The Block

This past week we morn the loss of a "Movie star."

Cadwick Bosman

We re watched the original Marvel Black Panther on Disney plus this weekend with the family.
At the very end the movie states we have more connection us than separating us...

Then I wondered...

What separates us really? Most, it is just our interpretation of what? Most time ive notice arguments are caused by two sides either trying to prove they are right or trying to prove THEY are right yet, its the same stuff. What if we didn't care about credit but of character? Would the Modern day Jedi grow or die? Would you? something to think about this week.
May the Force continue to be with yall!

My name is Carlos Martinez. I grew up in San Antonio Texas. Last night, MY PASTOR died. No one will ever take his place. He started a small church in the outskirts of town where no one cared, HE DID. I remember him bringing me home a few times for a dozen of reasons. I was caught after church function hours in the playground NOT being very creative but more destructive. I remember the first BIG building they had was near a part of town where there were local missions from the old days like abandoned and there was a Mc Donalds near the church in walking distance. I used to treck there in between bathroom breaks. YET he loved me. I spray painted one of the church buildings - I remember growing up. I tore apart one of the swing sets that was already old in the back of the church and I got into trouble for that one too. As I got older- in my teens, MY Grandpa and Grama wanted me off the streets and into something else... IN WALKS BROTHER LEE WITH A GUITAR. He couldn't play. He couldn't carry a tune in a bucket YET, I have many guitars at any time - a few ukes- and if its got strings I can play it...
i learned it from LEE. During those times I would show up to church early to practice. He got me HOOKED! After that you would find me under the church with my grandpa or some church elder fetching pipes or hauling dirt or even just fixing something. Go figure a entire 180. Not on the inside. There was still conflict and wonder and about as much potential in a stick of dynamite ready. Now, I reflect and wonder why I was so rambunctious- yet its now in these times Im finding the "gems" I ignored all those years. Lee stands in my Mental Council for many things.
Mostly that TALL LANKY MAN pointed his TALL LANKY FINGER at me and would tell me "your worth the time and effort, just sit down and chill out my friend, MY FRIEND... My friend has passed and has left me the greatest gift I think any one could- WORTH

How can I not show just a fraction of the light these GIANTS had shown me? They are here every day. Every time I kiss my son, I think of the only MAN I ever saw KISS his son in front of me and mean it- he was hope. He gave hope where there was none. He fed us. I think of all the times we were at church at some function or some reason, those times we got to eat at a table with him and others like him. WHAT A BLESSING. No one ever sat at my table growing up... Lee did, as often as he could.

He bought me lunch at my school one time and had lunch with me. HE SAT AT MY TABLE.

Im not Lee, but what a example. Im no Christian but what a devotion to his faith and practices.

Ill never be him, but I dont have to, all I can do is use what he left and remember a few things.

"What you can use to tear, you can use to build better.
When others run its the stay that sticks around.
Who better to know grace than those who have been given it?"

...and churches ARNT for graffiti but to serve...


I am happy today and I am in tears. I burned cedar and sang songs off key untill my voice couldn't... can we be free today? I am free because some others cared... think about that this week you Modern day Jedi

May the Force continue to be with yall in the every day



Emotion, yet Peace.
Ignorance, yet Knowledge.
Passion, yet Serenity.
Chaos, yet Harmony.
Death, yet the Force.

Taken from here
https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/forum/Clergy/123632-sharing-a-myth-or-two?start=10#354534

"In fish"

"One time Anansi went a long way from home. Far from home. He got lost. He fell into trouble.

Back home was son, See Trouble, "father is in danger..." he cried. He knew it quickly and he told the other sons.
Road Builder said "Follow me" Off he went making a road. They went fast, those six brothers to help Anansi. Where is father now? Fish has swallowed him Anansi is inside the fish.River Drinker took a big drink untill there was no more river. Then Game Skinner helped father Anansi and split open fish.

More trouble came right then.

