I love the song Amazing Grace.
Divine Grace is described as; 'enabling power sufficient for progression'. Grace divine is an indispensable gift from God for development, improvement, and character expansion, and without God's grace, there are certain limitations, weaknesses, flaws, impurities, and faults (i.e. carnality) mankind cannot overcome.
I know that in spite of me and the the things I have done in this life, the Universe has given me wonderful blessings and the ability to change.(Grace)
So with that- I am posting the wikipedia description of where the song amazing grace came from and a wonderful video from II Devo...
Video
John Newton and the lyrics to Amazing Grace
Search Wikisource Wikisource has original text related to this article:
Amazing Grace
John Newton, the author of the lyrics to Amazing Grace, was born in 1725 in Wapping, London, England.[1] Despite the powerful message of "Amazing Grace," Newton's religious beliefs initially lacked conviction; his youth was marked by religious confusion and a lack of moral self-control and discipline.[1]
After a brief time in the Royal Navy, Newton began his career in slave trading. The turning point in Newton's spiritual life was a violent storm that occurred one night while at sea. Moments after he left the deck, the crewman who had taken his place was swept overboard. Although he manned the vessel for the remainder of the tempest, he later commented that, throughout the tumult, he realized his helplessness and concluded that only the grace of God could save him. Prodded by what he had read in Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ, Newton took the first step toward accepting faith.[1]
These incidents and his 1750 marriage to Mary Catlett changed Newton significantly. On his slave voyages, he encouraged the sailors under his charge to pray. He also began to ensure that every member of his crew treated their human cargo with gentleness and concern. Nevertheless, it would be another 40 years until Newton openly challenged the trafficking of slaves.[1]
Some three years after his marriage, Newton suffered a stroke that prevented him from returning to sea; in time, he interpreted this as another step in his spiritual voyage. He assumed a post in the Customs Office in the port of Liverpool and began to explore Christianity more fully. As Newton attempted to experience all the various expressions of Christianity, it became clear that he was being called to the ministry. Since Newton lacked a university degree, he could not be ordained through normal channels. However, the landlord of the parish at Olney was so impressed with the letters Newton had written about his conversion that he offered the church to Newton; he was ordained in June 1764.[1]
In Olney, the new curate met the poet William Cowper, also a newly-converted Christian. Their friendship led to a spiritual collaboration that completed the inspiration for "Amazing Grace," the poem Newton most likely wrote in Kineton, Warwickshire[citation needed] around Christmas 1772.[1] The lyrics are based on his reflections on an Old Testament text he was preparing to preach on, adding his perspective about his own conversion while on his slave ship, the Greyhound, in 1748.
Newton's lyrics have become a favourite for Christians, largely because the hymn vividly and briefly sums up the doctrine of divine grace. The lyrics are based on 1 Chronicles 17:16-17, a prayer of King David in which he marvels at God's choosing him and his house. Newton apparently wrote this for use in a sermon he preached on this passage on New Year's Day 1773, and for which he left his sermon notes, which correspond to the flow of the lyrics[2]. (He entitled the piece "Faith's review and expectation.")
The song has also become known as a favorite with supporters of freedom and human rights, both Christian and non-Christian, in part because many assume it to be Newton's testimony about his slave trading past.
The hymn was quite popular on both sides in the American Civil War.
While on the "Trail of Tears," the Cherokee were not always able to give their dead a full burial. Instead, they sang a translation (or rather, paraphrase) previously made by Samuel Worcester.[7][8] For this reason, many contemporary Native American musicians have recorded the song.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Catalyst
It has taken me most of my life to come into acceptance of who I am and what I bring to the world.
The best word to describe me is a 'catalyst' which Websters defines as;
Main Entry: cat•a•lyst
Pronunciation: 'ka-t & l-&st
2 : an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action
I realize that I facilitate change just from my presence. I used to take the reactions that I received personally.
But now I know; that for some, I am like warm loving breeze, clearing the cobwebs, inspiring them to be more, to do more...and for others I am like sand paper on skin, abrasive and uncomfortable....
Whichever people feel, it is about looking within themselves.....finding permission within to grow, or resist violently..... There is no middle ground......
Look at the catalysts in your life; is it really what they do to you, or are they just bringing up all your issues?
Either way, it is about looking at ourselves and having the strength to change; to look at your life from another perspective.....regardless of the catalyst...
