Born in the South, I grew up as a fundamentalist, but have become enlightened. I have several degrees and experience in management, financial planning, counseling, religion, writing, teaching, motivation, etc.

I have been in the US Navy, a small business owner, worked for large corporations as a consultant, a recruiter, a preacher, teacher, sales manager and motivator. Through my education and experience I have been misled by some politicians, preachers, reporters, etc.

AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE I DON’T GO BY FEELINGS OR OPINIONS; I GO BY OBSERVING GOD’S CREATION, READING, MEDITATING AND LISTENING FOR THAT STILL SMALL VOICE.

The highest revelation is that God is in every man.  Ralph Waldo Emerson

It is a reckless thing to rely on the opinions of others.  To come closer to the truth we must spend more time in meditation and thought, listening for the Spirit of the Universe who is within the deepest part of our being.  When science (the study of all that is) disagrees with our beliefs, we must reconsider if we are to come closer to the truth.

The following is the closest to finding the truth for me:

The Parable of the Good Samaritan (St. Luke 10: 25-37)

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.  The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

OF COURSE, JESUS IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT TAUGHT THESE THINGS:

“Every religion emphasizes human improvement, love, respect for others, sharing other people’s suffering. On these lines every religion had more or less the same viewpoint and the same goal.” The Dalai Lama

“The Golden Rule” is taught in many religions.
Click on: http://www.religioustolerance.org/reciproc.htm

WHAT IS LOVE?

1 Corinthians 13

Love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

For a broad definition of “Love” click on:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love

Thank you for visiting my site.

Dr. Mackie Bazen

Chartered Financial Consultant, The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA, 1989

Chartered Life Underwriter, The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA, 1989

Dr. of Ministry Degree, Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA 1979

Master of Divinity Degree with languages, Southeastern Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC, 1973

Bachelor of Arts Degree, Charleston Southern University, Charleston, SC, 1970

More to come………….