A couple of issues

I have had two concerns brought to my attention at this point...

1. Communes/Socialism/Communism/etc. do not really work...it has been tried. In fact, even the early church that I referenced in the first post didn't seem to be able to keep that lifestyle up for very long.

2. Using love as a word to describe anything is sadly kinda vague these days. The reason this is a concern is because when I tell others that I am trying to Love, I feel like I am being very clear about what I am talking about. Even though I know we over-use the word, and have varying degrees of understanding regarding the word and the practice of real-life LOVE.

-----so here's some thoughts on those concerns-----

1. I am DEFINITELY NOT talking about government enforced equality of stuff. I'm really not even talking about forcing equality of stuff. Stuff doesn't really matter. It IS nice. But when you think about the basics of what we REALLY need vs. what we use/consume/etc. Most of us know we are overdoing it, we just don't know what to do about it. And it CERTAINLY won't be comfortable to "down-grade". Let's just be real about that.

I guess this is why I like the idea of what the early church (followers of THE WAY) did. No one was needy. Partly because from time to time people who had excess sold what they had to provide for those who didn't. What I am envisioning (realistic or "not") is a culture where people are WILLING to sacrifice on their own accord. Initially, this would be hard on some people. But in the long run this mind-set, coupled with our serious advances in science and technology, could lead to a world where there is no one in need of basics (shelter, food, clean water, clothes). A world where we don't have to compete for basics because there is plenty AND we are wise about how we use/distribute that plenty.

There's a whole lot more I could say about this but I will move on for brevity's sake. Plus I want to hear from you.

2. Just to give an idea of where I am trying to come from in regards to love I will reference (wait for it!....) 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.


So to recap Love IS...patient, kind, not a record keeper of wrongs (yikes), rejoices with truth, it protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. WOW!


Love is/does NOT...envy, boast, proud, dishonor others, self-seeking, or easily angered.


In the end this is all well and nice and good. And we can all nod our heads and agree that this is what we should be doing. But this is pretty tough because the opportunities to do, or not to do, happen all the time, every day. I can already hear, "But we're just human, we're not perfect..." and blah blah blah. 
On my own part I can confess that it is surprising how often I miss it. Granted, I miss mostly in little ways throughout the day. But when I make a daily effort to be conscious of what love is and what love is not, I can end several days pretty surprised at how hard this is to do. Even when it is what I want to do more than anything else.


One more small little snafu. Ideas like, "always trusts," while loving, seems dangerous in this time. Or what about, "always protects?" Protect everyone, in all situations? This just goes back to part of the difficulty of getting a real good idea of what love really is.


I didn't claim to have all the answers, hope you're not let down. (Good use of the word hope? ...) 


Enjoy the red letters mixed with the usual green in late celebration of Christmas.


Much Love.

Why Community? (Part 2)

I believe there is a better way than what we've been shown and what we've been told. I think it is possible to combine elements of our culture into community. This would make each community look different. But as long as each community maintained the mindset that each individual should have (I'm/we're not better than you/them...and in fact I/we love you/them) it seems like we could get along fine. Each individual could be plugged into a community of people who care...each community could be self-sustaining but also live next to other communities while also existing within a larger community or an umbrella community...we basically have this in certain forms now...the individual within the family (although that is becoming very differently defined) also individuals in work or school... the family/business/school within the town/city...state...country...world. But we have very different connections to each level. Some of us think very highly of ourselves, others not very highly at all. Some of us have school "spirit" or State (Texas?) Pride, or National Pride...but I don't know how many people I've met that had World Pride. Why is it so easy to be proud about things that separate us from other humans? I played football through college...I know how much fun it is to have school pride and to oppose another school. It's fun...exciting (especially when you win) we go nuts in fact! Because our love for a thing bonds us with other humans who love that thing...whatever that thing is. But how often does that create true community? Can we please stop loving THINGS? Will it upset you if I call it idolatry? Can we be honest with ourselves?

How many people are lonely and feel neglected? How many people feel their life is wandering, or even pointless? What are the things that really drive us as humans? Isn't it love? Hasn't it always been love? How many of you have done some CRAZY things for love? I know I have. I know some friends and family who have. I know God has/does/will continue doing. But I'm sick of this canned laughter version of love that we try to live with our independent/self-sufficient attitudes. I'm failing at life if I don't have a great job that pays for my own place, car, insurance, food, utilities, etc? That's how people have made ME feel. But who are we trying to kid? And I know that many of us have been disappointed when our job situation isn't epic...and we feel in this culture like maybe we don't have as much worth. But it's a lie. I am loved...you are loved. So can we please figure out a better way to actualize this love we all want and feel deep down in our souls? Help me please. If I'm "alone", let me know. If not, let's get together!

Why Community (part 1?)

So....why think about community?
Well it seems to me that people are lonely... and while there are benefits of living alone, I don't know if it is the most beneficial, economic (In an economy that is supposedly not doing very well...), or spiritually uplifting way to live.

We are working jobs that we don't like, for money that is (")barely enough to live.(") Then since we are so miserable, we spend excess money making ourselves "feel better". We do this by...eating out (a lot), buying lots of things we don't need like excess expensive clothes and shoes, knick knacks, narcotics in various forms legal and otherwise, sports memorabilia, cable/satellite t.v. with a billion or so channels...etc. Then we justify this because we work hard and have deserved a break...and its not like it's evil or anything. The problem is...we've come to expect that we can basically have anything we want. Whenever we want. Anything...anytime. (well sort of) But reality is...if everyone in the world lived like we do...the world would not be able to sustain human life. So isn't it time to consider a change? Isn't it time to stop thinking about only ourselves and the relatively small community of people who care about us (and look/act like us) and therefore we care about them (examples are blood family, church family, gangs, countries...) and start thinking about community on a larger scale? Why are we competing? We all know we don't really have to. Just because things are...doesn't mean they have to be. We are the agents of change. But of course we have to change ourselves first. ...


Personally...I would like to draw my ideal living situation from the early church in Acts 4 "³² All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. ³³ With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need." Imagine a world where everyone was willing on their own to sell what they had (especially excess of) to provide for the whole community. What would the world look like? The problem is...it was hard back then...and it is going to be hard today... Because let's be honest...we can all talk about being self-less...but who is really ready to serve anyone...and everyone (i mean...criminals? drug addicts? GLBT? those who oppose OUR nation? smelly people? ugly people? poor people?)...to the point of death? Yikes. I would like to think I am...but people tell me I'm crazy and that it would be much easier to just look out for myself and those close to me...and hope for the best for everyone else....you know...not actively against anyone...but not actively for anyone either...really.


But...maybe we're doing all we can do...ya know...charities here and there...a helping hand once in awhile...I don't know sooooo....


I want to keep these short because I have a tendency to be long winded. I want people to be able to read quickly and respond quickly. I have lots of ideas...this is really just the surface...the beginning....a glimpse. But what would be the point of a dictator-style thought domination train about....community? lol. So please...help me. I really want to follow God...and live a more sensible life. God help me, help us all...I pray for wisdom, peace,  understanding, patience/endurance, courage, and love for all of us who want to be part of this. Thank you for your time.


I am Corwin, Companion of the Heart. I love you, and you should know (even if you don't believe)...God loves you too.