Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Integration
True spirituality is about wholeness and growth in every area of your life. That is what makes God God. God is wHoly, Complete and fully perfect. Now I don't know any person who I can describe with these adjectives, however we re made in God's image. We definitely have the potential to grow and transcend from the point of where we are.
True spirituality is about just this. Growth and integration of every part of our person hood. Spiritually, physical, emotional, intellectual and even sexuality. True health is about balance.
I know many people(including the one typing this blog) who are healthy and doing well in some areas of their lives, but true wholeness and spirituality touches each of these areas. Spirituality is the part of us that ties all of our other parts (emotional, physical, intellectual etc.) together. Our life emanates from our center or spirit. That is why true spirituality is the source of healthy growth in every area of our life. Any practice that causes us to grow and expand into more whole and healthy people is a spiritual practice.
Sometimes religion has been a source of devaluing a part of us or labeling some part as nonspiritual when in fact this is not possible. For instance religion has many times labeled the physical body or sexuality as less than the other parts of who a are. When the truth is we cannot separate, but instead need to integrate all of who we are so that we can be whole and truly healthy.
A person's faith, beliefs and practices should encourage and promote growth. This is why we should regularly evaluate and ask questions of what we believe. Even doubt can be a spiritual practice if it leads to growth.
In the past my faith or beliefs caused shame, fear and even guilt. This did not lead to growth but instead caused me to be stunted in growth and even unhealthy. The greatest blessing in my life came when I realized that my beliefs did not stand up to the challenges in my life and this was not a failure on God's part but a failure on my beliefs and understanding of God.
Today I have more wholeness and peace in my life than ever. I still have a long way to grow, but I am growing into that man that I see in Christ.
True spirituality is about just this. Growth and integration of every part of our person hood. Spiritually, physical, emotional, intellectual and even sexuality. True health is about balance.
I know many people(including the one typing this blog) who are healthy and doing well in some areas of their lives, but true wholeness and spirituality touches each of these areas. Spirituality is the part of us that ties all of our other parts (emotional, physical, intellectual etc.) together. Our life emanates from our center or spirit. That is why true spirituality is the source of healthy growth in every area of our life. Any practice that causes us to grow and expand into more whole and healthy people is a spiritual practice.
Sometimes religion has been a source of devaluing a part of us or labeling some part as nonspiritual when in fact this is not possible. For instance religion has many times labeled the physical body or sexuality as less than the other parts of who a are. When the truth is we cannot separate, but instead need to integrate all of who we are so that we can be whole and truly healthy.
A person's faith, beliefs and practices should encourage and promote growth. This is why we should regularly evaluate and ask questions of what we believe. Even doubt can be a spiritual practice if it leads to growth.
In the past my faith or beliefs caused shame, fear and even guilt. This did not lead to growth but instead caused me to be stunted in growth and even unhealthy. The greatest blessing in my life came when I realized that my beliefs did not stand up to the challenges in my life and this was not a failure on God's part but a failure on my beliefs and understanding of God.
Today I have more wholeness and peace in my life than ever. I still have a long way to grow, but I am growing into that man that I see in Christ.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
My heart aches
Recently I have found myself ministering to hurting people who are so trapped by the lies of society and some religious institutions. People who are living trapped by the expectations of others or who are denying themselves their happiness because of confusion that the world has taught them.
Many LGBT people commit suicide or live far below the quality of life that God would have for them. Many think God is against them or is punishing them for their evil lives.
What is evil? Let me give you two scenarios and you choose.
1.) A group of people feel that the way others live is wrong, so they say awful things about them. Make jokes that humiliate. Preach that God hates these people and refuse to allow them to be a part of their churches, families, companies. They demand these people live lives without the same human rights as others. They shouldn't be with those they love, should not commit to them permanently, should not be able to have protections of the law or provisions for there care. And announce that any bad thing that happens to them (earthquake, hurricane, disease, ect) is the will of God and His punishment that they deserve. They offer no grace, love or acceptance to these people unless they give up who they are and pretend to live a lie and act like the others.
2.) this group of people discover that they are unique and accept and love themselves as God's creation. They follow their heart and form loving committed relationships. They rise above many challenges of hate, confusion to live productive lives and fulfill the callings of God that He has placed in thier hearts. They are not perfect but are real, and genuine. They are very accepting of those who are different and seem to attract those who are outcasts and there they provide a community and a place of belonging, because they remember what it was like to be an outcast.
Now which group is evil or a problem for God?
Is it me or is it very simple?
Many LGBT people commit suicide or live far below the quality of life that God would have for them. Many think God is against them or is punishing them for their evil lives.
What is evil? Let me give you two scenarios and you choose.
