Time of New Beginnings

Throughout history the month of January held different beliefs for everyone. In American culture and other places around the world, it is viewed as the mark of a New Year. What we tend to forget is that January is the marking of a New Year according to the Gregorian calender. Different religions around the world, including the U.S., have already celebrated their New Year together starting as early as September.

Rosh Hashanna marks the start of other New Years throughout the world. It is the first High Holiday for the Jewish communities. Rosh Hashanna is observed on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, as ordained in the Torah, in Leviticus 23:24.

The Coptic Orthodox Church is next with their New Year starting around September 11th of the Gregorian calender. Most neo-Pagan religions celebrate New Years on Samhain with we commonly refer to as Halloween, October 31st. Leaving the Muslim religions celebrating on the first of Muharram. Muharram is the first month of the Muslim calender and can occur anytime between the Gregorian December 18th and January 16th.

The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates New Years on the 14th of January. Since that day is actually January 1st according to the Julian Calender. The Chinese New Years celebration can occur anytime between January 21st and February 21st.

Behind it all New Years can occur anytime of year depending on your beliefs and traditions. That is why here at The Holy Order of St. Raphael Interfaith we have marked the Gregorian month of January as a Time of Beginnings. We encourage you to find those things in your life that you long to change and attempt it. Perhaps you have wished you could have done more last year to help others. It is never too late and you should make that a part of your new beginnings.

If there is one thing that should be noted, it is that all religions and customs believe in a new beginning at some point through the year. Why not make your new beginning now, no matter what your beliefs. Perhaps you had your new year and just need to start again because of personal reasons. I personally will strive to dedicate my life more to having fun as my new beginning. Take a moment and meditate on yours.

Yours in Faith,
Most Rev. Dr. Isaac L. Kramer, Ph.D. Meta.
Presiding Archbishop

The Interfaith Creed

I believe in one God who goes by many names and is worshipped throughout the world. My God doesn’t care what name I use as long as I give honor.

From this God came forth all humans who are created equal as brothers and sisters of this world. Each of us, no matter what we believe, are the sons and daughters of God with the ability to have a oneness with God.

God granted unto all humans unconditional love, peace, and self-responsibility.

As a gift, God gave each of us Spirituality to express it any way we choose. In doing so, we have used it as a way to suppress one another.

God commanded us to “Be Still and Know that I AM”, but we did not listen. God then commanded “The kingdom of heaven lies within you” as a way to remind all of our equality to one another, but again we did not listen.

So to assure that salvation could be reached, God sent forth messengers to all faiths of the world. Through these great teachers, we are able to be saved from our own destruction. They were given many names and many titles but we used that as a way to divide us further.

Their messages were said louder of “You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Yet we still did not listen.

God has promised salvation to any who believe in unconditional love for all, peace, and self-responsibility.

Therefore, I believe in the Spirituality of a loving God who does not care what name I give, but only that I uphold the promise of a better tomorrow through my own actions.

I believe in a Spirituality that does not seek to divide humanity but bring us back together through the foundations of God.

I believe in the message set in stone and parchment that has been told throughout all generations of a God who walks with me.

I believe that when I am silent God is near and that my body is a key that unlocks the spirit of heaven within me.

I believe that one day all my brothers and sisters, made by and in the image of God, will unite again as one for the salvation of humankind. Together we will give honor to God as the messengers have instructed and God has commanded.

Until that day I will know that God is and always will be.

A Miracle

Do miracles really exist and if they do what really constitutes as a miracle? Does it have to be ordained as some large event that requires trumpets blowing and angels singing as the crowd looks on with shock? Is it required to only be performed from those beyond the physical body? If you answer yes to either of the last 2 questions then you may be in for real treat.

Miracles happen every moment of every day. Several of them are just taken for granted by us. They don't require parlor tricks or some spirit without a physical body to create them. You and I alone create miracles.

Every time that we give a coat to someone who does not have one we have given them a miracle. They didn't expect to receive a coat from us. They didn't ask us for it. We willing gave it and that is a miracle for them.

When driving through a fast food drive thru and asking to pay for the person behind you. Especially when you don't know who they are, that creates a miracle for them.

When we walk up to someone without and hand them money of any denomination, that is a miracle for them.

We look at miracles as being cured from blindness, disease, or being saved from a horrific car wreck. These are miracles from a Spirit beyond the physical body. What we do with each other without being asked or expected to is the true miracle that opens our own and touches others hearts.

My question...no challenge to you is, what miracle have you performed lately? It doesn't require money to perform miracles. Giving your time to someone else is the most precious gift ever.

You can read to the elderly. You can teach a child to read who has difficulty. You can listen to someone who just needs a shoulder to cry on. You can volunteer in a soup kitchen or other shelter. There are so many things that don't require money. Even finding something around your home that you no longer need or use and giving it to a needy is the beauty of a true miracle.

Whenever I see the look on their face, either shock, smile, or tears, that is the true meaning of a miracle for me. That touches and warms my heart and allows me to know that I'm doing what I should be doing, helping one another.

Please create a miracle for someone else today. We all have people in our areas that we can share with. Find them and give anyway you personally can. Money is never an issue, time is always free.

Yours In Faith,
Most Rev. Dr. Isaac L. Kramer, Ph.D. Meta

The truth behind the Red Kettles

Giving to the Salvation Army is a way that makes us feel good this time of year. When we see their red kettles and bell ringer standing in the cold for their cause, our hearts are warmed with compassion. We believe that we are doing the right thing by giving to a cause that they are willing to freeze for, but are we really? Many people blindly give without even knowing what they are giving to all because of nostalgia. We grew up as little kids begging mom or dad for a coin to place into the kettle and today as adults it helps us reconnect with our childhood. Before you drop another coin into the kettle there are somethings you should know. Perhaps you may be surprised to learn that their views are opposite yours and you could be appalled at what your money has gone to through the years.

The biggest battle to date in almost every state is the issue of civil rights. Civil rights has been a dominating forefront even in our Presidential election this last year. Everyone wants to be treated equally, after all our constitution clearly states that "all man is created equal". Then why is that the Salvation Army is clarifying that homosexuality is wrong? On their website it is written that homosexual should live a life of celibacy. The website goes on to state that they do "not consider same-sex orientation blameworthy in itself". The Salvation Army believes that "Homosexual conduct, like heterosexual conduct, requires individual responsibility and must be guided by the light of scriptural teaching."

