Saturday, June 29, 2013

"Love Interrupts"




"One love, one blood, one life, you got to do what you should.
One life with each other:sisters, brothers.
One life, but we're not the same.
We got to carry each other, carry each other.
One, one."




I am always interested to find out what kind of faith my favorite celebrities embrace and I was really enlightened by Bono's words when I recently read the following interview.  I especially like the way that he describes karma vs. grace.   Bono understands that grace is a gift. 




                                                 
                                                         

Christians in a rock band?

Bono: My understanding of the Scriptures has been made simple by the person of Christ. Christ teaches that God is love. What does that mean? What it means for me: a study of the life of Christ. Love here describes itself as a child born in straw poverty, the most vulnerable situation of all, without honor. I don’t let my religious world get too complicated. I just kind of go: Well, I think I know what God is. God is love, and as much as I respond [sighs] in allowing myself to be transformed by that love and acting in that love, that’s my religion. Where things get complicated for me, is when I try to live this love. Now that’s not so easy.
Assayas: What about the God of the Old Testament? He wasn’t so “peace and love”?
Bono: There’s nothing hippie about my picture of Christ. The Gospels paint a picture of a very demanding, sometimes divisive love, but love it is. I accept the Old Testament as more of an action movie: blood, car chases, evacuations, a lot of special effects, seas dividing, mass murder, adultery. The children of God are running amok, wayward. Maybe that’s why they’re so relatable. But the way we would see it, those of us who are trying to figure out our Christian conundrum, is that the God of the Old Testament is like the journey from stern father to friend. When you’re a child, you need clear directions and some strict rules. But with Christ, we have access in a one-to-one relationship, for, as in the Old Testament, it was more one of worship and awe, a vertical relationship. The New Testament, on the other hand, we look across at a Jesus who looks familiar, horizontal. The combination is what makes the Cross.
Assayas: Speaking of bloody action movies, we were talking about South and Central America last time. The Jesuit priests arrived there with the gospel in one hand and a rifle in the other.
Bono: I know, I know. Religion can be the enemy of God. It’s often what happens when God, like Elvis, has left the building. [laughs] A list of instructions where there was once conviction; dogma where once people just did it; a congregation led by a man where once they were led by the Holy Spirit. Discipline replacing discipleship. Why are you chuckling?
Assayas: I was wondering if you said all of that to the Pope the day you met him.
Bono: Let’s not get too hard on the Holy Roman Church here. The Church has its problems, but the older I get, the more comfort I find there. The physical experience of being in a crowd of largely humble people, heads bowed, murmuring prayers, stories told in stained-glass windows
Assayas: So you won’t be critical.
Bono: No, I can be critical, especially on the topic of contraception. But when I meet someone like Sister Benedicta and see her work with AIDS orphans in Addis Ababa, or Sister Ann doing the same in Malawi, or Father Jack Fenukan and his group Concern all over Africa, when I meet priests and nuns tending to the sick and the poor and giving up much easier lives to do so, I surrender a little easier.
Assayas: But you met the man himself. Was it a great experience?
Bono: [W]e all knew why we were there. The Pontiff was about to make an important statement about the inhumanity and injustice of poor countries spending so much of their national income paying back old loans to rich countries. Serious business. He was fighting hard against his Parkinson’s. It was clearly an act of will for him to be there. I was oddly moved by his humility, and then by the incredible speech he made, even if it was in whispers. During the preamble, he seemed to be staring at me. I wondered. Was it the fact that I was wearing my blue fly-shades? So I took them off in case I was causing some offense. When I was introduced to him, he was still staring at them. He kept looking at them in my hand, so I offered them to him as a gift in return for the rosary he had just given me.
Assayas: Didn’t he put them on?
Bono: Not only did he put them on, he smiled the wickedest grin you could ever imagine. He was a comedian. His sense of humor was completely intact. Flashbulbs popped, and I thought: “Wow! The Drop the Debt campaign will have the Pope in my glasses on the front page of every newspaper.”
Assayas: I don’t remember seeing that photograph anywhere, though.
Bono: Nor did we. It seems his courtiers did not have the same sense of humor. Fair enough. I guess they could see the T-shirts.
Later in the conversation:
Assayas: I think I am beginning to understand religion because I have started acting and thinking like a father. What do you make of that?
Bono: Yes, I think that’s normal. It’s a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma.
Assayas: I haven’t heard you talk about that.
Bono: I really believe we’ve moved out of the realm of Karma into one of Grace.
Assayas: Well, that doesn’t make it clearer for me.
Bono: You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics; in physical laws every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I’ve done a lot of stupid stuff.
Assayas: I’d be interested to hear that.
Bono: That’s between me and God. But I’d be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I’d be in deep s—. It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity.
Assayas: The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. I wish I could believe in that.
Bono: But I love the idea of the Sacrificial Lamb. I love the idea that God says: Look, you cretins, there are certain results to the way we are, to selfishness, and there’s a mortality as part of your very sinful nature, and, let’s face it, you’re not living a very good life, are you? There are consequences to actions. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and that our sinful nature does not reap the obvious death. That’s the point. It should keep us humbled . It’s not our own good works that get us through the gates of heaven.
Assayas: That’s a great idea, no denying it. Such great hope is wonderful, even though it’s close to lunacy, in my view. Christ has his rank among the world’s great thinkers. But Son of God, isn’t that farfetched?
Bono: No, it’s not farfetched to me. Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn’t allow you that. He doesn’t let you off that hook. Christ says: No. I’m not saying I’m a teacher, don’t call me teacher. I’m not saying I’m a prophet. I’m saying: “I’m the Messiah.” I’m saying: “I am God incarnate.” And people say: No, no, please, just be a prophet. A prophet, we can take. You’re a bit eccentric. We’ve had John the Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But don’t mention the “M” word! Because, you know, we’re gonna have to crucify you. And he goes: No, no. I know you’re expecting me to come back with an army, and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah. At this point, everyone starts staring at their shoes, and says: Oh, my God, he’s gonna keep saying this. So what you’re left with is: either Christ was who He said He was the Messiah or a complete nutcase. I mean, we’re talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson. This man was like some of the people we’ve been talking about earlier. This man was strapping himself to a bomb, and had “King of the Jews” on his head, and, as they were putting him up on the Cross, was going: OK, martyrdom, here we go. Bring on the pain! I can take it. I’m not joking here. The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me, that’s farfetched
Bono later says it all comes down to how we regard Jesus:
Bono: If only we could be a bit more like Him, the world would be transformed. When I look at the Cross of Christ, what I see up there is all my s— and everybody else’s. So I ask myself a question a lot of people have asked: Who is this man? And was He who He said He was, or was He just a religious nut? And there it is, and that’s the question. And no one can talk you into it or out of it.

