Happy Holidays

As the year comes to a close, I wish you all a pleasant holiday season. Remember that Yeshua's basic teaching was one of peace and understanding. Only when we follow this way will we, and the world, find peace.

Can You Publically Share Your Beliefs?

Yeshua told us that to truly be a follower of his, and a Christian, you had to reach the point where you can publically share your beliefs. That is a lot harder than it sounds. How many people are embarrassed to tell people what they believe.

I am sure Yehua did not mean standing on a street corner and trying to convert every passersby you see. I do think he meant acknowledging what you feel is true and willing to tell people that you have learned some very important secrets of life.

Prophets?

Yeshua said that a prophet is never accepted by his own people. It's probably  because a prophet can see beyond the glitz and the masks that people put on.  Christians really are Yeshua's people. However, all too often this is in name only, not in deed.

When you accept Yeshua's simple teachings you are probably fulfilling one of his greatest dreams: living a good and moral life and caring for those truly in need.

Well people Don't Need Doctors

"Those who are well do not need a doctor".

That is how one of the ancient source documents tells us that Yeshua came to heal the ill at heart and spirit and not those who were living the Creator's way.  The main purpose of Yeshua's teaching was to bring the message of love and forgiveness to people.

Very few of us really follow the Creator's way all the time. Some unfortunately never do. So, I think it is safe to say we all can benefit from hearing Yeshua's simple teachings. You can find his teachings on this BLOG.

The Creator's Design

Yeshua told us that knowledge of the  Creator's design for the world would give us greater confidence to face it. So true. Especially since, I think, the Creator's design is so simple: Treat others fairly and take the time to understand and forgive the faults in others. 

The Creator isn't looking for you to give up on the simple pleasures of life. He doesn't expect you to spend all your time praying. He is simply looking for you to live a righteous and peaceful life. We could all do that if we tried.

So Subtle

Yeshua told us that we are very fortunate if we understand the ways of the Creator. His ways are subtle. Don't expect the dramatic, it probably won't happen. But if you keep an open mind, and are attuned to the subtle wonders of the universe, you will find the Creator.

Judgement

Yeshua had this to say about how we will be eventually judged. It's interesting.
"You will be forgiven if you curse my name or the name of the Creator of All. But not if you curse His benevolent wishes for humankind."

Those wishes would certainly include a safe life, free of fear. Do you think they would include a sustainable environment for all the creatures of the Earth?

He also said that we have all been placed on this Earth to grow on our own. So, no, our lives are not being manipulate or guided on an ongoing basis. On the other hand, each of us has the opportunity to make the most of life. We should never feel that we have less value than anyone else.

Rules and More Rules

Are you a member of a church or religious group  that has lots of rules? Rules about church attendance, rules about food, rules about clothes?

Please realize that these rules are the work of men, not the Creator. Yeshua knew this and commented on it: "You will not be judged by how well you keep arbitrary rules. You will be judged on how you act!" It makes sense, doesn't it?

If you look, you will find.

I just returned from two trips: Into the Rocky Mountains and to Alaska. Beautiful, heart stirring landscapes.  It made me think of this quote from Yeshua: "If you are sincerely looking for the Creator, you will find him. Prayers will be answered."

Remember, whoever seeks will find and  whoever knocks will be let in.

You can always find the Creator in nature, if only you look.

Do Not Despair

Yeshua taught "Do not despair if you lose your faith. You are the one that the Creator will show himself to."

We all lose faith at various time of our lives. It's natural. Life is difficult. There are overwhelming challenges. Where is our God when we need Him? At those moments we can sometime find God when we are least expecting to. But we do have to look hard.

Always remember that there is order to the universe. That is where we can find the meaning of God.

Blessed Are the Sad

"The ones who hurt the most are the ones the Creator of All loves the most." Remember this in times of sadness.

Blessed are the hungry. Blessed are the sad. Blessed are those who are hated and reproached. Although it may seem that you are forgotten, you are not.

Beware of False Prophets

"The ignorant cannot teach the ignorant. They will lead you astray!"

Be really careful who you listen to. Be careful of advice. Trust your own feelings and beliefs before you accept the beliefs of others. There are plenty out there waiting to trap any of us.

