ORIGIN OF

Sacred Feminine Presence elevated as a heavenly power,

Our Original Need

Our original need is to be one with God, but what does that really mean?

Much of history has left religious people centering upon the highly articulated needs of the path, upon certain formulae for recovery, and, of course, upon the emotionally satisfying and real experiences with God that provide the joy of life.

Then, we have more level-centered realities, where religion, equated with need, is set out for the young to comprehend a beginning point—with God, with religion, with faith, with character building and development, and with love.

We even have people trying to rescue others, but how much of this is original to the point that it addresses the need, and the questions that arise out of it, as to how to be one with God?
Even if God speaks through an object, God's voice might be muffled or heightened, characterized by flavor or accent, raspy or fully functioning to purpose, where purpose is understood (for all), in subject and object relationships.

At a time in history when God is specifying Her Needs, it is important that people understand need itself.

We do not have much of a record of anyone expressing what God’s Needs are. We can default to logic, saying that if God created humanity as She Herself is, or as He Himself is, then certainly since people as children of God have needs, they are enough like God to specify what needs God has.
Our problem is that after the Human Fall, people are unaware of what aspects of their needs, whether past, present, or future-focused, are either original or linked to a fallen legacy. Clearly, in terms of needs, people need to know what is original.

Moses, (a man), Jesus, (a man), and many other men, set about to address need, using their positions to explain to others about God, but their very need to understand need was based in their God-given original masculinity. What about women, when do they get to discover the same—that is, that their very need to understand need is based in their God-given original femininity?

We've rattled the cage of history, because history had the daughters of God calling out to Heavenly Father too many times at the expense of themselves, at the very expense of femininity found in all aspects of woman, women, girls, or infants. We found ourselves, not unlike those with dry mouths, unable to find the saliva to lubricate the very mouth of woman God, while men, men saw saliva of woman, women, as the gift of conjugal love—they rejoiced in it, for themselves and for their partnering in marriage. But did they (men) learn to ask the critical questions as to why God gave woman saliva for herself?

Adruma Victoria
March 2, 2017
written to folks subscribed to African Psychology Association 

Sacred African Woman

The Warrior (modeled by Sherene Mcnichol) by photographer, Baden Bowen won the prestigious Curator's Choice award. A rare event. © All rights Reserved. Baden Bowen Photography
www.badenbowen.co.uk 

Good Morning,

Hope you're enjoying your day. You may not know this about me, but I'm an ordained minister. I used to Pastor a church in Maryland. We dealt with social justice, economic empowerment, as well as building up the whole person (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). With that said, I will always promote justice according to God's Word.

Because of what has happened politically and what's currently happening in the U.S., I decided to write and publish an article titled, Why Black Theology Is Needed.

Click below to read it. In addition, I ask that you share it with your colleagues.

http://allchristiannews.com/dr-sinclair-n-grey-iii-black-liberation-theology-needed/ 

Why Black Liberation Theology Is Needed
By Dr. Sinclair N. Grey III


Can we be honest for a moment and say many (not all) white evangelical preachers don't care about Black people, illegal immigrants, and those who are disenfranchised? What do I mean by this? Simply looking at the recent election of Donald J. Trump, one has to conclude that those within the white evangelical preacher establishment who supported and promoted the ideology of one who ignited racism, bigotry, and misogynism really don't know the true meaning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which they claim to preach.

Theologians who are serious about the message of Jesus Christ will conclude that love and mercy is available to all persons. Sadly, shamefully, and sinfully, what has transpired is that the love of God to all persons has been replaced with the love of the need to reclaim white power. Let's not fool ourselves for a moment and think every white preacher is our friend.

When people say 'the church and state' ought to be separate, the question that needs to be asked is what role does the church play? Is the role of the church to get people saved and that's it? Sadly, too many only think so. Whenever the church is silent on issues, people like Donald Trump with his 'me, myself, and I' ideology will prevail. In addition, the white evangelical preachers ideology is confirmed. What is this white evangelical preacher mentality? That white is right and superior and everyone else is inferior. Hidden messages are seen throughout their churches – white angels, white saints, and a white Jesus. Those who confront the white evangelical preacher mentality and bring about the need to embrace unity and the fact that Jesus was a person of color are told that 'God loves everybody' and that color doesn't matter. Guess what – it does to many of them.

