#examined

The Heart is Desperately Wicked

9 The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse— who can understand it? 10 I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings. — Jeremiah 17:9-10 | New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Cross References: 1 Kings 8:39; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Psalm 44:21; Psalm 139:23; Matthew 6:4; Matthew 13:15; Mark 2:17; Mark 7;21-22; Acts 1:24; Romans 1:21; Romans 2:6; Romans 7:11; Romans 8:27; Revelation 2:23

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One of the three finalist designs examined by the CSA's Congress

Overloading a wire with amperage above and beyond its carrying capacity is a recipe for disaster. Society may be likened to a wire or circuit that too has but a finite ampacity.

Currently the wire that is society is at its maximum carrying capacity, the energy that the social polarities are loading onto the wire is already causing smoke, sparks, and arcs. If we keep pushing without some relief the whole system will break down, and many people are destined to be very hurt, and endangered.

There are some that would have us believe that the system needs to “pop,” and while indeed it is deeply problematic, its true absence is unfathomable. Revolution and recovery are both pipe dreams of dreamers who would likely not live through such an actual destruction and construction.

Our only hope is for a pause. May we be so inclined to gift that hope to one another, and in that space to create opportunities for remembering and embodying our truly shared humanity, if not in common likes and dislikes, than in our assuredly common hopes and fears, at an organic, basal level.

Our only real (and yes, common) enemy is unexamined ideology, that is, the sort of thinking that separates us from the direct experience of our lives. If we could find a way to encourage all people to take up and give primacy to the practice of getting back into touch with the actual content of their lives, the world’s problems would take a grand step toward real resolution.

1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.