Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I cannot reach them: but I can look up, and see their beauty; believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. - Louisa May Alcott
I came across this quote in my daily planner and realized that I was most familiar with it: I had a copy of it that had hung in my office for years. And, just the other day, I came across that copy in my file drawer that is still disorganized from our recent relocation. Reading it again got me thinking about its meaning and I’d not done that in the many moons since I had come to believe.
With God all things are possible, including achieving my highest aspirations. But they must be aligned with Source if they are to unfold. With faith and following God’s guidance, I can strive for all that I desire (which comes from God). It matters not where they lead, for I’m in this adventure called Life partnered with God and being with God is my greatest desire.
Showing posts with label believe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label believe. Show all posts
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Guidance
I came upon the following steps regarding how to receive God’s guidance and thought them quite sound. My prayer is to remember and practice them!
How to Receive God's Guidance
by Norman Vincent Peale
Often we're in situations where we need guidance on a particular problem, or maybe we just need help getting through our everyday struggles. These simple steps will help.
1. Say, "Be still, and know that I am God," aloud three times.
This will make you aware of God’s presence.
2. Be humble.
Humility is necessary for spiritual wisdom. It is God's wisdom you want, not your own. Only with the spirit of the child, teachable and willing to learn, does guidance come. So, put everything in His hands.
3. Open your mind.
Let go your desires, your preconceived notions, your obsessions, your fixed opinions. These represent your wisdom, or lack of it, and what you want is God's wisdom. Your mind must be emptied of error before it can be filled with truth.
4. Ask God to fill your mind with the understanding and ideas you need.
Close your eyes and listen, really listen.
5. If you have a specific problem, write it on paper.
Then, actually holding it up, as though offering it to God, say, "Lord, I want only to do Your will. Here is my problem. Show me what to do and I will do exactly as I am shown."
6. Pray this prayer.
Dear Lord,
I rest my mind in Your mind. Let it be full of Your great thoughts. I want to live and think and act only as You would have me do. Fill my mind to overflowing with spiritual insights, with true wisdom. May I think as You think. Your guidance is now coming to me in this problem and will ultimately come in all problems. Help me to know that I can never go wrong doing right. Amen.
7. Commit this verse to memory:
"Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." (Psalm 73:24)
8. Remain humble, practice and believe.
How to Receive God's Guidance
by Norman Vincent Peale
Often we're in situations where we need guidance on a particular problem, or maybe we just need help getting through our everyday struggles. These simple steps will help.
1. Say, "Be still, and know that I am God," aloud three times.
This will make you aware of God’s presence.
2. Be humble.
Humility is necessary for spiritual wisdom. It is God's wisdom you want, not your own. Only with the spirit of the child, teachable and willing to learn, does guidance come. So, put everything in His hands.
3. Open your mind.
Let go your desires, your preconceived notions, your obsessions, your fixed opinions. These represent your wisdom, or lack of it, and what you want is God's wisdom. Your mind must be emptied of error before it can be filled with truth.
4. Ask God to fill your mind with the understanding and ideas you need.
Close your eyes and listen, really listen.
5. If you have a specific problem, write it on paper.
Then, actually holding it up, as though offering it to God, say, "Lord, I want only to do Your will. Here is my problem. Show me what to do and I will do exactly as I am shown."
6. Pray this prayer.
Dear Lord,
I rest my mind in Your mind. Let it be full of Your great thoughts. I want to live and think and act only as You would have me do. Fill my mind to overflowing with spiritual insights, with true wisdom. May I think as You think. Your guidance is now coming to me in this problem and will ultimately come in all problems. Help me to know that I can never go wrong doing right. Amen.
7. Commit this verse to memory:
"Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." (Psalm 73:24)
8. Remain humble, practice and believe.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The Promise
I was poignantly reminded once again that I am not alone and that God is always with me. This time it was through reading of Madeleine L’Engles’ own trying experience and the Bible story that helped her get through that challenge. The story turned out to sound familiar to me despite my not being raised with the Bible.
It’s the amazing story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These three young men refused to bow down to an idol, and King Nebuchadnezzar was so furious that he ordered them to be thrown into a furnace so hot that the soldiers who threw them in were killed by the heat.
But Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stood there in the flames, unhurt, and sang a song of praise of all creation.
King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and asked, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" They answered, "True, O King." He replied, "But I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt, and the appearance of the fourth is like the Son of God."