Where is the loving compassion for all that the Salvation Army is preaching? When you continue reading they make it clear that anyone is welcome to attend their church. That's right, their church. The Salvation Army is an actual church with buildings located throughout the world.

I took a moment to visit the Chapel at Worthington Woods in Worthington, Ohio. I spoke with their facilities manager about their sanctuary. He informed me that they don't allow for any weddings to take place there so they can "better control" who rents their facilities. They don't want people who stand against their beliefs renting their sanctuary. He went on to tell me about another chapel who had an issue up north with a homosexual couple wanting to have a ceremony there. That is what helped them to determine their new facility rules.

The Salvation Army's website goes on to state that they are "committed to promoting, strengthening and protecting God's institution of marriage". If you need to think what is "God's institute of marriage" don't worry, the Salvation Army has already defined that for you on their site as well.

"The Salvation Army affirms the New Testament standard of marriage, which is the loving union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. Marriage is the first institution ordained by God (Genesis 2:24), and His Word establishes its significance (Matthew 19:4-6). Marriage is the only proper context for sexual intimacy."

They have gone as far to determine some of the things that the Catholic church has tried to enforce for generations. Perhaps we are blinded by the Salvation Army because instead of Priest and Bishops they call themselves Captains and Majors. The real question is what are they trying to cover with these military titles?

It is clear that we don't know everything about the Salvation Army. When we drop a coin into the red kettle we don't see how their religious beliefs may actual conflict with our own. Instead we still eagerly give to their red kettles every year and sacrificing our own convictions, without ever knowing.

There is much more you should know about them before you give again. Take the time to really visit their site and see. If you are like me, someone who openly supports same-sex marriage and partnerships, then perhaps you should move onto another worthy organization to donate to this year. With the way the economy is today I'm sure any non-profit would be thrilled to accept your holiday cheer, then you could believe you are "doing the most good".

Season of Family

The air begins to fill with the wonderful aroma of spiced cranberry, cookies baking in the oven, and the crackling sounds of a fire going. As we sit on our favorite spot admiring the music of our favorite holiday tone while relaxing to a cup of hot chocolate. This of course only happens in a perfect world, unless you are Martha Stewart. Today we have the bustling sounds of horns and sirens as we drive like maniacs from one shopping center to another stopping for a quick bite to eat before dashing off to another year end sale. We begin to think about our to do list of presents to purchase and how many more shopping days are left until the dreaded morning of the paper shredding ceremony aka Christmas Day. Let us not forget about the real reason behind this time of year, family.

December always leaves my heart full of compassion and joy for those around me, including my family. Most of us consider family as blood relatives, but let us not forget about those whom we have adopted into our lives. The purpose behind every story related to all religions is always overlooked. When we look at the oil lamps of Hanukkah we think of the miracle of it lasting and the greatness of Elohim. Regarding the birth of Jesus for the Christians we are focused on Mary and the virgin birth. Last we are left with the rebirth of the Great God who left us at Samhain. All of these have a theme of God, but there is another theme overlooked, family.

Each story tells about the struggle of a family who stuck together through difficult times in their lives. Family of not only blood, but of close friends who chose in that moment to be a part of magnificent changes in history, without ever knowing the effect they would have. As we approach the Feast of Togetherness this month, let us not forget the main ingredient in our holiday meal, family. Take a moment and spend time together with those who you consider to yours and have a wonderfully blessed season together.

In the fullness of Faith,
Most Rev. Dr. Isaac L. Kramer, Ph.D. Meta.
Presiding Archbishop

Feast of Thankful Giving

As we are fast approaching The Feast of Thankful Giving let us take a moment to recognize what is important in our lives. What blessings have we been given in the last year? November is the time of year to remember all that we have. Most of us only think this way on Thanksgiving. We spend the rest of the time whining about why we have nothing, but if we were to look we have much. We have a good health, a home, family, and friends.

If you happen to be missing any of these in your life I strongly recommend you take the time to evaluate what went wrong. We only lose our health by our own will. People with deadly diseases still find themselves to be healthy at times, why can't we?

If you lost your house there could be a number of reasons. What you must know is home is where your heart is. It doesn't matter if you lost your house. If you happen to move back with parents, a family member, or a friend, that is home. That is where you longed to be otherwise you wouldn't have picked them. You needed that person more then before at this moment in your life. They hold a key to help you heal and move forward into the new year.

If you find yourself with a home and good health but no friends, I can only ask why. Why do you have no friends? Is it because you are antisocial? Perhaps you ran everyone who had concerns for you away. Friends will always be your friend no matter how hard you push them out. They may take a leave, but deep down they still care and love for you. Maybe this year you should find the time to reach out and express your thanks to them for their love in a sincere manner. If they don't care for you, then they weren't your friend to begin with. Take the time to move on to the next one no matter how distant the time has been between conversations. You may find yourself surprised to see someone still cares.

The Feast of Thankful Giving goes far beyond that which we could fully understand. It encompasses the pure love of our maker as a whole. It is about extending our hearts past the full marker and knowing that we still have more of ourselves to give to others. I ask everyone this season to give. You don't have to give money or food or supplies. Your time and love is the greatest gift you could give anyone, including yourself. Find time and find love for those who have been in your heart and on your mind lately. Make this giving season a holiday to remember.

In the fullness of faith,
+++Isaac

Friday's Luncheon

I wanted to let everyone know how last Friday's luncheon went. The luncheon was sponsored by Equality Ohio's Faith division. It was created to have open dialogue between ministers and politicans in the Senate district 19. Needless to say, no politicans showed up. There were a small group of ministers but it was still good. I was asked ahead of time to be one of 2 guest speakers. I was asked to speak about what I have been doing in Ohio to benefit the cause, how others can help, and how we move forward tomorrow. I was very well received and several ministers kept refering back to my speech.

We have all agreed that Equality in housing and employment is important. We are going to be pushing for bill passage in May 2010 in the Ohio Senate, after primaries. In the meantime, public education on basic humanity is needed. I stressed that we must make people realize we are all the same, human. I ask that all ministers please keep this in mind when addressing concerns of others.
As human beings we all want the same, love and acceptance from our family and friends in all we do.

It was a great event and I hope that others will get the chance to join me in events in the future. It seems like I attend plenty a year. :)

+++Isaac

Salvation Army: Know the truth before you give.

