Is it virtuous to be poor, or OK with God to prosper? That is the question.
The answer can be found in the Holy Bible, if you have eyes to see.
But the natural man knoweth not the things of the Spirit of God... neither can he known them because they are spiritually discerned... Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (Cor.2:9-14).
This is actually a spiritual universe, run by spiritual laws. Have you noticed, the bees are beeing, the tides are sloshing back and forth to an accurate time table, the planets are careening around to schedule...I could go on and on about the wonders of nature--laws of physics, chemistry, astronomy, botany, biology. (Did you wonder what makes that see-through jellyfish pulse up and down?) Psalmist David also was awe struck about God’s handiwork:
When I behold the sun, the moon and the stars, what is man that thou ar mindful of him? Yet you made him a little lower than the angels... and maddest him to have dominion ...over the works of thy hands (Psalm 8:3-9).
Let’s go to John 15 where Jesus gives the parable about The Vine and the Branches. We are all branches on the Vine of Life. We don’t need to borrow from other branches (people) as we are directly attached to our Source of Life. But if we do not bear fruit, we are removed. However,
if we “abideth in me,(Christ), and I in him, the same bringeth much fruit, for without me you can do nothing (humility).
Jesus explained that “I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
How about this! I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 2).
Notice, each law has two parts; if you do your part, follows Jesus’ teachings, then your Soul can prosper.
And lastly, the Walk-On-Water faith, “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor for your body, what ye shall put on...But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;and all these things shall be added unto you”
(Matt.6:25-33).
Lotsa homework here! So, do you want to prosper? Martha Peterson
Monday, June 1, 2009
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Saga of the Russian Bells
Saga of the Russian Bells
(Or “Ring Dem Bells!”)
from
“I Was There” Series
You might ask, “Martha, how did you just happen to be in Moscow on Easter and actually see the Easter Service (on TV) being conducted at 11:30 PM at the Cathedral Elokhovskaya with High Priest Alexis II officiating?”
My answer would take me back to 1960 when I was studying Russian with Vladimir Vorobey just for the heck of it. (Or was this actually God’s plan, woven subtly into my life for future use?)
Having been brought up in a strick ‘religious’ home, we were taught that the Russians were the bad guys - communists! But I learned that my teacher (in his 80’s) was a white Russian, an intellectual, who had to escape the country. And several class mates were Russian and very friendly people. One lady brought us fresh eggs!
Anyway, I had to drop the class as I could no longer fit into the seats, being 8+ months pregnant with another Vladimir (Arthur).
Skipping forward to July 1982, my husband and I joined the Peace Corps and our assignment was in Sierra Leone for 2 years. (Another saga). After arriving back in America, I was urged by friends to write about my African adventures, which was my thesis material at Sonoma State University, incidentally earning a BA and MA Degree in English.
While at SSU I needed some more credits and so took a course on Women’s Studies (of which I couldn’t have cared less). I was assigned to report on Russian women poets, so I asked Steve Watrous, a Russian History faculty member (and member of my church) for a reference. He steered me to a New York book supply house that dealt in Russian writers. I ordered HOPE:Selected Poetry by Lesya Ukrainka (1871-1913) and also THE SPACE AGE by Yuri Shkolenko as I am interested in science.
I was so impressed with Yuri’s knowledge of the space age that I wrote him a fan letter, telling him I at last understood black holes and other astronomical subjects. He wrote back and said the famous words...”If you are ever in Moscow, look me up.”
Moving ahead to l992, a friend of mine ‘happened’ to pick up a magazine she’d never looked at before, and saw an ad for an Healing Arts Trip to the Ukraine. “Martha. You’ve often mentioned wanting to go to Russia, so here’s an ad with the leader’s phone number. Good luck!”
Of course I followed up on the suggestion, Leader John come to interview me, and after I said I didn’t heal by laying on of hands but believed Bible Wisdom heals, he said, “Right on Martha! These Ukrainians haven’t seen or heard of a Bible for 75 years and need you!” He gave me his favorite crystal, his blessing, and I was included with other nontraditional healers..rolfers, firewalkers, a nurse or two and psychics.
My hostess in the Ukraine wanted to help me meet my pen pal in Moscow so she phoned him (in Russian), made train arrangements, and after teaching Bible for over 3 weeks, away I went on a Midnight Train Ride to Moscow! (Sounds like a title for a mystery story). Yuri met me at the station and took me into his home where wife Nina awaited. Yuri had an itinerary for our days together...Red Square, Bolshoi Ballet, various monasteries, Lenin’s tomb, shopping.