Here is the thought for the day;
Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor --
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now --
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
Langston Hughes
Namaste,
Marianne Goldweber
The best word to describe me is a 'catalyst' which Websters defines as;
Main Entry: cat•a•lyst
Pronunciation: 'ka-t & l-&st
2 : an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action
I realize that I facilitate change just from my presence. I used to take the reactions that I received personally.
But now I know; that for some, I am like warm loving breeze, clearing the cobwebs, inspiring them to be more, to do more...and for others I am like sand paper on skin, abrasive and uncomfortable....
Whichever people feel, it is about looking within themselves.....finding permission within to grow, or resist violently..... There is no middle ground......
Look at the catalysts in your life; is it really what they do to you, or are they just bringing up all your issues?
Either way, it is about looking at ourselves and having the strength to change; to look at your life from another perspective.....regardless of the catalyst...
Here is the thought for the day;
Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor --
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now --
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
Langston Hughes
Namaste,
Marianne Goldweber
Monday, July 20, 2009
Marriage
One of the things I love about being a minister is officiating at weddings. This is my "wedding season" and I typically perform at least 10 or more from May to August. Some are intimate; on the beach, just the couple and I- and some are elaborately planned and orchestrated, like a Broadway show.
The reasons for getting married are also as diverse as the ceremonies themselves.
But what ties them all together is the natural need to partner with someone who is all the things we are not; that we love, admire and respect...
Like the Yin and Yan the two halves come together to create the whole; both remaining separate enough to be unique to the self-
but complete enough to create the circle.
So it is with Marriage.
The differences between us creates integrity to the whole.
Sometimes along the way we forget that the differences in our partner and ourselves is the beauty of marriage- and we become critical of these same differences that attracted us in the first place.
Which creates a division in the whole.
Today- let's remember that gratefully our partners are very different from ourselves and those differences are what we fell in love with.
Maybe use this as a reason to reflect on your own relationships, and remember the beauty of having someone to share this journey with.
I am blessed to have received the following writing from my spirit guide, which I use in part, in the ceremonies I perform.
It is directed to those who are entering the covenant of Marriage.
Marriage,- Running Bear
In our single-mindedness, our perception is one dimensional.
As we find balance within, we begin to see that we are not meant to travel alone, that in partnering, we gain the insight of another who we admire love and respect.
It gives us that which we do not see in ourselves-
this creating a balance of its own.
You have come together on this path,
now each with a new perspective;
able to see with each others eyes,
Love with each others hearts.
Each of you bringing into this journey gifts to complete the whole-
each in balance.
So as you gift yourselves to one another always remember to:
See with the others eyes, for they are now your own.
Love with the others heart, for it is precious and belongs to you too.
Hear with the others ears for now you hear with knew understanding.
Be thankful, for some in their search are not perceptive enough or cannot step out of themselves to appreciate the journey shared.
So go forward and Love with one heart,
treat it as your own, for it now belongs to you.
See with four eyes, to gain knew perspective.
Hear with new clarity and walk in peace on your journey together.
The reasons for getting married are also as diverse as the ceremonies themselves.
But what ties them all together is the natural need to partner with someone who is all the things we are not; that we love, admire and respect...
Like the Yin and Yan the two halves come together to create the whole; both remaining separate enough to be unique to the self-
but complete enough to create the circle.
So it is with Marriage.
The differences between us creates integrity to the whole.
Sometimes along the way we forget that the differences in our partner and ourselves is the beauty of marriage- and we become critical of these same differences that attracted us in the first place.
Which creates a division in the whole.
Today- let's remember that gratefully our partners are very different from ourselves and those differences are what we fell in love with.
Maybe use this as a reason to reflect on your own relationships, and remember the beauty of having someone to share this journey with.
I am blessed to have received the following writing from my spirit guide, which I use in part, in the ceremonies I perform.
It is directed to those who are entering the covenant of Marriage.
Marriage,- Running Bear
In our single-mindedness, our perception is one dimensional.
As we find balance within, we begin to see that we are not meant to travel alone, that in partnering, we gain the insight of another who we admire love and respect.
It gives us that which we do not see in ourselves-
this creating a balance of its own.
You have come together on this path,
now each with a new perspective;
able to see with each others eyes,
Love with each others hearts.
Each of you bringing into this journey gifts to complete the whole-
each in balance.
So as you gift yourselves to one another always remember to:
See with the others eyes, for they are now your own.
Love with the others heart, for it is precious and belongs to you too.
Hear with the others ears for now you hear with knew understanding.
Be thankful, for some in their search are not perceptive enough or cannot step out of themselves to appreciate the journey shared.