It is that time of year where we begin to think about the Holiday shopping. Delightful sounds and smells will fill the air as we are engulfed in our surroundings of joy. We will be filled with the Holiday feelings of compassion for those who are without. Only finding ourselves turning to the mass collective of red buckets and bell ringers of the Salvation Army at the entrance of every store.

There are some things you should know before dropping even a penny into their hands.

1. The Salvation Army is a church, not just a charity organization. http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-dynamic-arrays/B6F3F4DF3150F5B585257434004C177D?openDocument&charset=utf-8

2. Make sure your religious beliefs match up with theirs. For instance if you believe that homosexuality isn't a sin then the Salvation Army isn't for you. On their website under position statements they have a section designated to Homosexuality.

It reads, "The Salvation Army holds a positive view of human sexuality. Where a man and a woman love each other, sexual intimacy is understood as a gift of God to be enjoyed within the context of heterosexual marriage. However, in the Christian view, sexual intimacy is not essential to a healthy, full, and rich life. Apart from marriage, the scriptural standard is celibacy."

"Scripture forbids sexual intimacy between members of the same sex. The Salvation Army believes, therefore, that Christians whose sexual orientation is primarily or exclusively same-sex are called upon to embrace celibacy as a way of life. There is no scriptural support for same-sex unions as equal to, or as an alternative to, heterosexual marriage."

They do go on to say that their doors are open to all regardless of sexual orientation, but they will not currently support same-sex marriage.

3. Are you pro-choice? Well, The Salvation Army isn't.

"The Salvation Army deplores society's ready acceptance of abortion, which reflects insufficient concern for vulnerable persons, including the unborn. (Psalms 82:3-4)"

4. Are you for Marriage Equality?

"The Salvation Army affirms the New Testament standard of marriage, which is the loving union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. "

The Salvation Army is more then what most people realize they are. They are a church just like several others with their own views and beliefs. They may help those in need, but they have the power to discriminate just the same. I ask everyone who is considering on making a donation this year to fully look at who you are giving your money to. Do they fully represent your beliefs or does the charity happen to be at the right place at the right time? There is nothing wrong with taking information from the charity and doing your own research to make a healthy donation later. There should be no pressure to donate now to any reputable organizations.

"Holy Father, Love me still"

"Holy Father, love me still. I have fallen from your will." When I awoke this morning, these lyrics were running through my head. The song is from the Christian music group Selah. These words are something that many of us fear on a regular basis. We think that sometimes we have made mistakes that will make God no longer love us, but why?

What did I really do to cause these lyrics to run through my head? I did just only awake for a normal dream. I didn't have any impure thoughts or actions in my dreams either. What "will" did I fall from?

I continued to lay there thinking about the lyrics as the song kept playing through my head. "Holy Father, love me still. I have fallen from your will." I realized that I was worried about God not loving me for me. I realized that because it is a Sunday and I wasn't jumping at my childhood actions of attending a church, I had believed subconsciously that I had "fallen" from God's "will".

This song can make one become very humbling and sorrowful at the same time. Why must I feel ashamed of my actions to not attend a church on Sunday? As we age, we find ourselves not caring in our 20's, to being concerned in our 30's, to looking for answers by 40's, to eventually reverting to conservative beliefs by our 60's. We continue in a pattern that we say from our youth that we will not be like. Is this God's "will" for us to come to a point in our life where we are worried about disappointing him?

The answer is simply, no. God's "will" is for us to love ourselves and one another. It doesn't matter if we attend church on Sunday. It doesn't matter what our fears of age tell us, God does love us all the time. It is next to impossible to truly "fall" from God's "will". I realized now why this song was running through my head this morning. It was to help inform myself and many others that the "Holy Father" does love us still. And that we have not "fallen" from His "will".

Please keep these words in your heart as you enjoy your Sunday and Summer time fun. And don't forget to take just a few moments out of your day to just say "thank you" for what you have.

In loving faith,
+Isaac L. Kramer

Looking past the pain

Sometimes we just have to continue forward in our lives. We need to fight to survive and recognize that we are still living. There are many things that make us hallow inside. Different events will break the heart and rip the soul right out of us. At least that is what we want to believe.

Everyone has friends and family to lean on for support during these hard times. What happens when you fall back and no one is there though? How do you learn to trust again? How do you figure to pick yourself up and become whole again?

We have to look past the pain to see things brighter and better. We have to look past the pain to see a real meaning and reason(s). Many of us though are very selfish people. Let's face it, we are in a time of "me" and not others. Even when donating to charity we want to ensure we are recognized for our "good deeds".

There are several organizations out there who were created by people looking past their pain. I look at them with respect. I don't want to mention any of them by name, because I fear that my views could change when confronted with why didn't you list mine.

However, you don't have to create an organization everytime you lose someone close to you in life. You could donate to another one who's cause is close to yours.

We always believe that no one knows what we are experiencing whenever we are faced with personal pain. How many of you stop to think about someone else who lost the love of their life; lost a kid/family member; just got fired with a few years before retirement; or many other tragic life curve balls. We tend to forget that we are here to learn and grow. If we didn't suffer, how much growth would we really have? Let's face it, suffering causing growth, but looking past the pain and moving forward creates the largest amounts of growth.

It is tragic when we are faced to look our lives and ask why. It is easy to wallow in self pity and want to stay in a state of desperation. What would our world be like though if everyone was to remain in this state? Everyone knows someone who has chosen to live in this state. Most of us try to help them, with no success. Next we become hardened by them, and lastly we decide for our best interest we need to move forward without them in our life.

Let's face it, all of us have had to make this happen at some point. My question to you is this though. How do you look past the pain?

Letter of Support for EHEA

Dear Ohio Legislature:

As clergy representing a broad spectrum of religious traditions from across Ohio, we unite our voices to urge you to pass HB176, the Equal Housing and Employment Act (EHEA), and ensure everyone in Ohio has equal access to employment, housing and public accommodations. Your support of EHEA is the just and right thing to do and it would align Ohio’s laws with Ohio’s values.

We provide for identification purposes only our denominational backgrounds because, as religious leaders, we can speak only for ourselves and not entire congregations or communities. But each of us clearly embraces the call to love and respect one another.

To fire someone from their job, or to deny a person housing or other public
accommodations simply because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender--or even straight, for that matter--does not pass the litmus test of the Golden Rule, nor does it treat our neighbors and fellow citizens with the dignity, kindness, justice and respect to which our faith traditions aspire.

