#ancient roots

A question every Indian must think about....

THE IDEA OF SECULARISM WAS CREATED IN THE WEST TO CONTROL RELIGION IN CHRISTIAN SOCIETIES.....

BUT WHEN APPLIED IN INDIA, IT ENDS UP PUSHING OUT OUR OWN NATIVE CULTURE AND TRADITIONS.

THAT'S WHY IT WORKS FOR THEM BUT CREATES SERIOUS PROBLEMS FOR US....

Jothimanickam, 2001 The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the fields of Jothimanickam. Virumandi Andi Thevar, a young systems administrator with a quiet demeanor, sat cross-legged, listening to the elders recount tales of their ancestors. They spoke of the Piramalai Kallar, a community rooted deeply in the red earth of Tamil Nadu, their traditions passed down through countless…

The oldest language in the world that is still spoken today is Greek, in second place is Chinese.

Greek is considered the oldest language in the world that is still spoken today, with a continuous history spanning over 3,400 years.

The Greek language has evolved significantly over the centuries, from Ancient Greek (the language of philosophers like Socrates and Plato) to Koine Greek (the language of the New Testament) and modern Modern Greek as spoken today.

Despite its changes over time, it maintains a deep connection to its ancient roots, especially in terms of vocabulary, structure, and influence on other languages.

In second place is Chinese, which is also one of the oldest and most enduring languages in the world.

The earliest form of written Chinese dates back over 3,000 years to Shang dynasty (around 1200 BC).

Like Greek, Chinese has undergone significant evolution, with Classical Chinese being the standard for much of China's history, followed by Mandarin, which is the most widely spoken variety today.

Both Greek and Chinese not only hold linguistic significance but have also profoundly influenced philosophy, literature, and culture throughout history.

Oak tree. It breaks out of the earth and savors the passing of time, collects layers of rings inside like NBA championships. That’s how my city grew. Sluggish, yet mighty. With smiling eyes I watched the steady unfurling of leaves in the early morning mist. The streets are sparse, the hum of life gentle, like the faint rustle of a young sapling’s leaves. Ancient roots reaching down deep into the…

New Post has been published on https://www.crownofcompassion.org/2020/05/16/ancient-roots-standing-in-ancestors-shoes/

Ancient roots - standing in ancestor's shoes

“Sometimes standing in the shoes of those who have gone before us tethers us to our ancient roots and gives us fresh eyes to see that our stories are not so different from theirs.  The stories of Scripture remind us that what we battle is our humanity, not just our own personal suffering or circumstances.”- Meredith McDaniel

“Earth’s crammed with heaven, / And every common bush afire with God; / But only he who sees takes off his shoes.”- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

In Chapter 6 of In Want + Plenty, Meredith McDaniel noes the disillusionment we see in our own culture.  Because our culture bases so much of a person’s identity on what he/she does for a living.  But, when you welcome God into your story, you start to see your greater purpose and gain a vision regarding how to move ahead.

After the Passover, Meredith notes, the Israelites reluctantly left the comforts of what they knew.  Even though they’d lived a very uncomfortable lifestyle in Egypt.  But, they found security in the familiar.  And that security provided an identity.  As a result, they felt known through their labor, rather than as children of God.  If only they knew to take God’s hand and follow His path!  For then they’d experience life on a whole new level – with everyday companions of wonder and awe.

Therefore, Meredith applies this biblical lesson to us.  She writes:

“One piece of wisdom we can learn from the Israelites dipping their toes into a fresh taste of freedom is that before we can find true peace we have to remember who we are.  Ann Voskamp writes, ‘Beloved, you are the re-membering people.  Find your feet.  Find His face — His broken-wide-open heart of communion.’  So instead of shifting our eyes back down to what we lack, what if we tried to fix our eyes on Jesus and remember who we are, beings made in his image.”

Finally, Meredith exhorts, we can take hold of God’s love and goodness at any moment of any day.  Also, the author lists several ways to fix your eyes on Jesus:

Sit still and pay attention to your breath rising and falling in your whole being.

Thank God for what you have physically within yourself and tangibly around you.

Today’s question: What ancient roots tether you?  Please share.