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Thursday, February 23, 2012

'Apprenticed to Spirit' excerpt (David Spangler)

As a child of God, your freedom and sovereignty are vital. They cannot be infringed if we are to work together successfully. We must honor the sacredness in each other and the unique value each of us possesses, along with every other person and being. Therefore, if you have any question or concern about anything I might ask you to do or any suggestion I may make, you must say no. This is true for any inner being whom you may encounter, no matter how radiant or exalted it may seem. If you ever have any doubt or question, just so no.

This is very important. Along with love, it is the root of our relationship. You are not here to obey me, nor I you. We are here to collaborate together from our unique strengths. We are here to be partners. I take your willingness to cooperate for granted, but if I cannot also depend on your ability and willingness to stand in your own sovereignty, authority, and judgment and to make decisions for yourself, then our partnership will be impaired.

The primary issue is not who has superior knowledge but who has responsibility and bears the consequences for decisions made and actions taken. Of equal importance is the right to learn and to grow. If you simply obey another, even if that other has greater wisdom and insight, you are not exercising the muscles of your own discernment and choice, from which your own wisdom and insights may come. Listen with respect and attention, yes. Obey, no. Make your own decisions.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Valentine's Day Poems

Will You Be My Valentine, Will Ya!

Cautiously tentative in our initial encounters,

Evolving quickly, once the commitment lights went on!

Resulting in present-day’s deep and enduring love potion.

With openness to learn and grow,

Ever refining the process in which two people navigate,

Each with very different ‘operational styles’.

We’ve reached an important juncture in this, the autumn of our lives,

Offering time to cherish the love we share,

Knowing our health and well-being is thereby infused,

Leaving residue for family and friends to glean as well.

Happy Valentine’s Day 2012, Sandra!!!!!

Your endearing Hubby Nate



Yes, I will be Your Valentine, Yes!


When the spring buds open on the azaleas

And the rains bring humidity and warmth

Yes! I will be your valentine!


When the summer vegetables are planted

And the squash bugs and caterpillars feast on them

Yes! I will be your valentine!


When the fall winds blow the leaves off the oaks and maples

And we hurry to cover the water faucets

Yes! I will be your valentine!


When our grandchildren look into our eyes

With awe and expectation

Yes! I will be your valentine!


When our hair is white and thin

And our bodies struggle to keep up with our spirits

Yes! I will be your valentine!


As we walk down that unknown trail

Of physical indifference and spiritual perfection

Yes! I will still be your valentine!


Your ever-lovin' wife,

Sandra

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Divine Joy - Poem

Two days post-election so transformational
Begets a mid-morning bike trek on our Long Leaf Trace.

Amid the droppings of Autumn leaves and pine needles
Complemented by southwest breezes and temperatures quite mild.

Ample time and place for savoring new windows of hope
Generating exhilarating connections to the Source of it all.

Fears, deceptions and prevarications now replaced with possibilities,
Secretiveness and isolation now replaced with transparency and humility.

Polarizing spirits being replaced by opportunities for respect and acceptance
Recognizing the oneness in all of God’s creatures, regardless of orientation.

Great God Almighty, how great it is to be alive and relevant again!


Nate Bender – 11/6/08

Of Ignorance and Intractability - Poem

It can be said we live in a polarizing society/world,
Marked by binary positions from which lives are shaped:
Conservative vs Liberal
Republican vs Democrat vs Libertarian vs Independent
Republican in name only (RINO)
Democrat in name only (DINO)
Tea Partier vs all of the above
Regulators vs free enterprisers
Socialism vs Capitalism
Organized Laborers vs Non-organized labor
1 percenters vs 99 percenters
Rich vs poor
Believers vs non-religious
White vs Black vs Brown vs Yellow
Sunni vs Shiite
Jew vs Gentile
Main Stream vs Evangelical vs Fundamentalism
On and on the delineations are formed,
Generating uncompromising adherence to narrowly defined sets of dogma,
Accompanied by distortions of truth and designations of ‘the enemy.’
Ignorance of different ‘maps of reality,’
Make fertile, the ground for division and separation in the world community,`
While diminishing shared common pathways to enlightenment or salvation.
Ultimately, we sacrifice living with unity of purpose,
And potential for enriching the human condition.
The challenges are daunting, yet hold opportunity for creative change.

Nathan J. Bender 2/4/2012