God first created the universe and perpetually, the laws of the universe. These are the laws of energy, matter, space, and time and the interaction among them. There are laws of magnetism, gravity, cause and effect, nature—the change of seasons, life and death; all of these types of laws that create and hold our universe together and allow its perpetual growth. I do not understand it all, but I thank God for it.
God’s law is also a body of principles and precepts held to express His divine will. This law was dispensed over time, given to us throughout the creation of the bible. Mosaic Law, beginning with the Ten Commandments was given by God, through Moses, to the Israelites. These include many rules of religious observance given in the first five books of the Old Testament. One of the first laws can be seen in Genesis as God tells humanity the purpose of their lives.
Genesis 1:27-28
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Well, we all know that that didn’t work out so well. However Jesus came and returned our ability to live under the authority of this law. With the birth of Jesus and thus Christianity, we became saved and redeemed. Jesus gave his life to absolve our sins and therefore changed much of the spiritual patterns of the Old Testament, yet in Matthew 5:17-18 Jesus says, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."
We can see that Jesus knew the law and abided by it, as we should. And what did God mandate to us? Genesis 1:28 “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”
Remember when asked by the Pharisee’s which Old Testament commandment was the greatest Jesus recited Deuteronomy 6:5 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." This, Jesus said, was the first and greatest commandment. The lawyer only asked about the greatest, or first, commandment; but Jesus volunteered the second, which emanated from the first. He again quoted Scripture, going to Leviticus 19:18 "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Obviously we cannot each have dominion over the earth if we don’t first live in love, peacefully live together, and take care of one another.
The law of love, the greatest law of all, is a simple law: when we love someone, we do whatever it takes to support them with peace and joy. We love our spouse and act on that by giving them positive support and encouraging them to find joy. We love our children and act on that by giving them positive support and encouraging them to find joy. We love our friends and act on that by giving them positive support and encouraging them to find joy. We love strangers and act on that by giving them positive support and encouraging them to find joy. We love our enemies and act on that by giving them positive support and encouraging them to find joy.
When we love Jesus it is easy to act on because he tells us exactly what gives him joy; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.
When we love God it is easy to act on because he tells us exactly what gives him joy; “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” He gave us life on earth because he loves us so to return that love we are to take care of the earth and all who live on it. Simple!
God speed!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Oh, The Humanity
Our humanity puts blinders on us to the life that God has given us. From the dawn of time our free will has led us away from God through distractions and thinking that we know all the answers. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a prescribed way of categorizing this manner of thinking. 
As we can see from the diagram, the first two levels of Physiological and Safety are basically what we need to survive. The third level of Love could be included in our basics needs, which I would say separates us from animals so I would include it as a basic need. Since the time of Adam and Eve, mankind has applied their own intellect to achieve these levels of need and as a human conglomerate, we can point back to the fact that, though it hasn’t been easy, we have survived and in our survival we have collectively made our lives transcend survival to levels of luxury. Aren’t we an incredible species?
When the blinders come off, we can see that God created the universe for us. He created the raw materials and resources and he gave us our intellect and physical abilities to use these resources to survive and better our living conditions. I don’t doubt that in reading this that there isn’t a little voice telling you that this is true, and yet we’d rather not listen to it because that might open doors that we’d rather not. If we did, we’d have to change the paradigm by which we live our daily lives. And after all, we’re happy with the way things are, aren’t we? Sure we live by extravagance, lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride because in our intellectual free will we perceive that this is what is necessary to retain the higher levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy. This is the way the world operates; however to achieve spiritual transcendence, which would begin at the tip of Maslow’s triangle, we need to reconnect to God on a personal level through the assistance and guidance of the Holy Spirit. God is everywhere, in everything whether we want to see Him or not. I urge you not to set your sights too low and settle for what the world has to offer. Make the joyous choice to build a relationship with God and open the flood gates to the energy of the universe—it was created for you.
So what if I do, what’s in it for me? Good news; for starters, peace on earth and goodwill towards men.
God speed!
