Senator Barack Obama is a clear example of how to use rhetoric to be successful and reach your dreams. He clearly uses a tone of voice which get’s to peoples hearts. One of his ways to convince the American people is by using Logos to compare and bring to the light the idea that Senator John McCain will continue President George Bush’s policies. “Senator McCain likes to talk about judgment, but, really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush has been right more than 90 percent of the time?” He characterizes John McCain as a follower of George Bush making us think if we would really like the next president to be like him.
Obama then tries us through Ethos by telling us why he wants to be president and why he would be a good one. “Well, it's time for them to own their failure. It's time for us to change America. And that's why I'm running for president of the United States.” He thinks he would be a good president because he thinks that Ameica needs change and he has a good shot to reach it. In most of the speech we can see Obama uses the Present and Future tenses, making it clear what he thinks are the problems and how he wants to solve them. However in some parts of the speech we can also see him using the past tense to refer to McCain’s policies and how they were a disaster compared to those he proposes.
Barrack clearly uses Pathos to touch peoples hearts and influence them to vote for an option for change a candidate that will help the American people. “This country is more decent than one where a woman in Ohio, on the brink of retirement, finds herself one illness away from disaster after a lifetime of hard work.” He uses Pathos to support his welfare and economic policies and proposals and takes the people to think about the other Americans who scream for change. “We are more compassionate than a government that lets veterans sleep on our streets and families slide into poverty...” Senator Obama clearly uses all resources for an elaborate speech which tries to convince all that he is the best option for the White House. Of course, Barack Obama, as all politicians do, only tells his version of the truth and generously stretches the facts and refuses to tell the whole truth about himself or his opponent. One has to take everything politicians say with a huge grain of salt and investigate for yourself to find the truth and make the best choice for the country. Most politicians will say and promise anything to get elected…rarely do they do what they promised. Actions speak louder than words so it’s always a good thing to look at their record and their real history to find out who they really are.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Faithful Will Prevail
In King David’s life we can see that being faithful is acting faithfully. His life was full of problems which he overcame through his faith. It takes faithfulness to accept you’re weaknesses and go against someone you think is unbeatable. “David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.” (17-37) God’s power takes us to do incredible things which we thought impossible. After all, believing without any real proof is
amazing and possibly incredibly insane. “So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.” (17-50) Humanity has always reached incredible goals through creativity. Maybe that is what the Lord wants us to do. Use our intelligence to overcome obstacles, having in mind that we are able to conquer our goals because of our faith in our ability as well as in God’s protection and guidance. Samuel shows us that we have to stand up for what we believe in, even if we are going against our parents. We have to be able to confront our fears with respect to others. We must though, make sure that whatever we’re doing has basic common sense and respect for all.
Samuel also shows us that there are going to be problems in our lives and there are going to be people who are going to be jealous towards us but we will surpass these people if we believe in God’s power and judgment. “The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.” (24-12) We can also see that since God is the supreme creator of all life he will know what to do about his people. We shouldn’t take the decision of ending another person’s life in our own hands (unless it’s an act of legitimate self-defense or defending your loved ones).
amazing and possibly incredibly insane. “So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.” (17-50) Humanity has always reached incredible goals through creativity. Maybe that is what the Lord wants us to do. Use our intelligence to overcome obstacles, having in mind that we are able to conquer our goals because of our faith in our ability as well as in God’s protection and guidance. Samuel shows us that we have to stand up for what we believe in, even if we are going against our parents. We have to be able to confront our fears with respect to others. We must though, make sure that whatever we’re doing has basic common sense and respect for all.
Samuel also shows us that there are going to be problems in our lives and there are going to be people who are going to be jealous towards us but we will surpass these people if we believe in God’s power and judgment. “The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.” (24-12) We can also see that since God is the supreme creator of all life he will know what to do about his people. We shouldn’t take the decision of ending another person’s life in our own hands (unless it’s an act of legitimate self-defense or defending your loved ones).
Taking For Granted
Many times we think anything we do will be forgiven by our parents and that in some way laws don’t apply in our case. It is logical that when we do something good, our consequence is going to be positive and equivalent to our action. “And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.” (3-39) By doing good you will receive a positive effect and by doing evil you will have to face the consequences of your actions.
