Blessings

Blessings come in so many different ways.  Among the most cherished are children.  I am sure those dads who celebrated Father’s Day yesterday will agree with me that children are the greatest miracle of all.

Blessings are among many of God’s favors and protection.  But we humans can also give our blessings to others through prayer and benedictions.

Since God gave the original blessing to Abram (Genesis 12:1-2), the three major religions Judaism, Christianity and Islam have a common beginning.

“And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

~ Genesis 1:28

Giving each other blessings helps us to feel good.  Being kind and serving each other, gives positive feedback to our body.  Through that kind of mind/body unity we create a base for God to sanctify us.  In the Divine Principle (3.1) we call that the first blessing or being fruitful.

The achievement of the first blessing is very crucial because it becomes the foundation for all the second and third blessing.

 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

~ Galatians 5:22-23

As this bible quote suggests, there are the fruits of the spirit which we are to emulate.  Once we have incorporated these values mind-body unity becomes much easier.

Through the second blessing we experience the love between man and woman.  Husband and wife create a family by having children.  Each blessing helps us to grow more and contributes to our maturity. 

As experienced adults we can fulfill the third blessing by taking care of the natural world and reap all the benefits from the creation. 

When we look upon our world today, we can certainly find problems everywhere.  Unfortunately, we are trying to find solutions in an external way.  Looking at the diagram above, we can see that the trouble lies in the first blessing.  To become fruitful means to be mature, responsible and caring to oneself, to others and to the environment.  For most of us to love ourselves is the hardest thing of all. 

There is a book out called “The Gentle Art of Blessing” which talks about the health benefits of blessings.  Blessings even have a positive effect on our DNA.  Since we are all spiritual (energy) beings, we respond well to positive vibrations.  Blessings are the ultimate benevolence.  They infuse us with holiness and remind us of our true original potential.

I am closing this blog with blessings to all who come by to read it.  Bless yourselves and others and you will never be the same.


 

Satan's Activities in Human Society

Satan accuses and deceives mankind

Satan is constantly accusing all people before God, as he did Job, in order to drag them into hell. (Job 1:9-11)   However, even Satan cannot perpetrate his evil activity unless he first finds an object partner with whom he can form a common base and engage in give and take action.  Satan's object partners are evil spirits in the spirit world. The object partners to these evil spirits are the spirit selves of evil people on the earth, and the vehicles through which these evil spirit selves act are their physical selves.  Accordingly, the power of Satan is conveyed through evil spirits and is manifested in the activities of earthly people.  For example, Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, (Luke 22:3)  and Jesus once called Peter “Satan.”  (Matt. 16:33) In the Bible, the spirits of evil earthly men are called “angels” of the devil. (Matt. 25:41)

The Kingdom of Heaven on Earth (à Eschatology) is a restored world in which Satan can no longer instigate any activity.  To realize this world, it is necessary for all humanity to eliminate their common base with Satan, restore their common base with God, and engage in give and take action with Him.  The prophecy that in the Last Days God will confine Satan to a bottomless (Rev. 20:1-3) pit signifies that Satan will be utterly incapable of any activity, since here will no longer be any counterpart with whom Satan can relate.  In order to eliminate our common base with Satan and be capable of judging him (I Cor. 6:3), we must understand the identity and crime of Satan and accuse him before God.

However, God endowed human beings and angels with freedom; therefore, He cannot restore them by force.  Of their own free will, human beings are to bring Satan to voluntary submission by upholding the Word of God through fulfilling their responsibility.  Only in this way can we be restored to the original ideal purposed by God at the creation.  Because God works His providence based on this principle, the history of the providence of restoration has been repeatedly prolonged.  (àPredestination2)

Divine Principle -- The Fall of Man: Section 4.2 -- Satan's Activities in Human Society

As a master of persuasion, Satan easily deceives mankind into focusing on anything but God. Through the theory of evolution, for example, he has convinced millions that God doesn't exist.

~  Satan's Work in OurWorld

This is an excerpt from the Divine Principle taught by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon.  Rev. Moon had personal experiences with the fallen archangel Lucifer who became Satan.  To really understand our human problems today, we cannot avoid learning about the true nature of Satan who is the only enemy of mankind.  All the other antagonists are psydo-representatives who challenge us in different ways to make us suffer or change and become stronger.  Rev. Moon discovered the origin of Satan, how he works in our lives, and how he covers his activities in lies and deceptions.   Even though the story of the Fall of Man sounds like a fairytale, it is the symbolic account of what happened to our human ancestors Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  Similar versions are found in other religious teachings.  The facts are that we have to look for the root cause of evil and how we can eliminate it.

