Forums
In one of the other topics, one of the folks seemed not to be so sure of the reception he'd get for saying he was a youth minister at his church.
In my experience, Deadheads span the full spectrum from Agnostic to Zoroastrian. I've met atheist Deadheads, Muslim Deadheads, Buddhist Deadheads, Catholic Deadheads, Jewish Deadheads, and Wiccan Deadheads. My Deadhead friends are all over the map on this stuff, and as far as I'm concerned one of the real richnesses of the scene is the ability to see how things look to other folks and, sometimes, experience it from their world.
Believe it if you need it, if you don't, just pass it on. But talk about it here, and please maintain a safe respectful place to do so.
Alan Watts on Music & Life
One of the great eastern/western mystic/philosophers of the last century talks about music & life, with animation by the creators of South Park:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERbvKrH-GC4
I love these videos--there's a whole series of them on youtube.
“Santa Claus wears a Red Suit, He must be a communist. And a beard and long hair, Must be a pacifist. What's in that pipe that he's smoking?"~Arlo Guthrie (The Pause of Mr. Claus)
for Tibetans...
... the approach of death is something to look forward to. It is something one has prepared for one's whole life. It is not something to be feared. If one is aware going through the death process then one controls one's own destiny and becomes a true reincarnate. For those without control one takes rebirth directed by the vagaries of karma.
Ecstasy and Enlightenment....
Why not strive for the mountaintop? We are all beings of light.......IF we are open to it.This is what I learned from the Grateful Dead.
And then,
There is so much ugliness in this world.....brought about by human nature. But it is not our true nature. We know better don't we? It is our responsibility to be good stewards of this Earth, this Life....to be the compassionate warrior. And to celebrate the beauty.
Love this topic and Love all you Deadheads!
(TxJed from may 20 '09 post......Right On!)
I believe in God
I just don't believe in organized religion. There have been too many people killed due to religious battles and disagreements.I died in 2001 three times on June 11th (work accident). There is a life after, and there are angels. I know this because I was sent back to life after meeting someone I know who died in 1985.
Grateful Dead concerts are the epitome of how humanity should exist. Masses gathered for the cause of enjoying something wonderful.
Peace On Earth
Back in 2002 I went through a conversion experience where it became clear to me that I'm a Christian. At the time I was staying in a cabin in the forest 2,500 ft. above the Pacific ocean.The owner of the place told me that Mountain Girl had stayed there before, thought that was cool. Being here on Deadnet has helped me through some rough times and strengthend my faith. May God bless you all.
nothin left to do...
but smile, smile, smile.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Pvb 17:22
that was written like 25 hundred years ago, science just figured it out.
i have been finding my faith
slipping lately, feeling sorry for myself....my son (who is usually one of my main sources of depression) is about the only thing that can cheer me up, as long as i let him. he has no HS diploma but just found a full time job. me, with a lifetime of experience, have been unemployed for over 2 years...but he's so happy about finding work that i'll just keep prayin'...i know the Lord won't let me down.
the Lord hasnt let you down
He has given you one of the biggest hearts I have ever seen.And he hasn't shortchanged us either, for we get to enjoy it.
Keep steppin', one foot after tha other.
You have made my earthly trip much richer, johnman.
Your story of a year or so ago, of the man who asked you
for some money during church, and your honest reactions,
are still reverberant with me.
Thanks for being you, johnman, and hey, pass me a cookie!
johnman...
We will all say a prayer that your prayers for a job will soon be answered. Hang in there bro, God has a plan for all of us.May His Peace be with you
"But I'll get back on my
"But I'll get back on my feet somedayThe good Lord willing, if He says I may
'cause I know the life I'm livin's no good
I'll get a new start, live the life I should"
I can probably find a lyric to perfectly sum up just about anything and everything... at least for myself. Haven't had that spiritual awakening yet, but the faith is there and I can't force it. My spritual progress is what it's all about. Religion or not, believing that we are all connected as one by some cosmic force or God, Allah, Ras Tafari adds another dimension to the human experience. But it is surely not neccessary. Just don't nuke our imagination, bro!
fire on the mountain
I just finished a book called "The Fifth Mountain", by Paulo Coelho. It's a novel about the life of the biblical prophet Elijah who, already struggling to maintain his sanity in a world fraught with tyranny and war, is forced to choose between his newly discovered love and his overwhelming sense of duty. A good book for anyone who is struggling with their faith.suffered a loss, or just wants to read a beautifully written and inspiring book.
