Legend

Posted by Jill Warner in Current Event Editorials.

Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)

A great light has disappeared from view forever. There is no question that Michael Jackson and his music was an amazing light that deeply touched the hearts of his fans throughout the world. His global fame is the stuff of legend. As the shock of his death sinks into the hearts of everyone it offers you and opportunity to deeply reflect on the essence of Michael and the profound reason why people around the world are calling out in joy, in grief, in utter amazement of a life that profoundly touched their heart and deeply touched so many lives through the universal language of music. Truly, he is a legendary figure of our time, a great light, a great talent, and for many a great inspiration.

Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) Michael Jackson will always be recognized as a the shining star regardless of controversies that swirled around him in life and the controversy that now swirls around him in death. No one would argue that Michael Jackson is very different from other artists and other people. Over the years we literally watched the metamorphosis of his outer appearance, through what most would agree were far too many plastic surgeries. His appearance and behavior for some was shocking and to many others inspiring. Whether you think Michael Jackson is eccentric or a freak, or the mega star King of Pop, there is one thing that is undeniably true about Michael, he offered you and the world his heart and soul through his music. How can the incredibly prolific life and career of Michael Jackson and his shocking and unexpected death help you understand the teaching of Jesus on an even deeper level?

Miracle

Posted by Jill Warner in Current Event Editorials.

Life brings challenges for everyone and some of you reading this have endured challenges that are unimaginable—war, death, poverty, as well as verbal and physical abuse. As you move through your life you meet all kinds of circumstances, some good and some not so good and others simply horrific. The challenges of life can uplift you and enrich your life or they can bring you down and destroy your life. In Truth, the choice is yours. The common experience is to get rid of the bad and try and hang on to the good. Rarely is the negative experience embraced with an open heart and mind as the perfect experience, the perfect opportunity to know yourself on a profoundly deep level. Rarely are those negative experiences recognized as a miracle that contains the intrinsic power to uplift and strengthen you and everyone you meet. The truth of this was never so clear as it was just recently when I was waiting for a flight in the San Francisco International Airport. My flight was delayed and delayed and delayed and passengers were getting more and more angry with each announcement of yet another delay. Realizing there was really nothing anyone could do, all I could really do was wait and see.

Jesus turns to the paralyzed man and says, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” (Matthew 9:6) After sitting waiting for several hours trying to get comfortable in the very uncomfortable airport chairs, the last thing I was thinking about were the miracles of Jesus. Certainly, there was no expectation of any sort of miracle when a young man walked into the terminal who was quite literally a walking miracle. He was like any other twenty something except where his right arm use to be there was a plastic arm with a metal clamp clutching a water bottle. Where his legs use to be there was two state of the art computerized prosthetic legs that enabled him to walk with a strong confident stride. His appearance made everyone visibly uncomfortable; you could see people quickly averting their attention to the floor, the ceiling, their wristwatch or cell phone, anywhere to avoid looking at him. Much to my surprise I could not stop staring at him, there was just so much light pouring out him I felt instantly like I wanted to meet him. What unfolded next changed my life forever and contains the power to change yours as well. How can this miraculous meeting with this amazing young man help you understand the teaching of Jesus on an even deeper level?

Passion

Posted by Jill Warner in Current Event Editorials.

Jesus says, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

Passion is driving force behind the ongoing debate regarding the United States use of water boarding as the extreme method used to extract information from suspected terrorists. Recently, President Barrack Obama has banned the use of water boarding calling it torture and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has pushed for the release of government documents that condoned the practice. The actions of the President and the ACLU have sparked a worldwide debate about the use of torture. More importantly, a new Pew Study shows that it is a completely different Passion is driving the mind blowing statistic that more than six-in-ten white evangelical Protestants (62%) say that the use of torture against suspected terrorists in order to gain important information can be often or sometimes justified.

Jesus says, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) After Jesus was brutally beaten and dying on the cross he continued to reveal his core teaching: Love, Compassion, and Forgiveness. His teaching has little to do with torture and yet some experts argue that the focus on the brutality of the crucifixion, as portrayed in Mel Gibson’s movie the Passion of the Christ, is driving many Christians to the conclusion that the use of torture is a necessary tool for stopping the propagation of terrorism. However, this new Pew study reveals that it is not Mel Gibson’s movie or the crucifixion, but something else that is spreading through Christian churches that has the power to lead people away from the core teaching of Jesus. What is spreading throughout Christianity and how can the shocking statistics of this new Pew study help you to understand the teaching of Jesus on an even deeper level?

Now

Posted by Jill Warner in Current Event Editorials.

She has never been kissed, never been married, and never had the opportunity to fulfill her childhood dream of singing in front of a large audience.  Miraculously in the most Holy moment of NOW, everything suddenly changed for Susan Boyle.  Her precious voice, hidden from view for 47 years, was revealed to the entire world on the world-renowned Britain’s Got Talent Show.  The YouTube video that captures the amazing Light of her voice has spread across the internet like a strong wind blows across an open field and the astounding 19,233,462 views has increased by over a million views just since last night!   Her ascension from obscurity to global fame is nothing short of absolutely jaw dropping incredible!!!!!!

Jesus says, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)  Just before his ascension, Jesus spent time teaching the disciples that freedom from suffering exists only in this moment.  He explains that the past or the future is not real and that who you are at the core is a Light without end—the most Holy Instant of now.  In recognizing this Truth for yourself, you have an opportunity to free yourself from the prison of the past and future. Susan Boyle’s performance reveals this infinite Truth. Nothing about Susan Boyle’s life or appearance indicated that she any special talent or gift.  On the surface she does not fit the stereotypical view of what a star or talented person looks like, but her heartfelt version of I Dreamed the Dream has broken open hearts around the world and reveals the infinite Grace of Now. How can her mind blowing performance help you understand the teaching Jesus on an even deeper level?