End of interview.



 "What you believe about God is the most important thing about yourself."
      Tozer

Who do you say that He is?





Tuesday, June 18, 2013

A Hidden Killer-Infammation


This is a body, mind, soul health website and today I want to share something that will hopefully help you with some of your aches and pains;  even the hidden ones, possibly in your heart, your lungs, or in any of your major organs.   You can thank my son, Anthony for this post as just yesterday he was asking about this.

I first heard about perna canaliculus a little over two years ago when I was doing a t.v. show for a certain company that marketed it under their label.   Through my work with this company I had discovered something that was life-changing.   The green-lipped mussel is grown in pristine conditions in New Zealand.  The scientific name being, perna canaliculus.

Before extraction

I have been athletic my entire life and thus I have encountered sports injuries and inflammation which can be exacerbated from overuse, eating foods that my body can't properly digest such as gluten, too much stress, or damp weather (I now know why older people move to the desert!)  In fact did you know that inflammation is behind most serious conditions and diseases?



Ouch!

My intent is not to go into any of these conditions because you can simply google "inflammation" and see how it contributes to everything from muscle pain to asthma, to heart disease.  I do want to tell share with you a study that I just pulled up for Anthony when he asked me about different types of Omega 3's including those found in the green-lipped mussels.  It is pretty impressive science, and since I can attest to the nutritional supplement's effectiveness, this just proves that my results are not a placebo.

This is a microscopic view of inflammation

 Read here to learn the science behind PCSO-524 which is a patented process of extracting the natural, beneficial anti-inflammatory properties found in these mussels.  *Note: the study refers to two specific brands, one in NZ and one here in the U.S.  I would not support buying from either of these companies.  I started out ordering from NZ and the product was great but the taxes and the postage were too high.  The other company mentioned does not have high enough milligrams of the mussel but instead added filler to reduce their overhead yet still charges way too much.
 I have found a really pure formula which is also manufactured by a company that I completely trust in "truth in labeling."  They are located in Vermont and they have a long-standing great reputation in the nutritional supplement business.  I also respect that they sell their products at very fair prices.   I use them so I can attest to their efficacy.  To give this prodcuct a try you can either go to my "products" page and scroll to DaVinci Labs or you can pull it up right here.

180 capsules last me 180 days

To get the best results when using this product you may need to take a couple a day for the first few weeks.  It all depends on the intensity of your inflammation;  and keep in mind that we are all very different.  When I first started taking these I was experiencing some shoulder pain so I took two a day until the pain subsided.  I have been taking one a day ever since.  In reading how the product works you will learn that it accumulates in your body and because of this I can even go a day or two without consuming it and I still feel great! And...by the way...I am back to serving overhead during volleyball.  I can play tennis and I can do push-ups and plank without having any discomfort what so ever.  I am very active and if it works for me it will work for you.  Try it and let me know.   

I will occasionally feature a product that I use and believe in so stay tuned...or you can go to my store "products" and check-out all of my recommendations.  All of the companies that I represent on my website are pure, natural, and have the science to prove what they say they stand for.  


  "I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers."

3 John 1:2




Saturday, June 15, 2013

"The Call"


My site is all about body, mind, soul, health and wellness.  As such I believe in encouraging great health in all areas of an individual.  On the 15th of each month I focus on spiritual health and what it means to live a life filled with meaning.   My husband and I jointly host this monthly event.

