One of my goals as a father is to teach my family spiritual truths that they can investigate and apply to their lives for themselves. I have found a way to live a life that is filled with love, power, and abundance. I'd like to share that with you. My family lives next to a mountain in Boulder, Colorado. Just about every summer weekend, we enjoy hiking up to the top of that mountain. When we begin the hike at the mountain base and look up, the destination sometimes seems so far-off and unreachable. But there is a way, a route to take where the destination can be reached. Spiritually speaking, my family's destination is God and a life of love, power, and abundance. We want to have Spirit in our lives, in our hearts, in our minds. I know that I can be a better man and father than I am today when I'm closer to fully, experientially knowing God's power, abundance, and love in my life. That's the destination: God, love, power, and abundance. In relation to love, life without love is not life at all. Life is all about love, and unconditional love is the greatest love of all. That's what I want in my life.
In relation to power, I believe that we can manifest into our lives anything we'd like. We can bring forth into reality that which we think about and act upon. Power is the ability to make things come into reality. I want to experience that power. In relation to abundance, I want my family and friends to have abundance in their lives. Genesis tells us stories of God providing abundance to enjoy. Today, we can live abundantly -- physically (health, home, work, money), mentally (prayer, meditation, consideration, focus, mindfulness), and spiritually (by manifesting spiritual abilities that we have been given). To teach my family how to live a life of love, power, and abundance, there must be a way. What is the way? What's the path we can take, the route, the walk, to reach a life, filled with Spirit, love, power, and abundance? The Way A couple thousand years ago, a man provided us with a great example of how to live such a life. The stories about him are available in the bible, and they tell us of a man who experientially knew God's power, love, and abundance. And he shared that knowledge with others. In John 14:6, he, Jesus, said that he was the only way, the real truth and the real life. And that no one could come to God but through him. Seems a bit boastful. Yes? But it's quite interesting to me how this man was so bold and fearless. He had no fear in breaking the rules, abruptly changing the ways in which people at that time thought, lived, and worshipped. He was brazen in the way he denounced religious leaders and discarded their dogma. He made believing in God as simple and clear changing one's mind. Without Religious Dogma Jesus Christ changed everything -- spiritually. He showed how everyone can have direct access to God, Spirit, without the unnecessary burden of man-made religious dogma (religion just ruins everything). He showed how to do it. He was the example. The way. The way to a life of experientially knowing love, power, and abundance. To Be One God is the author of life. God is our destination. We want to walk with God in our lives. But let's be clear, God is not a man or a woman. God is not an old man with a long gray beard, floating in the clouds, waving his finger, doing good and bad things to people. That's delusional. God is light, love, power, abundance, and everywhere present. And when I walk with spirit in my life (in my heart, in my mind), I walk with God. It's as if God and I are one. In John 10:30, Jesus said that he and his father, God, were one. They were in alignment and harmony with one another. They were of one purpose. If you've ever played sports, you've probably felt those moments in your performance when everything seemed to "click" or just go well. You moved and performed better than you ever had before. You were "in the zone." Enlightened folk around us seem to live their lives in that zone, where they are apparently in this beautiful alignment and harmony with everything and everyone around them. That's what Jesus was saying in reference to being one with God. It's as if by walking with Spirit in your life, you can experience everyone and everything around you, and you're peaceful and not wanting anything. Standard of Truth I do better at walking with Spirit in my life when I can refer to a standard. A standard is that which I can refer to and see how I'm doing. When I was younger, I was a home builder. I built homes for lots people. I was very knowledgeable and capable of everything related to building a home -- from felling trees and digging the foundation with a backhoe to