' CONTRARIAN TILL I DIE '

A CONTRARIAN is a person with a preference for taking a position opposed to that of the majority view. Contrarian styles of argument have historically been associated with radicalism and DISSENT.
DISSENT is a sentiment or philosophy of non-agreement or opposition to a prevailing idea. The prevailing 'ideas' I am opposed to are: limiting God and only seeing with the 'worlds eyes'.

To be a contrarian, is not for the faint hearted. When our vision is clear, we can boldly walk forward with a contrarian mindset.

Over the years I've allways gravitated towards people that were a bit 'out there'..a bit rebellious, people who didn't conform completely to the status quo, people who thought outside the box...and mostly people/beliveres who loved unconditionally. I read a lot of books as a young woman about famous Christians, who became famous because of their steadfast faith, courage and boldness in their walk. They experienced miracles and acheived great things in God, because they belived more strongly in the power of the spiritual realm than that of the physical.

I had a conversation with a friend the other day, someone fairly new to the Christian faith. I shared a small miracle that I had exerienced and the wonder that it produced in me. His response was, that there was probably a scientific explanation...hmmm..(possibly there was). But I know if I had gone through my life rationalising every miracle I experienced, my faith would be less. A childlike faith is a gift that I don't ever want to lose.

Jesus wants our spiritual vision to be so clear, that we become spiriual contrarians. That even if all those around us, 'don't see', lose hope, have no vision, we must press on, no matter how high the cost, even when others think we're foolish.

A spiritual contrarian will continue to persevere. If the Apostle Paul had not had this certainty of Jesus power and authority, I doubt he could have endured being beaten, whipped, stoned, ship wrecked and imprisoned He was in danger everywhere, on sea, on land and even from his own countrymen (2 Corinthians 11:26). How could he have continued to labour and toil, hunger and thirst, go without sleep?

Lord open our eyes through faith, so that we can know the fullness of your power and love. Help us to never give up, even though this world is full of doubting sketptics. Help those of us who are called, to walk boldy in our calling, even when we don't always feel your prescence at our side and feel we walk alone. Help us to expect miracles and claim them in your name, knowing your mighty power holds this very world in balance.

Our natural pessismism needs to be converted into firce spiritual optimism.

Thankyou for reading - FOTW

In Our Own Image

Early one morning, or late one night...the thought 'Our Own Image' - (and making God in it) came into my mind.

I've pondered this concept many times over the years, and just what the ramifications of it are.
To me it means this - 'To make assumptions about God based on my world view, based on my likes & dislikes and not really taking into consideration or even considering, how God fits into all that'.
Is this naiive, arrogant, or is it actually normal? Are most people like this?
Do most of us do this?...those of us who belive in GOD I mean.
Because whether we are aware of it or not, we are all greatly influened in our assumptions about God, because of our culture.
And for this reason, thats why I like travelling. By travelling - we are removed from 'our world' and get to see a bigger picture,our lens widens.
Its not always obvious initially, but overtime, we become aware that, we are who we are, we think what we think, and view life, our world, our God, through a lens.
This lens is formed by how we are raised, by our cultural environment...'our country'. We all do this.
If you don't travel, or interact with people from other cultures, we may not ever be 'awakened' to this realisation. Our thought processes are formed in a large way, by our surroundings.
So to ever move on from the 'simple' place - this 'In my own image' place..what is to be done?
Well what I belive needs to take place, is to acknowledge and accept, that God is Holy OTHER. While he is literally in my world, when it comes to the human mind, GOD is outside of 'culture' and outside of my world view. If all this sounds confusing, its not.
It's just humbling, to be reminded of this truth, but also very liberating. It means we can remove ourselves from 'old assumptions'..and 'discover' that God may not be at all what we thought.
For example:

The 'letters' written in the New Testament are 'cultural, but also 'outside of time' (timeless). They are 'cultural', in that we need to take into account that they were primarily written to a group of people during a period in history, within a cultural backgorund and also a religous framework, to adress difficulties at 'that' time.
They are outside of time, because they continue to speak into our life situations that may be similar.
But the Christians in that 'time' had a perception of God based on thier world view, culture, experiences etc etc. While the word of God is inspired, the people themselves were still like us, when it came to 'perceiving' GOD. Think about in Acts, how difficult it was for Peter to accept that God could possibly make all foods clean now? - to him that was a huge big deal.
What about when the Gentiles became included as children of God, and also welcomed into the kingdom. That was so hard for many of the Jews to comprehend, and why? It's because they had only understood for GOD to look like & be like the picture they had formed in their mind & through their experiences and traditions.

