Biblical marriage looks nothing like the contemporary, monogamous, western norm. Whether we look at the mythical Adam & Eve (from either of the two contrasting creation narratives in Gen.1-3) or the polygamous marriages of Jacob, Abraham, David, Solomon, and many others, or the apparent celibacy (and sexual hangups) of the Apostle Paul...we see very little that looks like the relationship norms of our day and culture. The bible has long been used as an excuse to demonize or marginalize others. Eventually, we always come to regret using the bible in such a way.
--Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
See Your Good
See Your Good
“Visualizing is the great secret to success." Genevieve Behrend
Genevieve Behrend was a personal student of Thomas Troward (who influenced Emmet Fox who influenced Norman Vincent Peale). She reminds us (as do Troward, Fox, and Peale) that using our imaginations constructively and intentionally is very beneficial. If we can see something in our imagination, we’ll feel as if it is ours or at least as if it can be ours. We’ll drift toward the goal. We’ll get ideas about how to accomplish the goal, and we’ll be attracted to people who can advise us along the way. If we can just let ourselves “see” our Good, we will be well on our way to achieving it.
I believe in my goals, and I dare to imagine success. I see my achievement. I feel it. In the realm of Spirit, it is already mine. In deep gratitude, I allow it to be.
Today's devotional prepared by Durrell Watkins
(from Spirit & Truth, Aug. 4, 2009)
“Visualizing is the great secret to success." Genevieve Behrend
Genevieve Behrend was a personal student of Thomas Troward (who influenced Emmet Fox who influenced Norman Vincent Peale). She reminds us (as do Troward, Fox, and Peale) that using our imaginations constructively and intentionally is very beneficial. If we can see something in our imagination, we’ll feel as if it is ours or at least as if it can be ours. We’ll drift toward the goal. We’ll get ideas about how to accomplish the goal, and we’ll be attracted to people who can advise us along the way. If we can just let ourselves “see” our Good, we will be well on our way to achieving it.
I believe in my goals, and I dare to imagine success. I see my achievement. I feel it. In the realm of Spirit, it is already mine. In deep gratitude, I allow it to be.
Today's devotional prepared by Durrell Watkins
(from Spirit & Truth, Aug. 4, 2009)
Monday, August 03, 2009
Choosing Our Destiny
Healing Rays: A Progressive, Positive, Practical Weekly Reflection
by Durrell Watkins
August 3, 2009
"We build our future, thought by thought,
For good or ill, yet know it not.
Yet so the universe was wrought.
Thought is another name for fate;
Choose then thy destiny and wait,
For love brings love and hate brings hate." - Henry Van Dyke
My grandmother was an elementary school teacher. But she didn't become a teacher in the conventional way. She didn't go from high school to college and start teaching at 22. She got married at 17 and decided to go to college two years later. It was during WW2 and there was a teacher shortage. She entered a special program that allowed one to get a teaching certificate without a degree. She went to college for one year and then started teaching. Of course, after the war, the state raised the standards for teachers so that within a few years all teachers were required to have a Bachelor's degree again. However, those who had received the non-degree certificate where allowed to keep teaching (but they were paid less than degreed teachers).
My grandmother decided she wanted to complete the degree, so every summer for 10 years she went to school until finally she did complete her Bachelor of Science in Education degree. Her sister got her degree in the exact same way and went on to earn a Master of Education degree, and their brother earned a Bachelor's degree and two Masters' degrees after serving as a pilot in WW2. All three retired from the profession of teaching.
What's the point of this bit of family nostalgia? Just that these relatives demonstrated to me that achieving goals may not be quick or easy, but that doesn't mean they aren't possible. We may have to find creative ways to achieve our goals. We may have to wait years before our dreams are fully realized. But deciding on a goal, believing it is possible and remaining committed to it until it is realized however long it takes is the recipe for ultimate success. By choosing to be committed, optimistic, and determined and by not giving up too soon, we may find that we are able to do exactly what we had always wished was possible. As it turns out, most of what we wish for really is possible. Our job is to "choose then [our] destiny and wait..." Let's keep moving forward toward our goals!
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
Sunshine Cathedral
www.sunshinecathedral.org
by Durrell Watkins
August 3, 2009
"We build our future, thought by thought,
For good or ill, yet know it not.
Yet so the universe was wrought.