By following God’s laws the children of Israel under David’s might were able to get out of the hands of the Philistines. “Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.” (3-18) By becoming king, David brought wealth to the children of Israel. His belief in God made him one of his lord’s allies and so he became a rich and powerful person. “Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” (7-22) The punishment King David receives for having a son with his dead friend’s wife is the same as other people would receive. Because of this we are able to conclude that each action will receive an individual effect and God has power over each and every human being who he will judge based on the choices and actions he makes as a supreme power.
By following God’s laws the children of Israel under David’s might were able to get out of the hands of the Philistines. “Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.” (3-18) By becoming king, David brought wealth to the children of Israel. His belief in God made him one of his lord’s allies and so he became a rich and powerful person. “Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” (7-22) The punishment King David receives for having a son with his dead friend’s wife is the same as other people would receive. Because of this we are able to conclude that each action will receive an individual effect and God has power over each and every human being who he will judge based on the choices and actions he makes as a supreme power.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Why Lord, Why?
Children of Israel they are,
And Egypt came to be their land.
They multiplied and left a scar,
Which is written in the sand.
The Egyptians made them serve,
And males were to be forgotten.
Now they cry and look at herd,
And all the hope is rotten.
Born and left at the river,
Found by the ruler’s daughter.
Meant to be somewhat ruler
And marry Jethro’s daughter.
The Lord appeared to his sight,
And asked upon a favor,
Lead them to the promised fight,
And then look upon your neighbor.
And Moses looks upon the sky
And asks the lord why.
And Egypt came to be their land.
They multiplied and left a scar,
Which is written in the sand.
The Egyptians made them serve,
And males were to be forgotten.
Now they cry and look at herd,
And all the hope is rotten.
Born and left at the river,
Found by the ruler’s daughter.
Meant to be somewhat ruler
And marry Jethro’s daughter.
The Lord appeared to his sight,
And asked upon a favor,
Lead them to the promised fight,
And then look upon your neighbor.
And Moses looks upon the sky
And asks the lord why.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Israel Has Arrived
Parent’s will support their children unconditionally as well as God said that he would support the Children of Israel. God will protect the good from all evil and maintain a covenant with them for life. God will never be on the wrong side. “Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.” -Exo.23 Line.7 Those who obey His voice will be guarded by His power. He will protect those who show Him faith. “But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.”-Exo.23 Line.22
Exodus teaches us God’s idea of faith and love. It teaches us how we should live our lives in God’s eyes and how He will be with us in every moment of our lives. “Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.” –Exo.31 Line.15 Each decision has an effect in our society, as well as when in God’s hands. We have to be truthful believers who take into account everything, but most of all God’s teachings before making decisions. He will make us live important rolls in our community if we follow His word. “For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.” Exo.34 Line.24
It is a dream come true to be able to have complete faith in a divine order, a divine, loving, protective intelligence taking care of our every breath. The problem with this idea is that with such horrors occurring to seemingly innocent children every day all over this planet…there seems to be a big piece of the puzzle missing.
Exodus teaches us God’s idea of faith and love. It teaches us how we should live our lives in God’s eyes and how He will be with us in every moment of our lives. “Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.” –Exo.31 Line.15 Each decision has an effect in our society, as well as when in God’s hands. We have to be truthful believers who take into account everything, but most of all God’s teachings before making decisions. He will make us live important rolls in our community if we follow His word. “For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.” Exo.34 Line.24
It is a dream come true to be able to have complete faith in a divine order, a divine, loving, protective intelligence taking care of our every breath. The problem with this idea is that with such horrors occurring to seemingly innocent children every day all over this planet…there seems to be a big piece of the puzzle missing.
Blind Trusting
Some of us trust God as if he were one of our parents, some of us trust the Law as it were one of our parents. Why do we trust God or the Law if we don’t know they exist or if they’re good and right? I think mainly it is because we constantly need to know that what we do is right and that we have purpose in life. Even though we trust God in what seems to be blindly, I also think we are born with a certain inner consciousness and maybe even a common sense of what is right or wrong. This “consciousness” could also be a hereditary evolutionary DNA adaptation that our species automatically creates does the ant’s DNA, the monarch butterfly’s DNA and the whale’s DNA. The whole group learns something and passes it on to the next generation through a change in DNA. The issues may not be just the survival of the fittest or how to get a great meal but more complicated things such as how to make the group function more harmoniously through a higher love.
