Date published: 5/10/2008
It's about time to visit Narnia again. The next movie based on C.S. Lewis' series of books hits theaters May 16. "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" offers several spiritual lessons for moviegoers:
You don't have to be great to be a hero. One of the bravest warriors in "Prince Caspian" is a mouse. And when the children come to save Narnia, the crowd can't believe their salvation could come in such an unimposing package.
Hold on to faith in the midst of doubt. The children return to a Narnia devoid of magic. It's hard for Prince Caspian to believe in the talking animals and enchanted woods they describe. But slowly he does.
Sometimes mistakes are blessings in disguise. Peter apologizes when he leads his followers on a grueling trail. But Trumpkin reminds him the other route would have been worse.
Make time to enjoy God's presence. In the midst of conflict, the children encounter, Aslan, who created Narnia. They stop to play with him, even though danger lies ahead.
Actions can have lasting consequences. Edmund lacks a special token from his previous journey because he betrayed his family and Narnia. Aslan willingly sacrificed his life for Edmund, but the boy still had to pay a price for his choices.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Commitment - A Profound Spiritual Journey
Committed relationship is the most profound spiritual journey that you can undertake. By being able to love and care for someone with an open heart, you will find that you reach a greater level of personal transformation.
You will evolve along your path and learn powerful lessons about yourself that you might not otherwise be able to do on your own.Loving and committing to another person is a spiritual process whether you have a wedding or another form of commitment. Often times when entering into a relationship you allow your emotions to take you forward without thinking about the depth and breadth involved in a true commitment.
If you understand that sharing your life with another person is not based on love alone, but also on the hard work of being able to compromise and enter into a dialogue with them. Dialoguing with your partner is the key to having a successful relationship. Many people have not experienced a loving relationship with their family of origin and therefore have no role model of what love feels like or looks like.
You know all too well the idea that love is romantic with a sense of being swept off your feet. While this is a natural part of a new relationship, the true test of your love comes from your willingness to explore with another person. Not only to share in the delights that you encounter, but also to negotiate the bumps in the road.
Developing a strong bond requires an exchange of ideas, but, because any relationship is based on the needs and experiences of two people, you might face some misunderstanding. Learning to be open and receptive to your partner and to treat their wants and ideas with respect can help you to navigate even the most difficult discussion.One way to assure a smooth discussion is to take a deep breath and hold your partner in a space of love, allow yourself to listen fully with your heart to what they say. If this becomes difficult, you can attend a couples workshop; such as Imago Relationship-"Getting the Love You Want." Reading relationship books together with your partner and discussing how the concept can be integrated into your relationship.
For example: Love Is Letting Go of Fear, by Gerald G. Jampolsky, MD; The Power of Unconditional Love by Ken Keyes. Using these resources will help you explore with your partner to deepen and strengthen your relationship.
You will evolve along your path and learn powerful lessons about yourself that you might not otherwise be able to do on your own.Loving and committing to another person is a spiritual process whether you have a wedding or another form of commitment. Often times when entering into a relationship you allow your emotions to take you forward without thinking about the depth and breadth involved in a true commitment.
If you understand that sharing your life with another person is not based on love alone, but also on the hard work of being able to compromise and enter into a dialogue with them. Dialoguing with your partner is the key to having a successful relationship. Many people have not experienced a loving relationship with their family of origin and therefore have no role model of what love feels like or looks like.
You know all too well the idea that love is romantic with a sense of being swept off your feet. While this is a natural part of a new relationship, the true test of your love comes from your willingness to explore with another person. Not only to share in the delights that you encounter, but also to negotiate the bumps in the road.
Developing a strong bond requires an exchange of ideas, but, because any relationship is based on the needs and experiences of two people, you might face some misunderstanding. Learning to be open and receptive to your partner and to treat their wants and ideas with respect can help you to navigate even the most difficult discussion.One way to assure a smooth discussion is to take a deep breath and hold your partner in a space of love, allow yourself to listen fully with your heart to what they say. If this becomes difficult, you can attend a couples workshop; such as Imago Relationship-"Getting the Love You Want." Reading relationship books together with your partner and discussing how the concept can be integrated into your relationship.
For example: Love Is Letting Go of Fear, by Gerald G. Jampolsky, MD; The Power of Unconditional Love by Ken Keyes. Using these resources will help you explore with your partner to deepen and strengthen your relationship.
Monday, March 17, 2008
time for healing
The resignation of New York's governor is sobering. He isn't the first politician to stumble in that way, and probably won't be the last. Jesus' stern words to the woman taken in adultery and the account of King David and Bathsheba remind us that people through the ages have struggled and suffered deeply from such behavior.