How should Black people deal with the white evangelical preacher mentality?

1. Leave the predominantly white church that refuses to address injustice and disenfranchisement of those who are the least and left out

2. Challenge these leaders on their theology. A leader who neglects to call out politicians on policies isn't fit to be a leader of the people of God. When these white evangelical preachers have a mixed congregation, are they addressing issues that are important to people of color?

3. Stop supporting their ministries and redistribute money towards Black community development. Many white evangelical preachers are living lavish lifestyles based on what Blacks them give financially. Think on this - how many people within the Black community could benefit from those financial resources?

4. Call out these ministers via social media. Because social media is the main source of information for so many people, it's imperative that we come together to expose crooked and corrupt behaviors
In a story published in the Washington Post, it was stated “Exit polls show white evangelical voters voted in high numbers for Donald Trump, 81-16 percent, according to exit poll results.” Need I say anymore. These are the facts.

Here's a word of caution to Black people. Stop being so quick to integrate on Sunday mornings. Integration doesn't always mean things will work out smoothly. Stop trying to integrate with people who don't care about you, your community, and your concerns.

Please note: I am not lumping all evangelical white preachers into the mix of racists, bigots, and misogynists. [Dec. 10, 2016]

CREATION 

One of the profound failures of Jesus Christ is his inability to counter the assumptions of supremacy within white Christianity. The blood of Jesus, as powerful as it is, is impotent in the arena of fundamentalism in the faith, and Jesus' inability to quell the clamoring to hold on and maintain the institutions of thought that keep the liberation of Black theology from its intimate ties and relationship with bondage.

There are several points of your argument to address, Sinclair. This is the first. - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 12/14/16  

MEN IN TRAINING

Bella on the dare. 

An Elder Hudson said, "If you are not BORN AGAIN it will be difficult for you to experience SPIRITUAL GROWTH. Growth can only come after Birth and it depends on what you are fed and not on what church you attend. So make sure you have the right Spiritual diet to ensure effective Spiritual Growth. Grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord and savior Jesus Christ." 

It took some urging within me, and a tad bit of courage to say what I knew about spiritual growth. I couldn't be angry at his projection into the world. I could be truthful, and I was. 

Bella in gentle form. 

Spiritual growth is not contingent upon being 'born again', but it is re-birth. The enormous spiritual growth witnessed and experienced in the eras, epochs and times past are testimony to that. In fact the rise of Christianity rose up in a historical period known as the Axial Period. It was a phenomenon unparalleled. All of the major religions within this period of a few hundred years arose to creative and spiritual zeniths at the same time! 

What is important is the freed sense of being in relationship with the living elements of Life, and the Creator, who created them. There are many places upon the Earth, our Mother to connect with what is necessary to grow in one's spirit, and many traditions to attain that goal. - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 6.21.14

the Smells of the World

smell 

Insecurity Isn't Godly
By Dr. Sinclair Grey III 

Insecure people ain't got a problem with you; they got a problem with themselves. Let me say it this way. Whenever a person is insecure, they tend to shift the blame on you when in actuality, the blame lies within themselves. As my mentor likes to say, 'insecure people are threatened by who you are, what you have, and where you're going.' Here's the Sinclair remix. You don't have to deal with insecure people, pray for them and live your life. If I can preach it for a moment. Use the power of prayer and allow God to do what needs to be done. It's not your problem.

The Bible says, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." Please don't miss this. Those who are about God's business don't have time to be insecure or deal with insecurity. As you go throughout your spiritual journey, I want to do two things:

1. Be secured with yourself and in yourself and
2. Deal with secured people (professionally and personally) 6.19.14 

bikini model in the desert in thigh boots!

I cannot argue the point: "Insecure people ain't got a problem with you; they got a problem with themselves." I agree with the assessment. It is the scripture that tells a soul: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." that bothers me. 

