Lately I have been feeling immense gratitude for the Holy Spirit, for just how much the Spirit does for us daily. First of all, it is the Spirit that brings anyone into the church. It is the Spirit that testifies the Truth of the church, and the Gospel. We are filled with an overwhelming sense of joy that is just not of this earth. I know as I feel the Spirit I feel such a sweet happiness that feels like Christmas. A friend and I were saying how much the Spirit feels like Christmas and so we get to experience that sweet, innocent, pure, happy, peaceful feeling of Christmas daily, where most people only get to experience this once a year. The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is like Christmas.
I so appreciate all that the Spirit does for us. We are constantly guided to what we need and our good desires, we are guided away from dangers. We are filled with the Truth. Also, the Holy Spirit really disintegrates the spiritual fog that we live in when we don't have the Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us incredible clarity, where we can see so clearly. As I mentioned in my last blog post, I was given incredible revelation about the difference between the adversary's voice and the Spirit's voice.
With the Holy Spirit we are really given the ability to discern. We can feel if the Spirit is with us, or with drawing based on what we are partaking in. The more we partake in the things of Spirit the more sensitive we become to it, and know when we are filled with it, or when its with drawing. There is no happiness like being filled with the Spirit. This is why we cry often when we feel it. Its so edifying to our souls, and nothing compares. I do know that this happiness is what all souls long for. That is the reason people use drugs, alcohol and other addictions trying to feel this kind of happiness. Of course using outside substances is a very poor substitute and in no way is even close to the joy of the Spirit. There really is no greater happiness.
Nothing can be a substitute. I know what its like to live with the Spirit, and with out it. The sad thing is when one is use to living with out the Holy Spirit, we don't even realize what we are missing, until we feel it again. I am so fortunate that I have the Holy Spirit as my constant companion.
We are so fortunate that anyone can have this, if they are willing to get baptized by water first then by the Spirit second. In scripture this is referred to as the "gift of the Holy Spirit" and I totally get now why its considered a gift. We are so privileged to have this Spirit in our lives, with in us. It is a gift to receive this. We get to experience a bit of heaven through the Holy Spirit, and this makes living on the earth absolute bliss. Also, I know for me it makes me really want to do all I can to get back home to Heaven, so I can experience this all the time, and live 24/7 in this kind of happiness after I leave the earth. So thank-you Holy Spirit! Bless you for all that you do. In the Name of Jesus Christ Amen!
Wednesday 27 November 2013
Monday 11 November 2013
WHO'S VOICE ARE WE LISTENING TO?
Well since I have returned to being a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have received the Holy Spirit and can now strongly feel this Spirit in my life. I have also become aware of the voice of the Holy Spirit more clearly than ever. What the Holy Spirit has made me aware of, is that the adversary is also speaking to us all the time. But because we often don't know the difference or think this voice is just our own voice, we listen and unfortunately even obey it sometimes. The Holy Spirit is helping me understand the difference between the two voices.
The adversary is the voice that creates fear and anxiety. Really its the voice of all mental and emotional illness. It tells us negative things about ourselves, about others, if we are in the church its the voice that speaks doubt, anger, fear or negativity towards the leaders. Its the voice has us treat our brothers and sisters in the church and in the world less than loving and kind. Its the voice that tells us we are not loved, wanted, worthy, creates separation feelings, loneliness feelings, confusion, and even will talk us into leaving the church. I know, I heard this voice and listened and ended up leaving the church. It convinced me that this was not the whole truth, and that there was more truth else where. It is the adversary's voice that has ever talked anyone into leaving the church. It is also the adversary's voice that has talked anyone into leaving the planet.
It is the voice that talks people into acts of violence and rage. Into committing crimes, into committing sins. Of course he does not come out and say "I am the adversary and I am here to lead you into misery and despair, separation from God etc." He convinces everyone that first he doesn't exist. So now believing in Satan is seen as superstitious, old fashioned, antiquated, fanatical, at its very least stupid. People of our modern contemporary society, who are reasonable, smart, sophisticated are not expected to believe there is an adversary who is against God and really against us too. That is the greatest scheme he has pulled off, to convince the world he doesn't exist.