Sound of Silence

Posted by Jill Warner in Current Event Editorials.

Jesus says, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?” (Mark 4:30)

Dubbed the greatest artists of all time the Beatles are synonymous with the heart of the sixties—the great awakening of Love. It is common knowledge that Beatles were one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands in the history of popular music, selling over one billion records worldwide. The reason for the Beatles phenomenon is simply that their music penetrates deep within the silent realm of your heart. Of course, the Beatles pushed the envelope on many fronts and were at times very controversial.  Perhaps the most well known controversy arose when John Lennon said, “Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I do not know what will go first, rock ‘n’ roll or Christianity…We’re more popular than Jesus now.” This comment sparked international outrage, and conservative groups in the Bible Belt of America staged public burnings of Beatles’ records and memorabilia. Radio stations banned Beatles music and concert venues cancelled performances. Even The Vatican got involved with a public denouncement of Lennon’s comments.  The Beatles publicly apologized for this statement, but it brought a sudden end to their live performances.  John Lennon later commented, “I always remember to thank Jesus for the end of my touring days; if I hadn’t said that The Beatles were ‘bigger than Jesus’ and upset the very Christian Klu Klux Klan, well, Lord, I might still be up there with all the other performing fleas! God bless America. Thank you, Jesus.”

Jesus says, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?” (Mark 4:30) There is a common thread between the power of parables and the transcendent nature of the Beatles music. Many attribute the power of the Beatles later music to a deep awakening of the soul that occurred when they met the father of Transcendental Meditation, Marharishi Mahesh Yogi, in London. Their meeting with him and subsequent travel to India was the catalyst for composing the famous songs of the White Album and Abbey Road.  Today, this auspicious meeting is now the catalyst for the participation of Paul McCartney and Ring Star in the “Change Begins Within” benefit concert.  The purpose of this concert is to help troubled youth discover the transcendent power of silence—through meditation. Fundamentally, meditation is an essential tool for understanding the depth of Jesus and his teaching and sadly it is almost non-existent in Christian Churches around the world. What does meditation, the Beatles and the parables of Jesus have in common? And how can it help you understand the teaching of Jesus on an even deeper level?

Green Jesus

Posted by Jill Warner in Current Event Editorials.

Jesus says, “For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:31)

When Saint Patrick was sixteen, he was captured and taken to Ireland as a slave. During that time, his faith deepened and he found strength and courage in daily prayer. After six years of captivity, he was guided by a voice to escape to his homeland, only to be guided by a vision to return to Ireland to become the “Voice of the Irish.” After his successful escape to his homeland, he did heed the vision he received and returned to Ireland and is credited with baptizing and converting thousands to the Catholic faith. Today, Saint Patrick is the world renowned patron Saint of Ireland and as such is synonymous with green beer, shamrocks, and wearing green on Saint Patti’s day. But instead of the traditional drinking of green beer, Saint Patrick offers us all an opportunity to reflect on the many events that have unfolded since the last article posted on this blog. Since January, the United States has a new leader, there was a miracle on the Hudson river, not long afterward a fiery crash that claimed the lives of several women who were in service to humanity, Israel ruthlessly bombed Gaza, and a global economic crisis is leaving many people homeless and out of work. This is the unpredictable nature of life, the unpredictable nature of God.

Jesus says, “For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:31) Jesus speaks these prophetic words as he is being lead to his own crucifixion at Golgotha—The place of the Skull. The Tree of Christianity is indeed very dry and the voice of Evangelical Christianity is being lead to its own Golgotha. A recent article written by Michael Spencer on the Christian Science monitor entitled—The Coming Evangelical Collapse—An anti-Christian Chapter in Western history is about to begin, but out of the ruins a new vitality and integrity will rise. The article begins by stating, “We are on the verge – within 10 years – of a major collapse of evangelical Christianity. This breakdown will follow the deterioration of the mainline Protestant world and it will fundamentally alter the religious and cultural environment in the West… Millions of Evangelicals will quit. Thousands of ministries will end. Christian media will be reduced, if not eliminated. Many Christian schools will go into rapid decline.” What is causing this predictable collapse of Evangelical Christianity and how can it help us understand the teaching of Jesus on an even deeper level?

The ‘I’ of the Needle

Posted by Jill Warner in Current Event Editorials.

A prairie fire moves faster than you can run, silently moving over the land consuming everything in its path.  As a fire of this nature approaches your house there is a moment when you have to decide between your things and your life.  What would you choose to save? The family pictures, your pet, your bills?  What if you lost everything and only walked away with your life?  A recent article in the Christian Science monitor ponders this timeless question.  A frantic phone call from her husband brings the life changing news that a fire was about to consume Shannon Kelley’s house. In that fateful moment she had to stop everything and decide out of all of her possessions what was the most important thing to save. It is a simple story with a life changing revelation.

Jesus says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24) On a simplistic level, this statement means that attachment to money keeps you from entering the kingdom of God. A deeper examination reveals that it is not money, but the attachment to the idea of what money means—safety, security, freedom. On an even deeper level is not just your thoughts about money, it reveals that any thought has this same intrinsic power.  And on an even deeper level, it is recognized that your endless desire for the happiness that money represents, leads to the pursuit of the things of this world, which never provides lasting happiness or fulfillment. What if Jesus is not referring to wealth, a camel, or a needle at all?  What is the real meaning of the eye of a needle?  And how can this eternal eye and Shannon Kelly’s revelation serve to deepen your understanding of the sublime teaching of Jesus Christ?