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Journal — April, 2004 |
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AN ONGOING
SPIRITUAL WEBLOG
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April 29, 2004
Steve Stockman is a writer, radio host,
minister and a great example of someone who is aware
of God acting in our world in places you might not expect.
His web site is Rhythms
of Redemption and has information on his
books (including Walk
On: The Spiritual Journey of U2), poetry
and lyrics, essays on God, life, music and art and info
on his radio show.
Steve and I have exchanged a series of delightful emails the past couple
of days. He feels like a kindred spirit. This articulate Irishman also
allowed me to interview him about his new book, The
Rock Cries Out and you can read it posted here on
his site.
Tom Gilbert
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April 28, 2004
When people say “let’s be realistic” why does that usually
signal something negative? If we embrace the Great Reality God reveals
to us that should be a cause for rejoicing!
Of course, this raises the issue of doubt. Many times a call to be realistic
means we’re having a problem believing. Thankfully God allows for
this (a good example is how Jesus lovingly confronted Thomas in ). We can wrestle with our questions. We can sit still with
them, too.
For more on this see a good new article on the Relevant website, Jesus
Loves Doubters Too.
Tom Gilbert
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April 27, 2004
Since the movie, The Passion of the Christ, has experienced
phenomenal success, you might imagine the great speculation on Mel Gibson’s
next movie project. Will he again create a film with a religious or spiritual
theme? If so, who or what would be the subject?
The Franciscan Order, followers of St. Francis of Assisi, would like to
see Mr. Gibson make a movie about Francis. Previous efforts have failed
to capture the true story and “passion” of this devoted follower
of Christ. So, it’s an interesting request. Read
here the open letter/petition to Mel Gibson from Community
of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and the Franciscan Sisters of the
Renewal.
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April 26, 2004
Sometimes you need something positive to start a day, especially a Monday.
Wait a minute…did I just say “sometimes”? Ok, every day
you should find something positive as you begin. It’s not always
easy, I’ll give you that. If you are looking for a kickstart head
over to Daily
Guideposts. The site is part of the Peale Foundation (Norman
Vincent Peale was arguably the greatest proponent of positive thinking).
The positive inspiration is neither shallow nor inconsiderate of people’s
hardships. The message is grounded in faith in God. I’ve been on
their mailing list for years and I continue to send a few dollars their
way. Like all good giving the rewards are more than my small contributions.
The pocket size Positive Thinking quarterly magazines
are packed with great essays that make me think and be grateful. After
reading one the glass is never half-empty. I even put issues in the company
restroom when I’m done…and I know they’re getting read.
I echo the tagline of their Positive Thinking publication
states: “finding joy & fulfillment every day”.
Tom Gilbert
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April 22, 2004
Today is “Take your daughters and sons to work” day. My daughter
(age 15) is with me as I write this. She’s learning what a writer
and web person does each day, specifically for the Living the Solution
site.
Dad: So, Kristen, do you think you might want to do this kind of work in
the future?
Daughter: I dunno.
Dad: Well, are you interested in learning and doing some work today…or
are you just glad you are out of school for the day?
Daughter: Oh, definitely interested in learning and doing work today!
Dad: Hmmm…yes, I think I believe her.
Seriously, my daughter is a talented and intelligent young lady who has
accompanied me to workdays in the past. Each year it seems I’m doing
something a bit different from the year before and she gets to be part
of the journey. I encourage you to take your daughters/sons to work sometime.
If you are doing that today you might pop over to the Take
Our Daughters and Sons to Work web site and have them complete
the online survey and other activities.
Tom Gilbert
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April 21, 2004
All of us probably sense that God is calling us to do something.
From my perspective, the difficulty is so often in being caught up in the
mindset that our society (the materialistic Western way) teaches is our
reality. Live to consume, to find meaning in the earthly things that are
ultimately empty. It's a Big Lie and I'm guilty for buying into it and
even furthering it.
This doesn't mean we ignore the need to eat, to provide shelter and to
take care of ourselves and our loved ones. However, my sense is that God's
call is to trust - totally trust - that these needs can and will be taken
care of and what we should focus on are the "kingdom" things.
This is the challenge of living out of our true self. Very often we don't
consider this until the second half of life, after we've spent time "building
our towers" and begin to let go of the idea we must always be performing
and achieving. That's the mentality that says we must do such-and-such
to get our reward. It reduces God's love to being conditional (which is
heretical - God loves us no matter what and in spite of our wrong-doing
- even because of it!)
I've struggled with a life of self will. At one time drugs and alcohol
were my master. Now I'm clean and sober. But the root of my problem is
still selfishness and self-centeredness. The beauty of true Christianity
is the desire to be one with God in a community of faith. This way of living
can happen in everything we do.