...let me light your candle
Cause mamma I'm so hard to handle
The Buddhist Refuge
On Taking Refuge In The Three Jewels
This is the answer that comes from many high Rinpoches through their teaching. When I hear the teaching and I do study, contemplation and meditation that teaching becomes a part of me. Especially the part where they say if you don't understand Refuge in the Three Jewels then you aren't a Buddhist. I think faith is good enough for all else in Buddhism except for this one thing. You HAVE TO know it from the mind and the heart both. Like you said, it is really, really important.
So, in order to understand Refuge you must understand the meaning of the word Refuge. Refuge means to seek shelter from something bad. A place that allows you to be away from the bad thing or things. So, what is the bad thing or things? Birth, sickness, old age and death. In other words, the cycle of existence. You are going to die. After you die, where will you go? What kind of body will you take in the 3 realms of samsara and 6 levels of existence? 3 realms of samsara are the Form, Formless and Desire Realms. Within the Desire realm are the six levels of existence: The gods (or devas); The demigods (titans or asuras);
The humans; The Hungry Ghosts and the hell beings. So beings of the desire realm will take rebirth according to their good or bad karma in one of these six levels. There are extraordinary human beings who through their meditative contemplation and absorptions take rebirth in the form and formless realms where they enjoy the fruit of their steady concentration and then fall back to the desire realm after their store of good karma runs out. So here I have introduced the two things that are very fundamental to Buddhist refuge: The cycle of samsaric existence that we experience through karmic acts and reincarnation. It doesn't matter if we create the good or bad karma, we are still on the wheel of suffering existence that goes around and around through limitless lifetimes. When we experience the good we have pleasure when we experience the bad we have pain. That is the samsara. So, if you understand this then the mind, YOUR mind, becomes tired of this. It is a question of becoming more subtle and realizing something beyond your every day mind that wants only the pleasurable material things or even just love and happiness because even happiness and pleasure are just called "The golden chains" that bind (tie) you to the wheel of cyclic existence.
So, becoming weary (tired) of the pain and pleasure alternating through countless lifetimes one comes to know that there is only one way to be free of the fears of samsaric cyclic existence. That is through the Buddha, who is the skillful physiscian (doctor) who gives (administers) the Dharma (truth of the ultimate nature of reality) which is the medicine. The sangha are the skillful nurses who help the Buddha to give this medicine. The sangha is divided roughly into 2 parts: The monks and nuns (ordained ones who wear robes) who are the first ones traveling the path to Buddhahood through living pure lives of vows and morality and the lay (householders) people who believe in the Buddha and live in community and raise families. So it is through faith and reliance on these three Jewels that we find refuge from the fears of cyclic existence. That is why at the beginning of every Buddhist practice we start with "I take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Through the merit from giving and other good deeds, may I attain enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings." And this introduces the last part of refuge.
When we truly realize the unbelievable great suffering of cyclic existence we become very afraid. Very, very afraid of taking uncontrolled rebirth according to our karma from this and many previous lifetimes. We bow (Prostrate with our body, speech and mind) and take refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha from the very depths of our being. We want to be free forever from this suffering and we work like crazy the rest of our lives to do it. Because we (I) don't want to suffer anymore. This is the basic refuge of the HINAYANA (Theravadin). It is selfish, for me only. When we meditate further we understand that it is not only I who am suffering. It is all the other sentient beings that are suffering equally. We realize that we have to help all other sentient beings gain freedom from samsaric suffering. When we work for their sake as well as ours, this becomes the greater vehicle of the Mahayana Refuge. Still, if we meditate further on the kindness of all sentient beings who have been our mother because we have lived innumerable lives and there is not one sentient being who surrounds us who has not been our mother, and we realize the incredible kindness these mothers have shown us and seen how it our duty to repay their kindness with love and compassion, when we see this we take the special vow to quickly, very quickly, as quickly as possible, bring them to the state of Buddhahood, this is the ultimate refuge -- it is the Vajrayana refuge that employs the skilfull means of the mantrayana or tantra. This is absolutely the kind of refuge we should take for ourselves and for others.
But, the Buddha taught many skillful methods. He taught these three types of refuge for three general kinds of sentient beings.
