2nd Edition Newsletter- (August 30th)

D’s Spiritual Guidance Newsletter- 2nd Edition
-a weekly publication (published Saturdays)


Intro

This is the second in a series, a publication I hope to have increased readership of as time goes on. A recent decision of mine has set the general release date weekly to Saturdays, so expect it no sooner and no later. If you wish to suggest or mention any topics you’d like me to cover in particular, send them in advance to my email, dspiritmail@yahoo.com, and expect a reply as soon as I get them. And also as a sidenote, if you feel up for it, send this newsletter to anybody in your contacts you think would enjoy reading this. It is best to spread the word as wide as it can go, yes? Thanks, and God bless!

-D


Words of Wisdom

“All great truths begin as blasphemies.”
-George Bernard Shaw

“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.”
-Langston Hughes

“Failure is not Final.”
-John Haggee


Passage

Matthew 16:26: For what profit is it to a man if he gains the world and loses his own soul?


Sermon

So, here we are again- another verse and another small sermon of mine to give. This time, I’m going to center it on a simple concept, one that seems to be more of a plague than anything else: materialism. First, let me consider the verse this time. It is sometimes a matter of greed in the mind of those seeking ultimately earthly things, to spend their whole life chasing after the next best thing, or the greatest assumption of power they can reach. Sure, success and ambition are not in any way bad things, but if you neglect the fertile fields of your soul while you are building the towering empire of your success, how do you intend to profit in the end?

Perhaps we have all heard it at one time or another, whether or not it was in a religious context: the pursuit of earthly gains is meaningless. In some senses, yes. It is a simple satisfaction that can only last your lifetime. But what about what follows this short life of ours? These things we all search for and covet, holding dear to us as material gain in life, we cannot take with us when we die. As someone wise once said, “You never see a moving van at a funeral”. It is of no gain to treasure things earthly and bound to this existence- they are temporary. But before this enters your mind as awkward or depressing, remember this: It is called materialism for a very obvious reason- it is material, whether plastic or linen or gold or whatever it may be. Such things can break and wear down over time. But what we carry with us despite physical ideals is something that cannot be materialized- the soul. Within it flows all the true power, life and potential that you as a human being have and need to distinguish your true identity. Sure, there will always be diamond rings, fast cars and the fanciest clothes you probably don’t need, but when you take all of it, everything totally away, what is left? Take some time in your life to consider these things, and what it is you value. In this life, you cannot take everything with you when you go. But this thing so simple and yet as deep as your soul, all that you can take, that is what matters.

Amen.


Sidenotes

The Cross- what a symbol it is! So far is its reach that you can see it anywhere from church podiums to the loop on a string around a believer’s neck. We all see it probably every day, but do we recognize the impact of such a symbol and what it has endured? Think of these things: From its very earliest uses in the Roman Empire, it was an instrument and cornerstone of torture and derision, especially noted in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ himself. Still after this terrible event, the cross has persevered and has been made into more of a badge of faith than a structure of pain. What it now stands for has transformed greatly since the time of crucifixion and persecution under the Roman Empire. Another more recent example: a show of power and perhaps hostility towards its enemies, the violent supremist group, the Klu Klux Klan, used to set crosses ablaze, sometimes in public areas, like an effigy of power and ignorance to no avail. Still, we do not automatically think of that when we see a cross- its meaning of faith and triumph remains. Then what is it about such a symbol, that after having been used for murder, set ablaze and otherwise employed, that it retains the nature of Christ and the faith? Symbolism- do not ignore it where it may stand in your life, for it is a powerful thing. An object may have many meanings, individually and overall to many different groups, but a certain prevailing meaning can sometimes provide anything from happiness to bitterness. In this case, salvation. So the next time you see a cross, think of what it may mean to you, through your point of view. You may be surprised what you see.

Subscribers List

-Purely for statistics. Don’t see your name here? Send an email to dspiritmail@yahoo..com with the subject “Subscriber” and your name. As soon as I receive it, you will be listed in the section below on the next newsletter. Anonymous entries also accepted, and if you want your name removed from the list, please let me know.

-Holt Wheeler
-Melissanichole Hermes
-Leona & Rodney Rohn


Feedback

None yet. Send any comments, rants, raves, suggestions or any questions to dspiritmail@yahoo.com with the subject “Feedback” and I will post it below. I will also answer any spiritual-oriented questions you have in the newsletter if you include them in your email. Feel free to contact me anytime via email.


D's Spot On The Web:
http://spirituald.blogspot.com/