Traditional Thinking Pt 2

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. -Isaiah 55:8-9 NRSV

As we all journey towards our respective goals and objectives in life, never be afraid to step outside of the box of 'traditional thinking (a way of reason or judgement based upon relative experiences and/or ways that are rigid),' and/or 'groupthink (The practice of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity or individual responsibility).'  Within our walk with God, we have to be unashamed of where He is leading us to.  Even though it may oppose and go against the traditional and/or normal ways of doing things; a person's character will ultimately determine how he/she interprets God's good, pleasing, and perfect will over their lives.  We can only leave the hindrance of our comfort zone behind through the shear difficultly of stepping out on pure faith. (Rom 12:22 ABPE)

Those around us may not fully understand or get our process, friendships may be severed, we may be mocked and scorned, but "If we obey what God says according to our sincere belief and moreover in His Word, God will break us from these traditional beliefs and patterns of normalcy that misrepresent Him."  Moreover if you and I stay true to God, God will see us through as He saw all his faithful servants through.  The life of Isa (Jesus) is such an awesome model to follow because he was the 'Ultimate Example,' by the way in which he walked and lived his life outside the box of traditional thinking, and more importantly by doing God's will (Luke 22:42 ABPE).

When Jesus came into the world, he was not loved in a world like this. If you really follow him, you will not be loved in a world like this. -Minister Farrakhan via Twitter 4/8/12

Our demonstration of obedience to God allows us to attain a better and higher level knowledge God; which ultimately provides us a better and higher level knowledge of Ourselves that is called 'self-mastery.'  We must be bold and willing to come to a position of giving up the traditions that hinder us and leap out on faith; "because Lord Jehovah is God, our sustainer and our helper; Lord Jehovah will give love and honor and will not withhold His good things from those who walk in perfection" (Psalm 84:11 ABPE).  Remain true to God, and He will see you through!  -More To Come Next Time, God Willing -Bro. Lamon

*Inspired by "The Supreme Climb," by Oswald Chambers http://utmost.org/ 4/26/2012 and Saviors' Day Part 2 lecture by The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan 3/42012

*Definition of traditional thinking constructed by Lamon P. Caldwell II (c)
*Definition for groupthink taken from Google Dictionary


*The Spiritual Institute of Divine Teachings © is an non-for-profit organization of people who are students of various Divine scriptures and teachings who cross generational, religious, and cultural gaps to reveal the linkages between all Believers of the Universal Divine Creator/One God of the Universe regardless of your faith tradition, paradigm of knowledge and/or thought in order to promote Universal Unity, Harmony and Healing to all.

More Scriptural & Literary Support:


When I call out the name of the Lord, ascribe greatness to our God.  The deeds of the [Mighty] Rock are perfect, for all His ways are just; a faithful God, without injustice He is righteous and upright. -(Deuteronomy 32: 3-4 CJB)

With the loyal you show yourself loyal; with the blameless you show yourself blameless; with the pure you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you show yourself perverse.  For you deliver a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.  It is you who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. By you I can crush a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.  This God—his way is perfect; the promise of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all who take refuge in him.  For who is God except the Lord?  And who is a rock besides our God?— the God who girded me with strength, and made my way safe.  He made my feet like the feet of a deer, and set me secure on the heights.  -Psalm 18:25-33 NRSV

Then Elihu continued and said: “Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know;
for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.  Let us choose what is right; let us determine among ourselves what is good. -Job 34:4 NRSV

Yeshua (Jesus) said to him, “Why do you call me good? There is no one good but The One God.” -Mark 10:18 ABPE (See in context)

Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Fathere does, the Son does likewise. -John 5:19 NRSV (See in context)

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. -James 1:19 NRSV 

And your God is One God; there is no God but He! He is the Beneficent, the Merciful. -HQ 2:163

Mankind is a single nation. So Allåh (God) raised prophets as bearers of good news and as warners, and He revealed with them the Book with truth, that it might judge between people concerning that in which they
differed. And none but the very people who were given it differed about it after clear arguments had come to them, envying one another. So Allåh (God) ha s guided by His will those who believe to the truth about which they differed. And Allåh (God) guides whom He pleases to the right path. -HQ 2:213 MMA

Allåh (God)— there is no god but He, the Ever-living, the Self-subsisting by Whom all subsist. Slumber overtakes Him not, nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them. And they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He pleases. His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of them both tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Great. -HQ 2:255 MMA

Allåh (God) imposes not on any soul a duty beyond its scope.  For it, is that which it earns (of good), and against it that which it works (of evil). Our Lord, punish us not if we forget or make a mistake.  Our Lord, do not lay on us a burden as Thou didst lay on those before us. Our Lord, impose not on us (afflictions) which we have not the strength to bear. And pardon us! And grant us protection! And have

mercy on us! Thou art our Patron, so grant us victory over the disbelieving people. -HQ 2:286 MMA

Say: Surely my Lord amplifies the means of subsistence for whom He pleases of His servants and straightens (them) for whom (He pleases), and whatever thing you spend, He exceeds It in reward, and He is the best of Sustainers. -HQ 34:39

*Torah, Biblical, Quranic scriptures taken from: The Complete Tanach with Rashi'sCommentary, New Revised Standard Version, Aramaic Bible in Plain English, New International Version, Amplified Version, Maulana Muhammad Ali English Translation of The Holy Qur'an, and Know Ouran.org

'C'mon Son' (Metta World Peace)

According to Buddhist teaching, Metta (Pali) is a benevolence toward all beings, without discrimination, that is free of selfish attachment. It is a strong, sincere wish for the happiness of all beings.

