clouds participate in a liturgy unknown
i sat on our porch last night (circa 2am) and watched the clouds swirl in a quick motion around the moon; it was really quite beautiful. i have yet to compile a coherent reflection on my first quarter in this new place. for now i'll just talk about some thoughts that have come into my mind.
i have been reading on some old Jewish traditions and such and came across a familiar pen: the expression of our creator as G-d. the dash used as to make it unspeakable, or to refrain from using the reverend name of YHWH in our vacuous writings and to mainly keep from His holy name to be destroyed or defaced. but the idea of giving Him that much reverence and honor stirred my thoughts.
for the Jewish people (and supposedly for Christians as well), God's title as "God" is not to be taken lightly and is seen as a very real and fitting title. as i understand, the Jewish people had many names for God and seldom referred to Him as "God." from what i've gathered this is mainly done in keeping with the third commandment. YHWH is popular one (i have trouble taking this one seriously because i can only here bono's voice yelling it), and textually many would just remove a letter and replace it with a dash (J-sus, G-d, etc). now, you may be thinking why does this matter, isn't it basically the same thing to say "YHWH" and "God?" regardless of the answer to this question i found relevance in this in a different way (but not really differently).
my (little) research in all of this i came to a fearful revelation within myself. i had lost so much respect for this God that i have claimed to be following that He has been reduced greatly from his kingly status. i have emerged myself with this idea that He is my abba, this omnipotent being that i have an intimate relationship with- just one of my homies. and in this mindset i lost a certain reverence for my creator. i had reduced Him into nothing but a close friend, or my daddy. this old Jewish way to respecting the name of our L-rd no longer seemed pointless and silly but brought about a great reminder to who G-d really is.
G-d is truly all powerful (beyond our comprehension), and i tend to forget this by getting lost in loving theologies and self-absorbed prayers. this conscience effort to rethink the way i place His name into my everyday speech and writings has brought Him into situations and thoughts that otherwise i would fail to acknowledge His presence.
my G-d is powerful and encourages humility. He is harsh and merciful. this balance is an age-old conundrum that will probably never be truly cracked- but i have revitalized (of course always in a state of journey and growth) my recognition and respect for his authority.
a summary: using G-d (or L-rd or J-sus or YHWH) rather than God is a way of expressing respect and acknowledgment of His holiness, power, authority, etc. by using this alternative spelling/pronunciation i have been able to consciencely bring reverence to G-d not only as my Abba, but as G-d, creator of all that is beautiful and good. this may sound strange or useless, but this has really turned my thoughts around into a beneficial direction.
i have been reading on some old Jewish traditions and such and came across a familiar pen: the expression of our creator as G-d. the dash used as to make it unspeakable, or to refrain from using the reverend name of YHWH in our vacuous writings and to mainly keep from His holy name to be destroyed or defaced. but the idea of giving Him that much reverence and honor stirred my thoughts.
for the Jewish people (and supposedly for Christians as well), God's title as "God" is not to be taken lightly and is seen as a very real and fitting title. as i understand, the Jewish people had many names for God and seldom referred to Him as "God." from what i've gathered this is mainly done in keeping with the third commandment. YHWH is popular one (i have trouble taking this one seriously because i can only here bono's voice yelling it), and textually many would just remove a letter and replace it with a dash (J-sus, G-d, etc). now, you may be thinking why does this matter, isn't it basically the same thing to say "YHWH" and "God?" regardless of the answer to this question i found relevance in this in a different way (but not really differently).
my (little) research in all of this i came to a fearful revelation within myself. i had lost so much respect for this God that i have claimed to be following that He has been reduced greatly from his kingly status. i have emerged myself with this idea that He is my abba, this omnipotent being that i have an intimate relationship with- just one of my homies. and in this mindset i lost a certain reverence for my creator. i had reduced Him into nothing but a close friend, or my daddy. this old Jewish way to respecting the name of our L-rd no longer seemed pointless and silly but brought about a great reminder to who G-d really is.
G-d is truly all powerful (beyond our comprehension), and i tend to forget this by getting lost in loving theologies and self-absorbed prayers. this conscience effort to rethink the way i place His name into my everyday speech and writings has brought Him into situations and thoughts that otherwise i would fail to acknowledge His presence.
my G-d is powerful and encourages humility. He is harsh and merciful. this balance is an age-old conundrum that will probably never be truly cracked- but i have revitalized (of course always in a state of journey and growth) my recognition and respect for his authority.
a summary: using G-d (or L-rd or J-sus or YHWH) rather than God is a way of expressing respect and acknowledgment of His holiness, power, authority, etc. by using this alternative spelling/pronunciation i have been able to consciencely bring reverence to G-d not only as my Abba, but as G-d, creator of all that is beautiful and good. this may sound strange or useless, but this has really turned my thoughts around into a beneficial direction.
posted by thomas castle at
12:58 AM
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