Ohio law already bans such injustice based upon race, gender, age, disability, ethnicity, national origin and religion. We believe all people should be given equal protection under the law.

We acknowledge that people of faith often hold very divergent views regarding the theological, biblical, and ethical issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.

However, we submit that it is imperative to maintain and assert our cherished and unique American value of religious liberty for all of our citizens, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people as well as those individuals and religious institutions whose convictions are not supportive of or comfortable with GLBT inclusion. Religious liberty in America demands that one particular religious conviction not be allowed to deny equal rights and protections to those of differing beliefs.

In a time of profound crisis Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, "The ultimate question for the responsible person is not how he might heroically extricate himself from the affair; the ultimate question is how the coming generation is to live." His question applies to many challenging situations, including your action to do what’s already been done by twenty-one other states, 433 of America's Fortune 500 companies, and sixteen Ohio cities.

Please support HB176. Act now to help create an Ohio where everyone feels at home; where core values of equality, diversity and inclusiveness are universally honored; and where government stands for fairness to all people.

In Faith,
Rt. Rev. Isaac L. Kramer
Bishop of the Interfaith Diocese of Ohio

Marriage Equality by 2010

No minority group should have to defend its right to equality. Yet in 2008, anti-gay groups organized to pass Prop 8, which took away the right of gays and lesbians to marry in California.
Prop 8 proponents won by a small margin, 52-48%, by spending over $40 million on deceptive ad campaigns. They won votes with claims that allowing gay people to marry would change school curriculums and put churches at risk. These were lies.

This isn't about gay vs. straight. It's not about religion. This is about love and equality. If you value human rights and feel that protecting minorities is one of the things that makes our country great, please join us and vote "YES" for marriage equality in 2010.

http://equality2010.org/

De-sanctifying God's House

I read the most appalling thing today. I have heard about it for over a week now, but I really just hoped that it was more talk with no action. I had hoped that divine wisdom would move them to realize the error of their thoughts, but it didn't happen that way.

As ministers our primary responsibility is to the safety and well-being of our congregation. We are to supply for them ways of growth on all levels, however more spiritual then anything else. We are to avoid political actions that can be construed as propaganda. We are to move about in a manner that should be viewed as leadership. Showing the way forward with our own responsible actions and deeds that are to be looked upon as moral, wise, just, and glorious. Somewhere along the line, several ministers seem to lose this concept.

This is more than true for Pastor Ken Pagano. He has intentionally, recklessly, and immorally De-sanctified the House of God today. God's house is a home to everyone where they can live without fear, prejudice, and find unconditional love and support. It is suppose to be the center of promoting peace and harmony with compassion for all. God's house is a strong-hold that should never be penetrated by outside influence and corruption. Today, this man who calls himself pastor violated all that by allowing guns in church.

They were not allowed to be loaded, but I wonder if the only reason for that was because insurance required it. His board and congregation paid $700.00 to insurance today alone to have this moment of blasphemy. This was his attempt to send a message about the second amendment of the constitution, the right to bear arms. I have a very loud and clear message to "Pastor" Ken Pagano and all others concerned with the constitution.

As ministers our job is to uphold the commandments of God, not the United States Constitution. Our vows, our duties, our loyalty is given to God first and the United States President and government second.

By wanting to send a message to government, you have instilled a belief of violence in God's House to others. You have gone against God's commandment of Love thy neighbor by show boating the use of military weaponry. You want to send a clear message, try a message of peace, love, and honor.

In Faith,
+Isaac

Ohio H.B. 176

Allow me to get on my soapbox for just a few moments. I want to talk about something that has been pent-up for a while now, Ohio House Bill 176. I have spoken with different people at Equality Ohio for a few months now, even before HB 176 was introduced.

I want to say that I agree with one and only one thing about HB 176. It places an end to discrimination based on sexual orientation. I like that, but here is my issue. Instead of wasting tax payer's dollars on a bill like this why don't we go for Marriage Equality (same-sex marriage). By passing a bill about marriage equality we would be encompassing discrimination issues at the same time. Several other states throughout the U.S. have issues in their state house and senates about marriage equality and we are talking about discrimination instead. Where is the logic and common sense in that?

If there is momentium running through the U.S. for a issue and it is getting results, then why not add to that momentium.

At the same time though, we should all come together and pass HB 176. I don't like taking small steps, but at least we are getting something.

This is just my quick little soap box issue. Thanks for reading.

In Faith,
+Isaac

What is Interfaith?

by Archbishop Robert J. Guffey

Interfaith is a bridge...
that allows members of all religions and spiritual teachings
to reach out across the waters of life,
in understanding and communication with each other.
Interfaith affirms and supports the underlying
goodness of each person, the healing of our planet

Interfaith does not seek to homogenize religious differences...
Rather, it honors the sacredness and uniqueness of each faith,
and then creates ways by which the many paths can meet
on common ground or unite in a new and sacred creative form..
Differences between various religions and philosophies
need not divide and separate
but can instead enrich our lives
and deepen our capacity to love

Interfaith provides a structure
whereby individuals of different faiths
can dialogue and share their experiences,
making a safe place to accept and learn about each other.
As fluid, mobile societies
and instantaneous communication
change the cultural landscape of our world
this structure becomes vital

Interfaith also speaks to those who feel alienated from mainstream religions.
By providing a spirit of openness and resources for change,
interfaith encourages these individuals and groups
to discover new ways to worship and to participate in
the meaningful ceremonies of life.

The pace of social and personal transformation quickens
as our world approaches the Millennium.
We all have a part to play in the unfolding story.
Through interfaith, each person contributes to the whole
while fulfilling their own unique role.

More than just prayer

A few days ago I read an article on the AP (Associated Press) that really had my jaw dropped. There was a woman in Wisconsin who's 11 year old daughter was suffering with diabetes. Diabetes is horrible in itself but in a child it is dangerous. She prayed for her daughter, which is great. What disturbed me though is she prayed for her "sin" to be removed. This "sin" was her symptoms of the diabetic attack, but she didn't seek medical treatment for the child.

Her daughter died of diabetes related issues, because the mother only prayed instead seeking medical help. I for one could never stand there and watch someone sick just dying and think that all they need was prayer and no medical attention. I support her for her faith, but I am saddened by her lack of medical efforts.