So go forward and Love with one heart,
treat it as your own, for it now belongs to you.
See with four eyes, to gain knew perspective.
Hear with new clarity and walk in peace on your journey together.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Gluing the soapdish- a story about diversion
I left home at a pretty early age, vowing I would never be back.
But-less than a year later I found myself between apartments and unemployed. The girl I moved out with found out she was pregnant and need her share of the rent and utilities for an abortion- and then decided that living on her own was not for her and she moved out.I was left with all the obligation. Then to make matters worse I mutually agreed with my employer to leave my job as a telemarketing phone room manager.
For a short time and I had no choice other than to humble myself and move back to the place that brought me so much unhappiness, my childhood home.
I immediately fell into a fit of depression, staying in my pajamas all day, giving up looking for work and an apartment. Subjecting myself to the internal critic of failure; in addition to the external punishment for failing, by my passive aggressive mother- who never actually called me a failure but treated me like one through snide remarks and superior references.
The changing moment for me was a day that I use in teaching to this day.
I broke a ceramic soap dish in the kitchen one morning. Everyone was at work or school, and I spent the entire day doing nothing but piecing and gluing together this dime store soap dish. Minutes turned into hours; I lost all sense of time in the pursuit of perfectly gluing my little project back to it's original form.
At 4pm, my sister arrived home from school and found me still in my pajamas; the house around me a disaster, and me fervently bent over my diversion for the day.
She said "Marianne what the hell have you done all day?? This place is a wreck and mom is coming home in an hour?? You're still in your pajamas for chrissake"
With pride in my accomplishment I held up my work of art and said "I glued the soapdish!!"
She said "Are you high??"
I said "No, but look, it's perfect."
Then reality crept in- "What the hell have I been doing all day???"
She snapped me back into reality as I looked around me- looked at myself and thought this is not who I am.I found a job and an apartment in the next week.
When the reality of life gets too painful to look at we all create diversions to keep us off the really important things. I have a friend that makes spreadsheets that he never uses, and another friend that uses garage sales and eBay as a diversion from life. Creating the illusion of doing.
These activities stop us from looking at our own itinerary, our own to do list and keep us from seeing the need for change our life.
What's your soapdish?
But-less than a year later I found myself between apartments and unemployed. The girl I moved out with found out she was pregnant and need her share of the rent and utilities for an abortion- and then decided that living on her own was not for her and she moved out.I was left with all the obligation. Then to make matters worse I mutually agreed with my employer to leave my job as a telemarketing phone room manager.
For a short time and I had no choice other than to humble myself and move back to the place that brought me so much unhappiness, my childhood home.
I immediately fell into a fit of depression, staying in my pajamas all day, giving up looking for work and an apartment. Subjecting myself to the internal critic of failure; in addition to the external punishment for failing, by my passive aggressive mother- who never actually called me a failure but treated me like one through snide remarks and superior references.
The changing moment for me was a day that I use in teaching to this day.
I broke a ceramic soap dish in the kitchen one morning. Everyone was at work or school, and I spent the entire day doing nothing but piecing and gluing together this dime store soap dish. Minutes turned into hours; I lost all sense of time in the pursuit of perfectly gluing my little project back to it's original form.
At 4pm, my sister arrived home from school and found me still in my pajamas; the house around me a disaster, and me fervently bent over my diversion for the day.
She said "Marianne what the hell have you done all day?? This place is a wreck and mom is coming home in an hour?? You're still in your pajamas for chrissake"
With pride in my accomplishment I held up my work of art and said "I glued the soapdish!!"
She said "Are you high??"
I said "No, but look, it's perfect."
Then reality crept in- "What the hell have I been doing all day???"
She snapped me back into reality as I looked around me- looked at myself and thought this is not who I am.I found a job and an apartment in the next week.
When the reality of life gets too painful to look at we all create diversions to keep us off the really important things. I have a friend that makes spreadsheets that he never uses, and another friend that uses garage sales and eBay as a diversion from life. Creating the illusion of doing.
These activities stop us from looking at our own itinerary, our own to do list and keep us from seeing the need for change our life.
What's your soapdish?
Saying no is a loving act
One of my favorite books is the Four Agreements- by Don Miguel Ruiz.
One of the Four agreements is "Speak with Integrity"
Saying no is not something that was honored in my family- there were no personal
boundaries, I was never heard. So I had a very hard time not acting out of
obligation. Which eventually made me very resentful.
