Our Father!
For the greatest part of my adult life I have repeated the famous prayer of Jesus Christ that he taught to his disciples. It is the first part of that prayer that I want to discuss here.
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Why is the Father Jesus spoke about OUR FATHER? Is he our Father because we believe in Him? Is he our Father because we have confessed our sins and followed a religious formula for salvation? Is He our Father because we go to church?
We must all ask ourselves this important question: IS HE OUR FATHER BECAUSE OF ANYTHING WE HAVE DONE OR BELIEVED?
When Jesus taught this prayer he was indicating that God being our Father is a fact not a belief. Now the FACT that He is our Father means it can never change. He is our Father when we believe and he is our Father when we don’t. And being OUR FATHER was a way for Jesus to give the greatest testimony to our hearts as to where God stands in our lives.
I am a father and some would say a very good father. As a father of four beautiful children I can not fathom there ever being a time or condition where I would reject my children. If I found out that one of my children committed the worst crime imaginable I would still stand by there side. Even if my children rejected me for some reason I would never reject them. I would gladly lay down my life for any of my children and each of them know I would do this.
My point in all of this is very simple and I believe Jesus was making the same point. He knew what the word Father met to those he was teaching and he was trying to tell them that God can be counted on, not just to be God, but also to be OUR FATHER.
Is is conceivable to think that I would be a better Father then God. And yet by the church’s teaching I am exactly that. The church teaches God is our Father but at some point if we don’t get ourselves straight our Father will send us to a place of utter torment. Does that sound like that kind of Father is better then me as a father?
Isn’t this simple? If you are a father or a mother you know in your heart what I am saying is true. God is OUR FATHER and He is a Father we can ALL count on to stand by our side. He is a Father who would not only give up his life for us but in fact HE DID.
Some say I am bitter toward the church and I say they are WRONG. I am angry at the message of slander toward OUR FATHER. The Gospel message is good news and there is no bad news in the good news. The good news is that OUR FATHER loves us, always has, and always will. WHEN WILL THE CHURCH TELL THEIR PEOPLE THE TRUTH?
Instead, I am the one who often gets attacked by church members because I proclaim that God is OUR FATHER, not just the Father of the faithful, but the Father of us ALL.
Eph 4:4-6 4 There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Yes, the good news is that He is OVER ALL, THROUGH ALL, AND IN ALL. How much plainer can it be made?
Now you have to read this and decide what kind of a Father he is. If you choose the Father described by the church then it is obvious we are in disagreement, but if you choose He is the Father who will stand by his children no matter what then all I can say is "WELCOME HOME, THE FATHER IS HERE!
All so very true.
The question we have to ask ourselves. Why haven’t we seen it like this before? Have we been just plain stupid?
Hullo All,
Sorry, I should have introduced myself. I’m an old fellow from way down under in New Zealand. Over the years I’ve done a lot of thinking. I’m a friend of Bruce’s too – well at least we are friends at present! I hope we will stay that way for quite a while, and besides, any friend of Bruce’s is a friend of mine.
I have had a look through the communication that is going on here and I am impressed – we think alike! You’ve got the same Father as me! Keep up the good work – the world doesn’t half need it.
Love to you all from us down here,
Brian NZ
Cliff
I am soooo glad we have the same Father!
Brian
WELCOME!
We hope you will check out past post and get to know us all. The Bold Grace Team is Cliff, Bruce, Steve, Mindy & myself (geo). But of course while we are the ones that post articles here all who post comments are are our brothers and sisters. And it lightens our hearts everytime we read a comment like yours.
Peace
Geo
Brian…..I too welcome you and would answer your first question “Have we been just plain stupid?” For me the answer is not so much stupid as deceived. When you have such a powerful organization as the church preaching such a vile gospel most people just forget to trust the beautiful heart that the Father gave to them.
Glad to know the Father is awake and active down under.
Cliff
Mother God sure is beautiful.
Maybe it is more meaningful to call him/her the “parent”?
I really don’t get hung up on the words. It’s all analogy anyway… a way to state the unimaginable in terms in which we earth-spirits can identify. I have a feeling the realm of the spirit is much, much greater than we can ever comprehend. Until that day comes when we are all revealed all knowledge, we will have to think in terms within our little realm.
Good post, Cliff!
actually I am not just saying Mother God to be contrary or that I am getting hung up on words, I’ll explain later when I have more time, but yes it is just analogy
Marco
Your post reminded me of this from Brennan Manning’s “The Importance of Being Foolish” :
“Jesus’ gentleness with sinners flowed from his ability to read their hearts and to detect the sincerity and essential goodness there. Behind people’s grumpiest poses or most puzzling defense mechanisms, behind their dignified airs, coarseness, or sneers, behind their silence or their curses, Jesus saw a little child who hadn’t been loved enough……”
Jesus personified for us the heart of the Father. That’s the kind of Father we have whether we realize it or not.