It amazes me how Yeshua knew this much about human nature, and how much human nature has not changed.

Always be careful!

Hypocrites

Yeshua knew all about hypocrites. He saw how easy it was for people to fault others, while they never considered their own shortcomings. His saying still rings true today: "Why do you see the splinter in your brother's eye, but not consider the log in your own?"

It's an easy trap to fall into, and we experience it everyday, just as Yeshua did. It is amazing that things have not changed all that much, even after 2000 years.

The Good And the Bad

Yesgua understood that their are good and bad people. Some live in their own personal hells. Some we cannot reach. There is, unfortunately evil in our world. Sometimes we just have to stand back and witness the evil.

But there are also many good people throughout the world. It does not matter what religion they affiliate themselves with, their goodness and fairness stands out. We need to seek them out and encourage them. We need to see holiness however it shows itself.

Say a Prayer For the RIch

Say a prayer for the rich. So often, they cannot understand the suffering of the poor or even the struggles of the middle class.


Say a prayer that their greed is lifted from them and that they will be willing to take up their responsibility to help others.


Can't they understand, that this understanding is one of the gates into the Kingdom of God.


2000 years ago, Yeshua taught that it was so, and it still makes sense, no matter what your religious background.

Don't Forget Your Responsibilities

Do not forget your responsibilities to others, but dedicate your life to the Creator of All. What did Yeshua mean by this?

He knew that life, even in his time, was complicated. People had to make a living for themselves and their families. They had duties and responsibilities very similar to us.

But dedicating your life to the Creator can simply mean living according to the Creator's simple tenets, which  Yeshua shared in his many thoughts that survive to this day.

Reject the evils you see in the world. Live a harmonious life in tune with nature. If you look deep within yourself you can find the way that Yeshua preached.

It's Almost Easter

I'd like to use this post to remind you that Easter is one week away. If you are interested in reading all of Yeshua's sayings, consider buying the book "A Conversation With Yeshua". It's available on amazon.com.

See how Yeshua actually talks to you by interpreting his actual sayings, as gleaned from 11 first century authors.

You may have realized by now that Yeshua is the actual name of Jesus, in the West Semitic language that he would have spoken.  Yeshua's sayings are as meaningful today as they were 2000 years ago, as those who have read this blog and the parallel Facebook posts have hopefully discovered.

Yeshua's Two Greatest Teachings

Yeshua was a Hebrew, steeped in that culture and mind-set. So, it is easy to understand that his greatest teaching mirrors that thought. It is simply this:

Treat others how you want to be treated. It's a statement that has been stated by most of the world's great religions.

His second great teaching is just as important: Forgive those who want to hurt you. Very difficult to do, but so very important if you truly want to live a life of righteousness and peace.

Try living by these simple guidelines. They are the two keys to the Kingdom.

Start Living The Way!

To begin living a life of righteousness and peace you must forget how you have been taught to live, and look at the world as a child would; innocent of the world's evils.

Focus your mind on peace. And just as important, share the thought!

His Ideas Will Prevail

Yeshua knew that most would reject his ideas of fairness, righteousness and peace. He certainly could see the world around him and the harshness of it. But he also had a firm belief that, one day, these simple ideas of his would prevail, and the world would be a better place because of it.  We still have a long way to go, but maybe if we all tried just a little harder...

When Peace Comes

'When the time of righteousness and peace comes, those who think themselves important and powerful will lose that importance and power. The innocent will lead the way.'


Someday, peace will reign on this Earth. Who knows when; probably not soon. But it is a dream shared by Yeshua to his followers 2000 years ago. It is a dream worth remembering and hoping for.

Peace Starts With A Few

Yeshua realized that following the way of peace would start with only a few. I am sure he would be disappointed that, 2000 years later, there are still so few who are willing to pursue this way of life. Yes, in some ways the world is more peaceful now than then, but you only have to look around you to see the hurt that still exists. We should all take time to reflect on how we can foster peace in our relationships, communities and throughout the world. I think it begins with tolerance. Learn to accept others views. Learn to accept that we are more alike than different.