I am looking at the social ramifications of the application of this scripture as well, and nothing Godly comes from the typical interpretation of these words. Upon analysis the words, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him..."  has led many throughout the centuries to disgusting expressions of depravity and self-loathing. In practice the understanding of the words created alienation within souls, and multitudes separated from, or trying to be separate from the process of being in the world-at-large. 

Millions of American Christians are ill-advised not to be politically involved in the crisis of apartheid in Israel, for example, or counter any of Israel's actions and evils. Instead, it is preferable to be at a distance and allow what unfolds to occur because it is prophesied what will happen to Israel and those who oppose her. "In the world, but not of it..." means one can watch thousands die in the name of God, and not intervene because their deaths are prophecy in the works! This is the theology of this scripture as 'the world' sees it, and has seen it throughout the history of the last two thousand years! 

- Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 6.19.14

Thus, saith a Man of the Cloth!

Last evening I was in JR's buying cigars. One of the salesmen, David and I got into another interesting, but fun subject about faith. During the short observations we shared I, for the first time, said aloud I didn't rely on faith when it came to moving on to the next phase of my life. No, it was a matter of flowing and following the vision of the 'why' of my existence. Discussions about faith often burden down with theory and suppositions, doom sometimes. The flow of life is the substance of living. It is like water. It is like air currents. - Gregory E. Woods 1.25.14

Faith alone is not enough

Anjelica Huston

 May 12, 2011 

Very few folks in America vote against God. The vast majority say they believe in God. The better questions is which god they believe in, and what they believe about God. But rarely are those questions pursued in public discourse or even in "mass evangelization." For our nations Protestant roots have embedded in us the notion that it is simply enough to believe. So much is this false notion embedded within us that we often hear the slogan absent the object: "Just have faith" or "You've gotta believe." As if faith alone is enough.

Commenting on the Last Judgment scene in Matthew 25, St Augustine confronts head-on the false theology which says that faith alone is sufficient. When examining that scene, he points out that Our Lord charges the condemned "with having failed, not in faith, but in good works."

He does not rebuke them because they have not believed in him, but because they have not done any good works. For assuredly, lest anyone should promise himself eternal life by reason of his faith (which without works is dead), He went on to say that He would separate all nations, which before had been herded together, and were accustomed to use the same pastures... These [condemned] had believed in Him, but had not taken pains to do good works, as though they could achieve eternal life by means of that same dead faith.

Notice how our holy father among the saints characterizes the understanding of faith alone, or faith without works. He says that it is "dead faith." Living faith, however, is what Our Lord desires; and it is that faith which attains eternal blessedness and grants us the beatific vision. This living faith is active in love; in fact, the two are inseparable. For to believe in God is both to love Him and to love Him in others.

St Augustine indicates that this is the point that not only St James, but also St Paul also makes when he says, "Though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing."

- Fr. John W. Fenton, 

Monday March 5, 2012  

Ol' Time Religion: Vodun

Demographics

About 18% of the population of Benin, some 1 million people, follow Vodun. (This does not count other traditional religions in Benin.) In addition, many of the 43% of the population that refer to themselves as Christian practise a syncretized religion, not dissimilar from Haitian Vodou or Brazilian Cadombl; indeed, many of them are descended from freed Brazilian slaves who settled on the coast near Ouidah. In Togo, about half the population practises indigenous religions, of which Vodun is by far the largest, with some 2 million followers; there may be another million Vodunists among the Ewe of Ghana: 13% of the population of 20 million are Ewe and 38% of Ghanaians practise traditional religion. According to census data, about 14 million people practise traditional religion in Nigeria, most of whom are Yoruba practising Vodun, but no specific breakdown is available.

European colonialism, followed by some of the totalitarian regimes in West Africa, have tried to suppress Vodun as well as other traditional religions. However, because the vodun deities are born to each clan, tribe, and nation, and their clergy are central to maintaining the moral, social and political order and ancestral foundation of its village, these efforts have not been successful. Recently there have been moves to restore the place of Vodun in national society, such as an annual International Vodun Conference held in the city of Ouidah in Benin that has been held since 1991.