I so agree Connie. Even in the souls who seem to be the darkest the Father resides and is waiting to let them experience the fullness of his love. And Jesus did show us that ultimate love in the sacrifice at the cross.
Hello Cliff,
I loved what you shared. Especially that verse in Eph…that He is Father of ALL…whether people realize it or not.
I also wanted to share a link to a wonderful writing by Mercy Aiken entitled The Case Against Hell….for all those who want a great in depth study about the error filled teaching of ‘everlasting torment’.
Love,
eliyah
http://www.tentmaker.org/articles/ifhellisreal.htm
Thank you so much eliyah. If people would just do a little research they would find thee are answers to their many questions about the topic of HELL. I appreciate the link and I hope others will look into it.
Cliff
Cliff- This comparison between God (father) and parent was one of the most significant things in helping me see the how unloving the belief in ET or ECT really is. It really is simple.
How ironic. Today at church, our minister was giving a sermon, telling us all that Jesus will meet us at that narrow gate, and tell us that he knew us not, if do not ‘know’ him. It is not about what we do, we were told. It is not about what we say, we were told. ‘What is it about then?’ I wondered. Surely God will not meet people at His gate and say, “Nope, not good enough, begone.” What about His Grace?
I do not know what lies in store for me. The one thing that I know for sure is that God is in it.
Debbie, so many leaders of religious institutions promote fear in the hearts of their followers. They have to, otherwise they would have no need for them. They want to make you so scared that you’ll have to rely on them to show you the way. They need you to need their services, and they want you to pay for it. They want a paycheck every week. Just follow the money, and you’ll know where their heart lies. Sounds harsh, I know. But having come from that tradition, and knowing the inner workings of the organization, I can say this from first-hand knowledge.
The message of the Christ is about finding freedom from self. It is about knowing that God planted within each of us, the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. The trick is to learn to see past all the baggage we have wrapped around ourselves so that we can really begin to look within and see the breath of pure, perfect spirit that God put there from the moment of our inception. It is in there, Debbie… and if you can somehow begin to trust God enough to see it, you can begin to enjoy your inheritance now.
Life on earth can be hard… real hard. And it should be because that is what is was designed to be. But, this world is not real. It is an illusion of tiny energy balls (atoms) arranged in such a way that it appears real to us. But, there is a “spirit side” to our lives that is very real, and within that realm, there is an abundance of possibility. Focus on that side and find the keys God left with you. You can connect with the Source of your spirit in such a powerful way that nothing can come against you in the physical (illusion-world). This is the power of the Cross of Christ. This is the wealth of Life that is promised to all.
Debby Wrote:
Today at church, our minister was giving a sermon, telling us all that Jesus will meet us at that narrow gate
Debby
The Narrow Gate that leads to life is GRACE!
The Broad Way that leads to destruction is The LAW!
If you read that passage in context you will see that both roads enter into the SAME PLACE! LIFE! Those that follow Laws, Rules and Regulations in order to please God will be DESTROYED and in that destruction they will enter LIFE. Those that follow GRACE will enter into life here and now and not have to wait as those who enter into life trough the Law do.
Peace
Geo
Wanted to add a note of thanks for welcoming Brian NZ! I have had the good fortune to become connected with Brian, and have enjoyed his encouragement, wisdom, and candor very much! I know everyone will look forward to getting to know him as he contributes to the conversation.
Great love!
Saturday my husband and I were celebrating 9 years of marriage. We went to dinner with another couple and then on to Tabby’s Tavern where we played a little pool, threw some darts and drank some beer! Later the DJ started to set up his Karaoke equipment and before we knew it was 2:00am and we were all still singing and dancing! We had such a great time! The next morning we got up drank our coffee, fixed a great breakfast, visited with my nephew and his girlfriend (the babysitters), my husband went kayaking on the river and I lounged on the couch watching chick flicks all day. Never once did I feel guilty or unloved by “the Father”, but I can guarantee you that if I had done this back in the days of going to Church I would have gotten up on Sunday(groggy and grouchy), gotten dressed up for church, put on my church face, sat on a uncomfortable pew and listened to a pastor condemn me for the night before. LOL…
Congratulations on 9 years of marriage, Mindy!
Hi I’m Eliz I have just dropped in from a link at sister friends. The topic of the Lord’s Prayer really touches me. What I think is interesting is how many people say it from rote and never contemplate the meaning of the words. Or the fact that it is a form for prayer. The disciples had asked Jesus How to Pray, not what to say. Thanks for your great site. God Bless
Thanks for the warm welcome. This is a great “homecoming” feeling linking up with you people. I wasn’t intending to get too involved but I couldn’t resist! I look forward to getting to know you all.
