SENSITIZE 104
You gotta please yourself. How?
Mourn, meek and mercy
Every morning, Mr. Cring takes a personal moment with his friends
Sit Down Comedy … December 14th, 2018
Jonathots Daily Blog
(3886)
Bad inflow, stinky outflow.
The human race has been given lots of bad information.
Thus the stink in the air.
The collaborators are at work. They have gotten together and either lined up in one brigade or clumped in another–those camps being the secular notion that all human beings are basically good, just needing to be left alone to prosper within their own consciousness, or the religious assertion that we are rotten, and if God doesn’t save us and constantly monitor our activities, we are fodder for hell.
It’s spooky.
And trying to find a real life out of these warring armies of philosophy makes the common person like me wish for some peace. The problem is, I end up less productive than I wish to be.
Human beings are probably one of the simpler forms of life.
We are not creatures in the jungle, struggling for survival. We are not bees, frantically trying to make honey, and we also are not cockroaches, scurrying across the floor to escape being squashed by grossed-out adults.
We have two buttons. Yes, just two: LESS and MORE. Should we press LESS or press MORE?
The conflict arises when our ego tells us to press MORE when LESS is needed, or our fear demands we press LESS when it’s time to hunker down on the MORE button.
The entire Gospel of Jesus was a less and more proposal. Don’t take my word for it–you read it and you’ll see the principle. He came to guide us into what should be done less, what should be thought less and what should be felt less, and what requires a good dose of more.
You don’t have to go any further than the Beatitudes to find this in full application:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
In other words, less ego about being spiritual because you really aren’t, and God doesn’t expect you to be anything but human.
“Blessed are they that mourn.”
More compassion is needed for others if we expect to feel the compassion coming back our way.
“Blessed are the meek.”
Less struggling, fighting, arguing, back-biting and cursing will give us a chance to buy time for a shift in society’s thinking or a change of scenery.
“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”
We all need more energy in trying to learn to achieve our goals by using the most common sense we can possibly muster.
“Blessed are the merciful.”
It’s made clear that the more merciful we are to others, the more we receive in return.
“Blessed are the pure in heart.”
The less we inundate our emotions with unnecessary arguments, the easier it is to see God working in our lives.
“Blessed are the peacemakers.”
The more we stay out of the fracas of politics and religious intolerance, the more we will be viewed as individuals who make things happen–good things.
“Blessed are those which are persecuted for righteousness sake.”
Yes, less worry about whether we will come out on top. We should stop being concerned about goodness going out of style.
And the culmination: “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad.”
Bluntly, less fretting about whether things are going to turn out well for us here on Earth and in the kingdom beyond.
Step into your day with your two buttons: LESS and MORE.
Then take the time, all the good things you’ve learned, and choose which one to press when it is the moment to render an excellent decision.
We are delighted to announce that every afternoon from now until Christmas we will be posting sittings from the story, “Jubilators,” for your enjoyment. Good reading and Merry Christmas!
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Catchy (Sitting 40) 101 Days… March 18th, 2018
Jonathots Daily Blog
(3615)
Wedding bells.
Landy Loren, one of the original members of Matthew’s marketing team, fell in love with McKendree Davis, who was the drummer in Jubal Carlos’ band. Most folks knew him as “Michelob” because of his fondness for beer. He wasn’t a “bowling alley drinker”–more a connoisseur of fine beers from all over the world. He always talked about how he drank his beer like wine-sipping, never chugging.
Landy and McKendree were married on the jet plane en route to a rally in Washington, D.C., where Cassidy Templeton was scheduled to speak in front of a crowd predicted to be 500,000.
After his national exposure, his phrase, “check if you’re dead,” became a slogan all across the country, selling two million t-shirts with the saying in just eight days. The nation had suddenly gone from being engorged in its own self-involvement to being given a new set of eyes–and those peepers were all on Cassidy.
Cassidy was astounding on all fronts. He was strikingly handsome, muscular, devoted to his family, but drenched in good old-fashioned humility. His speeches were blessedly short, his sense of humor was keen and his energy seemed boundless.
Three days earlier he had appeared on international television with Merklin Shineer–probably the most well-known atheist walking the planet. Even though Shineer was in his early seventies and considered intolerably grouchy, young people from all over the world were drawn to him because of his plain-speaking manner and his no-nonsense approach to what he deemed “the monster of religion.”
Even though Jubal Carlos warned Cassidy to avoid this “cattle show,” as he called it, Cassidy just smiled and said, “It never hurts to tell the truth.”
