The Messiah – The Prince of Peace is Born

As we celebrated Christmas over the weekend, I have been thinking deeply about the meaning of this bible verse:

"YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALLYOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

~ Luke 10:27

To me, the words of Jesus represent the true meaning of Christmas.  Jesus came to introduce us to his Father, the God of Heaven and Earth, and to teach us the true way of life.  Making that vertical relationship with the Father and the horizontal relationship with people here on earth is the most important accomplishment for us humans. 

Over the holidays I listened to the glorious music of “Messiah” by Georg Friedrich Händel.   Even though Mr. Händel was a prolific composer, this composition became his most famous.  Georg Friedrich Händel (1685-1759), was a German born Baroque composer who lived in England during the latter part of his life.   In 1742 he cooperated with Charles Jennens (1700-1773) who had assembled text for the Messiah in 1741, mainly from the Old Testament.  It is an English text oratorio (large musical composition for concert with choir, orchestra and soloists).  Here is a link to a performance of: “For Unto Us a Child is Given”

1) How do we love the Messiah?

I like to focus on the two aspects of the above saying of Jesus.  Loving God establishes our faith.  It takes our 100% effort to figure out how to manifest the words of Jesus into our everyday life.  God being a spirit came to earth in the body of Christ to teach us the way, the truth and the life.  He came to cut us off from the blood lineage of Satan (the ruler of this world) and connect us to our true blood lineage with God.  By studying and believing in the word we can be reborn through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Through this kind of a lifestyle we can become adapted into the family of God and be reborn.

A week before Christmas I had the opportunity to join a True Family Values seminar with hundreds of clergy and believers in Chicago at the historical Hilton Hotel.  These ministers and other guests brought down an amazing spirit and truly showed their faith in their savior.

2) How do we love each other?

Jesus gave us the instructions to love each other as we love ourselves.  That means we are to substancialize his words.  There are several ways to do this.

a)Take a larger view-point
I was just recently reading an article on how we can all benefit from taking a larger perspective.  Like the astronauts who went to the moon, even though they were scientists, they couldn’t help but come back changed people and gaining a higher point-of-view regarding the situation on the planet earth.  From out of space they looked upon the earth as one global unit, not structured into countries, religions, cultures, races, etc.

"That the only thing that really matters in life are your relationships to other people."
~ Dr. George E. Vaillant – conductor of the Grant Study Men

b) Adapt social skills for an harmonious life
Have you ever heard of the Grant Study Men?  Dr. Vaillant has been conducting studies on human behavior over many years.  With the financial support of William Grant, the study charted the lives of 824 men and women for over 60 years. He found seven major factors that predict healthy aging, both physically and psychologically: education, stable marriage, healthy weight, some exercise, not smoking, not abusing alcohol, and "employing mature adaptations." (Vaillant believes social skills and coping methods are crucial in determining overall satisfaction.)

However, his most important finding was revealed in a 2008 interview. He was asked, "What have you learned from the Grant Study men?"  Dr. Vaillant's response: True success "is more about us than me."

For me that has been beautifully demonstrated in my favored Christmas movie: “Its’ A Wonderful Life” which you can watch through this link in its full length:

 

c) Love yourself by forgiving yourself
We have so many demonstrations of a Christly life.  I find it hardest to love and to forgive myself.  This is our greatest challenge today; to let go of our heavy baggage and believe that we are worthy of the love of God.  A friend of mine, Doris Crompton, wrote a beautiful article this Christmas.  She is conducting emotional release sessions.  Doris has helped many people to let go of unwanted emotions. 

Let’s prepare for the New Year by ending unfinished business.  The Messiah is here to help us clean our slates and make a new beginning.  By loving God and loving men we can receive our Messiah.

Be a good Planter…

 You may wonder why I am talking about planting in the middle of winter.  I am not talking about a physical garden at this time.  During this Christmas season I find it very appropriate to re-evaluate one’s faith.  I recently came across this composition which I believe was originally written for children’s education.  In our secular society today it’s not politically correct to talk about one’s faith.  Unfortunately, we have thrown out the baby with the bathwater and thrown out virtues, too. 

