Friday, November 17, 2017
Onward with IT'S A NEW DAY!
11/17/2017
Hello, Everyone!
Some of you will find it interesting - and others will not; but I just submitted my "completed" manuscript of my next book - IT'S A NEW DAY! - to my online publisher, Create Space. "We" have a long way to go, but we have begun. My guess is that by the end of February of next year, we will have completed the project. From experience, it take a few months to get it all done.
But after it is done, there will be a new book out there for the world to review. I know my views about Life being Divine are not standard in the world; but I do believe each of us should share what we think so that others can think for themselves. My thinking does not have to be your own, but just because I have chosen to think for myself should be an example for all to follow. Don't you agree?
I will copy below the beginning of my manuscript. Review what you want - if you want. OK?
All is Well here with Nancy & me. We met with Pastor Nathan Keith of Nancy's Trinity Lutheran Church a few days ago and began the process of preparing for our Wedding Ceremony on April 28th of next year. You are Welcome to attend if you want. If you need directions, I will be glad to give you some. Alright? I realize not many can come, but if you can, perhaps we can share some of our happy with you. I cannot imagine a ceremony without singing. So expect a lot of that. If you have a song to sing, let me know.
Soon, I will share the 2nd to last essay in IT'S A NEW DAY! - on Nancy's 85th birthday, next Wednesday, Nov 22nd. It is called STATE OF GRACE; but for now, here is the beginning of IT'S A NEW DAY! - including Index (88 items). I will condense the pages for space purposes. Again, review it only if interested. Alright?
Bye for Now! Have a Good One!
Gently,
Francis William Bessler
& Nancy Shaw
Laramie, Wyoming
www.una-bella-vita.com
IT'S A
NEW DAY!
By
Francis William Bessler
Compiled from 2015 - 2017
Featuring
Original essays & songs.
Essays from 2015 - 2017,
though several predate 2015 too.
Songs from 1963-2017.
Copyright by
Francis William Bessler
Laramie, Wyoming
- 2018 -
It's A New Day
A song (or poem)
by
Francis William Bessler
Written 12/22/2016
Look around and notice what you see -
not what you believed.
It's a new day!
Pay attention to the life that is here
and know that Heaven is not only there.
It's a new way!
The time is now to appreciate
the mystery of life.
There is no better time than now
to embrace what's right.
It's a new day!
Open your heart and eyes
to love the wonder that is you.
It's a new day!
Be aware we're all the same
and in each of us, there is the truth.
It's a new way!
The truth is that
we are all a reflection of The Divine;
and that's exactly why
we should know our lives are fine.
It's a new day!
The world is the same
as it has always been.
There is nothing new -
there has never been any sin.
Our only sin has been
to see life as ill
and then treat ourselves
as part of the deal.
Let's take off the shroud
in which we've been enclosed.
It's a new day!
The Light of God
is in All exposed.
It's a new way!
There is nothing new
under our shining, glorious Sun.
We're all Children of the Light
and knowing that should be our fun.
It's a new day!
Yes, indeed,
let's practice a New Way -
because it is a New Day!
Yes, it is a New Day!
Introduction
Hello! It is December 22nd, 2016 as I write this Introduction, though I do not plan on completing this work until late 2018 or early 2019. At least, that is my plan for starters. For the most part, I plan on this being a compilation of brief essays I have written and will write for a religious column in a local paper - The Laramie (Wyoming) Boomerang. Every now and then, I submit a column - along with other religious minded contributors who live in our town of Laramie. This work will feature some of those articles, dating back to October of 2015 - along with future articles to be written until I decide my book is large enough - at least into 2018 - and maybe beyond. Time will tell.
Intermittently, I plan to populate this work with songs (or lyrics or poems) I have written down through the years - to offer a bit of variety. Occasionally, I may feature an old essay or write a separate essay, too, that adds a thought or two to the entire compilation; and I hope to feature some "guest articles" submitted by friends - who may respond, both pro and con, to an article I may write. Time will tell if any "guests" choose to contribute.
