Faith and Belief

I am a big supporter of bible studies.  I also am a big supporter of people “visiting” other religions’ studies (if appropriate) and activities.  Like most things in life, where there are differences, the actual truth likely lies somewhere in-between the mix.  I had a “God” experience around 5 years of age, before really knowing very much ABOUT God and beliefs – just enough to know that I believed in the same God in whom several religions believe and that He proved himself to be the most important being/parent/guide.  Therefore, I have speculated a lot about the validity of many things that people claim to be “right.”  After all, not having been in history myself to make real-life observations, I can only rely on mankind’s accounts but owe it to myself to sit closer to God so He can tell me if it’s truth, just a story with a lesson, or blatant propaganda.

Sometimes Christian readings and interpretations differ anywhere from a little to quite a bit.  Hence the huge number of Christian denominations.  Many other religions also have groups with differences within them.  And that’s fine – gives us more food for thought as to which group’s “ways” are most comfortable to us.  It is the wiser person who steps out and learns to some extent other beliefs and perceptions because therein are likely to be answers to stirrings within ourselves, and it keeps us from “buying” into everything we are hearing or being told.

I’ve learned enough bits and pieces about pagan religions to know not all is “evil” but that rather quite a bit of pagan beliefs play a part in Christianity and other religions.  Since attending the Bibles and Beer bible studies with local folks from Christian and Catholic churches, the Synagogue, and the Muslim temple and an assortment of others, it is even more clear and verifiable that, throughout the ages, religious-based teachings have had an agenda attached (imagine that!).  Looking at the whole picture makes us feel we are somehow getting closer to the truth or, at the very least, discerning what is and what is not important in “God’s eyes.”

What baffles and, quite frankly, disappoints me are the religious leaders in today’s world, with all the wealth of now easily accessible information, who are not sharing this knowledge with their congregations.  Surely they are fearful of losing members to another church or having members just totally fall away from believing in God (thus losing control and power), but I do not feel that should be their concern.   For me, the transparency of various speculations and interpretations strengthens my faith because I believe God wants us to keep searching and learning.  And I highly respect the people and groups that are strong enough in their faith to examine and consider possibilities without altering their allegiance to God. 

Because of the different exposures and groups’ support over the years, I am willing to share things like my belief that Peter did not deny Jesus but rather was following Jesus’ instructions to deny him.  I am surrounded by people who allow me to explore my suspicions while helping to keep me focused and sort through what it is I am finding that causes me to think a certain way.  And then, together, we search for documentation that supports and negates the thought so that we all have more clarity about the question at hand.  How wonderful is that? 

If it were not for listening to a Rabbi and to a biblical historian speak about the laws of the time of the crucifixion era, I would not have considered the possibility that Jesus never did go before the king … nor go through the torment Christians believe he did.  If it were not for some Catholics coming forward saying Mary Magdalene was portrayed as a prostitute so that more “glory” would be bestowed upon Mother Mary, I would not have been as open to the likelihood that Mary Magdalene was actually what would be in today’s world a middle-class or wealthy woman who supported Jesus' ministry.

I have become so disappointed with the way issues are addressed by people extracting versus out of context to support their causes.  Despite my own belief about what constitutes the beginning of life, time and again I shudder when I hear religious leaders give the arguments pro life, as they define “life,” without also considering the passages in the Old Testament that clearly define life as beginning with actual, independent breathing.  I am not saying either side is right or wrong “in God’s eyes.”  What I do believe is that WE do not know for sure but can be mighty quick to claim that we know God’s mind and His intentions when, if we look closely, we really do not always know.

Possibly some of my feelings are enhanced from having read husband’s grandfather’s (who was a preaching, Lutheran theologian) opinion that religious leaders should continue to 'stay in the classroom' in the sense that, once ordained, the leader still does not know everything and, as a believer and leader, should feel obligated even more so to continue learning and searching.  The leader is there to educate AND keep followers excited about learning more about God in a safe manner.  And those leaders should also, then, be students of wiser leaders who can educate them further while also leading them to more knowledge in a safe manner.  In essence, it is an everlasting pursuit of an enhanced relationship with God.  Along those lines, then, I can appreciate one of the aspects of praying the Dalai Lama addresses.  In being wistful, we skew reality and lessen our own responsibilities (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OJ_XlPeuiU). 

We are taught we should not make deals with God.  But through studying, we learn that Moses did, and so did Abraham.  Many people take the Bible as totally true; many see it as a group of stories (fairy tales?) whose meanings are lessons in life for us to absorb.

For me, one of the two greatest verses is 1 Corinthians 13:13 where Paul declares, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity [love], these three; but the greatest of these is charity [love].”  I take that to mean that God would prefer that I be loving rather than be faithful because that is what is most important.  In love there are good intentions, and I believe even the non-believer who truly loves inwardly and outwardly will be rewarded with a heavenly life eternal.  The second verse (it provides the greatest comfort possible to me) is God’s promise in Hebrews 13:5 -  “… I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”  The first verses within that 13^th chapter of Hebrews clearly instructs us about the extent of our what our love should be.

