It has recently become clearly apparent to me that it is my own mind that is the primary recipient and beneficiary of the writing of this blog even though it was started in response to a burning call from God to do so for the benefit of other minds.
Joseph Joubert wisely discerned in 1842 that "To teach is to learn twice." In an article authored by Steve Wickham, he links this discernment with a passage from scripture - "For the Word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrew 4:12).
Steve further explains that the term 'living' as used in this passage means that every time we read the Word of God, we see things that we were not able to see (even in the same passage) in a previous reading and in a reading previous to that.
In other words, the true Word of God is always perceived in a new light (each time we read it) just as we would perceive any other living organism.
Our mind is a continuously growing part of the body, with vast amounts of unconnected neuroconnectors slowly connecting with each other over time as we age and stretch our minds thereby giving us new realizations on a continuing basis. When we read and reflect on the Word of God, we provide our minds with the stretching it needs that will enable it to grow into its TRUE place and form - a mind that is able to feel the soul, feel God and feel our love for God in our heart.
The writing of this blog was therefore a preparatory step for the new (and heavier) cross that God is handing to me for this next phase of my life. It brings me peace to know of one mind that is the intended beneficiary of this body of work.
~~~~~
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Yes, Google may have "all" the answers, but the soul has even more...much, much more. :-)
Just ask Einstein how he came to conceptualize his theories about time, space and the universe. Just ask Mozart how his music simply flashed in front of his mind and all he had to do was write it all down as fast as he could see the notes.
And what about the Holy Spirit? Well, HS has infinitely more!
~~~~~
Just ask Einstein how he came to conceptualize his theories about time, space and the universe. Just ask Mozart how his music simply flashed in front of his mind and all he had to do was write it all down as fast as he could see the notes.
And what about the Holy Spirit? Well, HS has infinitely more!
~~~~~
Finding Our True Life
My sisters and brothers, awaken your consciousness (through mindfulness) to the truths within you, and in so doing, find the TRUE meaning in your life. I know of two pathways to this endpoint.
One path starts with finding your soul which leads to finding God, and subsequently, finding your TRUE life. This is the lengthier path (and the approach that would be most appropriate for those of us who have trouble with the concept of an unseen and intangible God at the onset).
The other path starts with finding God which leads to finding your soul, and thereafter, finding your TRUE life. This is the shorter path (the natural way that those who inherently feel a love for God at the onset take).
Do you recognize the common theme in both paths? Here it is - find our soul plus find God equals find our TRUE life. Our soul is in union with God (unless we freely chose to break this union), and thus, finding one will lead us to finding the other.
~~~~~
One path starts with finding your soul which leads to finding God, and subsequently, finding your TRUE life. This is the lengthier path (and the approach that would be most appropriate for those of us who have trouble with the concept of an unseen and intangible God at the onset).
The other path starts with finding God which leads to finding your soul, and thereafter, finding your TRUE life. This is the shorter path (the natural way that those who inherently feel a love for God at the onset take).
Do you recognize the common theme in both paths? Here it is - find our soul plus find God equals find our TRUE life. Our soul is in union with God (unless we freely chose to break this union), and thus, finding one will lead us to finding the other.
~~~~~
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Cup Before Us
The Lord our God had given me a relatively "light" cross to bear these past three years. It was a very nice break and it allowed me the quiet moments to put the truths (as I sincerely believe them to be so) shared in this blog into written form.
Now that I have been spiritually rested, He is getting me mentally ready for a new ADVENTURE once again. I accept and am prepared for whatever cross the Lord wants me to bear moving forward.
Jesus gave us a fine example of how we can overcome our human nature's desire to avoid any cross in life when he declared "Abba! Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Yet not what I want but what you want." (Mark 14:36).
I drink with peace and love from whatever cup our Lord sets in front of me. Embrace the cup that is set in front of you by the Lord...do so and you will truly find your life (and fill that ever aching void within you).