My point is this, medical issues do not just go aways with prayer. It is a beautiful thought and a beautiful mythology. Some call it a miracle. The true definition of miracle is a wonderful event occurring in the physical world attributed to supernatural powers. How often do you think this will really happen? If this happens for everyone than it is no longer just an event but every day life. Don't assume that your life will have a miracle in regards to your health. Seek medical attention and if God gives a miracle it can be attributed at His choice and you still have your life to live.

I am all about the power of prayer, but the reasonable side says medicine is needed too. We are not living in a time of cave people and barbarians. Fire is no longer a great mystery that can't be discovered. We are examining life deep in the oceans of earth. We are visiting planets outside of our own. We are learning more wisdom than we have ever before. We should be at a point to know that prayer great, but medical attention is required.

In Faith & Spirit,
+Isaac

National Day of Prayer

Today is National Day of Prayer. It is a day where all are asked to pray, as if we should need a day to remind us though. I want to challenge everyone to take a moment today and just give a simple prayer from the heart. Allow it to resonate and move you in a way that you haven't done before or just haven't done in a while.

Great God, lord of love and all creation, I pray to you as your humble servant. Bless those in need today. Allow peace on earth for just one day. Protect not only our troops but everyone fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Let their hearts be heavy with their burdens just this one day so that goodness and peace may possible come from it. In your powerful ways and your name I pray. Amen.

Good Friday/Black Friday

It seems that I have taken up being a Bishop of controversial topics and this one will be no different. But at the same time, it should be enlightening for most.

I referred to Good Friday as also Black Friday. Black Friday is one of the other names for that day. I find myself often saying Black Friday instead of Good Friday. There is a reason. Not all good came from Jesus's crucifixion. According to most Christian traditions, Jesus died for the sins of humanity, but let's say for a moment he didn't.

What if he was actually showing us through his Crucifixion our sins. After all, his first of seven sayings on the cross was "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34. Is that not saying to God that we have sinned by crucifying an innocent man? Some would come back with the fact that Jesus prophesied that his death was essential for the salvation of humanity. Did we possible misinterpret that though? We assumed that it was because he took our sins. This will help support my cause even more. Luke 23:28 "At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, 'Daughters of Jerusalem, don't cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children.'"

"Cry for yourselves", interesting statement for someone who died for our sins. The passage goes on to state that they who do not have children should be lucky. Why would they be lucky to not have children if we were coming into a day of "salvation" of our sins?

Let's backtrack a little here for a quick moment. Jesus was preaching God's love for everyone. What made him deserve any less? Now some people will be quick to point fingers and blame the Jewish community. "Oh, they are the one's who crucified him", and so forth. However, others had a say and chose to let a murderer go free instead. Not all of them were Jewish who "voted" by cheering for his Jesus's crucifixion.

So now we get to "place blame" onto those outside the Jewish community, but we still aren't done yet. If those who lined the streets weren't all Jewish why didn't they rally to support Jesus? Instead they spat on him, cursed him, laughed at him, and wouldn't help him. Wait, there is one person who did help, Simon from Cyrene. He was ordered to carry the cross, but he didn't refuse or fuss. For a moment, Simon bore the weight of the fate of humanity. He carried the cross out of love and compassion for Jesus all the way to Skull Hill. This is loving your neighbor. The cross was too heavy for Jesus to carry and Simon "loved his neighbor" and carried it all the way.

Now they reached Skull Hill and the Romans began the actual art of crucifying. With each nail driven into the body was the fate of human sins. They no longer loved, they longed for a show. They stood around the cross taunting Jesus, "Then let him get down from that cross. We'll all become believers then!" Matthew 27:42. Even the "criminals" who were crucified beside him mocked him. Wow. At this point why save anyone from their sins?

What we seem to forget is what happens next. Jesus "died" on the cross and the sun went black in the sky, the earth quaked, the Temple curtain ripped top to bottom, and tombs opened. Does this sound like our sins were redeemed? It sounds like justice to me. God was getting vengeance for crucifying a messenger. Everyone was scared to death. I always pictured "salvation" to be a little more peaceful and calm, didn't you?

Perhaps it is because Jesus didn't actually die for our sins. He died because of our sins to show us how we are wrong in our actions. It is not okay to take pleasure in others sorrow. It is not okay to accuse the innocent. It is not okay to bare false witness against your neighbor. Mostly it is not okay to hate/dislike/mistreat others, including your God.

These are the sins that are brought to light when you really look at Black Friday. We should be remembering his crucifixion as our own towards one another and ourselves. It should be a day of love, respect, and compassion. Once we start following and believing that, Black Friday will once again be Good Friday.

In Faith,
+Isaac

Clarification to last post

I want to make one thing very clear. The last post "God may love, but the Roman Catholic Church may not" was directed at the Pope, Bishops, and Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church. It was also directed at the politicians in America. This is a letter to help pull the wool off of their eyes and allow them to see clearly.

Let me make it perfectly clear. Nowhere did I state that ALL Roman Catholics were to blame. I did mention that there are some who do not fully believe what is being demanded of them, but they fear excommunication if they break from their orders. This is their internal struggle that they must fight and no one else.

I do understand that there are several other religions out there that have taken a few of the same stances as the Roman Catholic Church. Not so much with Reiki, but with same-sex marriage. This letter is for them as well. The only problem is that the Roman Catholic Church is so large and places themselves in the "lime light" on a weekly basis. That is why I directed it to them.

I hope that this helps with those few who needed clarification and expressed it. I will have to say that support for this has been very overwhelming and I want to personally thank all of you for that.

And remember, God loves EVERYONE!

In Faith!
+Isaac

God may love you, but the Roman Catholic church may not

As you can tell from the title, if you are catholic you may want to stop reading now. If you are a Catholic with an open mind you should be fine.

I was excited to hear that equal rights is finally finding its way around the United States. Just yesterday Iowa joined ranks with a very select few states in legalizing gay marriage. Now here is the part that makes me sick. I had a say the word "Gay Marriage". Why must it be Marriage and Gay Marriage? Why must we characterize the difference of these two? Isn't marriage just that, marriage? What is marriage really?

When you look up "marriage" on Wiktionary you get several definitions.
1. The state of being married
2. The union of two people, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.
3. A wedding
4. A close union.
5. A joining of two parts
6. (poker slang) A king and a queen as a starting hand in Texas hold'em

Now tell me where does it state that marriage is defined as "a union between a man and a women". It doesn't. Do you know why? That is because it is a religious definition that has clouded our personal judgments and corrupted our legal systems. We, in the United States, are a country of opportunity and change. We are a country of equality and freedom. This is what we tell other countries, but where is that equality and freedom? Where is the opportunity to marry who you choose?

