  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: Becky Simpson  
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Last month I offered to allow a guest editor give his/her opinion in one of the spiritual newsletters. After accepting, our guest this month instantly provided a letter for the editor section which is reproduced below. It is my intent to offer comment after our guest’s presentation. The selections and responses to the Q&A section will be all mine.
Also with deepest apologies to both the readers and our guest, I will add a very short comment on offenses. While it has never been my intent to offend, it does happen. I thought maybe a short look at Matthew 18 might help. First may I present animatqua, our guest. (user:becky_hayes)
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There have been a lot of articles, editorials and explanations on what’s going on in which Spiritual Path. Maybe there have been too many, because there has been very little in all of what I’ve read to explain how to write about a Spiritual Path.
I’m not an expert of any kind on writing. I have, however, picked up a few ideas on that in my journey. As a background, I have been reading eclectically for nearly sixty years and writing, as eclectically, for over fifty. I’d like to share a few of the ideas I’ve gathered with you.
The first question an author should ask about writing a Spiritual Path is why do I want to write it? The `why’ of things gives the piece structure---bones, if you will, to provide a foundation for the rest of it.
The second question is what you are going to write about. The subject matter often dictates the form you will use for the vehicle. Many things, such as `praise’ can take all or most of the presentations listed in the next section. Some are more specialized.
The third question is how you are going to present. Will the presentation be:
an essay
an editorial
a sermon
a novel
a short story
a poem
a sermon
a prayer
to name some of the forms.
The fourth question is where will your work appear? An article for a newspaper, for example, would usually need a much different form than a prayer. Some of these forms can obviously meet the needs of more than one arena. An essay, article, editorial, and sermon for instance, could be suitable for church, a newspaper, a magazine, a conference, etc.
The fifth question is who is your target audience? Presenting your work to a sympathetic audience will have different overtones than presenting it to either a neutral or hostile audience. Presenting your work to people already familiar with the subject matter will take much less explanation than presenting it to people who have no frames of reference for your material.
The sixth question is when will you be presenting your work? This settles the work into an appropriate spot. There is a toss up about the importance of this element. A piece on the Winter Solstice written in August doesn’t fit the season. It can still be appropriate, depending on why it was written and who is the target audience.
Wrapping up all of these things is the question, “What do I want to accomplish?”. This is also the wrap up of what you’ve written; the end, hoped for result. This end is sometimes expressed, but it is usually implied.
There is a brief run down on things I see should be taken into consideration when writing a piece about a Spiritual Path. In future editorials I will touch more strongly on each of the components. If you have any others to add to this list---especially ones you would like to see discussed---drop a line. Also, if you would like to write an editorial on either something expressed above or something you want added, we would love to have you pick one of the editorial spaces and do so. animatqua
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Before I begin my mentioned discourse I would like to thank animatqua for allowing me to reproduce her article for others to read. I have to say that she certainly understands the principles of writing. It would be practically impossible for me to relay to you the readers the feelings I have experienced in preparing this newsletter. Our guest made some very good points in our conversations which may very well affect the way I write for a long time. Now if you will join me below for a short message of my own.
This is the time of year that we call Christmas, generally speaking we tend to be at our most forgiving. We also mistakenly attribute to this time of year the honor of being the date of Jesus’ birth. The celebration has pagan roots and a careful study will show you it is impossible for it to be the date of Jesus’ birth. A quick example is the fact that the sheep were in the fields. This does not happen in winter. Am I denying His birth? No, in fact there is astrological, historical, and biblical proofs of His birth. Let’s just accept the holiday for what it is and enjoy it for that: an opportunity to show our love for each other. If this offends you I suggest you continue to read.
Now on with the thoughts I have prepared. Matthew 18 is one of the most important chapters in the Bible. Why? Because it is a dissertation which deals with offenses in our lives with wisdom and grace. Offenses, as referred to as in this chapter, can be translated as sins. I choose to keep the word offenses because it fits into this comment better.