~~~~~
Now that I have been spiritually rested, He is getting me mentally ready for a new ADVENTURE once again. I accept and am prepared for whatever cross the Lord wants me to bear moving forward.
Jesus gave us a fine example of how we can overcome our human nature's desire to avoid any cross in life when he declared "Abba! Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Yet not what I want but what you want." (Mark 14:36).
I drink with peace and love from whatever cup our Lord sets in front of me. Embrace the cup that is set in front of you by the Lord...do so and you will truly find your life (and fill that ever aching void within you).
~~~~~
In His Infinite Wisdom
There is one way to have God FULLY in control of what happens in your life...surrender your ENTIRE life back to Him with no conditions and with the awareness that you prefer to entrust your life to His infinite wisdom rather than to your limited one.
This is one request where "Ask and you shall receive" fully applies. Trust me on this one...I know this from my own experience and relationship with Him.
~~~~~
This is one request where "Ask and you shall receive" fully applies. Trust me on this one...I know this from my own experience and relationship with Him.
~~~~~
Thursday, September 17, 2009
A Very Precious Time
A pregnant friend recently shared with me that while she was in the midst of a terrible case of nausea (during the very early period in her first trimester), she quietly asked her child to help reduce the degree of the morning sickness. Almost soon after the request was made, the nausea went away.
Coincidence? Although my curiosity would like to be satisfied with regards to this question, the more significant fruit of this reflection is the realization of a possible truth that never in my entire life crossed my mind.
Here is that realization - the only moment in the existence of a human being when the soul (spirit) is able to communicate directly with another human being (free of any hindrance or barriers) is when that human being is still an embryo without the presence of a formed and functioning brain yet (it is said that brain activity is noticeable at about the sixth week post fertilization). During this stage, it is purely that person's soul that you are in touch with.
So make the most of this gift of this precious moment whether you believe this realization to be the truth or not. After all, what do you have to lose as compared to what you stand to gain by simply communicating directly with the soul of your child?
~~~~~
Coincidence? Although my curiosity would like to be satisfied with regards to this question, the more significant fruit of this reflection is the realization of a possible truth that never in my entire life crossed my mind.
Here is that realization - the only moment in the existence of a human being when the soul (spirit) is able to communicate directly with another human being (free of any hindrance or barriers) is when that human being is still an embryo without the presence of a formed and functioning brain yet (it is said that brain activity is noticeable at about the sixth week post fertilization). During this stage, it is purely that person's soul that you are in touch with.
So make the most of this gift of this precious moment whether you believe this realization to be the truth or not. After all, what do you have to lose as compared to what you stand to gain by simply communicating directly with the soul of your child?
~~~~~
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Hiatus
Dear Friends,
There is so much more that I would earnestly like to put down in writing but because of the dictates of current circumstances, I will have to go on a blog writing hiatus of several weeks or months.
I will be back soon enough.
~~~~~
There is so much more that I would earnestly like to put down in writing but because of the dictates of current circumstances, I will have to go on a blog writing hiatus of several weeks or months.
I will be back soon enough.
~~~~~
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Pearls of Faith
The more pearls you make out of the numerous irritants in your life, the stronger your faith will become in the power of Love (God).
~~~~~
~~~~~
A Very Special Pearl
Faith (in its truest and perfect form) can be likened to a very special pearl…a pearl so perfect, prized and beautiful that it is hidden in one very special oyster resting on a sea bed alongside a million other oysters scattered about.
Given the slim odds of ever finding this treasure, would you not rejoice with delirious joy upon finding it after days, weeks, months, and (perhaps) years of laborious searching? Would not the find be even sweeter if just before the moment of doing so, you were so tired and weary from the search that you practically were at the point of losing all hope of ever finding it? Finally, would you not want to share this treasure with as many in the world as you can manage to share it with?