As I plan it now, this work will be my seventh and final work I intend to publish. See the end of this work for a list of the previous six that will have been published by the time this one is complete. Also, refer to my writings website - www.una-bella-vita.com - to pursue any and all of my writings - including some of the blogs that will be featured in this work.
In general, however, my view of life is that all of it is Sacred, simply because an Infinite God must be IN it. My own term for one like me who believes that Nature - or Existence - and God are one is "Divine Naturist" - or "Divine Naturalist." I do not believe in a god that is external to existence and can favor one entity over another. Favoring one over another is not a matter for an Infinite God Which by virtue of that infinity must be present in everything; and being present in everything, it stands to reason that God cannot be divided or separated from anything. Right? Oops! There goes the "ancient" idea that man can "sin against God."
Sin requires that one who sins can be separate from one who is sinned against; but if God and man cannot be separated, then neither can man "sin against God." If man "sins," it is not against God. It is against himself - or herself - by denying one's own Divine Worth. Sinning is not being separated from God. It is only thinking one can be separated - and conducting life in such a manner. Or so, I Believe!
Traditionally, I think, mankind has assumed that God is a reflection of himself - or as they put it - mankind is a reflection of an Individual God; but in my opinion, one who thinks like God is an Individual in the first place is simply using himself - or herself - to define God. In some fashion, the articles and songs of this work will attempt to comment about life in general - and how an Infinite God - or Infinite Presence - must relate to it.
Let me begin with a song I wrote a few years ago called The Mystery of God - and then proceed along our planned course. I hope you enjoy the journey.
Thanks for coming along!
Good Luck to us All!
Gently,
Divine Naturist - or Naturalist,
Francis William Bessler
Laramie, Wyoming
www.una-bella-vita.com
(12/22/2016)
Note:
Having actually completed this work on 11/17/2017, upon submitting it for publication, and since my production of my songs in the work entitled, JOYFUL HAPPY SOUNDS in 2015 (featuring 198 original songs), this work also features 5 new songs. If a date is affixed to a song or poem that reflects a date created later than 2015, consider it a new song - or poem. Also, by this date of 11/17/2017, I have decided to add one more book. So, this 7th book will not be my last. See BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR at end to see intended complete list.
Thanks! FWB
11/17/2017
INDEX
01. The Mystery of God (song: 3/27/2007) .................................... 10
02. DOING THE WORK OF THE LORD (essay: 10/3/2015) ... 12
03. Letter to Friends, Ron & Anne (11/1/2015) ........................... 14
04. THE SPLENDID OF LIFE (essay: 11/22/2015) .................... 17
(How to Counter ISIS)
05. EQUAL TO A STAR (essay: 1/24/2016) ................................ 20
06. THE LIGHT OF LIFE (essay: 2/11/2016) ............................. 22
07. Journey of My Soul - Preface (letter: 4/12/2016) .................. 24
08. JOURNEY OF MY SOUL (essay: 10/19/2005;4/12/2016) ... 26
09. My Life Is My Own (song: 2/14/2015) ..................................... 35
10. THE KINGDOM OF GOD (essay: 3/23/2015) ...................... 37
11. MY CREDO (In Prosaic Verse): (essay: 5/16/2016) ............. 39
12. ONE LIFE TO LIVE (essay: 6/1/2016) .................................. 41
13. In Memory of Dad & Mom (letter: 7/11/2016) ...................... 44
14. Leo's Mountain (song: 7/1/2009) ............................................. 46
15. Clara's Hill (song: 7/19/2009) .................................................. 47
16. JUST A DAD (essay: 6/22/2016) ............................................. 49