We start the chapter with Jesus explaining to his disciples they must become as little children if they wish to enter heaven. This is not the first time nor will it be the last that He tries to impress upon them that only an attitude of servitude will get them there. The children represent believers who are to have the humbleness, readiness of heart, and trusting attitude of real children. Then as we fast forward through, we see Jesus pronouncing a fearsome fate on those who commit an offense against one of His children. This fate is having a millstone tied around the offender and being thrown into the sea to drown. In Jewish life, drowning was considered an especially horrible way to die. So much so that there are only three examples of it in the entire Bible.
In this case Jesus’ reference to a mill stone is very specific. There were several different kinds, from the ones used by the women to prepare meals to the one Samson pushed round once blinded. It is this latter kind that Jesus refers to, and not the upper lighter stone but the lower heavier stone. The image must have been very clear for the listeners because there would be no hope of survival. In this section it is also pointed out that offenses are sure to enter our lives, and such bad things that do enter, God will use to some good. For example poor Joseph was sold into slavery, yet years later he was able to save his entire family from famine, which would not have happened if he had not been sinned against first.
This brings us to my next point. How are we to deal with those who offend us? Jesus lays out a very clear path for us to follow. Go to the one who has offended and explain to them your feelings. Don’t let it fester and grow in your mind. This is where the reference to plucking out an eye and cutting off a hand comes from. Do you really think you should maim yourself? Of course not, but you should control yourself and not allow yourself to harbor bad thoughts. If you do, then you have allowed yourself to sin. If we follow the example, we will have better results.
We also have the example of the 99 safe sheep and the one poor lost sheep. This is not a break in the thought of the chapter, instead it is the whole point. Our goal, if we are Christians, is not to condemn another to an eternity of pain just because they offended us. We have a responsibility to ourselves to attempt to repair that damaged relationship, to seek out and return with the one who was lost.
The rest of the chapter is about forgiveness. None of the previous discourse would do us a whit of good if we cannot forgive. I do not mean that we do lip service to this aspect. I mean we FORGIVE those who have offended us. I am not unrealistic either. For years I harbored a hard heart against a woman who had said some unkind things about me. The day I first began to prepare this comment I realized it was I, not her, who was in danger of losing her soul. I had to forgive her. Is it easy? No! In fact I believe it is the hardest thing that we as humans should do.
So, how do we get to the point that we can forgive in an acceptable way? The only way I can see is prayer. We should not only seek forgiveness for our own sins but for the sins others have committed against us. Not to jump chapters but, when Jesus was teaching the disciples to pray, He included in His sample prayer not just his own sins but also the sins of others. He didn’t separate the two; instead he tied them together. Paraphrasing now, the verse says, “Forgive us as we forgive others.” How about you? Do you go ballistic at simple things like a honking horn or some idiotic move another driver makes? Do you start a campaign of mud slinging when someone says something unkind about you?
No matter what the case when you read the Bible, if you do nothing else, you can seek the wisdom contained therein and apply it in your life. Um, just in case you suddenly get a whim to chase down a lousy driver and explain to them that it might be best for them to take a drivers education course, let me suggest that you apply common sense to any lesson you may find me spouting. DON’T; think first please, and by all means get that beam out of your own eye before you try to get the mote out of the other person’s eye. My best advice if you are offended by someone’s driving is to simply say, “God Bless” and mean it. If they are really that bad, they will need the blessing.
My Sword and My Shield
By: Tracey Criswell Wilson
I am so glad that Easter's here,
I thank God and silently cheer.
Because He sent His Son for me,
thanks be to Jesus I am free.
It's by his stripes I'm healed,
By my beliefs, my fate He sealed.
Up to the Heavens He did rise,
"Stay with us, Jesus." were the cries.
Now, with His love I can go on
and make it through the night 'til dawn.
I raise my voice so high in song,
thanks to you Lord, I am kept strong.
I'm truly blessed by you my Lord,
for being both my shield and sword.
03/31/04
intuey of House Lannister 
As always I am at your service, and I apologize to those I offend, please forgive me. Becky Simpson
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The following members of Writing.Com are some of my favorite writers on Writing.Com. They exhibit and understanding and skill that, simply put, amaze me. I hope those I have forgotten will forgive me, but as time goes on and my memory prods, me this list will change.