It took decades of seeking before I found my true and unbreakable faith. I now have my treasure, and with it, the inner peace to be able to face death should it come knocking at any moment. My dear brothers and sisters, I know how hard you also seek for your own pearl of true faith. Although I am deeply aware of the reality that you and you alone must find it, I secretly wish that somehow your search might be made a bit easier by my sharing with you the foundations of my found pearl of faith.
Why is the pearl (from among all the other precious gems) the most fitting metaphor for faith? This is because the pearl is borne from a single and irritating speck of sand that lodges itself inside the oyster and which the oyster is powerless to remove but has the power to coat with layers and layers of its ‘saliva’ to seal off the irritation.
We can liken the irritating speck of sand in the oyster to those irritants in our lives that we cannot seem to get away from or get rid of. Though these irritants bring pain and discomfort to us, we have the power to respond to these by ‘coating’ these with acts of true love (we all have true love in our souls). A coat of true love is like the coat of the pearl…it breaks light to reveal the splendor of all the colors within. Through the years of our applying coats of love to the ‘irritants’ in our lives, we build upon the beautiful pearl within us as it slowly grows into the true faith that we seek.
How is this so? This is so because true love is God. The more acts of true love we do, the more we come to truly know God deep in our hearts. True love is the foundation of true faith. The only true and effective way to teach others about God and how they can develop an unwavering faith in Him is by giving them as much true love (love without conditions, requirements or expectations of reciprocity) as we can muster to give.
Jesus taught us who God is and what God is like through the unconditional love that He faithfully gives us. This despite our imperfect state, many failings and lack of faith in Him.
~~~~~
Given the slim odds of ever finding this treasure, would you not rejoice with delirious joy upon finding it after days, weeks, months, and (perhaps) years of laborious searching? Would not the find be even sweeter if just before the moment of doing so, you were so tired and weary from the search that you practically were at the point of losing all hope of ever finding it? Finally, would you not want to share this treasure with as many in the world as you can manage to share it with?
It took decades of seeking before I found my true and unbreakable faith. I now have my treasure, and with it, the inner peace to be able to face death should it come knocking at any moment. My dear brothers and sisters, I know how hard you also seek for your own pearl of true faith. Although I am deeply aware of the reality that you and you alone must find it, I secretly wish that somehow your search might be made a bit easier by my sharing with you the foundations of my found pearl of faith.
Why is the pearl (from among all the other precious gems) the most fitting metaphor for faith? This is because the pearl is borne from a single and irritating speck of sand that lodges itself inside the oyster and which the oyster is powerless to remove but has the power to coat with layers and layers of its ‘saliva’ to seal off the irritation.
We can liken the irritating speck of sand in the oyster to those irritants in our lives that we cannot seem to get away from or get rid of. Though these irritants bring pain and discomfort to us, we have the power to respond to these by ‘coating’ these with acts of true love (we all have true love in our souls). A coat of true love is like the coat of the pearl…it breaks light to reveal the splendor of all the colors within. Through the years of our applying coats of love to the ‘irritants’ in our lives, we build upon the beautiful pearl within us as it slowly grows into the true faith that we seek.
How is this so? This is so because true love is God. The more acts of true love we do, the more we come to truly know God deep in our hearts. True love is the foundation of true faith. The only true and effective way to teach others about God and how they can develop an unwavering faith in Him is by giving them as much true love (love without conditions, requirements or expectations of reciprocity) as we can muster to give.
Jesus taught us who God is and what God is like through the unconditional love that He faithfully gives us. This despite our imperfect state, many failings and lack of faith in Him.
~~~~~
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Reality
Reality can be rather overrated. More often than not, our sense of reality is nothing more than an imperfect perception on our part as influenced by our imperfect human nature.
The only true reality (from what I have managed to truthfully discern) is God.
~~~~~
The only true reality (from what I have managed to truthfully discern) is God.