1.) A group of people feel that the way others live is wrong, so they say awful things about them. Make jokes that humiliate. Preach that God hates these people and refuse to allow them to be a part of their churches, families, companies. They demand these people live lives without the same human rights as others. They shouldn't be with those they love, should not commit to them permanently, should not be able to have protections of the law or provisions for there care. And announce that any bad thing that happens to them (earthquake, hurricane, disease, ect) is the will of God and His punishment that they deserve. They offer no grace, love or acceptance to these people unless they give up who they are and pretend to live a lie and act like the others.
2.) this group of people discover that they are unique and accept and love themselves as God's creation. They follow their heart and form loving committed relationships. They rise above many challenges of hate, confusion to live productive lives and fulfill the callings of God that He has placed in thier hearts. They are not perfect but are real, and genuine. They are very accepting of those who are different and seem to attract those who are outcasts and there they provide a community and a place of belonging, because they remember what it was like to be an outcast.
Now which group is evil or a problem for God?
Is it me or is it very simple?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
God's Expression
We see people argue of what form of love is correct or who can express commitment of the same love in marriage. However I submit, that Love is both divine and human. We are made in the image of God, which means we are designed to love, and express love with others through relationship. God desires to love people through people. We are the hands, arms and expressions of God's love for our fellow human beings. For some people we are friends, for some family, for some lovers and spouses. God desires to express acceptance, appreciation and support through His children to His children. For the one I am friend to, I become an expression of God's friendship. For the one I partner with for life I am become God's expression of a spouse for them.
How much better this world would be if we saw God's love in others and allowed God to love through us. Look for the divine fingerprints of God's own image in those God has put in your life. Allow God's own heart to express through all you are.
In our daily dealings and life with people we should ask ourselves,How does God see them? What does God want for them? How can I be a part of God's plan to bring them into this abundant life God has prepared for us all.
God's Love, generosity and Goodness is limitless and is empowered to transform anyone's life who will receive it unto their fullest potential.
Jesus said, " I have come that you may have life (Zoe, God's full life) and Life more abundantly. ( To the Fullest Potential) John 10:10
How much better this world would be if we saw God's love in others and allowed God to love through us. Look for the divine fingerprints of God's own image in those God has put in your life. Allow God's own heart to express through all you are.
In our daily dealings and life with people we should ask ourselves,How does God see them? What does God want for them? How can I be a part of God's plan to bring them into this abundant life God has prepared for us all.
God's Love, generosity and Goodness is limitless and is empowered to transform anyone's life who will receive it unto their fullest potential.
Jesus said, " I have come that you may have life (Zoe, God's full life) and Life more abundantly. ( To the Fullest Potential) John 10:10
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Truth and Message of Christ
Today in church I felt as if God was speaking to me about Truth.
What is the Truth?
What is the Message of Christ?
Many turn to the church, religion or family for the answer to these questions.
For some it would be wrong to question what they have been taught. One of the greatest blessings in my life was to discover that my sexuality was that of a gay man. This self discovery threw me into a faith crisis which left me one of only two choices.
The first would be to deny my faith completely and to live my life as if my spirituality was non-existent. I soon discovered this was as impossible as denying my sexuality...which I had given a good try for more than 36 years.
The second and really only real option was to question what I believed. I found myself split by what my heart knew and believed and what my mind told me based on what religion and men had taught me.
My heart knew that God was real, good and loving.
My mind voiced shame, fear and self-hatred. What was I to do? The process was long but the answer was simple. To put my faith in the Love and Goodness of God.
Many never think about what they believe, but blindly accept what others have told or taught them.Sometimes their beliefs only serve to be an extension to the shame, guilt and fear of significant people in their lives. This kind of faith is in direct oppostion to the Truth and message of Christ. Christ came to set us free from all oppression and slavery. True freedom in Christ brings about such a joy and ability to reach our full potential in our lives.
A healthy faith is one that can stand up to questions. It is a faith that brings hope and confidence in the face of crisis and challenge. Does your faith bring freedom and joy or does it make you feel ashamed and unworthy?
Jesus said, "He had come to show us the truth and to set us free". Faith in Christ does just this. John 8:32
I am not perfect and I have many flaws, but my faith causes me to grow into wholeness and enables me to rise above the challenges of my life. My faith is not in rules, dogmas or doctrines but it is in the Love, Mercy and Grace of my God who is commited to my and the whole worlds well-being and salvation.
God reveals and fills my heart with His love and all that he asks in return is for me to accept it and freely share his message of Love with others so they too may recieve this love in its fulness.