Just think how much he is able to have free reign with people, with our society, with our lives because we are now completely unaware that he exists, and think its ridiculous to even entertain the idea that he does exist. He has become a fairy tale figure. Yet that is the big scheme he has concocted so that he has his way with millions of people daily. I know when I don't have the Holy Spirit in my life, I start to also go into a denial about his existence. He convinces me he isn't real either and then I actually start to feel foolish that I ever believed, and then this is when he invisibly takes over in my life. The Holy Spirit speaks the Truth regarding the adversary's existence, and makes it very clear that he does exist and is constantly trying to have power with people, speaking constantly to people, and often succeeding in having control over people's lives. Most people are oblivious to this. I can even imagine people outside the church and maybe even some in the church reading this and laughing or having pity on a poor soul like me that actually believes there is a devil. The reality is though, he is the one laughing at the fact he has managed to make himself invisible to people while yet having control over people's actions, words and lives.
His voice is so insidious, and has become so normal that people have no idea that is he they are listening to. I have totally been duped into listening to his voice. It was only in the last few days I was given this revelation and clarity. So to helps us with understanding who's voice is speaking:
Adversary speaks words that: discourage, create a feeling of hopeless, of being stuck, tell us we can not be healed, can not have our problems fixed, can not accomplish things, says things that create anxiety and fear, as well as shame, unworthiness feelings, guilt when we are truly innocent, tell us to leave the church, create doubt about the leaders, or the church its self. Speaks words that create a feeling of separation between us and others, as well as judgment, harshness, victim feelings, create stories and cases that we build up about others. If anyone ever hears words that are making them want to commit suicide or do a violent or harmful act this is the adversary.
He is the author of contention, arguments, and war. He is the creator of addictions. He tells people to use drugs, to smoke cigarettes, to drink, to gamble and to have sex outside of marriage. He tells people to use addictive substances to enslave them.
He also tells people there is no God, we don't need a Savior Jesus Christ, we don't need to go to church. We don't need to pray. We don't need to do the things the Church has asked us to do. He is the voice that tells us to watch sexual or violent movies, or movies where there is vulgar language used continuously. He tempts, and then shames after we fall into temptation. Tells us we can't repent, we can't repair, and we can never return into God's grace or the church. The adversary will convince us that breaking the commandments of God is totally fine, that in fact there really are no commandments, morals, or standards, that there is no God even.
Or he will tell us that God never judges so we can do anything, with no consequence, that we are totally free, and there is no right or wrong, no sin etc. The voice of the adversary is harsh, angry, contemptuous, cruel, self righteous, judgmental, arrogant, egotistical, abusive. Or some times it can disguise its self when its telling us to sin, or that all actions are fine, with a false loving voice so we will be unknowingly lead astray. The adversary will tell us to follow only our bodies, our sensuality, our sexuality in ways that hurt our and others' spirit. He weakens us on all levels. He is the ruler of the natural man part of us. He will always lead people into self abuse, hurting themselves and others, but does this in a way where people are blindly thinking they are just having fun. He speaks critical and condemning words towards us and towards others. The adversary will continuously tells us we are alone. So if we hear any of this, this is the adversary, if we speak this way, we are allowing the adversary to speak through us, as opposed to the Spirit speaking through us.
In vast contrast the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit speaks: words of comfort, kindness, gentleness, powerfully, but never harsh, angry or abusive in anyway. The Holy Spirit speaks words of Truth. The Holy Spirit helps us discern between His voice and the voice of the adversary. The Holy Spirit tells us of our divinity, the divinity of others and life. The Holy Spirit confirms our goodness, innocence, worth, and beauty. The Holy Spirit speaks words of forgiveness to us, and from us. He will let us know if we are going astray but only to help us from a wonderful place of love, never to condemn.
The Holy Spirit encourages us always, and does not speak limitation. The Holy Spirit gives us clarity on what is sin and what is righteousness. The Holy Spirit is our greatest cheer leader and always praises and tells us how we can do and accomplish the good we wish to do. The Holy Spirit tells us that we can be healed, free from darkness or negativity, that we should seek out a blessing, or pray for ourselves or another. He always encourages us to have an intimate relationship with our Father in Heaven, to converse, and communicate. To truly pour out our feelings, thoughts, desires, needs etc. He tells us we are not alone. He speaks of the power of the atonement, of the transforming, healing, fixing, renewing and restoring power of Heaven.
The Holy Spirit soothes fears, always encourages us to pray, read scripture and follow the standards of the church. The Holy Spirit testifies of the Truth of the church, the leaders, and the prophets. The Holy Spirit gives us words of guidance away from danger, both physically and spiritually.