I’ve forwarded some info on to Bruce, which will help to fill in my background. It’s too much for posting here, and a waste of space anyway. He can explain it to you in if you wish. I will point out though that I have come into these things from quite a different perspective to most of you. I had absolutely no religious pre-conditioning – I’d written that stuff off many years previously. In fact the last person I needed was “God” in my life – at least the one I’d heard about. At the time things had never been better for our family. But due to a series of circumstances and a natural curiosity I impetuously decided to investigate this Jesus business for myself when the opportunity happened to arise, and got the biggest shock of my life when I ran into so much reality.
Because of our remoteness, and my anti religious attitude we had to blunder on in blind enthusiastic ignorance by ourselves. To do this we inadvertently followed our deeper feelings and we saw amazing things. When we finally got to know REAL Christians and got thoroughly lambasted for even thinking about following these deeper feelings we were amazed. Then when we saw the antics they got up to we were even more amazed! How crazy could they be? There they were singing songs to something up in the sky that didn’t even exist when they were sitting on a dimension that was so wonderful – and so very close – and they didn’t know! This was nearly 35 years ago now and because we didn’t really understand it ourselves at the time I made it my mission to get to the bottom of it all. It’s been a long and winding journey, but what is now so heartening is that I see hearts are truly opening up (the fig tree is putting out its tender shoots) and that means “He” is close and we can talk together.
So for us to go further we do need a little bit of a change in mind-set to make it easier for us to understand and embrace what is happening to us today. This is a whole new song that is unfolding. This is actually the beginning of the last days. He is coming back, but there is absolutely nothing to fear – enjoy. We are all so loved and it’s time for us to turn towards home, and I think you all know where that is now? By comparison this world is just a hellhole. “It’s time to get out of this place” before it falls to bits completely. We can help each other to do this.
Save yourselves NOW lol last days okeydokey…
this world is a beautiful place, Jesus has already come back, is back and will be coming back.
Just not with the religious mentality of literalism.
Also you had it right the first time Brian – God is the last “person” anyone needs in their lives, thank God for not being a person but Being itself.
you guys rock
Marco
elizanderson, Thanks for dropping in and for adding your insight.
Brian, We appreciate you sharing your journey with all of it’s twists and turns. Many of us have experienced some of the same things and we find it very exciting to see so many people being set free to trust what they were created to be.
Marco, Always love hearing from you and what you have to add.
Hello Mindy,
Writing a comment for cyber space is a new venture for me, so I have a lot to learn and I’ve just realised that they are ‘dated’. So, the comment I wrote on your post ‘Expectations’ just now, may not get read by you as they are dated way back in July, so here it is again!
Hi Mindy,
I was recommended this site by a very dear friend and have been reading the posts and their comments for a week or two now. What I find so delightful and refreshing is the open-heart attitude of the participants. I feel drawn to you all and you Mindy in particular. I have a desire to get to know you much better, so I’m taking the plunge and writing to you. I too have many of the same roles as you described in your post, add to that list, mother-in-law to 5 and grandmother to 15. I agree with your comments about outside expectations in these roles, and like you I’ve found that the strength to be the real me comes from within. As I trust those deep feelings within, those outside pressures to conform lose their power, and bit by bit the layers of the world are dropping off – there’s no ‘life’ in them.
I am finding cyber space quite a thrill to visit. I live ‘down-under’ in a small town in NZ. Finding so many of you ‘out there’ that are talking real is a great encouragement to me,
a warm hello to all
Audrey
The human race has been trying to build “the Church” and dump their ideas of salvation and “God” on everyone for some 2000 years and we have really gone nowhere. No one can claim our world is a bed of roses and that Christians have a monopoly on the good things in life. But to their credit they have preserved the so called “oracles of God” and we’ll find them handy when re-interpreting them from our heart feelings. It will read like a new book and confirm many things.
Now, and fortunately for us, we are living in the age where JC (the eternal spirit within) is building his church, his way! So it is no accident that we are being gathered up, pulled from out from the system and having our eyes opened. And we thought we were doing this ourselves? No – it’s far bigger than that! We can’t even do it ourselves!
But it’s even greater than all this! “He” is beginning to reveal to us our REAL “living” Father. That other “father” we used to have up there in the sky was just a fake, and didn’t he give us a hell time too? Mindy would never have got away with a bit of party time in town for her birthday if she hadn’t changed Fathers.
Well, I guess we only have ourselves to blame – we put that imposter there – and he’s a religious nut case too. Isn’t there something in our Bibles about a certain being offering us the world if we fell down and worshipped him? It’s time that lying accuser was taken down from off his throne. We don’t have to grovel to him any more.