Haitian Vodou or Vaudou (pronounced [vodu], Anglicised as Voodoo) is a syncretic[1] religion originating from the Caribbean country of Haiti, located on the island of Hispaola. It is based upon a merging of the beliefs and practices of West African peoples, (mainly the Fon and Ewe; see West African Vodun), with Roman Catholic Christianity, which was brought about as African slaves were brought to Haiti in the 16th century and forced to convert to the religion of their owners, whilst they largely still followed their traditional African beliefs.[2]

The principal belief in Haitian Vodou is that there are various deities, or Loa, who are subordinate to a greater God, known as Bondy, who does not interfere with human affairs. Therefore it is to the loa that Vodou worship is directed.[3] Other characteristics of Vodou include ancestor worship and protection against evil witchcraft.[4]

Haitian Vodou shares many similarities with other faiths of the African diaspora, such as Louisiana Voodoo of New Orleans, Santera and Arar of Cuba, and Candombl and Umbanda of Brazil. The Voodoo temple is called a Hounfour.[5]   from Honey Amythest  

Gimme Dat Ol' Time Religion!

Vodun or Vudun (pronounced [vodṹ] that is, with a nasal u on a high tone) (so spelled in the Fon language of Benin and the Ewe language of Togo and Ghana; also spelled Vodon, Vodoun, Voudou,"Voodoo" etc.) is a traditional Polytheistic organised religion of coastal West Africa, from Nigeria to Ghana. It is distinct from the unorganized traditional animistic religions in the interiors of these same countries, as well as from various religions with often similar names of the African Diaspora in the New World, such as Haitian Vodou, the similar Vudu of the Dominican Republic, Candombl Jej in Brazil (which uses the term Vodum), Louisiana Voodoo, and Santera in Cuba, which are syncretized with Christianity and the traditional religions of the Kongo people of Congo and Angola.

The word vodn is the Gbe (Fon-Ewe) word for spirit. When the word is capitalized, Vodun, it denotes the religion. When it is not, vodun, it denotes the spirits that are central to the religion. "Voodoo" is the most common pronunciation amongst English speakers. Vodun is practised by the Ewe, Kabye, Mina, Fon, and (under a different name) the Yoruba peoples of southeastern Ghana, southern and central Togo, southern and central Benin, and southwestern Nigeria.



Vodun cosmology


Vodun cosmology centers around the vodun, spirits and other elements of divine essence which govern the Earth. Vodun has a single divine Creator, called variously Mawu or Nana Buluku, which embodies a dual cosmogenic principle, and of which Mawu, the moon, and Lisa, the sun, are female and male aspects, respectively. (Mawu and Lisa are often portrayed as the twin children of the Creator.) There are a hierarchy of lesser creations, the vodun, which range in power from major deities governing the forces of nature and human society to the spirits of individual streams, trees, and rocks, the more impressive of which may be considered sacred. God does not trifle with the mundane, so the vodun are the centre of religious life. (It is often believed that it is these aspects of the religion, similar in many ways to the Trinity and the intercession of saints and angels, which made Vodun so compatible with Christianity, especially Catholicism, in the New World, and produced such strongly syncretistic religions as Haitian Vodou.)

The pantheon of the vodun is quite large and complex. In one tradition, there are 7 daughters and sons of Mawu, which are inter-ethnic and related to natural phenomena or historical or mythical individuals, as well as dozens of ethnic vodun, defenders of a certain clan, tribe, or nation. There is a pantheistic quality to Vodun, since all of Divine Creation is considered divine, and therefore contains the power of the divine. This is a concept vital to medicine, such as herbal remedies, and explains the ubiquitous use of mundane objects in religious ritual.

Patterns of worship follow various dialects, gods, practices, songs, and rituals. In vodun, the practice of offering an animal sacrifice is common as a way to show respect and thankfulness to the gods. Worshipers also believe in ancestor worship and hold the idea that the spirits of the dead live side by side in the world of the living. They also utilise items that hold spiritual properties. Voodoo talismans called "fetishes" are objects such as statues or dried animal parts that are sold for their healing and spiritually rejuvenating properties.