April 25th his family and I sat around the TV and watched the Midnight Easter Service at the Cathedral Elokhosvkaya with Alexis II officiating. I fortunately had my tape recorder and so took down the bells and chants of the service. Yuri said we couldn't get near the church for the crowds, and the TV was better to see anyway. The next day we visited the church and saw all the icons painted wall to ceiling with several saints lying in coffins near the altar. Could I have ever arranged this path to Russia by myself? I think not, and just praise God for giving me such a wonderful adventure. (More details are written up in the Ukraine/Moscow Saga.)
Note i: I found out later through the internet that Dr. Yuri Shkolenko is a famous author/philosopher whose works are published in the USSR and abroad.
Note ii: Cassette tape on hand to hear Russian bells and some chanting on Easter 1992 in Moscow
(Or “Ring Dem Bells!”)
from
“I Was There” Series
You might ask, “Martha, how did you just happen to be in Moscow on Easter and actually see the Easter Service (on TV) being conducted at 11:30 PM at the Cathedral Elokhovskaya with High Priest Alexis II officiating?”
My answer would take me back to 1960 when I was studying Russian with Vladimir Vorobey just for the heck of it. (Or was this actually God’s plan, woven subtly into my life for future use?)
Having been brought up in a strick ‘religious’ home, we were taught that the Russians were the bad guys - communists! But I learned that my teacher (in his 80’s) was a white Russian, an intellectual, who had to escape the country. And several class mates were Russian and very friendly people. One lady brought us fresh eggs!
Anyway, I had to drop the class as I could no longer fit into the seats, being 8+ months pregnant with another Vladimir (Arthur).
Skipping forward to July 1982, my husband and I joined the Peace Corps and our assignment was in Sierra Leone for 2 years. (Another saga). After arriving back in America, I was urged by friends to write about my African adventures, which was my thesis material at Sonoma State University, incidentally earning a BA and MA Degree in English.
While at SSU I needed some more credits and so took a course on Women’s Studies (of which I couldn’t have cared less). I was assigned to report on Russian women poets, so I asked Steve Watrous, a Russian History faculty member (and member of my church) for a reference. He steered me to a New York book supply house that dealt in Russian writers. I ordered HOPE:Selected Poetry by Lesya Ukrainka (1871-1913) and also THE SPACE AGE by Yuri Shkolenko as I am interested in science.
I was so impressed with Yuri’s knowledge of the space age that I wrote him a fan letter, telling him I at last understood black holes and other astronomical subjects. He wrote back and said the famous words...”If you are ever in Moscow, look me up.”
Moving ahead to l992, a friend of mine ‘happened’ to pick up a magazine she’d never looked at before, and saw an ad for an Healing Arts Trip to the Ukraine. “Martha. You’ve often mentioned wanting to go to Russia, so here’s an ad with the leader’s phone number. Good luck!”
Of course I followed up on the suggestion, Leader John come to interview me, and after I said I didn’t heal by laying on of hands but believed Bible Wisdom heals, he said, “Right on Martha! These Ukrainians haven’t seen or heard of a Bible for 75 years and need you!” He gave me his favorite crystal, his blessing, and I was included with other nontraditional healers..rolfers, firewalkers, a nurse or two and psychics.
My hostess in the Ukraine wanted to help me meet my pen pal in Moscow so she phoned him (in Russian), made train arrangements, and after teaching Bible for over 3 weeks, away I went on a Midnight Train Ride to Moscow! (Sounds like a title for a mystery story). Yuri met me at the station and took me into his home where wife Nina awaited. Yuri had an itinerary for our days together...Red Square, Bolshoi Ballet, various monasteries, Lenin’s tomb, shopping.
April 25th his family and I sat around the TV and watched the Midnight Easter Service at the Cathedral Elokhosvkaya with Alexis II officiating. I fortunately had my tape recorder and so took down the bells and chants of the service. Yuri said we couldn't get near the church for the crowds, and the TV was better to see anyway. The next day we visited the church and saw all the icons painted wall to ceiling with several saints lying in coffins near the altar. Could I have ever arranged this path to Russia by myself? I think not, and just praise God for giving me such a wonderful adventure. (More details are written up in the Ukraine/Moscow Saga.)