Maybe animals and nature just follow the Law automatically while we’re stuck with a “higher” intelligence and choice and “free will” that makes us doubt and discuss and fight about everything. The children of Israel weren’t the exception. They needed assurance that God did exist. “And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.” –Exo.16 Line.2 They needed a messenger who would provide assurance and who would practice God’s law every second of his life. They needed Moses to be their life judge. “And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.” -Exo.17 Line.11 The time had come when the children of Israel were asking for God to tell them how to live their lives. It is interesting to note that highly spiritual people like St. Francis of Assisi
were highly connected to animals and communicated with them…maybe animals are a lot wiser and spiritual than we think.
Moses knew he had to be the people’s messenger, he had to provide that knowledge. “And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God:” -Exo.18 Line.15 We now have judges who tell us who is wrong and who is right, in that moment the judge was Moses, he was who had to consult God’s word and apply it to the people. The God he trusted was the ultimate word for a person’s inquiry. Moses was the judge of the children of Israel and his law was God’s word: the ten commandments and “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” The children of Israel were not blindly trusting God but understanding his word through Moses.
Maybe the whole idea of leaving the garden of Eden was losing that direct knowledge and now we have the long, winding path to get “home” again and need interpreters, signs, symbols, messages, saints, stories and holy books to try and get back on track.
Maybe animals and nature just follow the Law automatically while we’re stuck with a “higher” intelligence and choice and “free will” that makes us doubt and discuss and fight about everything. The children of Israel weren’t the exception. They needed assurance that God did exist. “And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.” –Exo.16 Line.2 They needed a messenger who would provide assurance and who would practice God’s law every second of his life. They needed Moses to be their life judge. “And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.” -Exo.17 Line.11 The time had come when the children of Israel were asking for God to tell them how to live their lives. It is interesting to note that highly spiritual people like St. Francis of Assisi
were highly connected to animals and communicated with them…maybe animals are a lot wiser and spiritual than we think.
Moses knew he had to be the people’s messenger, he had to provide that knowledge. “And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God:” -Exo.18 Line.15 We now have judges who tell us who is wrong and who is right, in that moment the judge was Moses, he was who had to consult God’s word and apply it to the people. The God he trusted was the ultimate word for a person’s inquiry. Moses was the judge of the children of Israel and his law was God’s word: the ten commandments and “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” The children of Israel were not blindly trusting God but understanding his word through Moses.
Maybe the whole idea of leaving the garden of Eden was losing that direct knowledge and now we have the long, winding path to get “home” again and need interpreters, signs, symbols, messages, saints, stories and holy books to try and get back on track.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Past, Present And Future Rhetoric - Taking Us To The White House
The third Presidential Debate of 2008 between Senator Barrack Obama and Senator John McCain brings us all three tenses of rhetoric. Here are some examples of how 2008’s Presidential Candidates used rhetoric in this debate:
Sen. Barrack Obama
Past-
“The financial rescue plan that senator McCain and I supported is an important first step.”
Present-
“We are experiencing the worst financial crisis since the great depression.”
Future-
“Ninety five percent of you out there will get a tax cut.”
“We need to help home owners.”
Sen. John McCain
Past-
“The catalyst for this housing crisis was the Andy and Freddy May that caused the sub-prime lending situation that now caused the housing market in America to collapse”
Present-
“Small businesses - and by the way, the small businesses we we’re talking about right now – are receiving an increase in their taxes right now!”
Future-
“I am convinced that until we reverse this continued decline in home ownership, and put floor under it, and so that people have not only the hope and belief they can stay in their homes, and realize the American Dream but that value will come up.”
“I’ll keep your taxes low!”
“We need to cut the business tax rate in America, we need to encourage business in America.”
Sen. Barrack Obama
Past-
“The financial rescue plan that senator McCain and I supported is an important first step.”
Present-
“We are experiencing the worst financial crisis since the great depression.”
Future-
“Ninety five percent of you out there will get a tax cut.”
“We need to help home owners.”
Sen. John McCain
Past-
“The catalyst for this housing crisis was the Andy and Freddy May that caused the sub-prime lending situation that now caused the housing market in America to collapse”
Present-
“Small businesses - and by the way, the small businesses we we’re talking about right now – are receiving an increase in their taxes right now!”