As we can see from the diagram, the first two levels of Physiological and Safety are basically what we need to survive. The third level of Love could be included in our basics needs, which I would say separates us from animals so I would include it as a basic need. Since the time of Adam and Eve, mankind has applied their own intellect to achieve these levels of need and as a human conglomerate, we can point back to the fact that, though it hasn’t been easy, we have survived and in our survival we have collectively made our lives transcend survival to levels of luxury. Aren’t we an incredible species?
When the blinders come off, we can see that God created the universe for us. He created the raw materials and resources and he gave us our intellect and physical abilities to use these resources to survive and better our living conditions. I don’t doubt that in reading this that there isn’t a little voice telling you that this is true, and yet we’d rather not listen to it because that might open doors that we’d rather not. If we did, we’d have to change the paradigm by which we live our daily lives. And after all, we’re happy with the way things are, aren’t we? Sure we live by extravagance, lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride because in our intellectual free will we perceive that this is what is necessary to retain the higher levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy. This is the way the world operates; however to achieve spiritual transcendence, which would begin at the tip of Maslow’s triangle, we need to reconnect to God on a personal level through the assistance and guidance of the Holy Spirit. God is everywhere, in everything whether we want to see Him or not. I urge you not to set your sights too low and settle for what the world has to offer. Make the joyous choice to build a relationship with God and open the flood gates to the energy of the universe—it was created for you.
So what if I do, what’s in it for me? Good news; for starters, peace on earth and goodwill towards men.
God speed!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The Power of God
Today I took a few moments to rest my mind. I went outside under the patchwork quilt sky of brilliant blue and random white and grey clouds. I kicked off my sandals, lay back in my chair, closed my eyes, and took a deep cleansing breath. The sun was behind a cloud and a constant breeze wafted across my skin, sometimes kicking up enough muster to flap the leg of my shorts. I lay there quietly. Suddenly the sun came out from behind the cloud and its intensity instantly cooked my skin. My eyelids glowed reddish orange as little specs floated in front of my eyes. My skin actually tingled from the glowing heat and I thought, if the energy of the sun is that intense, how intense is God in heaven who created the universe? It’s comforting to be a part of something so powerful.
God speed!
God speed!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Suffering?
The idea of suffering is a relative subject. I propose that hardly a person who ever lived and considered the existence of God has wondered how suffering can exist if God is merciful and all knowing. I have considered this myself many times and will share my understanding of this worldly anomaly.
When observed from the point of view that our lives are not meant to be “all about us”, but to serve others, it is easier to see how God’s plan works. If one were to reason that all of the accomplishments of mankind were intended for the good of all mankind and not just a means to an end, then we may be able to recognize the concept that God has laid out for us. Do you suppose that all of the accumulation of knowledge that we gain over the course of a lifetime dies with us? Many people spend years learning at the university level, for what purpose? Do we not learn to improve our circumstances and thus benefit those of us that follow the same path? It’s no happenstance that the word university is derived from the Latin word ūniversitās meaning the whole. A whole universe of knowledge gathered together to advance the whole universe.
In spiritual terms, if we look at the greatest commandment as stated by Jesus, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40, we know that love of our neighbor is a priority. So our arrival here on earth is, by all means, for the benefit of others. The major portion of our disconcertion is our application of our own manmade logic to God’s system. We can wrestle in our minds to try and make these two agree but you will eventually reach the point at which you realize that it doesn’t work. Again, this is a part of faith—acceptance of things unknown. Remember Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Now if we apply these ideas to the subject of suffering, we can see that our perception of suffering can be witnessed as one’s service to humanity. Is it fair? Not to us in this world. Does it make us that may be more fortunate feel guilty? Absolutely; but know that guilt separates us from the Holy Spirit. Is it necessary? Yes, as a service to man and thus to God. Just as a soldier sacrifices his or her life for our protection and freedom, the unexplained suffering innocent human beings are our spiritual soldiers. We owe them gratitude.