So when they got together for the debate, a coin was tossed, and Merklin was given first crack at the audience. He talked for a solid forty minutes about the indignities of life, the unfairness to the poor, the wretched treatment of women and children and the absence of any divinity to curtail the efforts of what seemed to be rampant evil. Merklin occasionally glanced back at Cassidy, who sat thoughtfully, listening.
At the end of his time, Merklin turned to Cassidy and posed a challenge: “If you can give me one reason why I should believe in a God who doesn’t give a damn about people, then I’ll walk out of here today accepting your Jesus and repenting of my sins.”
The audience hooted and howled their approval. Merklin strolled over to his chair, sat down and smugly crossed his legs. He motioned to Cassidy to take the platform. The crowd continued to hiss and sneer as Cassidy got to his feet.
He walked over and shook Merklin’s hand, and then took the microphone and said to the crowd, “That was amazing. What was truly astounding to me was that as I sat there listening to Merklin speak, I realized how much I agree with him. I became fully aware that I share pretty much all of his doubts. I, too, am pained by the power that evil seems to carry in our world. I am deeply saddened that women and children are the targets of that sinister plot. I often sit in a corner by myself and say, ‘Cassidy, how could there be a God?'”
He paused, looking at the people with tears in his eyes. “I do, you know.”
There was a stillness in the room. Even the babies knew it was no time to cry for their mothers.
After a long moment, Cassidy continued. “But I found, Merklin, that you left out one doubt that I have. I thought you would cover it since you’re such a beautiful and intelligent man. But you didn’t. So let me state the one doubt I have more than you.”
All at once Cassidy slipped to his knees and reached out his right hand to the audience. “I doubt,” he began. Then he stopped. “I doubt,” he started again, his voice cracking, “I doubt if I can love you all as much as I need to without God’s help.”
He bowed his head and let the microphone drop to the stage, sending an echo of reverb throughout the building. And then he just wept. He cried like a widow who had just lost her long-loved husband. This went on for a solid two minutes.
Then there was a sniff or two from the audience, some gasping, and then sobbing. In no time at all, most of the people in attendance joined Cassidy in what seemed to be a needful moment of mourning.
Merklin himself bowed his head, squeezed his nose between his thumb and finger, stood up and strolled off the stage.
America seemed to be coming to a long overdue introspection:
The Catholic Church had decided to try a “test parish,” assigning a female priest in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. They asked Sister Rolinda if she would become “Mother Rolinda” to the congregation and lead them.
After much controversy and many debates, the Mormon Church offered an apology for allowing years of indoctrination against the black man to be included in their books.
The Baptists came out against Confederate flags.
The United Methodist church became more energized, with a sense of hope and revival.
Everywhere there was the essence of awakening, without the religious trappings.
Yet as the jet made its way to Washington, D.C., and the marriage ceremony was completed, Matthew found himself enjoying the night life of Las Vegas and the benefits of Nevada’s legal prostitution. He never jumped on the plane to join the “caravan of the concerned” anymore. He wrote checks, he took care of the books and made sure that all legal questions were fielded by the proper attorneys.
Jo-Jay was busy tracking down Prophet Morgan’s murderer, so every attempt he made to contact her was met with her familiar answering machine: “Hi, this is Jo-Jay. Like the Blue Jay but I’m not a bird. Leave a message.”
Matthew was a man who knew he was ill but preferred the pain to the cure.
Meanwhile, the rally in Washington exceeded expectations. Nearly 700.000 people showed up, many sporting the black t-shirts with hot pink lettering which read, Check if you’re dead. Cassidy spoke only ten minutes in front of the crowd, which had traveled from all over the world for the moment.
Jubal Carlos, who had been taking less and less of a role of late, filled in with music and a fifteen-minutes retrospective on where they had come from and where they prayed to go.
After the meeting, the 700,000 people dispersed with hugs, smiles and tears, as Cassidy was whisked away to the White House to meet the President. He was to be honored with a special Public Servant Award. When he arrived, it was not just the President but his whole family, plus the Vice President and many members of Congress, who had gathered in the East Room to see “the Lazman.”
Cassidy, when asked to say a few words, stood to his feet and quipped, “You know, I used to work with power. But looking around this room–this is ridiculous.”
A great burst of laughter. So he continued. “And as I learned, power can energize you, or it can…well, it can kill you. I hope all of us in this room realize that. I pray for each and every one of you every day. I wouldn’t want your jobs. My job is easy. I take the life God has given me–now in my 101st day of resurrection–and try to just love as many people as I can. It may sound silly, or even weak, but it’s what I got.”
