Good Night My Pharoah

Allen G. Haywood, Sr. (43 years young) passed away yesterday. Many concerned neighbors sent for police to do a safety check. One neighbor tried the door and it was unlocked. She asked me to go in and check on Allen. There were no breath sounds or a pulse. He was cold as ice. For now it would appear he passed from natural causes. His passing is a devestating blow for our little community. Allen was my best friend. The next person who says, "It was time for him to go" or "We can learn from this" or "God's will be done," I swear to God I'm going to throttle them. I'm going to rip off a limb and beat them with the bloody stump. Just "what" are we supposed to learn from the unexpected death of a dear friend? "Who" said it was time for this compassionate and big-hearted man to die? How can his death be "God's will?" I'm sorry! None of that is comforting in any way. One Rabbi has said, "My God is not cruel; sorry 'bout yours!" There was nothing fair or just about his passing. Right before the mortuary folks took his body to their vehicle, I stood and just gazed at my lifeless friend. Although motionless, he radiated a strength, a dignity that he often spoke of when discussing the Egyptian Pharoahs of the past. I could see that dignity and wisdom even in death. Allen, I'll miss you so much. I loved and cared for you. Today, Love is NOT winning. Good night my Pharoah. JKH

A "Transnatural" God

Wait!  Before you conclude I don't believe in God, PLEASE, understand that my problem is with the Orthodox-literal view of some "being" out-there, some-where.  I DO believe in God, but it takes far more faith than you might first image.  No one can scientifically or rationally "prove" there is a divine power "that makes for salvation" (Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan).  The death of Osama bin Laden, the composition of a poem, your first kiss - all of these could be explained in terms of natural cause-and-effect.  Viewed, however, from a much larger context, these things assist one in deriving strength otherwise lost in a debate over minutia and opinion.  The existence of a "transnatural" God interprets the above mentioned events as the accomplishment of divine ends; bringing justice, beauty, and love into the world.  Only a great deal of "kavvanah" (intention), joined by a persistent energy to living in harmony with the divine principles of the cosmos, can one know from personal experience how very real God is, conceived transnaturally.  JKH

The Way-Over-My-Head Water

The new photo added to this blog speaks volumes to me. I've always "surfed" in raging, turbulent, water-way-over-my-head seas. My secret: Ask relevant questions and be an even better listener, "even the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story" (from Desiderata). Also, remember the words of Philo of Alexandria: "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." If you're not willing to get into water over your head AND THINK, then go ahead and feel safe and comfortable with water that might come up to your ankles. Do not be afraid to use Reason as your "only absolute" (Ayn Rand). [There I go being controversial again.] But don't forget that no matter where you come down on ANY topic, Love Is Winning! Please, be the first to tell me about the waters you surf. JKH

Missing U Dad

It was on this date twenty-seven (27) years ago that Jack Charles Hansen lost an insufferable battle with diabetes. He was only 56 years old. I have outlived both my grandfather (whom I never knew) and my father. My own contest with diabetes sometimes scares the b'jesus out of me. On this May Day, let's give our parents a few props. They earned them; they deserve them. Missing U Dad. Who are you missing today. JKH

God is a Verb

I have always struggled with the efficacy of a traditional way of looking at life. With respect to Relgion, I have some doubts about the literal truth of the claims of traditional Christianity. [Take a deep breath. Now, be honest to yourself. Do you have some doubts, too?] What I sometimes find impossible to believe is that there is a "Being" out there called "God" with the same thoughts and feelings of humans, someone who is always aware of the affairs of persons and the world. God is not a "noun." He's probably closer to a "verb." To me, God cannot be described as a subject. God is a Force or Process within the universe. [Okay, time to take another deep breath and see if could even begin to wrap your mind around this notion.] The midieval Jewish philosopher, Mainonides, when forced to take a long hard look at his own literal conceptions of God, had to admit that God could not be a subject, but more like a verb. Rejecting literal supernaturalism, he devised a theory of negative attributes to describe and discuss God. I suppose my conception of God is not as radical with the past as might first be expected or feared. A question that has troubled me is: If God is the force behind everything and controls all events, why do the innocent suffer? Rabbi Harold Kushner has a surprising discussion of this in his best seller, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People." If that's not a spring board nothing is. Post your thoughts and feelings. Let the dialogue begin. JKH

From the Beginning

Love "is" winning! This blog will be optimistic. I have such a great passion for life right now despite my daily battle w/ diabetes and pain. I, too, am optimistic. I refuse to live a world that has no meaning. This blog will specifically address issues of faith and doubt, the significance of meaning, and that Love is still what makes the world go 'round, that Love has relevance. I'm not a rocket scientist, but I am a thinker. Won't you come and share this journey with me? And here we go . . .