C'mon son!!!

Come on my dude formally known as Ron Artest aka Ron Ron... we all thought you learned from your past dear brother. What a poor example of benevolent sportsmanship! But I suppose we all have to keep to our duty and renew ourselves daily in the Universal Divine Order of Peace & Equality! -The Brotha

Traditional Thinking Part 1

Traditional Thinking...

The prelude of my accepting my journey and calling in to ministry and attending seminary... WOW! I was fighting the modern day Jonah in me at the time! 4/11/12

This is in response to dialogue b/t myself and a sista who's in seminary school in NYC. We were discussing seminary schools, traditional religious thought and the Importance of Jesus. I thought it was so powerful that it should be posted Thanks for the insightful discourse sista!!!

Sistas words... "Most Master's Programs for Seminaries are diverse, this one is based on the Christian faith but the professors CHALLENGE you to look outside of Christianity to consider what was happening in world outside of Christianity. And, I LOVE that!!! I have seen many African American students that grew up in the Christian faith (especially Baptist, Pentecostal, etc) struggle with looking outside of Christianity because that's all they know...but it's a wonderful learning experience to do so

My response I've looked at schools all over the country to be honest. Yeah, many of us who grow up in the Christian faith tend to think just how you explained and it bothers me! I love the works of Christ and honor his name--however I feel our people are so fixated with Christ we tend to loose focus of the one who sent him. In my humble estimation, it gives our people a blurry view of the power of his works and the scripture he brought.

It bothers me how some clergy teach Christ as some passive figure who didn't stand up for what he was sent to do and fulfill. I guess some would say I'm a radical Believer like a Nat Turner, Dr. King in his last years, or Min. Malcolm X. However so, change only comes from the force and power of truth and Christ was the greatest example of that!!!

Sistas words... "I am so feeling what you are saying! YESSSS!!! People forget about God...and the power of God. And, Jesus is a powerful figure because he stood of for JUSTICE and TRUTH... and was radical about it!

I did a paper for one of my classes entitled "Exposing Repression through Redaction using Exegesis" where I talked about how the biblical text has been redacted so much by people that it was used as an oppressive tool for many people especially women. More specifically, denying the presence of femininity of the deity...where women could relate to God. God, as portrayed by the biblical writers, is the forceful, powerful male figure/deity that judges, etc... and the question is... Is that REALLY who God is?

After being exposed to greater theological thinking, it just scares me to know how much stock people put in the Bible... that was written by man... than the God that gives us the faith to achieve anything that we want."

My response WOW!!! Powerful... and I'm feeling u too!!! Many people forget about how scripture has been used to oppress, suppress, depress, and subjugate people to away of thinking that is in direct conflict with the scriptural teachings. For instance, I have disagreements with the work of some Missionaries in Indigenous lands. The Bible has been used in many cases to pimp the people!

Although, I believe a new paradigm shift is happening in religion because those who were once asleep are now beginning to see scripture in context outside of what has been the norm. Those who have been in control are scared of this new shift and that's why I believe the stakes have raised recently on a spiritual level...

I'll get off my soapbox and not get to deep!!!

However, many forget it was God who gave Christ the power and authority to do the things he did. We believe that Christ "paid it all," when he died for us... but that is only half of the story... he did pay it all for us however we still have to work and show ourselves approved!!! It's the walk, the carrying of our own cross and I think we forget that half!!!

Sistas words... "So, true. Preachers must realized that they cripple people more with traditional thinking rather seeking out new knowledge. Wow! You've said a lot. It's okay... I was on my own soapbox earlier with my friends. LOL It seems like you will be a great asset to whatever seminary you attend. Because you are coming in the door with an open mind. And, that's WONDERFUL!!!"

Comments about the blog:

Krystal with an "E" writes:

I don't belive that I have enough words in my vocabulary or a substansial amount of room to write how I felt reading this astounding blog!

But I will say that if we as the "African-American", "Black", "Minority", "Melenan-Abundant", "Challenged Race", Or the human race period; if we would have discussions more about serious topics like this we would find less times for all that other non-sense.

Keep expressing your self brother.

Bro. Hydrofuse writes:

I concur to the fullest!!! Man, we are the true leaders of our community! First, we must attempt to heal ourselves mentally, spiritually, physically, socially, and economically. Secondly, we must not discrimate against any help or calls for assistance from any one making an attempt to better themselves. I love my race, but it's too many so called bro's holding down the one that really wants a positive change in his or her life. Man, we can speak eloquently and make all types of conversation, but until we make a clique or build a school, farm, more media or t.v. stations, and unite the common blackman in Africa and all over the world, we are wasting our time. I believe securing land and a strong diet is the first step in awaking the sleeping lion in the black man

Circa April 2006 Lamon Caldwell II