Note i: I found out later through the internet that Dr. Yuri Shkolenko is a famous author/philosopher whose works are published in the USSR and abroad.
Note ii: Cassette tape on hand to hear Russian bells and some chanting on Easter 1992 in Moscow
Monday, January 7, 2008
Enigmas in Jesus' Teachings
Enigmas in Jesus’ Teachings by Martha D. Peterson
================
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), which can explain why his teachings are so alien and seemingly impossible for those of us operating on ‘this world’ principles, where we believe what we see, and see what we believe...all input drawn from the five physical senses. In other words, the “natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Corinthians 2:14).
1. He who would be great must be servant of all . Matthew 23:11-12
There are many references to humbleness vs. pride in the Bible. There’s the story of the ambitious wedding guest who sat himself down in the highest room and had to be kicked down to the lowest room. Embarrassing! See Luke 14:7-15 for the full story.
Other examples...Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican...Luke 18:9-14.
Be as little children...Matt:18:1-4 Matt:19:30 Matt 20:16 Mary’s Magnificat...Luke1:52 James 4: 6 b 1 Peter 5:5-6
Mark 10:31 See,I want you to open up your Bible and find these great spiritual principles!
The greatest lesson in humility and servanthood...Jesus washing the disciples feet
John 13:1-17. Jesus admitted in his humanhood that he could do nothing of himself, but gave all glory to the Father within. The great lesson to be learned here is that the quality of meekness and humbleness of itself is only the first step to spiritual power. Note Gandhi’s greatness in his meekness. He wasn’t counting on himself, but whatever Power he trusted and believed in.
By humbling ourselves, it means to ‘die to self’, the little ego that wants and needs and covets as it doesn’t know that the Father within us “knows our needs and it is His good pleasure to give us the Kingdom.”
This will be the following lesson....very hard to carry out, but so rewarding when you put your foot on the Path. If curious, peek ahead at Matt. 6:25-34.
================
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), which can explain why his teachings are so alien and seemingly impossible for those of us operating on ‘this world’ principles, where we believe what we see, and see what we believe...all input drawn from the five physical senses. In other words, the “natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Corinthians 2:14).
1. He who would be great must be servant of all . Matthew 23:11-12
There are many references to humbleness vs. pride in the Bible. There’s the story of the ambitious wedding guest who sat himself down in the highest room and had to be kicked down to the lowest room. Embarrassing! See Luke 14:7-15 for the full story.
Other examples...Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican...Luke 18:9-14.
Be as little children...Matt:18:1-4 Matt:19:30 Matt 20:16 Mary’s Magnificat...Luke1:52 James 4: 6 b 1 Peter 5:5-6
Mark 10:31 See,I want you to open up your Bible and find these great spiritual principles!
The greatest lesson in humility and servanthood...Jesus washing the disciples feet
John 13:1-17. Jesus admitted in his humanhood that he could do nothing of himself, but gave all glory to the Father within. The great lesson to be learned here is that the quality of meekness and humbleness of itself is only the first step to spiritual power. Note Gandhi’s greatness in his meekness. He wasn’t counting on himself, but whatever Power he trusted and believed in.
By humbling ourselves, it means to ‘die to self’, the little ego that wants and needs and covets as it doesn’t know that the Father within us “knows our needs and it is His good pleasure to give us the Kingdom.”
This will be the following lesson....very hard to carry out, but so rewarding when you put your foot on the Path. If curious, peek ahead at Matt. 6:25-34.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Law vs Grace
Martha’s Inspirational Writings
#1. Law vs. Grace
The law, brought to us by Moses, isn’t working. Refresh your memory by digging out your Bible which might need dusting off or retrieving from the shelf closet. Turn to the second book, Exodus- like the movie- Chapter 20, verses 1-5. Here we are taught by the Ten Commandments to put ‘no other gods before him,’ in other words, don’t give power to any other person, situation or thing as God is all there is and there is none beside him. This is quite a strenuous exercise, withdrawing power from people and situations, and switching over to putting your whole trust in one God, who incidentally is Omni(all)present, Omniscient(all knowing) and Omnipotent (all-powerful).
The other commandments, which are incorporated in our government laws, state to lay off killing, adultery, stealing, bearing false witness and coveting other’s things and wives (or it could be a husband!). Also, don’t forget to honor your father and mother. Yet what do we read in the papers...tales of elder abuse, children killing their parents as well as others, murders, rapes, arson, stabbings, suicide bombers who don’t treasure their own lives or others, kidnapping and all such nefarious crimes to grizzly to mention.