fastening roofing shingles and installing the bathroom fixtures. To build a house for someone, you have to build it to a standard, something that you can refer to in order to see how a really good, safe, well-constructed house should be built. And as a home builder, that was my goal (my destination) - a good, strong, safe house. And I was successful in my home-building profession, because I had a standard. For many of us, there are no standards by which we can live a life that is powerful, filled with love, prosperous, no fear, and abundant in all things. There are many standards in the world from which we can choose. There are hundreds of religions and gods. There are many religious and spiritual leaders to listen to and follow. There are many good books. The great writings of all time have many great truths in them, and they offer various standards to live by. But what is a good standard by which I and my family can live a life that is powerful, filled with love and abundance? We each have to decide what is our standard of truth. John 17:17 says that God's word is the truth. In 1 Thessalonians 2:13, it says that I'm continually thankful to God for this, that when I received the word of God, I welcomed it not as the word of mere men, but as it truly is, the word of Spirit, which is effectually at work in me as I believe and exercising its inherent, supernatural power. Here's an example of how the Word of God brings peace in my life. In Philippians 4:9, is says that the things which I have learned, received, and heard, seen in other believers, I should do. I should go and practice these things in my daily life, and God, who is the source of peace and well-being, will be with me. As a man, husband, and father, I'm not just interested in learning the truth of things, but I'm also concerned with the practical application of those truths. A mature man is not one who just thinks and concentrates, but one who also acts. Real men learn what how to do what's right, then we practice it until we can do it correctly and successfully. We can learn a bit from Deuteronomy 30:14-16, 19-20: 14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. 15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; 16 In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. So, there we see that the word can be in my heart, mind, and mouth. But I must do it. Act. And to be blessed, I am taught to "love" God, "walk" in his ways, and "keep" his commandments. Then, I'll see blessings in my life. Consider the Way In Psalm 119:59, it says to consider our ways. In verse 59, "I considered my ways, and I turned my feet to follow and obey God's testimonies." Why? Why should I consider my ways? Why should I be mindful of what I'm thinking and doing? Because, ultimately, I want to be free. In John 8:31-32, it says that Jesus said to the Jews which believed on him, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." That's the destination. That's what love teaching my family -- spiritual truths that they can investigate and apply to their lives. I have found a way to live a life, free from fear and pain, a life that is filled with love, power, and abundance. And the standard is applicable and filled with truth. And that way is available. And that's what I wanted to share with you. Mind is Everything
A man is what he thinks. Literally. A man’s character is the sum of all of his thoughts. His mind is everything. Action Every action requires a thought. Action blooms from a man’s thoughts. Every act grows and springs from his seeds planted by his thoughts. Joy and suffering may be the fruits of his thoughts. He may reap both the ripe and the rotten of his own mental harvest. Character A noble, manly character isn’t created by chance, but by the natural result of continued effort in intentional thinking. Believing. A man is built or destroyed by himself. By thought alone, a man may create the weapons with which he destroys himself. His thoughts can also forge the tools with which he builds himself a comforting armor of joy, power, and peace. Between the Godlike and the bestial are all the of measures of a man’s character, and he is their maker and master. Proverbs 23:7 As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. You may be interested in reading Learn How Your Spirit Makes Your Work Fruitful. The King's Guide is written to help men investigate certain spiritual truths, without accepting metaphysical abstractions. One important factor for men to consider is that a man's life is now. Life is rich with experiences to enjoy. Life is not in the past, and it's not in the future. Life is now. This is the self-evident truth. Men should be mindful of this.
