Happy Halloween

I guess you could say I'm not that into it, but for the kids' sake most of us go out and buy tons of deadly, obesity-promoting products disguised as "candy" so we can load down each lil guy's bag with as much as they can drag home. How long does it take to eat all that junk anyway?

I remember that when I was a kid there was no alternative to Trick or Treating like we have today. Lately it seems all the religious outfits wanting to redeem the holiday offer the option of a Fall Celebration. I rather like that since the folks in my neighborhood seem bent on the creepiest decorations I have ever seen: hanging corpses, zombie-like figures, and cobwebs with spiders the size of Volkswagens...

Give me a break.

All I'm saying is, you can take things too far and they lose their entertainment value. I guess that's why the local churches have seized the idea and are advertising for their share of the popular consciousness. I don't mind that so much, but I wish we could just leave church work to helping the poor and outcast, and let the "entertaining" of fun-seeking horror buffs be a midnight party someplace a long way from my house. That way I don't have to be reminded of my fear of Freddy and Jason. Those movies scared the crap out of me, and I have never forgotten it. I can't even stand to watch the trailers for the movies these days. We have definitely graduated to the next level of sick when it comes to the minds behind some of this junk

I digress.

You know what I wish? I wish there was as much talent and imagination when it comes to ways of making people feel safe and loved, as seems to exist in attempting to make them feel demon possessed and potential victims of some psychopath. In my mind's eye I can see a world of people that don't even experience death. I dream of love and the empty graveyard. I dream of unlocked homes and drive by kisses. I am a very strange man you might be thinking, but in the world I am speaking of, there is One Lord, One Christ, One Love for All to be in the midst of. No more reason to poison children with copious amounts of sugar; no promotion of evil acts and death; no excuse for being anything less than a good neighbor and friend to those who have no one... ever.

There is no them.

Look around and see those who are lonely and hungry. The elderly women and the fatherless children of our communities need more than Tricks and Treats, they need food, love, protection and ATTENTION.

Pay attention Beloved!

We can't ignore them and we mustn't forget them. There is no them as long as we receive them into our world of big bank accounts, luxury cars, and nice spacious homes. Look around. See them. Love them. Treat them to a Fall celebration that could potentially save them from their despair. Trick them into thinking they are loved and accepted and then convince them it's true. And may God bless your doing and your being what Jesus asks each of us to do and be.

(James 1:27) Read it!

jb

Where's the Love?

A new decade in infancy.

An old idea resurfacing.

A new way needed.

An old prayer the answer.

Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We [are]. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, [are] in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare [it], that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.
-- John 17:9-26 NKJV)

We are One.

There is no them.

Christ was referring to all of us.

Therefore, let us be active participants within the prayer of Jesus.

LUVWRX. Believe it!

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Contrast is Calling

If it were not for contrast in our experiences, would we have the capability of recognizing just how good Life really is? This may seem a strange question at first glance. However, being confronted with change, which is simply contrast -- or opposites as others put it -- we are offered opportunities to consider things from a different perspective, and this equates to growth potential.

But Please Pay Attention!

Bloggers come from all walks of life, and I have been given a larger world view completely free of charge just by being open to what they write about. In the same way, being open to change lessens resistance to growth, and we find that we flow more naturally with the current of Life. I have found that it is much more enjoyable than swimming upstream! And the key is the awareness that change is not intended to hurt me.

Stop Fighting Change.

Allow. I did not say tolerate. Tolerance screams, "I still disapprove!" Allowing simply allows. No fighting. No judgement. In much the same way we are guided through this life by a benevolent Love, we can more easily maneuver the maze-like "obstacles" we sometimes face by just letting go of the desire to control.

Desire is good. Control is dangerous.

Would you rather win, or would you rather offer love? Do you prefer being right over being open? Do you even think about it?

Think. About. It.

Do something ridiculously kind for someone in need today. And do it for no other reason except to experience the contrast of otherwise pretending to be too busy to see them.

There is no them, and I love you! -- jb

What'd You Go And Do That For?

They (the unknown authorities) say that change is inevitable. We either choose to resist that change, or we allow the flow of Life to show us the new thing.

I am staring directly into the eyes of the new thing.

I am not sure what I see, but I know one thing. I have begun to expand my writing to include topics that were not my original intent, and I find that I have allowed my main focus for this blog to move off center.

I have lost focus.

When I began to explore my feelings about exclusion and the act of separation (the verb), I found writing was an outlet that served two purposes. I could voice my opinion of course, which is something I do well. I could also take the opportunity to reflect on the words that came from within me and allow them to be for me.

It has been good therapy.

It is good to reflect and take stock of what we are accomplishing for good as we walk the earth. In my contemplation I have decided that I will begin again with There Is No Them. I will continue to rant and rave here as Jeff Baker (the ego) Talks. God knows I have a need to talk.

At the same time, I am so very conscious of the fact that I live in a world that is hurting, with some on the brink of despair. The situation we find ourselves faced with today resulted specifically because of the egos of the greedy individuals who would rule the world. I still see it in myself. How I pray it were not so.

For those of you who, like me, ultimately see this world as a place of beauty and promise, I will soon provide a link to a blog that is more in tune with what I know I am to speak about. There is no way I can ever look out from these tiring eyes again and see otherness. It is so clear that we are meant to be connected in an intricate and divine fashion.

That we are divided by racial, religious, social, or even geographical lines is the great lie cast upon us, by us.

In our ignorance, we have hurt our brothers and sisters in some name or for some cause. Through anger and revenge we have given the taking of another person's life a certain legitimacy... no matter the reason. It all must end soon.