Today is the 15th of June and this evening we will focus on "calling." What is a call?  How do you know if you are living your purpose and fulfilling your destiny?
Don't let this word scare you because I believe that everyone has a calling, even if they haven't yet discovered it.

If you are questioning your your life's mission or concerned about how to guide a young person as they grow through the stages of life, then join us this evening for "The Call",  a monthly telephone church with no walls service held on the 15th of each month at 6pm PDT.  This evening we will talk about "calling",  pray together, read scripture, and answer some questions.  We will also interview Pastor Greg Chastain who co-founded Committed Heart committedheart.com and Recovered 4 Life recovered4life.com   We will be discussing the tragic prescription drug overdose epidemic among 18-25 years olds in South Orange County and beyond and what we can do to make a difference in stopping this horrific trend.


Join us at 6pm PDT by dialing 530-881-1300   When asked for your code key-in 642848#  Invite anyone who you think could use a mid-month lift in spirits or who may need help in deciding what steps to take in living a life full of meaning and purpose. 


 Questions?  Contact me at:  donna@donnaschuller.com

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

You Can't Afford To Entertain Negative Thoughts

"You are what you eat, drink, breathe, think, say and do."  Patricia Bragg

Patricia Bragg

  
   Imagine my surprise when I visited the Crystal Cathedral on Sunday and saw that my friend Patricia Bragg was the guest!    Although my husband and I have known her for several years, we hadn't seen her in a while and I had no idea that she would be there!  When I last posted I said that in my next blog I would address the effects that your thoughts can have on your overall health.  When I laid eyes on her Sunday I knew that I had been given a real gift.
 Patricia is the ultimate optimist and energizer bunny!  She is a warm, lively, and great person and her spirit of health and love is contagious.  She was dancing and full of life as she appeared to everyone that morning.

A page from Bragg Healthy Lifestyle book


Our thoughts can be our friend or our foe.  I like the saying "Don't believe everything you think" because it's so true!  Make sure you bombard your mind healthy thoughts and great ideas in order to increase your overall mental, spiritual, and physical health.  There are many scientific studies that prove that your thoughts can help make you well.  The flip side of that is that they can also contribute to your demise. (You can click here to read a few)   

In Romans 8:6 the Bible tells us that "a mind controlled by the Spirit is life."  If we live by the Spirit we should trust that everything we go through has a purpose and a reason.  This doesn't mean that we  enjoy it all but we must try to find the deeper meaning in everything.
 As God breathed the breath into Adam, his spirit also breathes life into you each day.  If you let this inherent life force become the central part of your being you will encounter God's infusion of hope for the future and faith in the outcomes.  You must conscientiously choose to make sense out of chaos and lessons out of painful situations.   You must pray like you believe in a positive outcome even in the toughest times.
 I have learned not to beg God yet instead pray with conviction and assurance that my prayers will be answered in time.  Not in my time but in His time.  I also don't always receive the answers I want but I "pray like it all depends on God yet work like it all depends on me."  St. Augustine
 Let me give you an example of praying with the belief of a positive outcome:  Instead of, "Dear God, help me to____(fill in the blank).  I ask you to be with me as I face_____(fill in the blank).    Guide me and lead me to______(fill in the blank)....and so on and so forth as you pray in this vain.   Instead this is how I try to pray and it has made all of the difference in my attitude towards God and towards prayer:  "Dear God, I am convinced that you are with me as I go through____(fill in the blank).  I am confident that you are right here with me as I_____(fill in the blank).  I am assured that you are leading me through this_____(fill in the blank).  It is you that I trust and lean-on with assurance during this time of_____(fill in the blank)  **I am not giving you a complete prayer including the "amen" but I hope you get the picture.

 "The first thing that comes to mind when you think about God is the most important thing about yourself."  Tozer

Do you really believe in a God who can do all things?  Then pray like it and act like it.  Others will see this in you and their lives will be influenced as well.

Bragg products


And make sure that you embrace the healthy lifestyle that Patricia Bragg espouses.  She is living proof that "you are what you eat, drink, breathe, think, say and do."  Check out the Bragg website here.  I've asked if I could have a link on my website but they would prefer it if you'd just go to the store and buy it.  Some of the products that I won't do without are, Bragg Sprinkle, Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar,  Bragg Olive Oil, Bragg Amino Acids, Bragg Nutritional Yeast.   In Southern California you can buy all of them at Mother's Market and most health food stores. I've also noticed that some of our more conventional stores are starting to carry Bragg as well.

Have you ever wondered why I sign with "God is blessing you" instead of "God bless you?"  It is all in the attitude of how we say things.  I believe that God is in process of trying to bless us all of the time so I don't say "God bless you" as in he might do so.  Instead I say with conviction, "God is blessing you."

**If you need hope or encouragement please join my husband Robert and I on "The Call" on the 15th of each and every month at 6pm Pacific Time.   We have a short service including prayer and scripture reading.    All you need is a telephone and to call:  530-881-1300  at 6pm PDT  When prompted key-in: 642848#  If you miss The Call on the 15th you can listen to it anytime at RobertSchullerMinistries.podomatic.com

Be assured that He is blessing you right now.  Donna
www.HealthyFamilyHappyLife.org