Book of Zen
At LivingHour.org we believe that brevity is not just the soul of wit but of the spiritual path. That is why we are fans of the new website BookofZen.com. Check out the Book of Zen for original daily zen koans that will get you thinking, loving, learning, and living. Written from an outpost in rural Thailand, the Book of Zen offers its koans in both English and Thai. Here are a few of our favorites: Koan 50 (Book of Zen) Living honestly sometimes means dealing from the bottom of the deck. - บางครั้งการมีชีวิตอย่างซื่อสัตย์หมายถึงการแจกไพ่จากด้านล่างของกองไพ่ Koan...
Tom Robbins on Religion, God, & The Spiritual Life
Tom Robbins is the kind of author who people often say you either love or hate. All things considered, that is probably the best kind of author to be, as it reflects that level of truth telling which always inspires radically opposing emotions in others. Robbins is also the kind of author that we at The Living Hour would identify as an excellent example of the SBNR Progressive Christian, even though he would undoubtedly not describe himself in such terms. Regardless, Robbins displays the kind of attitude, wisdom, and joie de vivre that we admire. The following are selected quotes from Tom Robbins covering the subject of God, religion,...
Ron Paul & FEMA – An Open Letter to Huffington Post
Dear Jason Linkins & Elyse Siegal, We would like to correct some false and misleading material in your commentary on Ron Paul and the recent FEMA related attacks made on him. 1) In an attempt to illustrate the ridiculousness of Paul’s anti-FEMA position, you write that the Galveston Sea Wall was built (and repaired after Ike) with Federal dollars. While the sea wall was repaired with Federal assistance in 2008, the original Galveston Sea Wall was funded through tax abatement and the sale of bonds issued by Galveston County. (http://www.texasalmanac.com/topics/history/galvestons-response-hurricane-1900) 2) You imply that 6,000...
The Political Trolls vs. Chris Hedges & Ron Paul
In Chris Hedges’ latest article posted at Truthdig, the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist issues a damning indictment of both Democrats and Republicans. Ridiculing politicians on both sides of the aisle as trolls (deformed corporate toll-masters not annoying internet users), Hedges writes: Rick Perry and John Boehner overtly make war on Social Security. Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi say they would like to save Social Security but are sadly powerless before the decisions of a congressional super committee they helped form. The result, of course, is the same. We get to choose the rhetoric and manner in which we are deceived and disempowered....
Ron Paul 2012: The Clear Progressive Christian Choice
Writing an article about Christianity and politics seems in many ways a fool’s errand. Evangelical Republican politicians have effectively poisoned the well when it comes to intelligent discussions of how Christian faith could (or should) influence citizenry and public policy. Who wants to get thrown in with folks who want to establish an American theocracy or think that homosexuality can be cured by prayer? But Christianity is something we need to address because it is a significant force in American life—to the extent that over 75% of Americans call themselves Christians. Of course, calling oneself a Christian often means little...
Why Dems Should Register Republican & Vote Ron Paul
There are many Democrats who agree with congressman & Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul when it comes to his positions on military interventions, the drug war, and the rights of the individual over corporations. The fact that progressive icon and consumer advocate Ralph Nader has discussed teaming up with Paul demonstrates how Ron Paul’s views often are compatible with those of liberal progressives. However, most Democrats argue that Paul’s libertarian stance regarding entitlement programs, taxes, and the role of the Federal Government prevent them from ever throwing their full support behind Paul, even if they agree with...
Ron Paul’s “Extreme” Beliefs – Top Ten Quotes
There has been a lot of talk lately about the media’s lack of coverage of GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul. The reason most often cited for this has been Paul’s extreme beliefs that are outside the mainstream. These extreme beliefs can be summed up by the following 10 quotes. 1) “The Fed and the big banks are more dangerous to us than any military threat. These bankers have created a new class of aristocrats. The power to issue money needs to be put back into the hands of the people.” 2) “I don’t believe in centralized government. The whole American experiment is based on the idea that we have the power to govern ourselves.” 3)...
Ron Paul & Broken America
If there is one thing that the majority of Americans can agree on is that the country’s political system is broken. Only 16% of Americans think the country is on the right track and only 14% approve of the job that Congress is doing—the majority wishing they could get rid of every single Congressman today. Meanwhile, the President’s approval rating continues to sink to record lows. All of these stats are courtesy of Scott Rasmussen, arguably the country’s leading pollster, who having monitored America’s moods and opinions for many years writes that “the gap between Americans who want to govern themselves and politicians...
God is With Us
Gospel of Matthew 1 A genealogy of Jesus Christ, a descendant of David and Abraham. 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac of Jacob, Jacob of Judah and his brothers, 3 Judah of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar), Perez of Hezron, Hezron of Ram, 4 Ram of Amminadab, Amminadab of Nashon, Nashon of Salmon, 5 Salmon of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab), Boaz of Obed (whose mother was Ruth), Obed of Jesse, 6 Jesse of David the King. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Uriah’s widow), 7 Solomon of Rehoboam, Rehoboam of Abijah, Abijah of Asa, 8 Asa of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat of Jehoram, Jehoram of Uzziah, 9 Uzziah of Jotham,...