My biggest challenge has been to keep letting go of an identity based on
what my job is. We're accustomed to people asking us "what do you
do?" and replying by telling them what our job is, where we work,
etc. The better answer, I think, is to talk about what we are doing in
life...for God...for others.
It's all a process and a journey so don't get caught up in the change must
be right now. We CAN change our attitude and our belief system, but the
specifics of jobs and the fruit of our labors is ongoing. It's like the
false idea of being born again being a one time event. We are continually
being saved and born of the Spirit.
If you are still struggling with what you should be doing with your life,
what job, how much money and what your purpose is keep in mind the words
of Mother Theresa: "God doesn't call us to be successful, just faithful".
Tom Gilbert
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April 20, 2004
I start most mornings the same way. I awaken and thank God for a new day,
prepare some coffee, do some reading from my collection of inspirational
materials (typically a couple of daily meditation books and the Bible)
and then reflect. Yet, I often miss a daily treat of seeing the sun rise.
Why do we so often take the sun coming up and going down for granted? Perhaps
it is the cares of our lives and our personal agendas that take precedence.
It’s a shame because my experience teaches me that much of life is
showing up and being surprised. It was wonderful today to pull open the
curtain and see the pastels of red, yellow, orange and variations play
out against the blue sky backdrop and wispy white clouds.
Tom Gilbert
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April 16, 2004
Could it be that many people have disillusionment with church and religion
because right away they are presented with doctrine and scripture – all
presented with good intentions but shouting that it’s “truth” – but
before these people have done some of the inner work prompted by asking
the questions about life's purpose and meaning?
I think our first task as believers is to live our beliefs – walk
the talk. Then as we come in contact with others we might try to first
connect with them in a friendly and loving way. We may be judging ourselves
by our intentions, but others are forming their opinion based on our actions.
If they like what they see and we are real the result will be attraction.
This is much more effective in witnessing our faith than promotion.
I’m very grateful that I’m part of a small men’s group
where we can be real and share in a “sacred place”. It allows
us to talk about life and grow from our sharing. This type of fellowship
is important as anyone who has benefited from small groups will tell you.
Men interested in exploring more about spirituality should visit www.malespirituality.org.
Tom Gilbert
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April 15, 2004
It’s Income Tax Day in the USA. There is frequently
wringing of hands and even wailing and gnashing of teeth at this time every
year. People don’t like to pay taxes. Of course many of us will drop
a boatload of money in an instant for some self-gratification. I don’t
think taxation is necessarily evil, but I sure wish it was less complicated
and that the government would use the money more wisely.
I found a few choice quotes appropriate for today that you might enjoy:
"I make a fortune from criticizing the policy of the government, and then
hand it over to the government in taxes to keep it going."
George Bernard Shaw
"Man is not like other animals in the ways that are really significant:
Animals have instincts, we have taxes."
Erving Goffman
"Noah must have taken into the Ark two taxes, one male and one female. And
did they multiply bountifully! Next to guinea pigs, taxes must have been the
most prolific animals."
Will Rogers
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April 14, 2004
Glancing at the headlines we still see reports of violence, war, suffering,
oppression and political maneuvering. Yes, it’s easy to get caught
up in the cares of the world and become cynical or depressed. Does that
solve anything?
There are times for seriousness and certainly we should never trivialize
someone’s hard times. However, if we are honest we can see that much
of the misery around us is our own fault. And there is much to be grateful
for and lots to laugh about. I like to hang around with a group that believes
God wants us to be happy, joyous and free. Insist on enjoying life and
lift the spirits of others.
Tom Gilbert
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April 12, 2004
Easter greetings! Easter, like Christmas, is more than a “one-day” event.
It is both a season and a spirit-filled way of life. At Christmas we commemorate
God coming to us as a human. At Easter we celebrate the victory over death
and sin.
Our baptism is a death to the old sinful self. It doesn’t mean you
won’t ever sin again, but we should not be slaves to sin. We have
died to our old selves. Through Easter we are resurrected into a new way
of living, one that eventually brings us into union with God through Christ
and life everlasting. Don’t let the season pass without it working
the renewal in you.
Tom Gilbert
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April 9, 2004
Today, Good Friday, the world greatly needs the message of Jesus. We need
to accept and embrace the way of non-violence and love.
What happened on Calgary two thousand years ago is difficult to understand.
Perhaps we should approach the Cross by not thinking too much.