Yes, the Law was brought by Moses, but a new Way came by Jesus the Christ, the Way of Grace and Truth. See St. John 1:17. He boiled down the 10 Commandments to only 2, which really are the fulfilling of those old laws. Surprisingly enough, these 2 new laws (see Matthew 22:37-39) are really old, found in the Old Testament but brought to new life by Jesus. See for yourself in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18b.
Flipping back to the New Testament, we see that someone came into the world to show us a better Way to live, (whose birthday is on December 25th), who “was the life, and the life was the light of men, and the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:4).
I hope you are one of those who do comprehend this Light, and realize it is within us, even though we don’t know it...yet.
Let’s go to Psalms 8:3-9 to get a positive view of the world and our role in it. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers,
the moon and the stars, which thou has ordained;
What is man, that thou art mindful of him?...
For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels. and hast crowned him with glory and honor... and to have dominion over the works of thy hands: thou hast put all things under his feet: etc.
Take the word ‘consider’, then ponder, meditate on, study the sun, the moon, the stars and get in that state of awe. To top it off, see Genesis 1:27 where “God created man in his own image ...male and female created he them.” Elsewhere it is written , “Call no man your Father, for there is only one, your Father in Heaven.” Therefore we all have the same Father. At prayer time we all mumble, “Our Father who art in Heaven,” BUT if there is one Father, then we earthlings are really brothers and sisters, so let’s chose Grace and Truth over the Law and start seeing each other with an enlightened view, willing to let God’s Grace flow through us in forgiveness, Peace and Love for others.
Affectionately, M
#1. Law vs. Grace
The law, brought to us by Moses, isn’t working. Refresh your memory by digging out your Bible which might need dusting off or retrieving from the shelf closet. Turn to the second book, Exodus- like the movie- Chapter 20, verses 1-5. Here we are taught by the Ten Commandments to put ‘no other gods before him,’ in other words, don’t give power to any other person, situation or thing as God is all there is and there is none beside him. This is quite a strenuous exercise, withdrawing power from people and situations, and switching over to putting your whole trust in one God, who incidentally is Omni(all)present, Omniscient(all knowing) and Omnipotent (all-powerful).
The other commandments, which are incorporated in our government laws, state to lay off killing, adultery, stealing, bearing false witness and coveting other’s things and wives (or it could be a husband!). Also, don’t forget to honor your father and mother. Yet what do we read in the papers...tales of elder abuse, children killing their parents as well as others, murders, rapes, arson, stabbings, suicide bombers who don’t treasure their own lives or others, kidnapping and all such nefarious crimes to grizzly to mention.
Yes, the Law was brought by Moses, but a new Way came by Jesus the Christ, the Way of Grace and Truth. See St. John 1:17. He boiled down the 10 Commandments to only 2, which really are the fulfilling of those old laws. Surprisingly enough, these 2 new laws (see Matthew 22:37-39) are really old, found in the Old Testament but brought to new life by Jesus. See for yourself in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18b.
Flipping back to the New Testament, we see that someone came into the world to show us a better Way to live, (whose birthday is on December 25th), who “was the life, and the life was the light of men, and the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:4).
I hope you are one of those who do comprehend this Light, and realize it is within us, even though we don’t know it...yet.
Let’s go to Psalms 8:3-9 to get a positive view of the world and our role in it. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers,
the moon and the stars, which thou has ordained;
What is man, that thou art mindful of him?...
For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels. and hast crowned him with glory and honor... and to have dominion over the works of thy hands: thou hast put all things under his feet: etc.
Take the word ‘consider’, then ponder, meditate on, study the sun, the moon, the stars and get in that state of awe. To top it off, see Genesis 1:27 where “God created man in his own image ...male and female created he them.” Elsewhere it is written , “Call no man your Father, for there is only one, your Father in Heaven.” Therefore we all have the same Father. At prayer time we all mumble, “Our Father who art in Heaven,” BUT if there is one Father, then we earthlings are really brothers and sisters, so let’s chose Grace and Truth over the Law and start seeing each other with an enlightened view, willing to let God’s Grace flow through us in forgiveness, Peace and Love for others.
Affectionately, M
Thursday, September 20, 2007
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