We gather together for many reasons. Sometimes to reconnect with family, other times special achievements. Today many will assemble to observe a very important spiritual and life affirming celebration - the SuperBowl. Oh, and some people will go to church.
What is church? The word "church" comes from a Greek word which literally should be translated "that which belongs to the lord." However, in the Christian scriptures, the word translated as "church" is more accurately rendered as "assembly."…
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Added by Jack Porcello on February 7, 2010 at 7:54am —
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Finally, Micah exhorts us to walk humbly. Apparently, this leads to inheriting the earth, so another popular biblical character informs us. It has been said that the meek will inherit the earth, because they are the only ones who won't complain about getting such a raw deal!
Humility and meekness can be signs of great strength and power. Those who have confidence need not boast, for their composure speaks volumes in silence. The courageous person sees humility as the defining element of self.…
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Added by Jack Porcello on January 31, 2010 at 8:45am —
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The second of Micah's triad of transcendental traits is, unfortunately, another victim of vernacular. Mercy, as it is translated in the King James Version, and as immortalized by countless folksong and activist renderings of this passage, is inapplicable in today's jargon. The word is best translated as "kindness."
Therefore, the second block in the literary structure of this passage, compassion.
The "mercy" translation does well to perpetuate the concept of humanity as being evil and unworthy…
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Added by Jack Porcello on January 24, 2010 at 7:30am —
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In the book of Micah we read that among those things that we are instructed to do to be examples of goodness is the ability to "do justly." A simple command to do the right thing, and one that wouldn't seem to need much explaining.
This has been twisted and distorted throughout the centuries, first by the doctrine of Christianity's premier ghost writer Paul into the doctrine of Justification. In this ideology we go from a sense of doing what's right to a belief that whatever we do, we will be s…
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Added by Jack Porcello on January 17, 2010 at 6:30am —
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“The whole value of solitude depends upon one's self; it may be a sanctuary or a prison, a haven of repose or a place of punishment, a heaven or a hell, as we ourselves make it”
John Lubbock
For many of us, solitude is sometimes a sanctuary, and sometimes a sentence. It really has to do with many other things - but chief among them for me is how I am ordering my life.
If I feel my life is fulfilling, then alone times are a great opportunity to reflect upon my accomplishments and my goals. Howe…
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Added by Jack Porcello on January 10, 2010 at 1:04pm —
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"Man is asked to make of himself what he is supposed to become to fulfill his destiny." Paul Tillich
The new year celebration is fraught with promises and decisions for many. For the majority of 2009 I was able to access my desk without any difficulty, so I believe it best for me to repeat last year's resolution to keep my study tidy. It appears to be an attainable goal.
Another practice of the new year is self-assessment. I hope this year to make the public aspect of the ministry more, well,…
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Added by Jack Porcello on January 3, 2010 at 9:00am —
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Holidays have always been a time to give gifts, and be generous. The fantasy of holidays was created to give humanity an opportunity to be magnanimous. In order to evolve socially, we need fantasies. They allow us to have the vision to make old realities into new ones. Without fantasy, we would simply resolve to accept our circumstances. With fantasy, we can have the courage to try to do that which seems unreasonable or impossible.
Entertaining our fantasy allows us to dream dreams, to consider…
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Added by Jack Porcello on December 20, 2009 at 8:30am —
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“Be an opener of doors for such as come after thee.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
What we consume upon our own appetites and lusts dies with us, what we produce for the goodwill of our fellows extends our mortality.
Our generosity is a courage. A courage to take a stand for which we will be remembered. An opportunity to rise out of anonymity and to make our mark upon posterity.
It may be a mark that affects a single other person, a community, or humanity itself. But it is a mark, a position, a stateme…
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Added by Jack Porcello on December 13, 2009 at 6:30am —
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Ever notice how a religion always works best for the person who thought it up in the first place?
That's because the individual who first came up with the religion did so with his or her own personal concerns and interests in mind.
Much can be debated regarding the beginnings of Christianity, but the preponderance of evidence supports the theory that what we have today in the body of the so-called orthodox Christian canon is an amalgam of various thought collected from the writings of first an…
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Added by Jack Porcello on December 6, 2009 at 6:30am —
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"Decision is a risk rooted in the courage of being free." Paul Tillich
Throughout the cannon of adventure serials of television and the big screen, there have always been a person or persons who took charge. The other characters and the audience stood in awe (or sometimes sat) while these individuals exercised great confidence and made the decisions that led to the resolution of this week's predicament. And then, within the hour, the protagonist proves his or her worth by rising to and overcom…
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Added by Jack Porcello on November 29, 2009 at 6:00am —
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The courage we need to be ourself comes from our acceptance of ourself as an individual. In order to do this, we must define our identity. Although this seems like a very personal and private thing, one can only take it so far in isolation.