I am saying all this to simply 'open our own eyes' to possible 'preconceived' ideas, images, we may have formed of God.
I know in the old Testament, 'idols' were a thing that greatly offended God and why
was God so upset by this?
I think its because it limits God, makes God small and narrow. It puts parameters around 'LOVE' and its capacity. It puts parameters around a whole range of things..It probably permits, includes etc things which make God 'less'..if that makes sense.It makes God fit into what we feel 'safe' with.
So how do I escape from ths way of 'being', this way of treating GOD, these assumptions, or permisssions..I have developed in my walk with God. How do I allow God to become 'visible' to me? so I can have a clearer image.
I think it begins by remembering who God is in comparison to who I am. Thinking about the core nature of God....thinking about the purpose of GOD....the power of GOD etc.
To consciously 'hold' these things in my mind and heart and look through this new LENS, when I take into condsideration, all that I do, all that I see, hear and say etc and to not be quick to assume, judge or condemn.

I have a picture im my mind of scales. On one side is GOD..and as far as God is concerned the greatest thing in all of his teachings, the greatest thing in the world is LOVE.
So evry thought, every action must pass through this LOVE filter.
On the other side of the scale is 'life', the life I live, the horrors in the world, the beauty in the world, disasters, wars etc etc ..I feel myself go very still inside, as I ponder this..everything becomes very quiet..almost a holy silence...a hush. Because it makes me feel so small..but also 'understood' in my 'smallness, in my ignorance..because how could I possible know any different.
I think remembering the scales, remmbering the God lens..the God is love filter, I will be less inclined to 'make God in my image in future'...and more inclined to say nothing..

Ecclesiastes 5:2
'Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few'

Sometimes & Always

*click play on the video at the bottom of this writing & listen to the music as you read the words.

'SOMETIMES & ALWAYS'

'Sometimes' I have a pity party...
'Sometimes' I have a grey cloud day...
'Sometimes' I want to be somewhere other than where I am..
'Sometimes' I get caught up in the things of this world..
'Sometimes' I'm envious...
'Sometimes' I'm quicker to accept forgiveness than extend it..

but through all of these 'sometimes',
the thing that restores me,
the thing that sets me back on the path,
is simply knowing,
that the one ' I've put my faith in,

is always full of joy,
is always here on earth,
is always dwelling within - to centre me,
is always all knowing and powerfull,
is always HOLY and PURE,
is always consistent,
and is always and always eternally loving...

- that one is GOD
The great difference between sometimes and always,
is that GOD is always the same..
..and 'I' on the other hand are a work in progress -
yet he still loves me anyway..

..this is my PEACE..

* Now close your eyes and let the music wash over you & the words soak into your heart.

Jennifer Knapp Trinity

A Modest Heart

Definitions of the word 'Modesty':

1. Freedom from vanity or conceit
2. Reserve or propriety in speech, dress, or behavior.
3. Lack of pretentiousness; simplicity.
4. Websters Dictionary: mod·esty (mäd′is tē) noun
- unassuming or humble behavior
- lack of excesses or pretensions
- moderation, decency; decorum

Quotes on Modesty...

'Modesty’s at times its own reward, like virtue' —Lord Byron

'Modesty is the conscience of the body' - Honore De Balzac

'Modesty once extinhguished knows not how to return' - Seneca Quote - (Roman philosopher, mid-1st century AD)

'Modesty is the chastity of merit, the virginity of noble souls' - Madame de Girardin

'No truly great person ever thought themselves so'. - William Hazlit

'There’s a lot to be said for the fellow who doesn’t say it himself' - Maurice

My thoughts:

It doesn't matter what my estimation of myself is.
It doesn't matter.
It does matter what God thinks of me.
This matters to me.