There are many aspects to these biblical accounts, but the account of David's ongoing one-on-one relationship with God teaches us how divine mercy corrects, guides, and supports one through such very difficult times. What's encouraging in light of the former governor's expressed desire to continue to serve humanity in some way is that David's contribution to his people didn't end as a result of his actions. Also, the ex-governor's recognition that he and his family need healing can stir us to pray in support of that desire as well as on behalf of all who are in public office and dealing with various types of temptation.
This psalm seems to capture the burden of temptation, whatever form it takes, and also offers the remedy: "My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word" (Ps. 119:28). Individuals who choose to serve their fellow citizens can be benefited by our compassion for the heaviness of their souls when tempted, and also our recognition of God's readiness to strengthen them in time of need. This strength is spiritual, and lifts them above the weight of public opinions and prejudices. It also affirms their inseparable relation to God, who gives both intelligence and wisdom for every task.
Through the spiritual discipline we gain from doing this kind of praying, it becomes easier to leave behind a personal sense of our politicians and to perceive their nature in the highest spiritual sense – as Jesus did the people he encountered. Mary Baker Eddy brought out this point in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals.... Thus Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is intact, universal, and that man is pure and holy" (pp. 476-477).
In today's media-saturated environment, it's easy to see the "sinning mortal man" as the same news story broadcast again and again. But to truly help those caught up in some trouble, even if it's of their own making, our prayers need to respond to the individual behind the "mask" – who may look very cool while making a public statement but be horrified by what has happened.
Right there is the spiritual man who has the same one-on-one relationship to God that David had and that we all have. And God is available to strengthen each one and lead him or her into the paths that will bring peace.
One other helpful thought we can have for our leaders is the conviction that their spiritual nature is already established and can't be swayed by a morbid fascination with sin. Sometimes those who combat sin most vigorously are snared by it just because they spend so much time thinking about the combat. But to be spiritual is to be able to perceive – at least to a degree – God's purity and love as the only reality for oneself and others.
This knowledge, combined with prayer, supports each individual's ability to resist temptation through the recognition that evil cannot operate or entice when goodness and mercy predominate in thought. And our prayers for our leaders – who are in the spotlight and under pressure a great deal of the time – will bless them and also ourselves.
Hear my cry, O God.... When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalms 61:1, 2
There are many aspects to these biblical accounts, but the account of David's ongoing one-on-one relationship with God teaches us how divine mercy corrects, guides, and supports one through such very difficult times. What's encouraging in light of the former governor's expressed desire to continue to serve humanity in some way is that David's contribution to his people didn't end as a result of his actions. Also, the ex-governor's recognition that he and his family need healing can stir us to pray in support of that desire as well as on behalf of all who are in public office and dealing with various types of temptation.
This psalm seems to capture the burden of temptation, whatever form it takes, and also offers the remedy: "My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word" (Ps. 119:28). Individuals who choose to serve their fellow citizens can be benefited by our compassion for the heaviness of their souls when tempted, and also our recognition of God's readiness to strengthen them in time of need. This strength is spiritual, and lifts them above the weight of public opinions and prejudices. It also affirms their inseparable relation to God, who gives both intelligence and wisdom for every task.
Through the spiritual discipline we gain from doing this kind of praying, it becomes easier to leave behind a personal sense of our politicians and to perceive their nature in the highest spiritual sense – as Jesus did the people he encountered. Mary Baker Eddy brought out this point in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals.... Thus Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is intact, universal, and that man is pure and holy" (pp. 476-477).
In today's media-saturated environment, it's easy to see the "sinning mortal man" as the same news story broadcast again and again. But to truly help those caught up in some trouble, even if it's of their own making, our prayers need to respond to the individual behind the "mask" – who may look very cool while making a public statement but be horrified by what has happened.
Right there is the spiritual man who has the same one-on-one relationship to God that David had and that we all have. And God is available to strengthen each one and lead him or her into the paths that will bring peace.
One other helpful thought we can have for our leaders is the conviction that their spiritual nature is already established and can't be swayed by a morbid fascination with sin. Sometimes those who combat sin most vigorously are snared by it just because they spend so much time thinking about the combat. But to be spiritual is to be able to perceive – at least to a degree – God's purity and love as the only reality for oneself and others.
This knowledge, combined with prayer, supports each individual's ability to resist temptation through the recognition that evil cannot operate or entice when goodness and mercy predominate in thought. And our prayers for our leaders – who are in the spotlight and under pressure a great deal of the time – will bless them and also ourselves.
Hear my cry, O God.... When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalms 61:1, 2
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