Realizing what The Lord has done is breathtakingly beyondAWESOME, Amen. But it gives me greeat pause. It was awesome to be a laparoscopic trained and ‘expert’ surgeon with excellent backing of my Dad, Mom and supporters and colleagues.
Even more so to have personal colleabues and supporters who at times needed a ‘head’ (thinking cap) or present “hands-on” to bounce ideas/concepts/ideas off of.
Colonoscopy, gastroscopy, Laparoscopic procedure, surgical emergencies and consults.
Question is: Did I find it ‘strange’ to be a ‘talented colleague? Having doing what I did for the ‘period’ I did this? Truthfully, yes!
When I am “weighed down” by what was ‘lost’. I laugh, a truthful deep heart-felt mirth. ALL things happen for a reason. We ALL have ‘liveds’, you would not be reading anf/or listening to this if you did/do not have a life. BIG question: What arr your goals? What do you seek in life?
More interestingly; for those of us older. Where are your grandparents? Theirs? A HUGE question! Even more profound; IF and when you accomplish ALL you dream and dreamt to achieve; then what next? Taxes to pay, food to consume, fluid to drink, sleep to be had! But! Hold on! It ALL comes to an end! Or does it?
Very simply; where are your great grandparents and even their grandparents now? No! This is not a religious ‘piece.’ Factual, yes! I will ask again: “When it is ALL over, then what???”
Where, who, what are we? A memory??? So, did we have awesome achievements that we can and will be remembered for and by?
Very profound are “Memories.” Do we live them? We HAVE them! But, the past is just that! We live in the result of our past. This is fact! Yes, we can lie,, hope, dream… But, what IS true is fact and very real. We, in this present day and time; live the results of our past.
Questions are raised: IF you are an awesome liar, does that change anything? Temporarily it can and DOES. But, we shall give account of every word we utter! Think on this: IF your life was a movie being filmed; would you be happy with the result? As I said HUGE question!
So, you woke up this morning; and???
- Where ORIGINALLY are you FROM? Yes! We can genetically map origins! But just who are you? A sum total of YOUR experiences. And???
- When ‘life’ is over; then what? So many answers! A peek: https://www.quora.com/When-life-ends-with-death-then-what-is-life
We get the ‘idea’ that people are trying to express their thoughts. What is actual?
In MY life, events? I chose my actions, (except being spared death, paralsisis or the inability to ‘independently’ function. I AM! It is Gods Will, so be it.
Time and time again, I have sat and thought: “If I was earning a million dollars plus a year, so???” Money is temporal. It is for HERE! In my coma, I did not see or have a single cent!
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on Earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
So, what/where is Heaven? More profound – what happens after we die?
My pious Baptist grandmother once shockingly confessed, at the ripe old age of 93, that she didn’t want to go to heaven. “Why,” we asked? “Well, I think it will be rather boring just sitting around on clouds and singing hymns all day” she answered. She had a point.
Mark Twain might have agreed with her assessment. He once famously quipped that one should choose “heaven for the climate, hell for the company”.
Most of us have some concept of heaven, even if it is one formed by movies like What Dreams May Come, The Lovely Bones, or think it involves meeting Morgan Freeman in a white room. And while not as complicated as biblical ideas about hell, the biblical concept of heaven is not particularly simple either.
As New Testament scholar Paula Gooder writes:
it is impossible to state categorically what the Bible as a whole says about heaven… Biblical beliefs about heaven are varied, complex and fluid.
In the Christian tradition, heaven and paradise have been conflated as an answer to the question “where do I go when I die?” The idea of the dead being in heaven or enjoying paradise often brings enormous comfort to the bereaved and hope to those suffering or dying. Yet heaven and paradise were originally more about where God lived, not about us or our ultimate destination.
The words for heaven or heavens in both Hebrew (shamayim) and Greek (ouranos) can also be translated as sky. It is not something that exists eternally but rather part of creation.
The first line of the Bible states that heaven is created along with the creation of the earth (Genesis 1). It is primarily God’s dwelling place in the biblical tradition: a parallel realm where everything operates according to God’s will. Heaven is a place of peace, love, community, and worship, where God is surrounded by a heavenly court and other heavenly beings.
The Disputation of the Sacrament at the Vatican Museum (c1509) depicts heaven as a realm in the skies above earth. Shutterstock
Biblical authors imagined the earth as a flat place with Sheol below (the realm of the dead) and a dome over the earth that separates it from the heavens or sky above. Of course, we know the earth is not flat, and this three-tiered universe makes no sense to a modern mind. Even so, the concept of heaven (wherever it is located) continues in Christian theology as the place where God dwells and a theological claim that this world is not all that there is.
The other main metaphor for God’s dwelling place in the Bible is paradise. According to Luke’s version of the crucifixion, Jesus converses with the men on either side of him while waiting to die and promises the man on a neighbouring cross “today you will be with me in paradise”.