My mother did things for people because "You may need them someday" so all
giving was with condition. If you were the recipient it was lorded over you-
even if it was repaid.
I have found that saying no and not obligating myself to things I do not want to
do is a loving act toward others and myself.
I only obligate myself to things and people that I'm REALLY on board with-
unconditionally. Then there is no resentment.
When I am doing something that I don't want to be doing - everyone knows it- I
am pouty and curt- and act like it's their fault like I'm doing them some big
favor....lol
Saying no has also allowed people who I enable to find another solution. To do
it themselves- or- they find someone other than me to take advantage of.
At first it felt like I was saying no to everything, but I was committed to a
lot of things I was resentful of. But now- I only commit to things that I can
perform 100%-with joy and unconditional service.
Marianne Goldweber
www.mariannegoldweber.com
One of the Four agreements is "Speak with Integrity"
Saying no is not something that was honored in my family- there were no personal
boundaries, I was never heard. So I had a very hard time not acting out of
obligation. Which eventually made me very resentful.
My mother did things for people because "You may need them someday" so all
giving was with condition. If you were the recipient it was lorded over you-
even if it was repaid.
I have found that saying no and not obligating myself to things I do not want to
do is a loving act toward others and myself.
I only obligate myself to things and people that I'm REALLY on board with-
unconditionally. Then there is no resentment.
When I am doing something that I don't want to be doing - everyone knows it- I
am pouty and curt- and act like it's their fault like I'm doing them some big
favor....lol
Saying no has also allowed people who I enable to find another solution. To do
it themselves- or- they find someone other than me to take advantage of.
At first it felt like I was saying no to everything, but I was committed to a
lot of things I was resentful of. But now- I only commit to things that I can
perform 100%-with joy and unconditional service.
Marianne Goldweber
www.mariannegoldweber.com
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
My Ego is not my Amigo
I have had a huge issue with authority my whole life.
I enjoyed making myself self important and dishonored others to feed my insatiable ego and need for control.
I have found that it is my insecurity and arrogance that made me want to be the superstar or savior- not because of my desire to do a good job, but to do a AMAZING job to rub it in your face or to make someone else look and feel inferior.
It was my way of sucking energy, gaining attention; otherwise known as Bullying.
I hated being disrespected and therefore I gave no respect.
I have applied the following exercise brought to me by my spiritual teachers.
1. I write down 3 things I can criticize about the person I am observing.
2.Then I write down 3 things I like about them.(Much harder)
In front of each write "I am"
I can't change others- but I can change that behavior in myself. I can relent to do what I am told- because everyone has a different way to do things- not just my way.
Being a good follower is just as important as being a great leader.
My need to be right, or powerful or in control is my insecurity.
I enjoyed making myself self important and dishonored others to feed my insatiable ego and need for control.
I have found that it is my insecurity and arrogance that made me want to be the superstar or savior- not because of my desire to do a good job, but to do a AMAZING job to rub it in your face or to make someone else look and feel inferior.
It was my way of sucking energy, gaining attention; otherwise known as Bullying.
I hated being disrespected and therefore I gave no respect.
I have applied the following exercise brought to me by my spiritual teachers.
1. I write down 3 things I can criticize about the person I am observing.
2.Then I write down 3 things I like about them.(Much harder)
In front of each write "I am"
I can't change others- but I can change that behavior in myself. I can relent to do what I am told- because everyone has a different way to do things- not just my way.
Being a good follower is just as important as being a great leader.
My need to be right, or powerful or in control is my insecurity.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Steel Horse
Steel Horse
Wind in my hair astride my steed
Ancient memories of great prairies
Abundant with Buffalo
Majestic mountains
Gold grass waving
Freedom in the wind
Over ancient lands
Colors magnificent
Warrior pride
The days of wild ponies a memory
The horse is steel
The spirit lives
The ancestors in the wind call my name.
Marianne Goldweber
(Inspired on a cross country trip)
Read more: http://www.gaia.com/quotes/topics/marianne+goldweber#ixzz0K4WkveKe&C
Wind in my hair astride my steed
Ancient memories of great prairies
Abundant with Buffalo
Majestic mountains
Gold grass waving
Freedom in the wind
Over ancient lands
Colors magnificent
Warrior pride
The days of wild ponies a memory
The horse is steel
The spirit lives
The ancestors in the wind call my name.
Marianne Goldweber
(Inspired on a cross country trip)
Read more: http://www.gaia.com/quotes/topics/marianne+goldweber#ixzz0K4WkveKe&C
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