Vivian 
Puditat
Dreams - Anon, who are you?
Lexi 
intuey of House Lannister
Andrea
revdbob
Brother Don
SUGGESTED READINGS:
My suggested readings for this month:
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Most people expect perfection... but are they perfect themselves? Judge and be judged..
#865044 by Mick 7 |
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Questions and comments from last month, my thanks to those who wrote in; if you wish to comment this month, feel free; I shall answer them individually.
Submitted By: werden
Submitted Comment:
Great newsletter. I think you hit the nail on the head. Our relationship with God is like a marriage and I do believe Jesus makes that point in the bible.
As for why I love God? I don't have a very complex answer. My answer is really simple. I love God because He loved me first. :)
That speaks to us men. We need to love our wives. We cant expect love from someone who we don’t love first.
Hi, Werden, Thank you for the kind comments about the newsletter. I like your answer to my request for your explanation as to why you love God. Doesn’t it seem that children work very much the same way? If you show them you love them, they will love you back fiercely. While I agree with your comment about husbands loving their wives, it was not my intent to delve into that particular relationship. I certainly hope that when I marry it will be to someone who loves me; otherwise it would indeed be difficult to love them back. Hugs – Becky
Submitted By: Puditat
Submitted Comment:
Becky, a very interesting editorial. Indeed the Church is the Bride, and Christ the Bridegroom. This imagery is found all through the Bible, of Jesus as the bridegroom and God's people as the chosen bride. The scriptures provide a clear and meaningful picture of this wonderful relationship.
Great answer in the class, and I hope many receive the truths of the message.
Puditat
Hi, Puditat, don’t know if I ever told you, but I love your name! Thank you for every kind word. The imagery in the Bible stands the test of time, as does the wisdom. If we all dealt with our relationship in such a manner we would find so many blessings. I have enjoyed so much writing for this newsletter; it seems at times to be the greatest blessing I could ask for. Yet, all of the editors offer so much I am humbled by their ability. Hugs – Becky
Submitted By: AmyBallantyne
Submitted Comment:
Becky, what a wonderful newsletter! It really blessed me. Thank you for your love for
the Lord and your wisdom and courage in sharing it with all of us.
May our Father richly bless you with all blessings in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Amy
Hi, Amy, I am glad you felt blessed by the words that God proffered and I used. I must say though that it isn’t my wisdom, because I can unconditionally state I am not so wise, rather it is as you already know God’s wisdom. Your kindness and willingness to see that wisdom is very humbling, and I hope you will always find blessings stuffing not just your Christmas stockings but overflowing in your life. Hugs –n- love Becky
Submitted By: garryhickman
Submitted Comment:
Just wanted you to know that the article Becky Simpson wrote for the Spiritual newsletter about how our relationship with God is supposed to be was clearly and concisely written. It was basic material, but very well covered. I enjoyed it.
Hi, Mr. Hickman, I am afraid if you wish an in depth view into the contents of the Bible you will have to seek a scholar, I am nothing of the kind. I offer simply stated concepts for people like me. Hmm, does that sound biased; it isn’t; I guess what I mean is I have a simplistic view of the Bible. God did not inspire the Bible to be written in some mystical code. It was written as a guide, to be used for, edification, reproof, education, example, proof, and so many more things. I am truly not qualified to take a serious student through the Greek meanings of words. Nor am I qualified to stand in a pulpit. What I am qualified for is to love God. Thank you for your kind comments; and I am glad you enjoyed it. Hugs – Becky
Submitted By: windac
Submitted Comment:
I was blown away by this issue Becky! You've touched on a subject that is a real struggle for most of us. Thank you for a well written, thought provoking, NL!
Hi there Wind, I have been amazed by the response of the readers to this newsletter until I saw some of the other editorials. There is no wonder that so many people comment positively about this newsletter. I wish I could hug them all for their constant kindness. Thank you for you kind words, I will draw strength from them. Hugs – Becky
Submitted By: teavey
Submitted Comment:
As far as being insensitive, how do you possibly get by in the world as we know it? If you find yourself getting angry or hurt or whatever, perhaps you are too sensitive. I am daily assaulted. Between coarse jokes, nasty attitudes and every imaginable thing, I am constantly bombarded.
