth (p. 29). Crown/Archetype. Kindle Edition.

I have become aware that up until now us boomers have no idea what our lifestyles have done to the planet. We lived in a time of economic expansion and the highest quality of living ever experienced on our planet in humanity's history. We thought of it as "progress" and expected that every succeeding generation would have a better life style than the preceding generation until now.

Now we have suddenly become aware that our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren and great great grandchildren will not have a better life style but will be, perhaps, much worse. How can we help them and leave a legacy which will be positive?

I support Sunrise even as an old guy. I support Greta Thunberg and the young climate activists unlike the Trumpists who mock and attempt to shame them. I have gotten more politically active to assure that better climate policies are put in place, and better practices are designed and implemented. These efforts are altruistic because I am in the last phase of my life being 74, but I want a safe and satisfying world for my descendents and all others around the world. I am reminded of the Native American value that decisions should be thought of in terms of how they will affect the next seven generations.

Us boomers should be helping the succeeding generations adapt and save Mother Earth for humanity. This needs to be done with a religious fervor. The future of humanity depends on it. Will you join in this effort and commit your time, talent, treasure, and energy to these endeavors?

Sunday Sermon - Jesus teachings are highly recommended.

Jesus teachings are highly recommended.

John 1:29-34 

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

Who do you say that Jesus is? What is He to you?

Christians say that He is God, the Second member of the Trinity.

Most Unitarian Universalists say the Jesus is not God and there is no Trinity but only One God. Some UUs might say that Jesus was a prophet and a teacher of God but not God himself.

Whatever you want to believe, John said, in so many words, “This guy is the real deal and you should listen to Him.

Is Jesus a son of God? Yes, as we all are. Perhaps it is easier to consider Him an old brother who guides us, teaches us, shows us by His good example a better way to live.

In A Course of Miracles, Jesus tells us that He is no different from us other than that he has remembered who He is, a child of God. Most of us have forgotten that fact, and believe what we have been taught in the world of the ego. Jesus tells us that the world of the ego is nonsense and has no bearing on who we really are.

Jesus tells us in so many words, “You could have the peace that I have, if you only knew that you are part of God and as such know that God loves you.” The Universalists have taught this, and known this from their religious experience. The Unitarians spend too much time in their heads and have never embraced the idea that what Jesus taught is very rational and makes good sense if you can get past the form of things to their essence, which is love.

So, John, in today’s gospel tells us that Jesus has come and He’s worth listening to. I have listened to Jesus my whole life and have learned a lot. Like John, I highly recommend Jesus’ teachings to you. We will hear and study more about Jesus taught in word and deed in weeks to come.

Daily Reflections, Day Forty three, In the world of the ego, life is full of forgiveness opportunities.

Day Forty three

In the world of the ego, life is full of forgiveness opportunities.

“The miracle acknowledges everyone as your brother and mine. It is a way of perceiving the universal mark of God.” ACIM.T-1.1.40:1-2

In Unitarian Universalism, people covenant together to affirm and promote seven principles the first of which is the worth and dignity of every person. We are all a part of the Sonship, the Body of Christ, which are extensions of God’s Divine Being.

With this we recognize and acknowledge that every person is part of the all. There is no separation and exclusion. Everyone is included. This insight was taught by the Universalists. The Universalists taught they everyone goes to heaven and no one is outside of the Unconditional Love of God.

Given the world of the ego, this recognition and acknowledgement of the Oneness of humanity is a miracle. We see the Divine Spark in every person including ourselves. When we see this, this perception and understanding brings great peace and joy. We have given up our fear, our guilt, our anger, our resentments, our grievances, our bitterness, our penchant for retribution and punishment, and we realize and give up making other people responsible for our own unhappiness. This giving up of making other people responsible for our unhappiness is what the Course calls “forgiveness.”

Forgiveness involves giving up feeling and thinking like a victim and making others victimizers. This giving up the role of the victim and playing the blame game frees us to become aware of the peace and joy of Oneness.

Today, I will be aware of forgiveness opportunities. These opportunities arise when I am angry, afraid, inclined to blame others for my unhappiness. I will release them from culpability for my feelings and take responsibility for them myself. With this awareness, I can always find a better way to manage my thoughts, feelings, and behavior which will bring me more peace and calm.

Gems - Basic Theological questions

Today we begin a feature on UU A Way Of Life, tagged "Gems." Gems are articles previously published on UU A Way Of Life which still have value for consideration. This first "gem" was published on 01/15/09, ten years ago. It was about the questions which a UU theology should address. I don't think much work has been done on this is the last decade. If anyone knows of any books, articles, videos which address these fundamental theological concerns, please leave the titles in the comments.

The existential questions people want answers to are:

1. Why was I born?


2. What is the purpose of my life?


3. What happens to me when I die?


4. Why is their suffering in the world?


5. Why do these hurtful things happen to me?


6. How can I deal with troublesome and hurtful people?


7. How can I best raise my children?


8. What do I owe my parents, siblings, other family members?


9. How do I assist my children in coming of age?


10. What is commitment and how do I honor my vows?


11. Why do I make mistakes and screw up?


12. How do I give forgiveness to others and obtain forgiveness for myself?


13. What do I do about injustice?


14. What is the best way to live life? How do I do it? How do I help others?


15. How does one find right livelihood, good work?


16. What is the purpose and proper use of sex?


17. When I am discouraged, depressed, and despairing, why should I go on?


18. How can I celebrate and enjoy the happiness in my life?


19. How do I die with peace and help others die with peace?

In my mind, any religion, any theology that can answer these questions is a winner. And what we want more than anything as human beings is to make sense out of it all. That's what a good theology does, it gives us answers to life's biggest questions, and this is what UUs and all human beings want.

A good theology is a model, a cognitive map, that explains life to us. It tells us how things are and how they ought to be. It validates, it inspires, it provides purpose, meaning, and motivation. It explains our experience to us.

A good theology, more than anything else, is useful. It helps us lead our lives in the most fulfilling and satisfying ways possible. It is more than a philosophy because it facilitates relationship between the self and the transcendent and it is in the facilitation of this relationship that theology earns its money, demonstates its value, provides its benefit as a worthwhile discourse.

My Kind Of Church Music, A Change Gonna Come, Sam Cooke

The Helpers - Dr. Terrence Newton