My Prayer Shawl Experience

Looking for a craft’s project, I came across the idea of a prayer shawl.  I didn’t know but there are whole communities online and around the country where people get together for knitting sessions to pray for loved ones who are sick or just in need of prayer support.

Since I was going to visit my ailing mother, I thought it suitable to take my knitting job on the trip. 

First of all I had to figure out the pattern.  I was ones an accomplished knitter but never really used any written instructions (and especially not in English, since my first language is German).  Once I had decided what design (arrowhead) I wanted to use I set many nights to create a sample.  Not until I watched the Youtube instructions of the blueprint was I able to copy my own outline.

Finally, I was ready to start with the designated yarn.  Casting on 87 stitches for the width of the shawl was easy.  Following the instructions I did the first 3 rows in pearl to create a border.  I cannot say that the pattern flowed off my hands easily, because I made many mistakes and then had to redo rows.  Every time I thought, that now I have the pattern down, I found slip-ups and rather than correcting my blunder, I unraveled the row up to the oversight. 

 

It was an amazing experience, since I am praying not only for my mother, but also for the rest of my family, friends and those whom I know are in need of some prayer support.  I find myself in this rhythm, 3 steps forward, and 2 steps back.  The whole thing started to become a reflection of my life where often I go for a while and nothing bad happens.  Then, all over sudden, something undesirable happens, I go several steps backwards to correct my mistake until I can move forward again.  In this way, this knitting work becomes a symbolic reflection of my life.

I don’t know if that’s the purpose of a prayer shawl, since I have not designated it to any particular person.  Originally, I had thought I could finish it on my trip visiting with my family but instead of taking 2 weeks to finish it, it took me quite a while to accomplish this handiwork.

At the very end of skein 3 I faced a huge yarn scramble.  Even though, I started each skein from the inside, this one didn’t unscramble very easily.  It took me an extra half an hour to undo the last few yards of the yarn.  Did I see some symbolism in this creation?  Isn’t this how life shows itself at times, like a big knot?

Like all good things, there is an end to it all.  I finally completed the project after about two months.  Because I didn’t like the idea of double knotted fringe at each end, I just did a single fringe.  Therefore, I only used 5 balls of yarn instead of the suggested 6 balls.

I have to say, that it was a very satisfying work.  When your hands are busy, your mind is free to embrace all kinds of ideas: Like praying for others. 
 

History of Memorial Day

MemorialDay, an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer.

It is unclear where exactly this tradition originated; numerous different communities may have independently initiated the memorial gatherings. Nevertheless, in 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—was chosen because it hosted an annual, community-wide event, during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.

Decoration Day

On May 5, 1862, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed. The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle.

On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there. Many Northern states held similar commemorative events and reprised the tradition in subsequent years; by 1890 each one had made Decoration Day an official state holiday. Many Southern states, on the other hand, continued to honor their dead on separate days until after World War I.

Evolution of Memorial Day

Memorial Day, as Decoration Day gradually came to be known, originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I the United States found itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars.

For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30, the date Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day. But in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees; the change went into effect in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day a federal holiday.

Memorial Day Traditions

Cities and towns across the United States host Memorial Day parades each year, often incorporating military personnel and members of veterans’ organizations. Some of the largest parades take place in Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. Americans also observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials. On a less somber note, many people throw parties and barbecues on the holiday, perhaps because it unofficially marks the beginning of summer.

From the History website.

My Visit to a Doll Museum

Doll in the store

Like most girls growing up I played with dolls.  When my friend, living near Hanau-Wilhemsbad in Germany mentioned that there was a Doll Museum in town, I was happy to visit there.  It was truly a treat to see the Hessische Puppenmuseum.

Japanese dolls

The museum features the history of dolls, all the way from the antique clay sculptured dolls to modern dolls with wigs and beautiful clothes, including the Barbie doll.  There were also collections of beautiful Japanese dolls as well as bears and other toys and their accessories.

One can only say that the development of play toys has come a long way.  I noticed that even though toys are made for kids to amuse themselves with, many of the doll houses and things created for exhibitions are solely made for adult enjoyment. 

Miniature Department Store

I am referring to a large exhibition of the largest miniature department store in the world.  Each room had so many details and intricate things displayed that it could not be used by kids unless it would break or get messed up shortly.



Schildkroet (Turtle Mark) Dolls ands their accessories

I even found a sample of the doll I received as a present from my grandmother one Christmas.  It is one of the well-known German Turtle Mark (Schildkroet) dolls.  It was the only toy I brought with me when my family fled from East-Germany in 1961.