It was Falcon, Falcon took Anansi up in the sky. Quick now Stone Thrower! The rock hit Falcon and Anansi fell through the sky. Now Cushion went to help father, very soft, Anansi came down.
They were very happy, that spider family.
Retold by Gerald McDermott

Its a easy enough story to understand in a way that when I remember that Anansi had a TEAM of people. Theres always that group of fond friends or those goonies or those kids or that special brand of folk that just -mesh. Happens in the stories and it happens in real life. That "Band." I often see the BAND of people there in the stories and in real life, ill explain.

Harry had his friends
The Hobbit had his friends
The Goonies were a group of rejects
Luke had Obie and Yoda and lots of Rebels!!! REBELS!!!!
Solo had friends... (every where dont forget)
Its always a BENIFIT to have wise council and people NOT like you around ya.... Ima say that again for those who like to hear me talk when you read me, this ones for ya, There is a BENIFIT to having people NOT like you around you, often. One, it keeps ya in check in real life. Your not the ONLY one with the responsibility of finding solutions, there are those who can help in their own area of expertise. They are right there with ya.Lets face it, ONE does not simply walk into Mordor, One ship can make the shot buuuuuut its gunna take a few of them to get ya there for the shot. It some times HELPS to have a good team. "Ya cant catch your self or even shoot down whats got ya some times when your in the clutches... "
Now Anansi is a father and a African Story and it was the Fathers that taught the sons their work. These sons had names so well, that they were known by their trait. Think about that...

Some times ya gotta have a good group. Some times you gotta be the one who does just ONE thing. Some times its us that need the help. Some times ya gotta be the one that trains em... This is "A" way.


Edit additoin: If every council member was Pastor Carlos this place would suuuuuck! Think about that...
Every Council member in the stories and cinema was DIFFERENT from DIFFERENT places and cultures and different color and size and shape and yet could understand and ACKNOWLEDGE every culture and custom in the room. Thats kinna the Idea hu?
In my best Yoda Voice..."Good relations with the Wookies ya got, hmmmm?"

In the fish, where do you go?
When you cant, where can you?
Do you have real people?
Do you have a real faith?
Seems in time of need, THATS what gets us out, Not us... But our faith and or our people or cause.
May the Force continue to be with yall!

Today, coffee in hand in discord we had a hour long chat.
What is your favorite Star Wars saying? Ya know that one you use all the time, your go to? Do you do the Yoda voice? Do you? There were a few good quotes in discord. The point this fine cold Monday is that most times we know what we are looking for. Those things or gems or even ideas, when we find them, we know. For the most part, there are things we know we seek. There are many time we use the terms, well I just don't know what Im looking for ... and I feel that's one of those things that needs reminders. We do. In the seek and search in our reflection of ourselfs we have a few recomended teachings. Nothing is ever "THOU SHALT..." here, thats not what we do or how we do it here. We share. Be WARY.

4. Jedi are wary of attachments, both material and personal. The obsession over possessions and people creates the fear of losing those possessions and relationships which can cause ourselves to be trapped in a state of depression and loss.

WHERE TO BE WARY, WELL ONLY YOU KNOW WHERE YA NEED TO BE CAUTIOUS OVER.
If your like me, thats the scary part.

but... how do I figure out where I need adjustment AAAAAND what do I do with it when i find it? How do I adjust? These are questions I ask myself all the time. That's what's so scary for me. I am at the wheel. That's what's scary for many. Dont be scared frinds, your path is in the most capable hands Pastor C can leave ya in, your own.
You are teacher student and vessel and contents, we are the pot and the water. We are the subject of our own path. Welcome Player one, READY? Welcome to your story.
May the Force we seek serve and share find you always!

Good day all.
This week - this past week has been heavy.
This one is for the broken hearts that this pandemic has caused. Flat out, being in this pandemic can challenge your heart and your resolve. Understand that at times, your LOVE will be tested, especially during this time. As Pastor, this past week I've heard how Covid has done a number on our hearts and our relationships.
This one is for those who have had their hearts broken.

ITS NOT FAIR.
Its not. I am so sorry this time and season brings so much un rest and harm as well as new and growth. Some growth comes from study, some opposition and some comes from application.
There's a story my Grandpa Gaitan used to tell me" Never ask God to help you love your wife, that's give her liberty to fight and that gives you liberty to love."

