Apophatica

A few years back I had the opportunity to listen to a lecturer in Tokyo. He was talking about being human vs. being humane. He said that a tadpole will naturally become a frog. It does not have to do anything but exist and it will eventually sprout legs, lose its tail and become a frog. Humans, on the other hand, once born as a baby will not naturally become humane just because we are human. We have to have such traits as love, kindness, compassion, sympathy, empathy and so many others before we can call ourselves humane. According to the lecturer, when we have all of these traits and truly think of others before we act or speak no matter what the situation, then we have attained enlightenment. Or, as Christians, we have become Christ-like. So, how about joining me in taking that first step in becomine humane humans? We can start by simply taking an extra 10 seconds to think before we react when we are angry, or before we act when we are going to do or say something.

Just a thought!

Pastor B

Welcome to First Step Ministries’ blog by Pastor B!  This blog will contain information on topics ranging from caregiving to resources to self development.  I hope that these posts will be beneficial to you and like all of the services offered by First Step will enrich and improve your lives!

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Pastor B

Most of us have heard of the shortest verse in the Bible – “Jesus wept.”  The interesting thing about this verse is not that it is the shortest verse in the Bible, rather it is that although Jesus knew he was just hours from his his terrible death, he did not weep for himself.  He was weeping for what he saw as he looked out over the people.  He had compassion for the pain and suffering that the people were experiencing.  What about us?  Do we care about others or are we merely focused on our own perceived problems.  Let’s try something new and focus outside of ourselves and see what we can do for others.  I promise that you will find that the solutions to many of our problems lie in helping others.

Just a thought!

Pastor B