I feel the same way about you as you do. I only bring people like you, who provide me my desired, predictable responses, into my story. If you don't play to how I feel about myself, you won't be fulfilling my wants. I'll likely write you out until my story wears thin. I may find a place for you again, but only when your responses support my story, whatever that story might be at the time.

“You're hired! We've seen what you've done, the interview is over. Now the real work begins.”

“But wait!? Didn't I just die?”

“No, that was just the interview. That was an illusion of yourself that is merely a test to see if you could make it up here.”

“Do all deaths result in hirings?”

“No, many need to continue learning so they are simply sent back until they're ready.”

“Does dying at a young age mean that you're ready to be hired early?”

“Rarely... And even then, almost exclusively as a result of learning much in previous interviews.”

“I see. So why am I here?”

“Great question. We have need for such learned individuals. This is important work now. The interview process is necessary to help ensure that we recruit only the best. Even once recruited, many must be interviewed again.”

“Wait, that life felt pretty real. I was pretty sure it was real. How do I know that this is real?”

“You don't.”

“Where and when does this end?”

“It doesn't.”

“Is this another interview?”

“Please repeat.”

I like "The Devil Wears Prada" movie because:

A) Meryl Streep's performance is spectacular.
B) The writing cleverly illustrates the protagonist's fall.
C) The editing and direction is well paced and executed.
D) It's a challenge to masturbate to, but that only adds to the thrill.
E) All of the above.

:-P

Hello Pastor James,

I've been meaning to write for some time. Firstly I want to say thank you for your leadership of NFMB. I'm quite pleased by the message the church presents and am optimistic about how the leadership encourages its members to witness the Christian message. You see, I've become quite turned off by the church on a generally grand scale in recent times because of the divisive language and exclusionary, self-serving nature many churches have perpetuated. It is quite sad to watch such a beautiful message become distorted, mangled and otherwise abused for the empowerment of certain leaders; essentially being abusive of their followers by leading them away from the message of love and caring for all and becoming fixated on one interpretation that is generally crafted in hate or fear disguised as unquestionably, inerrantly right.

To me, the very idea that Christian's are a fearful bunch is a danger to affecting greater positive changes for this world in this time of need. Of course that begs the question: will there ever not be a time of need? I believe this is where religion comes into the picture. I certainly hope to be part of creating a future with less suffering, as I believe most everyone else does too, from Atheist to Christian, from Muslim to Jew and Taoist to Buddhist. I find it appalling that the way we disagree on how leads to wars and bloodshed. It's heartbreaking to witness the atrocities mankind is willing to trespass against itself. I'm getting a little off topic here (as tends to happen now and then).

I'm writing today as a response to this past Sunday's sermon and challenge: to consider fearing the Lord to be a tenet of and seed for wisdom. You can probably tell from my above statements that I consider fear to be an inadequate, if not dangerous, motivator -- in particular as a foundational element of a belief system. Fear causes much ills in our society today and is one of the most exploited devices used to control well-meaning people. Fear makes the hatred and division of countries possible. Fear closes minds and all-too-often causes people to lash out at others in most violent, abusive ways. Fear is a great enabler of actions with nearly invariably negative outcomes: wars, ignorance, division, exclusion, justification for wrongdoing, etc... I'm not saying fear is the only mitigating factor, but it certainly plays a large part.

What is the opposite of fear? To the best of my understanding fear and love are opposites. While some may argue that hate is the opposite of love, I'd implore those individuals to dig a bit deeper into the motivation behind the act of hating. Of course language is difficult to convey such personalized meanings of words, and we often fall short of truly conveying our intended message, but language is our foundation for communicating. Art, music, film, images, etc... often do a better job communicating feelings than language no matter how masterfully the language is employed. Generally words fail to speak as directly as other mediums when it comes to emotion.

So now we enter the realm of semantics. I'm more than willing to concede that Fear of God is a bit different than fear applied as I've already described. However, considering we're called to both Love God and Fear God, isn't that a mixed message? How can we both Fear and Love something when those concepts are so opposite?

I'm quite uneasy with the idea of Fearing God. I can't see how approaching all that is and all that every will be from a fear-based mindset especially when fear has shown itself to have such negative outcomes. When we juxtapose fear and love, we see a stark contrast. As Jesus so beautifully demonstrated through story and more importantly, through his very example of how he lived his life, love is what we are called to do. Aren't we called to forgive and to embrace all, friend and foe alike? Aren't these the most important acts we can perform? To include all? To love all? Wasn't that the message behind His sacrifice? Forgiveness for all who choose to accept it? Was that not the ultimate act of love for all time? Isn't it such a beautiful concept to accept that you are forgiven? Isn't that a way of saying: keep seeking and don't get bogged down by your past failures, shortcomings and sins?