This is not an easy concept, yet it is a crucial one. There is a passage in the bible in which Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:14 about the Holy Spirit that, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” I encourage you to keep moving ahead in the kingdom of God with guidance from the Spirit and get past this to progress into spiritual enlightenment. If you let these difficult issues to stop your progress, at the very least you are doing a disservice to the suffering. Praise God for our blessings, serve Him with all of your heart and enjoy your life.
God speed!
When observed from the point of view that our lives are not meant to be “all about us”, but to serve others, it is easier to see how God’s plan works. If one were to reason that all of the accomplishments of mankind were intended for the good of all mankind and not just a means to an end, then we may be able to recognize the concept that God has laid out for us. Do you suppose that all of the accumulation of knowledge that we gain over the course of a lifetime dies with us? Many people spend years learning at the university level, for what purpose? Do we not learn to improve our circumstances and thus benefit those of us that follow the same path? It’s no happenstance that the word university is derived from the Latin word ūniversitās meaning the whole. A whole universe of knowledge gathered together to advance the whole universe.
In spiritual terms, if we look at the greatest commandment as stated by Jesus, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40, we know that love of our neighbor is a priority. So our arrival here on earth is, by all means, for the benefit of others. The major portion of our disconcertion is our application of our own manmade logic to God’s system. We can wrestle in our minds to try and make these two agree but you will eventually reach the point at which you realize that it doesn’t work. Again, this is a part of faith—acceptance of things unknown. Remember Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Now if we apply these ideas to the subject of suffering, we can see that our perception of suffering can be witnessed as one’s service to humanity. Is it fair? Not to us in this world. Does it make us that may be more fortunate feel guilty? Absolutely; but know that guilt separates us from the Holy Spirit. Is it necessary? Yes, as a service to man and thus to God. Just as a soldier sacrifices his or her life for our protection and freedom, the unexplained suffering innocent human beings are our spiritual soldiers. We owe them gratitude.
This is not an easy concept, yet it is a crucial one. There is a passage in the bible in which Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:14 about the Holy Spirit that, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” I encourage you to keep moving ahead in the kingdom of God with guidance from the Spirit and get past this to progress into spiritual enlightenment. If you let these difficult issues to stop your progress, at the very least you are doing a disservice to the suffering. Praise God for our blessings, serve Him with all of your heart and enjoy your life.
God speed!
Friday, April 13, 2007
A Successful Experiment
I heard someone say the other day that the universe mirrors, or reflects back on us, the energy that we send out to it. To out detriment, if we are attracting negativity such as negative people in our daily lives, we are probably behaving in a negative manner ourselves. This person went on to say that if we are always in the state of trying to get something then the universe says back to us, what can I get from you? This creates a cycle of searching without receiving and as the circle goes around it gets smaller and tighter until we are nothing more than self-centered individuals. However, if we send out the message of, “What can I give?” then the universe responds with giving back to us. This universal principle can be seen in Jesus’ message about the Holy Spirit in which he said, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” The Holy Spirit is only here to give to us.
So for the past week I have tried to be very cognitive of this and conduct myself so that I am positioned to be in the spirit of giving, which is not always an easy thing. I can tell you that in one week, I have noticed a tremendous difference in all areas of my life, and they are all for the better. Oddly enough, it has taken this reflection of the week to notice because I am busy giving of myself and everything is going well; in other words, I don’t want to waste my “giving” time thinking about things to complain about.
God speed!
So for the past week I have tried to be very cognitive of this and conduct myself so that I am positioned to be in the spirit of giving, which is not always an easy thing. I can tell you that in one week, I have noticed a tremendous difference in all areas of my life, and they are all for the better. Oddly enough, it has taken this reflection of the week to notice because I am busy giving of myself and everything is going well; in other words, I don’t want to waste my “giving” time thinking about things to complain about.
God speed!
