Death and rebirth to aspire to more
communication March 21st. 2008, 5:45amIf you’re in a Christian part of the world or if you’re a believer anywhere in the world, today is the start of a three day cycle celebrating death and rebirth (or ascension, maybe that is a better word). Many people treat this as a time of reflection and celebration.
Why not try something a little bit different this year?
Don’t focus completely on the literal, or the myth, around this time of year.
Try looking at this example, the death and rebirth of Jesus, as a way to ascend or to improve. Maybe you feel like you are at a plateau and, in your own way, you are suffering there. Maybe you have critics that are dragging you down. Maybe you are your own worst critic.
Try to figure out a way to rise above the critics, stay true to yourself, and inspire others to make a positive contribution to the world.
Maybe that’s a hidden lesson of the Easter story.
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March 21st, 2008 at 11:03 am
no hidden message mark. clear cut message of love. the kind of love that man cannot imagine. the love of a perfect God (the only God, for there is but one God) who became man, to die like a common thief on a cross.
i went to a church service this morning and was awestruck by the message. i could not believe it. in john 19, later on in the chapter, Jesus is showing concern for his mother. this is incredible. here the perfect Godman is suffering at the hands of those whom he has created, and what does he do, pity himself? no, he shows love to others.
i was just absolutely shocked at how far i fall from this mark. how sinful and selfish i am.
and THAT is why the easter message is so awesome to me. i need it. i need Christ’s atonement. i deserve hell, and yet instead receive son-ship and love.
incredible.
March 21st, 2008 at 1:45 pm
@Jansie - with all due respect to your beliefs, I tried to frame this post in such a way that anyone of any faith could try to find meaning in this day. If you view this day in a more traditionally Christian sense, then more power to you, by all means.
March 21st, 2008 at 3:08 pm
well sir, with all due respect to all people of all cultures all over the world, i have to reiterate what Christ Himself said, and stands recorded in john 14:6 - ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’. i would betray my Saviour by taking an all-inclusive view.
if you think i’m out of line, i shall refrain from commenting on your blog in future, as a gesture of respect.
March 21st, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Forget ascending, I just want to color eggs, chill out with friends and have some relaxing fun.
March 21st, 2008 at 3:47 pm
@jansie - no, never feel that you have to hold back here. I fully believe that different people will have different opinions and unless someone’s spreading hate or attempting to do harm, they are welcome to comment here. And even if they chose the latter two paths, I’ll certainly try to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Peace and enjoy the holiday season.
March 21st, 2008 at 3:50 pm
@Heather: as you will.
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:09 am
interesting… I don’t know if anyone knows about N.T. Wright, but he always has interesting things to say regarding resurrection weekend. Check it out,
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/FaithMatters/Story?id=4330823&page=1
March 30th, 2008 at 5:50 am
Wow. I did not realize that such evangelical zeal was present in the blogosphere! It is almost surreal.
I am trying to reach a state of negative capability in order to allow both viewpoints to coexist in my psyche.
Rebirth into self-betterment is quite splendidly focused and worthy.
The actual aesthetic of christianity is sometimes satisfying in its austerity, in its simple piety, in Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Van Eyck, in Josquin’s Ave Maria, and in the Mass Ordinary.
But, I am too much in a sci-fi geek state to stay there for long. Could I somehow bring flemish renaissance polyphony to streaking UFOs? Now THAT would be true dissociation of the universe and reassemblage into the multiverse.
Really cool blog, btw. I just joined Digg and saw your name, clicked it out of curiosity and, voila, I am here commenting all over the place.
March 30th, 2008 at 8:39 am
@Paul - using the phrase “flemish renaissance polyphony” at this blog is a first and a distinguished achievement. Linking to streaking UFOs? Priceless.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:11 pm
If I said you would have to die to know how to love what would you say to me?
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:27 am
Nope