It’s time to go home to our real Father. The one that Cliff is writing about here. We can just sit on his knee and ask questions. He’s got big knees – there’s room for all of us.
I know Audrey too. She’ll have some good things to offer. She’s had to struggle out a lot of the heavy stuff that many of you have had to put up with.
Love what you have to say Brian and looking foward to much more.
Thanks Cliff for the encouragement, you’ll wish you never got me started!
I’d just like to expand upon your welcome from our real Father if I may? I’d like to look at a phrase that you quoted because explaining it could help a few of the more timid ones to “come out”. We all have to go through it so they don’t need to feel bad about this.
It’s the line, “HALLOWED be thy NAME” which religion has used to scare the hell out of many people for centuries. We walk around on a tightrope trying not to offend that “God” name. We are terrified to be our real selves – to talk truthfully to one another about how we feel about our understanding of these things. Well what does it really mean, practically speaking? That is in this end time age of insights that we are entering into?
HALLOWED: To purify, consecrate, to venerate mentally – to set aside.
NAME: The character or “nature” of a person – the persona. It’s from the root meaning, to know, perceive, and be aware of, to feel.
I can now spot that “nature” a mile away, and do you know what? I see it popping up all over the place on this blog. It’s liberating, it’s truthful, it’s love and acceptance and you can sense that the source is real. It’s pure and I venerate it! “In my Father’s “house” (abode) there are many “mansions” (rooms)”, said JC. There’s Bruce, Cliff, Geo, Mindy, Audrey, and all you others and millions and millions of people out there who don’t actually know this yet!
Have you ever wondered why praying to the sky and tacking the name “Jesus” on the end of your prayers, like it’s some magic intonation, doesn’t work very well? It can’t! You’d be just as successful invoking the name Charlie Brown! JC instructed us, “I tell you the truth, my Father (the same one Cliff talks about) will give you whatever you ask in my name (IN MY NATURE! – not his physical name) There you are, that’s a pretty bold statement from JC isn’t it? Well worth searching out that nature of his which we are only just beginning to realize is already in us and it simply means speaking from there. Don’t even have to mention the name Jesus either – that religion! We’ll “feed” off his nature instead.
We haven’t really been doing this have we? Because look at what he says to us next.
“UNTIL NOW you have not asked for anything IN MY NAME (IN MY NATURE). Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete”.
We haven’t been speaking the right way have we? We’ve been speaking in our name and that hasn’t got much power. So let’s start talking among us with this new nature of ours and see what happens. I think you will be in for a wonderful surprise – because when we do, who is really speaking through us? That’s the foundation of the new creation! A very joyful one too – we’ll see you all there.
I nearly forgot! To continue and make things a little clearer and more cohesive.
“Thy will be done, as in HEAVEN, so in earth.”
Where is “heaven”? The word literally means: to be elevated, uplifted, happiness, eternity, power.
It’s not a “place” up in the sky that someone dreamed up. It’s a dimension within us! It’s the dwelling place of that Father of ours Cliff is talking about. And who is “seated” beside him? They are all one in the same anyway and they’ve asked us to become one with them too. That’s easier than having to dress up and go to church and listen to some well meaning pastor telling us what dreadful creatures we are isn’t it?
Audrey,
I am sorry I haven’t responded sooner, but things have been a little busy my way. I am so glad to meet you!
The more I trust myself the easier things become like posting and commenting to people I have never met before. Everythings is soo much clearer! Life becomes more peaceful and more fulfilling! Cyber space has been such a great outlet for me to find that I am not alone. I can’t wait to get to know you to! Thanks soo much!
Hi Mindy and all,
Thanks for the warm reply Mindy. What I’m enjoying about this type of communication is that the outer appearance is not seen (unless one posts a pic), so we just have the printed words in front of us. When the words touch our hearts there flows a connecting stream of life. We feel it, and if we follow that feeling, we get to know the REAL person who has written, or said the words, and not only that, but we get to know our true ME as well. We can trust that feeling, and as you said above, “The more I trust myself the easier things become”. Love draws us. I’ve been thinking a lot about what we see with our human eyes and find that none of it is real. The FORM is not the REALITY. What we see in the mirror is not who we are, it’s just a tent we happen to dwell in. I must admit that my guy-ropes are getting a little worn! But the real me is getting cut loose!
Audrey,
“Love draws us. I’ve been thinking a lot about what we see with our human eyes and find that none of it is real. The FORM is not the REALITY.”–Love it!!
We develop layers of an unreal self and sadl that is all others get to see and feel so until we peel away those layers to get to the our real self we really won’t have much to give anyone. SO, let go and enjoy yourself. Find out what you are really all about and what you are capable of. You will find that you are very strong, brave, confident and you will love more then you ever thought you could.
