Me: I want to change the world. I will change the world. With the force of my will and the strength of my convictions, I will make this world a better place... How shall I begin?
Guru: In order to affect positive change in the world, you must first affect positive change in yourself.
Me: Oh crap! forget it, it sounds like a bigger job then I thought.
Guru: In order to affect positive change in the world, you must first affect positive change in yourself.
Me: Oh crap! forget it, it sounds like a bigger job then I thought.
5 comments:
:)
I laughed out loud.
I know what you mean. When I stop and look at my flaws and shortcomings, I am overwhelmed.
That's why I like the verse, Phillipians 4:13, where Paul writes, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."
Thank God I don't have to do it on my own.
I'm not a very religious guy, but I like the idea of people drawing strength from their traditions. You make mention of St. Paul, his is one of the great stories of religious conversion. It's a story that even has meaning to a secular person like myself. Whenever I come to realize something of importance in my life, I think of that journey long ago on the road to Damascus.
I'm glad that I made you laugh, I like cynical humour, but I'm far from a cynical person. I honestly believe the world will some day be a better place.
hmmmm . . . how is it that you know about Paul? have you ever read the Bible?
or did you have a religious up-bringing? if so, I'm assuming it was Catholic, since you referred to Paul as St. Paul. i am not Catholic, rather "protestant" for lack of a better term, so that is why I referred to him as just Pau.
when you call yourself secular, is that to say you do not believe in God completely? or are you more of the belief that God exists, but just does not have any interaction with us? i'm curious.
i wonder, being the gifted writer that you are, have you ever read anything by C.S.Lewis—fiction or theological? again, just curious.
It would be very difficult for a person reading and writing in English to do away with the bible. the King James version is probably our most important work. Of course it it you say, it's the live word of God. With respect, I would say, that it is more then that as well. The Bible it a shared cultural reference it helps you understand Steinbeck. Without it think of the themes in literature that would be alien to you, think of the jokes that you wouldn't get. The Holy Bible is the western worlds one great work, our laws, our institutions, our literature, our visual arts stem from it like the spokes of a wheel.
You guessed it Nancy Drew. I had a Catholic upbringing, we Catholics have a lot of saints. We needed someone replace the old Greek and Roman gods. Someone had to pick up the slack when the old boys packed it in. St. Valentine took over for Venus, St. George for Mars. By some twist of argument we still claim to be monotheist.
I've read The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, or rather had it read to me at summer camp, I guess there's irony in the fact that a protestant writer was being read at a camp for Catholic children. Oh well Christian themes transcend denomination, and besides Thomas Merton is a little dry for kids.
As for being a believer, I am, just in what way I'm not sure. My mind is small and I can never see myself understanding the nature of god. I kinda of go crazy when I hear people spout the cliche' "I'm spiritual just not religious", to me that's a put down of people who are religious and I would never do that.
Picture two people, an Evangelist and an Atheist, both men are so sure that they know the way things are, so ready to defend their point. They are both strong men of faith claiming to know what in this life may not be knowable. If these two men could temper themselves with humility, I could call them both friends.
I appreciate you curiosity.
so much i could reply to here . . . but another time, i'm sure.
what struck me most about what you have written in your reply is "my mind is small . . ." i don't see that at all. it seems rather vast to me based on what i have learned of you so far.
as far as understanding the nature of God, your comment made me think of Isaiah 55.
http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=isaiah+55
or Romans 11:33-35
http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=romans+11
well, i'm enjoying this discussion as i do any with you. it's a whole lot more interesting than watching TV or other pointless things we find ourselves doing.
i'd love to know what you are reading right now. i am about to begin two books. 1. The Great Divorce by C.S.Lewis. 2. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. i will probably blog about one or both once i have started and/or finished.
well, have a good evening.
-g.
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