• If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
• If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
• If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
• If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory.
• If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.
• If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
• If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.
• If you plant openness, you will reap intimacy.
• If you plant patience, you will reap improvements.
• If you plant faith, you will reap miracles.

But...

• If you plant dishonesty, you will reap distrust.
• If you plant selfishness, you will reap loneliness.
• If you plant pride, you will reap destruction.
• If you plant envy, you will reap trouble.
• If you plant laziness, you will reap stagnation.
• If you plant bitterness, you will reap isolation.
• If you plant greed, you will reap loss.
• If you plant gossip, you will reap enemies.
• If you plant worries, you will reap wrinkles.
• If you plant sin, you will reap guilt.

A few weeks ago I wrote about doing things anyway, at the advice of Dr. Kent M. Keith and Mother Teresa. 

The above words certainly fall into the same category.  Using positive words and statements are very powerful.  With a clear vision of what we want for ourselves and for others, we can create a successful life.  Our subconscious mind is very impressionable and doesn’t differentiate between positive or negative declarations. 

Anytime, we talk about values, it is good to remind ourselves of the consequences of our actions.  As we celebrate this Season of Love and the birth of our Savior Jesus let us go beyond doctrines and differences and look at faith in a new way.  As we discussed two weeks ago this is the time to open our spiritual senses and let us directly be guided by the spirit of God.  Expect the unexpected and be prepared for miracles.

Love Your Cup of Joe…

During this Christmas season you may have a stronger need for a cup of joe.  You may either feel tired from all the partying (?) or stressed out from the preparations of it all.  Or you may just love your cup of coffee every morning like me.

Where did the name come from?

Cup of joe is a purely American expression.  It was supposedly given to honor Josephus Daniels, who didn’t want his sailors to drink alcohol on board of the ships; he banned it completely in 1914.  He encouraged the men to drink coffee instead.  Mr. Daniels was later appointed Secretary of the Navy during WWI.

"The morning cup of coffee has an exhilaration about it which the cheering influence of the afternoon or evening cup of tea cannot be expected to reproduce."

~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., "Over the Teacups," 1891

Health Benefits

Studies show that we may be benefitting from coffee in more ways than just the energy-boosting caffeine in coffee -- we might also be reaping its cancer-preventing and depression-lowering effects, just to name a couple.

Caffeine stimulates brain functions, especially in the right hemisphere which helps language, both spoken and understanding.  Tad Brunye, a senior cognitive scientist at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center in Natick, Massassuchets, explains that it doesn’t have to be a lot to get the desired result.

Some people believed that tea had more health benefits than coffee.  Suzie Cohen, R.PH. points out, that coffee-drinkers may be at lower risk for liver and colon cancer, type 2diabetes, and Parkinson's disease.  It’s a proven fact that both tea and coffee contain antioxidants which are necessary to fight free radicals in the body.

Donald Hensrud, M.D. from the famous Mayo Clinic suggests that like everything else, coffee consumption should be moderate.  The same news comes from a study at Harvard University.  

"Over second and third cups flow matters of high finance, high state, common gossip and low comedy. [Coffee] is a social binder, a warmer of tongues, a soberer of minds, a stimulant of wit, a foiler of sleep if you want it so. From roadside mugs to the classic demi-tasse, it is the perfect democrat."

~ Author Unknown

History of Coffee

Coffee’shistory had its roots in spiritual practices.  Muslims in Yemen made a form of wine from the coffee bean which was consumed during religious ceremonies.  A possible origin of the name is from a region in modern day Ethiopia, called the kingdom of kaffa where coffee plants were cultivated.  Apparently, the benefits of the plant were discovered by accident.  Some stories say that shepherds chewed on the berries and found them bitter.  They experimented with it by boiling and roasting the beans and eventually enjoyed the energizing brewed drink.

We still can agree today that the properties of coffee drive away fatigue and lethargy and bring to the body a certain lightness and vigor.

The coffee culture in our days is including more than just the black drink.  It is in all the additions where we often find the “dangers” if not extra calories.

Anyway, moderation is the game.  I surely enjoy my cup of coffee every morning and next time I will thank Captain Joe for another name for it.