If your faith has not helped you rise above fear, shame, or guilt then I invite you to questions its source and relevance. Faith is the substance of things hoped for.....for many their faith is not about their hopes but more about their fear. Hebrews 11:1
May God's peace and Love Fill your heart this day!
Mike
What is the Truth?
What is the Message of Christ?
Many turn to the church, religion or family for the answer to these questions.
For some it would be wrong to question what they have been taught. One of the greatest blessings in my life was to discover that my sexuality was that of a gay man. This self discovery threw me into a faith crisis which left me one of only two choices.
The first would be to deny my faith completely and to live my life as if my spirituality was non-existent. I soon discovered this was as impossible as denying my sexuality...which I had given a good try for more than 36 years.
The second and really only real option was to question what I believed. I found myself split by what my heart knew and believed and what my mind told me based on what religion and men had taught me.
My heart knew that God was real, good and loving.
My mind voiced shame, fear and self-hatred. What was I to do? The process was long but the answer was simple. To put my faith in the Love and Goodness of God.
Many never think about what they believe, but blindly accept what others have told or taught them.Sometimes their beliefs only serve to be an extension to the shame, guilt and fear of significant people in their lives. This kind of faith is in direct oppostion to the Truth and message of Christ. Christ came to set us free from all oppression and slavery. True freedom in Christ brings about such a joy and ability to reach our full potential in our lives.
A healthy faith is one that can stand up to questions. It is a faith that brings hope and confidence in the face of crisis and challenge. Does your faith bring freedom and joy or does it make you feel ashamed and unworthy?
Jesus said, "He had come to show us the truth and to set us free". Faith in Christ does just this. John 8:32
I am not perfect and I have many flaws, but my faith causes me to grow into wholeness and enables me to rise above the challenges of my life. My faith is not in rules, dogmas or doctrines but it is in the Love, Mercy and Grace of my God who is commited to my and the whole worlds well-being and salvation.
God reveals and fills my heart with His love and all that he asks in return is for me to accept it and freely share his message of Love with others so they too may recieve this love in its fulness.
If your faith has not helped you rise above fear, shame, or guilt then I invite you to questions its source and relevance. Faith is the substance of things hoped for.....for many their faith is not about their hopes but more about their fear. Hebrews 11:1
May God's peace and Love Fill your heart this day!
Mike
Blogged with the Flock Browser
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Searching....for real faith not prepackaged
Today I was in a popular bookstore chain looking for a title that I am doing a study and book discussion soon with. I had forgotten to write down the name of the author so I was having to take the time to go through every title in the Christian section. I was bothered by the many titles, who offered a clear cut and defined prepackaged faith. All the work has been done for you all you need to do is read this book and you could live a supernatural, victorious, wealthy, no problem life and with all of what you "should believe defined and spelled out for you....just add water or was that included as well?
I do not mean to sound so negative but where are the questions, the honesty, the challenge of real faith and life in this. I mean if most of these titles where true then why is the church in such a shape? Why haven't we changed the world? Why is there so much suffering and poverty?
I use to buy into this prepackaged version of Christianity myself but it failed to meet the challenges of my "real life" and it was then I had to discover a real faith. This real faith involves a real doubt reaching out to a real God who extends real love back and reveals to me not only the truth of who God is and God's love but also shows me the errors of my faulty faith. God also teaches me that questions are good because they cause one to search and look beyond their own or other's experiences and enabled me to unpack and throw out much of what had been my prepackaged beliefs.
Faith is a journey and you never arrive, but there is always more to learn, discover and grow into. It is exciting. This adventure is yours to live, don't look for it in somebody Else's story or book. Find it in God and in yourself.....
I am not against books, actually I love them, and have plenty of them. If books were money I would be a wealthy man. However faith is something we live, not just read about.
I do not mean to sound so negative but where are the questions, the honesty, the challenge of real faith and life in this. I mean if most of these titles where true then why is the church in such a shape? Why haven't we changed the world? Why is there so much suffering and poverty?
I use to buy into this prepackaged version of Christianity myself but it failed to meet the challenges of my "real life" and it was then I had to discover a real faith. This real faith involves a real doubt reaching out to a real God who extends real love back and reveals to me not only the truth of who God is and God's love but also shows me the errors of my faulty faith. God also teaches me that questions are good because they cause one to search and look beyond their own or other's experiences and enabled me to unpack and throw out much of what had been my prepackaged beliefs.
Faith is a journey and you never arrive, but there is always more to learn, discover and grow into. It is exciting. This adventure is yours to live, don't look for it in somebody Else's story or book. Find it in God and in yourself.....
I am not against books, actually I love them, and have plenty of them. If books were money I would be a wealthy man. However faith is something we live, not just read about.
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