Future-
“I am convinced that until we reverse this continued decline in home ownership, and put floor under it, and so that people have not only the hope and belief they can stay in their homes, and realize the American Dream but that value will come up.”
“I’ll keep your taxes low!”
“We need to cut the business tax rate in America, we need to encourage business in America.”
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Evil Brings Punishment
The nine plagues inflicted upon the Egyptians is a great example of God’s punishment/revenge to those who don’t respect his word or to those who cause damage to any one of his sons. “And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:” -Exo.8 Line.2 Every action has an effect, be it positive or negative, the bible has to teach us what our options are when we are about to decide something in our lives. God’s power helps us in our decision, we can see that God will always favor those doing good in their lives, those who take only what they need, those who respect each other’s culture as they do their own. “For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.” –Exo.9 Line.14 The bible shows how their isn’t a hiding place for God’s eye and how he knows and will act upon each action we take.
Every time a parent punishes his son, one can see this event completely changes their life. The child will never forget the lesson he learned from his mistake because the punishment came from someone that is loved and respected. “And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.” –Exo.13 Line.3 When our society wakes up from their violent and conflictive nightmare, they will be able to apply all that they learned through history in their present as a country, as a culture, and as a people who respect each other and their environment and live by the golden rule always: do unto others as you would like to be done to you.
Every time a parent punishes his son, one can see this event completely changes their life. The child will never forget the lesson he learned from his mistake because the punishment came from someone that is loved and respected. “And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.” –Exo.13 Line.3 When our society wakes up from their violent and conflictive nightmare, they will be able to apply all that they learned through history in their present as a country, as a culture, and as a people who respect each other and their environment and live by the golden rule always: do unto others as you would like to be done to you.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
God’s Capacities or Human Incapacities?
Things look differently from each and every perspective. It isn’t the same to be in a grownup or child’s shoes, a black person’s, a poor person’s, an educated person’s, a physically or mentally challenged person’s position, not only because of the new perspective you will have when you take on their role, but the understanding that comes from widening your lens and your neurons to encompass a larger view. Hopefully this new richer perception will lead to wiser decision making. Being a human who is mainly committed to surviving and following his master’s orders isn’t the same role as the one taken by a god who sees and rules everything and knows what is best for his creatures. This is what Exodus tries to bring us, a breakthrough of our roles in society and the power we have compared to that of god. He will always decide what is best for his people. “Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.” -Exo.1 Line.20 God will always try to make us independent, and highly productive and creative participants in society… made in his likeness.
We are all fond of childen and we will always try to do what is best for them. “And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.” -Exo.2 Line.25 This is what the bible gives us, confidence that the Divine Creator will do His very best for each and every one of us, his beloved children. Each “child” has individual characteristics, both positive and negative for his surroundings and created by God for a specific role and destiny. It is said that one can only experience God’s love for us when we ourselves become parents. I look forward to that some day.
What I fundamentally believe the bible is also trying to show is that God will always protect and guard good and will repel and exterminate evil, leaving evil completely isolated (hell) for the good of His people and His love for us, His creation. “And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: -Exo.3 Line.21 The Hebrews in Exodus, are highly effective and positive, they worship and respect god, for so he is always guarding their future, eliminating all obstacles in their way. Because of their shallow perspective they aren’t able to do more than accept what they live, but god, who knows and sees everything is showing them their way through all their problems, even if they are blind to this reality. It is like fish living on the very bottom of the deepest ocean, how could they even imagine what life is like on top of the beautiful, green earth outside of the deep blue ocean? They would in fact need to develop another physical body to enjoy this new reality. Maybe we will also have to grow a new body/mind to hold new consciousness/truth of even larger realities than our brain can now process.
We are all fond of childen and we will always try to do what is best for them. “And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.” -Exo.2 Line.25 This is what the bible gives us, confidence that the Divine Creator will do His very best for each and every one of us, his beloved children. Each “child” has individual characteristics, both positive and negative for his surroundings and created by God for a specific role and destiny. It is said that one can only experience God’s love for us when we ourselves become parents. I look forward to that some day.
