What did you go out to see?

The alarm went off at 3:30. That's 0330. That's before 4 in the morning. That's early. And I didn't have work, or an appointment or anyone I had to meet. I had to go 20 kilometres away and be there by 4:15 am. I wanted to see the moon. Tonight it was full. And then the longest lunar eclipse of the century took place. I didn't see it all as the clouds barricaded the moon away from me for a time. 

Then it happened, the white moon turned blood red. They call this phenomenon the "blood moon." The moon was at its apogee (the farthest point in its orbit around Earth), so the moon actually appeared smaller in size. Unlike the Super Blue Blood Moon, where it appeared much bigger in size. 

Even so, the moon was extremely present, and dominant to the cloud-filled sky. At just the right time, the clouds rolled back and the white eclipsed moon, turned red. It was quite a sight to see. 

I had my camera and many lenses. I was ready. But really I wanted to enjoy the moment and see the sight. It was a cold winter's night tonight, and my Sydney Swans beanie kept my head warm, but my hands were starting to chill too much. After I had seen what I went out to see, I went back into the car, thanked God (not my lucky stars) and drove home. 

What did I go out to see? The moon, and the ways of nature as it climbed into the sky and filled me and no doubt, hundreds of planetaria and tens of thousands of astronomers, with pleasure.

Earlier tonight I got home (a bit late from dinner out and working a bit later at the office) and watched the aforementioned Swans in their match against the Essendon Bombers in Melbourne. I recorded the game, so could fast forward through the stoppages and the major breaks. What did I want to see? After my side had lost 3 of their last 4 games, I was hoping for a victory. But that didn't happen. I saw the team go down to a 40 point loss and our Top 8 hopes are being dashed weekly. I wanted to see victory, but instead saw disappointment and defeat.

Back at the turn of the Christian era, about 2000 years ago, Yeshua from Nazareth was discussing his relative John, and posed these three questions, "When the messengers of John had left, Yeshua began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft ²clothing? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces! But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet." (Luke 7.24-26)

It's a good thing to consider. Why do we go where we go? What did we hope to see?  Those who checked the New York Stock Exchange yesterday morning perhaps were shocked to see Facebook had lost over $100 billion in value. In a day. They might have gone out to see victory and financial independence, but instead were met with despair and loss.  

When you retire for the night tonight, or wake up fresh in the morning, ask yourself, what do I want to see today? In what direction can I face, and what actions should I take to make those things happen? 

I really like the Serenity Prayer of the 12-step folks. "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference." Change what you can. Make a difference. Do the right things. Change the things you can. 

And yet, there are an equal number of enthusiastic folks in your world who can change things that you cannot. There are circumstances you cannot control. There are processes in place that you didn't create. Accept the things you cannot change. 

What did you go out to see today?
What will you do with your tomorrow?

Random thoughts to ponder

One-liners are often used in comedy by such greats as Henny Youngman and not-so-greats like Steven Wright. Calling us to think outside the box, and imagine things a different way. What about philosophic memes which abound on social media feeds in the last decade? They are fortune cookie commentary with accompanying artwork vying for my smile or acknowledgment of wrong.

In fact, any famous old one-liner could be nothing more than a cliché in modern vernacular. It takes two to tango. His bark's worse than his bite. Where there's smoke, there's fire. OK, you get it.

What about some of these? I encourage you to ponder... don't read quickly, but read one, and stop, pause, reflect, consider. Don't be in a hurry to repost or copy and paste or to dismiss either. And if you think you have seen one of these before, and maybe you are right, then know that I've taken these on board. I apologise for apparent forgery; there is nothing new under the sun. (There's another one, eh?)

1) When you see a beautiful scene, stop and enjoy it.
(Don't grab your camera. Don't memorialise it, not yet. Be in the moment.)

2) If it's not mine, leave it alone.
(The $20 note on the dresser of a shared house or my neighbour's desk at the office. The woman married to the man next door. The applause of praise given to another)

3) Yesterday is gone; tomorrow never arrives; live in today.


4)
..wait, did you pause and reflect on that one yet?...

4) God doesn't need me to defend Him.

5) You cannot humiliate a humble person.

6) My sin was great; God's love is greater.



Share your own favourites in comment below or wherever you want. But more importantly, live what you believe. 

If I could speak with Ari Hershkowitz

I had never heard of this man. Not until this year. The Times of Israel had a major article about him, and his departure from his religious roots. Anything about religion, especially the Jewish religion, often captivates me. Satmar Hasidim are a subset of ultra-Orthodox Jewish people and it was from them that this Ari Hershkowitz departed, leaving Brooklyn NY 3 years ago. The article is here.

He now calls himself a "culturally Jewish atheist." And gave up drugs and many other substances about 15 months ago. He revealed much about himself to Henry Greener from Melbourne on The Shtick. I remember Henry interviewing me there some years ago. He's a delightful man with keen insights.  (The Shtick - S53-05 Seg.3)

Ari is becoming well known in his own right, and he is one of the featured 'leavers' of Hasidic life in the movie/ Netflix documentary, "One of us." 

In an interview with three fellows online (Epistemic Ep. 18), Ari says, "For the record God hasn't answered any of my questions." I wonder what those questions might be. I wonder if Ari has read any of the words of Rabbi Yeshua from Nazareth. And then I wondered what we might talk about if he were in my lounge room here in Sydney, or I were in his back in the US. 

Some points I would consider:
1) Ari, going against the parents and the religion of your youth... I get that. I did that. And it cost me. And I imagine it has cost you. Do you have any regrets about leaving?
2) You cite your earlier years, even before Bar Mitzvah, as including sexual abuse and mental illness. Do you feel you have overcome the mental illness or outgrown it, or is it still haunting you? By the way, I'm so sorry you experienced abuse at all.
3) As for those unanswered questions, I seriously recommend an honest read of the Brit Hadashah. CJB or TLV or even NASB. The version doesn't matter so much as an honest and open heart. 

And you have to know, Yeshua went through all these points, too. 

1) One day he and his family were in Jerusalem. 
Look at this little story: "Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Yeshua stayed behind in Jerusalem. But his parents were unaware of it, but supposed him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for him among their relatives and acquaintances. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for him. Then, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.”  And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them and He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and he continued in subjection to them; and his mother treasured all these things in her heart." (recorded in Luke 2:42-51)

2) Yeshua wasn't mentally ill, but some wondered if he weren't losing it. In the story recorded just before Hanukkah account "A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words. Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?” Others were saying, “These are not the sayings of one demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?" (John 10.19-21) Yeshua actually healed people of their diseases, and he is still available to bring life and health to anyone who asks. I'm so glad I asked. 

3) Finally, as for questions, and longing for answers, Yeshua knows your thoughts and your questions, and sometimes answers and sometimes doesn't so that you will ask him again and again. And learn that answers to questions don't necessarily turn into faith and relationship. Honestly, what the Almighty wants is to be in relationship with each of us. And with you. Anything that gets in the way, He wants you to remove. Listen to this story: "A ruler questioned Yeshua, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Yeshua said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.“You know the commandments, ‘^aDO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.’” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”  When Yeshua heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; ^asell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have ^btreasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich." (Luke 18.18-23)

God wants to love on you today.

God wants you to love him back, today. How about now?

BTW, if anyone wants to read more about Ari here's the link to his own website: https://arih.me Shalom!