Intention. Response. Action.

Part 2: Response

The words: intention, response, and action written in sand near ocean waves
Another 3 of my “Core Concepts” written in the sand at the beach.

(Little extra delay with this post. “Quality Control” issues, that were hopefully resolved.)

On to Part 2 of this new trilogy. Last week, I wrote about Intentions. We learned that it was a resolve, or determination, to act a certain way. I went on to ask: What were your Life-Intentions? My proposal was that a better Life-Intention could be to be a Loving Presence. I wrote at length that we should not be incessant “doers”. It was encouraged that we should be people who stop to be kind, generous, and present. I ended by daring you, Dear Reader, to be loving to those you disliked or disagreed with.

On to Responses. What is a response? The Dictionary says a response is: something constituting a reply or a reaction: such as : a written or spoken answer, or  something done as a reaction. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/response I am going to say up front that I sharply divide the words “response” and “reaction” in spiritual living, as well as in mental and emotional health. This is my personal opinion, but I see reaction as a more negative thing, and a response as a more gentler and thought out thing. It’s OK if you use them interchangeably, or could care less!

But for the purposes of this blog, we respond healthily to things, or we react. We redo old behaviors and patterns that don’t serve us anymore, as a reaction.

We must seek to convert our reactions to responses–responses aligned with love.

And I fail often at this.

My opinion now is that a better response to things is something I wrote about before: Release, Receive and Continue. See my post: “Help for the Obstacles: A Better Way to Let Go”. https://align-with-love.com/2026/04/07/help-for-the-obstacles/ Let me emphasize that as I put out these pithy phrases, I know life is not always so neat or simple. These are ideas to help you frame your life, tools to help, and some instructions on how to handle the murkiness of Life on Planet Earth. I think they will help you, as they helped me. If they don’t help, my apologies, but do give them a chance. You may find some little tidbit or some little piece of something helpful. Use it.

Being loving is not easy! The world is filled with seemingly annoying people, sometimes stupid rules, and policies that were not thought through. Life can feel like you are a mouse hunting for cheese that is never to be found. Releasing and Receiving is a powerful Practice to utilize as you navigate the landscape of your life, and as you embark on the adventure of becoming more loving.

As said in a prior post:

“Releasing is more than just letting go–it is loosening your grip on whatever. This dovetails nicely with the Approach of Lightness. I can hold something tightly, like a pencil, and then you have to pry it out of my hand. Or, I can hold it in my palm out to you, and you can take it. I released it to you. I was still holding it. I didn’t drop it on the ground. I held it lightly. It was OK if you took the pencil….I hope you can see that releasing is “letting go”, but also giving space for the reality that you can’t always let go easily. But maybe you could loosen your grip. Maybe you could loosen your grip on your opinion, or needing so-and-so to do this and that, or that.” https://align-with-love.com/2026/04/07/help-for-the-obstacles/

Then we can Receive. As I said in that post on “Help for the Obstacles”: “Receive what is happening to you. Welcome it…” (I went on to say that does NOT mean to get beat up or abused!) Let’s ask one of the most important questions I have asked in this blog, and I encourage you to ask it of yourself as well:

What is the Universe bringing to me, teaching me, or giving me?

That is a fundamental shift in perspective. I don’t have it often, either! I am usually complaining about the temperature, work demands, house issues, etc, etc. But a lot of us need to start embracing this shift.

Embracing this shift leads us to the last of the 3 Responses: Continue.  As said in that prior post: “Keep going. Yes, keep going. Don’t stay fixated on whatever. Maybe you did not word that conversation as well as you could. Maybe you were just “off” in you soul in that interaction, and it just wasn’t the best version of you at that moment. Release it, receive whatever you may need to learn from it, and move on.… Don’t stay stuck!”

I did not intend to quote myself as much as I did here, but it is not necessary right now to develop entirely new ways of saying all this. Of course, you may not connect with these “Responses” as I am presenting them, or have your own. But as you go about your day, having these three in mind can be a lifeline to you. They can help you be more loving. They can help you be a more Loving Presence. I personally think only God can truly help you be loving, but these will help “align” you with His/Her Spirit.