He nodded to the dignitaries, who burst into applause and stood up to give him honor.
Cassidy went to sit on a lovely divan and lay his head back for moment, resting. The President and First Lady walked over to meet him. He took their hands and thanked them for their courtesy in inviting him.
All at once, he raised his eyebrows as if he was looking deeply into their souls. He gave a small chuckle, took a deep breath, and quietly said, “I guess that’s it.”
He laid his head back against the divan, and the President and First Lady, thinking he must be exhausted from the rally, left him to rest. Everybody gave him space. Actually, people thought it was cute that he had fallen asleep at the White House during a tribute to his life and success. Some people even started to leave.
Then one of the butlers noticed that Cassidy had not moved for some time, and it appeared that he wasn’t breathing. The butler slowly stepped over, lifted a hand and felt for a pulse. He lurched back in alarm, speaking to the surrounding guests, “He’s dead.”
A doctor who was present for the occasion ran forward and discovered the same. He placed Cassidy on the ground, trying to revive him. An ambulance was called, but by the time it arrived, it was much too late.
Cassidy Templeton was dead. He had passed away in the White House, on the 101st day after his miracle resurrection.
The nation was stunned.
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Jesonian … February 10th, 2018
Jonathots Daily Blog
(3579)
There are two distinct types of abuse.
There is physical abuse, punctuated by an attack against body, heart or mind. It leaves cuts, bruises and scars. It is nasty, evil and inexcusable.
The other form of abuse is neglect. Being commissioned to perform a responsibility, someone decides to set it aside in favor of other pursuits, leaving that which was meant to be cared for destitute.
Although a case could be made that the religious system continues to physically abuse Jesus of Nazareth by crucifying him weekly in sermons, attempting to stimulate some sort of passion from the congregation, I shall step aside from such discussion in favor of presenting the true abuse.
We preach a Gospel of salvation which includes emphasis on “one time only, better do it today, this could be your last chance, hell is hot, Jesus loved you so much that he bled, and don’t you want to go to heaven” rhetoric in an attempt to frighten hearers who have already heard this many times before.
Meanwhile the real message of Jesus–the one that makes him our intimate, elder brother, and also affords the planet an opportunity for peaceful cohabitation–is often read aloud with the energy of reciting last week’s grocery list.
If you’re going to be Jesonian, you need to love Jesus. If you’re going to love Jesus, you’re going to get to know what’s close to his heart. And when you get to know what’s close to his heart, you will no longer be satisfied with a crucified Savior, but instead will become a disciple, pursuing a dynamic lifestyle.
You don’t have to go any further than the first three beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount to see what Jesus was all about. Matter of fact, I could spend the rest of my life elaborating on that trio and never run out of material.
It begins with the reality, follows with a challenge and culminates with wisdom.
The reality: we are happy because we are poor in spirit.
The reason that makes us happy is because we can stop trying to be spiritual instead of human. Once you find your classification, it’s so much easier to compete. Not an angel, not a saint, not a theologian, but rather, a human who is impoverished in the realm of spirit.
First realization: I am human and it is good.
God said so when He got done creating us. I don’t think He lied. Sure, we’re unpredictable, but since He’s not afraid of that, why should I apologize?
This is followed with a challenge. “Blessed are those who mourn.”
I have emotions and this is good.
Although we try to suppress them, these feelings continue to pop to the forefront, churn up our throats and waggle our tongues. Rather than deny them, we should use them to feel, to laugh, and most certainly, to mourn–to escape being uncaring bastards and instead, weep over the loss and pain in the world around us.
This climaxes with a bit of eternal, precious wisdom. “Blessed are the meek.”
Although there is a campaign to promote the notion that the more we brag, the stronger we are, the human race actually has a tendency to cut the stilts out from under those who try to walk too tall.
We honor humility. We are geared to destroy pride, even when it dwells within us.
Humble: “I am weak and it is good.”
In these three statements Jesus establishes a Gospel which is not only able to be mastered by humans, but can also be passed along as the living bread of truth that we all desperately need before we starve to death emotionally and spiritually.
I am human and it is good.
I have emotion, and it is good.
I am weak, and damn straight–it is good.
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G-Poppers … August 12th, 2016
Jonathots Daily Blog
(3031)
G-Pop is finding it a bit difficult to speak to his children.
For it seems that ideas which once had universal appeal have now been categorized as antagonistic to certain political persuasions.