West African Vodun, has its primary emphasis on ancestors, with each family of spirits having its own priestesshood, often hereditary. In many African clans, deities might include Mami Wata, who are god/desses of the waters; Legba, who in some clans is virile and young in contrast to the form of an old man he takes in Haiti; Gu, ruling iron and smithcraft; Sakpata, who rules diseases; and many other spirits distinct in their own way to West Africa...  from Honey Amythest 

Idol Worshiping

"Each time I see into Angelica Houston's face I think, "With a look a strong man will drop humbly to his knees to intuit what, or rather who is with us on this plane, and beyond the scope of average intelligence. . ." - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 1.25.14

Angelica Huston, actress
May 10, 2011 

Kissing Metal

See. 

Amongst the Byzantine and Slavonic Orthodox churches, the First Sunday in Lent is known as the "Orthodoxy Sunday" or "Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy." That day commemorates both those who suffered or were martyred for defending icons, and the victory of Orthodoxy over iconoclasm. Above all else, this Sunday reiterates the confession that in Christ God assumed created matter, and so is able to be depicted. Hence, the prohibitions in the Old Testament do not apply to Christ Jesus or His saints (in whom He lives), or any likeness (e.g., dove or cloud) in which the Divine reveals Himself. (As an aside, while the West did not suffer iconoclasm in the 8th and 9th centuries, they consistently agreed with the doctrine and confession of the Eastern churches.)

Icons are not only the chief expression of this doctrine; they are a particular visible form of confession amongst the Orthodox generally and the Byzantine and Slavonic churches specifically. Hence, icons are consistently venerated, particularly by being kissed. (Notice: there is a clear distinction linguistically and theologically between "veneration" and "worship.") These icons are made of various media; most commonly painted wood, mosaics, or enameled or painted or engraved metal.

Because of our practice of venerating icons, Orthodox Christians are often accused of greater or lesser degrees of idolatry. The most virulent will recite the words, "Thou shalt not make any graven image/icon" while others will confuse the veneration of the icons with the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. In the case of the former, the particular doctrine described above is not understood; in the case of the latter, the distinction between sacrament and sacramental is lost.

The irony of this criticism is clearly shown when one remembers the ceremony that took place a few weeks ago at the end of the Super Bowl. One by one, players and coaches from the victorious New York Giants football team lined up to kiss the Lombardi trophy. No one took that ceremony as strange. No one accused these men who were kissing engraved metal of idolatry. In fact, most everyone understood what they were doing - giving true lip-service to their joy at having reached their season-long goal.

If football players are permitted to kiss their metallic symbol, then why should anyone look askance when Orthodox Christians affectionately kiss their symbols of faith? If athletes can venerate their signs of victory, then why is it hard to understand Orthodox Christians who venerate the signs of their Victor and victors? If it is accepted when others hug tightly those things which depict such mundane and fading accomplishments, then surely there should be no qualms with Orthodox Christians embracing sacramentals which which depict their God and Lord, and His glory in His saints.

Of course, there are qualms; the veneration is not understood; and the kisses are denounced. And I suggest that this occurs because those who reject such Christian piety understand precisely what the Orthodox Christian is doing; he is confessing that Him whom the world cannot contain was conceived in the flesh of the Virgin; and that this same Virgin together with all the saints pinned their hopes to their undying victory in this God-Man.

Posted by Fr John W Fenton at Sunday, March 04, 2012 

Progressive Christianity

Conversi ad Dominum, turn to the Lord

Living Repentance

The Irish Catholic Bishops have recently published a letter on repentance which, I think, says many good things. Here are a few choice excerpts.