The Holy Spirit guides us to do good, to love, to help, to bless, to take care of ourselves properly, how to care for others in the best ways possible. The Holy Spirit helps us be the answer to others' prayers. The Holy Spirit strengthens us physically, emotionally and spiritually.
There is a purity, sweetness, true happiness about the Spirit we can't miss. The Holy Spirit always guides us to partake in the things that fulfill us spiritually as well as physically, never just physically or sensually. The Holy Spirit speaks words of appreciation for us, and through us. The Holy Spirit helps us be empowered yet also humble. The Holy Spirit fills us with the grace, happiness, peace, love, delight of heaven.
The Holy Spirit will always help us know our divinity, live our divinity and stay on the road that keeps us close to God, and in the direction of our divine destiny. The Holy Spirit speaks words of virtue, and helps us live those virtues. The Holy Spirit helps us to live the commandments of God.
It is imperative that we understand the difference between these voices. I have only just woken up to all of this, I realize now how much I have listened to the adversary in so many ways in my life. I have definitely listened to the Spirit a lot as well, but because I wasn't totally clear about the difference, I have fallen into the trap of listening unknowingly to his voice. That is why its so important for people to know the difference. We need to get use to knowing when its the adversary's voice and dismissing it and immediately allowing the Holy Spirit to speak. The more we recognize the adversary's voice, dismiss it, and ask for the Holy Spirit to speak to us, the less we will hear the voice of the adversary and the more we will hear the Holy Spirit's voice. Also, the more we partake in the things of the church like praying, reading scriptures, going to our church meetings, doing our callings, doing our visiting teaching, listening to church or LDS music, reading church or LDS books, spending time with the other saints, the more we will feel and know the Spirit and be able to decipher the difference.
So anyone who reads this, lets get into the habit of naming what voice we are hearing, and getting into the habit of dismissing the adversary's voice, and asking the Holy Spirit to speak to us regarding all the things in our life. In the Name of Jesus Christ Amen!
The adversary is the voice that creates fear and anxiety. Really its the voice of all mental and emotional illness. It tells us negative things about ourselves, about others, if we are in the church its the voice that speaks doubt, anger, fear or negativity towards the leaders. Its the voice has us treat our brothers and sisters in the church and in the world less than loving and kind. Its the voice that tells us we are not loved, wanted, worthy, creates separation feelings, loneliness feelings, confusion, and even will talk us into leaving the church. I know, I heard this voice and listened and ended up leaving the church. It convinced me that this was not the whole truth, and that there was more truth else where. It is the adversary's voice that has ever talked anyone into leaving the church. It is also the adversary's voice that has talked anyone into leaving the planet.
It is the voice that talks people into acts of violence and rage. Into committing crimes, into committing sins. Of course he does not come out and say "I am the adversary and I am here to lead you into misery and despair, separation from God etc." He convinces everyone that first he doesn't exist. So now believing in Satan is seen as superstitious, old fashioned, antiquated, fanatical, at its very least stupid. People of our modern contemporary society, who are reasonable, smart, sophisticated are not expected to believe there is an adversary who is against God and really against us too. That is the greatest scheme he has pulled off, to convince the world he doesn't exist.
Just think how much he is able to have free reign with people, with our society, with our lives because we are now completely unaware that he exists, and think its ridiculous to even entertain the idea that he does exist. He has become a fairy tale figure. Yet that is the big scheme he has concocted so that he has his way with millions of people daily. I know when I don't have the Holy Spirit in my life, I start to also go into a denial about his existence. He convinces me he isn't real either and then I actually start to feel foolish that I ever believed, and then this is when he invisibly takes over in my life. The Holy Spirit speaks the Truth regarding the adversary's existence, and makes it very clear that he does exist and is constantly trying to have power with people, speaking constantly to people, and often succeeding in having control over people's lives. Most people are oblivious to this. I can even imagine people outside the church and maybe even some in the church reading this and laughing or having pity on a poor soul like me that actually believes there is a devil. The reality is though, he is the one laughing at the fact he has managed to make himself invisible to people while yet having control over people's actions, words and lives.
His voice is so insidious, and has become so normal that people have no idea that is he they are listening to. I have totally been duped into listening to his voice. It was only in the last few days I was given this revelation and clarity. So to helps us with understanding who's voice is speaking:
Adversary speaks words that: discourage, create a feeling of hopeless, of being stuck, tell us we can not be healed, can not have our problems fixed, can not accomplish things, says things that create anxiety and fear, as well as shame, unworthiness feelings, guilt when we are truly innocent, tell us to leave the church, create doubt about the leaders, or the church its self. Speaks words that create a feeling of separation between us and others, as well as judgment, harshness, victim feelings, create stories and cases that we build up about others. If anyone ever hears words that are making them want to commit suicide or do a violent or harmful act this is the adversary.