~~~~~
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Afterlife
I would like to share with you here my response to a question posed to me concerning my beliefs as to what happens to "sinful" people in the "afterlife". The question stemmed from a reflection on the true meaning of the term "sin" and a passage from scripture that talks about death as being the wage of sin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friend,
Since you asked, I will share with you my personal thoughts and sincere beliefs concerning the "death" of the soul. When a soul makes a free will (willful) choice to break away from God, it is (for all intents and purposes) ultimately a choice to be God. Usually, a choice would subsequently be manifested in the form of an act by the body as controlled by the mind (the mind being influenced by the soul).
Please allow me to clarify further that not all acts committed by the body originate from the soul (a large chunk of our actions are sparked by human programming - whether it is natural programming or social programming). It is oftentimes difficult for our mind to discern which acts originate from the soul and which ones originate from human programming. Nevertheless, I would not allow this element of uncertainty to distract me from my resolve to simply live my life striving to do as much acts of love as I can manage to do in my lifetime because acts of true love are manifestations of a soul's choice to be in union with God (for God is Love and love is God).
Whenever I address any question posed to me, I first try to establish commonality in the meaning of terms used - in this case "afterlife". I will presume that we are both taking this word to mean the eternal life after the SCC (Second Coming of Christ). If that is the case, then here is the answer - the SCC (or the end times) is the final moment when a "showing of hands" occurs (as in the showing of hands in a poker game). All acts committed within all lifetimes of a soul will reveal whether a soul chose to be in union with God or if it chose to break away from God.
All souls that choose to be in union with God will live in union with God for all eternity. Now what about those souls that choose to break from God? What happens to them at the end times? Well, there are well-known passages in scripture that allude to an eternal state of existence in "fire" (note that the term "fire" as used here is not the same as fire as we know it in this world - it is a spiritual fire). There are also passages that allude to these souls being "destroyed".
Well, what clues can we use to answer this question? Let's look at the example of the fallen archangel Lucifer who was supposedly the most beautiful of all angels and of the highest form. So high in form was Lucifer that he became filled with so much PRIDE, and shortly thereafter, exalted himself to being equal to God. In so doing, he broke his union with God and immediately after he did so, his beauty withered away and he turned into the hideous and imperfect being that most refer to as Satan. In like fashion, all the legions angels entrusted by God to this archangel and who followed Lucifer (in breaking away from God) ended up with the same fate.
Humankind is in this imperfect and fallen state as well because of the choice of Adam and Eve to break from God and be like God. Fortunately for mankind, God sent Jesus to be the new Adam and make a redeeming choice to reunite ALL mankind (regardless of whether they know of Jesus or not) with God through the sacrificial surrender of Jesus' free will to God's will.
Long story short, I do not know what exactly happens in the afterlife to those souls that chose to break from God. It is really not my business to know (the truth concerning this) and it is of no relevance to me since my eternal choice is to always be in union with God and to let my life reflect this choice by always striving to do acts of true love as much as i can. Let me end by reflecting on Mother Teresa's insight (that she shared with us and as exemplified by her life) that we all cannot do great things, but we all can do little things with great love.
~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friend,
Since you asked, I will share with you my personal thoughts and sincere beliefs concerning the "death" of the soul. When a soul makes a free will (willful) choice to break away from God, it is (for all intents and purposes) ultimately a choice to be God. Usually, a choice would subsequently be manifested in the form of an act by the body as controlled by the mind (the mind being influenced by the soul).
Please allow me to clarify further that not all acts committed by the body originate from the soul (a large chunk of our actions are sparked by human programming - whether it is natural programming or social programming). It is oftentimes difficult for our mind to discern which acts originate from the soul and which ones originate from human programming. Nevertheless, I would not allow this element of uncertainty to distract me from my resolve to simply live my life striving to do as much acts of love as I can manage to do in my lifetime because acts of true love are manifestations of a soul's choice to be in union with God (for God is Love and love is God).