Entering the Spiritual Age

I believe we all can agree that the world is in a mess.  No matter which way we turn, things and situations aren’t working properly.   We are facing today unprecedented circumstances in the economy, ecology, politics, poverty and social issues, health, discrimination and human trafficking, terrorism, weather and natural disaster, etc.  No matter what I am going to list here, most people get overwhelmed by just thinking of a small section of these global issues.  One thing is for sure we are all affected and not just by local concerns. 

“The problems that exist in the world today cannot be solved by the level of thinking that created them."

~ Albert Einstein  (1879-1955) – German American Physicist

As Albert Einstein so rightfully put it, history has been made by focusing on physical problems, wars over territory and materials based on greed, power, and ignorance regarding our true human nature.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” 

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) Indian reformer for independence

1) You can only change yourself

If you have not learned that lesson yet, you can avoid a lot of frustration by not trying to change others.  This is the best time to heal yourself and your past, to let go of unwanted emotions and memories.  Once you are healed you can heal others or at least assist them in their healing journey.  We have to stop the blame game and not criticize and judge each other.  Hurt people hurt people.  Once we can break that cycle, true change can take place on the individual level.

"We're not human beings having a spiritual experience. We're spiritual beings having a human experience."

~ Dr. Waye Dyer (1940-) American author and spiritual teacher

2) The spiritual age gives equal opportunity to all

History was dominated by men who are task-oriented, authoritarian, and domineering.  The time has come for women to come forward and share their female qualities in communication, cooperation and consistency.  Neither of these qualities are better; they need to complement each other.  Now is the time where women can shine and contribute their leadership qualities.  By integrating the male and female energies and giving both sexes an equal chance, we will see true changes taking place.

3) Is December 21, 2012 going to be the end of the world?

According to different prophesies like the Mayan calendar at the end of next year great changes will take place.  Just like Y2K or other predictions, I don’t believe the earth will end.  That’s one promise we have from the bible:

“Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.”

~ Ecclesiastes 1:4

We will experience great transformation though.  It is up to each one of us how we are going to react to these changes.  The important thing is that we connect to our source of life, God, our creator.  Everything else depends on our attitude.  Do we want to be victims to our circumstances and become depressed, shrink and withdraw or do we want to be become our true authentic self and become the victor?  We need a revolution from selfishness to unselfishness.  True Peace can only come through peace of mind. 

St. John of the Cross spoke of the “Dark Night of the Soul.”  It looks like we have to go through the dark night first before we can enjoy the dawn of the New Spiritual Age.

How Babies are made by God

I have been waiting for the arrival of our grandchildren for a while.  Now both of our children are expecting, my daughter in January and my daughter-in-law in May of next year.

Guess what, I am more aware of babies and see baby stuff everywhere.  My daughter sent me the link to this amazing video about the process of conception and the wonderful orchestration of the development until the birth.  I am in awe as to how God’s creation works so precisely and orderly.

Here is the link to the video:

http://www.ted.com/talks/alexander_tsiaras_conception_to_birth_visualized.html#.TtMM11bdRHQ.facebook

I hope you can enjoy this presentation as much as I did.  The miracle of life is and always will be a phenomenon because of the slim chance for the sperm and the egg to meet.

As for now my grandchildren are only in my imagination but I know for sure that God has great expectations for this new generation.  Our children and grandchildren are our hope that what we did here on earth will not be in vain but rather is a stepping stone for a better future.  That’s something to be grateful for.

Appreciations for the Lives of Heroes

During this Thanksgiving week we want to give thanks for the many blessings our lives.  In this country we have many more things to be grateful for than any other place in the world.   

I want to take this occasion to appreciate the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and some other brave Germans who participated in the resistance movement against Hitler and the savage activities of the Third Reich.

I have often wondered why there was nobody who could see through all of the atrocities under Hitler and why nobody did anything against it.  I can’t remember to have studied any of this part of history during my schooling.

I discovered that there were quite a few organized activities going on (along with private individuals): some by ordinary citizens like the students of the White Rose group and others like some Christians under the guidance of pastor Bonhoeffer.  There was also the group within the military which was brought to our attention a few years ago in the movie Valyrie with Tom Cruise.