He is the author of contention, arguments, and war. He is the creator of addictions. He tells people to use drugs, to smoke cigarettes, to drink, to gamble and to have sex outside of marriage. He tells people to use addictive substances to enslave them.
He also tells people there is no God, we don't need a Savior Jesus Christ, we don't need to go to church. We don't need to pray. We don't need to do the things the Church has asked us to do. He is the voice that tells us to watch sexual or violent movies, or movies where there is vulgar language used continuously. He tempts, and then shames after we fall into temptation. Tells us we can't repent, we can't repair, and we can never return into God's grace or the church. The adversary will convince us that breaking the commandments of God is totally fine, that in fact there really are no commandments, morals, or standards, that there is no God even.
Or he will tell us that God never judges so we can do anything, with no consequence, that we are totally free, and there is no right or wrong, no sin etc. The voice of the adversary is harsh, angry, contemptuous, cruel, self righteous, judgmental, arrogant, egotistical, abusive. Or some times it can disguise its self when its telling us to sin, or that all actions are fine, with a false loving voice so we will be unknowingly lead astray. The adversary will tell us to follow only our bodies, our sensuality, our sexuality in ways that hurt our and others' spirit. He weakens us on all levels. He is the ruler of the natural man part of us. He will always lead people into self abuse, hurting themselves and others, but does this in a way where people are blindly thinking they are just having fun. He speaks critical and condemning words towards us and towards others. The adversary will continuously tells us we are alone. So if we hear any of this, this is the adversary, if we speak this way, we are allowing the adversary to speak through us, as opposed to the Spirit speaking through us.
In vast contrast the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit speaks: words of comfort, kindness, gentleness, powerfully, but never harsh, angry or abusive in anyway. The Holy Spirit speaks words of Truth. The Holy Spirit helps us discern between His voice and the voice of the adversary. The Holy Spirit tells us of our divinity, the divinity of others and life. The Holy Spirit confirms our goodness, innocence, worth, and beauty. The Holy Spirit speaks words of forgiveness to us, and from us. He will let us know if we are going astray but only to help us from a wonderful place of love, never to condemn.
The Holy Spirit encourages us always, and does not speak limitation. The Holy Spirit gives us clarity on what is sin and what is righteousness. The Holy Spirit is our greatest cheer leader and always praises and tells us how we can do and accomplish the good we wish to do. The Holy Spirit tells us that we can be healed, free from darkness or negativity, that we should seek out a blessing, or pray for ourselves or another. He always encourages us to have an intimate relationship with our Father in Heaven, to converse, and communicate. To truly pour out our feelings, thoughts, desires, needs etc. He tells us we are not alone. He speaks of the power of the atonement, of the transforming, healing, fixing, renewing and restoring power of Heaven.
The Holy Spirit soothes fears, always encourages us to pray, read scripture and follow the standards of the church. The Holy Spirit testifies of the Truth of the church, the leaders, and the prophets. The Holy Spirit gives us words of guidance away from danger, both physically and spiritually.
The Holy Spirit guides us to do good, to love, to help, to bless, to take care of ourselves properly, how to care for others in the best ways possible. The Holy Spirit helps us be the answer to others' prayers. The Holy Spirit strengthens us physically, emotionally and spiritually.
There is a purity, sweetness, true happiness about the Spirit we can't miss. The Holy Spirit always guides us to partake in the things that fulfill us spiritually as well as physically, never just physically or sensually. The Holy Spirit speaks words of appreciation for us, and through us. The Holy Spirit helps us be empowered yet also humble. The Holy Spirit fills us with the grace, happiness, peace, love, delight of heaven.
The Holy Spirit will always help us know our divinity, live our divinity and stay on the road that keeps us close to God, and in the direction of our divine destiny. The Holy Spirit speaks words of virtue, and helps us live those virtues. The Holy Spirit helps us to live the commandments of God.
