rumitoid

Translated: "...at the same time saint and sinner."

"We are the stuff of star dust and cow dung." Serbian proverb

I was raised to believe that we were meant to nobly strive for what ultimately would be an unreachable perfection, a goal defeated before we even began yet the only true purpose for any life. I was taught that we are fatally flawed creatures unable to see or act for the greater good because of myopic self-interest, needing God's help in all of our affairs even to get things half-right. My views have changed over six decades a number of times but it would be hubris to say "evolved." In the course of these "changes," failure has been my greatest asset. Over time, effort gave way more and more to surrender. I saw any sense of certainty over my beliefs and control over my life steadily evaporate.

Presently I am amazed that I managed to survive this long while I thought I had the reins, was large and in charge. The really good stuff seemed to come by happenstance or what I see as grace. Only when I let go of trying to make things happen and happen in a particular way with certain results in mind did a different and better thing almost always from an unexpected, and never considered, direction. My findings? Change, if beneficial, is always a mystery and surprise.


How do you view human nature and our purpose?

petertimber

If you act like a dumbshit, you will be treated as an equal

rumitoid

Great advice but something that comes natural to me. Thank you.

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

Human nature is flawed. No amount of "self help" can overcome our basic, genetic selfishness, ego centrism and self destructive natures. I think we are a Divine experiment because supernatural tools are available to over come the afore mentioned deficiencies.

rumitoid

Yes, agreed.

Loki Loc: Georgia

Or it could be we are a sideshow in a Cosmic Soap Opera, as long as we are pontificating. I personally have an unshakeable belief in God, and a pretty strong opinion that all earthly religions are an unworkable attempt to reduce the inexplicable to a level that we can understand, when they are not simply political tools. Envision, if you will, a colony of ants in the Amazon jungle. Never having seen Man, different groups of ants attempt to explain Man with no point of reference. These groups endow Man with ant-like qualities, because they cannot conceive of any others, nor of any other set of values. Just think of the confusion; Christian ants, Buddhist ants, Hindu ants, Muslim ants, and Scientologist ants, all pontificating about the existence and motives of something they cannot conceive. Is Man vertebrate? Is Man concerned with us? Did Man create us, or did we evolve by chance? Is there such a thing as Heaven; and if so, do anteaters live there on a diet of tofu?
Will there be seventy virgin queens for each of us to feed and defend when we attain our reward? Will the drones have to work in Heaven, or will they once again all have government jobs?

oldladyfromwaco

I believe in reincarnation, so it follows that we return to learn the lessons we wouldn't/couldn't learn before. I must have been REALLY stupid! But, at least, in this lifetime, I have come to the point where I am not repeating the same mistakes expecting different results. That said, to some extent, we are, by our own choices "fatally flawed" but also divine in that we can change to become more Christ-like.

I also believe in constant prayer, guidance and communication with God. He DOES answer.....

I also agree with your last few sentences....failure, problems have brought me to where I am today....to much greater understanding.....and to letting Him into my life to a much, much greater degree.

And, LOL......about change? There is only ONE thing you can be sure of in the world.....and that is constant change.............................with ONE exception................you(any woman) can NEVER change a man. I think I've said enough for today. LOL

Loki Loc: Georgia

I will add another addendum: I told you, ants. Ants in the jungle, attempting to explain something they have never seen, attempting to put an ant face on the unknowable. That is, the honest ones. The others will be busy trying to politicize Man. And they all will be soliciting donations for the good of the soul. A downpayment on the ultimate life insurance.

rhomin57 Loc: Far Northern CA.

That reminds me of the "Unis Gottes" that was imprinted on Germany's brass buckle covers in WWII. It means "One God." I have one of those brass buckle covers from Germany, from WWII. A momento I guess.
I also have the Iron Cross brass buckle cover (it's rare) from Germany's military attire, from WWI. The Iron Cross was given to the Lombard King by the Pope, when the Lombard Germanic peoples invaded and took over Rome. The Pope at that time crowned the Lombard ruler as King with a cross that the Pope told them had a nail from Jesus Crucifixion woven in it when it was cast. The Lombards ruled Rome for 400 years. The name Germanic Lombards was derived from their first ancestrial name: Long Beards.

petertimber

A man is doomed at birth passing from one woman back into another and manipulated all the way............!

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

Meanwhile, the uncles are wondering around going " what?"

oldladyfromwaco

LOL...peter....how right you are! Was listening to Joel Osteen last Sunday morning. He always opens with a joke. And this one was based on the fact that male reindeer lose their antlers in the fall....and the female do not. So.....it is obvious that all the toys and large, overweight man are conveyed around the world to each appointed destination on Christmas Eve....and deliveries are on time....by females.

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

Now, the post office does the best it can. Give 'em a break why don't ya. ps. That means male reindeer are only horny part of them time whereas females .... :oops: :lol:

oldladyfromwaco

LOL Thanks for the laugh! Have a good day!

rumitoid

I agree and love this line: "I personally have an unshakeable belief in God, and a pretty strong opinion that all earthly religions are an unworkable attempt to reduce the inexplicable to a level that we can understand." I see in how Jesus dealt with priests and scribes his displeasure that the Jews had made their relationship with the living God into a religion, becoming mostly form and little substance; as well as tribal and prideful. When Jesus said to them "You diligently study scripture..." that was a rebuke, not a compliment.

The greater part of God to me is mystery. It is discovery, not certainty, that is primary in our relationship. "Turn (repent form your adult trappings), and become as little children." Little children are creatures of curiosity, in the learning mode and not the knowing mode.

Merry Christmas!