|
|
Post by hollygail on Aug 12, 2016 4:20:55 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)," 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... |
|
|
|
Post by hollygail on Aug 12, 2016 4:21:39 GMT
The selection from the Prophets this week is from Isaiah 1:1–27, in which Isaiah charges the people with rebellion against God. Usually, the selection from the Prophets has something to do with the theme of the reading from the Five Books of Moses. Usually, but not always. Sometimes, it has to do with the season. I mentioned on Wednesday that Tisha b’Av is coming (the date on which many tragedies befell the Jewish people), and this week’s selection from the Prophets is one of the selections of admonition.
Unlike Jeremiah and Ezekiel, who both experienced vivid visions as their initiation into prophecy, Isaiah does not report having visions; he simply begins by condemning the people of Judah and Jerusalem for their poor behavior.
He reminds the people that God has been like a father to them, and instead of being grateful and respectful for all that God has done for them, the people continue to rebel and spurn God’s authority. When they sin, they are punished. Yet instead of learning from their mistakes, the people continue to do wrong. Even the land they live on is penalized for their insidious behavior.
Isaiah tells the people that God no longer has any interest in the sacrifices that the people have been bringing. Though they obediently gather in the Temple on holidays and at the beginning of every month, their lack of social justice nullifies any reward they may get for offering gifts to God.
As the selection progresses, Isaiah’s rage wanes slightly. He tells the people to change their behavior — "Learn to do good, devote yourselves to justice, aid the wronged, uphold the rights of the orphan, defend the cause of the widow" (1:17) — and promises that they will be rewarded with a bountiful harvest.
In the closing section, Isaiah laments the downfall of Judah and Jerusalem, the destitution of Zion, and the injustice that is rampant. But Isaiah promises that God’s anger will be abated, and there is a hint of hope for the future: "Zion shall be saved in the judgment, her repentant ones, in the retribution." (1:27)
One reason given for this selection for this week: On Tisha b’Av Jewish communities around the world sit on the floor and weep for the destruction of the First and Second Temples. The book of Lamentations (which we also read for Tisha b’Av) records the tragedy of Zion’s destruction, and it is chanted in a mournful tune.
Though most selections from the Prophets are chanted in a special melody for them (one of the things I teach), it is traditional to read most or all of this week’s in the same tune used for Lamentations (which I don’t). This highlights the themes that are similar in the selection from Isaiah and the Book of Lamentations, and the use of the Hebrew word for the name of the Book of Lamentations in the selection from Isaiah (the first word I’m quoting here: "Alas she has become a harlot, the faithful city").
q/q: Consider "Learn to do good, devote yourselves to justice, aid the wronged, uphold the rights of the orphan, defend the cause of the widow" (Isaiah 1:17). What does this mean to you? Have you learned to do good? Can you give any examples? How about devoting yourself to justice? Do you aid the wronged? Do you uphold the rights and/or defend the cause of the underdog (or the disenfranchised, if that speaks to you)?
|
|
|
|
Post by glrogers67 on Aug 12, 2016 14:24:40 GMT
I, like Christina, am having trouble getting into the topic. I got an e-mail from my gf Wednesday and at the end she said "'til tomorrow". Well, "tomorrow" came and went yesterday and not a word from her. Perhaps I worry needlessly. I know she has been sick with the high humidity and yesterday it was suppose to rain all day there. But still I was disappointed not even getting a text from her to tell me she is ok. So today I am struggling just to put one foot in front of the other. We are/were gradually getting some of the issues discussed and I thought we were coming to an understanding and now this.
Most of the good I do is by assignment in the LDS church. Generally announcements are made in our priesthood meeting about help needed and people will volunteer to meet the need. I did sign up to help clean the temple last night. I spent less than an hour dusting in several rooms, but the duster barely had any dust on it because the temple is kept so clean anyway. It still blows me away that the Jews have never rebuilt their temple after all these centuries especially in the light of how important temples are.
|
|
|
|
Post by fabulessme on Aug 12, 2016 14:35:40 GMT
Sorry to hear that some of us are experiencing challenges. Gary and Christina, I will keep you in my prayers. In regard to WW i just stopped paying. I am going through a rough financial patch and I just can't seem to get into the program. I am eating more healthfully and have lost 5 lbs on my own. I'm tired of tracking and counting and focusing on food 24/7. Now I am eating healthy meals, rarely feel hungry. Everything tastes better and I have no cravings.
Gary, sorry to hear about you and your gf...Hopefully, she'll start to communicate with you again soon. Relationships are hard sometimes.
I am glad that everyone transitioned to this site and that we are still in touch. Thank you to Holly and Gary for being the anchors for the last several months.
Whether i post or not, I think of you all daily.
|
|
|
|
Post by christinall on Aug 12, 2016 14:48:03 GMT
Good morning Holly, Gary, Nora
Its very nice having this place to come to.
Gary I feel your pain! Anticipating that call or text and then not getting it..... Sometimes love is HARD.
Nora I am so sick of counting, measuring, tracking even just Thinking about food. Its exhausting.
Good for you finding balance.
|
|
|
|
Post by christinall on Aug 12, 2016 17:06:36 GMT
A friend of mine from the Catholic WW Board just sent me this in an email:
1. Eat when your hungry.
2. Eat what you want.
3. Stop when your satisfied.
These are the steps that she is working hard every day to adhere to when it comes to meals/eating.
She says that keeping this in mind before eating has helped her combat compulsive eating.
|
|
|
|
Post by hollygail on Aug 13, 2016 0:38:36 GMT
Christina, Weight Watchers has something called the Simply Filling Technique. It's been around for a long time. I think it was introduced as "Core" during "Flex points" days, and by the time I joined WW (during the Momentum plan), it was aleady SFT. One rule was and remains "eat when you're hungry" which also means DON'T eat when you aren't. One rule was and remains stop eating when you're satisfied (not full). As for what it is to eat: you don't have to count points for foods on the SF list but you do for other foods (and you get no daily points at all, only weeklies and whatever fit points you earn from exercising). I've been following SFT for about 6 years and have been Lifetime at goal during that entire time. You might consider searching online for information about the Simply Filling Technique and either the list of "Power Foods" (which is what it was called during the PointsPlus period) or Weight Watchers "no-count" foods (now, during SmartPoints). For the most part, "processed" foods have points values and "whole" or really really "natural" foods are no count. I eat almost exclusively from the no count list (the main exception being chocolate chip cookies and in warm weather Costco's chocolate frozen yogurt, although I do ask for half servings instead of full servings).
|
|
|
|
Post by christinall on Aug 13, 2016 10:33:26 GMT
Wow Holly 6 yrs on Simply Filling and at goal all that time. You have given me something to consider.
|
|