To truly embrace these Practices of Alignment, releasing, receiving and continuing will have to become your “spiritual breath”, your inner heart-beat. Put on the TV if you live in America: How often do you see people regularly working to consensus, and holding opinions lightly? Isn’t so much of media reporting about what “terrible thing” either the Republicans or Democrats are doing?

These Alignment Practices are not just for politicians to try. They are for everyone, everywhere. That is a bold and sweeping statement. If we want to heal our divisions, we must be bold. We must love boldly, and dearly. But we can not keep loving our opinions and beliefs exclusively, but we must love one another. That person from the “other” party goes to work just like you. Maybe they have kids, just like you do. They go to the grocery store, listen to music, garden, or follow a sports team, or whatever, just like you. Maybe they are a different religion, or have no religion, or are gay, or trans-gender. Maybe they have very different values than you as to how they keep their house, car, or whatever.

They are still people, just like you. Yes, we can profoundly disagree about how to live, who to vote for, and what we should do as a nation, but we must be loving about it. Too many of us have let it get normalized to act like a jerk or bully. It isn’t.

Jesus, in His famous Sermon on the Mount, from Matthew’s Gospel in the Christian Scriptures, said:

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7:15-20)

I am not going to get into “False Prophets”, who they were, or who they may be now. Let’s just focus on the notion of fruit. We are all taught from a young age our fruits: Bananas, apples, and grapes, and you know what they are, or whatever fruit is particular to your part of the world. So it is with love: What is your fruit? Your Responses show your fruit. Can’t let things go, need to argue about everything, or need to correct everyone? Be careful, you might need to do some releasing, receiving, and continuing, or the “fruit” of your life may be rotting.

We need to upgrade our Responses to Life. (Me included. Me first). So try that–I won’t dare you. But I will implore you to try it. At least start noticing yourself. Ask yourself: What are my responses to this person, situation, event, etc? Can I relax a bit and let the child stumble? (I don’t mean to let your toddler wander into traffic.) Maybe I could help that co-worker who grinds my gears. Maybe I could find out a little bit more about the person I dislike in my heart because they have one of those bumper stickers.

Change your responses to life, and change your life. Of course, maybe you’re not too fond of any Diety, and would rather not be bothered with religion. But maybe trying some different responses to notions of God and spirituality would shift your whole world. Maybe it is time to release some opinions about God, and receive some new ideas. This blog is a great place to start. I look forward to continuing, with you.

Next week, we wrap up this Series with Actions. With some re-aligned Intentions and Responses, what might our Actions look like?

-Eric, the Wordsmith

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Have thoughts or comments? You can click on the comment link below, or you can email me at the address provided. Have ideas you want me to write about, or questions? Want to tell me how much you enjoy (or don’t enjoy) my content? All are acceptable, but be nice, please. Thanks! alignwithlove85@gmail.com.

The Psalms Project (Continued)

(A Meditation on Anger)

Open Psalms book with calligraphy pen and ink on wooden table outdoors
An open book of Psalms displayed outdoors with calligraphy pen and ink beside it

Welcome back! If you are new to this blog, on Friday or Saturday I will post something from my Vault, or one of my other Writing Projects. The Psalms Project is my attempt to take the spirit of the Psalms and re-apply them and write new ones for today. I am NOT trying to replace the amazing Psalms already in the Bible! I am in no way trying to paraphrase or restate each Psalm, but I do pay homage to them and other Bible passages, of course. While often meant as songs in the Hebrew Scriptures, mine are more like meditative essays. I invite you to play along, see what you might identify with or relate to in these. So, here is another Psalm for a Modern Day.

ANGER*

         Pretending. Pretending to love, to be nice—but wishing harm on that someone who just won’t “behave”. I would have so much more peace of mind if they would do what I want them to do. Can they not be grateful, or talk another way, or do this or that? Surely, they were put here on earth solely to be a thorn in my flesh.

         I try to forgive—but again there is a new hurt, and another and another, like a twirling ballerina, never stopping. My emotions are a merry-go-round. Prayers of release—but not a true release.