For the ones who wants freedom from suffering for themself, he taught the Hinayana Refuge
For the ones who want everybody to be free from suffering, he taught the Mahayana Refuge
For the ones who want to free every kind mother they have ever had through countless lives as quickly as possible, he taught the Vajrayana Refuge.
I assure you that these are my own words from my own understanding without looking at any book. It comes from many lifetimes as a Lama and this life as a monk who listened well to many teachings and did the study, contemplation and meditation. If it helps even one sentient being to become enlightened I dedicate the merit for the welfare and benefit of every sentient being in cyclic existence who have once been my mother. If there is any mistake here I confess it now as my own and beg forgiveness from the perfect gurus such as Zopa Rinpoche, the Kopan lama and so forth. May the Buddha's teaching always shine through the darkness of cyclic existence that is samsara. May all beings come to find refuge, the means to permanent happiness and freedom from suffering.
Sincerely,
Lobsang Tengyie
very, very heavy
in reading your post gonzo, i found myself drifting twixt confusion and understanding, but i see inklings of other religious teachings, or at least similarities. we truly are all connected and it is better to care for others before ones self....or so i believe.
Amen, Johnman!
I'll be praying that your employment situation is soon resolved. Keep the faith, brother!
that "G-d gene"
I have a hypothesis that Deadheads tend to be "religious types" - even the atheists among us. Three distinct ideas: belief in a diety, affiliation with a particular organized religious group, pursuit of certain kinds of "mystical" experiences for SERIOUS lack of a better term. I've never met a Deadhead who did not fall into the last category.
The Harvard Psychedelic Club
This book, by religion writer Dan Lattin, is right on topic! It uses biographical profiles of Timothy Leary, Huston Smith, Andrew Weil, and Richard Alpert (Ram Dass), who came together at Harvard during the early sixties, experimented with psychedelics, and influenced religion, culture, and health in ways we now take for granted.
I wrote an Amazon review of the book: http://www.amazon.com/The-Harvard-Psychedelic-Club-ebook/dp/B003100UOM/…
There is a group on Facebook, and the author participates.
Barbara
interesting
I never knew Huston Smith, who unlike the others was a Perfectly Respectable Scholar (hell, he wrote the text of my comparative religions class in college) was mixed up in that crowd. Learn something new every day!
Spirituality and/or religion in action
Haven't posted here for a while but I've been reading others posts on a regular basis. One thing of which I am certainly guilty is over intellectualizing spirituality and religion. In practice the real thing is much more from the heart than from the mind. I had an illustration of this today from my 31 year old son who I raised in church and at Grateful Dead shows. He has become both a fine Christian and an exemplary Deadhead. The child of his wife's best friend was rushed to the hospital for surgery for a brain tumor. He went to the hospital primarily to be with the child's older sister whom he felt might feel neglected and scared with all the goings on. He took her out to eat and generally entertained her through her sister's surgery. I am so proud that he has such a high degree of empathy and willingness to care for others. Regardless of your belief system this seems to me to be the epitome of what spirituality/religion should be all about. He and I are planning to see Furthur together at Hampton Coliseum, where we so GD shows together, on 2/12. I will be so proud to attend with this wonderful human being who I am proud to call my son. The young lady with the tumor is named Monica, any prayers/positive thoughts would be appreciated for her. The tumor is not malignant but there are still possible serious complications, so keep her in your hearts.
What it's all about: Love & Compassion
Love: The wish for others to be happyCompassion: The wish for others to be free from suffering
Taking actions to make others happy
Taking actions to make others free from suffering
Extraordinarily: Using the most skillful methods to bring the most extensive benefit to as many as possible.
If this is not at the core I don't want to be a part of it.
Coming from the heart but carried out by the mind's command.
Wow, thanks johnman
Don't know of anyone who's opinion I respect more.
Hey Barb...!
My nephew recently emailed me an adaptation of the forward to a book called "Birth of a Psychedelic Culture: Conversations about Leary, the Harvard Experiments, Millbrook and the Sixties", by Ram Dass and Ralph Metzner with Gary Bravo, from Synergetic Press. I really enjoyed reading and it sounds similar to the book you posted. These are both high (no pun intended ; - ) on my "To Read" list.
Why does God allow natural disasters?
very interesting article here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8467755.stm
Any other Jesus Freak Deadheads out there going to Furthur Fest?