Why? Because, before you know it, life passes you by. Ten years have got behind you, and now what? The truth about life is that it's happening right now. Seems a bit simple to say, "Life is now." Yet it's liberating to realize this simple truth. Being free -- physically, mentally, spiritually -- rests upon fully knowing that life is happening right now. This is it. Make no mistake where you are. The Routine Unfortunately, all to often, men find ourselves living from one situation to the next, always looking for that happy state being. We're always struggling to move away from fear and trouble, and towards the things that make us happy. I am guilty of this. For example, I have a routine of getting up, kissing the wife (often more than just that), and getting dressed. I notice my jeans are dirty. I need a new pair. But they might not fit like I want. So, I make coffee. Cream smells bad. I need to go to the store and pick some up. Making lunches for the kids, I notice they need more veggies in their diet. Grab veggies from the store. Put together some breakfast, gluten-free, paleo. We need more groceries. I confirm cash in pocket. Kiss and hug everyone at the breakfast table. Confirm weather conditions. Check the kids are wearing the right clothes. My jacket looks old, and I think about buying a new jacket. What about saving for vacation? Where would we go. And what about work today. Got to check my email on my phone. And on, and on, and on it goes. Augh! Is this what life is all about? Might there be more to life than this monotonous movement through one situation to the next? From feeling this to feeling that? Yes. Of course. Yet, men get unknowingly caught and swept in the river current of the mundane -- sometimes for years. What should we do? Some unfortunately turn to religion or other man-made spiritual dogma. Some turn inwards and focus on breath, physical body movement, emptying and quieting the mind, or repeating self-affirming phrases. Nice remedies for sure. But where is the abundance? Where's the life-sustaining power? Might there be a way to experience (on a daily basis) joy, unconditional love, and meaningful compassion? How do I make sure I'm not actually missing a universe of energy and possibilities? Mindfulness Might there be something about being mindful? Mindfulness is about being aware. Having a state of mind that is clear and undistracted by the commotion of the day and without regard to whether something is making you happy or not. It's not simply thinking with your eyes closed and breathing from your gut energies. It's about being in thought. I think of it has being in spirit. In spirt. Inspired. In Spirit To be in spirit, to be mindful, aware of life that is around you, and you in it, is an active task. It takes some guidance, or at least some practice, before becoming a powerful habit. Mindfulness is a part of the Buddhist doctrine. Many Buddhist texts are repetitive and, frankly for me, quite boring to read. However, when compared with the words, the truths, the heavenly promises written in other texts, the difference is remarkable and unmistakable. Being in spirit, being mindful, being aware of your consciousness is a simple internal thing yet phenomenal in its external manifestation. Where's the Power? There's actually power in being mindful, spiritually mindful. Real power -- manifested in your physical life experiences. Texts refer to this as fruit -- fruit of the spirit. Your mind can free you from suffering, fear, doubts and worries. The Buddha taught that one responds to suffering with mindfulness. True. But where's the power? That's what many men desire. To be mindful, aware, to contemplate and presently enjoy my endless life experiences as they happen requires me to believe. To believe. Believing is action, both mental and physical action. To be mindful, I don't have to physically remove myself from the world; I don't have to close my eyes; I don't have to empty my mind; I don't have to move, stretch, or sit in a physically challenging positions for extended periods of time; I don't need incense, silk clothing, or verbal digressive repetitions. My consciousness is not dependent upon feelings, which come and go like the pleasant or unpleasant winds. My abundant life is not dependent upon moods, for attitudes change like the playful overhead clouds. Love is not dependent upon the five senses, for my physical body is limited. Mindfulness, awareness, consciousness is believing. Mindfulness is not passive. It's active. It's an active experience of your present life, without any doubt, worry or fear. When I am mindful, I am not trying to run from fear, or move towards happiness. When I am aware, spiritually mindful, I am fully aware of the reality of life. Believing is neither being lost in thought, nor is it an attempt to remove everything but thought. Pay Attention There's a children's song that we sing in our family fellowship that we have every Sunday morning with our friends. The words of the song are, "God has something to say to you. God has something to say. Listen. Listen. Pay close attention. God has something to say." It's a reminder for us, including children, to pay attention to what's going on in your life. God is there. God is saying something to you. In everything, God. If I'm not mindful, I might miss it. I might miss it all. Men, we might miss what God, this unlimited power of the universe, is saying to us. We ought to consider and be mindful not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. The things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are boundless and everlasting (2 Corinthians 4:18) Conclusion I encourage men to be mindful. Mindfulness is about actively experiencing your life. It not about emptying your mind, but filling it with truths that manifest themselves in phenomenal ways that result in love, joy, and peace. These fruits of the spirit originate in your mind, come from your heart, and are self-evident in your work. Read more about how your spirt makes your work fruitful. |
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