It is imperative that we understand the difference between these voices. I have only just woken up to all of this, I realize now how much I have listened to the adversary in so many ways in my life. I have definitely listened to the Spirit a lot as well, but because I wasn't totally clear about the difference, I have fallen into the trap of listening unknowingly to his voice. That is why its so important for people to know the difference. We need to get use to knowing when its the adversary's voice and dismissing it and immediately allowing the Holy Spirit to speak. The more we recognize the adversary's voice, dismiss it, and ask for the Holy Spirit to speak to us, the less we will hear the voice of the adversary and the more we will hear the Holy Spirit's voice. Also, the more we partake in the things of the church like praying, reading scriptures, going to our church meetings, doing our callings, doing our visiting teaching, listening to church or LDS music, reading church or LDS books, spending time with the other saints, the more we will feel and know the Spirit and be able to decipher the difference.
So anyone who reads this, lets get into the habit of naming what voice we are hearing, and getting into the habit of dismissing the adversary's voice, and asking the Holy Spirit to speak to us regarding all the things in our life. In the Name of Jesus Christ Amen!
Saturday 26 October 2013
DO WE NEED JESUS CHRIST?
Why do you we need Jesus Christ? I had a revelation about this, as I was watching a movie about a society that completely lacked Christianity. Where was the charity, the kindness, the generosity, the forgiveness? Where was the trust in God, where was the faith? There was none of this.
I woke up today really understanding how essential Jesus and his teachings were and are, for us personally, and also in the world at large. He came when some people were ready for his message and teaching. Obviously lots weren't. He came when it was time and the world needed him desperately, and this is still just as true today as it was then. But what he has brought our world is priceless. Ironically, it was while I was in University studying Anthropology taught by an Atheist professor, that I learned that it was Jesus who brought the concept of Charity into the world at such a strong level. He made it a virtue, an essential virtue, one that goes hand in hand if one is to be in God's favor.
He also taught about forgiveness at a level never seen before. He taught that to be truly followers of God, to go to Heaven, to live in happiness even, we needed to practice forgiveness, charity, purity, generosity, selfless love and kindness. I have personally witnessed and experienced how communities really are very limited in their desire to love, and capacity to love, when they lack the presence of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit that helps us follow Christ's teachings.
I get now why He said he is the way, the light and the truth. For with out him, the natural man/human/survival animal part tends then to run the show, both personally and in in the world. With out him self centeredness is quite normal, natural, automatic even. But when we are dedicated to running our life by the teachings of Christ, we then feel compelled to live a much higher, lighter, brighter, kinder, more beautiful life, filled with virtues that our natural man/human self don't understand. Jesus Christ brought the message that we are incredibly blessed when we live virtuously. We don't need to simply live in survival, dog eat dog etc. that in fact we will be more blessed as we live virtuously. I have personally experienced this, and I do believe that is why our nations have prospered so greatly. North America has been run by Christian principles and therefore has been blessed greatly by this. Even those now that reject Christianity, or don't follow Jesus Christ directly, still often live by the virtues he taught, because they have been brought up in this society which has been ruled by Christian principles for centuries.
He also taught that love is not just an ideal, but love is a verb, a way of life, and that with the teachings and presence of Jesus Christ in our life and in our society, as well as the help we receive from the Holy Spirit, we are able to love way way beyond what we think is humanly possible. Yes we needed Jesus Christ, and we need him now, as much as we ever did, both personally and in the world at large. In the Name of Jesus Christ Amen!
I woke up today really understanding how essential Jesus and his teachings were and are, for us personally, and also in the world at large. He came when some people were ready for his message and teaching. Obviously lots weren't. He came when it was time and the world needed him desperately, and this is still just as true today as it was then. But what he has brought our world is priceless. Ironically, it was while I was in University studying Anthropology taught by an Atheist professor, that I learned that it was Jesus who brought the concept of Charity into the world at such a strong level. He made it a virtue, an essential virtue, one that goes hand in hand if one is to be in God's favor.
He also taught about forgiveness at a level never seen before. He taught that to be truly followers of God, to go to Heaven, to live in happiness even, we needed to practice forgiveness, charity, purity, generosity, selfless love and kindness. I have personally witnessed and experienced how communities really are very limited in their desire to love, and capacity to love, when they lack the presence of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit that helps us follow Christ's teachings.
