Influences and Acknowledgements 04:
The Teachings Of Jesus
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I revere the teachings of Jesus Christ.
I have a code according to which I live. The code that I follow is the teachings of Jesus Christ.
So, yes, of course: I consider myself to be a Christian.
I have studied four books of the Bible in depth: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In case you don't know, these are the books of the Bible that deal with the life and teachings of Jesus. Years ago, I read the entire Bible. I have studied certain other books of the Bible to a greater degree, including (but not limited to) Genesis, Proverbs, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and the remaining books that comprise the New Testament.
But I have most particularly studied Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Even though you could take all of the words that Jesus is reported to have spoken and condense them down to a fairly small booklet, His words were deep, meaningful and profound. There's a lot to them. And, more than anything else, Jesus talked about love.
I like to say it this way:
If Jesus's teachings were a mountain, then the flag planted at it's summit would simply read "love."
Just as I regard Jesus's teachings as the code according to which I strive to live, I regard Jesus's teachings as providing the "direction" for the coaching contained in the SkyVillage website. For these purposes, the most revealing of those teachings is eleven verses in the fifth Chapter of the Book of Matthew, as follows:
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Let's just say that there has been, and there still is, a great deal of controversy and debate concerning Christianity, and everything that has shown up and that goes along with it. I am not engaging in that debate. This is coaching, and not a religious website. This coaching is available to anyone of any faith, or of no faith, and I welcome folks of any and all spiritual persuasions to participate in and benefit from it: Christian believers, non-Christian believers, agnostics, and atheists alike.
A certain component of this coaching, however, will involve one's potential relationship to a higher power. It's not overbearing. For the most part, you'll be able to skip over it and/or avoid it if that's what you want to do.
So, for now, while we are on this topic, I'll leave it at this:
Separate from and in addition to the SkyVillage coaching, I think you ought to check out Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Start with Matthew. Take it easy--it's actually not that difficult a read. If nothing else, then maybe check out and consider the Sermon on the Mount, that is, Matthew Chapters 5-7. It's wonderful stuff, in my opinion. It has shaped my life, and it has shaped this website.
Beyond this basic recommendation, fundamentally, this website is not about the promulgation or promotion of the teachings of Jesus. I mention things from time to time, but I keep it cool. You'll see as you go along.
But I am a Christian. I revere the teachings of Christ. I have relied upon these teachings to a significant degree in deriving the "direction" of the SkyVillage coaching. That direction, basically, is love, and a desire to make a contribution to you, and to the quality of life in general.
If you are driven away from this coaching by the fact that I am a Christian, and that I have based the direction of this website upon the idea of love that pervades Jesus's teachings, then that is a choice that you are free to make.
I wish you well, and I will joyously welcome your return. (Matthew 18: 12-14; Luke 15: 3-7, 11-32)
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