Religion/Spirituality

We met Grandpa Doug after our family had been through another series of losses. Grandpa Leonard had died suddenly (doing what he loved; playing golf) and I had said good bye to one of the women I was priviliged to sponsor in my 12 step program (she had died of alcoholism, hooked up to an alcohol drip in the alcohol ward of a general hospital. It was a slow and ugly death, but I had been given the opportunity to hold her hand while she entered into eternal life. It changed me in a profound way).

Not being the brightest or best of the bunch, I remember thinking "Who is this guy?" the first time he showed up with Grandma Bobby at a family function. Slight in frame, brilliant blue eyes and a great smile, Grandpa Doug was quiet and shy. We, on the other hand, are boistrous and loud on our QUIET days and I seriously doubted whether this man would want to hang out with all of us for long.

VanGogh's Good Samaritan

Thankyou to EditorASC (a.k.a. Bob39) who, like Socrates the Gadfly, has persistently countered my thinking over the past six months with this question: “What is ‘moral’ truth, and what is ‘immoral’ truth?” Thankyou as well to Kim Caton Isenhower for helping bring to light that “It is a matter of opinion whether or not babies should be tortured” is a moral truth claim.

I know it is difficult at times, but if for a moment we as a people could step away from our individual problems, or believing that life isn’t fair, or that you deserve more out of life. If for that moment we could think as a human being. Not as ourselves as that human being, but for the entire human race; one human race as one human being.

For that moment, as humanity stands as one, we look at the world about us to take in its beauty. Take time to feel very fortunate to be alive. We feel every fiber of our being work as one. We know that without this oneness, without this coordination of all our parts, we could not stand here today. We could not step into peace.

Ok, here is the Zen blog.

As best as I understand Zen, it is a non-theistic religion. So when I practice Zen, I am making no effort to be 'spiritual', or religous. I used to definitively believe in God, now I just don't know. Through practicing Zen, I have come to not really care whether there is a God or not. That doesn't even seem to be a concern. There definitely doesn't seem to be any room for grace in Zen. It is entirely based upon one's own efforts. As I said before, I go out of my way to not learn about the beliefs of Buddhism. I used to do some reading about the practice of Zen by some Zen masters, but I don't even do that anymore. I dont' want my experience with sitting to be sullied by any expectations. So now I just sit for an hour in the mornings.

Tonight, at 5:0pm, we said good bye to Grandpa Doug.

A wonderful man, Doug married into the family a little over 10 years ago. He took one look at the two nephews and the niece and gladly accepted the role as 'Grandpa'.

Doug took them hiking, swimming and camping. Doug helped raise them. He took the niece to 'train dolphins' at Marine World - a highlight of her life (so far). Tonight, when I answered the phone it was her, sobbing her 8 year old heart out because Grandpa Doug has died.

Grandpa Doug ran. He ran marathons and half marathons, 10ks and 5 ks and every k in between. Doug was always trying to talk me into running as exercise. I can't (I have two titanium knees and I am not supposed to do things like jog and run) but more importantly, I won't - unless something is chasing me. He would laugh, and remind me that as a runner he could eat all the carbs he wanted. Maybe so, but runners always look (to me) like they need a good meal.

While Kristin Olsen voted to close Parks and park restrooms because they didn't have any money, they sure found EXTRA money when it came to covering their mistakes is planning the Bus Garage.  Can you imagine the cost over runs when it's being built when it cost Modesto over an extra third just for the plans.

We have to many insiders on the council it's time to send a message of "NO MORE" will we tolerate campaign contributions in exchange for votes favoring special interests.

The thought crossed my mind? If this is not about money, then what else is it?

Years ago the Catholics' kicked these people out. Now that they are a going concern, the Pope want them back. Figure that one out, will ya?

Few Anglicans to take pope's offer - Last week, Pope Benedict XVI made what many called a startling offer to Anglican priests: Become a Roman Catholic priest and bring your wives, children and book of prayer with you. While the specific details have yet to be worked out, the offer was aimed mainly at priests who have left or are considering leaving the Episcopal Church in the United States and priests in the Church of England, many of whom disagree with their denomination's stand on social issues, such as the ordination of women and gays, and on theological issues, such as the inerrancy of Scripture. [Local Modesto News]