I get now why He said he is the way, the light and the truth. For with out him, the natural man/human/survival animal part tends then to run the show, both personally and in in the world. With out him self centeredness is quite normal, natural, automatic even. But when we are dedicated to running our life by the teachings of Christ, we then feel compelled to live a much higher, lighter, brighter, kinder, more beautiful life, filled with virtues that our natural man/human self don't understand. Jesus Christ brought the message that we are incredibly blessed when we live virtuously. We don't need to simply live in survival, dog eat dog etc. that in fact we will be more blessed as we live virtuously. I have personally experienced this, and I do believe that is why our nations have prospered so greatly. North America has been run by Christian principles and therefore has been blessed greatly by this. Even those now that reject Christianity, or don't follow Jesus Christ directly, still often live by the virtues he taught, because they have been brought up in this society which has been ruled by Christian principles for centuries.
He also taught that love is not just an ideal, but love is a verb, a way of life, and that with the teachings and presence of Jesus Christ in our life and in our society, as well as the help we receive from the Holy Spirit, we are able to love way way beyond what we think is humanly possible. Yes we needed Jesus Christ, and we need him now, as much as we ever did, both personally and in the world at large. In the Name of Jesus Christ Amen!
Saturday 19 October 2013
Where Is Peace?
Well as some who know me, know that I am an extremely happy, vibrant, and enthusiastic person. At the same time sometimes I have found myself quite anxious and tense in life. I think tension sometimes can seem so normal that I don't even notice it. I remember there was a time when I was seeing a massage therapist weekly and she told me that my shoulders were really up, that I held them really high. I could not understand what she was talking about, I denied this and thought she was crazy. It wasn't until she relaxed me that my shoulders came down, then I understood just how high and tense my shoulders were.
I think peace is the same. When anxiety and tension are normal, fear is normal, worry is normal, we don't even notice them after awhile. We don't notice any of this until we get a breath fresh air in the form of PEACE. Then we realize just how tense we have been. For many the belief is that peace must be found. That peace is missing in our lives unless we "find" it. I remember Jimmy Hendrix asked his audience in his last concert if anyone knew how to find peace, and if so if they could tell him how. When fear is our constant companion and emotional state it really does feel like peace is no where in the vicinity. Some people have gone to great lengths so that they might feel even a moment of peace. I know for myself I have often equated peace with boredom. In fact I use to purposely take really boring jobs just so I could feel some peace. But this was not the same thing. I was once in a group where a woman expressed something similar; she didn't really want peace because she equated it with boredom.
So what is peace really, and where do we find it, and is it ever really lost? Well all I can tell you is what I discovered for myself. First of all, peace does lie with in us, its part of our divine nature. We can do things to feel peaceful, to experience peace. Its not something we have to find, because its not actually missing. Certainly we can, and I have done things to block my peace or not experience peace, but that does not mean its not there. Like the sun behind the clouds, its always there just waiting for us to feel and experience, for us to embrace.
So how do we do that? Well there is the physiology of peace and then spirituality of peace. We can take deep, slow, gentle breaths and bring ourselves into peace. We can stop forcing, pushing and straining. I am doing this more and more and yes it does make me feel peaceful for sure. When I am peaceful in my body and emotions it feels right, that this is how I am meant to live. My body unclenches, I begin to feel relaxed, I often notice how tense I have been and it feels wonderful to feel this peace and relaxation with in me, and feel my body let go.
Now for sure feeling this kind of peace is something we all can do. However, that kind of peace will be very short lived if we do not also seek to spiritually experience peace. This is the peace of God, of spirit, of heaven. It comes from living right. It comes from being honest, living in integrity, being loving, kind, harmonious, generous and helpful. This kind of peace comes from praying, meditating on God, reading scriptures, reading, watching and listening to positive, inspirational things. It comes from focusing on the good with in ourselves, with in others and with in life. This kind of peace comes from treating ourselves and others well. The more we allow ourselves to live in goodness and express goodness, the more peaceful we feel. As we follow the Spirit the more peace we feel and experience in life.
Peace is always here waiting for us invoke and unleash it. I am starting to make peace a priority in my life. I realized recently that my enjoyment of life is limited if I am not experiencing peace through out my day. And of course through God we can experience the "peace that passes understanding". In fact I have often received the message from God when I have been praying that I need to practice peace throughout my day, and that the more peace I practice, the more peace I allow myself to experience, the more peaceful my life will be. That my inner life directly affects my outer life and it all begins inside of me. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen!