As social animals, humans mostly crave companionship. Interactive dynamics allow us to grow from the influence of others, and provide us with opportunities to help others in this growth. Regular contact with friends and family allow us to hone our identities…
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Added by Jack Porcello on November 22, 2009 at 2:00am —
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To paraphrase Paul Tillich, anxiety is that within ourselves which battles with our true being. We each, though our experiences and the outward influence of our environment, coupled with the nature of our selves, define who we are and desire to express that definition. Anxiety is that which makes us feel as though we have no right to that expression, or possibly even to that identity.
The crippling influence of anxiety makes us believe that we are no good enough, that we fall short, don't measu…
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Added by Jack Porcello on November 15, 2009 at 2:00am —
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Lately I have picked up Paul Tillich's excellent work The Courage To Be. It is a revealing study of overcoming anxiety, defining courage, and discovering and celebrating the reality of one's self.
Over the next few weeks these posts will be based on passages from this book.
One great quote reads “The courage to be is the courage to accept oneself as accepted in spite of being unacceptable." It's always easier to see our shortcomings than it is our accomplishments.
Often we find ourselves musi…
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Added by Jack Porcello on November 8, 2009 at 10:16am —
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Another attempt by me to do a mini-message on Sundays. I hope this holds up a bit longer than my others!
It seems that every week I get followed on Twitter by 3-5 people claiming that they can help me find direction for my life. These "life coaches" promise fulfillment and stability, proclaiming that they can get my life on the right track in no time flat. Their plan for my life (sounds a bit evangelistic to me) will have me defining and realizing goals by the end of the first day.
But don't I…
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Added by Jack Porcello on November 1, 2009 at 11:28am —
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Cynthia Elliott, up for reelection next week, is a member of the Rochester City School Board.
According to her web page she is a born again Christian.
As far as I understand, the definition of a born again Christian is one who has embraced the salvation offered through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and has allowed the Holy Spirit of God to make one into a new creation, a part of the body of Christ. It is accepted universally that the Bible is the guide for Christian living.
Last…
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Added by Jack Porcello on October 27, 2009 at 8:00am —
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Some years ago there was a woman associated with this ministry. We will refer to her as T. She was an active participant in our discussions. During this time the ministry assisted her materially, as she was in a less than favorable economic situation. We were also able to find her a more suitable place to live (she was living in a modified studio with her husband and baby boy), and assisted her in a job search which resulted in her finding a better job.
T also had a couple of adult children, on…
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Added by Jack Porcello on April 23, 2009 at 11:55am —
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In 1979 Bob Dylan issued his first album from his “born again” period. Entitled Slow Train Coming, it was received very favorably both popularly and critically, and the single “Gotta Serve Somebody” gave Dylan his first charting hit in three years. His concerts became little evangelical crusades, and he would often attempt to proselytize his session musicians as well. The next year, Dylan followed this up with the issue of the album Saved, which didn’t do nearly as well. After that, Dylan kept h…
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Added by Jack Porcello on April 23, 2009 at 8:15am —
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I was once called a "rent-a-pastor" by a guy who at the time was visiting congregations and begging for money to get his church started. He now runs a medium sized church and continues to beg for money to keep it going.
Another person told me some time ago that God told him that I was a strong, dedicated Christian anointed with the spirit and the gift of teaching. More recently this same individual suggested that I was "never really saved" and that my knowledge was from the devil.
A pastor onc…
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Added by Jack Porcello on April 20, 2009 at 8:00am —
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Today is Maundy Thursday. This is the day that marks the beginning of the Easter celebration, the highest holiday of the Christian calendar. When I was still an evangelical fundamentalist Christian, this was the most important time of the year for me. During this time we celebrated the hope of the resurrection.
This is still a very important time for me, but for different reasons. Now, instead of hope of resurrection, I celebrate the beginning of spring, and the promise of a time of pleasant we…
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Added by Jack Porcello on April 9, 2009 at 10:30am —
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This was a week of variety. Started off with an out of sequence new acquisition - Absolute Zero's Crashing Icons. AZ was a trio featuring one of my favorite drummers, the late Pip Pyle. This was a powerful CD, ranging from free jazz to rocking stuff.
The first day continued with two from Syd Barrett (Madcap Laughs and Barrett) and two from Beck (Mellow Gold and Odelay). Old favorites, never disappointing.
Day two was all Beethoven. The nine symphonies and Misso Solemnis conducted by the brilli…
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Added by Jack Porcello on April 7, 2009 at 8:30am —
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