Small Things~~”If We “Do Not Find Our Roots In Nature, We Will Perish As A Species”

Small Things for The Humility of Christ podcast see http://itsawonderfulife.wordpress.com

In listening to Small Things, a call to nature with spiritual and practical instruction on organic vs. mechanical,  we are invited to allow Tao wisdom to enrich the parable comparing the kindom of heaven to the small little mustard seed when surrendered to the soil, gives birth to a magnificent tree where the birds of the air come to perch upon its branches, given by Jesus.

If we do not find our roots in nature, we will perish as a species…If we do not return to these roots, our children will live in a poisonous world.~~Dr. James Rigby, Small Things, 2008

Speaker, Dr. Jim Rigby, though a minister and pastor of a Presbyterian Church, in Austin, Texas, says he loves Tao scripture, that it helps him to understand what Jesus was saying, so much more deeply.

Though Jesus uses images from nature frequently, Jesus spoke mystically insists Rigby.

It’s very, very important not to take the Bible literally, because you cannot understand the mystical and also be literal.”~~Dr. Jim  Rigby, Small Things, 2008

With his passion for humanity resonating in every word, Dr. Rigby pleas with us to find the truths of our own being, to learn:

…we are not the frightened little creatures we think we are…we need to know and feel from the inside out that we are children of nature…we are the world…as natural as a tree.~~Rigby, Small Things, 2008

Rev. Rigby also urges us to “let life support us,” “let the mountain lift us up,” “to integrate every human activity within the balanace of nature,” proclaiming that “there’s only one Balance.”

Rigby reveals that every day, some Bush activity takes his breath away; but, leaves us with this encouragement:

When we look at life organically, no matter how bleak the present [moment] may seem, we always have a seed we can plant for the future.~~Rigby, Small Things, 2008

You may find this podcast, that invites us to wake up to our Unity with All of Life, to open to the depth of life, and to realize we are the One, worth listening to, over and over again. ~~Ashtora, 2008

Thank you Rev. Rigby for your passionate love for humanity and all of nature…for helping us to recognize our unity…to recognize the great in the small.

Visit  http://www.staopen.com/podcast/index.php in order to select other podcasts by Dr. James Rigby or others who have spoken at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Austin, TX.

 

Dr. James Rigby

THAT’S NOT LOVE, “Pastor Rick Warren”–GO DEEPER

While Joan Walsh concerned herself with the merits of our nation’s current Presidential Candidates, I was more stunned by Rick Warren’s–who, by the way, is not MY pastor–obvious participation in a Republican setup, and his apparent lack of credentials, character, integrity, and authenticity, in stark comparison to the Reverend Dr. Jim Rigby, who stands out in any convention of religious leaders, regardless of how “mega” their churches are–including Joel Olsteen, the pastor of what I believe to be the nation’s largest “mega” church–The Woodlands, in Houston, Texas. 

For a nation searching for answers, who might be turning towards religion and religious leaders for guidance in finding their answers, I just hope we don’t give up, dismayed by the belief that “Pastor Rick” is the best there is because he’s written a best seller and has built a “mega church;” and I would challenge “Pastor Rick Warren” to GO DEEPER.  Love doesn’t give or impose upon others your own answers, but rather equips them with the tools they’ll require for digging and discovering their own revelations–and challenges them to do so.

Before you give up, feeling there is no authenticity, integrity, genuine love and leadership left in this world, try listening to the mentor I found over twenty years ago.  His genuine humility, compassion for all of humanity, instinctive rudder for navigating through the darkest, most troubling waters, and integrity, even when facing the most daunting of circumstances, stand out and loom large over the televangalists of this world.  I speak of the Reverend Dr. Jim Rigby, pastor for more than 25 years, of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Austin, Texas.  He’s no televangelist.  He never gives answers.  He teaches map making and navigational skills; he helps equip you with the shovel and pick you need to ferret it out for yourself.

Reverend Rigby has devoted his entire life to answering the question, “What is truth?”  Beacause one cannot discover truth without first knowing the right questions, his pursuit of truth led him to a life of studying everything that purported to be truth.  He’s shared his studies with those who attend this small neighborhood church of St. Andrew’s, also in search of truth.  Dr. Rigby knows more about what he’s talking about, than anyone I’ve ever met or heard.  His words and opinions are based on thorough research, not ignorance or vain opinion.  Though small, this church’s membership has continuously been comprised of genuine, authentic people with open hearts, open minds and open arms; for me, it is the most MEGA of all churches.

The Reverend Dr. Jim Rigby has left his indelible footprint on my life and I believe his messages and teachings leave their mark on all who are privileged enough to hear them.  Listen to this one, and see if you agree.  http://www.staopen.com/podcast/Rigby_0810.mp3

If you would like to hear more, visit the podcast index of his recent messages.  http://www.staopen.com/podcast/index.php

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church’s website is located here:  www.staopen.com

Warning:  If you want to be told WHAT TO THINK, don’t go here.  If you can’t hold up to having your ideas challenged; if you’re not willing to go deep into your questions and issues, don’t go here.  You will not be placated here.  These teachings will challenge you and your beliefs beyond what anything else has ever accomplished.  Proceed with caution.

[Note:  This blog, by far, represents the boldest, most opinionated I've written.  The recent televised religious interviews prompted this.  I suspect that as a result, there will be more.  I welcome your comments and conversations.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding the Eternal in the Temporal or The Empty Vessel Never Filled

\”The Empty Vessel Never Filled,\” by Dr. Jim Rigby

I promised you pages on the people, places, things, and experiences that have made my life wonderful; so, may I start at the TOP?   Here’s Dr. Jim Rigby of Austin, Texas, teaching on what he calls, “The Empty Vessel Never Filled,”  but I call it, “Finding the Eternal in the Temporal.” 

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In this, his most recent scholarly teaching, Rigby addresses a distinguished audience of Christians, Atheists, Agnostics, Pantheists, Buddhists, Taoists, and people of just about any race, creed, political, religious or anti-religious perspective.  Worth bearing in mind, perhaps, is the fact that this audience gathered and assembled themselves in a small building on the corner property of Wells Branch and Wells Port, called St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, located in the Wells Branch suburb of Austin, TX,  where the oft controversial justice advocate, Dr. Rigby has taught for more than twenty years, specifically to hear the Reverend Dr. Jim Rigby eloquently expound on his topic of choice.

Though brilliant, his teachings have brought him oftentimes, harsh criticism from theologians, traditional religious figures, the Presbyterian Synod, Mission Presbytery, legal zealots, anti-gay activists and even members and former members of the church itself. 

In this particular podcast, Jim dares to illumine Christian text with Taoist teachings, merging texts into one message that has the power to continuously inform and transform our lives, providing the richness and presentness one might not hear elsewhere, from more conventional theologians.  The podcast begins with a reader citing text from Christian scripture, then Dr. Rigby, with the skill of an Artisan, weaves in Tao text, stories, humor, Science, history, metaphors and rich poetry.  The result may provide just what you need to hear in order to heal that certain hurting aspect of your life that has kept you from getting past the losses and changes you’ve experienced:

http://www.staopen.com/podcast/index.php  or http://www.staopen.com/podcast/Rigby_0810.mp3

To hear Jim’s unique perspective and perhaps find the answers to such questions as, “What is Eternity?” and “Why should we not worry?” click and play the above podcast link or choose from the index of topics, “The Empty Vessel Never Filled.”  Especially listen for sandcastles, bubbles, and Edgar Allan Poe’s, “Dream Within A Dream.”  Your comments are invited.  I look forward to hearing from you.–It’s a Wonder-ful Life!  Ash