I saw a sign on the internet that a person was holding in Vermont that stuck to me. I don't fully recall the exact wording but it goes something like this, "if we're equal would you trade your marriage for my civil union?" How real is that?

Now I want to start my real bitch-fest about the Roman Catholic church. Iowa gets this historic moment and the Roman Catholic church has to destroy it. Their Bishop's have decided to send a letter out immediately attacking the news. They have to make comments in this statement like, "This decision rejects the wisdom of thousands of years of human history. It implements a novel understanding of marriage, which will grievously harm families and children."

How does equal rights for everyone "grievously harm families and children"? Is it because we are sharing God's second law that Jesus came to enforce "love everyone". The real reason is we are coming into an age where the Roman Catholic church's oppressions aren't being heard anymore. We are starting to believe as King Henry VIII did, perhaps the Roman Catholic church is wrong and not everyone else. The Roman Catholic Church has not existed since the beginning of time. Actually they have only existed since 32AD.

The sad part is that this isn't the first act of hatred from the Catholic church this month. Let us not forget that just last week they decided to come after Reiki practitioners. They declared that Reiki was basically placing demons into people because it wasn't "God's way". If that wasn't bad enough, the week prior we had the Pope declaring that condoms promote AIDs while visiting Africa.

Although it would be a noble thing to become involved in a cause, these are not the ones that the Roman Catholic church should have chosen to become involved in. Perhaps instead of all of their condemning they have done in the last month, they should had decided to be involved in the Holocaust instead of enforcing their theory of non-involvement. They should have been completely condemning of the so-called aryan perfect race who practically single handedly, at the orders of a dictator named Adolf Hitler, annihilated a race of God loving, compassionate, people in Poland during WWII. Perhaps they should have been involved in halting the children’s crusades centuries ago in the name of their God that destroyed hundreds of thousands of tiny children. Perhaps an alternative therapy such as Reiki should be left alone by the Roman Catholic church as it helps and not hurts one single soul unlike the vile statements, innuendos, and misnomers perpetrated by the Roman Catholic church in the name of their God.

The Roman Catholic church with their definitions of marriage and their hatred towards the gay community is setting the world back. They are setting us back to a time of hated. Where does the difference lie between using the words "gay marriage" vs "marriage", "faggot" vs "homosexual", and "niger" vs "human"? These are derogatory, hateful words that come from closed minded thinking and not practicing God's law of "love everyone". We need to transgress towards a time of peace, equality, and understanding. I’m sorry about the off colored words, but I want to stress my point even though these words are not in my vocabulary.

Let us not forget, “let he who is without sin cast the first stone”. The Roman Catholic church should be taking a cold hard look at themselves and their place through history to the present day. Those who are of the same sex, who love one another, should not only have the right legally, but in faith, to be married to the one they love. Even in the eyes of God and in whatever house God inhabits. “Gay marriage” is not an abomination unlike the pedophilia that we have witnessed several times from the Roman Catholic church.

Perhaps the upper echelon of the Roman Catholic church should hold themselves to the same judgmental limited standards as they view the rest of the world. Let us not forget what makes a good religious leader according to Timothy I 3:1-7 “…A leader must be well-thought-of…”. When you lead your flock astray in such ways, how can you be “well thought of“?

God loves me. God is compassionate. God is non-judgmental. God celebrates friendships, brotherhoods and love. What I have come to realize is that God and the image of the Roman Catholic church’s God are two entirely different Creators. Since when are we suppose to fear a God that Christ came down and instructed us to love because he loves us. The Roman Catholic church wants you to fear God and in turn fear them, since they are the “Successors of Peter“ and the “Rock that Christ built his Church upon“. Their beliefs of this sort of practice regarding “do but do not question” is a way of old that we need to no longer accept as today‘s standards. Then there are those rarities in the Roman Catholic church, whose open minded Bishops and Priest are now being threatened with excommunication should they perform a “gay marriage”.

Although many of us are fascinated by the ritual, beautiful ceremony, the pomp & circumstance that we see coming from the Vatican, we must be reminded that all that glitters is not gold. All that is beautiful on the surface can be ugly on the inside. What appears to be beautiful on the surface is only camouflaging the rotting stench of hatred and prejudice. This is the what "grievously harms families and children".

When does it all end? When do they learn that God's mission was to promote love and understanding not hatred and division. I just want to tell everyone who is suffering from this foolishness, God loves everyone. I want to say it again. God loves everyone. EVERYONE. So the next time that you are looking for that right religion just remember, God may love you, but the Roman Catholic church may not.

In Faith,
+Isaac

Bishop Attire

I posted this because not very many of my friends get to see how I look in my full attire. Some of them were very curious.

What is your model of the church?

http://www.quizfarm.com/quizzes/Fashion/McBrien/what-is-your-model-of-the-church-dulles">

> You Scored as Mystical Communion Model Your model of the church is Mystical Communion, which includes both People of God and Body of Christ. The church is essentially people in union with Christ and the Father through the Holy Spirit. Both lay people and clergy are drawn together in a family of faith. This model can exalt the church beyond what is appropriate, but can be supplemented with other models. Mystical Communion Model 78% Institutional Model 72% Servant Model 61% Sacrament model 50% Herald Model 50%

What Constitutes Peace

This topic is something that is somewhat controversial when first looked at, but I promise you by the end you will be asking why. Why is this such a big deal to me and to others? Why did I allow this to go so far? It is okay to ask those questions, as long as you remember the answer in your next conversations, actions, and thoughts.

All religions have different laws. Those of us who are religious allow these laws to dictate and judge who we are and what we do. The most controversial set, for the United States, is the Ten Commandments or also known as Decalogue. We watched last year as different court houses and state house yards were fighting to keep monuments up with these Ten Commandments listed.

Now I want to make one thing very clear, we live in a country of religious freedom. With that said, contrary to popular belief not all religious follow the "Ten Commandments". The ones that do are Jewish, Orthodox, Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and most other Christians. There area a lot of other religions in the U.S. who don't follow all ten of these.