Matter of fact, just the other day he told one of his sons that “being kind is smart.” The young fellow, who is a Republican, thought he was speaking against the Grand Old Party, and espousing some namby-pamby liberal propaganda.
Likewise, G-Pop told one of his daughters that there is great wisdom in “minding your own business.” She concluded that he was a Republican who wanted to keep the government out of his affairs.
And G-Pop seems to baffle everyone when he contends that one of the greater axioms of life is “don’t complain.” To the majority of his children, this sounds almost un-American.
So in the quest to gain political footing or governmental control, virtuous principles are being abandoned in favor of temporary tantrums.
G-Pop thinks we’ve totally forgotten what makes America truly exceptional:
We are a people who are poor in spirit but mourn in our meek way as we hunger and thirst for greater understanding and righteousness, extending mercy to others, while keeping an eye on the purity of our motives. We are always looking for ways to make peace, realizing that doing so will bring some persecution from those who would rather destroy. But we take heart, knowing that our forefathers suffered the slings and arrows of the insane mob which tried to promote war, as we choose to rejoice and be exceedingly glad because we know that history is on the side of the nation that honors humanity.
You see, the problem could “beatitude.”
And G-Pop is curious.
Is there a political party that believes in this?
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Jesonian: Reverend Meningsbee (Part 15) The Word Went Forth… August 7th, 2016
Jonathots Daily Blog
(3026)
There was a pretty good crowd gathered.
Apparently in the midst of a whole lot of shuffling going on in Garsonville, some aces were being dealt in the direction of the church–new people, searching folk and “institutions” who had been around so long that they had streets named after them.
Meningsbee quickly introduced Kitty and Hapsy to one of the dear ladies of the church, who opened up her wing and pulled them close, sitting them on the fourth row next to her. Kitty looked frightened, but sufficiently worn out that she didn’t put up much of a fuss.
Meningsbee stopped worrying about his surprise visitors because he was so excited about today’s service.
He didn’t sing a hymn, figuring there was enough melody in his heart for the whole room, and he skipped the prayer, assuming the Heavenly Father fully knew his intentions.
“Okay, let’s get this rolling!” he said with the vigor of a football coach. “I’d like to invite up Number 1 and Number 2 of the pieces of paper I passed out last week.”
After a brief pause, Carl, one of the long-standing members, and Kimberly, a new mother, eased their way to the front and stood side-by-side.
“Well, since I have two, that must make you one,” said Carl with a wry smile.
Kimberly nodded, and shared, reading from her paper, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
She stopped.
Carl waited momentarily and then looked at the audience with a twinkle in his eye. “Well, I guess that’s all she’s got to say.”
He opened up his paper and read aloud, “My dear friends, we are not spiritual. We are just people, so stop trying to act like you’re angels.”
His delivery was perfect, because everybody burst out laughing. Carl looked over at Meningsbee, who had posted himself nearby at a grease board, magic marker in hand.
The good reverend wrote down, “Number 1.”
He turned to the congregation and said, “True words. So based upon what I’ve heard here, I would sum it up with this.”
He turned back to the grease board and wrote in big letters:
1. WE’RE HUMAN.
From over his shoulder he said, “I’ll take the next two.”
Up walked Dexter, about nineteen years of age, and Brian, maybe fifteen.
Dexter read, “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Brian, confident that Dexter was finished, leaped in and added, “It won’t kill us to feel for other people.”
A few more giggles.
Meningsbee wrote down on his board:
2. WE CARE.
Monique, the church secretary and Mr. Jackson, Vice-President of the bank, offered:
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” and, “Don’t be in such a hurry to worry.”
To which Meningsbee responded, compiling his list:
3. WE CAN WAIT HERE TOGETHER.
Things took off.
Martha and Mary, who amazingly actually reversed the roles from the Bible, with Martha being the more studious one, shared, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled,” alongside, “We ain’t smart enough to not listen.”
Meningsbee jotted down:
4. WE’RE STILL LEARNING.
Meanwhile, keeping up with the names was a real trick for Meningsbee, who had only been there a little over a month. So the next pair slipped up and said their piece, Meningsbee unable to retrieve their names.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy,” and, “Don’t look down on other people because down is readily available.”
Meningsbee listed:
5. WE NEED MERCY
Next up was Mrs. Mason, in her eighties, and Toby, who was, well, just Toby–one of those young men who can lift half a file cabinet but doesn’t say much about anything else.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God,” and, “If you’re not going to be clean with people, you come across dirty.”