Would that Jesus be as offended as you, He never would have been with the lost. We are human and don't seek to demonize your position or faith or denomination or whatever. But, we are on the same page here; When He is lifted up, all men WILL be drawn unto Him. Not when we piss and moan about being offended in the same room with people who bowed the knee to the Eternal One.
Hi, Teavey, I am not sure where to start with your comment. While I appreciate the comment very much, I am confused a little. Did I clue ya’ll in on what I was going to prepare this month? Or, does my constant reference to apologizing for any possible offense, offend you? I agree with your general comments about all men being drawn to Him when He is lifted up and that we should not demonize any denomination. There are differences everywhere in our lives and I dare say there is no church that does not have some “dirty laundry”. What we all need to realize is that the laundry is of man’s making not God’s. Thanks for the provoking comments and forgive me for my confusion. – Hugs Becky
Submitted By: AWAND FREBO
Submitted Comment:
Becky, As always you have done a wonderful job on the news letter. There is no way that I could tell you in just twenty five words what God and His love mean to me. You always bring a bright light into your news letters, I feel it's glow when I read them. You know and I know, that bright light is JESUS. This world can take away my belongings, my home, and any earthly possession I have, there is one thing they cannot take away, and that is My Lord. I will shout how much I love Him, and what he has done for me from the roof tops. I will not be ashamed of my Savior. Thank you for being the Christian that I know you are. God bless you in your service to Him.
Awand Frebo
P.S. Keep these newsletters coming in.
Awand,  You sir are one of God’s blessings. There is a passage in Matthew 18 about God’s angels and their constant attention to His children. I have a sneaking suspicion you are one of His angels. Now before I get bombarded for that from others I would suggest we all look at the meaning of the word angel. It means messenger. I am humbled that you thank me for my Christianity, because it is something I hold very dear. Though no man has ever seen God’s face I believe I saw his hand. When I was twelve He kept something very bad from happening to me. I to this day believe it was His hand that intervened. Thank you, for you kind and encouraging words, and I thank you for being an understanding and loving Christian. Hugs – Becky
Submitted By: Brother Don
Submitted Comment:
Becky, thanks for another good issue. In this issue, the most valuable part as well as your greatest strength is in the response section. It is unfortunate and very sad that so many people think that, because they disagree with a statement, that statement ought not to be allowed. You are so good at responding patiently and lovingly to this kind of censorship. I find myself in awe of you because I am not always so tolerant myself. Keep it up, Becky. You have much to teach us all.
Don Brown
Sir, thank you, but my patience is not so long and I take many such comments to heart. They hurt at times and at times I turn red, but in the end I can do but one thing; pray they will try to keep an open mind and not allow themselves to think that the only things that are right are the things they find pleasing. You, Viv, and many others offer me support, care, love, and help along the way. It is to you and those others that make it possible to continue. Please accept my thanks for your support. By the way please pass my holiday greetings on to your wife, and I hope the coming year will bless you and your family greatly. Would you mind terribly if I borrowed a lesson from you for next month? Hugs – Becky
Submitted By: Rob
Submitted Comment:
again an AWSOME newsletter baby!
Rob, thank you for the awesome! You have always been such an encouragement. Bringing me to Writing.Com and constantly telling me I was doing things so well. Though you were being biased, it is because of you that I shared so many things that were in my heart. I will repay your belief in me. – Hugs Becky
To the rest of you kind readers who made comments about last month’s newsletter; thank you. If it were not for your kind words, I would be inclined to find another way to spend the time I spend here.
If you have a question, comment or just an observation concerning this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter, please feel free to send it to me. I would also like our newsletter readers to send me their favorite work. Please include the writer’s name. I prefer works from Writing.Com.
Next weeks editor:Puditat
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Spiritual: December 13, 2006 Issue [#1427]
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