         In releasing—I am trying to chase away those unpleasant feelings—not inviting you, Lord, to walk with me and heal my brokenness. I will ignore my hurt, so I can complain about yours. Mine hurts too much—but your’s makes me feel superior.

I am the broken one.

Shards of me are on the ground. Pick me up—pick up the fractured pieces

and refashion me into something beautiful.

         Forgive me for wanting a quick fix for myself and for the person that vexes me.

         “Let it be”, Mary prayed—showing us how to truly live. This type of living and being cannot be on our terms—for we must walk with the Being that knows our being.

         I release the releasing! Even the releasing is a formula, and has no power,

except when He gives it.

         Show me, teach me how to come to you, and to be open to what you are truly doing.

         I sit with you Lord, that you may speak to the stillness of my soul.

Scripture References: Luke 1:38, Psalm 131

  • Please note: I am not condoning being abused, beat up, etc. I am not implying it is your fault if someone is mistreating you. I am thinking of those situations where you bring your own baggage to the table, and are getting activated by others’ behaviors, and need to work on yourself and your reactions.

-Eric, the Wordsmith

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Have thoughts or comments? You can click on the comment link below, or you can email me at the address provided. Have ideas you want me to write about, or questions? Want to tell me how much you enjoy (or don’t enjoy) my content? All are acceptable, but be nice, please. Thanks! alignwithlove85@gmail.com.

Intention. Response. Action

Part 1: Intention

Words, intention, response, and action written in sand near ocean waves
Another 3 of my “Core Concepts” written in the sand at the beach.

The original tagline for this blog was just that: Intention, Response, Action. I had intended to go into it at length sooner, as they were buzzwords in my head at the time I launched this blog, earlier this year. But the Spirit led me to go in other directions, so the tagline sat there unexplained, and then I realized that “How to be a Loving Presence in the World” made a simpler and clearer explanation of what I am trying to say.

The phrase has come back to me now, and I thought it the perfect time to get into it, as I am now simul-posting on Substack, at: https://substack.com/@wordsmith25112. So, let’s go.

What is an Intention?  The Dictionary says it is “a determination to act in a certain way, or resolve”. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intention I ask: what is your intention? We say: I intend to go to that movie, or plant tomatoes this summer, or go here or there. But more deeply: What is your intention in life? What is your intention for your life here on Earth? Maybe it was to get an education, or get married, have kids, or have a house, etc. Nothing wrong with any of them. Maybe you intended to be a doctor, or a lawyer, or be involved in some cause. Maybe you wanted to be a “good person”, or be remembered as a “good friend”. Maybe one, or all of these, never panned out. The school didn’t accept you. The marriage ended in divorce. A health crisis of your own, or a sick parent, or child, derailed all your life intentions. Maybe you forgot you had any intentions at all!

There is nothing wrong with schooling, a career, or marriage, or children, but if we let them become the sole measuring stick of our lives, we can find ourselves feeling very down and discouraged when any of those things didn’t work out the way we planned.

May I propose a “better” intention?

Be a loving Presence. Maybe it is cliche, and maybe it does not resonate with you. But may I propose that being a loving presence is the most important intention you can have. I don’t think anyone really sets out to be mean, nasty, or evil. People, circumstances, and bad luck all have a way of conspiring to make us feel “less than”, cranky, and wishing to either try harder, or escape. I have already written at length about better Approaches to Life, and the Obstacles that get in their way. (See Archives Page in my blog.) https://align-with-love.com/archive/

But someday, we will all breathe our last breath. Maybe it will be after a full life, lived well, with loved ones standing at our side. Maybe it will be suddenly, and without warning, and there was no time to prepare. Maybe it will be after a long illness, and you will be happy to shuffle off this mortal coil. In that moment, as so many others have said, we will not be wishing we had worked “harder” at whatever job, but wishing we had loved better. We will wish we had more time with the spouse, child, parent, or friend. I am guilty of being too busy, whether it is at work, or “working on stuff’. It might be my house, or cleaning, or making something “better”. None of this is bad in and of itself, but if I neglect my wife and son, and if the tasks were not God-directed, then what am I doing?