Whenever I address any question posed to me, I first try to establish commonality in the meaning of terms used - in this case "afterlife". I will presume that we are both taking this word to mean the eternal life after the SCC (Second Coming of Christ). If that is the case, then here is the answer - the SCC (or the end times) is the final moment when a "showing of hands" occurs (as in the showing of hands in a poker game). All acts committed within all lifetimes of a soul will reveal whether a soul chose to be in union with God or if it chose to break away from God.
All souls that choose to be in union with God will live in union with God for all eternity. Now what about those souls that choose to break from God? What happens to them at the end times? Well, there are well-known passages in scripture that allude to an eternal state of existence in "fire" (note that the term "fire" as used here is not the same as fire as we know it in this world - it is a spiritual fire). There are also passages that allude to these souls being "destroyed".
Well, what clues can we use to answer this question? Let's look at the example of the fallen archangel Lucifer who was supposedly the most beautiful of all angels and of the highest form. So high in form was Lucifer that he became filled with so much PRIDE, and shortly thereafter, exalted himself to being equal to God. In so doing, he broke his union with God and immediately after he did so, his beauty withered away and he turned into the hideous and imperfect being that most refer to as Satan. In like fashion, all the legions angels entrusted by God to this archangel and who followed Lucifer (in breaking away from God) ended up with the same fate.
Humankind is in this imperfect and fallen state as well because of the choice of Adam and Eve to break from God and be like God. Fortunately for mankind, God sent Jesus to be the new Adam and make a redeeming choice to reunite ALL mankind (regardless of whether they know of Jesus or not) with God through the sacrificial surrender of Jesus' free will to God's will.
Long story short, I do not know what exactly happens in the afterlife to those souls that chose to break from God. It is really not my business to know (the truth concerning this) and it is of no relevance to me since my eternal choice is to always be in union with God and to let my life reflect this choice by always striving to do acts of true love as much as i can. Let me end by reflecting on Mother Teresa's insight (that she shared with us and as exemplified by her life) that we all cannot do great things, but we all can do little things with great love.
~~~~~
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
2033
This is a play on a thought...nothing more, nothing less. So just enjoy (the thought process) without getting too wrapped up with the logically integrity of it all, okay? LOL.
Let's start with this passage from scripture - "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8).
Now think of the death of Jesus as a departure from this world and His resurrection as His coming back to the world. So Jesus "came back" sometime during the beginning of the third day. In similar manner will it most likely be with the SCC (Second Coming of Christ) whereby Jesus will come back again to this world sometime in the beginning of the third "thousand years" after He ascended to Heaven and departed.
If we use the year 33 AD (the approximate year when Jesus departed) as our reference point, then the beginning of the third "day" (thousand years) is 2033. The Chinese should love this year since the digits add up to the number eight. Following this thought process, we can conclude that the SCC will most likely occur shortly after this year.
Having shared that, I need to stress that this is all in good fun and that it is not our business to try to predict when the end times will be because when we put focus on this, we divert from the proper focus of our minds which is on loving God more and more.
~~~~~
Let's start with this passage from scripture - "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8).
Now think of the death of Jesus as a departure from this world and His resurrection as His coming back to the world. So Jesus "came back" sometime during the beginning of the third day. In similar manner will it most likely be with the SCC (Second Coming of Christ) whereby Jesus will come back again to this world sometime in the beginning of the third "thousand years" after He ascended to Heaven and departed.
If we use the year 33 AD (the approximate year when Jesus departed) as our reference point, then the beginning of the third "day" (thousand years) is 2033. The Chinese should love this year since the digits add up to the number eight. Following this thought process, we can conclude that the SCC will most likely occur shortly after this year.
Having shared that, I need to stress that this is all in good fun and that it is not our business to try to predict when the end times will be because when we put focus on this, we divert from the proper focus of our minds which is on loving God more and more.
~~~~~
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
In a Different Light
Have you ever felt somewhat turned off, ashamed or full of guilt whenever you read a passage from scripture that contains the term "sin"? Does the term invoke highly negative feelings borne of "traditional" religious viewpoints that defines the term sin as the "breaking" of commandments and rules? Has your mind experienced being so accustomed to this form of definition that you automatically visualize sin as some ugly and black colored stain on your soul with varying shades of blackness depending on the "severity" of the sin (such as in the case of venial vs. mortal sins).