What I fundamentally believe the bible is also trying to show is that God will always protect and guard good and will repel and exterminate evil, leaving evil completely isolated (hell) for the good of His people and His love for us, His creation. “And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: -Exo.3 Line.21 The Hebrews in Exodus, are highly effective and positive, they worship and respect god, for so he is always guarding their future, eliminating all obstacles in their way. Because of their shallow perspective they aren’t able to do more than accept what they live, but god, who knows and sees everything is showing them their way through all their problems, even if they are blind to this reality. It is like fish living on the very bottom of the deepest ocean, how could they even imagine what life is like on top of the beautiful, green earth outside of the deep blue ocean? They would in fact need to develop another physical body to enjoy this new reality. Maybe we will also have to grow a new body/mind to hold new consciousness/truth of even larger realities than our brain can now process.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Living in God’s Hand
By following God’s order we are supposed to be following the right path. At least, this is what King James’ Bible says, by following his order we will accomplish our goals. “And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.” –Gen.17 Line.6 He will protect and guard us from all danger because we are his worshipers. Our lives’ will be protected by his Almighty power. “Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.” –Gen.18 Line.32 We all need assurance that what we do is right, guidance on correct action and thought and that there is an orderly ethics to life: the good sown will necessarily bear good fruits so that we can than teach that divine knowledge to the next generation. Trying to teach human beings to behave decently (don’t lie, don’t murder, don’t kill, do unto others as you would like done to you, don’t rob, don’t be unfaithful, etc.) is a huge dilemma all societies face; calling on a higher power, a higher intelligence and order even if these ideas really originate from humans themselves is excellent.
By following god’s order we will be fruitful and will leave our children to do so too. “For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.” –Gen.21 Line.2 This also explains that there is always room for miracles and that god will always protect the good, destroying all evil. Through Abraham and Isaac’s example the bible shows that if our faith takes us to do the impossible and unimaginable of being able to trust our son’s live to God’s Will, He will bless us and protect us always. “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” –Gen.22 Line.18 The element of faith and supernatural events makes the whole idea of religion much more exciting and dramatic which resonates with our innate yearning for partaking in and being part of a bigger truth than what our senses or science can register. How can anyone not doubt that there must be something more to this when gazing out at the galaxies or looking into a loved ones eyes?
By following god’s order we will be fruitful and will leave our children to do so too. “For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.” –Gen.21 Line.2 This also explains that there is always room for miracles and that god will always protect the good, destroying all evil. Through Abraham and Isaac’s example the bible shows that if our faith takes us to do the impossible and unimaginable of being able to trust our son’s live to God’s Will, He will bless us and protect us always. “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” –Gen.22 Line.18 The element of faith and supernatural events makes the whole idea of religion much more exciting and dramatic which resonates with our innate yearning for partaking in and being part of a bigger truth than what our senses or science can register. How can anyone not doubt that there must be something more to this when gazing out at the galaxies or looking into a loved ones eyes?
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Equal From Creation
The idea of all being sons of the same mother is almost unconceivable when thinking on all conflicts and wars that have existed. King James’ Bible brings the idea of us all being equal, son’s of the same father which after hundreds of generations were separated to becoming different people. “These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.” -Gen.10 Line.32 Our similarities were so from the beginning that our language and culture were the same, I think it would be great for us to all to have a common language, which would probably save us from many conflicts. Sometimes we are in disagreement because language and cultural barriers make it impossible for us to see beyond our noses. “And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.” –Gen. 11 Line. 1 Our egos and self-interests have always taken us to compete with everybody, even with our own family. It is not strange that is how our world was created.
The representation of the LORD GOD in King James’ Bible shows us that he is always interested in helping those needy worshipers who truly are devotees of his image. God’s way of helping Abram shows us how he won’t forget about us in trouble. “And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.” –Gen. 15 Line. 7 As individuals we need assurance that there is somebody or something out there that will help us in any situation and that there is an intelligent, moral power that runs the whole universe.
The representation of the LORD GOD in King James’ Bible shows us that he is always interested in helping those needy worshipers who truly are devotees of his image. God’s way of helping Abram shows us how he won’t forget about us in trouble. “And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.” –Gen. 15 Line. 7 As individuals we need assurance that there is somebody or something out there that will help us in any situation and that there is an intelligent, moral power that runs the whole universe.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Being God
Deep inside our Heart,
Being One split into Two,
Makes it easier to play, our Divine Part.