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Open Mindedness
Opening your mind is an exercise that may prove to you that you don’t know as much as you once thought. No one knows enough to be a pessimist about anything. When any of us closes our mind or closes off what is possible for us or possible for humanity, closes off the Holy Spirit within us which is the connection to God. Having an open mind doesn’t necessarily mean that we find fault in all that we were taught by others, but rather opening your mind to the idea that anything and everything is possible. A mind that is open to everything but attached to nothing. This is contrary to a trait that is so prevalent in the contemporary world, which is the obsession of finding offense in all matters. Most people that I meet spend their lives looking for occasions to be offended. They are actually hoping to find ways to be offended. And there is no shortage of ways; from what someone says, to the clothes they wear, to what is on TV, and so on. But a mind that is open says, “I’m never offended by what is going on out there.” I think, that’s an interesting point of view.” “I’ve never considered that before.”
As Emerson said in 1842, in his essay The Transcendentalist, “The first thing we have to say respecting what are called new views here in New England, at the present time, is, that they are not new, but the very oldest of thoughts cast into the mould of these new times.” An open minded person sees an idea instead of an offense, which makes one an idealist. Emerson went on to say, “The idealist, in speaking of events, sees them as spirits. He does not deny the sensuous fact: by no means; but he will not see that alone.” So I would suggest that we redirect our energy that we dedicate to be offended to that of opening our minds.
The ultimate realization of all of this philosophy is that if you think you know the absolute answer, you may find that you actually know very little. The saving grace is that we have God and He is looking out for us. That’s faith—which is nothing without an open mind.
God speed!
As Emerson said in 1842, in his essay The Transcendentalist, “The first thing we have to say respecting what are called new views here in New England, at the present time, is, that they are not new, but the very oldest of thoughts cast into the mould of these new times.” An open minded person sees an idea instead of an offense, which makes one an idealist. Emerson went on to say, “The idealist, in speaking of events, sees them as spirits. He does not deny the sensuous fact: by no means; but he will not see that alone.” So I would suggest that we redirect our energy that we dedicate to be offended to that of opening our minds.
The ultimate realization of all of this philosophy is that if you think you know the absolute answer, you may find that you actually know very little. The saving grace is that we have God and He is looking out for us. That’s faith—which is nothing without an open mind.
God speed!
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Prayer
Prayer is perfected to openly unite one's self to God and remain in the kingdom’s mindset and open to the willingness to receive God’s will. Prayer should be practiced continually since it is the conduit connecting your mind, heart and soul to the Holy Spirit and thus opening the channel to the supply of God’s kingdom. It is not our place to plead to God for our desires or what we think He should do for us or someone we love, though we can ask for His mercy; but rather it is our responsibility to keep the line open to the Holy Spirit so that God can do great works in our lives. Prayers say to God, “I recognize you in me, in my life and I accept that you are my source and I am thankful for all of your provisions.”
I personally have this mantra (or versions of it) running on continual loop in my mind, which I consider the front side of prayer. It is the connecting interface to God’s kingdom, though lest we take care it becomes the primary focus of our prayers. Equally important is the back side of prayer which is silence. There needs to be a channel open, monitoring for God’s response. He will do this through the Holy Spirit. We can’t hear from the Spirit if we are always talking; it’s crucial to develop an ear for this conversation.
Finally, learning to pray throughout the day—when we really aren’t in distress or begging God to do something for us—takes practice. It’s much like learning to play a musical instrument, it may not be natural, but it is possible with a burning desire, time and practice. But just listen to the beautiful music that comes from those that do. I want to be like them, don’t you?
God speed!
I personally have this mantra (or versions of it) running on continual loop in my mind, which I consider the front side of prayer. It is the connecting interface to God’s kingdom, though lest we take care it becomes the primary focus of our prayers. Equally important is the back side of prayer which is silence. There needs to be a channel open, monitoring for God’s response. He will do this through the Holy Spirit. We can’t hear from the Spirit if we are always talking; it’s crucial to develop an ear for this conversation.
Finally, learning to pray throughout the day—when we really aren’t in distress or begging God to do something for us—takes practice. It’s much like learning to play a musical instrument, it may not be natural, but it is possible with a burning desire, time and practice. But just listen to the beautiful music that comes from those that do. I want to be like them, don’t you?
God speed!
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