<html><P>As a child who grew up with the religious Order, and who has been on the journey away from any religion and toward my own spirituality (which I learned about because of my parents AND my experience in the Order, what I see and feel and live is the conscious paradigm shift.</P>
<P>From Original Sin to Original Blessing.</P>
<P>As far as I can see, original sin and "unworthiness" are not useful or instructive anymore.<BR>We are all worthy of that which the universe provides and gives.<BR>And I find deep, profound teaching in humbleness, humility, the practice of nothingness.<BR>I am human.<BR>And we are are the creation/children of this Luminous Universe.</P>
<P>Jon Mark Elizondo</P>
<P><BR><BR>---------- Original Message ----------<BR>From: Richard and Maria <richardandmaria@unfoldingfutures.net><BR>To: oe@lists.wedgeblade.net<BR>Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] OE Digest, Vol 4, Issue 23<BR>Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2012 19:21:52 +1000<BR><BR>Hi<BR><BR>Could someone put Common Worship in the Life of the Church on the <BR>Wedgeblade website? It's a great document.<BR><BR>As I have gone on through the years, I have reflected more on the <BR>confession aspect.<BR><BR>In the light of the way the Gospel and letters of Paul describe the <BR>people of faith, our present "unworthiness" is not emphasised, but the <BR>greatness of what we have received, which was not earned. We are a "new <BR>Creation", made "friends with God" (See 2 Corinthians 5:16ff for <BR>example). To me the confession is more about the shock of discovering <BR>my/our having forgotten this wonderful gift over and over. The <BR>thanksgiving is in rediscovering it, having it reaffirmed and sensing <BR>the power within and among us to live it out.<BR><BR>I recognise that for some in our community what I have just written <BR>might be controversial, and for others illuminating, and I welcome all <BR>responses.<BR><BR>Best wishes<BR><BR>Richard<BR><BR><BR><BR>You are right: there are four parts of worship:<BR>Thanksgiving, Confession,Praise and Dedication or commitment.<BR>We never began worship without direct acknowledgement of who we pray, <BR>then confession of our unworthiness for all we have received, which <BR>leads us to remember not only the goodness of our own lives but the <BR>amazing creative love of God, which in turn calls for our dedication or <BR>commitment.<BR><BR>-- <BR>Transforming organisations and individuals towards a future worth living now<BR>Tel: 02 9896 3839, Fax: 02 9896 3904<BR>Mail: 18 Sturdee St, Wentworthville NSW 2145, Australia<BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>OE mailing list<BR>OE@lists.wedgeblade.net<BR>http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net<BR></P></html>
<br><br><font SIZE="2" color="#000000">____________________________________________________________</font><br><a style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3142/500f1583c4b971583369cst53vuc" target=_blank><font face="Arial"><font color="#004080" size="3"><b>Woman is 53 But Looks 25</b></font><br><font color="#000000" size="2">Mom reveals 1 simple wrinkle trick that has angered doctors...<br></a><a style="COLOR: #000000" href="http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3142/500f1583c4b971583369cst53vuc" target=_blank>ConsumerLifestyleMag.com</a></font></font>