That is how I was trained to look at the term from an early age. I can somehow sense and appreciate the probable motivations by religious leaders (and their legions of teachers who carry out their spiritual prescriptions) as they make a strong play upon our innate fears (usually the fear of a grave form of punishment or the loss of a reward) with the aim of somehow motivating us to fearfully follow prescribed rules and commandments with consistency, thereby establishing some order within society and the institution. Nonetheless, we know full well the long-term shortcomings and limitations with such approach resulting in more rebellion, disdain and suspicion for anything religious.
As we have seen in earlier essays on this blog, the better and more meaningful (thus more effective long-term) approach is to inspire people to love rather than to fear...in particular, to love God. When we look at the term "sin" from the perspective of true love for God, it becomes apparent to us that the proper meaning to associate with the word is this - sin is any act that separates us from God...an act that breaks our union with God.
So the next time you encounter the word "sin" in any of your readings, simply replace this term with the words "that which breaks our union with God" or "that which separates us from God."
Let's look at one example to illustrate the point being made here. Let's look at the passage from Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Using the "traditional" perspective, we cannot help but perceive this passage as telling us that God will bring death to us as the penalty for sinning...for breaking some religious law, rule or commandment. However, when we use the perspective of love for God as the basis for defining sin and make the suggested replacement above, then the passage now looks like this - "For the wages of that which breaks our union with God is death..." In this form, we are able to perceive the proper meaning of the passage which is that it is only when we are in union (connected) with God that we maintain staying (spiritually) alive and once we break away, our souls will eventually (and naturally) experience a spiritual death. Do you see the big difference in meaning? In the former, God brings us death whereas in the latter, we bring about our own death by our choice.
Use this principle the next time you read scripture. In doing so, you will open your eyes to a whole new meaning...the correct meaning and come to see God as the loving and faithful God that He is.
~~~~~
That is how I was trained to look at the term from an early age. I can somehow sense and appreciate the probable motivations by religious leaders (and their legions of teachers who carry out their spiritual prescriptions) as they make a strong play upon our innate fears (usually the fear of a grave form of punishment or the loss of a reward) with the aim of somehow motivating us to fearfully follow prescribed rules and commandments with consistency, thereby establishing some order within society and the institution. Nonetheless, we know full well the long-term shortcomings and limitations with such approach resulting in more rebellion, disdain and suspicion for anything religious.
As we have seen in earlier essays on this blog, the better and more meaningful (thus more effective long-term) approach is to inspire people to love rather than to fear...in particular, to love God. When we look at the term "sin" from the perspective of true love for God, it becomes apparent to us that the proper meaning to associate with the word is this - sin is any act that separates us from God...an act that breaks our union with God.
So the next time you encounter the word "sin" in any of your readings, simply replace this term with the words "that which breaks our union with God" or "that which separates us from God."
Let's look at one example to illustrate the point being made here. Let's look at the passage from Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Using the "traditional" perspective, we cannot help but perceive this passage as telling us that God will bring death to us as the penalty for sinning...for breaking some religious law, rule or commandment. However, when we use the perspective of love for God as the basis for defining sin and make the suggested replacement above, then the passage now looks like this - "For the wages of that which breaks our union with God is death..." In this form, we are able to perceive the proper meaning of the passage which is that it is only when we are in union (connected) with God that we maintain staying (spiritually) alive and once we break away, our souls will eventually (and naturally) experience a spiritual death. Do you see the big difference in meaning? In the former, God brings us death whereas in the latter, we bring about our own death by our choice.
Use this principle the next time you read scripture. In doing so, you will open your eyes to a whole new meaning...the correct meaning and come to see God as the loving and faithful God that He is.
~~~~~
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