Angel of the Lord
Gospel of Matthew 2 After the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem in Judea, in the reign of King Herod, some wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, asking: 2 “Where is the new–born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to pay homage to him.” 3 When King Herod heard of this, he was much troubled, and so too was all Jerusalem. 4 He called together all the chief priests and teachers of the law in the nation, and questioned them as to where the Christ was to be born. 5 “At Bethlehem in Judea,” was their answer; “for it is said by the prophet: 6 ‘And Bethlehem in Judah’s land is in no way least...
Brood of Vipers
Gospel of Matthew 3 About that time, John the Baptist first appeared, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea: 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 This is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, when he says: ‘The voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness: Make ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’“ 4 John wore clothing made of camels’ hair, with a belt of leather round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 At that time Jerusalem and all Judea, as well as the whole district of the Jordan, went out to him, 6 And were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing...
I Will Make You Fishers of Men
Gospel of Matthew 4 Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. 2 And, after he had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he became hungry. 3 And the tempter came to him, and said: “If you are God’s Son, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus answered: “Scripture says: ‘It is not on bread alone that we are to live, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’“ 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placing him on the parapet of the temple, said to him: 6 “If you are God’s Son, throw yourself down, for scripture says: ‘He...
You are the Salt of the Earth
Gospel of Matthew 5 On seeing the crowds of people, Jesus went up the hill; and when he had taken his seat, his disciples came up to him; 2 And he began to teach them as follows: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are the mourners, for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall find mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Sons of God....
Pray Like This
Gospel of Matthew 6 “Take care not to perform your religious duties in public in order to be seen by others; if you do, your Father who is in heaven has no reward for you. 2 Therefore, when you do acts of charity, do not have a trumpet blown in front of you, as hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. There, I tell you, is their reward! 3 But, when you do acts of charity, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 So that your charity may be secret; and your Father, who sees what is in secret, will recompense you. 5 And, when you pray, you are not to behave as hypocrites...
Cast Pearls Before Swine
Gospel of Matthew 7 “Do not judge, that you may not be judged. 2 For, just as you judge others, you will yourselves be judged, and the measure that you mete will be meted out to you. 3 And why do you look at the straw in your brother’s eye, while you pay no attention at all to the beam in yours? 4 How will you say to your brother, ‘Let me take out the straw from your eye,’ when all the time there is a beam in your own? 5 Hypocrite! Take out the beam from your own eye first, and then you will see clearly how to take out the straw from your brother’s and sister’s. 6 Do not give what is sacred to dogs; nor...
Dead Bury Their Dead
Gospel of Matthew 8 When Jesus had come down from the hill, great crowds followed him. 2 And he saw a leper who came up, and bowed to the ground before him, and said: “Master, if only you are willing, you are able to make me clean.” 3 Stretching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying as he did so: “I am willing; become clean.” Instantly he was made clean from his leprosy; 4 And then Jesus said to him: “Be careful not to say a word to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift directed by Moses, as evidence of your cure.” 5 After Jesus had entered Capernaum, a captain in the Roman army came up to him,...
New Wine in Old Wineskins
Gospel of Matthew 9 Afterwards Jesus got into a boat, and, crossing over, came to his own city. 2 And there some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man: “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven.” 3 Then some of the teachers of the law said to themselves: “This man is blaspheming!” 4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus exclaimed: “Why do you cherish such wicked thoughts? 5 Which, I ask, is the easier? To say: ‘Your sins are forgiven’? Or to say: ‘Get up, and walk about’? 6 But, that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.”...
Sheep Among Wolves
Gospel of Matthew 10 Calling his twelve disciples to him, Jesus gave them authority over foul spirits, so that they could drive them out, as well as the power of curing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: First Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zebediah, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax–collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the zealot, and Judas Iscariot—the apostle who betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out as his messengers, after giving them these instructions: “Do...
The Coming One
Gospel of Matthew 11 After Jesus had finished giving directions to his twelve disciples, he left that place in order to teach and preach in their towns. 2 Now John had heard in prison what the Christ was doing, and he sent a message by his disciples, 3 And asked: “Are you ‘The Coming One,’ or are we to look for someone else?” 4 The answer of Jesus to the question was: “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind recover their sight, and the lame walk; the lepers are made clean and the deaf hear; the dead, too, are raised to life, and the gospel is told to the poor. 6 And blessed is the one who finds no hindrance...
The Wisdom of Solomon
Gospel of Matthew 12 About the same time, Jesus walked through the corn–fields one Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and began to pick some ears of wheat and eat them. 2 But, when the Pharisees saw this, they said: “Look! your disciples are doing what it is not allowable to do on a Sabbath!” 3 “Have not you read,” replied Jesus, “what David did, when he and his companions were hungry. 4 How he went into the house of God, and how they ate the consecrated bread, though it was not allowable for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests? 5 And have not you read in the law that, on the Sabbath, the priests in the...
