Charlois

Tuesday, November 8^th, 2022

What is Charlois, you may be asking?

Charlois is many things and is expanding constantly.  It started with my way of dealing with life.  Having a serious mental illness, I needed a consistent way of processing life events.  So, Robert A. Charlois came into being.  Over time this persona seemed to evolve and take on a life in its own right; so much so that I was at times confused as to whether I was Yancy or Robert.  Things have leveled out and the various personas have become guiding characters in my story of life.

Today Charlois is a philosophy, life style, and will soon have a non-profit cousin.  The various characters that make up this family each have their own place and personality that has evolved over time.  They owe their personalities and characteristics to many traditions, from the Judeo-Christian beliefs of my early years to the Stoic philosophy that has garnered my attention in these last few years.  Eastern religions and philosophies have contributed as have some of the more esoteric disciplines.

It has all been thrown into a pot and affected how I function is this diverse universe.  One of the guiding thoughts of Charlois is that we are each individual, interconnected but still unique.  As such we should each develop our own ideas of the world.  We should take all manner of communication that has inspired others, blend that with the traditions of our world, view it all through the lens of personal experience, and finally use our intellect to build a custom ideology to take us closer to where we were created to be.

This journey we call life has enough twists and turns, with an ample supply of bumps and pot holes, to keep us on our toes for the whole ride.  We do not need good meaning people telling us what is right or wrong for us.  We need to figure that out for ourselves, using good council as appropriate, of course.

Therefore, begin anew, and map out the path that is your journey and grow to be who you were created to be.

Go in God’s grace and peace, with His blessings the whole way.

Robert A. Charlois III

Principle #5 – We are physical beings that house the Spirit and as such we should care for it as the Temple of God.

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”  1 Corinthians 3:16 NRSV

     As spiritual beings we have life, but where does that life reside?  Our physical bodies: flesh and bone, organs and systems come together in one place.  For the most efficient functioning of this body, it must be in a state of well-being.

     The body of a human being is a miraculous work.  This body of ours is designed in such a way that through proper care and development it theoretically could last forever and could give years of productive service.

     The problem is we do not maintain it the way we need to.  There are all sorts of outside factors that can wreak havoc on its resilience.  But when we take the proper steps, this organism is quite remarkable in what it can endure.

     Therefore, as physical beings it is of the utmost importance that we care for ourselves in a thorough and thought-out manner. Paying attention to details of recovery and development can go a long way in getting the greatest benefit out of this structure.

     Human beings are notorious about using their tools and not caring for them appropriately.  This not only diminishes the potential we are created with but also shortens the shelf life of effective use.

     A complete program of care would include 7 areas of care as follows…

1) Rest

     Rest is necessary because the body needs quality time to recover and repair from the stress placed on it.  The optimal amount necessary depends on the individual, however, a good rule of thumb would be between 7-9 hours nightly.

2) Nutrition – what we put into our bodies affects many areas and so we should choose with caution.

3) Aerobic – our cardio-pulmonary systems provide the oxygen and other elements crucial to our function. Therefore, a structured program strengthening those systems is imperative.

4) Strength – our muscular/skeletal systems need to be challenged on a consistent basis to provide the functioning necessary to live a full and productive life.

5) Flexibility – Our joints and connective tissues deteriorate over time and therefore need to be stretched and flexed frequently to maintain their elasticity.

6) Balance – A host of systems work together to provide us with stability and spatial awareness needed to get through life. If we fail to practice our balance regularly, we soon become limited in what we may attempt.

7) Cleansing – With all that our bodies go through we build up a tremendous amount of toxins and other waste products. Therefore, extreme care must be taken to assure we are properly cleansing our systems of these poisons.

By following a comprehensive program of self-care, we can be assured that we will be able to perform the way we were designed for many years.

Saturday, November 5th, 2022

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3:28 NRSV

The first Principle of the Charlois Principles is, there is God and creation and it is all interconnected.  That puts the above passage in a new light.  One of the things Jesus came for was to show the reality of this principle.  Doesn’t He say, the Father and I are one?  And through His example we can become one as well.

For those who are not big on taking things on faith we just have to look at things to see how everything follows the same design.  Science has proven that on the atomic level everything is basically the same.

Taking this understanding to light we need to be conscious of how we interact with each other and all of creation.  At our deepest level how we act toward others is how wen are acting toward ourselves.  If we harm others we are essentially harming ourselves.  And the opposite is true as well, how when we treat others well, we are treating ourselves well.