The BIBLE: 1 Timothy 9-10

'I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God'
This passage on modesty guidelines affirms a theme present throughout the Bible: the type of beauty that God values is the beauty of a 'godly character', not the passing beauty of an expensive outfit or opulent jewelry

Final Comment...

As with all things with God, he's interested in authenticity. I believe an exterior modesty is only born from an inner modesty. It can be taught, but the end result is far more true and long lasting when the teaching comes via the Holy Spirit.

The human ego and the mind are powerful things to bring into submission. The enemy is aware of all weaknesses. If we have an honest estimation of oursleves, wer'e less likely to fall into snares.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Reading the word of God and Prayer are the only tools I know of to keep on track with God and to remain in his will. Seeking God's favour is the worthy goal, not the favour of the world.

Blessings and Peace - Follower of the WAY

Happiness...

What Happiness is ..
by Stephanie Dowrick.

If someone offered you the chance to be happy for the rest of your life, would you take it? If you were told that you already have the power to bring happiness to others, would you believe it?
One of the most bizarre quirks of human existence is that we long for happiness, yet we have such difficulty defining what would make us happy or content in any lasting way. Spiritual teachings are clear we are unlikely to find lasting happiness through people or things outside ourselves. There will of course, be rewards when we are finally driving a new car, or marrying someone we genuinely love, but those delights are never permanent. The car wears out, the marriage may falter..their may be stress at work. Or we may have problems with our children, or our partner dies or loses their love for us.

A more stable experience of happiness, say those teachers, can come only through recognizing how inevitably our lives overlap with and reflect the lives of other people – seeing ourselves in others and others in ourselves. From that vantage point it makes absolute sense to contribute what we can to the well being of all. In fact we recognize that our personal well-being cannot exist in isolation.
A Taoist verse invites us to reflect on life:

'The fragrance of blossoms soon passes
The ripeness of fruit is gone almost at once
Our time in this world is so short

Better to avoid regret.

If we grasp the truth of our own imminent mortality, surely we would more clearly treasure the gift of life. Surely we would more gently cultivate self-love, distinguishing it from self-absorption, and reach out to others from a full rather than an empty place?

Contemporary psychological research backs up those ancient teachings. The happiest people are those who value their own existence and can give to others without strain. They are the lucky people, but not necessarily in financial terms. Perception is everything here. Those who are confident they have plenty to share may have nothing in the bank. Equally those who feel too poor to share may have a healthy bank balance. We can more easily attain self-love when we unobtrusively meet other's needs.

When a lack of happiness arises from a sense of distance from others or from the boredom of thinking about no-one but yourself, then opening your eye's to others reality almost invariably brings a glimpse of what you are seeking.
And a promise of more joy to come.

From Stephanie Dowrick's book: 'Free Thinking'

Keeping it simple ....

I'm sharing 2 excerts I particularly like from the book "A Quiet and peaceable Life" by John L. Ruth..its a very tiny book about the 'plain people - the Amish'.

painting by : Dzvinka

1:"The Church is the 'circle', the gathering of people, no matter what kind of 'house' they meet in. The ground we stand on is 'holy', not because we have ercted a shrine, decorated it, filled it with incense, and 'dedictated' it, but because 'GOD' meets us there.

2: "When we give bread to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, and clothing and bedding to those who are cold, light and health enter our house and our life. Then there is nothing we need in the whole world, for our thoughts are filled with God and His Kingdom. It is not in the fasting or the sacrifice itself that we meet God. In fasting as in sacrifice it is not the cult or the solemn ceremony that moves Him. He does not want them. What he does want is what is good: justice, love and good action. There is a thirst for the living God at work in all these things, pointing to the salvation and healing which is in Christ Jesus. Then the heavens are opened. Then comes the one who was to come."

-Andreas Ehrenpreis 1650