b'SERMONFirst Aid for the SoulBy Marjorie B. Lewis, Ph.D., D. Min.H elloThere,earlierthisweek,I was so pleased to speak with my brother, Terrance Lewis.He said he wasproudofhisbrilliant sister and that he had purchased a few copies of my newly released book for his team at work.He later contacted me because hewantedsomeclarityregarding hiscurrentchurchexperiences.He sensed that church was constraining and hierarchical.He seemed disillu-sioned because he was not receiving what he was expecting.Aswecontinuedtotalk,Ireal-izedthatheisstrugglingwithwhat somanystruggle.Heislookingto enhance his spirituality through a reli-giousexperiencethroughtraditional church.As we proceeded to discussMarjorie B. LewisthedifferencebetweenaReligious and a Spiritual experience, he beganOneofmyfavoritecolleagues, togetit.IgavehimafewreferralsCarolyn Myss contrasts the two as fol-that he could read and view regardinglows.Religion is described as a cloak Spiritual development. forspirituality.Itishowwechoose I believe he became encouraged withtodressourspiritualdevelopment. therealitythatthereisadifferenceTherearedifferentstylesofdress; between religion and spirituality.Sohowever,theyaredressingthesame I thought I would share the essence ofpersonal developmental process. They our conversation through this article. are all used to dress our relationship Spiritualityprovidesforpersonalwith God. development at an individual level.ItMany of us are steeped in religious is tailored to accommodate the devel- tradition, rules, regulations, doctrines opmentofeachofusindividually.and dogmas.It is difficult to see past Through Spirituality we find meaning,protocol.The question to be addressed wedevelopapproachestoconnect- is, Just how important are these pro-edandself-integration,andmastertocols when it comes to our relation-theprocessoflearninghowtolive.ship with God.Through Religion we emphasize prac- I once saw a picture contrasting reli-tices, rites or rituals to be followed, thegionandspirituality.Therewasone concept of right and wrong, and whatpictureofagoldfishswimmingina is true and or false. fishbowl.Then there was another pic-BothSpiritualityandReligionture of a goldfish swimming in a river emphasizebeliefsystems,provideawithoutanyfishbowl.Thefishbowl senseofcomfort,promotereflection,represented the constraints of religion. engage our awe for God, and are basedTheriverrepresentsthefreedomof on ethics. spirituality.Spirituality emphasizes our personalA final contrast is found in the fact evolutionandthatthedivineisinthat Spirituality is psychologically con-everyone.It is based on personal beliefstructed, and Religion is sociologically and/or value systems.It assumes thatconstructed.people are inherently good.SpiritualWe will look at the various aspects developmentisthehighestpriority.uniquetoeachofthesestatesdur-The authentic self is of utmost impor- ing future articles.The goal is not to tance.Joyous Living is the norm forestablish one over another, but to let everyone. us know how the process informs our Religionemphasizesabeliefinapersonaldevelopmentregardlessof superhumanpower,thecreatorandwhich process we choose.governor of the universe.It is dictatedMore to comeby beliefs and consolidated minds.It is assumed that people are inherently sinful.Worshipisthenormandis informedbydistinctcreedstaking place in brick and mortar settings. It isMarjorie B Lewis can be contacted faith based and future centered seeingat:mblewisenterprises@gmail.comheaven as a place we go when we die.BARBAR WANTED!MS. LILLIES BEAUTY & BARBAR, Ms. Lillies Beauty & Barbar looking for a licensed barbar, man or woman, to rent a station -ITS ALWAYS BUSY. Please call or stop by Ms. lillies in person15005 E Mississippi Ave. Aurora, 80012 303 695 5200 BODY OF CHRIST NEWS DECEMBER 2019 5'