The Two Ways - The Didache

 Once upon a time, I read of the Didache, and I recently decided to download a copy so I could read it. What is it you might ask? It is basically a first-century instruction manual for new Christians, mentioned in ancient writings, but no copy was extant in modern times. That is, until 1873 when a copy was discovered in the library of the Holy Sepulchre in Constantinople. It generated a lot of excitement in scholars, theologians, and lay people alike. It was written as early as 50 CE! It bridged a gap of silence between then and the early writers, often called church fathers, in the middle and late second century and on.

This morning, I decided to open it and begin reading. The beginning chapters are about the two ways - The Way of Life vs The Way of Death. There are similarities to the Qumran community writings of the contrast between light and darkness, truth and falsehood.

Flashing before my mind came my Genine vs Impostor values that I have just been sharing on this blog. I thought they were heavily inspired by Aristotle's book on Ethics, but - they also somehow seem directly related to the Didache's Two Ways!

Not that the Didache has a long list, but the lists it has are in harmony with "my" lists, plus two ways are the same concept.

Did I somehow tap into this very early Christian way? Did I read it in the past, and it came up expanded from my subconscious? Did God inspire me to write them to bring the Two Ways to more eyes and hearts?

I don't know the answer, and it feels significant.

If you are interested in all of this, please do download the Didache (pronounced DidaKay) or buy a copy and see what you think.

Ends ---- Beginnings

 Ends lead to beginnings - no rewinds - you can't go home again. As 2025 comes to an end, but maybe not a conclusion, our minds naturally turn to 2026.

We will no longer write 2025 on checks and forms, as it is officially ending. However, we may drag some of it along with us to continue to wrestle with gnarly issues not yet resolved. We do best to not use that to halt or slow our new beginnings.

We cannot change the past. We can change how we view and interpret it. Maybe we shift to see everything and everyone as our teachers, and review what we have learned as a result of what did or did not happen. Maybe we need to make some amends. Maybe we need to do some forgiveness work. We need to do what is necessary so that we do not carry on negative things and feelings into our opportunity for new beginnings. We need to get out of our own way.

For some of us, 2025 has been the biggest year of pain and sorrow of our lives. I understand. It certainly was for me, as you know if you read my posts particularly from April on for secveral months. BUT, the questions I have to ask myself lead me forward. It's not going on now; he's not here to hurt me anymore, so  do I hurt myself on his behalf? Do I carry on his dastardly work and keep myself in pain over what cannot be undone? Do I have the courage to turn and face a new beginning, the blank slate of 2026?

Since I am still here on earth, I believe that I can assume there is more for me to do here. As has been said, today is the first day of the rest of my life. 

I urge you to think about these things in relation to your life and step bravely into new beginnings. Let's make 2026 a magnificent year.

Christmas Greetings

 It was said - Tidings of peace and great joy.

I think for peace to break out in our hearts and spread across the world would honor this season more than anything. The birth of Jesus brought wisom and light - which humanity has mostly ignored.

He called for God's Kingdom on earth. We can partner with that dream/vision and help it come true. A few shifts in our attitudes and behaviors, and we're there.

Join me in prayer today for peace to break out.

Day 46 - Conclusion of Values Program - or Maybe the Beginning

 Congratulations! All 40 sets of Genuine and Impostor Values are now up on my blog, and if you have been going through them with me, you have a lot to think about.

Once you feel led to your most important key values, I urge you to spend time strengthening, exploring, and living them to the fullest. Somehow, the remaining values seem to be included in their own way in the 7, no mattter which 7 you chose, or maybe chose you. 

For example: if wisdom is one of your 7, wisdom includes peacefulness, learning, integrity, etc. Otherwise, how can it be wisdom?

By more and more of us living up to our highest inner rules (values are the inner rules by which we run our lives), together we can create a fantastic life and world. Please encourage others to consider these 40, to read them and interact with them, leading to clarity and empowerment.

As we look out upon our world, it is clear that many are living with the Impostor Values as their inner rules. Many are unaware they are doing so or that there is a choice.

I want to share an example from my life that is an important lesson. 