17. How Far Is Heaven? - Preface (letter: 8/31/2016) ................. 51
18. HOW FAR IS HEAVEN? (essay: 8/14/2016) ......................... 53
19. HOLIER THAN EARTH? (essay: 10/9/2016) ........................ 56
20. CHRISTMAS TIME (essay: 11/22/2016) ................................ 59
21. Child of The Light (song: 5/2001) ............................................. 61
22. Onward, Brother Nick! (letter: 12/8/2016) ............................. 62
23. Ode To The Wind (song: 5/9/2006) ........................................... 64
24. THE GENDER OF GOD (essay: 11/6/2016) ......................... 66
25. Heaven (song: 2/2014) ............................................................... 68
26. SON OF GOD (essay: 1/15/2017) ............................................ 70
27. Son of God (song: 10/28/2008) ................................................. 72
28. Hello, Everybody! (song: 12/3/2011) ........................................ 74
29. BE PLEASED! (letters: 1/21/2017) ......................................... 76
30. Harmony (song: 10/14/2008) .................................................... 78
31. JESUS - MAN OR GOD? (essay: 1/22/2017) ......................... 80
32. ANTI-ABORTION,
BUT PRO-CHOICE (letter: 1/29/2017) .................................. 83
33. Letter to Daughter, Anita (letter: 2/3/2017) ............................ 87
34. Jesus - A Different View - Preface (letter: 2/4/2017) ............. 89
35. JESUS - A DIFFERENT VIEW (essay: 1/15/2017) .............. 92
36. Wake Up! (song: 6/4/2009) ...................................................... 95
37. Was Jesus A Messiah? (song: 5/17/2006) ................................ 97
38. A Valentine's Day Letter (letter: 2/14/2017) ........................... 99
39. Every Place Is Heaven! (song: 3/1/2013) .................................. 100
40. LISTENING TO THE UNIVERSE (essay: 1/14/2017) ......... 104
41. The Same (song: 9/15/2008) ..................................................... 107
42. ETERNAL PUNISHMENT (letters: 3/20/2017) ................... 110
OR HEAVENLY REWARD
43. THE LORD JESUS! (essay: 3/25/2017) ................................. 117
44. Life (poem: 10/19/2011) ............................................................ 120
45. HAPPY EASTER! (essay letter: 4/16/2017) ........................... 122
46. Song Of My Divine Naturism (song: 6/28/2004) ...................... 125
47. PONDERING THE INFINITE (essay: 5/11/2006) ................ 130
48. Laughing With The Infinite (song: 5/11/2006) ........................ 133
49. IN THE MIDDLE OF DIVINITY (essay: 5/12/2006) ........... 135
50. I'm Wondering (song: 5/13/2006) ............................................. 139
51. THE NON-JUDAIC JESUS (long essay: 5/16/2006) ............. 141
52. Was Jesus A Messiah? (song: 5/17/2006) ................................ 178
53. HEALTH CARE PROBLEMS/ (letters: 5/5/2017) ............... 181
NEW BOOK ON JESUS - DONE
54. WE'RE ALL DIVINE BEINGS (essay: 5/13/2017) ............... 185
55. We're All Divine Beings (song: 5/13/2017) .............................. 187
56. Going Nowhere (song: 2/27/1999) ............................................ 188
57. JUST BEING ME (essay: 5/27/2017) ...................................... 191
58. Like A Bird In The Heavens (song: 1984) ................................ 193
59. INNOCENT AS A DOVE (essay: 6/17/2017) ......................... 195
60. Wise As A Serpent (song: 6/16/2017) ........................................ 197
And Innocent As A Dove
61. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY (letter: 7/4/2017) ................................. 200
62. Twinge At My Heart (song: 3/1971) .......................................... 203
63. MY DAD & ME (essay: 7/11/2017) .......................................... 205
64. Go In Peace (song: 1974; 4/18/2006) ......................................... 206
65. DREAMS & THINGS (essay: 7/17/2017) ................................ 209
66. WE'RE ALL SAINTS (essay: 7/31/2017) ................................ 214
BUT WE DON'T KNOW IT!