Yes Mindy, I so agree with you, but ‘peeling away the layers’ is not as easy as it seems, especially if we try to do it. There are many layers or filters beyond those that are most readily got at. It’s a daily discovery, don’t you find?…..uncovering to get to the pure truth within us, untainted by what we’ve learned or absorbed unknowingly since the time of our birth into this world. We can’t uncover it for ourselves, it has to be revealed. But, I find it begins with the desire for the real, then just ‘let it go’ and allow that deep feeling within to bubble up. Sure enough the next bit gets revealed and it’s nothing I’ve done as far as the ‘unpeeling’ goes.
I agree that it is done for me, but initially I am the one that recognized what was happening. I could either conform to society or the world and pack on the layers never knowing my true self or I could acknowledge the answers within my own heart and follow it’s lead.
Yes Mindy, and the results from following our heart’s leading are so different aren’t they? We are nourished and are able to nourish others by tapping into that rich storehouse inside us. As you said above,
‘that is all others get to see and feel so until we peel away those layers to get to the our real self we really won’t have much to give anyone’
Finding out ‘what we really are all about’ is tremendously uplifting and joyful and very restful at the same time. The way you celebrated your anniversary had all of that, and I was able to enjoy your joy with you.
Being a grandmother is a whole new ball-game to me. What I learned in class management and teacher-pupil relationships in my role as a teacher is of little use, and there is no book that can give me the answers that I need when I need them. But, opening my heart is the key, and with the answer comes the understanding. Oh, not all at once, sometimes it’s a slow realisation. It’s as if I’m inwardly sitting back and observing. Today’s kids are so much more up-front both in showing their true selves and in showing their identification with their peers or parents. So I see glimpses of the real child that is beautiful and open and responding, then I see that same child hidden behind a mask of someone else. Coping with it can be very energy-draining, but in drawing from that well inside me I not only get the answer in what to say or do, but the result is that I see again that beautiful responsive open-hearted child. That is very exciting.
a tidal wave of Awareness surely is upon us, I am seeing more and more religion with its doctrines and creeds getting swept away into the abyss, as hearts and minds opening up to the reality of I AM.
Loving what some of you new folks are saying, any chance you are reading Eckhart Tolle or J.S. Spong? Trailblazers of the now.
BrianNZ wrote- “That’s easier than having to dress up and go to church and listen to some well meaning pastor telling us what dreadful creatures we are isn’t it?”
love this, the bankrupt idea of original sin replaced by the fruitful revelation of original blessing.
On a side note about peace and contentment this quote is true blue-
-“Listen to people’s stories, and you’ll find that they could all be entitled “Why I Cannot Be at Peace Now.” The ego doesn’t know that your only opportunity for being at peace is now.”-
-Eckhart Tolle-
how is this possible? By abiding in our true self I AM, realizing our ego is not our enemy but simply a false sense of ourselves, created in the realm of form(beginning in conception)
I AM is formless realm and this is where identity rests, we are empowered to welcome all that happens, the good, the bad and even the ugly, without resistence, this is the key. This is part of the Christ revelation before getting swallowed up in theism.
Rock On
marco
Marco, I have been reading Eckhark Tolle for years and love his work. Thanks for the words of wisdom.
Audrey,
Absolutely! Nourished is the perfect description. I do feel nourished which brings me great peace and joy. I can walk through life without any fear because I know that my heart is leading me and I can trust myself.
I have always been a social butterfly. That is how my parents have always described me anyway and I think that is what helped me acknowledge this Grace a little easier. I have met soo many wonderful people, but by the Churches standards were considered evil sinners and that raised a red flag for me. My heart disagreed so many times with the Church that I never felt nourished. I only felt angry. Now I make it my passion to go through life with an opened heart and an opened mind and it has given me more education then I ever dreamed it could. The knowledge I have gained from Grace is being passed down to my little girl and seeing it shine through her is the greatest thing I have ever witnessed.
Marco
No I havn’t read those books you mentioned, and at the moment I don’t wish to. One reason being that I have a sense of urgency to understand what is written on my own heart. To do this I need to find others that are willing to dig deeper with me so we can talk through those feelings as they come up. I saw on an earlier post somewhere, a reply from Mindy stating her desire to go deeper and that really touched me. What I am finding is that as those feelings are put into my own words they carry with them ‘life’ an eternal life. This is my food – I have a great hunger for that and the beauty of it is that others who are hungering are also fed.