Your everything WILL be tested during these times. To think otherwise is kina silly. LOVE is no exception. At any level, it will be tested. At any time heartbreak will be there waiting as a option or a fear or a friend. I myself have been to the mountain of break up a few times with my own love. Its real. Your not alone.

No ones ever really gone

And thinking we are alone is how they win.

I encorage those broken hearts to watch the Star Wars with "that" light on bright. Watch how the love changes and grows and moves and changes and hurts through the episodes. The Heros journey isnt a path to take lightly at times. It can be as fun or as serious as ya like. It can even help with every day things like LOVE and broken hearts. Star Wars is full of them, each episode. Each as different as the characters themselves.

We are not alone. Especially in our feeling and our hurts and our bad days.
Heart break is real and during this time, understand that. If its not you, more power to ya. I dont know any one who HASNT been effected by this season in time.
https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/contact-clergy

Cultivate Make Plant Start What ever you need but understand your never alone, not in a place like this. Some times its nice to know some one is real. You are real and so is your path.
Pastor Carlos

Becoming THE GIVER.

In the Hero's Journey, in the narrative of story's and in the ideas of things as such, there is a element that is my favorite. In the Clive Lewis series, its the changing of the seasons in The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe that brings Father Christmas to the story. He shows up randomly with a sac full of gifts each one NEEDS to use and understand WHEN. For the most part, some are obvious. A sword a bow, but others not so much. Something that goes in your pocket. One of them receives nothing due to not being present. Yet, the child or receiver NOT present, was actually saved my the other gifts at least once by the use of them by his siblings.
In our path as Modern day Jedi, we would be fools to not realize that during our path some gifts come and some gifts are given. As Jedi, we make our sabers as per lore but in real life we are very much responsible for the content of our glow and how we wield it. Learning these things, we can be given many things from many places and people.

Real Gifts

In real life, in our own paths we are given "things" and sometimes I have to admit, they go in my pocket or as most call it "the back burner" and I forget them. In reality, its from the amount of self reflecting and meditation that I now am dusting off a few and realizing what was given to me. We as humans pass many things, from information to ideas to attitudes to gifts...
The range can be VAST as the sea and sky itself. I count almost monthly the realizations of things I find from character to information I now am able to call gifts. Many things have been bestowed to me physically, spiritually and mentally.

There is a moment when we become the gift givers as well.

Real Life

I cut cedar for a living in Texas. Its a itch I've missed for quite some time. Eventually ill do it again but for fun and for myself. I have a few cedars in my own property and for the most part its not a every day thing or a chore to trim a tree or make a post from it. There is a point where landscaping wise i can only go so far. There in the yard lay a small pile of wood that needs to be chopped and stowed for the upcoming cold weather. Winter is coming. (I love that line, anyway) For my wife's birthday yesterday she bought me a chainsaw. She laughs and says like Rafiki in a Disney movie, "it was time." That very act freed up sooooo much, and began the stacking process. I had all the other tools i needed but a chainsaw just was needed to get the tick done and unclog or help organize the "mess."
That's what some gifts can do.
Can we be the gift giver? You bet. Sometimes we are the receiver AND the giver. Something to think about this week friend as we venture in to the unknown also know as - life.

Pastor Carlos
May the Force continue to be with yall as we ALL seek and serve and share it.

This week finds me in a strange spot. In real life, this month and actually this year, has brought, a bunch of closure to the many people that have passed on in my life. This year it seems I have seen many more than usual elders pass. May just be me. These corner stones of my own faith and paths have passed. What's even stranger is watching our next generation of elders come up. As I learn and live, my old leaders are dying, yet their children, my friends are stepping up to what is missing. Its heartwarming and neat to say the least. My children are at the grandparents lake house with me and we rarely get a moment to actually come out here and relax. We are here due to sewage and house repair but never the less a blessing is a blessing. We went to look for acorns. I cant keep these kids from touching everything, that's a good thing. A good balance of what's good to touch and whats not is a daily thing here recently. They leave piles for deer.

My wife has a sister that just turned 21 and she sends me a list of ingredients they are drinking as far as cocktails are concerned. What we are noticing is that they are enjoying what their grandparents used to drink from generations past. New labels, new fancy bottles but the drinks are still the same.

