When a mind goes blank...
Captain's Log, Stardate $*&%!(*$^
So, Jonathan's 8 now. I'm in the process of a formal conversion to Judaism to clear up any confusion. Nadine has started down that same road. And Jonathan told us last night that he wants to convert to Judaism too. And while I am extremely excited about all of that, I have been completely at a loss as to what to write on my blog for almost a month. And that has left me frustrated.
I've been reading Boteach's Judaism for Everyone, and it has helped me articulate and define my Jewishness in ways I've never been able to. It's an incredibly inspiring book for anyone who wishes to enhance their spiritual life as well as their activist life. I've also been engrossed in deep study for the last few weeks. Letting go of Christianity has been freeing in more ways than I knew I could be free in. My studies have jumped by leaps and bounds, and bias seemed to jump out the window. It has made for a much more fluid and consistent way of looking at things. While I have believed certain things for quite some time (e.g. the non-Diety of Yeshua, and many other things concerning my religious beliefs and social activist leanings), I now know how to articulate the reasons behind them much more confidently than before.
Concerning the Diety of Yeshua, or the absence thereof, http://www.torahofmessiah.com has been one of the better resources I found on the subject, more specifically Uri Marcus' lessons, Adonai Echad. The website as a whole can be a bit presumptious and cocky at times, but the info therein is quite useful. And as always, I don't agree with everything endorsed by the site, however, I do think it is a great resource.
So why is it that every other religion I've studied has focused on exiting material possessions, and leaving this world for something better, while Judaism focuses on God having given us this world to enjoy, and the mandate to realize our full potential while healing the world around us? Most others seem focused on the afterlife or some other place besides here, while Judaism focuses on the here and now, and how to repair our world. Meditation in the former, action in the latter. Dare I say Faith within many religions, and losing faith for the search for evidence within Judaism.
Beyond such Judaisms, it looks as though I will likely be singing/screaming for a new band soon. It will most likely be a couple of month while they reorganize the band, but I'm excited none-the-less. They're dark and heavy, which I've always enjoyed performing in the most. I sang a concert for the band I've been producing, U & i, a few weeks back, and it seems that my stage presence was too dark for such "poppy" guys. I take that as a compliment. That means that I never lost what I worked so hard to have in my old band, I Am, which broke up 6 years ago after lasting for the same amount of time.
Well there are some random thoughts for you. Now if only I could come up with something I feel comfortable posting to my blog.
Have a Ramahanukkwanzmas!
...especially Jason, Rebekkah, Brian, Christy, Tobin, Dani, & Mars-Hall. For the rest of you as well. It's just that I feel a bit more guilt concerning not having done anything for those I know in person. Perhaps next year will allot us some more money, as opposed to using FoodStamps to make treats for a few people. Plus, we will more than likely living in snow next December.
So, Jonathan's 8 now. I'm in the process of a formal conversion to Judaism to clear up any confusion. Nadine has started down that same road. And Jonathan told us last night that he wants to convert to Judaism too. And while I am extremely excited about all of that, I have been completely at a loss as to what to write on my blog for almost a month. And that has left me frustrated.
I've been reading Boteach's Judaism for Everyone, and it has helped me articulate and define my Jewishness in ways I've never been able to. It's an incredibly inspiring book for anyone who wishes to enhance their spiritual life as well as their activist life. I've also been engrossed in deep study for the last few weeks. Letting go of Christianity has been freeing in more ways than I knew I could be free in. My studies have jumped by leaps and bounds, and bias seemed to jump out the window. It has made for a much more fluid and consistent way of looking at things. While I have believed certain things for quite some time (e.g. the non-Diety of Yeshua, and many other things concerning my religious beliefs and social activist leanings), I now know how to articulate the reasons behind them much more confidently than before.
Concerning the Diety of Yeshua, or the absence thereof, http://www.torahofmessiah.com has been one of the better resources I found on the subject, more specifically Uri Marcus' lessons, Adonai Echad. The website as a whole can be a bit presumptious and cocky at times, but the info therein is quite useful. And as always, I don't agree with everything endorsed by the site, however, I do think it is a great resource.
So why is it that every other religion I've studied has focused on exiting material possessions, and leaving this world for something better, while Judaism focuses on God having given us this world to enjoy, and the mandate to realize our full potential while healing the world around us? Most others seem focused on the afterlife or some other place besides here, while Judaism focuses on the here and now, and how to repair our world. Meditation in the former, action in the latter. Dare I say Faith within many religions, and losing faith for the search for evidence within Judaism.
Beyond such Judaisms, it looks as though I will likely be singing/screaming for a new band soon. It will most likely be a couple of month while they reorganize the band, but I'm excited none-the-less. They're dark and heavy, which I've always enjoyed performing in the most. I sang a concert for the band I've been producing, U & i, a few weeks back, and it seems that my stage presence was too dark for such "poppy" guys. I take that as a compliment. That means that I never lost what I worked so hard to have in my old band, I Am, which broke up 6 years ago after lasting for the same amount of time.
Well there are some random thoughts for you. Now if only I could come up with something I feel comfortable posting to my blog.
Have a Ramahanukkwanzmas!
...especially Jason, Rebekkah, Brian, Christy, Tobin, Dani, & Mars-Hall. For the rest of you as well. It's just that I feel a bit more guilt concerning not having done anything for those I know in person. Perhaps next year will allot us some more money, as opposed to using FoodStamps to make treats for a few people. Plus, we will more than likely living in snow next December.