The other reason is that nowhere in those deep feelings do I find anything to do with the ego. That is not what I want to explore, it seems to just put me back ‘into my head’ turning me away from the reality within. So, thankyou Marco but I do agree with you about the tidal-wave of awareness, and seeing that makes the sense of urgency I have grow even stronger, so much so that I have got up to write this in the wee small hours!!
Mindy
I share your joy about the liberty you are finding outside the walls of religion and the thrill of sharing this freedom and love with your daughter. You are obviously learning to be like her too as you expressed above
‘Now I make it my passion to go through life with an opened heart and an opened mind’
The beautiful thing is that what you have expressed here is the safest possible attitude to have – in this state nothing can harm you, you are kept from all danger, you are loved, you are fed and given understanding beyond anything this world offers. So, what is on your heart right now? I want to encourage you to speak it out aloud, write about it too, keep going deeper Mindy, we’ve only touched the edge, there’s so much more,
love to you and your little girl
hey Audrey no problem, some of what was written(by yourself and others) just kinda reminded of what I have read in the past. Understanding ego is what aids in taking us out of our heads, but I guess we perceive as we do.
I have very much enjoyed the written works of authors such as Spong and Tolle, as awesome as their writings are, like any written word, including the bible itself, can only{at best} ever point to something that is beyond the “letter”, and beyond the false sense of self, the “old man”. What others might confirm/affirm to us(in your case Mindy) in written or oral form is no different. Words don’t so much carry life as they do point towards Life, the Unexplainable, but fully expressionable.
But I am not ashamed to say I look to spiritual guides for direction/understanding in this journey of life, its not like one has to hang on every word.
There is a reason people flocked to Jesus in his day, perhaps not all noble but reasons non the less, persons like Spong and Tolle are no less compelling in my opinion. In essense neither are we.
I find an incredible wealth of wisdom to be found in others who have had their layers peeled away, revealing Core.
Obviously what does not jive(truly minister) with that Core we are expirencing ourselves (and others) to be, we need not be bothered. Feelings are an incredible sensor, for years in church I was taught to never trust them, in a certain context that is true, but that is only one side of the coin. The other side is following your heart, moving forward, evolving as Awareness becomes as common as breathing. You don’t even have to think about it, it just happens.
I suspect the key to moving forward/breaking through is not having stuff all figured out, not getting all urgent about any situation or heart desire, perhaps the key is realizing you never will but are willing to step forward into the Unknown anyway.
Perhaps in this faith has a ressurection chance.
peace out,
Marco
“Feelings are an incredible sensor, for years in church I was taught to never trust them, in a certain context that is true, but that is only one side of the coin. The other side is following your heart, moving forward, evolving as Awareness becomes as common as breathing. You don’t even have to think about it, it just happens.” (Marco)
Thanks Marco, – this from your post really lit up for me. But we cannot do the ‘moving on’ by ourselves. Hence my sense of urgency. We need each other to get us out of the wilderness and into the new land. Yes, for sure we see ‘glimpses’ all over the place, many unexpected, – an ad on TV, a film, a book. But I have a hunger for more than a glimpse or a touch. I feel love drawing us toward the goal and I want to shed off the things that cloud my vision, that hinder progress. I want to be so pure that I can transmit the light and I can only do that by speaking from an open heart, to others of open heart. It requires a different way of thinking, as you have said ‘I suspect the key to moving forward/breaking through is not having stuff all figured out’. THAT really is the key. But, I have to disagree that we may never reach this place. The One who is drawing us promised it.
I agree Audrey…..we need each other, but it must be our real self that we identify with. Too often we have been trained to only relate to the false self which always poses problems. That’s why I don’t think the church can be of any benefit because it encourages the false self. That’s why non-church people always call church people hypocrites. The phony atmosphere in a church setting does not allow people to really be who they are. The good news is that we can always be our true self with the Father.
Cliff, all that is very true and in addition I’m finding just as much phoniness outside the IC as in it. Everywhere there are traditions and fixed ideas that blind us to our real selves and the Father in us. Some are readily identified but others are more subtle. How then can we truly relate to each other, what is the trick when we’ve taken all this ’stuff’ on board? Isn’t the REAL connection with others found only in the Father? Isn’t that feeling of light bursting within us, bringing joy and happiness? And, if so, how do we REMAIN in the light?
I believe it will be rare instances where we really connect and it will only happen with individuals who have come to the knowledge of this grace and peace. It is rare now but it is also a growing environment where more and more souls are joining the ranks of this freedom to be who we are. Who knows, maybe in a thousand years it will become the norm.