So, I ask, shouldn’t we be looking at our similarities and figuring out how we can optimize the relationship for the good of all?

Meditate on that for a while,

Go in God’s grace.

Pastor Yancy

Principle #4 – We are first of all Spiritual Beings that need to nurture our connection with the Greater Spiritual presence of God.

“Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.”  Genesis 2:7 NRSV

     God first created the physical man but we did not become living beings until He breathed the breath of life into us.  It is through this life force, the Spirit of God, that we complete our being made in the image of God.

     Various traditions speak of this spirit in differing ways.  But for all of them it is an energy that permeates all of creation.  As was mentioned earlier, all matter vibrates, creating a frequency of energy that animates the substance.  To cut off this vibration would be the end of life.

     Nurturing this spirit is necessary if we are to continue being living beings.  Without the life force that God provides we are a mere collection of elemental atoms.  By caring for our spiritual selves, we are assuring ourselves of the benefits and power of being connected to the Creator.

We nurture this connection by participating in various spiritual disciplines. Some of these, although not exhaustive, are as follows…

1) Prayer

     Prayer is where we converse with our creator.  There is no single set way of doing it, it can be as formal as written prayers recited as in a worship service, or as simple as a friendly conversation with one’s closest friend.  These prayers don’t even have to be spoken, because God hears the intentions and groanings of the heart.

2) Meditation

     Whereas prayer is speaking with God, meditation is where we are listening to and experiencing Him.  There are many ways in which to meditate, but they all consist in focusing on God through some medium.  In this way we use our senses to experience His voice or presence.

3) Study

     This is where we learn about God and His ways.  For many traditions it is recommended that this study focus on the scriptures or sacred readings of the faith.  With the Charlois Philosophy we take a broader view.  It is felt that God speaks and can be known through any and all expressions.  It is because of this that we hold as scripture any expression that speaks God’s love in whatever form.

4) Fasting

     Taken in its most basic manifestation fasting is the act of sacrificial denial of something for the purpose of developing a deeper relationship with the Father.

5) Breath control

     It has long been understood that by controlling one’s breath we can affect physiological changes.  This is thought to result from its spiritual connections.  We may calm or excite ourselves merely by changing the rate and duration of our breaths thus opening ourselves to an influx of the life-giving aspects of the spirit.

     These five disciplines form the basis of the spiritual practices used by most faith traditions.  There are others, that while beneficial are not as widely experienced or understood.  These esoteric practices are of value to those who understand and appreciate them.

     It is because of misunderstandings that they are demonized in some circles.  However, when we study them in more detail, we come to realize that they are just an alternative way of connecting with and worshipping the Creator and Sustainer of all of creation.

     While we may not choose to practice or even believe in any or all of them, each and every one has been used by people through the ages to value and so we should not criticize their use because we don’t understand them. Whatever method we use to connect with God, without turning it into an object of our worship, is valuable in our search for that Spiritual connection.

Saturday, October 22nd, 2022

“… and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”  Micah 6:8b NRSV

There is no simpler path to lasting fulfillment than this list found in Micah of the Judeo-Christian bible.  This author cuts right to the way and makes it clear that God isn’t into all the fancy trappings of religion.  It is a simple faith that is what’s important.

Throughout the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament known as The Law, there are detailed descriptions of what is considered proper for worship and living life.  Most devout Jews tried to follow these requirements to the letter.  Unfortunately, they were no better for their endeavors, they still had miserable, sin filled lives.

There were some open-minded prophets that dared to question the religious authorities, but until Jesus came, they were usually ignored.  We do that today, we hear some gifted preacher proclaim another way, and the established religious elite brands them as an heretic.

I propose that we stop with the blanket condemnation of anything different and help people find a way for them to experience God for themselves.  If our faith is true, it has nothing to fear from a different perspective.  The truth always wins out in the long run.

Meditate on that for a while,

Go in God’s grace.

Pastor Yancy

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

The other day I posted on facebook and I would like to share and expound on that here today.

I’m experiencing some truths that I’ve known for some time now, but they are finally starting to sink in. The human species is the only species we know of that has any control over who they can be. There are some limitations, like, we can’t always control our circumstances, but we do have control over how we deal with them.

Many of us, me included, have spent our lives being victims of our lives. We are who we are because of this or that, at least it seems that way. In reality it is our choice who we become.

When we finally begin to see the truth, we do have the power to shape our destiny. We can accomplish so much if we are willing to sacrifice who we’ve been for who we can become.