Or am I the only one. =)
If you're going to Furthur Fest it would be great to connect there. My wife and I will be attending with our 5 year old daughter and 2 year old son.
Rock on in Him.
Dave
Was reading about the introduction of Yoga...
...to the US starting with Vivikananda in the latter half of the 1800s. There was hysteria that swarthy swamis were deluding rich women into leaving them fortunes -- several did.
It took the Beatles going to India to finally put yoga in the mainstream in the mid 60s.
Now, yoga is done mainly for it's health benefits but almost as much to sustain practitioner's spiritual health.
posted by Stephen Spanger
in the wrong topic and moved here.
Here is a document called The Gospel According to the Grateful Dead (by David Smith of wisedyes.com -
check out his awesome tie dyes). It creatively seeks to explain the Gospel message of Jesus using
Grateful Dead song lyrics and Scripture! I'm not sure that Hunter, Garcia, Weir, Barlow, and the
Grateful Dead intentionally wrote lyrics with the Bible in mind. However, there's no denying that God is
sovereign and in complete control and that there are Biblical principles and themes in some of their lyrics.
I have spent my life, seeking all that’s left unsung, Bent my ear to hear the tune, And closed my
eyes to see
~Attics of My Life
We’re all looking for answers. We all want to know the truth. Sometimes it seems within our grasp, and then it
slips away.
Sometimes the light’s all shining on me, Other times I can barely see, Lately it occurs to me, What
a long strange trip it’s been
~Truckin’
But the truth does exist. Love is real. It is the most powerful force in the universe. And while we are seeking
Love, Love is seeking us. Love desires to reveal itself to us. Let us be open to that love.
Once in awhile you get shown the Light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right
~Scarlet Begonias
God is love. God is truth. God knows you intimately and wants you to know Him. He wants to commune with
you now, right where you are. Through dreams, visions, prophecy, and other forms of inspiration God has
spoken to countless people over the centuries. The concept of a supreme God has existed for centuries in
hundreds of cultures throughout the world. In fact, He may have already been speaking to you. Through the
words and music of Robert Hunter/Jerry Garcia and John Barlow/Bob Weir the God of all creation has planted
his Word. Listen carefully to what has been said.
If my words did glow, with the gold of sunshine, And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung,
Would you hear my voice come through the music, would you hold it near, as if it were you own?
~Ripple
Can’t you hear God’s voice pleading with you to be heard? Listen. These are living words! Open you heart.
What’s to be found, racing around, You carry your pain wherever you go. The Black-throated wind,
whispering sin, And it speaks of a life that passes like dew
~Black-Throated Wind
Some days the gales are howling, Some days the sea is still as glass, You’re a lost sailor, You’ve
been too long at sea
~Lost Sailor
Without God we’re all lost. We’re like sheep without a shepherd.
Was it you I heard singin’ while I was chasing dreams? Driven by the wind, like the dust that blows
around, Well, I never know, just don’t know
~Saint of Circumstance
Reach out your hand if your cup be empty
~Ripple
God is calling you. He loves you more than you can imagine. All the searching can be over. God wants to
forgive you and cleanse you and make you whole. You must come to Him and admit your need. Confess your
errors to God and trust Him to answer you.
I told Althea I was feeling lost, Lacking in some direction
~Althea
You’re playing cold music on the barroom floor, drowned in your laughter and dead to the core, If
Mercy’s in business, I wish it for you
~Fire on the Mountain
But I’ll get back on my feet someday, the good Lord willing, if He says I may, I know that the life I’m
living’s no good, I’ll get a new start, live the life I should
~Wharf Rat
Maybe you’ll find direction around some corner where it’s been waiting to meet you Believe it if
you need it or leave it if you dare
~Box of Rain
Only God can fill this void. Without Him we can never be completely whole. Be honest with yourself. Isn’t
something missing? Wouldn’t you like to know why you’re here? Wouldn’t you like for your life to have
meaning and purpose? God understands. He stands at the door of your heart knocking. Let him in. Receive the
Truth.
If your cup is full, may it be again
~Ripple
Perhaps you’ve been more fortunate. Maybe you’ve already discovered the power of love. What have your
placed your faith in?
Some folks trust to reason, others trust to might, I don’t trust to nothing , but I know it come out right
~Playin’ in the Band
Small wheel turning by the fire and rod, Big wheel turning by the grace of God
~The Wheel
Don't you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you
see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?