I’m not being a loving presence, if I don’t know when to close the laptop, or stop writing, or gardening, or fixing whatever. All must be aligned with Love. We must remember that all must be done with kindness, as much as possible. Words have to be softer. Pausing needs to be done before posting. (Yes, really.) We need to be slowing down, instead of jamming every day with to-do’s.

We Americans especially are “doers”. We build, we plant, we wrest minerals out of the ground, we dream up new technologies, and we even play our sports hard, etc. None of it is”bad”, but when do we stop? When is something good enough? When do we say: “That’s it…I have done enough”. I’m not saying for the Doctor to stop mid-surgery or anything, but sometimes some of us are so busy building, accomplishing, and producing, we forget why we are doing “it” in the first place!

I recall way back in my high school days my Dad asking me why I didn’t get an “A” in whatever. Now, I was pretty much a Straight-A student, and I don’t remember what the subject even was, but I do recall thinking: “I have to work harder. I have to study more.” Was my Dad so wrong to push me a bit? Not necessarily, but when were my grades “good enough”? If all these years later I internalized that Narrative as: “You should always be working harder,” is that good, or healthy?

My Dad, bless his soul, didn’t focus on my character, but on my grades. (My Dad has passed away, so I can be a little more critical of him, for the purposes of this blog.) Let’s be honest: nobody cares how you did in High School, once you have been out of High School for a while. Your spouse didn’t ask to see your report card before marrying you–I hope. My point is: sometimes we create pressure and stress for things that don’t matter. The degree on the wall from the prestigious school means nothing if you are a jerk, unloving, and nobody wants to be around you. Again–I am not saying not to work hard, and if you have the brains and money, to get a great education. But I am saying do not hate yourself, if the GPA is not perfect. (I am also not saying that the tremendous work of teachers from elementary to college is not important, either! I am not dismissing the long hours spent getting kids to think, even if they might not use that specific math skill ever again.)

The world is filled with “smart” people, but it needs more loving people. It needs more kind people. It need people who are “smart” about the truly important things.

Don’t just accomplish. Don’t just check off boxes of success standards, that change constantly.

Instead, be loving. Be kind. Be generous.

Yes, it sounds simple, and even too simplistic. But deep down inside, you want to be treated with kindness. You want to be kind too, even if it is hard with some people. (I am not overlooking abuse, or saying you need to remain in dangerous situations.)

Maybe you had all those intentions I started this post talking about. Maybe they all happened, or maybe they all “blew up”. But you can choose love today–right now. You can choose to Align With Love with difficult people and situations. Maybe you can’t “fix” the other person, or fix larger, systemic issues in the world. But you can bring a loving presence to each person and each situation you are in. Those people, those situations may not change, but they will change for you. They will change in how you see them, and how you respond to them.

I believe that the loving presence you bring, even if it is a tiny bit, will ultimately change that person or situation, ever so slightly. You may never see it, or feel it. The addict may not “get better”, or the child come home, but something will happen, beyond your understanding, something wondrous. I believe God will do something through your little bit of Alignment with His/Her love.

Crazy-talk? Maybe, but try it. Give being loving a chance. Try it with whoever you disagree with or dislike.

I dare you. I double-dog dare you.

-Eric, the Wordsmith

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Have thoughts or comments? You can click on the comment link below, or you can email me at the address provided. Have ideas you want me to write about, or questions? Want to tell me how much you enjoy (or don’t enjoy) my content? All are acceptable, but be nice, please. Thanks! alignwithlove85@gmail.com.

The Psalms Project (Continued)

Open Psalms book with calligraphy pen and ink on wooden table outdoors
An open book of Psalms displayed outdoors with calligraphy pen and ink beside it

Back again-had work commitments last week, so I could not push out this segment. If you are new to this blog, on Friday or Saturday I will post something from my Vault, or one of my other Writing Projects. The Psalms Project is my attempt to take the spirit of the Psalms and re-apply them and write new ones for today. I am NOT trying to replace the amazing Psalms already in the Bible! I am in no way trying to paraphrase or restate each Psalm, but I do pay homage to them and other Bible passages, of course. While often meant as songs in the Hebrew Scriptures, mine are more like meditative essays. I invite you to play along, see what you might identify with or relate to in these. So, here is another Psalm for a Modern Day.