I want to give a quick refresher on them based off the Jewish (Talmudic) source

1. I am the Lord your God
2. You shall have no other gods before me, you shall not make for yourself an idol
3. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of your God
4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy
5. Honor your father and mother
6. You shall not murder
7. You shall not commit adultery
8. You shall not steal
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Now depending on your religious beliefs, from the one's stated above, these will be in a different numbering order. Again, another fine example of how we as religions must find a way to vary from one another. Heaven forbid if we even agree on the exact numbers of what we all believe in! Though I digress.

You would think that following these 10 simple laws would be easy to do. If you think that you are wrong. Years later, we have the New Testament which states that Christ says all of the laws of old are gone with him. Now I find it a bit funny that we have "Christ" saying no more old laws, and yet so many want to continue to cling to these ten. Most other religions were willing to throw out the dietary laws instantly, but not these ten. Why is that?

Here is your answer. Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence." This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it. "Love others as well as you love yourself." "These two commands are pegs, everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."

Now, I want to summarize that into the easiest terms you ever heard. Love your God and treat others as you want to be treated. These are the 2 laws/commands/Decalogue that we are to follow. If you follow them, all of the previous laws will follow in naturally. Think of it! If you love your God you won't use his name wrongly and you won't want to worship another. You will also remember to keep the Sabbath holy by honoring your God.

With treating others like how you want to be treated is even easy. You wouldn't kill someone else. You won't steal from them or take from them what they have earned. You won't lie about them. You won't have an affair with someone else if you are in a relationship.

I didn't touch one of the ten commandments for a reason, "Honor your father and mother". I saved it for last because I believe that this law is not fully explained or understood. If you were to divide the Ten Commandments by Heaven and Earth value you have 4/6 ratio. That means 4 commandments for God and 6 for Earth actions. I believe that is not suppose to be the case. I find that the fifth commandment is actually a blending line. It is designed to actually stand for both Heaven and Earth.

"Honor your father and mother" means both your Earthly parents who gave physical birth to you and your Heavenly parents who gave Spiritual birth to you. God the Father and Queen of Heaven/Holy Spirit/Goddess or any other name that you wish to use to describe the mother.

Now where I'm going with this is simple. If we take the time, no matter what religious views you have, to honor the basic foundation of the two commandments given to us our world would be better. "Do what thou wilt as long as it harms none". This is the Golden rule. Also, what all religious people tend to forget is the first commandment states "I am the Lord your God". This means whoever you interpret God to be to you personally, not who another religious leader says he is.

When we finally take the time to realize that we must each follow "Honor your God" and "Love others as you would yourself" we would stop violence on all levels. We would know the real meaning of peace. This is what ministers should be preaching, not hell, damnation, and sin (which I will cover sin another day).

In Faith,
†Isaac

If your heart had eyes to see

This one is a little different coming from me. I want to point something out to all of my friends that are having difficulty in their life right now. You are fighting a battle, actually everyone is. We are not aware of it, because we are sleeping or even blind to it. I didn’t realize how true this really is until I read and meditated on it.

On of my closest friends tells me at least once a week that she feels that she has to “prepare for battle”. I tell her every time that she will never see “battle”. Well, today (tonight to be exact) I’m going to say that I am wrong. She is in battle now, just as everyone else is. We live our life day in and day out with schedules and meetings and bills, but for what? What does it all mean? Who placed these task, these obstacles if you will, in our way?

These are battles. We fight to find a good job to make good pay, to pay rent, to have a place to live, to support ourselves and our families. And at the end of the day, we are exhausted as if we have battled a war in Iraq or any other war. Is this how life is suppose to be?

I have the answer to that. The answer is simply put, NO. We are not suppose to be battling to survive, we are suppose to be taking control of our destinies and living our life’s purpose. I know that this sounds like a fantasy more than reality, so I am going to brake it down for you.

Imagine if you will that you are Jack of Jack & the Beanstalk. You are down on your luck, you have nothing left but your cow. You take Betsy (your cow) for sale, only to be tricked into accepting “magic beans”. Now this doesn’t sound familiar to you yet but it should. The magic beans are nothing more than contracts from credit card companies, wireless phone providers, and other crap that we get sucked into daily that we believe is going to make our lives better.

Now you come home all excited because you believe these “magic beans” are going to save you and your family. Instantly you run outside and you plant these “magic beans”, but you notice after a few months that all you have is a huge “beanstalk”. This “beanstalk” is troubles and woes. It didn’t make anything easier, now you have a larger mess to clean up you have to cut this thing down, chop it up, haul it off for waste. You are still suffering from your financial issues, your contracts have added their “hidden fees” that you didn’t see. You have an interest rate of 21.9% on that credit card or personal loan that you thought was going to save you.

But Jack, that’s you, decides to wake up and see how far the “beanstalk” really goes. He decides to play into the myth of it all. “Perhaps the beanstalk goes to a magic kingdom with lots of food for me and my family”, Jack says. So you climb up the “beanstalk” more alert than you have ever been in your life. Your heart has eyes to see everything going on around you. You are anxious, scared, and excited all at the same time. When you reach the top you see riches beyond your wildest dreams.

Why riches? Because you have taken your life into your own hands. You have fought back have decided to let your heart see what is really going on. You have decided to think outside the box of what those contracts really wanted you to see. But it isn’t over yet, you are discovered trying to take the riches by the evil giants (corporate companies). They don’t want you to fight back. They want you to pay that 21.9% interest and late fees and over the limit fees. How dare you think of going against the grain and being a free thinker. As the giant is running towards Jack he climbs down the “beanstalk” just in time to find an ax. The giant is still pretty high up on the stalk. You cut the “beanstalk and cause the giant to fall dying from the impact.

When that giant fell, you fought back. You battled to save your family and yourself. Your heart had eyes and you were awake to see the reality around you. “Wow, I never should have taken those magic beans.” or should you’ve? In doing so you have learned something new about yourself and became stronger. You just have to remember to keep your heart’s eyes open now is all. You must know what is around you and learn that this life is a battle. There are several things that want us to fail, but your personal God/your higher self wants you to win.

This is just a small “myth” to help you really see something that may be affecting you personally. Perhaps love is your real issue. If that is the case, think of the Little Mermaid. The sea witch didn’t want to see Arial happy either, but Sebastian tried only because Arial kept fighting to win. Good always over comes evil, but sometimes it is hard to see what evil really is. When we open our heart’s eyes we are able to see good and evil. We are able to win our battles and life becomes everything and more we wanted it to be. And it is simple to start doing too, just a quick prayer or meditation and you can begin seeing things a whole lot better.