And that, perhaps, is the most astounding part of the whole story. God did not take Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego out of the fiery furnace. God was in the flames with them.
The promise has never been safety, or that bad things would not happen if we were good and virtuous. The promise is only that God is in it with us, no matter what it is.
As I go through my dark times, I can endeavor to remember this Bible story and choose to believe the promise: God is with me always and sees me through all situations.
At this season of light, may I remember that the Light of God shines in me, through me and around me. God is with me always.
It’s the amazing story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These three young men refused to bow down to an idol, and King Nebuchadnezzar was so furious that he ordered them to be thrown into a furnace so hot that the soldiers who threw them in were killed by the heat.
But Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stood there in the flames, unhurt, and sang a song of praise of all creation.
King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and asked, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" They answered, "True, O King." He replied, "But I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt, and the appearance of the fourth is like the Son of God."
And that, perhaps, is the most astounding part of the whole story. God did not take Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego out of the fiery furnace. God was in the flames with them.
The promise has never been safety, or that bad things would not happen if we were good and virtuous. The promise is only that God is in it with us, no matter what it is.
As I go through my dark times, I can endeavor to remember this Bible story and choose to believe the promise: God is with me always and sees me through all situations.
At this season of light, may I remember that the Light of God shines in me, through me and around me. God is with me always.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Practice
If you’re from the Big Apple, and perhaps even if you’re not, you may be familiar with the joke “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” Answer: “Practice, practice, practice!”
One can apply the same response to “How do I grow in consciousness?” Or, “How can I feel closer to Spirit?” And, how about “How can I be more compassionate?” Answer: “Practice, practice, practice!”
As stated in today’s Daily Inspiration from The Voice for Love: "When gratitude fills your mind, you are joined with God in your awareness. Practice the art of giving thanks, and you will be joined with God all through the day."
And, inspired from today’s Daily Word, when I practice being more loving and gentle with myself, I am more loving and gentle to others.
In 12 Step program it is suggested we “act as if” until we are able to believe. And, if I practice what I want to be, I will succeed. Like Gandhi said, ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Practice, practice, practice.
One can apply the same response to “How do I grow in consciousness?” Or, “How can I feel closer to Spirit?” And, how about “How can I be more compassionate?” Answer: “Practice, practice, practice!”
As stated in today’s Daily Inspiration from The Voice for Love: "When gratitude fills your mind, you are joined with God in your awareness. Practice the art of giving thanks, and you will be joined with God all through the day."
And, inspired from today’s Daily Word, when I practice being more loving and gentle with myself, I am more loving and gentle to others.
In 12 Step program it is suggested we “act as if” until we are able to believe. And, if I practice what I want to be, I will succeed. Like Gandhi said, ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Practice, practice, practice.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wanting God
“What do you think of God,” the teacher asked. After a pause, the young pupil replied, “He’s not a think, he’s a feel.” – Paul Frost
When I was an atheist, I couldn’t find the evidence of God’s existence. I was logical to the extreme and any discussion about a deity that I might engage in (which I tried not to) was totally from an intellectual standpoint. And, intellectually, I just couldn’t see the evidence proving the existence of God. But when I joined 12 Step program, and started opening my heart, started feeling, it was another story.
We simply cannot think our way to God, we have to feel our way. And, we have to want it. I wanted it because I had reached bottom with my eating disorder. I wanted a relationship with this Being when I observed the miracles in the lives of my new OA buddies. I wanted it because I wanted to have the same wonderful experiences that could only occur with having a relationship with God.
It’s been 19 years since “coming to believe” and I’m still the most logical person I know. But logic plays an increasingly smaller part in my life, and feeling The Presence, an ever-increasing one. I am grateful.
When I was an atheist, I couldn’t find the evidence of God’s existence. I was logical to the extreme and any discussion about a deity that I might engage in (which I tried not to) was totally from an intellectual standpoint. And, intellectually, I just couldn’t see the evidence proving the existence of God. But when I joined 12 Step program, and started opening my heart, started feeling, it was another story.
We simply cannot think our way to God, we have to feel our way. And, we have to want it. I wanted it because I had reached bottom with my eating disorder. I wanted a relationship with this Being when I observed the miracles in the lives of my new OA buddies. I wanted it because I wanted to have the same wonderful experiences that could only occur with having a relationship with God.
It’s been 19 years since “coming to believe” and I’m still the most logical person I know. But logic plays an increasingly smaller part in my life, and feeling The Presence, an ever-increasing one. I am grateful.
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