I am reading a book entitled Reincarnation: The Missing Link in Christianity by Elizabeth Clare Prophet and I wondered if there might be anything online on the subject. I found this article on the internet about reincarnation, NDEs (Near Death Experiences), the Bible, and what Jesus taught about reincarnation. Rather than rehash the entire article (which is only one page, btw), I’m providing the link here so you may read more about it yourselves: http://www.near-death.com/experiences/origen03.html It’s really good and I’d LOVE to know what y’all think about it! Thanks!

This may sound completely random when you first read this, but I have been thinking about doing this ever since we moved here (to the Valley)! I feel there are many, in the community, who’s spiritual needs are not being met by traditional faiths and religious institutions. I would like to form a “church.” The day and time of the “gathering” will be determined by the members (if Sunday, maybe a brunch could follow?). Tell me what you think and if you might be interested. Thanks for your time in considering my proposal. May the God/Goddess bless you, Rev. Dr. David Greg Denton, DD, PhDM, PhDRS

A possible Mission statement:

The Dogwood Grove Chapel of the Universal Life supports and encourages people to pray where their heart is; pray where they feel free to be themselves and not be judged by their apparel or how much money they put in the collection plate. We stand for religious democracy and freedom to worship where the heart desires.

Our members will meet in a fellow member’s home, if not for a formal mass, then just for a discussion of a philosophical or theistic nature (honoring ALL traditions); to share thoughts, ideas, feelings, fears, joys, and passions. To satisfy the requirements of a home church, the owner of the home needs to be the pastor (me for insurance and tax purposes). A charter is required and 2 people (at least 18 years of age) to be Secretary (takes minutes of board meetings) and Treasurer (to set up and manage church money and bank account). With that, we are legally a church by the state’s regulations. As a church, we are entitled to tax benefits. We can also accept donations of any kind in the name of the church, be it goods, property, or money. We will issue a receipt for your taxes. Remembering, any property or locale can be utilized as the church and that location can be changed as often as necessary.

“For such a small word, a lot is packed into the meaning of sin. The Bible describes sin as the breaking, or transgression, of God’s law (1 John 3:4). It is also defined as disobedience or rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7), as well as independence from God. The original translation means ‘to miss the mark’ of God’s holy standard of righteousness.” – About.com

So which definition do you prefer? I prefer independence from God or the willful separation from Him. So… why does everything have to be considered sinful? I mean it’s obviously a personal choice to seperate yourself from God, so there’s no one to blame except yourself! It’s ridiculous to say, as was popular in the 70s, “the Devil made me do it!” I just don’t get the preoccupation with it! And why all the attention on everyone else’s sin? Shouldn’t you be concentrating on the plank in your own eye before pointing out the splinter in someone else’s? Why can’t people of faith concentrate on love thy neighbor as thyself (Luke 10:25-28)*? Or do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Luke 6:31)** instead? Just my opinion… comments welcome!

^*25And one day an authority on the law stood up to put Jesus to the test. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to receive eternal life?” ²⁶“What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you understand it?” ²⁷He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength and with all your mind.’(Deuteronomy 6:5) And, ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’” ²⁸“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do that, and you will live.”

**³¹And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Saint David of Scotland

Okay, so I’ve been giving this a lot of thought lately. I’m a lapsed Catholic and have been practicing Buddhism for awhile  now. But I’ve also been doing a lot of work on my genealogy on ancestry.com. So where am I going with all this, you might ask? I have recently discovered, in the time I’ve been researching my family, that I am descended from many, many Saints! Well, that got me to thinking… am I doing a disservice to my ancestors by denying the faith that they lived (and in some cases died) for? Well, the answer I came up with is… YES!

So I took off my Buddhist charm and put back on my cross. I’m still going to keep what I took away from Buddhism… meditation, chanting, mala beads, etc. (for a while anyway), but I’m also going to add back in my Catholic prayers and rosary. I am NOT going to go back to church, though!!! The Church has a LOT of problems they have to work out before I go back there again… like how they treat Gays!  Let me know what you think about this post or any of my others. Thanks… and God bless!

BTW: I also found some Jewish ancestors in my research, so I may have to include some of those traditions into my practices, too!

mollyspicemovie01

BTW: The music is by Bob Acri and it’s called “Sleep Away.”

Uganda is being influenced by American Evangelicals… in the name of their God… to hate gays! The Bible can be used to support all kinds of things… like rape, slavery, murder, etc. and now this. It needs to be brought to light… so check out the documentary for free online at: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/missionaries-of-hate/

Queer 3 dollar bill

The Salvation Army will soon be setting up their kettles and ringing those annoying bells… if they haven’t already! In protest of their anti-gay stance, I am asking you either to boycott them this year… and until they change their attitude against “my people”… or put one of these “Queer 3 dollar bills” in their kettles. You can copy it from the following website and print it out. Thanks for your support.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fake_denominations_of_United_States_currency

This is possibly the most irreverent take on the Christmas classic… “A Christmas Carol” ever made! Bill Murray plays the horribly ruthless TV exec Frank Cross (the Scrooge in this version). First he is visited by his late boss (played by John Forsythe) who tells him it’s not too late to change. Then he is visited by three of the most unconventional ghosts you will ever see… and Carol Kane is the funniest (and most vicious) ”Ghost of Christmas Present” ever!!! John Forsythe, Wendy Malick, Michael J. Pollard, Karen Allen, Robert Mitchum, and Bobcat Goldthwait round out the cast. Don’t miss it this holiday season… you’ll regret it if you do.

A memorable line from the movie… “Well, Charles Dickens would of wanted to see her nipples then.”

It’s here again… “A Diva’s Christmas Carol” starring Vanessa L. Williams! The classic Dickens tale is retold with attitude and a female Scrooge… first name… Ebony. Kathy Griffin makes a fantastic “ghost of Christmas past!” In this one, Bob Crachett is her former love interest (an interesting twist) and his son, Tim (Ebony’s Godson, by the way), has a mysterious illness. “Chilli” Thomas of TLC plays Marli Jacob (get it?). And Ernie is her lawyer/fianancial guy… who just happens to be embezzeling from her! Lots of fun and funny lines… great Christmas songs, too. Enjoy it… I ALWAYS do!

A funny line… “Stop being SO hauntable!”

This one stars Nancy McKeon (Jo from “Facts of Life”) as Jane, a stressed-out ad exec, who, on her way to a company Christmas party, has a car accident and is knocked into an alternate reality where she is not only married but has two kids! Lots of crazy stuff happens, including serving Christmas dinner to the homeless at the church where she is head of the Alter Guild and has cooked all the food… btw: she doesn’t cook, do charity, or go to church in her “other” life. A special treat… Dixie Carter plays Jane’s mother. I just LOVE this one and watch it every time it’s on… even if I’ve already seen it during the holidays!!! Lots of fun… a must see… enjoy!

Great lines from the movie… “What is this? Where is my coat? Did you undress me?!”