I think peace is the same. When anxiety and tension are normal, fear is normal, worry is normal, we don't even notice them after awhile. We don't notice any of this until we get a breath fresh air in the form of PEACE. Then we realize just how tense we have been. For many the belief is that peace must be found. That peace is missing in our lives unless we "find" it. I remember Jimmy Hendrix asked his audience in his last concert if anyone knew how to find peace, and if so if they could tell him how. When fear is our constant companion and emotional state it really does feel like peace is no where in the vicinity. Some people have gone to great lengths so that they might feel even a moment of peace. I know for myself I have often equated peace with boredom. In fact I use to purposely take really boring jobs just so I could feel some peace. But this was not the same thing. I was once in a group where a woman expressed something similar; she didn't really want peace because she equated it with boredom.
So what is peace really, and where do we find it, and is it ever really lost? Well all I can tell you is what I discovered for myself. First of all, peace does lie with in us, its part of our divine nature. We can do things to feel peaceful, to experience peace. Its not something we have to find, because its not actually missing. Certainly we can, and I have done things to block my peace or not experience peace, but that does not mean its not there. Like the sun behind the clouds, its always there just waiting for us to feel and experience, for us to embrace.
So how do we do that? Well there is the physiology of peace and then spirituality of peace. We can take deep, slow, gentle breaths and bring ourselves into peace. We can stop forcing, pushing and straining. I am doing this more and more and yes it does make me feel peaceful for sure. When I am peaceful in my body and emotions it feels right, that this is how I am meant to live. My body unclenches, I begin to feel relaxed, I often notice how tense I have been and it feels wonderful to feel this peace and relaxation with in me, and feel my body let go.
Now for sure feeling this kind of peace is something we all can do. However, that kind of peace will be very short lived if we do not also seek to spiritually experience peace. This is the peace of God, of spirit, of heaven. It comes from living right. It comes from being honest, living in integrity, being loving, kind, harmonious, generous and helpful. This kind of peace comes from praying, meditating on God, reading scriptures, reading, watching and listening to positive, inspirational things. It comes from focusing on the good with in ourselves, with in others and with in life. This kind of peace comes from treating ourselves and others well. The more we allow ourselves to live in goodness and express goodness, the more peaceful we feel. As we follow the Spirit the more peace we feel and experience in life.
Peace is always here waiting for us invoke and unleash it. I am starting to make peace a priority in my life. I realized recently that my enjoyment of life is limited if I am not experiencing peace through out my day. And of course through God we can experience the "peace that passes understanding". In fact I have often received the message from God when I have been praying that I need to practice peace throughout my day, and that the more peace I practice, the more peace I allow myself to experience, the more peaceful my life will be. That my inner life directly affects my outer life and it all begins inside of me. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen!
Tuesday 17 September 2013
RIGHTEOUSNESS
I realized this word-righteousness is the defining word that separates Christianity and definitely Latter Day Saints from a lot of other spiritual paths, as well as our culture at large. The word righteousness has become almost a bad word among most. Its now seen often as old fashioned, harsh, judgmental, a word for the past that we have all out grown. It denotes that there are standards, commandments, rules, morals and principles that need to be followed. It implies that God does judge us for our thoughts, intentions and actions. All of this is not something most people want to think about or embrace.
In the name of freedom, righteousness has been tossed away. The popular idea of God now is that if God is love, then God does not judge but unconditionally accepts all that we do as perfect. Nothing is a sin. There is no right or wrong, bad or good. I have gone back and forth on this over the years. Of course we all want freedom, and this is the most beautiful gift we have been given by God, free will. We want to live as we feel. Throughout I have embraced this idea myself because the idea of total freedom, with no judgments sounded so appealing. But this truly is not as simple as it seems. I thought at times it was simple, or could be simple, but have come to a place where I understand now that it is not simple.
One of the things that must be taken into account is the opposing desires of the spirit versus the natural man. Now in our culture the natural man part of us, has begun to rule. So people are now simply following those desires and allowing the natural man part to run the show, to lead them where it will. I have toyed with that idea through out my life and even at times let it rule me too. I was doing this quite unconsciously as are most others. But not too long ago, I witnessed first hand what can happen to people when they are allowing the natural man to lead rather than the spirit. It is not pretty. The natural man is our animal self and needs the spirit to lead, otherwise it does think, desire and act like an animal. Sex is no longer beautiful loving making, that is sacred, deep and a spiritual merging, but simply an act no better than what 2 dogs can do.