Cliff
Cliff, I fear I have been taking up rather a lot of room on this blog, but I’ve been thinking about your reply to me all day and hoping that someone else would write in and encourage you to see that the fig tree is indeed in leaf. We don’t have to wait a thousand years, we are living in the promised time now and we must be ready because the bridegroom is even at the door. The signs are all around us, the Father is drawing people who have rebelled against the phoniness of religion and the emptiness of the world, bringing them together, and as they begin to speak from their hearts to one another, they are finding that Father is within them. He is the connecting current, and he is opening our eyes to see that the Kingdom is available to us right now. Thirty years ago, I grant you it was rare, but today you see it popping up all over the place, especially in the last 6 months. Be encouraged Cliff, you are on the right track and greatly loved. There is so much just around the corner, so let’s all keep going deeper and find out what’s in store for us so we can get out there and heal the nations.
Cliff
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With all due respects Cliff I don’t think you are correct here. I see flashes of this new dimension in ordinary people very regularly these days. I do have the advantage of being in an environment where there is more opportunity for this but I have been monitoring it for the last 30 odd years when I first became aware of it. There was little of it back then but today it’s a totally different story. It’s even now showing up in Christians – and that is saying something! Like your own group here, but even they probably don’t fully realize the significance of what is happening.
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This is the problem with ordinary people too when I see that flash of recognition in their eyes and feel it well up in me. They don’t understand the potential of what they are connecting with.
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“For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming (presence) of the Son of Man (the son of oneself) be.”
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So I can’t see it taking 1,000 years, or anything like it – I haven’t got the time to wait that long anyway! We can have it now. It only requires “metanoia” repentance. This understanding of repentance (what it means in practice) has never been understood by the Church, yet it is all that we are required to do.
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If any of you are interested in a practical example of “metanoia” repentance which you could probably relate to, go to Jim’s Blog. It’s where I met Bruce. On this particular thread there is an ex IC lady, Jane, who describes it very well and it shows how we are able to connect with this in-built unity that runs through all of humankind in spite of what they may believe.
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The thread is http://www.divinenobodies.com/blog/?p=501
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Scroll down until you find Jane’s first comment. You can’t help feeling joyful for her with the obvious delight she shows in discovering this new toy! You’ll see Audrey and I there too putting in our penny’s worth!
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Keep on going, all of you, because we need each other to help us through – that’s it’s nature – we can’t do it on our own.
Cliff
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With all due respects Cliff I don’t think you are correct here. I see flashes of this new dimension in ordinary people very regularly these days. I do have the advantage of being in an environment where there is more opportunity for this but I have been monitoring it for the last 30 odd years when I first became aware of it. There was little of it back then but today it’s a totally different story. It’s even now showing up in Christians – and that is saying something! Like your own group here, but even they probably don’t fully realize the significance of what is happening.
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This is the problem with ordinary people too when I see that flash of recognition in their eyes and feel it well up in me. They don’t understand the potential of what they are connecting with.
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“For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming (presence) of the Son of Man (the son of oneself) be.”
.
So I can’t see it taking 1,000 years, or anything like it – I haven’t got the time to wait that long anyway! We can have it now. It only requires “metanoia” repentance. This understanding of repentance (what it means in practice) has never been understood by the Church, yet it is all that we are required to do.
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If any of you are interested in a practical example of “metanoia” repentance which you could probably relate to, Google “Jim’s Blog”. It’s where I met Bruce. Go to the topic “My So-Concepted Life”. On this particular thread there is an ex IC lady, Jane, who describes it very well and she shows how we are able to connect with this in-built unity that runs through all of humankind in spite of what they may believe.
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Scroll down until you find Jane’s first comment. You can’t help feeling joyful for her with the obvious delight she shows in discovering this new toy! You’ll see Audrey and I there too putting in our penny’s worth!
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All I can do is encourage all of you to keep on going because we need each other to help us through – that’s it’s nature – we can’t do it on our own.
Here’s a more technical explanation of “metanoia” that I wrote up for another blog. “Metanoia” is the Greek word used by Jesus that is normally translated in your Bibles as “repent”. It does not mean that at all and this misunderstanding has sabotaged the whole Christian faith so it hasn’t been able to reach what it preaches.
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Metanoia: from the Greek “meta” meaning beyond or outside and “noia”, meaning understanding. In practical terms “understanding” can be seen as our normal mindset or world/religious view. How we think. Noia is derived from the Greek “nous” which means our minds.
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Compare this word – paranoia.
“Para” means off to the side and “noia” refers to our world view or ideology.
So paranoia means a skewed, off to the side world view. Off center thinking from the normal
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Another couple of examples. “metaphysics” and “metamorphous”. Meta meaning beyond or outside, so metaphysics means outside the limits of physics. In the same way metamorphous means beyond-change.
