GOD IS PLURAL
Sermons for an Emerging Church
by
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THE ISNESS OF LIFE Why Paris Hilton is on magazine covers while a maid in the Hilton Hotel is changing pillow covers? Why Bill Gates is extremely rich while Bill Smith is waiting at the gates begging for a hand out? Why did the Tsunami hit the poor people of Indonesia and not the rich people in Beverly Hills? Why my son was born autistic and has to attend a special school, but my neighbor's son is an honor student heading to a prestigious university? But then again, why does my other neighbor's son has down syndrome and is confined to a wheel chair, but my son can at least walk? Why did my friend's daughter die in a car accident at age 18 but her great grand mother is still alive at age 98? Why? I don't have answers to any of these questions except to say that Life Just IS! If any one claims to have answers to these questions, I suggest that you run fast and far away from him, because no one does. In this case, it may be good to take the Zen Master's advise to his disciple: "If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him." I have chosen not to delve into the mysterious "why questions" of life except to accept and embrace life as IS. There is a very important reason why I accept life as Is. Look at the scene in the book of Exodus where Moses wanted to find out God's name. What did God say? I AM who AM. He did not say, "I Was Who I Was" or "I Will be Who I Will be," but I AM. God is only in the present. She is neither in the past nor in the future. He is here with us now, in the Isness of life. And if God is with us everything is bearable and all things are possible. So start believing in the Isness of life and embrace the 'I AM God" who is present with you always and all ways and your life will be transformed beyond your imagination. You will be able to join the Zen Master and say: "Oh wonderful, Oh wonderful, everything is perfect the way it is!"
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About the Book
If the God who spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai 3000 years ago, does not speak to Mr. Mosley in Miami Beach in 2009, we have a theological problem. This book is the result of a deep conviction that to be effective in the 21st century, a preacher must focus one eye on the Bible and the other on the mass media. This collection of 52 sermons invites the reader to awaken to a new level of consciousness about his innate identity as a spiritual being and to affi rm the divinity in others. The author beautifully blends his personal stories with the stories of God and challenges you to look beyond what you see, to experience God with your sixth sense, treat every place as holy ground and to love your neighbor as an extension of your own self. Thought provoking and non traditional, these sermons are relevant beyond the walls of churches and chapels
About the Author
Born and raised in Kerala, India, Rev. Paul Veliyathil was a Roman Catholic Priest for thirteen years until transition to marriage in 1988. He holds a Master’s in Theology from the Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, India, a Doctorate in Theology from Regis College, University of Toronto, Canada, and a Master’s in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University, Maryland. He is a Licensed Psychotherapist and a Certified Thanathologist. Paul works as a Hospice Chaplain and preaches at three area churches. He lives in Coral Springs, Florida, with his wife Judy and sons, Johnny and Tommy.