Spiritual: June 26, 2013 Issue [#5745]
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Spiritual


 This week: What Makes Writing Sacred/Inspired?
  Edited by: Sophurky Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Hi, I'm Sophurky Author Icon ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter.

The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred. *Smile*


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Letter from the editor

Sacred Texts

From Wikipedia: Religious texts, also known as scripture, scriptures, holy writ, or holy books, are the texts which various religious traditions consider to be sacred, or of central importance to their religious tradition. Many religions and spiritual movements believe that their sacred texts are divinely or supernaturally revealed or inspired.

Most religious traditions have some sort of written text considered by them to be sacred Scripture. Christians have the Bible, Muslims the Koran, Jews have the Torah and other Hebrew texts, while Hindus have several sacred texts. It is generally believed that these sacred texts are special - set apart as having been inspired by God, unique writings more special and holy than any other. For some they contain rules for living, for others they offer inspiration during tough times. They teach us how and when to pray, and when and what to eat. They call us to love and compassion for our fellow humanity.

Some claim their book is the only valid book - that the true "God" inspired their particular book, and all others are at the least, beside the point and at the most, heresy. Some Christians are particularly vehement about this, believing that when the canon of Christian Scripture was officially closed in the 5th Century, and the "Holy Bible" officially came into being, that was the end of it. For those Christians, the Bible is considered to be the "word of God" and supersedes all else when it comes to making decisions about rules for living one's life, using their interpretation of it.

I used to think/believe that about the Bible. I remember hearing a well known theologian say that in spirit if not in practice, the canon of "scripture" or sacred texts should have remained open. In my mid twenties at the time, I was immediately shocked and astounded to hear such such a thing. And then a light bulb went off in my head and my head shaking turned into nodding. Yes, of course that is true. How could every important and powerful and meaningful and inspirational thing have been said that needed to be said 1600 years ago? Has no sacred wisdom been spoken, written, or created since then? No inspiration from God in all that time - God has been silent for 1600 years?

Well of course not. And with no disrespect intended for those who hold their sacred Scriptures dearly - I'm not saying we should replace or toss our our scriptures. I'm just suggesting that at least in our hearts, we all allow room for other inspirational writings to speak to us. Not necessarily equating them with the Bible or other Scripture, but adding them to the pile of consideration. For as writers, how can we not admire and respect the inspiration of the spirit continuing to flow through our lives and move us? And as readers, how can we not admit we've read things that have brought us to our knees and meant as much to us spiritually as a Bible verse?

"Letter from a Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr. inspires me, and I consider it to be a sacred text. Poems by Mary Oliver or Jane Kenyon can take my breath away and move me as deeply as any Psalm, and inspire me to the same spiritual living. Those are just some of the texts that I consider sacred to my spiritual path. What are some of yours? A favorite poem or line from a movie? A piece of music or art? Share them with me in the comments section, and I'll share them with the rest of the gang next month.

Until then, Sophy


Editor's Picks

Below you'll find some recent offerings from other WDC members. Don't forget to leave a review and rating if you read the item.

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#1932930 by Not Available.

 There Before Me, A Sacred Cloud Open in new Window. (E)
A spiritual vision seen in a cloud reigning silver and gold. Yes, the pun is intended.
#1803758 by turtlemoon-dohi Author IconMail Icon

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#1939862 by Not Available.

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#1939465 by Not Available.

 A Devine Oracle Open in new Window. (E)
this short story was based on a dream I had one night.
#1939314 by Jillywiccan Author IconMail Icon

 Turtlemoon Blessing Open in new Window. (E)
From me to you.
#1938985 by turtlemoon-dohi Author IconMail Icon

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#1937394 by Not Available.

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#1936296 by Not Available.

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

Now for some comments about my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (May 29, 2013)" Open in new Window. about "To Everything There is a Season - or Not:"

From Quick-Quill Author Icon
I love that you shared this with us. It is just another jar on the prayer shelf that we can go to and say "You answered here and here, so I know there is an answer for this problem now." What a blessing to know your life is being guided and sharing it blesses us all.

Thanks so much for your wise, and kind words.

*FlowerB* *Sun* *FlowerP* *Sun* *FlowerR* *Sun* *FlowerT* *Sun* *FlowerY* *Sun* *FlowerV* *Sun* *FlowerB* *Sun* *FlowerP* *Sun* *FlowerR* *Sun* *FlowerT* *Sun* *FlowerY* *Sun* *FlowerV* *Sun* *FlowerB* *Sun* *FlowerP* *Sun* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *Sun* *FlowerY* *Sun* *FlowerV* *Sun* *FlowerB*

From bonzo1964
Life gathers up it's meaning as we live each precious day. In our youth we are excited about everything. Middle aged we are raising or have raised our children and then in old age we still manage to enjoy life. At least I do! The whole of life is a gift from God. That I know for certain and I couldn't possibly ask for more! Thank you God for all things great and small!

Thank you for sharing! *Bigsmile*

*FlowerB* *Sun* *FlowerP* *Sun* *FlowerR* *Sun* *FlowerT* *Sun* *FlowerY* *Sun* *FlowerV* *Sun* *FlowerB* *Sun* *FlowerP* *Sun* *FlowerR* *Sun* *FlowerT* *Sun* *FlowerY* *Sun* *FlowerV* *Sun* *FlowerB* *Sun* *FlowerP* *Sun* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *Sun* *FlowerY* *Sun* *FlowerV* *Sun* *FlowerB*

From Shannon Author Icon
Beautiful NL, Sophy. Thank you for sharing. *Heart*

Awww, thanks so much!

*FlowerB* *Sun* *FlowerP* *Sun* *FlowerR* *Sun* *FlowerT* *Sun* *FlowerY* *Sun* *FlowerV* *Sun* *FlowerB* *Sun* *FlowerP* *Sun* *FlowerR* *Sun* *FlowerT* *Sun* *FlowerY* *Sun* *FlowerV* *Sun* *FlowerB* *Sun* *FlowerP* *Sun* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *Sun* *FlowerY* *Sun* *FlowerV* *Sun* *FlowerB*

From monty31802
A fine newsletter that makes one think. Have escaped dying enough times so guess I should believe in destiny.

Hmmmm, something to ponder.

*FlowerB* *Sun* *FlowerP* *Sun* *FlowerR* *Sun* *FlowerT* *Sun* *FlowerY* *Sun* *FlowerV* *Sun* *FlowerB* *Sun* *FlowerP* *Sun* *FlowerR* *Sun* *FlowerT* *Sun* *FlowerY* *Sun* *FlowerV* *Sun* *FlowerB* *Sun* *FlowerP* *Sun* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *Sun* *FlowerY* *Sun* *FlowerV* *Sun* *FlowerB*

From shepherd46
This is a wonderful article and I have to say that I think each one of us has a destiny; a purpose we fulfill while we are on this earth.

Thanks for writing it! *Bigsmile*

*FlowerB* *Sun* *FlowerP* *Sun* *FlowerR* *Sun* *FlowerT* *Sun* *FlowerY* *Sun* *FlowerV* *Sun* *FlowerB* *Sun* *FlowerP* *Sun* *FlowerR* *Sun* *FlowerT* *Sun* *FlowerY* *Sun* *FlowerV* *Sun* *FlowerB* *Sun* *FlowerP* *Sun* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *Sun* *FlowerY* *Sun* *FlowerV* *Sun* *FlowerB*

Please keep your comments and suggestions coming! Until next time! Sophurky Author Icon

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