Meningsbee’s translation:
6. WE ARE GROWING TO SHARE.
Then someone named Steve, and Billy, who liked fishing:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God,” and, “Eventually you’ll start a fight that will finish you.”
7. WE WANT TO GET ALONG.
(Meningsbee’s writing on the grease board)
Next was Hector, from the grocery store, and Sharon, leader of the women’s Bible study, who popped right up and pointed out, “Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven,” along with, “You can’t do enough good to be considered good by everybody.”
Up on the board:
8. WE BETTER NEED CRITICS BECAUSE THEY’RE HERE.
Then came Mr. Tomlinson, whom the Reverend didn’t know much about, and Thomas, who was anything but a doubter. “Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil things against you for my sake.”
Thomas looked down at his note and smiled. He proffered, “Some folks ain’t happy unless they make you unhappy.”
Meningsbee scrawled on his board:
9. BUT CRITICS CAN BE NASTY.
For some reason, everybody really enjoyed that one, and just giggled on for a few seconds.
The next two up were Sandra and Cory, who were engaged to be married in a couple of weeks at the church. After some “oohs and aahs” of admiration for the cleverness of luck putting them together, Cory said, “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Sandra tagged on, “People like good if they don’t have to change.”
Meningsbee jotted:
10. WE’RE IN GOOD COMPANY.
And finally, up popped Tracy, the photographer, and Russ, who aspired to be a movie-maker. Tracy went first. “These are the ideas that we will use to run this church. We’re going to call them The Ten Dears of the Garsonville Church.“
Russ jumped in. “We know it sounds kind of corny, but after all, we do live in Nebraska.”
Great laughter.
Russ held up a finger, letting everyone know that his little speech wasn’t over. “Hold on!” he said. “There’s more. To use movie lingo, I have a sequel. Now, if you’ll look on the board and join me:”
Meningsbee pointed to #1 and everybody read aloud: WE’RE HUMAN.
Then #2: WE CARE.
#3: WE CAN WAIT HERE TOGETHER
#4: WE’RE STILL LEARNING.
#5. WE NEED MERCY
#6. WE ARE GROWING TO SHARE
#7. WE WANT TO GET ALONG
#8. WE BETTER NEED CRITICS BECAUSE THEY’RE HERE
#9. BUT CRITICS CAN BE NASTY
#10. WE’RE IN GOOD COMPANY
The congregation burst into applause. Meningsbee took that moment to look over and see what Kitty and Hapsy were doing. Hapsy was sitting upright, clapping her hands, only pausing to chew on a cracker that had been graciously provided for her.
And there was Kitty–sound asleep.
Meningsbee felt a twinge of disappointment that Kitty had missed the impact of the service. But there would be other days.
Yes…many glorious other days.
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Getting in Character … June 15th, 2015
(2613)
From Act II: Scene VII of As You Like It, Shakespeare asserts that “all the world is a stage,” and all the men and women, “merely players.”
Scribbled in the margin of the script was a note from the director: “This scene requires real tears.”
The actor stared at the instruction and was immediately struck by two words: “requires” and “real.”
In other words, this was a non-negotiable situation. It was required.
The director had already decided that based upon the construction of the scene and the characters involved, that the emotion would demand some weeping.
Then there was the word “real.”
For after all, nothing is more displeasing to an audience than someone sprouting crocodile tears which obviously are being dribbled by force.
So what to do? How does one tap the real heart of the matter, and find the deep-down growlings that generate the kind of energy that fosters tears?
The actor thought for a long time and finally came to a conclusion.
Tears are the release of our fears.
Our apprehensions lie within us, trying to hide in corners and disguise themselves as temporary apparitions until we finally break down and admit that we’re scared to death, and allow the tears to flow freely.
Matter of fact, it’s impossible to get in character without tapping the sadness of your role. Every human has fears. Masking them turns us into chilly lumps of flesh or causes us to concede that belief is a joke and never really offers any lasting solution.
After all, most people do not become atheists because they don’t believe there’s a God. They become atheists because they hurt and don’t believe that God gives a damn.
Without tears our fears remain.
And when our fears remain, we are defensive to the world around us rather than optimistic about the possibility of relationship.
We all need comfort. But there’s no comfort given to us unless we mourn.
How would anyone know? Are they supposed to read our minds? Should they anticipate that merely because we wear human flesh, there’s some devastation within?
Without the comfort, the fears remain, taunting our talent and making us believe that our ability is never enough. But when real tears are required and we feel the freedom to weep … we are suddenly afforded the healing of comfort.
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