The only A+ I ever got in Physical Education was in archery in college. I learned that when I missed the bullseye, I just had to re-aim and try again. Eventually, I could hit it consistently. I have come to realize that in life, many do not have a high target, so they are all over the place. A pilot once told me that if he were flying just 1' off course and did not correct his course, he would end up in another part of the world from the one where he was supposed to be. Don't let that be the story of your life.

If you select your 7 as your target, you can tell when you are off the mark, readjust yourself, and try again. Keep refining yourself until you consistently live your values. I guarantee you that it is worth the time, attention, and effort. You are worth it.

God loves you and so do I.

Day 45 - Wisdom - Folly

 Wisdom           (Goal Number:         )             Folly

clear thinking, keen, good sense, comprehension                             foolish, dull, frivolous, drivel, weak

AWAKE TO THE GENUINE VALUE:

Wisdom is essential to you and how you operate in life. You study wise people of history and see the patterns of wisdom. Clear thinking is what you are known for, and expect it and ask it of others. You have a keen mind that leads you to have good sense, common sense, and exceptional sense. You can see big and little patterns and comprehend meaning. You are something of a sage, so others look to you for wise words. Your conversations are almost always about ideas.

 PARTIALLY ASLEEP TO THE GENUINE VALUE: 

Sometimes you are a fuzzy thinker. Your common sense falters far too often. It is not part of your repertoire to look for patterns unless they are obvious. You comprehend simple ideas, but you do not stretch your mind often to do deep and profound thinking. You stay on the surface of most issues. You engage in gossip, talking about others far too often.

LIVING IN THE IMPOSTOR VALUE:

You cannot even count the number of times you have been foolish. You tend to be thought of as dull. Because of your dearth of wisdom, you can be frivolous. Your conversations usually are drivel; in fact, you tend to talk about other people. You don’t really discuss ideas because you have not sought wisdom in order to have something meaningful to say, plus you enjoy gossip.

Look at your life. Which is the most true for you?   ____ 1   _____ 2  _____ 3

What to do:

DECISION

Choose. Which do you want for yourself and your world? Which way would you like life to be?

FOCUSING YOUR MIND

Going for the target you have chosen

To shift in the direction of wisdom, select some or all of the following and copy them in order to have them with you. Live with them. Think about them. Absorb them.

·  I can clearly see that the great positive people throughout history have shown wisdom. I want to follow in those footsteps.

·  I am ready to practice clear thinking.

·  I see the value of wisdom.

·  I choose to develop wisdom.

·  I let go of the foolish.

·  I cease all gossip and drivel in my conversations.

REINFORCING BEHAVIORS

Action steps to take to get off the log

·  Read some things written by ancient wise ones from another time and place, such as Plato, Epictetus, or Aristotle, and read some early American leaders like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, or Thomas Paine. Notice the mental rigor and clarity the wise exhibit.

·  Read Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as told in Matthew 5,6, & 7. What would the world be like if everyone read this and did as he suggested, practicing his wisdom? Consider the wisdom in his words.

·  Join a debate club and practice clear thinking.

·   Join Toastmasters and practice clear thinking that leads to clear speaking.

·  If you catch yourself doing something foolish, engaging in gossip, or not having a wise word to say in a conversation, think about what just happened. What can you do in the future to do better?

Remember Wisdom

Day 44 - Virtue - Vice

 Virtue  (Goal Number:         )                                     Vice

goodness, purity, spotlessness, innocent                                                            weakness, fault, wickedness, degradation

 AWAKE TO THE GENUINE VALUE:

You live not in self-righteous pseudo-virtue, but the virtue of a person who simply lives in harmony with God, expressing a good and pure nature. As much as humanly possible, you live a spotless life. You are an innocent person, innocent of wrongdoing, for you live an ethical life. You are considered to be a moral and upright person.

 

 PARTIALLY ASLEEP TO THE GENUINE VALUE: 

You occasionally slip from a fully ethical life. You are mostly a good person with a good nature, but you can have your negative times. It is unlikely that the idea of living a spotless life has ever occurred to you. You are considered to be an okay person.

 

LIVING IN THE IMPOSTOR VALUE:

You have not exercised your spiritual muscle so you are not all that ethical. You can be quite weak, giving in to temptations. You have a loose relationship with the truth and standards of morality. You may be in a group that considers dark and wicked things as fun or at least acceptable. You have fallen into a degraded kijnd of life.

