Does God really exist?

Its a beautiful day in Trinidad, Colorado. As I sit here marveling at the magnificent view of the Rocky Mountains before me, I am awed at the amazing power of God. No matter what your idea of what or who God is, one thing is clear, God is amazing. I feel his love in the warmth of the sun upon my skin. I see his grace in the beautiful green bounty before me that provides, food, shelter, oxygen that I can breathe and I can't help but be amazed at how it all fits together so well.

Many people I talk to, and hear talking say that its all just a lucky coincidence. I heard someone I respect a great deal this week say how can it be that there is one all intelligent, all powerful being who just happens to be male who controls and orchestrates every minute of everyday based on whether or not his ego is stroked effectively enough? It is a powerful and challenging question. I am not certain God is male, or that sex is even an issue when referring to God. I am not sure God is a being who looks like humans, or any other earth bound being. I cannot say that I believe that God orchestrates and controls every moment of every day. I am quite certain that the God of love and grace that I know  is not a classless being who only exists to have its ego fed by mortals. I am absolutely certain that God is, and that nothing that exists or happens is a coincidence.

If you have lived any number of years, I ask you to look back over the course of your life. Think about how the things you have done, desired and learned seem to take you to a particular path whether positive or not and how at times you seem almost powerless to change or alter your course. How many times have you made a decision only to find yourself supplied with exactly what you needed at exactly the right time to succeed. How many times have you made decisions that no matter how sure you were that it was the right one will not produce the desired results you want no matter what you do. Are these mere coincidences?  How many coincidences can occur in one persons life over the course of one lifetime? I have observed that things I dreamed of or felt drawn to as a child have manifest themselves years later in my adult life. How many times have what your mother, or father or other influence warned would happen,  happened just as they said? Coincidence?

Life is cyclical. It goes always where you direct it whether you do it consciously or sub-consciously. Think right and you can do almost anything. Allow your mind to embrace negative or evil thoughts and tragedy is assured. The key to life is understanding the dynamics of who you are and seeking the balance each of us need to reflect Gods love individually.. For each of us it is shaped by our environment, by what we perceive and what we desire most as a result.These things cannot be changed no matter what your idea of God is. But there is one eternal truth, one eternal Tao, that life on earth did not begin itself. That all around us everyday is the living proof that God is. In your heart you hear God speak to you everyday to remind you that God is. The love of God is undeniable and whatever you choose to call it, however you choose to define it does not change the fact that it undeniably is. Gods love has been revealed and reflected by many people over many centuries, in many ways among many different cultures, yet no matter how diverse or far removed from each other these reflections of Gods love are, the universal truth within each is proof of Gods existence and the power of Gods love.. Jesus Christ was the worlds greatest reflection of Gods love.

Who would Jesus Vote For?

I was listening to CNN this week and I heard an interesting conversation about a blog post written by a man named Larry Taunton ttiled "Who would Jesus Vote For"? I was curious, so I went and read the blog and was disappointed to discover that while the title was provocative, the actual blog was largely blather which skirted the entire issue in a flurry of what the author no doubt thought was intelligent discourse. But I couldn't get the question out of my mind, and I feel compelled to attempt to reason an answer based on what I believe.

First, I don't believe Jesus would vote for anyone. The Jesus I grew up learning about would have instead said we did not need to vote for a leader because we already have a supreme leader in heaven. Jesus would have said that if man would simply walk in the light of God, making all decisions based on Gods law, there would be no need for political discourse. Jesus would have said that all politics are a contrivance of man, just another way men attempt to leverage power against each other, and therefore has no role in the life of those who follow the path of righteousness. Having said this though, I believe Jesus would have observed that humans would still feel a need for earthly leadership and would have expected that this person best reflect his teachings.

A leader is followed because that leader inspires those around them to work together for a better life. Politics occur because we cannot agree on what a better life looks like. If we can't agree on what a better life looks like, it can only be because we are not using the same criteria to measure the success or failure of life. In other words, either you seek Gods wisdom or you don't.

The Tao points out that any over determined behavior is often an example of the opposite of itself. The man, like Rick Santorum, who strives to convince you how righteous he is, clearly seeks power, which means he is truly in no way righteous, but instead clearly a deceiver blaspheming the name of God. Jesus told us all when he regularly reminded his own disciples that those who make a public display of being holy are in fact in greater peril of never entering the kingdom of God. This is because publicly seeking to be recognized as righteous is itself a show of arrogance and pride, and such a prideful person will ultimately only serve himself.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying no one should seek leadership and that no one should participate in choosing a leader. But in a world that truly reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ and the principles of the Tao, the best leader is one who, like Jesus, leads by example. That leader is the best to vote for because it is clear by their actions that what is best for the people as established by the will of God is what they seek. As the Tao teaches us, the best leader leads in such a way that it is not even obvious that you are being led. The best leadership is that which involves us all in achieving progress and when goals are reached it almost seems as if it happened naturally without difficulty or pain. A true leader nurtures and informs, because a true leaders goal is not to achieve personal success but sees their success as being reflected by the success of those who seek their leadership

No leader who represents the will of God as taught by Jesus would ever favor military action of any type. That leader would never oppose whatever action was necessary to insure that everyone in our society had a warm place to sleep, food to eat and access to quality health care. No leader who could get the support of Jesus would ever favor allowing an eclectic few to get rich by exploiting the natural resources which God provided to us all. And Jesus would never, ever support any person who goes around telling us how righteous they are. Can you imagine Jesus saying that we need to put more money into the pockets of the wealthy so they can create jobs? This from the person who said it would be easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get to heaven?

True leadership is like water, it flows easily, moving downhill from high places and filling all low places. It is flexible and is able to adjust to fit wherever it goes and brings life to everything simply by being. It nurtures and invigorates, cleanses and refreshes. It is like truth, powerful in its simplicity.

This is the eternal Tao, the way of God.

Did you know that you received a blessing this morning? Do you realize that you were blessed? Your eyes opened this morning after a long nights sleep. For most of you, they focused, and you could see. For many, your eyes beheld a safe, warm secure place. For many of you, your body moved at your slightest command. Your legs not only supported you,, but you were able to move yourself from the bed to the room of your choice. Many of you had food to eat. Oh, blessed people of God, so many of you looked upon the faces of people who love you. Many were able to enjoy as their loved ones smiled at the chance to see the light in your eyes one more day. Gods grace filled your house. Gods love filled your heart. Gods bounty surrounded you. No matter how many problems you have. No matter how many bills have yet to be paid. No matter how many times last week some one did not understand how unique and beautiful and wonderful you are, this morning God blessed you, and you got another chance to be worthy of his love. Embrace the love of God. Hang tight to the example of our lord and savior. Savor the wisdom of the Tao, the eternal way of God. Be love and be loved.

You have received a miracle. You are a living miracle. Once again you have been reborn. You have been renewed. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Take this moment and reflect upon the simplicity of the eternal way of God. Reflect upon the simple miracle that is you and the wonderful people who love you and are loved by you. Reflect upon how great the grace of God is that with all the possibilities of this world, you are right where you are, right with who you are with. Safe, secure and surrounded by the bounty of God. Rejoice in the simplicity of it all. You were born in simplicity and no matter how hard you struglle against the tide, you will leave this earth in simplicity. No matter how dramatic to the rest of the world, for you it will not be enigmatic. You will leave with the same simplicity you came with. You will take exactly what you came with. Your reward was that you lived, and were loved and are a miracle of God. Rejoice in this moment and realize the most powerful truths are the simple ones.
That is the Tao, the eternal way of God.