The Sower and Seed Parable
Gospel of Matthew 13 That same day, when Jesus had left the house and was sitting by the sea, 2 such great crowds gathered round him, that he got into a boat, and sat in it, while all the people stood upon the beach. 3 Then he told them many truths in parables. “The sower,” he began, “went out to sow; and, 4 While sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it had not much soil, and, having no depth of soil, sprang up at once. 6 As soon as the sun had risen, it was scorched, and, having no root, withered away. 7 Some, again, fell into the brambles; but the brambles shot...
The Head of John the Baptist
Gospel of Matthew 14 At that time Prince Herod heard of the fame of Jesus, 2 And said to his attendants: “This must be John the Baptist; he must be risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are active in him.” 3 For Herod had arrested John, put him in chains, and shut him up in prison to please Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. 4 For John had said to him: ‘You have no right to be living with her.’ 5 Yet, though Herod wanted to put him to death, he was afraid of the people, because they looked on John as a prophet. 6 But, when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced...
Fish and Loaves
Gospel of Matthew 15 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus, and said: 2 “How is it that your disciples break the traditions of our ancestors? For they do not wash their hands when they eat food.” 3 His reply was: “How is it that you on your side break God’s commandments out of respect for your own traditions? 4 For God said: Honor thy father and mother,’ and ‘Let those who revile their father or mother suffer death,’ 5 But you say that whenever anyone says to his father or mother, “Whatever of mine might have been of service to you is ‘Given to God,’ 6 You are in no way bound...
The Sign of Jonah
Gospel of Matthew 16 Here the Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and, to test Jesus, requested him to show them some sign from the heavens. 2 But Jesus answered: “In the evening you say: ‘It will be fine weather, for the sky is as red as fire.’ 3 But in the morning you say: ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is as red as fire and threatening.’ You learn to read the sky; yet you are unable to read the signs of the times! 4 A wicked and unfaithful generation is asking for a sign, but no sign shall be given it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and went away. 5 Now the disciples had crossed to the opposite...
Faith of a Mustard Seed
Gospel of Matthew 17 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter, and the brothers James and John, and led them up a high mountain alone. 2 There his appearance was transformed before their eyes; his face shown like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 And all at once Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. 4 “Master,” exclaimed Peter, interposing, “it is good to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and there was a voice from the cloud that said: “This is my Son, the Beloved,...
Forgive Seven Times or Seventy Times?
Gospel of Matthew 18 On the same occasion the disciples came to Jesus, and asked him: “Who is really the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 Jesus called a little child to him, and placed it in the middle of them, and then said: 3 “I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven at all. 4 Therefore, all who humble themselves like this child shall be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And anyone who, for the sake of my name, welcomes even one little child like this, is welcoming me.” 6 “But, if anyone who puts a snare in the way of one of these lowly ones who believe...
The Lord’s Prayer for Daily Life: Where is Our Joy?
Introduction… The Living Hour: The Lord’s Prayer for Daily Life takes a fresh and non-dogmatic look at the Lord’s Prayer to reveal new perspectives on the esoteric teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is an SBNR book for Progressive Christians, Unitarians, Agnostics, & all spiritual seekers interested in discovering a more joyful and fulfilling life… Henry David Thoreau, tucked away in his Walden cabin, famously said that most of us lead lives of quiet desperation. That was in 1845. Today, things are not so quiet. Anxiety and depression are regular rites of passage from which millions never graduate. Civility...
The Lord’s Prayer Meaning: Our Father Who Art In Heaven
Chapter 1 Our Father who art in heaven… (Understanding Our Relationship to God) The Lord’s Prayer begins with an idea that seems easy enough to understand. Jesus wants to establish God as our heavenly Father, and we as his children. What we often fail to notice though is what Jesus doesn’t say—yet what he leaves out is just as important. What Jesus doesn’t say is that we should pray to God as “My Father.” We are taught to address him as “Our Father” because prayer is not about individualism. It is not a private wish factory,1 churning out favors so that we can escape the hardships of life. Its purpose...
Understanding The Lord’s Prayer: Hallowed Be Thy Name
Chapter 2 Hallowed be thy name… (Understanding God’s Identity) Jesus establishes God as a heavenly father figure, but that’s not enough for most of us. Without a name, he seems lost in abstraction. Try as we might, we simply can’t bring him into view. There is only the vague presence of someone hovering around us—like the adult of a Charlie Brown Peanuts Special, always outside the frame, speaking in a strange indecipherable language. Jesus understands our predicament, but unlike Moses, who chiseled the Word to fit the hardness of our hearts,1 he isn’t going to bend the gospel around our weaknesses. He’ll...
Teaching the Lord’s Prayer: Thy Kingdom Come
Chapter 3 Thy kingdom come… (Understanding God’s Will) With the second line of The Lord’s Prayer, we arrive at the heart of the matter: God’s kingdom. To understand how Jesus views his Father’s kingdom, we first need to do some–thing that will seem strange. We must take all discussion of “Heaven” off the table. There will be no talk about heaven with a capital “H,” the place we think we’ll go to (if lucky) when we die. We’re just not going to go there. Why? Because as soon as we see heaven and hell as proper names, as specific places where rewards and punishments are meted out, the acceptance...