My wish is for mankind worldwide to be interested in learning about different views and possibilities combined with also discerning what has already been proven as undeniable fact.  And for each person to find what group they feel more in synch with to enhance the feeling of belonging but also to get the support to continue learning and deepening one's own faith and strengthening his/her relationship with God.  If love (charity) is at the center of all religions, ill intentions will not exist; and respect, kindness, and good will should become our character traits.

Copyright © December 2018 by Maeke Ermarth
                        Cheyenne, WY

Bring on the Heat!

Bring on the Heat!

Sometimes the simplest things are right before our very eyes, and still we do not see them.  I love and respect the power of heat.  In my teen years, I was told by both my mother and my modeling instructor that the key to a healthy, non-oily looking face was to wash my face with hot water to open and clean out the pores, and then rinse with cold water to close up the pores.  In later years, the physics logic did not add up in my mind.  When something is pressed hard against a barrier, it rushes out with intensity when the barrier is removed.  After experimenting, I found that by only exposing my face to warm to hot water, oiliness lessened significantly.  Twice I developed chalazions on my lower eye lid but have not had any since I began using only hot or warm water on my face.  My pores and ducts are now free to remain "open" and breathing instead of closed and becoming clogged and possibly infected.

So often with injuries, ice packs are recommended for the first few hours to curtail swelling, but then heat is recommended for healing.  It is a wonderful muscle and tension relaxer.  Devices that create currents and/or heat which in turn stimulate cellular and molecular activity have proven very effective in a variety of ailments and therapies.  Combine warm water with Epsom, sea or table salt, and even more benefit can be had because of the salt's ability to draw out contaminates.  One summer day a friend of mine, who was a nurse suffering with a horrible cold, and I sat outside in the sun for the old home remedy of letting its warmth open the nasal passages and allow the sinuses to drain.  Most people are aware of the benefit of gargling with warm (not hot) salt water for a sore throat.  I have found that gargling with a handful of warm water in the morning does wonders for my voice to start out the day.  I do the same at night believing it is a soothing technique after a full day of use.  Look at how many massaging devices have a heat option included in them.  Most of us can attest that the not-so-attractive heating pad and hot water bottle can provide much-needed relief.

In high enough degrees, it cooks our food to a safe level for consumption and sterilizes utensils and fabrics used in medical facilities and elsewhere.  When a person's body is exposed to the cold, blood vessels in the extremities (hands, feet, the arms and legs) constrict to provide more blood and warmth closer to our trunk where the essential life-giving organs are placed.  We shiver as a way for the body to stimulate activity and friction to provide needed heat.

When attention is given to the value heat provides, it becomes more and more automatic to use it and reap the benefits!  When going through the day, keep in mind the abilities of heat, and determine if adding a little heat to your projects or routines might make them even more effective -- and bring it on!

Maeke Ermarth ©September 17, 2012

            Ocean City, MD

Not a Simple "Open and Shut" Case

Re:  The Trayvon Martin (black, teenaged shooting victim) and George Zimmerman (half-hispanic suspected shooter) case in Sanford, FL, where Zimmerman seemingly shot and killed teenager Martin during a neighborhood watch patrol.

I've been reading that Zimmerman had blood from his head and grass on his back, indicating a struggle.  Another report says Zimmerman's gun jammed after the first (and only) shot, further indicating a struggle.  Question, did the experts examine all foot prints, grass pushed down in specific directions, etc., to determine which person was where through all this, who approached who, was the encounter face to face or from behind, will the coroner find firing residue on Martin's hands, whose prints are on the gun -- only Zimmerman's or both Zimmerman's AND Martin's? Will any of the people who called 911 take a lie detector test?  Will Zimmerman? Will the one eye witness who says he actually saw the struggle?  

Accusations on both sides have been made prior to enough evidence being brought forward, and it is causing way too much tension and "us" against "them" mentality that will now persist REGARDLESS of what the actual truth is (if, in fact, we ever come to know it).  In my opinion, that is not "fair and equal" to anyone.  Zimmerman does not appear to be skipping town.  I think it wise to weigh ALL the facts after receiving ALL the evidence, and then may justice be handed out according to the circumstances of that story.  

Furthermore, I wish "race" would be taken out of all this and the case be reviewed by all us on-lookers to learn what the rules are pertaining to neighborhood-watch patrols and were they followed in this case.  Otherwise, we in America will not reach the goal of being color blind for a long, long time -- if ever.  I think we can do better than that.  Look at the progress made over the past 50 years, when we were still a nation of segregation.  It is everyone pulling together to be fair, honest, respectful and mature that makes us united and honorable.

Maeke Ermarth©March 24, 2012

            Cheyenne, WY