(Romans 2:4)
This power that guides all life is more than impersonal energy. This “force” that keeps your life flowing is
intimate and personal. It loves you and desires to be loved. Recall all the times you have sensed God’s hand.
See here how everything leads up to this day, And its just like any other day that’s every been.
~Black Peter
In earlier days He permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but He never left himself
without a witness. There were always his reminders, such as sending you rain and good crops and
giving you food and joyful hearts.
(Acts 14:16-17)
Let it be known there is a fountain That was not made by the hands of man There is a road, no
simple highway Between the dawn and the dark of night
~Ripple
God loves us so much that He became flesh and came down from heaven to live among us. You know the story.
Jesus taught us, healed us, and loved us like no other man in all of history. Jesus said He is the fountain. He
said He is the road to life. He said “The Father and I are one.” There is no other!
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living
water will flow from the heart of those who believe in me.”
-Jesus (John 7:38)
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction,
and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which
leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
-Jesus (Matthew 7:13-14)
Jesus often referred to God as Father. God is Spirit, and without a physical body. The significance is that God
is personal and can be known. He is more than a force or energy. Electricity is a powerful force. Heat is a source
of energy. God is merciful, kind, and loving. He hears our prayers and responds. He rejoices when we do well
and grieves when we sin. Don’t confuse the Creator with the creation. The incredible beauty and balance of the
planet are evidence of a thoughtful and loving Father.
What shall we say, shall we call it by a name And listen to the thunder shout I am, I am, I am, I am
~Let it Grow
And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of
Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.”
(Exodus 3:14)
Jesus said…
"…I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me
shall never thirst.”
(John 6:35)
"…I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light
of life."
(John 8:12)
"…I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
(John 10:11)
"…I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”
(John 11:25)
"…I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
(John 14:6)
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."
(Revelation 22:13)
"…Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
(John 8:58)
In order that we might know God more perfectly, He sent Jesus into this world. As the first born of all creation,
He was given all authority over heaven and earth. We therefore must know Jesus if we are to know God fully
and completely.
All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
(John 1:3)
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created
through Him and for Him.
(Colossians 1:16)
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on
earth.”
(Matthew 28:18)
And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not
as the scribes.
(Mark 1:22)
A decision to follow Christ is one you must make alone. Don’t be swayed by the behavior of some other human
being. Your wife, your husband, and your friends all must make their own decision. This one is between you
and God.
And if you go, no one may follow That path is for your steps alone.
~Ripple
Now the shore-lights beckon Yeah there's a price for being free.
~Lost Sailor
The price for your freedom has already been paid for. It is our pride, our rebellion, our sin that separates us
from intimately knowing God. Jesus willingly suffered the agony of the cross to pay for our guilt.
If a man among you, got no sin upon his hand Let him cast a stone at me for playing in the band.
~Playing in the Band
What is a man Deep down inside But a raging beast With nothing to hide
~Passenger
Even the purest of romantics compromise
What fixation feeds this fever
Am I living truth or rank deceiver
~Victim or the Crime
For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your
ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the
precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
(1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT)
Old men sing about their dreams Women laugh and children scream And the band keeps playing
on
Sun went down in honey And the moon came up in wine You know stars were spinning dizzy
Lord the band kept us so busy We forgot about the time
~The Music Never Stopped
“In the last days, God said, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters
will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those
days I will pour out my Spirit upon all my servants, men and women alike, and they will prophesy.
And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below- blood and fire and
clouds of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon will turn bloodred, before
that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. And anyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved. “
(Acts 2:17-21 NLT)
Shall we go, you and I, while we can?
~Dark Star
I got a feelin' there's no time to lose No time to lose
~Saint of Circumstance
Please don’t put off this decision to follow and serve Jesus. God loves you and wants you right now – just the
way you are! There really is a devil who wants nothing better than for you to postpone this decision. He is a liar
and a thief and a murderer.
Is there anything a man don't stand to lose When the devil wants to take it all away
~Mexicali Blues
And if he catches up with me I'll spend my life in jail
~Friend of the Devil
A secret incantation, candle burning blue We'll consult the spirits, maybe they'll know what to do
~I Need A Miracle
…For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
(2 Corinthians 11:14)
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because
many false prophets have gone out into the world.
(1 John 4:1)
“For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great miraculous signs and
wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones.”