When I saw all the cute dolls and their accessories like stores, dishes and wagons, I was carried back to my childhood and at the same time thought of my little grand-daughters who are just starting to play with dolls.

 

My Birthday Day Present to My Mom

My mother just turned 89 and I was able to celebrate her birthday with her.  Since she doesn’t want any presents, I just made enough time to sit with her and keep her company.  I can’t visit her very often, since she lives in Germany, and I live in the U.S.A. 

She is getting very frail and can’t walk anymore without help.  She lives in a nursing home now and is taking care of her everyday needs.

Throughout my time with her I was looking for opportunities to share my faith with her and explain to her about eternal life.  It is her belief that when she dies that will be the end of her.  Unfortunately, every time I mentioned anything about spiritual life, she either changed the subject or tried to ignore me.

I was always looking for something to share that would uplift her and get her out of the mood of complaint and resign. 

One day, during my visit with her, she didn’t even get out of bed, because she didn’t feel well.  I moved my chair close to her bed.  We talked for a while.  I started looking around her room when my eyes fell upon a book which was nestled in between a few teddy bears in a basket on the floor.  I picked up the book and asked my mother if I could read the story to her.  The story in the book is one of my mother’s favorite since her grandmother used to tell it her when she was a child.

The name of the book is: “What Three Little Bears Experience in the Woods;” by Margarete Thiele.  As the story goes, three young boys named Hans, Rudi and Wolfgang were given each a small bear which they named Puhz, Jochen, and Wollbaeckchen (Wooly Cheeks).  When the family goes on an outing, the boys take their bears along and loose them in the woods.  The three bears go on an endearing adventure, meeting all kinds of animals in the forest, riding in a walnut shell on the river, taking to birds, and eating all kinds of critters.  After several days, their owners come looking for them, and they are reunited in at small café at the edge of the woods.

I enjoyed reading the story and learn myself about the unusual journey of the little bears which were so dear to my mother’s heart.  It took me all afternoon, resting my voice in between reading, and showing my mother the colorful picture of the voyage. 

By the time we were finished with the tale my mother thanked me over and over for reading the fairytale to her.  And every time I talk to her now, she still reminds me of how much she enjoyed the story.

I was not able to talk to my mom about God or eternal life, but I could renew a long lost childhood memory.  After all, I am satisfied with my gift for her Birthday.  I love you, Mutti.

 

Remembering My Confirmation

On my recent trip back to Germany I was reminded of my confirmation in 1964.  Some friends were taken part in a celebration for 'Golden Confirmation.'  Even though I was not part of their group, I started to reflect on what that experience did for me.

Prior to the confirmation event, we had to go to classes for a whole year.  On Sundays, we had to attend church.  A certain number of attendances were required to qualify for the confirmation.  I remember sitting in the church, feeling very uneasy by looking at the crucified Jesus.  Throughout the lessons, it didn’t become clear to me why Jesus had to die on the cross.  I don’t remember much of the content of the classes I attended. 

Never-the-less, I very much appreciate the advice our Pastor gave us, saying: “Make yourself expensive, because you are precious.”  That, along with giving us the choice for a Bible quote, which I selected from Proverbs 16:9 has helped me tremendously over the years.

“The human heart plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

~ Proverbs 16:9

In fact, I believe, it has helped me to be guided along to find my faith and eventually, join the Unification Church.  The teaching of the Divine Principle has given me all the answers I had in the days of my preparation for confirmation and thereafter.  I learned that the crucifixion of Jesus was caused by the ignorance of the people of His days, and that He came to forgive our wrongdoings and to reconnect us to our Heavenly Parent, God.  His sacrifice brought us spiritual salvation.

I am grateful for the foundation of faith which Pastor Bruns gave me.  If nothing else, the quote has given me guidance throughout my life.

Going back to the small town, Gehrden by Hannover, also made me remember my first job.  I was still in school, when I worked a few hours a week at the bakery and pastry shop Kohlenberg.  At that time I didn’t know that the building was a historical timber-framed house build in 1748.  The “Café am Markt” is still there today, although it is under new management.  Working there as a young student of 15 also taught me that making one’s own money gives one pride and satisfaction.  I didn’t have to ask my parents for an allowance and could finance my own interests in traveling.

Looking back on these experiences, I realize that we have to constantly make choices.  Choices are made based on the beliefs and values we were given by our parents, teachers or other persons of influence, or we create for ourselves.