I want to be the best version of who I was created to be so I can better help others lead their best possible lives. I will be able to fulfill that dream when I start living the truth of what I’m learning.

Here is to the future. May God bless it.

There you have it, a recent facebook ramble about an epiphany.  The reason it’s significant is that it marks a major turning point in my evolution.  Prior to this I wore my past as sort of a badge of honor, parading it around as if to say, “see what I’m dealing with.”  In reality giving so much credit to our past can have the effect of giving it power over our current and future lives.  Only when we recognize our past for what it was can we put it behind us and move forward.

It is time we finally evolve into who we are created to be.

Keep on keeping on.

Robert A. Charlois III

Principle #3 Success in attaining a desired future is facilitated with a system of self-discipline practices.

“Determine never to be idle.  No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any.  It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.” Thomas Jefferson.

     Thomas Jefferson was one of many polymaths and serves as one example of what can be accomplished with a well-disciplined life.  Like most polymaths, Mr. Jefferson found the time, a discipline to be exercised, to study and practice a wide variety of interests.  It was his disciplines that made him one of the greats of history.

     It is through embracing a disciplined life that a person can become the best version of themselves.  By emulating the greats of history and striving to reach our full potential, we too may attain greatness.  At the very minimum it enables us to make a positive contribution to society.

     There is no way to receive that which we desire than to practice the habits that are laid out in this principle. They are personal but at the same time affect how we relate to the world around us; the structures, relationships, and practices are all impacted by the way these habits are or are not carried out in our lives.

1) Silence

     The first discipline we need to develop is silence.  For it is in the act of silence that we can most clearly hear that which is most important.

2) Temperance

     Temperance is the art of partaking of everything in moderation.  Not overindulging in life permits us the opportunity to truly savor the riches of God’s bounty.

3) Tranquility

     Living free from disturbances in a state of cam assurance we can reduce our natural stress experiences.  We can face everything knowing that we are in control.

4)Frugality

     Frugality rewards us by always having enough.  Proper care in handling our resources benefits us beyond measure.  Eliminating the temptation to indulge in frivolous pursuits.

5) Order

     Out of order comes efficiency.  By having routines and systems in place that control the standards of our lives eliminates wasted time.  By not needing to recreate every instance we can spend more time on the important items.

6) Industry

     We enjoy the fruits of our labor more when we practice working hard to accomplish a goal.  That which comes the hardest is often times appreciated the most.

7) Cleanliness

     Cleanliness goes a long way to presenting a good image and therefore our character is strengthened.  It also sharpens one’s eye for detail, a skill that is valuable in all walks of life.

8) Austerity

     By living the uncluttered life of austerity, we can be most focused on the things of lasting value in our lives.  By limiting the frivolous things in our lives, we are making room for that which gives meaning.

9) Study

     Study is crucial if we are to continue learning our whole lives.  Learning our whole lives is one of the keys to becoming the best we can be.  By being at our best we are more likely to accomplish great things.

10) Self Reflection

     At the end of the day if we are to look back and reflect, we can possibly find places where we got it right.  At the same time our mistakes can be seen and corrected.  Both necessary for our personal growth.

By practicing these habits, we are endowed with the characteristics necessary to accomplish anything we set our minds to.  This is part of our quest; being the best we can be so we can aid others in their quest.

Principle #2 “The presence of a comprehensive Moral Code helps to assure an ordered society.”

     “Then God spoke all these words…” Exodus 20:1

     These words from the Judeo-Christian Scriptures begin, what occurs in many societies, a pronouncement from God of the moral code He desires to govern human interaction.  We do not claim such an event, however we do believe that this code is divinely inspired.

     Looking through many of these codes from history it becomes apparent that they are written in the negative.  It becomes “Thou shalt not…” whatever it is expected we abstain from.  This may control the population to a certain extent however it has been said, “the only way for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing.” With that idea in mind, we believe it would be better to inspire the population to do good than to control them by limiting their behavior.  ergo, it is with that guidance that the following ten items are written in positive language.

     The code which follows comes from a selection of codes from many societies.  While not exhaustive it does include enough to make it inspirational in nature.

1. Practice mutual respect.

Mutual respect is the foundation upon which great relationships are built.  By practicing respect, the underlying fear that each other might be taken advantage of is removed thus allowing for growth of a synergistic relationship.

2)Practice life giving habits.