Im watching

Im watching this generation, that include you if you are reading, step up to the plate. We will become the elders. What will we pass? What will the questions be? Those with "belts" and time, seem to be becoming the instructors and elders, the time is very much at hand now Modern day Jedi. There is a very real need for new elders. There is a very real need for Modern day Jedi.

Any one else notice the mantels being passed in different things? Are you watching?
In the Hero's Journey, this would be the part where the students.... you know the line... becomes the ……. I wont say it because I have a feeling we already know.
Something to think about this week.

Force be with yall
Pastor Carlos

The "BIT"



The BIT. In the Hero's Journey, we can find the BIT almost anywhere a Hero is. The BIT is that binary presence, that YES or NO. We don't get much out of them but its mainly by just them being there that they benefit us. The strange part is they are not really there for us and that's really not their sole purpose either. They have their own story. Their benefit is really just the ability to bounce ideas or cares off them or to be able to just listen to us. For some parts of our path, that's really all we need. Granted, after a while, the BIT CAN become a different part and can have a bigger role, more than just yes or no, but for the most part, they are pretty much at that level all the time. Yes or no.

Ever had that walk with that one person? The stroll around the block or the walk in the park? That cup of coffee or that drink your needing. Some times its over the eggs or bread or even just over the phone. I've taken walks with my wife's Grandfather, Papa. That man is a walking tree, Ent like. He is huge, and I'm tall myself. I look up to him figuratively and literally. He has a Masters degree in Forestry. We have shared coffee over the darndest of conversations. I got a buddy Ried that we don't talk much but when we do he's pretty much strait forward and clear. He does not hesitate to drop truth like a anvil. YES. NO. Nahhhhhh. We talk, but its very limited. I have a few friends I am that way with too.
One of the greatest examples of the BIT is R2D2.


All this character does is Beep and Boop and flash lights YET...

He is there from the very beginning and even changes character at times. There is a famous quote, "Never underestimate a..." droid? A what? A sterile answer? A computed yes or no? Each character has some type of BIT and they use them to bounce off ideas and feelings more than a pet, a piece of them. Some talk and communicate more than others but its the ability to be the BIT that some Heroes need at certain times.
Sometimes, for others, I play the droid or the BIT. That's ok too. Im no Tony Stark but I can be a Jarvis. Sometimes I am no John Snow but I can be Sam. Sometimes I am no Frodo but I can be his Gamgee. I'm no Taran but I can be a Gurgee. I am no Harry but I can be his Hagrid. Merida had wisps. Spider man had his "Peter tingle." The BIT is out there almost always. That gut feeling at times. That voice we hear from the past that's ... limited. All I can remember is....insert small "a bit" of information..... Sometimes we can be that little bit of information some need or get that small amount of encouragement that can free some one or help the flow, well , flow. Something to think about Temple of the Jedi Order. May the Force we share be with you today and this week!
Pastor Carlos

This week had been "wonk-ey." Little brother as making a enclosure for our turtles and cut the internet cord. Yay fun so ...... here is what yall missed on Monday in the Discord.

The Gifts we get and give.

In the Hero's Journey and in our life's, we often find gifts or they are given to us at times in our paths for our paths. Shields in particular were on the topic Monday.

What do shields look like in real life? The insignia and the size usually tell what each " form" will follow the shield. Most time you can not fight without a shield. You have to be close to use one, I mean directly hand to hand. Some wisdom is hard to pass as some tools need a bit of practice. Most time its the direct practices that needs the contact and the practical use of things. Shields are no exceptions. Wisdom can be the shield we use to defend or guard ourselves at times, but it WILL take use and action.
Sabers were a great example of shields and gifts, eventually we as Modern Day Jedi understand that we can create our own sword or defense and can even change it as we see fit or as the need arises. In some story's, the Hero finds gifts from just being present. Some times they get the gift that they will need for a specific time or place. Some gifts no one gives but are earned as well. The Human Potential is vast as is the Hero's Journey, Something to think about friends, and a invite. This is all we share at times, just Modern Day Jedi stuff!