For now, we have a Clue
On how to use the holy compass
And no longer sinfully trespass.
And if we try with all our creative might,
we will have a chance
at reaching the infinite light,
doing our own unique dance.
This secret knowledge empowers.
Ignorance chases imaginary towers.
The world and facts we knew,
No longer have amazing power.
As one of the Awakened Few,
Very little now tastes sour.
For with this Clear Clue
Of being a Twin Pair
Your Divine Will I will now Do.
Inside that warm, divine, paternal Stare,
And out of the Blue
Is the knowledge of Eternal, Lasting Care.
Father, You and I are One,
I am your Divine Son.
Father give me Light,
Take away the Dark Night.
Father give me Life,
Take away all my Strife.
Enveloped in your divine Love
All becomes a peaceful Dove.
Being One split into Two,
Makes it easier to play, our Divine Part.
For now, we have a Clue
On how to use the holy compass
And no longer sinfully trespass.
And if we try with all our creative might,
we will have a chance
at reaching the infinite light,
doing our own unique dance.
This secret knowledge empowers.
Ignorance chases imaginary towers.
The world and facts we knew,
No longer have amazing power.
As one of the Awakened Few,
Very little now tastes sour.
For with this Clear Clue
Of being a Twin Pair
Your Divine Will I will now Do.
Inside that warm, divine, paternal Stare,
And out of the Blue
Is the knowledge of Eternal, Lasting Care.
Father, You and I are One,
I am your Divine Son.
Father give me Light,
Take away the Dark Night.
Father give me Life,
Take away all my Strife.
Enveloped in your divine Love
All becomes a peaceful Dove.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Ignorance: A Defect, An Advantage or Both
When we are little, most of the mistakes we make we won’t get punished for because we are ignorant of making them. But as we grow older, and we gain responsibility, everything we do begins to bring consequences, either positive or negative. Eventually, every choice we make, has an effect in our environment. Ignorance, however, helps as a shield against mistakes, if we don’t know something we aren’t able to decide upon it. However, when we gain knowledge we are responsible for our own decisions, and so suffer our decisions’ consequences. The world’s beginning wasn’t the exception, or at least this is what King James Bible tries to show us. “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” –Gen.6 Line.5 Our religion will always affect in a great part the decisions we make, therefore, our religion has to describe how we can take good decisions and which are the consequences of our decisions. In humanity’s case we can see that its devastation was the result of the decisions humans made about gaining the knowledge of good and evil and the actions they made from it. By giving us possible consequences we are learning from experience and will probably think twice before making a decision. Basically we are judged, when making a decision, by the knowledge we have or could gain. In that way being ignorant or not about a subject, could be an advantage or disadvantage.
Religion also has great influence in morality and ethics, especially in what has to do with the important issue of forgiveness. Religion has a binding obligation to show its followers examples of how to deal with reactions, how to react correctly, high mindedly, God-like: “And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.” –Gen.8 Line.21 Putting forgiveness as a higher objective is crucial in the advancement of a more tolerant and compassionate society and a more peaceful personal life. Getting bogged down in the past through recrimination and constant bringing up the past imperfections and mistakes only delays evolution and growth. Change becomes dwarfed and crippled instead of flowing and harmonious. Forgiveness and letting go allows for creativity and harmony to take the lead in society. “And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.” –Gen.9 Line.15 That covenant is one that we should each take to heart for ourselves and between each other and society as a whole…a promise, a commitment that our emotions, our actions “our waters” no longer become destruction, pain, death…“a flood”.