Coming back to the idea of Fearing God, doesn't this very fear imply that you do not accept the forgiveness Jesus granted to man through his sacrifice? There certainly seems to be something to not just recognizing Jesus' offering of forgiveness, but to actually personally accepting it. If we truly accept this offering, what do we have to fear? Also, if we accept this offering, are we not similarly called to love and forgive our fellow man?

I think it's clear where I stand on these issues. I know I fail everyday, and everyday I attempt to go about my life in love as I believe I'm called to do. As some of my Buddhist-inclined friends oft say: It's a good day to practice.

Given that language can be inadequate, it logically gets even worse when we translate/transcribe from one to another. How much is lost in translation? What meaning has gone missing? What history and implied emotion is suddenly void in the translated version? I wonder about the translation from the source and have heard murmurings of Fear being a rough translation at best. I find Reverence of God much more agreeable in intent and consider it to be far less dangerous. Reverence implies an entirely different mindset, one that is compatible with love with a heavy implication of respect and connotation of adoration and awe.

It seems that Love has far more benefits than Fear. Approaching everything with love doesn't mean we must accept all ills. Love is not nearly that simple. There is still right and wrong, yet it's quite often difficult to discern. And the question of how is one that certainly can be up for debate with merits on both sides of an act. Is it loving to help a junky buy drugs? Is it loving to turn him into the police or other agency to help him get clean? There are infinite questions about what is the most loving approach. Is it loving to maintain the status-quo or to rock the boat? How is incredibly difficult and unclear, but certainly actions based out of fear or hate are not the way.

We are told that it will not be easy; that it will be the difficult and narrow path. Turning the other cheek is far more difficult than fighting back. Yet, this is ultimately the way to change hearts and minds for the benefit of all.

I'm putting away my soapbox now and will step down to hear your thoughts on the matter. I do want to thank you for your service. I know that NFMB isn't to be lumped in with many churches that are attempting to hold onto a tattered mythological version of a beautiful religion, but recognize that some ideas I present may be challenging if not in all-out conflict with some or at least may be perceived as such.

Mark

Reverence for All,
For All is God

There was a time my boy, indeed there was, where folks didn't enjoy themselves a whole lot during their lives. From your quizzical look I surmise that you must think me mad! Your disbelief in such dark days is a testament to just what a wonderful time you're having here. Of course there are a number of reasons why there was so much unhappiness, war, fear and other such atrocities.

You see son, they were preoccupied by some things and would easily have their focus diverted from what they should pay attention to to what they should not. Since religion was such a factor, oh and I suppose you don't know what I mean by religion now do you? Hmmm... well, religion is very difficult to describe without pissing everyone off, which was a large part of the problem back then. ... Where was I? Oh, yes... A religious example seems in order.

Of course you know the story of Jesus Christ? Yes, Jimmy... Jesus was way cool. Because their focus was on all the wrong things: Jesus' birth, death, and miraculous powers, they missed out on Jesus' message. He was trying to teach each of us what sort of potential we all have, right? Why would Jesus be nothing more than a mere man. A mortal, not demigod, not any sort of heavenly being different than you or I. But they didn't see this part of the message. They got caught up on all the differences, all the divisions, everything that makes each of them incredibly unlike the other. So much so that foreigners were not considered equals! As if they were not worthy of the decency that you'd expect as a human. Well, that's part of it too isn't it? They were so attached to their individual personalities that they could never see just how much everyone has in common. Not just that, but the connectedness of all.

Jesus' message was lost to exploitative fearful loafs. Corrupted and bent to suit anyone's needs in order to justify obviously ill-conceived ideas.  They brought razor-sharp clarity to the superficial distinctions between us: skin color, height, weight, waistline, neighborhood, city, country! All these distinctions merely to lull the masses to sleep into an “It's ok, they're not really like us. They're evil, we are good” mentality. You see, nobody likes to believe they're part of the problem. Underneath it all we care more often than we don't, so it's much easier to accept committing atrocities against those that are different. Heaven forbid you should recognize that you are exploiting your fellow man, plant, animal and Earth! While they spent so much time ignoring the connectedness of all and pointing out the differences and excluding rather than including, they missed what you see plainly as a horrific way of existing. Can you imagine enjoying your life under such conditions? Yes, the saying ignorance is bliss comes to the tip of your tongue doesn't it? But bliss derived from negative sources, such as denial and dismissal, comes with a heavy price.

This is actually where the tide turned. It's just about to get exciting... All this negative pressure weighing on everyone's consciousness made them sick. It manifested itself in a variety of ailments typically quite appropriate for the individual. Most, if not all were mind-related. Obesity, depression and many physical and emotional disorders were rampant. That's what I meant by “we care more often than we don't.” It got so bad that it actually snapped an unexpected number of people out of their slumber and woke them up to something greater. Something beyond proof, something that is harder to deny than it is to accept. But, remember, they were so caught up on the most unimportant details that they didn't even realize just how much these manifested ailments were affecting them by living in this sort of conflict of the nature of the connectedness of all.