DEATH (TO SELF)

Who wants to die?

“Not me!” We say.

But die we must. We must die to ourselves, to ego, and expectations.

 We must die to the myriad of Myths that we follow.

It hurts to die-sometimes dying is VERY painful.

But we serve a God who died, and in the dying showed us how to live.

Selah.

         “Be of good cheer—I have overcome the world…” I hear that whisper, and I let me go. I let me go into the murkiness of me. And I find God there—He was there all along, even in the dark. I need not fear what I find inside me—for He loves me. He loves you.

In the dying, I die to what was not God, what was not true, what was not real, and what was only a shadow.

         Then there is light—bright light, brighter than the sun, and I need fear nothing. Oh Lord, you are still on the Morning Winds. You are still in the depths of the Sea. You are still in the City, and in the Country. You are in war-torn Lands, and in Hallowed Halls. You are behind me, and in front of me, and in me, and all around me. I need no more be frightened, for your plan was always for good—for ultimate good.

         To make wine, you must press the grapes. Let me keep being pressed, so that I may be a delight to others.

         “It is finished…” for today. Tomorrow we shall need to be pressed again.

Selah.

Scripture references: Psalm 139, John 16:33, John 19: 28-30

-Eric, the Wordsmith

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Have thoughts or comments? You can click on the comment link below, or you can email me at the address provided. Have ideas you want me to write about, or questions? Want to tell me how much you enjoy (or don’t enjoy) my content? All are acceptable, but be nice, please. Thanks! alignwithlove85@gmail.com.

What is being a Christian?

Stone church with steeple in countryside surrounded by gardens and gravestones
A charming stone church surrounded by vibrant gardens and rolling green hills.

“The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch…” -New Testament Book of Acts 11:26

In those early days following the Resurrection of Jesus, the name for this new sect of Judaism was coined. The new faith spread far and wide, ultimately absorbing the Roman Empire that tried to crush it. You do not have to look far to see a church, or a cross, or hear a Bible verse, at least here in America. We often here the phrase “This is a Christian nation…” spoken of about the USA. I will not get into the history of how much or little, Christianity influenced America’s founding. I want to address the simple question: what does it mean to say “Christian” today?

There are many definitions, of course. The obvious being a belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Along with that, a deep belief in the truth of the Bible, and a desire to follow and live according to Jesus’s teachings. After this, are efforts to be “holy” and obedient to God’s Word, as well as spreading the Gospel Message. I have no issue with these notions, as I have said I come from a Christian background, and consider Jesus my Master. This does not mean that I always do what He says to me, or follow what I feel He is leading me to do or not do!

In my reflections on this though, I have sensed a new definition form in my mind for what it should mean to be Christian. I did say in my very first posts, that I practiced and believed in a “reimagined” Christianity. I know some will slap the ‘liberal’ label on it, and dismiss me, but as I say repeatedly: Please play along. Jesus was shockingly liberal in his day in some ways, and very conservative in other ways, and at times He even seemed harsh. Of course, those very notions weren’t really in play back then, and were not as we would think of them now!

So, for my definition of being a Christian:

“To see Christ and be Christ”.

Let me unpack that. What does ‘Christ’ even mean? Christ is from the Greek word: Christos, meaning “Anointed One”, or ‘Chosen One”, and is the Greek translation for the even older Hebrew word: Messiah. Jewish understanding of ‘Messiah’ back then was one who would librate them from oppression, put right the wrongs of the world, and bring healing.