-Jesus (Matthew 24:24 NLT)
All these trials soon be past Look for something built to last
Built to last till time itself falls tumbling from the wall Built to last till sunshine fails and darkness
moves on all
~Built to Last
“Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever.”
-Jesus (Matthew 24:35 NLT)
“If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will find it.”
-Jesus (Matthew 10:39 NLT)
"Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on
solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat
against that house, it won't collapse, because it is built on rock. But anyone who hears my
teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and
floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash." After Jesus
finished speaking, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught as one who had real
authority-quite unlike the teachers of religious law.
(Matthew 7:24-29)
I want to say to my sisters and my brothers Keep the faith When the storm flies and the wind
blows
Go on at a steady pace When the battle is fought and the victory's won We can all shout together,
we have overcome We'll talk to the Father and the Son When we make it to the promised land
~My Sisters and Brothers
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare of the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am
trusting him.
For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague.
He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are
your armor and protection.
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day,
nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will
not touch you.
But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished.
If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling.
For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone.
You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under
your feet!
The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor
them.
I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation."
(Psalm 91 NLT)
Lay down my dear brothers, lay down and take your rest
Oh won't you lay your head upon your saviour's breast
I love you, oh but Jesus loves you the best
~And We Bid You Goodnight
“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice
of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.”
-Jesus (John 5:25)
If I knew the way, I would take you home
~Jerry Garcia (Ripple)
So many roads I tell you
So many roads I know
So many roads, so many roads
Mountain high, river wide
So many roads to ride
So many roads, so many roads
So many roads I tell you
New York to San Francisco
So many roads I know
All I want is one to take me home
From the high road to the low
So many roads I know
So many roads so many roads
~So Many Roads
It may seem to you that there are So Many Roads to ease your soul but
there's truly only one way that will take you home.
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
-Jesus (John 14:6)
How to Know God and Receive Christ into Your Life
1. Realize that you are a sinner.
No matter how good a life we try to live, we still fall miserably short of being a good person. That is because we
are all sinners. We all fall short of God’s desire for us to be holy. The Bible says, “No one is good—not even
one” (Romans 3:10 NLT). This is because we cannot become who we are supposed to be without Jesus Christ.
2. Recognize that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you.
The Bible tells us, “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while were still sinners”
(Romans 5:8 NLT). This is the Good News, that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die in our
place when we least deserved it.
3. Repent of your sin.
The Bible tells us to “repent and be converted” (Acts 3:19). The word repent means to change our direction in
life. Instead of running from God, we can run toward Him.
4. Receive Jesus Christ into your life.
Becoming a Christian is not merely believing some creed or going to church on Sunday. It is having Christ
Himself take residence in your life and heart. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door (of your life) and knock.
If anyone hears My voice and opens the door,
I will come in . . .” (Revelation 3:20).
If you would like to have a relationship with Christ, simply pray this prayer and mean it in your heart:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and
open the door of my heart and life. I confess you as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me.
Amen.
If you just prayed that prayer and meant it, Jesus Christ has now taken residence in your heart! Your decision
to follow Christ means God has forgiven you and that you will spend eternity in heaven. The Bible tells us, “If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1
John 1:9). To put your faith in action, be sure to spend time with God by reading your Bible, praying, going to
church, and telling others about Christ. Please contact us and let us know about your decision to accept Jesus
Christ as your Lord and Savior.
I asked Jesus into my heart, NOW WHAT DO I DO?
ben@greateststoryevertold.org
The Gospel According to The Grateful Dead
Greatest Story Ever Told
Thanks for the post!
I've been hearing the Bible in Dead songs for years. I once delivered a reflection at church where I used Eyes of the World to help tell the story of Jesus' healing of the blind man. My personal feeling is that some of the references are not necessarily intentional but I think others are. I have felt for some time that both Barlow and Hunter know the Bible pretty darn well! I'm not suggesting that the guys were necessarily trying to teach Christian dogma but they were expressing some universal truths that many can identify with on some level. The interesting thing is that Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, agnostics and atheists have all been moved by this music!