Instead of learning from Jesus' example as a wonderful and divine goal that we're all just as capable of creating in our own lives, they deified him and prayed for this and that "in his name." Once again seeing all the differences between them and Jesus and none of the similarities. Yes, it's a little funny when you think in such obvious terms, but it was a bit hazier than that. They saw part of the picture and got some things quite right. But, much they got wrong.

Yes, that happens to us too, which is why we say it's a great day to practice. What do we practice? Love, naturally. I knew you knew that, just seeing if you were paying attention. A lot like the rest of the picture they got love twisted up in odd distinctions too. Once again by focusing on the differences, they made it easier for them consciously, which, remember was still stuck somewhere around the mythical mindset, meanwhile unconsciously they paid the price for their sins. Ha! That's probably another term you're not too familiar with, I take it.

It seems I may have something to teach you after all. Eh? Jesus' grand gesture of love was accepted only to a point. To a point that it was convenient for the leaders. This typically meant profits and prosperity. Anything beyond that was pretty much dismissed for it's inconvenience. Yes, it is a silly idea to put profits and prosperity together like that. You kids still call the correlation an inverse relationship, yes? While one goes up the other goes down? Well, this was a record time for profits!

To Be Continued...

To Whom It May Concern:

I’ve had the distinct privilege of working with Edward Kawakami for nearly a decade. As a freelance musician in the greater Los Angeles area, I’ve played under Ed’s direction in several different orchestral settings, from operas and musicals to chamber groups and expanded instrumentation works for large orchestra. As wonderful as he is as a flute player, his real calling is to conduct. His musicianship and ability to focus the group’s energy comes through in every setting.

Ed is everything I want in a conductor. He excels in everything from bringing out the passion of the music to the more practical matters of managing a demanding rehearsal schedule. He’s dynamic, energetic, emotionally evocative, and has a passion for music and musicians. He’s demanding without being rude and condescending; he’s entertaining and has a talent for bringing all the disparate voices of the orchestra together to create an exciting experience for all involved, from musician to audience. He is intelligent and has a wonderful ear for interpreting music. His enthusiasm for music is contagious, bringing all musicians together into his vision of the music; he always has a clear view of what he desires and how to give that vision to the group. He has an impeccable sense of timing and his understanding of the intricacies of the synergy of voices is astounding.

He instantly elevates any group that he conducts. He’s precise and fluid. He brings groups together and holds their attention with his personality and charisma. He has a wonderful sense of humor, is articulate and personable, and represents himself and anyone with whom he’s associated with confidence and grace. Ed brings energy and vibrancy to a group. Musicians of all ages know a good conductor instantly and will know what a tremendous conductor Edward Kawakami is from the first downbeat.

I’ve witnessed his influence first hand with the CSUN Youth Orchestras. The growth, both in number of participants and quality of musicianship, is truly remarkable. Ed is loved by the young musicians which speaks well of the universality of his good natured rapport. I’m especially enthusiastic about his work with the youth orchestras because their experience today, regardless of whether or not they pursue a career in music, will help shape the future of classical music. It serves classical music and musicians of all ages to give the youth a positive, inspirational experience as they will likely become patrons and active enthusiasts of the arts as they become adults. I know from conversations that Ed is mindful of this simple fact.

I highly recommend him for any post where you want to see the organization thrive. Allow him to come in and bring the group up to the high standards he demands.

Sincerely,


Mark Jones
French Horn

Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. has passed on, but before he left he gave us the simple drawing of a birdless cage with the door wide open; http://www.vonnegut.com/

I was deeply moved by this simple gift. Thank you Kurt.

You know that feeling of falling in love. That wonderment, that rush of endorphins. That drug that you feel when you're getting to know someone, when all is new and amazing? The world seems less cruel and more accessible for the faint of heart. Everything seems possible.

The problem is that feeling is generally transient when it's source is not from within. Wouldn't it be amazing if we could love ourselves as much as we perceive another loves us? Wouldn't that change our very reality and experience on this plane(t)? Wouldn't that empower you to take on anything, come what may? Wouldn't that kind of love eminate out and draw others to you and help them understand that this sort of love for self is possible? Wouldn't that help guide your every action? Wouldn't that, in fact, change the world?

I think this video is brilliant. I love the tune and the lyrics. Joe Jackson Singing and William Shatner on the voice-over. Brilliant! I know his interpretation of the lyrics is a bit literal, but that only adds to the brilliance, given that it's about common people!