The Apostle Paul, who converted to faith in Jesus after having a supernatural encounter with Him, speaks amazingly of Christ in his letter to the Colossians:

15 The Son (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1: 15-20, NIV)

In Christian understanding, Jesus is God’s Son, and also God. Paul beautifully describes Christ transcending his earthly life and speaking of Him in sweeping cosmic terms. This is probably where Father Richard Rohr gets his term: “Cosmic Christ”, drawing from passages such as this. Hence, when I say being a Christian is to “see” Christ, I am saying to look with spiritual sight and see Christ, and see Jesus infusing and inhabiting ALL things. As I write this, I am listing to Anton Bruckner’s Symphony # 7, and Christ is in this music, not just because Bruckner was a believer, but because some of Christ’s creativity and musicianship is present in that music. He is present in the tree that is outside my window, and in the breeze that is blowing today. He is “hopefully” speaking to some degree through me as I type away here!

Since Christian understanding is to say Christ is God, I am saying that part of being a Christian is to see God in all things. Paul also says in the Biblical book of Acts, borrowing from a Greek poet: “In him, (God), we live and move and have our being…” (Acts 17:28, NIV) Paul is not speaking of Jesus specifically in this verse, but later does, causing the Greeks of Thessolonica to be quite perplexed!

Paul’s phrase is not just to “see” Christ”, but to BE Christ. In Him, we live, and move, and have our being. This is way beyond just following a set of rules, or agreeing to a listing of beliefs! This is an infusing, an incorporating, and a ‘becoming’ way of life. Hence, why an early phrase for ‘Christianity’ was simply “The Way”. (Acts 9:1-2)

Too often, many of us Christians reduce this “way” to rules and formulas. Yes–we do. Get to church, or to Bible study. Don’t curse, dress certain ways, and don’t watch this or that. Make sure you tithe, and vote certain ways too. I am not saying any of this is bad, or wrong, but I hope these actions come from a place of loving Jesus, and not just checking “off boxes”.

As I said in the “Theory of the Realms”, about the Triune Unverse, we have a Great Reality beyond us, an Inner Reality within us, and an Outer Reality outside us. https://align-with-love.com/2026/04/14/the-theory-of-the-realms/ But now I want to expand on that: Do you see Christ in each of these ‘Realms’, and are you Christ in them?

I began this whole blog saying that what God said over His Son in the Jordan River at His baptism is also being said over you: “You ARE my beloved Son or Daughter.” Do you believe this? Do you see Christ in yourself? We Christians are very good at seeing sin, and we keep on seeing it, and seeing it, and seeing it! I am not saying to pretend you are now morally perfect, or ‘sinless’. I am not saying to ignore immorality in the world. I am saying to recognize that Christ is in you, and seeing Him and being Him means He is IN you and is actively working to change you! He is even working on other people too, even if you can’t see it–yet. Part of Aligning with Love fully is to first recognize Him and accept His presence in your life, and to agree that He died for (and with) you, and has resurrected for (and with) you! *

Christians call this “getting saved”. But this Christian life is more than just saying “The Sinners’ Prayer”, getting baptized, etc. It is embracing the very mind of Christ! Paul even says: “We have the mind of Christ…” (1st Corinthians 2:16) Paul sees us mystically as not just a follower of Jesus once we accept Him, but that we are indeed becoming Christ.

This is not something you can will yourself to do entirely. It requires, I believe, the Approaches I spoke of in Openness and Lightness. https://align-with-love.com/2026/02/16/openness/ Then He will Align you more deeply with Himself. You must have a posture of openness to what Christ is doing and a lightness with yourself to truly receive all of Him into your being. Christians call this “walking with the Lord”.

So then, you must have an honest assessment of yourself, and notice your Ego, Expectations, and Myths, https://align-with-love.com/2026/03/09/the-unholy-trinity/. But you must also notice where Christ is transforming you! Having more compassion for someone, or even starting to think: “Hey, maybe they are going though stuff, and are not just being a jerk,” is Christ working in you!

Can you see Christ in others? I mean really see Him? It is easy to see Christ in someone nice and kind, but can you see Christ in someone that is not from your religion, ethnic group, gender, social status, or economic level? And if they are practicing Christianity in a way different than you, can you still see Christ and be Christ? Can you not look down on the Catholics if you are Protestant, and vice versa?