Old Testament Role Play
Bible enthusiasts can now adopt a character from the Old Testament and smite their enemies in an online game!
http://thebible-onlinegame.com/
education, exploitation, spiritual quest or just a bit of fun?
old teastament role play
interesting need to check this out before i comment although im pulled towards explotation lol
Smiting
your enemies in the name of your god seems to be an all too common thread among religions, unfortunately. The very second you attempt to require that others believe as you do is when the legitimacy of your right to believe as you do ceases. By all means, believe in any god you want to, feel free to live by any rules dictated by that god so long as they apply only to you, just don't expect anyone else to.
Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.
smitten
so is it possible to love someone while smiting them and exchanging eyes and teeth with them? Maybe it is.
I guess that's what makes the Old Testament a bit of a challenge for Christians? Great stories, but all a bit brutal. Maybe even the Greatest Story Ever Told.
The Biblical Symbolics of the Grateful Dead
Hey Jman...I thnk I said that in my best Three Stooges Voice when I read that lol.
Anyway, I was just looking at the anotated lyrics of the Grateful Dead site (a wealth of info) on Robert Hunter lyrics and was reading the significance of Biblical references and symbolics within the GD music.
Here's the link...thought it was relevant.
http://artsites.ucsc.edu/GDead/agdl/miller.html
Love is real!
♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥
Well...
Thanks, for getting me to the right place; I agree with Mr. Pid and cosmicbadger, lamagonzo, solly Cholly....Look at British physicist Stephen Hawkings' new book, "The Grand Design" about the Big Bang 13.7 billion years ago. I'm an ex-fundie myself, 1972-5, am I sorry! The Stones called two albums ago "A Bigger Bang". Atheists.com.
Spirituality over religion im my opinion
Do for others you will feel better Guaranteed .Spirituality is easy man made religion makes it difficult since each is better than the other.
To live a life full of fulfillment think not of your self.
Do for others.
Realize others have it worst.
Be a Benefit to all in some way every day.
Practice random acts of kindness.
The most important!!
Take care of your Needs and your Wants will be Fulfilled.
Give a hand to your Fellow man. try with a smile, a hello, may i help you, a wave. actually doing something for others will always make you feel good.
now dont forget to care for thy self.
Does no good helping others while you fall behind..
Ask your friends for help if your lucky to still have some. Amazing how a disability will cause friends to leave. They act like its catchy. Their problem
Smile and enjoy the now. Then help some one else enjoy it also
blessings and Prayers to all (~:}
Christianity
Christianity is my belief, but I do not go to church because I cannot find God there. I cannot get behind pastors or church hierarchy, but I do not judge those that need a guiding hand in their spiritual quest.
I have read a good bit about different cultures and the beliefs that go along with them, out of all that I have read Christianity fits how I feel in life. I can totally get behind loving others, sharing, all the good things that the Bible says will make ones life better. I do not understand how some people find God in church though, I would love to talk to another Christian about this. I am not judgmental at all, I just love to talk about spirituality.
I became a Christian one night, I was trying my hand at praying and said "God if your real show yourself to me" and I had a vision that brought me to tears, I have never felt love like that before, it was overwhelming. I was shown what was in store for me when I died and it was identical to what the Bible describes heaven as, gold that was so pure it looked like glass. While I was having this vision a figure of light had its arm around me (an Angel I think), I could not look at this being but I was aware it was there. I felt like a child in its presence, that I was not "ready" to look at it if that makes sense. The next day I felt great, like a new me.
Since then I have had my eyes opened to so much, its mind boggling how much humility is needed in this world.
Peace
God Bless
Dude....
sounds to me like you were blessed as few are. I have tried to live my life in a Christian manner, sometimes I fail, but I try again. Things have been tough for me over the last couple of years, but prayer has always helped and God has not let me down. I haven't always gotten what I wanted, but God has always given me what I need.. I do attend a local church, one that I have attended since childhood and I go because there are like minded people there and we help each other through trials of faith. Of course, this doesn't work for all people, and all churches are not the same. There are cheaters, liars and frauds leading some churches, and I have no patience for them..those bozo's on TV for instance, and not all of THEM are phony. All I can do is try to keep my faith strong and give thanx for everything God has given me....like Grateful Dead music for example..anyway...I'll shutup now.......bless you and stay strong..!!
bozo's or bolo's ?
If they take peoples money and piss it away then the shame is on them.Some of em are real performers,just like live theatre.....Jerry's band is coming to town,gee whiz should I stay home and watch the religious channel or go see melvin?.....hmmmm...
Rather have THAT kinda preachin'
if I had a choice......and I do....