     Most moral codes have the provision of do no harm or thou shall not kill.  While these account for some stability within a society, they do not necessarily bring about good will.  Whereas do good to others builds in an atmosphere of reciprocity, with both parties trying to supersede the other in kindness.         

3) Practice compassionate honesty.

     Being honest is crucial if a society is to flourish, however, pure honesty can be harmful in some instances.  By adding compassion to our honesty has the ability to say the truth in a loving manner.   

4) Practice respect for others property.

     When we practice respect for others property, we care for it as if it is our own without taking away the value of ownership held by our peers.  When this is done an attitude of sharing arises, benefiting everyone.

5) Practice appropriate intimate relationships.

     Intimacy is one of those practices that can bring a deeper, more loving relationship, but it needs to be practiced in appropriate settings where there is already a growing bond.  To do otherwise has the potential to bring about harm, even if unintentional.

6) Practice charity

     The act of giving of one’s self and possessions in a sacrificial manner sends the message, “you are valued.”  This is something that many need to hear.  We sometimes fall prey to bad times and we feel no one cares.  Charity quashes that or at least lessens the blow.

7) Practice simplicity.

     By practicing the simple life, a person removes greed from the equation of life.  By living within ones means a whole world of contentment opens up bringing about happiness.

8 Practice justice.

     The need for justice in our world is paramount.  Without justice our societies collapse and we become a people believing an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth no longer satisfies the urge for revenge. 

9) Practice mercy.

     Seek mercy in all encounters because without it anger takes the upper hand.  Do unto others has us seeking a more loving way of being in relationship.

10) Practice humility.

     With humility a person no longer is driven to outdo others.  It is taking appropriate pride in one’s accomplishments without thinking too highly of self.

     These 10 when practiced faithfully will go to great lengths in alleviating the evil in the World and fostering good will among all peoples.

Saturday, October 9th, 2022

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”  Jeremiah 29:11 NRSV

It was the spring of 2003 and I was in the third year of my pastoral appointment at Bybee UMC.  Being spring it was that time when discussions were starting about changes.  Rumor had it that I was in line for a move to another church.  Although I didn’t want a move, because of the uncertainty, I knew it was entirely possible.

During my devotional time one evening I was thumbing my way through my Bible when this passage caught my attention.  I knew I had read it before but this time it was speaking to me.  “I know the plans I have for you…” God was comforting me through His word.

Let’s look at the larger context.  Israel was in exile in Babylon and the wailing was great.  Along comes Jeremiah and speaks these words or more exactly the words of Jeremiah 29:10-14.  He said in time you will be delivered.  I will bless you the way I have before.  And you’ll get to go home.  What news this was to those in suffering.  Everything is going to be alright.  He was saying it to the Israelites, but maybe just as important, He was saying it to me.

Isn’t it amazing how something written 2500 years prior could have such power all these years later?  That’s the way it is with scripture.  Anything that God uses to speak to us can be counted as scripture, and thus have power to affect our lives.  While they may not be considered canonical, God can still use any means He desires to speak to His children.

So, keep you eyes and ears open and be ready to hear the Creator speak.  It just may change your life.

Meditate on that for a while,

Go in God’s grace.

Pastor Yancy

Friday, October 7th, 2022

 In 2013 Jen Sincero published her third, and most influential book.  With over 2,000,000 copies sold it has become a force in the “self-help” movement. “You Are a Badass, How to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life” is one of the premier coaching manuals on the market.  Written in rough street language, it holds your attention while goading you into bettering yourself.

This book has 5 parts: How you got this way, How to embrace your inner badass, How to tap into the motherlode, How to get over your B. S. already, and How to kick some ass.  Each of these parts builds on the one preceding it and leads to the next.  Going from an introduction the sets the field, to culminating in a very motivating final section; it truly is a manual to guide you to being the best version of yourself.

Ms. Sincero uses her own experiences and a very blunt style to teach some very practical steps that takes the reader from mediocrity to awesomeness.  Being a life coach with countless successes in her own business of helping people reach their own potential, she knows what she’s talking about.

While parts of it may offend some, I recommend this work highly.  Life is not always a gentle experience so I suggest getting over the judgmental tendencies and search for the parts that resonate with who you are.

I have reread this piece several times and each time I’m a little more excited about my next steps.  This will propel you into a life you may have thought was all but impossible.  As she says, the universe is full of abundance just waiting to be grabbed.  So go out and grab yourself a blessed life.

Buy it, read it, live it, and may God bless.

Robert A. Charlois III