Can you see Christ in the “mainline” Churches, like Presbyterian, or Episcopal, if you are Charismatic and Pentecostal? I was told once I went to a “Dead Church” as I was from a Dutch Reformed tradition. Who has cornered the market on what is “dead” or “alive” in Christian Practice? I spoke of being Convergent in my practice of Christianity, so I will see Christ in the Catholic Practice, Eastern Orthodox, and the Reformed, and the Pentecostal. We are all expressing Christ in different ways! Who am I to criticize how other Christians do it? Where can I see Christ and be Christ to them and with them?

Seeing Christ and being Christ is very simply another way of Aligning with Love. If you are Christian, be open to what other denominations are doing and saying. Look for commonality, instead of just saying: “They’re wrong…” if the Priest wears a collar, or the Minster is a woman, or the Pride Flag is displayed, or whatever. Jesus said the world would know we were His followers by how “we loved one another” (John’s Gospel, 13:34-35). I am going to ruffle feathers, not that I haven’t already in this blog, but Jesus never called us to be Christians. Nope. Never said it. He did say: “Follow me”. And He did say:

“…Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20, NIV)

Hmmm. No mention of making people Christians–only disciples. I do not have time here to unpack the word ‘disciple’, but in Jewish understanding, it meant to walk with, talk with, and mimic your teacher, your rabbi, in every way. (x) Yes, Jesus does tell them, (and us) to teach obedience to His teaching, and promises to be with us always! We Christians, we made all the divisions in thought and practice. Some of it was good, some if it was not. A lot of it was not. I see this blog, among other things, as my pleading with my fellow Christians to embrace what I am saying here: See Christ and Be Christ. You don’t have to agree with everything every other believer says, but you do have to be loving! Jesus said so. He is “in charge” of this Great Faith Practice we call Christianity.

We see so many people who were hurt by ‘Christians’ who had a lack of compassion, were judgemental, over-merged politics and faith, and then those same folks had the audacity to condemn people for not believing? May I propose some people didn’t believe in Jesus because they never really met him–too many of us supposed followers of Jesus made sure of that. Like in Jesus’s parable of the Good Samaritan, some of us stepped right by the hurting soul. (Luke 10:25-37) Some of us were not compassionate because they lived with their boyfriend, or were gay, or were aligned with the “other” party. Maybe they had tattoos, or listened to “Heavy Metal”, or whatever nonsense reason we made up. Some of these are old-school reasons, but you get my point.

For all who read this blog, who are not “Christian”, or even from another Faith Practice, I am sorry we Christians acted like this! Too many of us became just like the Pharisees of old, the religious group who were so fixated on Jewish laws and rules, they could not see God coming to them in the person of Jesus, and conspired to kill Him.

If you got “burned” by Christianity–I hope this blog can be part of a bridge back to Christ. If you are a Christian, and were harsh on others, I will use a strong word:

Repent! (Please) Jesus says to us what he said two-thousand years ago on the Cross: “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing. ” (Luke 23:34) That is God’s heart: Forgiveness. That is Christ’s heart: love and compassion, while being killed by human foolishness and ignorance.

Yes, I do believe God/Christ has opinions about how we should live on the Earth–but can we disciples be nice about it?? Jesus told us to!

And yes, if you were the judgemental person, that uncaring person, forgive yourself! Jesus already did. Now go and try to make it right with whoever you “wrote off”. Part of being Christian is not being perfect-it’s being honest about failures, repenting, seeking forgiveness, and letting the Spirit transform you!

So join with me: See Christ all around you. See Christ in you. See Christ in others. Try being a disciple of Jesus, or try a “reboot” of what you were doing. You can simply say: “Show me, guide me, and lead me, Lord.” I believe Christ will show up–He said He would be with us always. So see Him. And be Him.

Eric, the Wordsmith

* Richard Rohr: “Wondrous Encounters: Scripture for Lent,” Good Friday Meditation

X John Mark Comer: “Practicing the Way” I think this is required reading for every Christian! (No, I don’t know John.)

BP33

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Align With Love

How to be a more Loving Presence in the world.

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