Religion also has great influence in morality and ethics, especially in what has to do with the important issue of forgiveness. Religion has a binding obligation to show its followers examples of how to deal with reactions, how to react correctly, high mindedly, God-like: “And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.” –Gen.8 Line.21 Putting forgiveness as a higher objective is crucial in the advancement of a more tolerant and compassionate society and a more peaceful personal life. Getting bogged down in the past through recrimination and constant bringing up the past imperfections and mistakes only delays evolution and growth. Change becomes dwarfed and crippled instead of flowing and harmonious. Forgiveness and letting go allows for creativity and harmony to take the lead in society. “And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.” –Gen.9 Line.15 That covenant is one that we should each take to heart for ourselves and between each other and society as a whole…a promise, a commitment that our emotions, our actions “our waters” no longer become destruction, pain, death…“a flood”.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
When Life Loses Purpose
When people are working as a team, there is always one member who does most of the job, simply because he/she wants the job to be done effectively, is more capable and is probably more interested in the whole process. During the creation of The King James Bible, England’s finances weren’t doing well. James was spending all of Cecil’s profit in social activities and his Bible’s translators, who weren’t being paid much. “By the end of the decade, royal finances were nowhere near capable of paying for the project.” –Pg. 199 Great men, with huge interests as Bois was, one of the Bible’s translators, sacrificed their lives for this bible. Bois was the perfect person to execute the job. He was totally committed to it’s creation and was more interested in it than in his own family. “This is perhaps someone you would admire; it is not a man you would love.” –Pg. 207 His job was done quickly and he helped other colleagues to do their jobs, receiving little or no credit for it. This was his tragedy, not being able to be appreciated for his job, for receiving any recognition for having sacrificed so much.
The bible was meant to unite all of the Bible-following branches of King James’s religion, so it had to be simple and effective, carrying all of the bible’s original messages in an impartial, articulate and easy-to-read version. “The English sentences were being prepared for others, the non-educated, who had no access to the essence to the text, which these scholars, like Bois, had been drinking in for decades. The English, in other words, was itself subservient to the original Greek.” –Pg. 210 All the translators were of educated origins, and they were able to carry out their message in a beautiful version with simplicity which was due to huge discussions of which the final conclusions weren’t accredited to Bois, a person who had given his life for this project which was his most desired creation and had finally driven him to his death. “These men are interested not only in clarity and fidelity but in a grandeur of statement which colours the translation as a whole.” –Pg. 212 The making of King James’s bible was finally finished because of the sacrifices made by the translators, mainly Bois, who put all his energy and passion to share the message to all social classes through this sublime masterpiece.
The bible was meant to unite all of the Bible-following branches of King James’s religion, so it had to be simple and effective, carrying all of the bible’s original messages in an impartial, articulate and easy-to-read version. “The English sentences were being prepared for others, the non-educated, who had no access to the essence to the text, which these scholars, like Bois, had been drinking in for decades. The English, in other words, was itself subservient to the original Greek.” –Pg. 210 All the translators were of educated origins, and they were able to carry out their message in a beautiful version with simplicity which was due to huge discussions of which the final conclusions weren’t accredited to Bois, a person who had given his life for this project which was his most desired creation and had finally driven him to his death. “These men are interested not only in clarity and fidelity but in a grandeur of statement which colours the translation as a whole.” –Pg. 212 The making of King James’s bible was finally finished because of the sacrifices made by the translators, mainly Bois, who put all his energy and passion to share the message to all social classes through this sublime masterpiece.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Change Will Come
In moments of trouble and uncertainty change comes as an ally, in a way destroying all that wasn’t working previously for a new tomorrow. England was in one of these moments of trouble “competing claims of religion and state, obedience to the pope or to the king, loyalty to god or nation.” -Pg. 173 uncertainty ruled all over the place, even in the courthouses. The solution which James saw at the end of the tunnel was to reunite the community attacking the main cause, religious differences due to different manuscripts. “relationship to god through scripture, against a meditated, elaborated and socialized approach through an ancient church, guided by tradition.” –Pg. 180 The information was already there but what was needed was somebody to step out and find similarities between everybody’s religious text.
In my personal experience, I have seen several times something that makes me think about how we are able to listen, understand and apply information, formulating a response to this gained information. Sometimes when in an argument, people are saying the same thing but in different words creating a huge argument because they are completely sure about their opinion, and aren’t able to find a weak point in the other’s argument, simply because it is their same argument. Sometimes this example doesn’t apply to a situation but there is another way of avoiding a conflict. By taking some perspective and making ideas less conflictive, clearer and simple, people are able to find similarities between their opinions and arguments in a way creating a general point of view which is able to reach a greater quantity of people’s minds. The difference between each other’s text was their version of the translation from the original text. “Every translation, however good, was bound to contain errors and so by definition could not be used.” –Pg. 181
I would almost say different translations and versions are of the same fundamental concept/idea/world view...GOD.