References to paradise in the Bible are likely due to the influence of Persian culture and particularly Persian Royal gardens (paridaida). Persian walled gardens were known for their beautiful layout, diversity of plant life, walled enclosures, and being a place where the royal family might safely walk. They were effectively a paradise on earth.
The garden of Eden in Genesis 2 is strikingly similar to a Persian Royal garden or paradise. It has abundant water sources in the rivers that run through it, fruit and plants of every kind for food, and it is “pleasing to the eye”. God dwells there, or at least visits, and talks with Adam and Eve like a King might in a royal garden.
In the grand mythic stories that make up the Bible, humans are thrown out of Eden due to their disobedience. And so begins a narrative about human separation from the divine and how humans find their way back to God and God’s dwelling (paradise). In the Christian tradition, Jesus is the means of return.
The Easter event that Christians celebrate around the globe at this time of year is about the resurrection of Jesus after his violent death on the cross three days earlier. Jesus’ resurrection is seen as the promise, the “first-fruits” of what is possible for all humans – resurrection to an eternal life with God. This is, of course, a matter of faith not something that can be proven. But reconciliation with God lies at the heart of the Easter story.
The last book of the Bible, Revelation, conflates the idea of heaven and paradise. The author describes a vision of a new, re-created heaven coming down to earth. It is not escapism from this planet but rather an affirmation of all that is created, material, and earthly but now healed and renewed.
This final biblical vision of heaven is a lot like the garden of Eden – complete with the Tree of Life, rivers, plants and God – although this time it is also an urban, multicultural city. In what is essentially a return to Eden, humans are reconciled with God and, of course, with one another.
Heaven or paradise in the Bible is a utopian vision, designed not only to inspire faith in God but also in the hope that people might embody the values of love and reconciliation in this world.
The amazing thing is that someday that all comes to an end. Pretty awesome to know for a fact that death is “The End.” Or is it? Then what???
So, I am directed to say “it is the time here that counts! Toward where we go next” Is it??? I will push once again the point I have made time and time again. What if and when it’s all over. Then what???
Ok, I will challenge you. If you had a billion dollars what would you do??? Houses, property, art, travel…it seems endless, the possibilities. But, let me point out that taxes, employees, tarifs, responsibilities will all take their fair share. Then, how about if ots from a boom in the stock market, it it crashes- then what??? It it’s from real estate, in a natural disaster, then what. Ok, ok, ok. If you were an insurer then??? You would have to pay out if any of the above happened. If a banker or wall street executive, then??? How about if the buisness or ondustry tanks??? I could go on forever. Even talking about doctors, but I ‘used’ to be one, and… So, it is all made very simple. There is a chance and choice we can make. Either to hoof it and try the tested way (but look where the golden cats of yesterday are-dead and gone) and see where it leads and lands us. Or take the age old and time proven dare and leave it to God working hard. See, I have never said don’t kick your own butt exerting and pushing yourself. But rather leaving it all in His hands. Yes, there is much to be done. But first and foremost, a very important thing. And I assure you, the most important thing you will ever do. Trust and leave it all in Gods hands.
Some might say “how about being in love? My children? My family?” Ok, let me break it down. Yes, these are important. Very important, but where there is no time or responsibility, you realize that those things are, but there is so much joy, so much peace that those things fall away.
I have tried to describe my experience. Time only exists for us here on earth. Prove it! I am sure some of you are saying. Ok! If you believe in andels, do you think angel Gabriel is any older now??? And for those of you who may not know who that is. Read the bible. Moreso, there is a historical aspect that is proven. Don’t and can we not ascribe the negativity in our lives to something. Yes, decisions, but from where or what do we assume that these things come. If the devil were like us, should he not be aged? Would he not have been for a twinkling of anveye. But seemingly, he is as active today in decieving as he was in the days of Adam and Eve. To make it clear, it was their dexision that placed them in the quandry that they found themselves. Yes, Evecwas asked if she could eat of all fruit in the garden, and she answered ‘of any fruit, wr may eat but not of the tree of good and evil and not of the tree of life.’ So, she was rwmpted and she fell and pulled Adam with her. But, it was her decision. Hers and hers alone. The devil or snake/serpent did not make her do anything. She decided to eat of the fruit and qas striken with the knowledge of good and evil. Then she gave of the fruit to her man-Adam. Before going on. In the garden was the tree of life. Let me point out again as I have before. That there was and is the tree of life. We started out discussing time and age. If upon dying, we experience the fruit of the tree of life, then??? So many excuses and explanations may come up. But??? If then we will live or exist for eternity. Where do we want to do it??? Again, we have the choice. Prior, we might have been able to give the excuse “I didn’t know…didn’t hear…” but, now that you know, you have a choice to make.
Again, I am not pushing from or for any denomination. But rather from HE who made or allowed you to be.
