“NAZI ISRAEL,” Man Displays Sign on 21/7 in SLC, UT Today

If I had a photo, the image would say it all. Instead, you’ll have to imagine seeing the words, NAZI ISRAEL, being brandished on the street corner, and feeling an enormous, invisible fist thrusting into your gut.  That was my experience today.  Barely able to park, I had to ask why.  “Who are you, sir?”  No answer.  “Why are you displaying this sign, here?”  No reply.  “What does this mean?” I persisted.  Why didn’t I know the meaning of this?  One more time, I prodded, “Sir, WHY are you doing this?”  At long last, the bearded, spectacled man, together with his sign, slowly revolved until we were face to face.  ”I can’t talk,” he said and further e-nun-ci-at-ed, “Read the words and say them a-loud.”  The words nor their hatred could form in my mouth or my heart–only the enlarging fist in my stomach began to twist.  Sign bearer turned away, flailing his indictment to oncomers from the east, west, north and south.  The knuckles inside turned harder and deeper.  As I walked away, flames of determination ignited.

I sought out a young couple, (the wife from Israel, the husband from Palestine), with businesses in Salt Lake, who were nearby, and perhaps the perfect source to begin my search.  “Do you know what “NAZI ISRAEL” means, I implored.  “I can show you,”  husband replied.  He pulled up images on the internet which juxtaposed scenes from the Holocaust of World War II and from today’s Israel/Palestine unrest.  As these pictures appeared on his computer screen,  he began to explain in surprisingly neutral language, the history and evolution of the political and religious battle there.

“There can be no peace, there can be no war…only ongoing conflict and turmoil,”  husband concluded.  Just then, an email from my own husband appeared, inviting me to attend a film on this very topic.  Is that timing?  Two hours later, we met at the Tower on 9/9 to watch “Ajami:“ 

A powerful crime drama set on the streets of Jaffa’s Ajami neighborhood–a melting pot of cultures and conflicting views among Jews, Muslims and Christians–and told through the eyes of a cross-section of the city’s inhabitants: a young Israeli fighting a criminal vendetta against his family, a Palestinian refugee working illegally to finance a life-saving surgery, a Jewish police detective obsessed with finding his missing brother, and an affluent Palestinian dreaming of a future with his Jewish girlfriend. As their stories intersect–and the film’s narrative shifts back and forth in time–we witness a dramatic collision of different worlds and the tragic consequences of enemies living as neighbors. ~ (Kino International)

“…enemies living as neighbors.”  Muslims, Jews and Christians living in continuous enemy combative contention, without resolution…peace for no one.  I found my answers; but the revolt in my gut won’t ever go away,  will it?

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.” 

[Look for the word "Comments" below, at the end of the tag word list.  Click on this in order to post your comment on this podcast or blog.]

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

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.” 

This podcast is his most recent scholarly presentation, given live before a mixed audience of Christians, Atheists, Agnostics, Pantheists, Buddhists, Taoists, and persons of just about any religious or anti-religious perspective.  Worth bearing in mind, perhaps, is the fact that his audience assembled themselves in a small building, located in Austin’s northern Wells Branch suburb, called St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, where justice advocate and often controversial Dr. Rigby has taught for more than twenty years, for the specific purpose of hearing him [Reverend Dr. Jim Rigby] speak his mind on his topic of choice.

His teachings have oftentimes ignited 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 merge Taoist teachings with Christian teachings into one that has the power to continuously inform and transform our lives, providing richness and presentness:

http://www.staopen.com/podcast/index.php

To hear Dr. Rigby’s views on Taoism and Christianity, click on the above podcast link and choose from the index of topics, “The Empty Vessel Never Filled.”  Your comments are invited.  I look forward to hearing from you.–It’s a Wonder-ful Life!  Ash

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.” 

In order to post your comments on this blog or Dr. Rigby’s podcast, scroll down to the end of this blog, find the word “Comment” at the end.  Clicking on the word “Comment” will allow you to post your thoughts.

In this, his most recent scholarly presentation, given live before a distinguished audience of Christians, Atheists, Agnostics, Pantheists, Buddhists, Taoists, and persons of just about any religious or anti-religious perspective, Dr. Rigby strives to illumine Christian text with Taoist teaching.  Worth bearing in mind, perhaps, is the fact that his audience assembled themselves in a small building, called St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church,located in Austin’s northern Wells Branch suburb,  where justice advocate and often controversial Dr. Rigby has taught for more than twenty years, for the specific purpose of hearing him [Reverend Dr. Jim Rigby] speak his mind on his topic of choice.

Though brilliant, his views and teachings have oftentimes ignited 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 merge Taoist teachings with Christian teachings into one message that has the power to continuously inform and transform our lives, providing richness and presentness.  The podcast begins with a reader citing text from Christian scripture.  When Dr. Rigby addresses his listeners, he brings in Tao text, stories, metaphors and poetry–taking us deeper into the original text than perhaps we’ve ever ventured.  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 Dr. Rigby’s views on Taoism and Christianity, click on the above podcast link and 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