1 O LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
In the film Annie Hall, Woody Allen's character Alvy Singer refers to an old Groucho Marx joke that describes his relationships with women: "I would never want to belong to any club that would have someone like me for a member."
We all have a need to belong -- not only to another person, other friends and families, but also to communities and groups. Especially faith communities. Our relationship with God is rich and full and indescribable and often unbelievable, which only leads us to feel we don't truly belong there.
So who are the "righteous"? What kind of person does belong in the presence of God? Who can be bold enough to enter the dwelling place of God? Who is permitted to bask in the glory of God's grace and love?
The psalmist struggled with this question: Who is worthy of membership in God's "club"? The psalm appointed by the lectionary for this Sunday, January 30 (the 4th Sunday after Epiphany) -- Psalm 15 -- provides some clues as to the kind of people God likes to be with.
Who?
2a Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right ...
That doesn't mean we have to be perfect, to live without ever doing wrong. That's inhuman. It does mean we live in a way that focuses utterly on knowing and serving God.
2b [those who] speak the truth from their heart;
Be authentic. Be yourself. When you know and accept yourself as God's unique child, you will be honest in everything. Because it will come right out of your heart.
3 who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;
How you treat your friends says a huge amount about the kind of person you are. What do you tell other people about them? Do you run them down or build them up? Love, serve and honor all who are close to you, always.
4 in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
Be known as one who can be trusted to do what you say. It may even hurt you to do what you promised, to be available to those who need you. It may cost you time, money, and lots of energy. But this way you and your words are always on the same page. That's integrity.
5a who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent.
Give freely with no strings attached. After all, your money and your resources are not really yours, are they? God gave them to you for a reason. Sure, you have to pay your bills and fulfill your obligations. But be generous and honest in all your dealings with others, especially those in need.
5b Those who do these things shall never be moved.
Is it that simple? Or rather, that difficult? There aren't very many to-dos here, but how naturally do they come to you? How well are you already doing these things? What do you need to focus on?
It's a lifelong project to work on these things. But you can abide with God in the process. As long as your heart is in the effort, as long as you desire to "walk blamelessly" with your God, you're there. It may not feel like it at times, and there will surely come times when you absolutely crash into the wall of selfishness. But even in those times, you're dwelling. You're abiding. You're present with God in the secret, holy, life-giving place.
And there, you cannot be moved. Or shoved. Or pushed out into the cold. Whatever grief comes your way, you will be in a place where you can get through it. And praise God in the end.
Follow Rev. Peter M. Wallace on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pwallace
woohooo :)
If God is unknowable than how can I know Him?
conceivable or unbelievable?
awareness or unknown?
does it really matter? it's always between you and you. by the way, ask this question to yourself but do not answer...wait for the answer... who doesn't believe? who doesn't know?
No. Blamelessly is just that, without blame. He is setting a high standard but, hey, he's god. He means you should not be able to be held to blame for violating the requirements...
"Be authentic. Be yourself. When you know and accept yourself as God's unique child..."
So if you honestly say you don't believe in god will god still walk with you? Even if you really really mean it.
"who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;" This clearly ignore the multitude of encouragements to kill infidel neighbors and their children in the bible
"in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt;" What about the wicked are despised part. This isn't just about doing what you say, it is also about actively fighting evil.
"a who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent." This is such a rewrite. God was not advocating any charitable notions at all, instead this is an injunction AGAINST actions...taking bribes and charging interest...Now the writer may feel such actions are good, and perhaps they are...but that is NOT what the verse is instructing.
War! The fictional Character Jesus is against killing...yet, YOUR government took us into an illegal and preemptive war with Iraq. Yet, Conservative Republicans were jumping up and down to go. THOU SHALT NOT KILL. Yet Conservatives where demanding we go. Kind of ironic and VERY MUCH against the bible.
This "scripture", like most of these ancient texts, is steeped in symbolism that has been purposely mistranslated and misinterpreted by religious leaders. Please read my latest press release that shines a bright light unto the extent of the lies and errors of these religions.
More 33rd Degree Secrets Published to Help End Wars and Widespread Injustice
http://www.theopenpress.com/index.php?a=press&id=94709
If you want some clarity and context to this discussion, first pay attention to the details in this press release that proves all the core assertions of Christianity are blatant lies. So those who bring Jesus into this discussion now have more proof of the nature of that well-sculpted deception.
Context is everything...
2farleft
1+1=1. when you come to realize that you have just become aware of reality. no rush the infinite has plenty of time as with infinite time is timeless. that paradox thing.
maybe it is best to state you have just realized the underlying reality of phenomena when 2 + 2 = 1.
the materialist never gets past phenomena. phenomena is an effect not a cause.
the materialist confuses an effect for a cause, a religious person makes the cause in their image.
take your pick. a god made in our human image that is full of wrath and unconditional love but demanded an atonement and will send about 2/3 of its creation to hell for eternity or:
there is no purpose or meaning to life and we are but a grand accident. that gravity thing.
we humans are an interesting species. the infinite must love drama because this world is full of it.
"Written in 1280 BC, The Book of the Dead describes a God, Horus... Horus is the son of the god Osiris... born to a virgin mother. He was baptized in a river by Anup the Baptizer... who was later beheaded. Like Jesus, Horus was tempted while alone in the desert... Healed the sick... The blind... Cast out demons... And walked on water... He raised Asar from the dead. 'Asar' translates to 'Lazarus'. Oh yeah, he also had 12 disciples. Yes, Horus was crucified first... And after 3 days, two women announced... Horus, the savior of humanity... had been resurrected.
Lifestyle-could be anything that eats up your energy , overworking , promiscuity, etc.