 

Look at your life. Which is the most true for you?   ____ 1   _____ 2  _____ 3

 

What to do:

DECISION

Choose. Which do you want for yourself and your world? Which way would you like life to be?

 

FOCUSING YOUR MIND

Going for the target you have chosen

To shift in the direction of virtue, select some or all of the following and copy them in order to have them with you. Live with them. Think about them. Absorb them.

·     It feels good to take the high road.

·     Goodness and mercy fill me.

·     I am clear on my standards, and I live up to them.

·     It is important to me to live an ethical life.

·     I do as much good as I can every single day.

REINFORCING BEHAVIORS

Action steps to take to get off the log

·    Select at least one of the 40 Genuine Values today to apply to your life, especially the one you think is the weakest link in your life. Ask yourself what you can do to strengthen it in your life. Notice when you are weak in regard to it, and affirm you are strong and rooted in it. Practice living it consciously today.

·       Pick one or more acts of kindness to do each day. It is especially powerful to do at least some anonymously so that you do not expect to receive praise and thanks. It is powerful to do kindness outside of the constraints of ego.

·       Anything you have done for which you are not proud, make amends wherever possible. Give and receive forgiveness once you have done all you can to make it right.

·       Become aware of how it feels inside of yourself when you are ethical, kind, and doing good work. Notice how the opposite feels or has felt. Choose to feel good by doing good.

Remember Virue

 

Day 43 - Variety - Uniformity

 Variety             (Goal Number:         )            Uniformity

openness to newness, diversity, inclusivity                           closed, homogenous, conformity

  AWAKE TO THE GENUINE VALUE: 

In your view, the old adage is true – variety is the spice of life. You are open to new people, new ideas, and new ways of doing things. You also use common sense to ascertain which new things are wise choices. Your openness leads you to have a varied and interesting life. You find it exciting to explore new ideas, new recipes, new cultures, ec. You have a diverse group of friends, tastes, and life experiences. You include others in your circle easily and with an open heart.

 PARTIALLY ASLEEP TO THE GENUINE VALUE: 

You tolerate some variety, but you prefer more constancy. You are not opposed to others or new tastes or new experiences, but you rarely seek them out. You have some variety in your circle of friends, but you have some clear limits.

LIVING IN THE IMPOSTOR VALUE:

You are adamantly closed to newness in any area. You insist that people agree with you on any issue or idea upon which you have concluded you know the truth. You like things just one way, no new recipes, no new ideas, no new kinds of people or cultures. You think that if everyone were like you, it would be a better world. It is important to you to conform to whatever it is you are part of, and others should too. You are almost afraid to have an enquiring mind.

Look at your life. Which is the most true for you?   ____ 1   _____ 2  _____ 3

What to do:

DECISION

Choose. Which do you want for yourself and your world? Which way would you like life to be?

FOCUSING YOUR MIND

Going for the target you have chosen

To shift in the direction of variety, select some or all of the following and copy them in order to have them with you. Live with them. Think about them. Absorb them.

·     There are over 8 billion people on earth, each unique. I find this exciting.

·     I am open to new ideas, new tastes, and new experiences.

·     I see the sacredness of each person.

·     It is fun to try new foods.

·     Travel is thrilling and expanding.

·     It would be boring if everyone and everything were the same.

REINFORCING BEHAVIORS

Action steps to take to get off the log

·     Decide to explore a belief you have closed as settled. For example, you may say that the Bible is inerrant. You find out that there are over 5,800 different manuscripts and fragments so far found, with over 500,000 variants. Which is inerrant? Or pick some other topic upon which you have placed the closed sign,

·     Pick a cuisine you have never tried. Find a restaurant or some recipes, and try out some of the dishes.

·     Learn about a local group you know little about.

·     Attend meetings in different groups that you usually avoid, from book studies to charities to other religions. Attend not to make them wrong, but to listen and understand that there is another way to look at things, many other ways. Each finds the way for them. Your way is fine, and unless their way causes harm, so is theirs.

·     When you feel yourself closing up, stop, take several deep breaths, and tell yourself to let go. You are not in charge of others and their ways. It is a big enough job to be in charge of yourself. Think of Jesus’ saying about getting the log out of your own eye before the speck in someone else’s.

Remember Variety