What Jesus wants us to embodyâ¦
Lee’s musings I would like to share with you some of the reflections and a poem that was submitted. I know that this may seem out of the ordinary, but just as Beth is working with the youth with the visible construction of homes for Habitat for Humanity, those in the GIST, group are working on their inner constructions which aren't always quite so visible. I offer these for your appreciation to see some of what we are doing on Sunday mornings; submitted by Charlotte Bengtson, Lorraine Davis, Earl Glusac, Irena Valles, and Scott Thompson.
What Jesus wants us to embody… By Earl Glusac I only have inklings of what Jesus wants us to embody. I think I might have a little better sense of what he want us to experience. Firstly, I think he wants us to know that we are loved beyond belief. Whatever sense of this we can tap into is a poor approximation of how deeply we are loved, but it brings us closer to God. Secondly, I believe he wants us to experience forgiveness…. (ours, not His) which can be brought about by forgiving every perceived major insult we have received…and every petty irritating thing that arises a hundred times every day. Such grievances pull us away from God and toward the common and repetitive illusion we create, our every-day, self-centered lives, separate from each other and separate from God. Forgiveness erodes this. What would Jesus do? In all cases, I think he would forgive. Finally, I believe Jeus would like us to know that we are with God always. I regret that, most times, I don’t know this. Remembering this as a thought is helpful, but not enough. I believe we need to know it at our core...to pause from constant doing, to let God. If we have faith to let Him, I trust what He wants us to embody (connectedness, love, compassion and maybe much else?) will be known. Proverbs 3: 5-8 (King James) Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7Be not wise in thine own eyes….. 8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. By Lorraine Davis In response to the question, “what is Jesus asking us to embody?” Jesus asks us to promote - The inherent worth and dignity of every person Justice, equity and compassion in human relations Acceptance of one another A free and responsible search for truth and meaning The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all By Scott Thompson
“Jesus is Love. Love is compassion, forgiveness and spiritual strength. Jesus practiced unconditional love and is asking us to join in his work as 'warriors' for peace.” By Irena Valles To Me, Jesus embodies LIGHT. He radiates that LIGHT deep into our souls, so that we may be filled with light, become enlightened, enlighten others. His LIGHT has the strength of Revelations. If my light only shines like a little candle just providing a little glimmer of hope and love It is still a gift of mindfulness originated in and from Jesus. Prayerfully visible in pitch-black dark nights. By Charlotte Bengtson Eternal, Infinite Light, Energy and Love is God Was, is and always ours to grasp, to hold To know within us each is God awaiting us to be God IS – I am to be To be one who seeks and does best To be one who is attentive, humble, present, To be one who cares for a tear and loves a smile To be human, to err, to learn To have armor of patience and impatience for change To have steel of endurance and the petal softness of birth To have sadness-joy, pain-peace, hunger-succor, despair-faith To have the gambit’s range To have, to know, to transform To be complex – to simply be To learn love’s responsibility’s accord To sense the more in me God’s sufficiency is . . . but not in the “I” of me Jesus calls us from within to walk among To strive, to try, to change To affect what is to be
Our guide, our way, Jesus Christ Gives us form, gives us hope, gives us might To take God’s gift and make us whole Within, without the Kingdom make Oh, fearful me. I am now free and see I must face the abyss and take the step Just one small step . . . Just one small step
What Jesus wants us to embody… By Earl Glusac I only have inklings of what Jesus wants us to embody. I think I might have a little better sense of what he want us to experience. Firstly, I think he wants us to know that we are loved beyond belief. Whatever sense of this we can tap into is a poor approximation of how deeply we are loved, but it brings us closer to God. Secondly, I believe he wants us to experience forgiveness…. (ours, not His) which can be brought about by forgiving every perceived major insult we have received…and every petty irritating thing that arises a hundred times every day. Such grievances pull us away from God and toward the common and repetitive illusion we create, our every-day, self-centered lives, separate from each other and separate from God. Forgiveness erodes this. What would Jesus do? In all cases, I think he would forgive. Finally, I believe Jeus would like us to know that we are with God always. I regret that, most times, I don’t know this. Remembering this as a thought is helpful, but not enough. I believe we need to know it at our core...to pause from constant doing, to let God. If we have faith to let Him, I trust what He wants us to embody (connectedness, love, compassion and maybe much else?) will be known. Proverbs 3: 5-8 (King James) Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7Be not wise in thine own eyes….. 8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. By Lorraine Davis In response to the question, “what is Jesus asking us to embody?” Jesus asks us to promote - The inherent worth and dignity of every person Justice, equity and compassion in human relations Acceptance of one another A free and responsible search for truth and meaning The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all By Scott Thompson
“Jesus is Love. Love is compassion, forgiveness and spiritual strength. Jesus practiced unconditional love and is asking us to join in his work as 'warriors' for peace.” By Irena Valles To Me, Jesus embodies LIGHT. He radiates that LIGHT deep into our souls, so that we may be filled with light, become enlightened, enlighten others. His LIGHT has the strength of Revelations. If my light only shines like a little candle just providing a little glimmer of hope and love It is still a gift of mindfulness originated in and from Jesus. Prayerfully visible in pitch-black dark nights. By Charlotte Bengtson Eternal, Infinite Light, Energy and Love is God Was, is and always ours to grasp, to hold To know within us each is God awaiting us to be God IS – I am to be To be one who seeks and does best To be one who is attentive, humble, present, To be one who cares for a tear and loves a smile To be human, to err, to learn To have armor of patience and impatience for change To have steel of endurance and the petal softness of birth To have sadness-joy, pain-peace, hunger-succor, despair-faith To have the gambit’s range To have, to know, to transform To be complex – to simply be To learn love’s responsibility’s accord To sense the more in me God’s sufficiency is . . . but not in the “I” of me Jesus calls us from within to walk among To strive, to try, to change To affect what is to be
Our guide, our way, Jesus Christ Gives us form, gives us hope, gives us might To take God’s gift and make us whole Within, without the Kingdom make Oh, fearful me. I am now free and see I must face the abyss and take the step Just one small step . . . Just one small step