Confidence is a great part of reaching impartial judgments, by believing in ones own ideas and being able to articulate them through written or oral language, one is able to act in a mature manner and overall share concepts with others to maybe get to a higher, unifying truth. “That depth of belief in the sufficiency of language is also one of the shaping forces of the King James Bible.” –Pg. 182 Because the text or the main ideas were already there, people were able to appreciate them, the job, the King James Bible’s translators had to be objective, giving the bible the importance and perspective it needed. “Secretaryship is one of the great shaping forces behind the King James Bible. There is no authorship involved here. Authorship is egoistical, an assumption that you might have something new worth saying.” –Pg. 184 By knowing and believing that the ideas weren’t yours, you were able to be impartial, having the assurance that you only had to do your job of communicating them to the public, having no connection to the text. Because words are not equal and don’t have the exact same meaning in all languages, something that this translation is able to do is choosing the right words, with the right meanings still maintaining the sentence fluency and meaning that it had since it was written. “The richness of the words somehow represents a substance that goes beyond more words and that is its triumph.” –Pg. 197 This bible was the change that was needed, this time it was intended to unite a piece of our souls, making us have the same text, the same manual source of our spirituality. No one really owns the truth, it is universal and as formless and yet as powerful as God.
In my personal experience, I have seen several times something that makes me think about how we are able to listen, understand and apply information, formulating a response to this gained information. Sometimes when in an argument, people are saying the same thing but in different words creating a huge argument because they are completely sure about their opinion, and aren’t able to find a weak point in the other’s argument, simply because it is their same argument. Sometimes this example doesn’t apply to a situation but there is another way of avoiding a conflict. By taking some perspective and making ideas less conflictive, clearer and simple, people are able to find similarities between their opinions and arguments in a way creating a general point of view which is able to reach a greater quantity of people’s minds. The difference between each other’s text was their version of the translation from the original text. “Every translation, however good, was bound to contain errors and so by definition could not be used.” –Pg. 181
I would almost say different translations and versions are of the same fundamental concept/idea/world view...GOD.
Confidence is a great part of reaching impartial judgments, by believing in ones own ideas and being able to articulate them through written or oral language, one is able to act in a mature manner and overall share concepts with others to maybe get to a higher, unifying truth. “That depth of belief in the sufficiency of language is also one of the shaping forces of the King James Bible.” –Pg. 182 Because the text or the main ideas were already there, people were able to appreciate them, the job, the King James Bible’s translators had to be objective, giving the bible the importance and perspective it needed. “Secretaryship is one of the great shaping forces behind the King James Bible. There is no authorship involved here. Authorship is egoistical, an assumption that you might have something new worth saying.” –Pg. 184 By knowing and believing that the ideas weren’t yours, you were able to be impartial, having the assurance that you only had to do your job of communicating them to the public, having no connection to the text. Because words are not equal and don’t have the exact same meaning in all languages, something that this translation is able to do is choosing the right words, with the right meanings still maintaining the sentence fluency and meaning that it had since it was written. “The richness of the words somehow represents a substance that goes beyond more words and that is its triumph.” –Pg. 197 This bible was the change that was needed, this time it was intended to unite a piece of our souls, making us have the same text, the same manual source of our spirituality. No one really owns the truth, it is universal and as formless and yet as powerful as God.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Adolescent Students 1
In dealing with students on the high-school level - that is, the second, third, and fourth year of high school - we must bear in mind that to some degree they are at a difficult psychological stage, generally called adolescence. Students at this level are likely to be confused mentally, to be subject to involuntary distractions and romantic dreaminess. They are basically timid or self-conscious, they lack frankness and are usually very sensitive but hate to admit it. They are motivated either by great ambition, probably out of all proportion to their capabilities, or by extreme laziness caused by the fear of not succeeding or attaining their objectives. Fundamentally they want to be kept busy but they refuse to admit it. They are frequently the victims of earlier poor training, and this makes every effort doubly hard. They are usually willing to work, but they hate to work without obtaining the results they think they should obtain. Their critical faculties are beginning to develop and they are critical of their instructors and of the materials they are given to learn. They are beginning to feel the pressure of time; and although they seldom say so, they really want to be consulted and given an opportunity to direct their own affairs, but they need considerable guidance.
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