I want to say Thank you to author John Eldredge who wrote a little on this topic in his book “Waking The Dead”. It allowed me to have a new perspective to help my friends help themselves who are “preparing for battle”.

In Faith,
+Isaac

Call To Action

Today I have the distinct pleasure of being able to attend Governor Strickland's Faith-based Luncheon. It was great with around 700 leaders from the Faith-based community. There is one think that I did notice more than anything else though. The majority was Christians. I understand that Christianity is the leading religion of the U.S., but I was disappointed that others were willing to be properly represented better. I sat and listened countless times to the word "Jesus" and the "New Testament".

What upset me even more was the fact that those who are of other faiths really didn't get much of a chance to speak. We did hear Ms. Usha Aswath play the Saraswati veena, and she was fantastic. There was a speech from a man on behalf of Imam Farooq Aboelzahab, who regrettable was unable to attend, to represent Islam. We had 2 Rabbis speaking towards the end. The music before and after was Christian. 7 out of 10 speakers were Christian based. There were no one representing Pagans, Buddhist, Taoist, Hinduist, or any other religions.

This was suppose to be an open forum for Interfaith dialogue, which we did promote at our table. We had a few different religions sitting there discussing our work and how important it is to us.

Where am I getting at with this, right? I am wanting to take this time to go beyond the message of today's luncheon. I am asking, no calling, all minority religions to action. It is time that we allow the Divine spark to encompass our Spirit and bring us forward. We for too long stand in the shadows of Christianity and fear to be the beacon we are. When called to ministry, we are all called the same way, through God. God the Universe, God the Light, God the Alpha & Omega, God the Allah, God the consort of the Goddess, or any other God that you personally identify with. We are in a time of Spiritual healing and a time when we must build bridges and lead our groups by being the beacon of light they know we are able to be.

There are several books that talk about how to be a good minister or religious leader. We could spend years comparing them. All of them give the same message though, live your life for God, share the joy and love of the All, and keep your flock/group in the best of intentions. All of these involve hard work and dedication. Ministry is not a joke or a kewl title to have. Ministry involves serious devotion. Those who are called know why we are called through personal and tedious discernment. I believe that too often we forget why we are called. Working in our field opens us to so much hatred, animosity, and discrimination. As we progress further sometimes we allow these darkness es to take over our light and dim it. What must be remembered is, our light is a gift from God and no one or thing has the "power" to weaken it. We must stand strong and unite together to bring about faith and healing that we need today.

I want to make this clear. I am calling and challenging all other minority religious leaders to action. Stand strong and unite to bring about change. Let us be heard and show the goodness that we can do to help Ohio, the United States, and the World.

Keep Faith & Allow your Light to shine for all!
+Isaac

World in Chaos

I want to start by saying that this is in no way a dooms day/judgement day blog. Allow me to be abundantly clear. This is just a blogging about the current events not related to any form of hells fire and brimstone.

I have been reading and in some cases, being informed about the tragedies that are taking over our world this week. Australia has had flooding on one end and fires on the other. The fires have claimed the lives of nearly 200 people, while the floods have taken a 4 year old boy (eaten by a crocodile). Today in New York 50 people were killed in a plane crash. Our world is turning into a state of chaos, but why?

We have fighting in Gaza that never seems to end. Political turmoil in Israel with 3 people claiming victory over the other. And to top things off an excommunicated and then rehabilitated Roman Catholic Bishop claiming the Holocaust never happened. Only to recant when the Pope intervened, forget the fact that his peers told him he was wrong.

We are living in total Chaos. The worse part is, it is pure greed and pride consuming our every day lives. I understand about wanting to be something and make it some where, but why is it considered proper to stand the backs of others. We forget one thing, that is very important. We are not Americans, Australians, Europeans, and such. We are people! We are all humans and we all want the same for ourselves and one another. A good home, friends, family, great health, and a decent living.

I believe that it is time for all of us to stand together and support one another. Perhaps if we prayed/meditated for one another and started showing signs of compassion things could get better. We could not have people starting wild fires as signs of attention and acting out. We would have a clear picture of a leader in Israel. We could support one another in difficult times such as the plane crash in NY. We wouldn't have religious leaders denying the Holocaust. The most certain part is, we wouldn't have another potential Holocaust on any scale.

The Bible, Koran, religious creeds, and doctrine all teach one thing. When you take away all of the words, stories, rules, and beliefs of every religion you are left with one word, LOVE. I'm not saying be a "flower child". I'm saying love others in a way you want to receive love. Once we begin with love, healing will follow and chaos will be subdued. Just remember it takes time to bring about this type of change. Don't expect to love everyone overnight. Start small and show just one small sign of love and allow that to slowly grow daily. You will see in a month a difference one small action really makes.

With tomorrow being Valentine's Day, this is a perfect time to start!

Imbolc

I wanted to take a moment to inform them of what today is. Today is Imbolc. Unless you are pagan, you are not familiar with this word. Feburary 1st is regarded as the Feast of Saint Brigid of Kildare by most. To learn more about Saint Brigid http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigid_of_Kildare or to learn more about Imbolc http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imbolc.

Have a great day either way!

First time

This is my first attempt ever at blogging so I ask that you please bare with me. I should probably start with who I am. My name is His Most Rev. Isaac Kramer, Interfaith Bishop of Ohio. You can call me Bishop Isaac for short if you like. I'm not too big on the formalities of my name unless it's a social event or function that really calls for it.

I have been studying religion for over 18 years now, it just fascinates me. Not any one in particular, but all of them. I have started off in one and worked my way through several of them over the years. I believe that the perfect religion isn't just one religion. We are here to better our Spirit and to experience things for our maker. Religion is something that hinders Spiritual growth, Faith builds it though. I believe that once you start using doctrine and creeds you prohibit the Spirit from being free to experience pure love. Faith is something that I ask everyone to believe in, not religion.

Through the series of blogs, I hope that I can help convey that message. I hope to write about Faith, Spirit, and God (the Maker). I intend to write so everyone can understand and have some connection to it without a religious attachment. I hope that you check back and really get the chance to challenge your every day thoughts with what I write. I also want you to know that I would love to hear from you as well. Email me at Bishop.IsaacKramer@straphaelinterfaith.org anytime with any questions. In the meantime, have Faith!

+Bishop Isaac