Also, when one moves away from the spirit, then one needs to fill in that gap, and that is where addictions begins. All of this is a sad substitute for the Spirit. In the name of "no judging" anything and everything goes. This is has now become the idea of freedom. Yet it is only living in the spirit that one understand the importance of righteousness and how this is the narrow road, that is not created to hinder us, but actually to keep us safe, to protect us from hurting ourselves and others. Because God is love, He wants us to be to live in the light, live a life that is worthy of us, that cherishes us. Only through embracing righteousness can we truly live the lives we were born to live. Righteousness lifts our natural man part to the glorious place of spirit and from there we desire only to do good. We want to be honest, we enjoy giving, loving, helping. We are sensitive to the light, and know when something is dark and we turn away from that. We want the light. We love purity, holiness, gentleness and kindness. We value virtue and feel the beautiful power of it. The Spirit has a very different mind than the natural man.
The Spirit also gives incredible clarity, where the natural man is easily confused, which is how it ends up walking down very dark roads often unknowingly and then falling into ditches it can barely get out of. How fortunate we can have the Spirit as our constant companion as we navigate the maze of life. We as Latter Day Saints can get baptized first in water then by the Spirit and we are then truly not alone. Having this Spirit with us, guides us throughout our day. Now as any Latter Day Saint will testify, this does not mean we are perfect, or that we don't make mistakes. But it does mean we receive incredible clarity, truth and help not to go awry. Of course its up to us to listen and up to us to live in a way that makes it easy to hear the Spirit in our lives. The more we partake in the things of the Spirit, then righteousness just feels normal, and at times automatic.
Let's understand that righteousness is of God and that it is the love of goodness. Righteousness is how God loves and protects us.
by Shalaina
In the name of freedom, righteousness has been tossed away. The popular idea of God now is that if God is love, then God does not judge but unconditionally accepts all that we do as perfect. Nothing is a sin. There is no right or wrong, bad or good. I have gone back and forth on this over the years. Of course we all want freedom, and this is the most beautiful gift we have been given by God, free will. We want to live as we feel. Throughout I have embraced this idea myself because the idea of total freedom, with no judgments sounded so appealing. But this truly is not as simple as it seems. I thought at times it was simple, or could be simple, but have come to a place where I understand now that it is not simple.
One of the things that must be taken into account is the opposing desires of the spirit versus the natural man. Now in our culture the natural man part of us, has begun to rule. So people are now simply following those desires and allowing the natural man part to run the show, to lead them where it will. I have toyed with that idea through out my life and even at times let it rule me too. I was doing this quite unconsciously as are most others. But not too long ago, I witnessed first hand what can happen to people when they are allowing the natural man to lead rather than the spirit. It is not pretty. The natural man is our animal self and needs the spirit to lead, otherwise it does think, desire and act like an animal. Sex is no longer beautiful loving making, that is sacred, deep and a spiritual merging, but simply an act no better than what 2 dogs can do.
Also, when one moves away from the spirit, then one needs to fill in that gap, and that is where addictions begins. All of this is a sad substitute for the Spirit. In the name of "no judging" anything and everything goes. This is has now become the idea of freedom. Yet it is only living in the spirit that one understand the importance of righteousness and how this is the narrow road, that is not created to hinder us, but actually to keep us safe, to protect us from hurting ourselves and others. Because God is love, He wants us to be to live in the light, live a life that is worthy of us, that cherishes us. Only through embracing righteousness can we truly live the lives we were born to live. Righteousness lifts our natural man part to the glorious place of spirit and from there we desire only to do good. We want to be honest, we enjoy giving, loving, helping. We are sensitive to the light, and know when something is dark and we turn away from that. We want the light. We love purity, holiness, gentleness and kindness. We value virtue and feel the beautiful power of it. The Spirit has a very different mind than the natural man.
The Spirit also gives incredible clarity, where the natural man is easily confused, which is how it ends up walking down very dark roads often unknowingly and then falling into ditches it can barely get out of. How fortunate we can have the Spirit as our constant companion as we navigate the maze of life. We as Latter Day Saints can get baptized first in water then by the Spirit and we are then truly not alone. Having this Spirit with us, guides us throughout our day. Now as any Latter Day Saint will testify, this does not mean we are perfect, or that we don't make mistakes. But it does mean we receive incredible clarity, truth and help not to go awry. Of course its up to us to listen and up to us to live in a way that makes it easy to hear the Spirit in our lives. The more we partake in the things of the Spirit, then righteousness just feels normal, and at times automatic.
Let's understand that righteousness is of God and that it is the love of goodness. Righteousness is how God loves and protects us.
by Shalaina
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