The word ‘repentance’ means seeking forgiveness for our sins, but more than that, it involves transforming our attitudes and our lives. The New Testament word, metanoia, means a profound change of outlook. Repentance or penance is not a question of inflicting pain or hardship on ourselves for its own sake. Penance – fasting, prayer, works of mercy, giving to those who are in need and so on – is done ‘because the kingdom of God has come near’; we repent in order to ‘believe in the good news’. It is a change of outlook that allows us to see more clearly what God is doing in us and for us.
...
The reason for carrying out acts of penance is that we know we have often failed to appreciate that everything we have and are is a gift from God. We have all pursued our own interests, standing and influence as if these were our goal in life. And so it is good to pray, fast and give alms –activities which express a realisation that the pursuit of such goals cannot be what makes ultimate sense of our lives. That points to the second and more important way of looking at why we do penance – in order to receive the Good News. The words that come from the mouth of God are not just rules or demands. It is in the words of promise and love that come from the mouth of God that we find the meaning of human life.
...
If we allow lesser realities to occupy the place in our lives which belongs to God who is love (1 Jn 4:8, 16), we inevitably obscure our understanding of the full reality of God’s gift. The lesser things that we pursue can be important and good. Everyone needs goals and hopes in life, but no created reality can fully and eternally satisfy us: Let us say once again, we need the greater and lesser hopes that keep us going day by day. But these are not enough without the great hope, which must surpass everything else. This great hope can only be God, who encompasses the whole of reality and who can bestow upon us what we, by ourselves, cannot attain.3 Penance or repentance is not simply an exercise that we do from time to time. It is, one might say, what our life is about. 

by Fr John W Fenton at Tuesday, April 03, 2012

East vs.West??

EAST vs. WEST?? 

Several times I've read and even participated in discussions concerning the differences between Orthodox and Catholic theology. Too often I see that these differences are boiled down to "East vs.West." For example, it is simplistically implied that to become Orthodox is to reject Western philosophical categories or Western theological approaches, upon which is blamed every heresy (real or imagined).

I think, however, the differences in Eastern and Western Christian approaches are too often overdrawn. Differences in approach have existed since before the schism and, too often, they are magnified out of proportion. When this is done, acceptable distinctions become seemingly inseparable differences. A regrettable result is that these differences are laid at the foot of the West generally or a Western approach; or vice versa. The problem, in my view and in the view of some Orthodox and Catholic theologians, is not the West or the East but these distorted magnifications which overwhelm or skew or (in a few cases) negate these different but acceptable approaches. The solution is to eschew the simplistic tendency to blame the West, and to embrace the good which both approaches offer. by  Fr John W Fenton at Saturday, April 14, 2012 

a Style of a Mogul

Let's Talk Universal Spirituality! 

Religion is Sexual…The Christian religion begins with a virgin who gets pregnant, outside of marriage, something the religion itself dogmatically forbids. Merry Christmas!

From the huge child molestation scandal that has racked the Catholic church to sex scandals by Protestant preachers from Jimmy Swaggart to Ted Haggard (former president of the National Association of Evangelicals and a former ORU college mate of mine), it seems that more than ever, the story of sexuality and Christianity has become a case of “Do as I say, not as I do.” Why the proliferation of sexual misbehavior among “holiness people,” and especially among ministers?

The Reality show, "LA Preachers" has raised the subject of sex, "sin" humanity and indeed reality in a way that has people considerably interested in discussing the delicate subject anew.

In religious circles, human sexuality, especially homosexuality is a profoundly delicate and passionately avoided taboo. Christian religion is subtly built around sexuality and sexism. After all, it begins with God supposedly impregnating a teenage virgin already pledged to, presumably a much older man. You would think God would have chosen an uncommitted, slightly older woman.

From the outset of our cherished religion, the God we are taught to revere and worship, all but breaks up a home and commits a form of adultery. Adultery is one of the foremost sins banned by the Ten Commandments, so is this an act of holy hypocrisy? If so, it was perhaps the First Hypocrisy in a landscape littered with faith leaders and “fathers” who professed sexual purity in public only to engage in lewd and lascivious acts behind closed doors…until they were found out.

Christian theology teaches that Jesus bore our sins, actually becoming sin while not necessarily sinning, and yet the Holy Spirit is said to have impregnated Mary while she was betrothed to another man. How this actually took place remains a mystery we are expected to accept by faith. We can either assume it to have been “spiritual insemination” or that somehow the third member of the Trinity actually had physical intimacy with a 12, or 13 year old girl. Today, that would be considered statutory rape. The Holy Spirit would have to be arrested and prosecuted for such a crime. The thought seems preposterous indeed. Imagine the prep walk, the plea, the press conference: “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Mary…” And then we wonder why our subculture has such a preoccupation—a forbidden yet irresistible fascination—with sexuality and the sexual act. It’s not a mystery. The Christian religion begins with a sex act that we have spiritualized and sanctified as holy and even wholesome. Our salvation is tied to it.