The White Rose was organized by a group of students, Hans and Sophie Scholl, and their professor, Kurt Huber, and others from the University in Munich which only lasted for a few months; all of them were executed in February of 1943.  The core group printed leaflets, and with the help of other students they were able to distribute them through many other universities all over Europe.

A few years ago, I watched the movie Valkyrie and learned about the brave action of Claus von Stauffenberg who attempted to kill Hitler.  He was part of a conspiracy organized by righteous officers and people in political offices. On July 20th,1944, Mr. Von Stauffenberg had placed an attaché with a bomb in it which was to kill Hitler.  Unfortunately, the assassination attempt failed which resulted in the killing of almost 5,000 people who were connected to this cope d’état.

“We have been silent witnesses of evil deeds… 

Will our inward power of resistance be strong enough to find our way back?”
~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

During the same year the Valkyrie was filmed, a German producer filmed Agent of Grace, 
which was aired on public television here in the states.  Bonhoeffer was part of a group of German clergy who were opposed to the indifference of the church as well as the persecution of the Jews. He joined the political resistance to Hitler which led to his imprisonment in 1943 and his eventual execution on April 9, 1945, just a few weeks before Hitler committed suicide and WWII ended.

“The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.”

~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Why is the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)  so remarkable?  Mr. Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran theologian who was educated at various universities throughout Europe as well as at the Union Theological Seminary in New York.  It was there that he gained a deep love for the African-American spirituals.  His most influential writing is a book The Cost of Discipleship in which he expresses his firm belief in the need for a reinterpretation of Christianity for our modern world.  He made an important contribution to ecumenism which attempts to create a unified church and the efforts of world peace.  Even while in prison, with the help of some friends, he wrote letters which were posthumously edited and published as Papers from Prison.

“Action springs not from thought, but from readiness for responsibility.”

~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Through study and deep prayer I am gaining a deep appreciation for my German heritage.  For more than 60 years that pride was not there within the German population.  History was looked upon with shame and guilt and nobody knew what to do with it.  The Church in Germany is like a sleeping giant with all its beautiful buildings which are showcases of incredible architecture, amazing paintings and sculptures, but no spirit.  That’s why the church needs to become aware and remember pastors like Dietrich Bonhoeffer because he had found that spirit in the church in Harlem, and at the UnionTheological Seminary in New York in 1930.  His insistent dedication in the service to Christ and his continuous loyalty to the members of his church took him back to Germany where he taught relentlessly in small congregations, first hidden from the Nazis, but later discovered and closed down.  Bonhoeffer, together Martin Niemoeller founded the Confessing Church which opposed Hitler and the Third Reich with their anti-Christian and anti-Jewish stands. Bonhoeffer singly recognized deeply the problem of his time.

During this Thanksgiving week I am grateful for men like him and others who truly walk their talk.  As one autobiographer, Eric Metaxas said recently: “We need examples of leadership like him today.”  If we truly want to make an impact and change this country, we need more than promising words.  I can trust any person who is willing to give their life just like Jesus did.

Don’t these people appear to be rebels?

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.’
~ Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

Gettysburg Address

 

Gettysburg Address – November 19^th, 1863

I believe it is appropriate for this November week to give reverence to an event which took place long ago.  At times it is more important to focus on a vision and on ideals than the reality especially when the reality looks bleak and discouraging.  With the media speaking of depression and recession we have to find something empowering to look at.

The Gettysburg Address moves us deeply with its powerful words, reminding us that we are all created equal, living under ONE GOD.  We have a responsibility to honor our ancestors and those who lived and died before us to carry on their hopes and dreams; and bring them into fruition.  Mr. Lincoln had a foresight beyond his time that’s why he is remembered and often quoted.  Here is his most important speech:   

Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation: conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war.

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow (sanctify)  this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

~ Abraham Lincoln, (1809-1865) 16^th American President 

Historians have concluded that this speech had even greater significance than the war itself. It is such a short speech but so very engaging; reminiscing of those soldiers who gave their lives but also reminding us of our duty to this nation.