67. Child Of The Living One (song: 8/5/2017) ................................ 220
68. Become A Child (poem: 1984) ................................................... 224
69. HOME EVERYWHERE (essay: 8/28/2017) ........................... 226
70. Home (poem/song: 8/24/2017; 8/28/2017) ................................ 229
71. LAY SPIRITUALITY (essay: 9/7/2017) .................................. 231
(PERSONAL SPIRITUALITY)
72. My Two Trees (song: 2/4/2013; 2/8/2013) ................................. 234
73. AN IDEAL WORTH LIVING (essay: 9/22/2017) .................. 236
74. Smallest Little Atom (song: 1984) .............................................. 242
75. Lift Your Spirits High (song: 1983) ........................................... 245
My Life Is My Own (song: see item 9)
76. TWO LOVE SONGS: .............................................................. 248
The Love Song (song: 1974)
Loving Everything (song: 4/13/2005)
77. JUDGMENT DAY (essay: June/July, 2006) ........................... 251
78. Oh Death! (poem: 7/19/2006) .................................................... 256
79. With A Song In My Heart (song: 9/26/2017) ............................ 258
80. SPIRITUAL NUDITY (essay: 3/2003) ..................................... 260
81. It's Such A Simple Thing (song/poem: 2/22/2015) ................... 263
82. STILL ALIVE (letter: 11/2/2017) ............................................ 266
83. Hello, My Love! (song: 9/2/2005) .............................................. 268
84. STATE OF GRACE (essay: 7/31/2006) ................................... 269
85. Adam & Eve (song: 7/24/2006) .................................................. 280
86. CHRISTIANITY AS I KNOW IT (essay: 6/2/2004) .............. 283
87. Paradise, Paradise (song: 3/31/2006) ........................................ 292
88. Peace On Earth (song: 7/31/2007) ............................................ 293
ABOUT THE AUTHOR ................................................................. 295
BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR .......................................................... 296
Featuring About 47 essays and 39 songs
The Mystery of God
(A Song or a Poem with Sung Refrain)
by
Francis William Bessler
Laramie, Wyoming
03/27/2007
REFRAIN:
The mystery of God is all about.
The mystery is within.
The mystery of God is all about.
That’s why we can have no sin.
The mystery of God is all about.
That’s why I sing this hymn.
The mystery of God makes me shout:
I’m glad I can have no sin.
People think God created the world;
and I believe it’s true.
I believe God created all the boys and girls
and that It created me and you.
But I think people fail to realize
what happened is happening now.
Creation didn’t just happen in the night.
It’s a process that keeps on somehow.
Refrain.
We are not really created notions
that were finished at a start.
Inside each of us is constant motion
that finds its center in the heart.
But all that motion feeds on mystery
and that motion in us should commit
each of us as we make up history
to embrace our wonder with full consent.
Refrain.
Pastor Billy claims he wants to die
so he can see God face to face.
But Billy doesn’t seem to realize
his God is really in the human race.
God is not some person standing over there,
begging for our applause.
God is the Presence in all, everywhere.
If we know ourselves, we will know God.
Refrain.
Look at a flower and watch it grow
from just a seed into a bloom.
Watch it closely and you can know
how the mystery is happening in you.
And, in time, the flower will die
and new seeds will fall to the ground.
It’s a mystery, but it’s full of light
and in it, we can all be found.
Refrain.
So, when people say God created me
and maybe set me on my way,
I tell them I beg to disagree
because I’m being created every day.
And in my growth – and even in my death,
God is the motion that sets me free.
Like the flower rises with new breath,
that is the way it will happen with me.
Refrain (2).
Finish:
The mystery of God makes me shout:
I’m glad I can have no sin.
I’m glad I can have no sin.
I’m glad I can have no sin.
DOING THE
WORK OF THE LORD!
By
Francis William Bessler
Laramie, Wyoming
10/3/2015