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Metanoia therefore means a state that is beyond our normal thinking or mindset. I have tried to describe the practical application of this as being “a change in the way we use our minds”. We think inside ourselves, which takes us beyond our normal minds and brings our deepest feelings into the equation. So metanoia, or true repentance does not mean a change of mind as some of you are implying. That’s trying to fit the definition back into the old religious “repent” thinking. That word “repentance” comes to English from the old French word “repentir” meaning “to feel regret for sins and crimes”. “Repentir” came from the Latin words “penitire” to regret, and “poenitire” to make sorry. It is the source of our words penitentiary, penitent and penance and related to our word “pain”. Using this “repent” definition would change the Gospel (Good News) to mean “feel sorrow and regret and pain because the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
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It doesn’t fit does it? True metanoia repentance does! No I’m not a language scholar – far from it. I specialize in researching the practical application of these things and I have been doing this for 35 years now. Metanoia is actually a very simple thing and a child can do it. It’s just that we are trained out of it from the day we are born. We are brainwashed into thinking like the mainstream society around us, religious or secular, and that locks us away from this dimension – the kingdom – which has been within us all the time. That’s what Jesus came to reveal to us and we are only just waking up.
fascinating stuff Brian, I had to read it a few times to get the gist, but is very much in line with where I have been at these days, moving beyond traditional mindsets and patterns and getting to the core is no easy task, but is simple as ABC if you know what I mean
the kingdom (realm) is within all, no matter religious/non religious background, belief/non belief in God, faith/ non faith. These are all attachments, perceptions/words/thoughts etc..They certainly have the ability to “block the view” but don’t always have the ability to “point the way”, but sometimes do.
Part of the adventure is sifting through, panning for the gold so to speak. In the end we are still only sifting for pointers to the formless I AM that is without attachment.Just IS. Jesus was/is instrumential in revealing these pointers, as you describe very well Brian,
rock on
Marco
After reading the “New Earth” I made up my mind to not buy into my ego as it arose (which it did and does all the time!) and to stay in the moment. This was very challenging at first but after ten days something “magical” happened. I was actually full of love for every moment regardless of what it brought. If there was sadness in front of me I felt genuine compassion and if there was happiness, genuine joy etc. It was not of the mental or emotive faculties, but of something else that was not from me. It was as though there was another state that existed beyond my thinking mind and ego. Yes, I continued to function in the world as usual, actually more so, but there was inner joy and oneness beyond words. This lasted ten days and then my ego reacted to a situation. It was as though it caught me off guard. I then tried to claw my way back to that state with little success. Only today I realized there is no going anywhere and no trying, it is just being. In this being there is only love. I now understand Jesus when he said a peace that passes all understanding. I was brought up a Christian and though it gave me a sense of morality and goodness, it did not give me the tools to live in this world. I did not obviously understand the teachings as they have been somewhat distorted. Thanks to the book, “The New Earth” I understand Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity. In their pure form all speak of oneness and non duality. It is not something that can be believed but something that can be experienced – and then you know it is True. Kindest Regards to all.
Gale, I’m so glad you are beginning to experience the oneness that has always been ours. You are so right about the ego, it constantly seeks to divide us even within our own selves, but their is a self within that can be trusted. It is the divine self that has no beginning and no end. Thanks for stopping by and you enlightening comment.
Gale I was delighted to read your comment – you have obviously made a huge discovery and your explanation of it is beautiful. Once your eyes have been opened to that ONE within you, you will NEVER be let go. He always remains with you as a rock and a foundation and the Spirit will lead you gently into all Truth. After all, He created you in the beginning, you were there inseparable from him when time began. When He formed you in your mother’s womb, He knew you and loved you, but while growing up in this world we ‘take on’ a blind-fold that prevents us from seeing who we really are, and we start to make our identity through our 5 senses relating to exterior things, forgetting that the real ‘us’ is within. We believe the dream-world with all its fantasies rather than the real world within. It’s not till we ‘wake up’ as you have done, that we can see the world for what it is – a sham, unreal, full of hurts, tears and disappointments. Oh we can go back and live from this life, but it will never fulfill that hunger within for the REAL. It will never satisfy us. The only way to feel at peace is to nurture that life within you by endeavoring to live from there.
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As you have found Gale, we slip back into that fantasy-world a lot and seemingly lose sight of the reality within. That’s because what we’ve taken on board since birth is very subtle and devious, and through our imaginations has grown and achieved a life of its own. We cannot live two lives at once and while living from that exterior ‘identity’ we have made for ourselves, we cannot SEE the real within. Making the switch is called ‘metanoia’, and it simply means changing the way we think (wrongly translated as ‘repent’ in the bible). It’s being open-hearted, meeting each moment without pre-conceived expectations and looking within for those deep feelings to prompt us for what to do and say. Dear Gale, I am so excited for you as you set out on this journey and I want to encourage you to continue to go deeper, you will never but never be disappointed.