The Way and The Word: The Tao of Jesus
The Way and The Word: The Tao of Jesus
Overview
When Jesus declared himself to be The Way, Jesus' followers were to adopt his way as their way as all disciples do. Over time, as the church became institutionalized, professing Jesus without practicing Jesus, Christians became less Christ-like taking their roles as cheerleaders and chaplains for the status quo. While in our safe sanctuaries we may profess Jesus as The Way while it's obvious to everyone else that we casted it off long ago in favor of more 'realistic' mantras, like this one - the ends justify the means. For Jesus, the ends never justified the means, no matter how good the goal. For Jesus, the means were the end. That was and is his way. You love because you love, it's your way, even if it gets you crucified. You don't judge, condemn, or treat others with contempt, apparently even in the midst of a crucifixion, because that's not your way. You help the least of these precisely because, in God's eyes, we are all children, and none among us, no matter how destitute, are "least." That was Jesus' way and clearly his intent to be the way of his followers. The ends don't justify the means, the means are the end. That was and is to be our way. Can a pianist be separated from daily practice? Can an athlete be dissected from years of work and ongoing training? Can a recovering addict be separated from the 12 Steps? Certainly not. They are constantly on the path to becoming. So, too, with followers of Jesus, to join on the journey, The Word and The Way are One. So, if we are going to follow the Word, then we must walk in The Way. Sooner or later, like the wise magi of old, we'll have to set our direction back to the star light and realign our compass with true North, Jesus' Way. What does Jesus' Way look like? Recently, as I will share in the pages that follow, I have found inspiration in a philosopher that lived long before Jesus named Lao Tzu, which means "The Ol' Boy," a nickname with which a southerner like me can identify. As I've read and reread his work, I've found him to be quite a "Good Ol' Boy" and I have learned much. As therapists often say, "The last animal to discover water was a fish." Which means, if you want to learn about your family, perhaps you need to talk to someone with an outside perspective. This is what I've found, an outside perspective in The Tao, or simply translated into English, The Way, authored by Lao Tzu, whose name is often translated as "Old Child." This Good Ol' Boy lived long before states were united in America or there was an America, long before Britain was an empire, and even a good five centuries before Jesus. Apparently, neither he nor Jesus were big on writing things down, and as legend has it, as Lao Tzu was about to leave the country, a border guard said, "But what about your teachings? How will we know The Way when you're gone?" Lao Tzu saw the concern in his face and wrote The Tao. As I read and reread The Tao, I used many translations, though I have referred to Stephen Mitchell's version the most. Like a fish out of water looking back from whence I came, I see Jesus' Way in a broader perspective hearing The Tao throughout The New Testament, especially in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas. The following pages are what happened when I let Jesus and Lao Tzu sing a duet while I listened for the harmonies. This work is not a translation or a paraphrase of The Gospels or The Tao, but instead a blended format with a revolutionary goal, to reunite Jesus, The Word, with Jesus, The Way in hopes that we will spiritually ascend to where he's been calling us to go for 2,000 years, embodying The Way, The Truth, and The Life. The following pages are what happened when I let Jesus and Lao Tzu sing a duet while I listened for the harmonies.Description
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
Overview
When Jesus declared himself to be The Way, Jesus' followers were to adopt his way as their way as all disciples do. Over time, as the church became institutionalized, professing Jesus without practicing Jesus, Christians became less Christ-like taking their roles as cheerleaders and chaplains for the status quo. While in our safe sanctuaries we may profess Jesus as The Way while it's obvious to everyone else that we casted it off long ago in favor of more 'realistic' mantras, like this one - the ends justify the means. For Jesus, the ends never justified the means, no matter how good the goal. For Jesus, the means were the end. That was and is his way. You love because you love, it's your way, even if it gets you crucified. You don't judge, condemn, or treat others with contempt, apparently even in the midst of a crucifixion, because that's not your way. You help the least of these precisely because, in God's eyes, we are all children, and none among us, no matter how destitute, are "least." That was Jesus' way and clearly his intent to be the way of his followers. The ends don't justify the means, the means are the end. That was and is to be our way. Can a pianist be separated from daily practice? Can an athlete be dissected from years of work and ongoing training? Can a recovering addict be separated from the 12 Steps? Certainly not. They are constantly on the path to becoming. So, too, with followers of Jesus, to join on the journey, The Word and The Way are One. So, if we are going to follow the Word, then we must walk in The Way. Sooner or later, like the wise magi of old, we'll have to set our direction back to the star light and realign our compass with true North, Jesus' Way. What does Jesus' Way look like? Recently, as I will share in the pages that follow, I have found inspiration in a philosopher that lived long before Jesus named Lao Tzu, which means "The Ol' Boy," a nickname with which a southerner like me can identify. As I've read and reread his work, I've found him to be quite a "Good Ol' Boy" and I have learned much. As therapists often say, "The last animal to discover water was a fish." Which means, if you want to learn about your family, perhaps you need to talk to someone with an outside perspective. This is what I've found, an outside perspective in The Tao, or simply translated into English, The Way, authored by Lao Tzu, whose name is often translated as "Old Child." This Good Ol' Boy lived long before states were united in America or there was an America, long before Britain was an empire, and even a good five centuries before Jesus. Apparently, neither he nor Jesus were big on writing things down, and as legend has it, as Lao Tzu was about to leave the country, a border guard said, "But what about your teachings? How will we know The Way when you're gone?" Lao Tzu saw the concern in his face and wrote The Tao. As I read and reread The Tao, I used many translations, though I have referred to Stephen Mitchell's version the most. Like a fish out of water looking back from whence I came, I see Jesus' Way in a broader perspective hearing The Tao throughout The New Testament, especially in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas. The following pages are what happened when I let Jesus and Lao Tzu sing a duet while I listened for the harmonies. This work is not a translation or a paraphrase of The Gospels or The Tao, but instead a blended format with a revolutionary goal, to reunite Jesus, The Word, with Jesus, The Way in hopes that we will spiritually ascend to where he's been calling us to go for 2,000 years, embodying The Way, The Truth, and The Life. The following pages are what happened when I let Jesus and Lao Tzu sing a duet while I listened for the harmonies.Description
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
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