As I have said before, there are a lot of succesful abortions of unwanted children. Both succesful and unsuccesful. The question that must be asked is: “why are those born born?” Again, this leads to many questions. And, I could give many answers. But, I will leave that to Him to answer when you see Him. I can assure you that, that time will come and you will answer. The time when you stand and give an answer to why? Decisions, Solutions (or what we think are ‘reasonable’ solutions). We will and mist give an answer.
So, like I have done many times, over and over. It is time to make a decision. Again, I could care less is Chrstian, Muslim, Seventh day Adventist, Atheist, Buddhist, Chinese, Japanese or with dirty knees (hopefully that is from praying!!!) There is a desision that must be made.
Decide to aerve Him. To have a higher power in your life (God, Jesus…or however you wish to call him Allah or the Hindu leader…)
The following looks at the major world religions… Hinduism, New Age, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity.* There is a brief description of each, their view of God, and what a person can gain from that religion. The ending explains how Jesus’ teaching differs from the major religions.
*Each of these religions has sects with differing beliefs. The description given here focuses on the core beliefs of each religion. Other major religions, such as Judaism, could be discussed, but for brevity, we have chosen these.
Hinduism and its beliefs
major religions – religious beliefsMost Hindus worship one Being of ultimate oneness (Brahman) through infinite representations of gods and goddesses. These various manifestations of gods and goddesses become incarnate within idols, temples, gurus, rivers, animals, etc.
Hindus believe their position in this present life was determined by their actions in a previous life. Hinduism therefore provides a possible explanation for suffering and evil in this life. If a person’s behavior before was evil, they might justifiably experience tremendous hardships in this life. Pain, disease, poverty or a disaster like a flood is deserved by that person because of their own evil actions, usually from a previous lifetime.
A Hindu’s goal is to become free from the law of karma…to be free from continuous reincarnations. Only the soul matters which will one day be free of the cycle of rebirths and be at rest.
Hinduism gives a person freedom to choose how to work toward spiritual perfection. There are three possible ways to end this cycle of karma: 1. Be lovingly devoted to any of the Hindu gods or goddesses; 2. Grow in knowledge through meditation of Brahman (oneness)…to realize that circumstances in life are not real, that selfhood is an illusion and only Brahman is real; 3. Be dedicated to various religious ceremonies and rites.
New Age and its beliefs
major religions – religious beliefsNew Age promotes the development of the person’s own power or divinity. When referring to God, a follower of New Age is not talking about a transcendent, personal God who created the universe, but is referring to a higher consciousness within themselves. A person in New Age would see themselves as God, the cosmos, the universe. In fact, everything that the person sees, hears, feels or imagines is to be considered divine.
Highly eclectic, New Age presents itself as a collection of ancient spiritual traditions. It acknowledges many gods and goddesses, as in Hinduism. The Earth is viewed as the source of all spirituality, and has its own intelligence, emotions and deity. But superseding all is self. Self is the originator, controller and God of all. There is no reality outside of what the person determines.
New Age teaches a wide array of eastern mysticism and spiritual, metaphysical and psychic techniques, such as breathing exercises, chanting, drumming, meditating…to develop an altered consciousness and one’s own divinity.
Anything negative a person experiences (failures, sadness, anger, selfishness, hurt) is considered an illusion. Believing themselves to be completely sovereign over their life, nothing about their life is wrong, negative or painful. Eventually a person develops spiritually to the degree that there is no objective, external reality. A person, becoming a god, creates their own reality.
Buddhism and its beliefs
major religions – religious beliefsBuddhists do not worship any gods or God. People outside of Buddhism often think that Buddhists worship the Buddha. However, the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) never claimed to be divine, but rather he is viewed by Buddhists as having attained what they are also striving to attain, which is spiritual enlightenment and, with it, freedom from the continuous cycle of life and death. Most Buddhists believe a person has countless rebirths, which inevitably include suffering. A Buddhist seeks to end these rebirths. Buddhists believe it is a person’s cravings, aversion and delusion that cause these rebirths. Therefore, the goal of a Buddhist is to purify one’s heart and to let go of all yearnings toward sensual desires and the attachment to oneself.
Buddhists follow a list of religious principles and very dedicated meditation. When a Buddhist meditates it is not the same as praying or focusing on a god, it is more of a self-discipline. Through practiced meditation a person may reach Nirvana — “the blowing out” of the flame of desire.
Buddhism provides something that is true of most major religions: disciplines, values and directives that a person may want to live by.
Islam and its beliefs
major religions – religious beliefsMuslims believe there is the one almighty God, named Allah, who is infinitely superior to and transcendent from humankind. Allah is viewed as the creator of the universe and the source of all good and all evil. Everything that happens is Allah’s will. He is a powerful and strict judge, who will be merciful toward followers depending on the sufficiency of their life’s good works and religious devotion. A follower’s relationship with Allah is as a servant to Allah.
TBC