We must forgive. It is our only hope. See you soon.

Peace -- jb

There's Only One World

At least as far as we know right now. The point being, we can continue finding fault with them ... the other party, the other religion, even the other denomination or affiliation, OR we can decide to take responsibility for ourselves and start working on solutions to our perceived differences.

There is No Them

The mere thought that we are separate and apart from each other is a root cause for our divisiveness. This world is a splendid place in which to live, and our cooperation and reconciliation with each person we interact with can bring healing and dissolve our illusion of separateness.

What a Wonderful World

Today the sky is a beautiful blue with wispy cirrus clouds drifting lazily by. As I sit and take it all in, I am conscious of the stirring in my own heart for peaceful coexistence with all of Life. I am amazed at the treasures this world offers me and I am grateful for the opportunity to live relatively free from strife. (The wind just picked up as if in agreement.)

What Can I Do?

I have the opportunity to view the world today as it has always been intended to be seen from the start. I can choose today to see them as I wish to be seen. Not as the other, but as one of us. We are One. It may take some effort to get to the point of being in agreement with that statement, however as soon as we change the way we see the world, the world we see will change. Be Peace.

I love you. -- jeff

I'm Going to Write a Book!

I have dreamed of writing a book for a couple of years now and I think my dream may be coming true through these posts! I've been submitting them to ezine articles which is a writers'-community-type site that accepts articles written under certain guidelines. They have graciously approved my ramblings and from time to time I visit the site, and read my posts as if I was reading pages from a book. If you blog similarly to the way I do, I would suggest you begin reading your blog as if it were a book and see what happens. At the same time...

I will go ahead and switch gears now (don't you love the way I didn't sneak it by you like I normally do?) I really am going to turn this into a book if I can figure out how, but for right now, I want to revisit the entire purpose for even starting a blog about exclusion and the simple fact that "there is no them." Let me say that again a little louder, There is no them! I am so perplexed at times, and I am uncertain about how and why we humans ever lost sight of the truth about our absolute connectedness. I am completely frustrated by the way many of us treat others just because they are different, and I have finally gotten so fed up that I had to start writing about it. I never intend to point a finger in judgement but I know I will offend some. That's ok. I actually believe that some people really like to be offended (I personally know some) so you can have at it with me because I love you no matter what you believe about me :O

Just stop and think about how we sometimes profile another without ever knowing we did. I hear people say, "Well, I 'jewed' him down on his price." Or, "Those children act like wild indians." Or, "I just n*****-rigged it." I will not write the word. It insults our entire society but I think you get the picture. I am a 46 year old (that means I was raised in the 60's) white American living in Montgomery, Alabama, and I have probably heard every variation on the prejudicial slandering of African Americans, Jewish Americans, Native Americans, and just about any other non-white American you can imagine. I now travel extensively and I am sad to say that that sort of unconscious activity is prevalent everywhere, and in every part of this beautiful world. I think I am going to be sick, but the point of this ranting ramble is an attempt to get you to think about it!

Think. About. It.

Why is it ok to say things that allow another human to be put down in the first place? Why do we listen without saying something? We could at least walk away. Do we so lack in imagination and originality that we feel compelled to perpetuate and participate in this mindset without questioning it? Furthermore, why does this sort of conduct ultimately lead us to take part in the act of exclusion? Judgement is a scourge on all of us and the snobbish practices of elitism and exclusivity have increased in there divisiveness it would seem. Polarity between races, classes of society, and ethnic groups all seem to be on the rise in recent times. But wait! Is this really happening, or is it that there have always been man-made excuses created right from the beginning of history that provide license to mistreat others anytime we like, in any way we like? I really think I'm going to be sick now.

I won't drag this out. You can read most any of my posts and fully understand my thinking on this subject, and I hope you do. I hope you will get others to read them. In fact, I hope you will not just read, but do something about it in your particular area of influence. Startle your friends by no longer participating in the old ways. Begin to show them a new way, a way of love and acceptance. It is really much easier to be nice to people than to be mean. We also expend much less energy accepting than we do pushing away. Try hugging somebody... it feels good, and it is so much less stressful to choose to avoid conflict with others than to choose to be offended by them.

We choose.

My friend, you and I are both human beings. The differences that make us unique are perfectly planned to contribute to the splendid diversity that comprises our human race. As soon as we change the way we see our neighbor, our neighbor will change before I very eyes without having to do a thing. We will suddenly see a new world, a world of peace. This world is one that I think is being lovingly, yet silently created in the background, behind the chaos and confusion. It seems to be hidden most of the time by news stories of war and violence, or it is subjected to last page news if written about at all. But there are nice people everywhere making news. You just don't hear much about it.

I think that if we just quit watching the news altogether, and made the choice instead to get up and go outside to visit the elderly widow down the street or the child with Down's Syndrome, we might begin to truly see the good news that is right under our noses. We need not ever look down the afore mentioned facial appendage again. All we need are eyes willing to see the beauty in everyone, everywhere, all the time. It is there if you look for it.

Just imagine a world free from conflict, and free from the idea of separation or division.

Wow! What a wonderful world that will be, a world worthy of the peace it seems unable to realize. I pray for peace. Won't you join me? I believe we can change the world together, and to help get us started I will leave you with some of the most beautiful words ever written:

"Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try. No hell below us, above us only sky. Imagine all the people living for today... Imagine there's no countries. It isn't hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too. Imagine all the people living life in peace... You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one.

Imagine no possessions. I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man. Imagine all the people sharing all the world... You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one." -- John Lennon

Peace is possible, love will make it happen, and our good thoughts about it will speed it up. -- jb