Thought is another name for fate;
Choose then thy destiny and wait,
For love brings love and hate brings hate." - Henry Van Dyke
My grandmother was an elementary school teacher. But she didn't become a teacher in the conventional way. She didn't go from high school to college and start teaching at 22. She got married at 17 and decided to go to college two years later. It was during WW2 and there was a teacher shortage. She entered a special program that allowed one to get a teaching certificate without a degree. She went to college for one year and then started teaching. Of course, after the war, the state raised the standards for teachers so that within a few years all teachers were required to have a Bachelor's degree again. However, those who had received the non-degree certificate where allowed to keep teaching (but they were paid less than degreed teachers).
My grandmother decided she wanted to complete the degree, so every summer for 10 years she went to school until finally she did complete her Bachelor of Science in Education degree. Her sister got her degree in the exact same way and went on to earn a Master of Education degree, and their brother earned a Bachelor's degree and two Masters' degrees after serving as a pilot in WW2. All three retired from the profession of teaching.
What's the point of this bit of family nostalgia? Just that these relatives demonstrated to me that achieving goals may not be quick or easy, but that doesn't mean they aren't possible. We may have to find creative ways to achieve our goals. We may have to wait years before our dreams are fully realized. But deciding on a goal, believing it is possible and remaining committed to it until it is realized however long it takes is the recipe for ultimate success. By choosing to be committed, optimistic, and determined and by not giving up too soon, we may find that we are able to do exactly what we had always wished was possible. As it turns out, most of what we wish for really is possible. Our job is to "choose then [our] destiny and wait..." Let's keep moving forward toward our goals!
Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.
Sunshine Cathedral
www.sunshinecathedral.org
Sunday, July 26, 2009
When God Sees Me, God Sees Good
"Thou, God, seest me perfect." The Upanishads
It makes me sad to see people trying to earn God's favor. The Creative Power of Life expresses through us. It doesn't merely put up with us; It needs us. We are how the divine Presence knows Itself. We are how It expresses Itself. God doesn't look at us from far away and see sin and depravity. God looks at all of creation as we might look in a mirror; and God smiles approvingly at the beautiful reflection.
We make mistakes, of course. We don't always remember our divine potential. We don't always live in the power of Love that we are. But the truth of our being is that we are enough. Transcendent Life expressing in, through, and as us is always enough. We are good enough. And as we embrace this truth, we experience more hope, more joy, more freedom in our lives.
Let's pray this week, "Dear God, you see goodness when you see me. May I see that same goodness and live into it and trust its truth now and always. Thank you, God! Amen."
Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins
Sunshine Cathedral
It makes me sad to see people trying to earn God's favor. The Creative Power of Life expresses through us. It doesn't merely put up with us; It needs us. We are how the divine Presence knows Itself. We are how It expresses Itself. God doesn't look at us from far away and see sin and depravity. God looks at all of creation as we might look in a mirror; and God smiles approvingly at the beautiful reflection.
We make mistakes, of course. We don't always remember our divine potential. We don't always live in the power of Love that we are. But the truth of our being is that we are enough. Transcendent Life expressing in, through, and as us is always enough. We are good enough. And as we embrace this truth, we experience more hope, more joy, more freedom in our lives.
Let's pray this week, "Dear God, you see goodness when you see me. May I see that same goodness and live into it and trust its truth now and always. Thank you, God! Amen."
Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins
Sunshine Cathedral
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Is Gay a Choice?
Something as complex as human sexuality isn't a choice, but I never give much energy to the choice argument because if it WERE a choice, it would be a valid choice. If it can be chosen, one should be free to choose it without prejudice. That being said, of course it isn't chosen. It is ontological...part of the divine mystery of life.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Body Business
I am amazed at how religion and government seem to be invested in controlling bodies...from denying universal health care coverage, to trying to limit procreative freedom, to legislating intolerance re: marriage equality...Why do our social institutions fear body-selves so much? I suppose it boils down to some wanting power rather than empowerment, power over instead of power with.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Please Don't Use Funerals to Proselytize
After hearing a well intentioned eulogy telling a room full of strangers that all people are "sinners" who can only be saved by believing certain things about Jesus (without considering that some might be Jewish, agnostic, Muslim, Buddhist, etc.), I feel a renewed commitment to building a safe spiritual place that affirms the sacred value of all people & the unconditional, all-inclusive love that some of us call God.
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