This is the problem for the Western mind – we always want to figure
it out. This is the kind of thinking that leads to ideas like Jesus died
to balance out some divine ledger. That is far too simplistic and dangerous
because it leads to a belief that God’s mind needed to be changed
about us. It is not God’s mind that needs changing, it is ours!
I believe that Jesus showed us by his death that everything in life, even
the very wrong and worst aspects such as a cruel and violent execution
of an innocent man, cannot stop the constant forgiving and unconditional
love of God. Because we cannot grasp this and have through the ages continually
tried to appease God through bloody sacrifice (both animal and human) God
sent His son to reveal who God is – love – and how to live – in
love.
Thinking about this doesn’t completely work. The understanding, it
seems, must come from accepting and believing the truth about God. When
Pilate questioned Christ about being a king Jesus replied, "You are
right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for
this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side
of truth listens to me."(John 18:37). Sadly, Pilate replied cynically
(like so many): “What is truth?”
Today I will try less to figure it all out, but my prayer is that my heart
will be open and listening to the truth. As that truth unfolds in us we
will be transformed by embracing and living it. This is the “good” in
Good Friday.
Tom Gilbert
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April 8, 2004
The last supper that Jesus shared with his disciples before his passion
and death was a very special one. It was the Passover meal that commemorates
the Jewish people’s exodus from Egypt. But this meal would initiate
the new covenant. According to the Gospel of John, Jesus shared some intimate
and revealing things about his going to the Father, the coming of the Holy
Spirit and the importance of loving and serving others (as demonstrated
by washing the disciples’ feet).
In the other Gospel accounts we have Jesus breaking bread and sharing wine
as he reveals the new covenant (). God was doing something new and very special. Through
Jesus we know what it means to be fully human and through Jesus we also
know more about the true nature of God.
Tom Gilbert
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April 6, 2004
The final installment of the Matrix movie trilogy, Revolutions,
is now available to buy or rent on DVD/Video. There’s lots of high-tech
action, but also a storyline that will stir questions on faith, existence
and spirituality. I'm finishing up a book, The
Gospel Reloaded, which looks at these many elements in
the Matrix movies. Watch for a review here anyday.
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April 5, 2004
Two new specials will air on TV this week dealing with Jesus. In the United
States you can tune in tonight to the ABC network as Peter Jennings hosts
a three-hour special, “Jesus
and Paul – The Word and the Witness”.
Over in the UK the show, “Jesus
Who?” is a new show that is asking people what Easter
really means. The host is Rick Wakeman, the legendary keyboard rocker from
the group Yes.
Tom Gilbert
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April 2, 2004
Happy Friday everyone! As the first weekend of this new month begins we
have Daylight Savings Time starting (specifically the switch is at 2 AM
on Sunday morning) which means later lovely sunsets to appreciate here
in New Mexico. We really do have frequent awesome displays of God’s
handiwork. Some people speculate it has to do with the amount of dust that
kicks up here in the desert. Whatever reason, it’s just so beautiful
to see.
Surprisingly, today we are cool and wet. It doesn’t rain that often
here so we appreciate the moisture. It smells quite lovely, too.
Appreciation for the little things like nature is important. We all have
to be reminded to slow down and experience these free gifts from God. On
a different note, this Sunday is one of those unusual dates where numbers
align. Remember last year in March when we had 03/03/03? Well, Sunday is
04/04/04 – for what it’s worth.
Peace and joy, everyone.
Tom Gilbert
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April 1, 2004
Have you heard the expression “holy fool”? Most of us would
consider being called a fool an insult. Fools are considered senseless,
careless and lacking wisdom. However, there is the idea of the “holy
fool” that has quite a different take. While there was value in having
a jester in the king’s court; someone who hid his wisdom behind riddles
and jokes; a holy fool includes a spiritual dimension. This is worth exploring.
It gives the impression of one who is humble and also carefree – a
person who doesn’t take themselves too seriously.
Thomas Moore wrote, "The path of soul is also the path of the fool,
the one without pretense of self-knowledge or individuation or certainly
perfection. If on this path we have achieved anything, it is the absolute
unknowing Cusanus and other mystics write about, or it is the 'negative
capability' of John Keats--'being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts,
without any irritable reaching after fact and reason.'" (Care of the
Soul, p. 261-262).
The apostle Paul, of course, spoke about “being fools for Christ” (), but read that in the context of chapter 4.
Today, April 1, is April Fool’s Day. Maybe we can
take a cue from this and spend time less concerned with our little plans.
God knows we all need to lighten up!
Tom Gilbert
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Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved
throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of
International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for the offering of
goods or services requires the prior written consent of International Bible
Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living
Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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PSALM 118:24
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"This
is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad
in it."
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(NIV)
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