Considering ... spiritual blindness, Th 10/27

hollygail
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Posts: 157

Considering ... spiritual blindness, Th 10/27 Oct 27, 2016 13:18:41 GMT

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Post by hollygail on Oct 27, 2016 13:18:41 GMT

Welcome!! You have entered a space where all people are invited to gather to discuss matters of Spirituality, in mutual respect and friendliness: "Considering...Spirituality." Here, the focus is on personal spirituality and not dogma. We welcome with open arms people from any, all, and no religious/faith backgrounds, and those who practice spirituality on their own, to join us for a discussion centered on a higher consciousness. Each day there will be a quote, question, or discussion prompt presented for all to ponder and respond to.

**In maintaining an atmosphere of comfort and trust, we do not allow proselytizing (the effort of trying to convert others) or the denigrating of the religions and viewpoints of others. We also avoid bringing up topics such as politics, hot button social issues, or anything that can be considered divisive**

As this was a WW board, we also discuss our personal wellness, including our weight management program. We share our struggles and our triumphs regarding such as well as discuss things like family, friends, jobs, hobbies, outside interests, etc... We strive to build each other up with loving support in a positive manner. Let us not ever tear one another down in any way, shape or form.

Regular thread starters for the time being are:

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday: Gary / Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Holly

Yet if anyone is so inclined, please feel free to start a new thread by beginning with the title: "Considering....(topic -q/q)", post this introduction (by way of copy & paste) then follow that with a post putting forth a question and/or quote (with or without some explanation) for us to ponder today. The topic can be inspired by your personal faith, but please do remember that anyone from other spiritual paths should be able to answer it.

Shalom, Love & Light, Blessed Be, Namaste...

Last Edit: Oct 27, 2016 13:19:50 GMT by hollygail

hollygail
Full Member

Posts: 157

Considering ... spiritual blindness, Th 10/27 Oct 27, 2016 13:20:37 GMT

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Post by hollygail on Oct 27, 2016 13:20:37 GMT

This week, the selection from the Prophets that goes along with the Torah portion is Isaiah 42:5 – 43:10. A summary follows.

The Torah portion tells the story of the world’s creation, and the selection from the Prophets provides its own sort of commentary on the Torah. Isaiah introduces God at the beginning of the selection as "the One who created the heavens and stretched them out, who made the earth and all that grows in it" (42:5).

But Isaiah doesn’t stop there. Instead, he draws a connection between creating the world to fulfill a specific task and creating the Israelites to fulfill their covenant. And he urges everyone to proclaim the glory of God: "Let the desert and the villages rejoice; let those who live in Sela sing out, and shout from the mountaintops!" (42:11).

Isaiah’s prophecy was delivered to a world in tumult. The Babylonians, who forcibly removed the Children of Israel from the Land of Israel around 605 BCE, were subsequently overthrown by other armies, and the Israelites hoped that they might be allowed to return to their country. God is coming, Isaiah tells them: coming "like a soldier in fury ready for battle...Long enough have I held My peace, I have kept still and held Myself back. Now, I cry out like a woman in labor" (42:14).

The prophet then offers a description that is both frightening and thrilling — of God’s sweeping through the land in order to reclaim Israel for God’s people, destroying mountains and rivers, but also leading the blind and "guiding them along roads they have not traveled" (42:16).

The next verses suggest that it’s not physical blindness that Isaiah’s talking about, but spiritual blindness: "All who trust in idols and call metal things their gods shall fall back in shame" (42:17). He proceeds to rebuke the Israelites and blame them for their own exile: "Who gave Israel to the despoilers?" Isaiah asks. "It was none other than the Eternal" (42:24). But Isaiah’s focus is praise, not punishment, and he follows with a rejoinder to remind Israel of God’s promise of a better future: "Have no fear, for I will redeem you; I have called you by name, you are Mine" (43:1).

The Babylonian Exile, Isaiah says, was punishment for Israel’s sins, and continues, promising a safeguard through their hardships — "When you walk through fire, you shall not be scorched" (43:2) — promising an eventual redemption. "Have no fear," Isaiah says, now speaking in God’s words in a speech that rises into a flurry of triumph, "I will bring your offspring from the east, I will gather you in from the west. Be sure that I am God, and I alone can deliver you" (43:10-11).
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q/q:
(1) When your life is in tumult, are you able to stop what you’re doing to figure out why?
(2) Look back at your life. There may have been times when you experienced spiritual blindness. How did you remedy the situation?
(3) In your “low” moments, what did it take for you to accept that things would surely get better, maybe even good?

Last Edit: Oct 27, 2016 13:21:44 GMT by hollygail

glrogers67
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Posts: 182

Considering ... spiritual blindness, Th 10/27 Oct 27, 2016 21:41:58 GMT

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Post by glrogers67 on Oct 27, 2016 21:41:58 GMT

I took my new car in today and they replaced a couple sensors and did something with the throttle so it accelerates smoother now. My gf came up with a solution to what I should do with the old car and what I should to do help my daughter - actually it was an answer to prayer that came to her. I guess I was so wrapped up in the problem I couldn't see the obvious answer. She found a 2002 Chrysler mini-van online in Las Vegas where my daughter lives with fairly low mileage for less than $2000. I could sell my car here ( and I already had someone express some interest ) and use the proceeds plus a little and buy the mini-van for my daughter. That way we wouldn't have to worry about the logistics of getting my old car to her and it would be what she really wants and needs since she has 4 children.

Generally, when my life is in tumult, I really need to slow down and/or stop and turn things over to God. That is why my gf sometimes doesn't talk to me for a few days until I can calm down and turn to God for answers. Once I do so, she helps me figure out what happened and why.

Spiritual blindness - exactly that state of my life when I met my gf. She helped me open my eyes, ears, and heart to the promptings of the spirit.

Again, during low moments, I have found if I turn the situation over to God a solution usually manifests itself, usually through my gf who is so much more spiritually sensitive than I am.

Spiritualspace

Considering ... spiritual blindness, Th 10/27

Post by hollygail on Oct 27, 2016 13:18:41 GMT

Post by hollygail on Oct 27, 2016 13:20:37 GMT

Post by glrogers67 on Oct 27, 2016 21:41:58 GMT

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