Christianity, like most religions, is a fertility religion founded on the idea of the sacredness of life, beginning with its procreation and followed by its consecration and preservation. Fertility religions emphasize the importance of life and its origins, beginning with human genesis, (genetics) sexual or spiritual. Both were revered as the beginnings of life. From the start of the human race there has been a preoccupation with how we got here and where we go when we leave. Since life comes through male and female conjugal relations, our first reverence and forms of worship revolved around sex and its attributes.

We are taught that we Christians are God’s spiritual seed and that we should be randomly scattered over the planet in order to extend God’s family on earth. Millions, particularly our Catholic family, even call Christ the Immaculate Conception. And even though Mary had at least six more children (presumably by Joseph), she is still revered and worshiped as a Virgin. Did her many sexual acts with her husband in later years simply not count, or would we rather ignore them? Our entire Christmas holiday (holy day) revolves around a pregnant virgin chosen by God to be the mother of Christ if not of Christianity itself. Are we missing something here?

-  Carlton Pearson dec. 14, 2013

Tyra Banks in a gown in shadow

Mother's protest 

What is is I AM

African beauty of Adeola Ariyo of Nigeria

Not implying or saying the tone of your question is anything but an honest query I say there is something about the question, "Who and what is that 'God Consciousness?" that is impossible to answer. I believe, or perhaps suspect that in the Western lexicon the question is laced with contempt, and a condescending tone reserved for people beneath the sophistication a modern person should have in such matters. 


I might be reading too much into it, but this culture limits the other senses crucial to understanding the nature of a question that needs a definite answer to a question about what is that isn't, but is. - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 10.18.13

African American woman with very long dreads

Mystery of Repentance

Celeste notice the symbols circling around the head of the 'Christ' image.  Interesting isn't it?

This is a scanned image of a 19th-century engraving from the cover of Archimandrite Seraphim Aleksiev's book, The Forgotten Medicine - The Mystery of Repentance.

 
“Greater than baptism itself is the fountain of tears after baptism, even though it is somewhat audacious to say so. For baptism is the washing away of evils that were in us before, but sins committed after baptism are washed away by tears.”—St. John Climacus, 7th Century


Every Christian feels a natural yearning of the heart towards God, a true desire to taste the sweetness of communion, of being with Him as He created us to be; but the impurity of our hearts—full of passions, conflicts and fears—bars the way. Yet there is a cure for the weight of sin which burdens the heart and soul of each one of us and afflicts the conscience, keeping us from inner peace and from peace with our neighbors and loved ones.

“If our Savior were to come, He Who is bringing the greatest gift—His heavenly grace with which He makes our souls happy and saves them—and if He were to seek shelter for Himself in our souls, where could He find a place to rest?”—Fr. Seraphim Aleksiev

In The Forgotten Medicine, the renowned Bulgarian spiritual father Archimandrite Seraphim (†1993) details the reasons many give for not coming to Confession, and for each of these he clearly brings forth the truth of the matter. For those who feel awkward because of not knowing how to approach Confession, he explains in depth how to prepare beforehand and what to do afterwards.

“In the Mystery of Repentance the spiritual afflictions of a man are treated, impurities of the soul are removed, and a Christian, having received forgiveness of sins, becomes innocent and sanctified, just as he came out of the waters of Baptism”. — excerpt from The Forgotten Medicine

The Forgotten Medicine is the first volume to appear in a series of spiritual writings by Archimandrite Seraphim Aleksiev. It provides not only the Scriptural and theological foundations for repentance and Confession, but also a clear instruction for one’s own approach to this Sacrament.

Volumes II & III are bound together and are available under the title; The Meaning of Suffering and Strife & Reconciliation.  Softbound. 77 pp.