The Axis Mundi

In class we talked about the Axis Mundi and it's purpose. The connection between Heaven and Earth is a powerful thought. Everything in this world is symmetrical and at the core is where peace and joy resides. In the Bible Jesus describes Heaven as being in the sky and the Universe and one day Heaven will be here on earth. It's a place where man can feel total connection with God. The spiritualness that comes with the idea of Axis Mundi is powerful and overflowing. Being centered and at complete peace is a goal we all strive to have each and every day.

Ethnocentrism

Life doesn't revolve around our particular ethnicity. Since the beginning of time ethnicities have felt like their people are the center of the universe. In today's society we as Americans feel like we are the center of the Universe and that our people are superior to others. This is not a Christian belief because all ethnicities and all nations are loved by God the same. We forget that other cultures exist because we don't have that interaction with them on a daily basis. If we could all understand each other's cultures and ethnicities and come together as a family, our world would be a much better place. Ignorance is not an excuse and we should all embrace each other.

The Resurrection

Jesus Christ was resurrected for our sins. Death is a part of life, and as Jesus Christ was risen from the dead, we as Christians will live again in Eternity, in the Kingdom of Heaven. This concept really inspires me to live a righteous life and follow the path of the God. Knowing that I can be renewed makes me get up every morning. I used to not think like this, but now I truly see. With life comes death, and that's ok, because death is not such a bad thing. Eternal life awaits those who have accepted Christ as their savior and eternal life in Heaven will be much much greater than the life we live on Earth.

Art as a Medium

We watched a video in class about Aboriginals in Australia and how their way of life has inspired many cultures. They used art as a way to express what was going on in their lives spiritually, and in everyday life. Animals were often seen as Godlike creatures and were very sacred to the Aboriginals. The wall paintings were used as the medium in which to communicate with future peoples and to the God's. Today, we use art as a very sacred form of communication as well. In the Church you can find stained glass windows with scriptures and pictures from the Bible. This type of art is very sacred to me, and very important.

Non-believers and Morality

Kessler talks about morality and religion as going hand in hand. People who are non-believers can have very high morals and act very kind towards others. This does not mean that this person is a child of God however. In the Bible it says that good deeds and being a good person alone will not allow you into the Kingdom of Heaven but by faith, and faith alone. Missionary work is so important in reaching those who are non-believers and teaching them about faith and how their morals are good, yes, but they by themselves are not enough. "RELIGIONS" can teach people that being a good person is all that you need, but true Christians know that is not the case.

Myth vs Fact

In this world there are myths and there are facts. C.S Lewis talks about Christianity almost as a myth. I don't understand any of this. I understand that there are many different beliefs, and no one can truly prove their own belief, but Christianity is different. The Bible is full proof that the faith is real. The key word in my last sentence was faith, and the reason why Christians persist and push for their faith is because it is REAL. No other faith has a creator that died for his own people, and then resurrected himself from the dead. Jesus saves! FACT!

I-thou Relationship

Martin Buber talked about the theory of "I-thou" relationships. The only way a person can connect with God in a relationship is through the I-thou relationship. Having a personal relationship with God is extremely important for spiritual growth as well as personal growth. He is the creator, the Great I AM, and the I-it relationships just won't cut it. Walk with him, and experience the greatest relationship you'll ever have because he is the greatest friend and father you'll ever know!

Religion vs Faith (sacred)

I hate the word religion. When we talked in class about religion, we talked about how it is very ritualized. Tradition is important in any aspect I agree with that, but it doesn't make it sacred. The Sacred, or Faith as I like to call it is real and powerful. It is a spiritual connection to a higher being, God. In Christianity we hate the word Religion as well because so many people who have not received Christ as their savior but who claim they are religious, truly are not believers of God. The traditions that religious people follow usually don't have any spiritual connection to anything for that matter, but rather it is an act of going through the motions. It's not real! But the Sacred, or Faith, is very much real and we should stand strong in it.

Landscapes

In class when we saw the slides of your trip to Scotland, I could really feel the spiritualness that went along with that trip even though I wasn't there. The part when you talked about the ram in the middle of the road and how it seemed he was letting you pass through his mountain was awesome! I can imagine how that must have felt. The trip itself seemed so incredibly long, but after seeing the pictures of the landscapes and how beautiful they were, I'm sure it was more than worth it. God's ultimate landscape seemed like it was wherever you guys were going. Whether it was at the top of the mountain, or at the bottom of the hill. Powerful stuff.

Love and what it means

Love is compassion. Love is kind. Love is gentle. Love can be seen as so many different things to so many different people. "Love your neighbor as yourself" I love this scripture because it is the most true thing in the world. We first have to have love for ourselves. Once we can find love for ourselves we need to spread that love to others, and love those other people unconditionally. I associate love with happiness, and God wants us to love and in return we will find happiness. Love, I LOVE IT!

Communion

The partaking of Communion is a form of communication that has special meaning. The bread represents the body of Christ while the wine represents the Blood he shed for us. It might be the most sacred act that is performed in the Church because we remember his love for us and what he stands for when we partake. It nourishes the mind, body and spirit. I have been taking Communion since I was a little boy, and I had a general understanding of it way back then, but now it means more to me because I am older and truly understand the significance of it. Only true Christians should partake in Communion because unless you have given your heart to the Lord, you cannot partake because the soul must be pure. Communion is a powerful tool.

Anointment with Oil

The anointment of oil has been a sacred form of communication in the church for a long time. It has a very powerful spiritual meaning to it. The preacher usually uses the anointment of oil on those individuals who seek the Father and come to him with an open heart. The preacher would put the oil on his finger and draw a cross on the forehead of the individual, while it represents the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is used for protection and to help cleanse the mind, body, and spirit. I was anointed when i was first born into the church and I have recently been anointed by my Brother Tom who prayed with me and was there for me. The power is so strong I felt at ease almost immediately. The concept itself is very interesting to me, and I might further look into it for myself to get an even better understanding.

Power of Prayer

The power of prayer is so powerful it's almost hard to describe. But I will try to describe what it has meant to me and how it affects my life. Prayer is a personal conversation and fellowship with God himself. It is a very intimate experience praying, but it is even more intimate and powerful when multiple people pray together. Everyone praying for the same thing with ultimate faith is the most powerful thing in the world. The feeling of the Holy Spirit running up and down your spine shows how powerful prayer and mankind's touch really is. However, it is not man that is to deserve the praise for this power, but it is God who creates the power. Praying and then seeing your prayers answered is one of the most beautiful things a person could ever see, but it takes strong faith and believing. Do you believe? I know i do!

The Cross

The Cross is one of the most recognized symbols in the world. It has a very special meaning to me personally because it represents God's ultimate sacrifice, his son Jesus Christ. Mankind can have a place in Heaven because of this great act and the Cross symbolizes the hardship he went through on that Cross, and how man is so incredibly thankful. The Cross also represents love to me. Unconditional love is a concept that not many people can truly live by, but God showed us this unconditional love and we are forgiven because of him. Awesome stuff.

Sacred Music

Sacred Music never meant as much to me as it does now. The other day I found myself walking in the Church at night to pray, and what I found was some of the most Holy and amazing music I had ever heard. I have never danced and worshiped in Church before because I had always been afraid to, and I always cared about what people thought. Well there was only two people in the Church at the time and this man Tom said to me,"this music will make ya move them feet" and I arose to my feet and started praising God through dance. It was amazing!