The Road to Understanding God

Still on my Journey

2009-07-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

Thank you for the nudge.
I am still reading ACIM, it's a hard go, but I am working on it. I'm also reading The Disappearance of the Universe. Every few days, or at least once a week I am completing the exercises in the work book.

I guess I've stopped writing here, because I know the world isn't really real, and well I've been busy. I have been trying to keep up on my ho'oponopono blog, because I find the two paths very similar.

Also during my day to day routine, I find I constantly have to remember that it's the ego and not me. Whenever I am looking for recognition, or to feel special, I need to remember it's the ego. Or when someone wrongs me, it didn't really happen, so I need to turn the other cheek and forgive.

My life as usual is a roller coaster, but I realize that it's not really real, we are in kingdom of Heaven, not in this crazy world.

So for those that were curious, that is my brief update. Still reading, and trying to come from love.

Always choose Love

2009-01-26T08:24:00.000-08:00

Hi,
Well as you know I have started reading A Course in Miracles. It's a hard read, but well worth it. As I read certain sections, I underline the important parts to help me remember.

For example, the whole purpose of us here is to love and to forgive. If we are not coming from love, we are coming from fear and we are blocking the path to God.

When you look at your enemy, your neighbour, your teacher, your coworker, you need to remember that we are all one, created in God's image. Whatever you do to this person, you do to yourself. This was a big eye opener for me, because not only am I extremely judgemental, but I shut everyone out. By doing this, I am attacking myself. I need to remember to look at everyone like they are Jesus Christ. Would I do that to him? No. Then why is it okay for me to do that to my brother, my sister, my father...we are all connected.

The more that we choose love, and do not attack people, the closer we become to being united with God again. Apparently 2000 years ago we were separated from God, and now we are trying to find our way again. By being separated from God, that is why darkness is here, fear is here, and things happen. It's not really real, but until we are united with God, we exist in this nightmare dream state.

Life is about love. So remember next time you are at work, and someone ticks you off, to come from love. Treat your life like it's a classroom, it's a learning experience to learn what God would want from you.

I'm excited to start reading Gary Renard's books, I am sure I'll get an even better insight. I just wanted to quickly share with you that life has always, and will always be about love.

If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what good would I be? And if I had a gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. 1 Corinthians 13:2 NLT

Being Blessed

2009-01-25T10:32:00.001-08:00

Hi, for those that don't know, I just came back from nine days of holidays. It was nice. I haven't really had a real holiday in a couple of years.

While on the road, I was able to find one of Gary Renard's books, and ordered the ACIM book. When I returned home, the ACIM book was in, so now I have started reading it. I am not sure what I think of it at this point, but some points I do agree with.

I agree that we experience illusions, ACIM says we are in a dream, and that is why bad things happen because it's more of a nightmare. We have ended up this way because our perception has distorted our views of the world.

I am only on the first chapter, but it is a hard read. I am looking forward to getting Disappearance of the Universe and reading that, apparently that will help things along better.

I feel blessed because I was searching for more, to have a better understanding of God, and in a short time I am on that path. God is everywhere and in everything and I just need to realize that. I also need to remember that nothing exists, nothing is real. My body is not real, my chair I am sitting on is not real, the snow outside is not real...etc. It's very eye opening. I hope over the next few days to better understand the ACIM book, but at least it's a start. I am shocked that not too many people know about this book, and perhaps that is where I fit in...

Also on my trip I visited with my sister, who not only bought me a New International Version bible, but also stated that she wants to get closer to God as well. Which is great, because she's been like me with her relationship with God, off and on. So I feel blessed that I will have someone to share what I learn with.

Until next time,
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

T

God's Message

2009-01-18T14:52:00.000-08:00

Hi,
In few short weeks that I've started this blog, I have gotten way more positive feedback and testimonials then I have with the ho'oponopono blog. Seems to me that God is sending me a message. A message to read A Course In Miracles (ACIM).

I received an email testimonial from Bonnie and how ACIM has really helped her. I'm including her email because I think it will help others "wake-up," as it has helped me.

_______________________________________________________
Dear T,

Just as I saw your email, about something missing – I decided to write to you about my experience and to suggest the Gary Renard books. (Then I saw on your blog that someone had already done that). His stuff is a “mind blower.” Ho oponopono does not contradict in any way what he has written – other than it doesn’t go quite far enough. It doesn’t get to the guilt and fear.
It doesn’t address the real cause of our suffering, which in the end is really necessary.

But I will give you my experience anyway:

I started studying spirituality when I had one of those life altering moments that makes you re-evaluate your values. I couldn’t believe how many sources there were and how many ideas.
Each person has good ideas and each source leads you to other authors and other sources. Why we are here and what to do about it is the main focus of our lives. We may not realize it when we are young because we have little time for contemplation and we are not very interested. We think life is pretty good. We have these problems that crop up but we feel that as soon as those are fixed, life will be wonderful. But there are always more. This so called life is definitely what we make of it. We are here to learn forgiveness (a very different type of forgiveness). We do not learn love. We learn how to remove that which is blocking God’s love and our love. We must find peace no matter what appears to be going on around us. Living in the present moment with no thoughts of judgment is the goal. The ultimate goal is to wake up and never have to do this again.
There is not a day that goes by that we don’t judge someone for something – even subconsciously – even if it seems minor – like bad hair – bad wardrobe etc.

Something I have always wanted to know was how science and spirituality (not religion) come together. I have found that I have been very immature in my thinking as there are many great thinkers in the world of science who have been trying to explain the connection with metaphysics for eons. I always knew that there was something missing. Why are some people psychic? How can “remote viewing” occur? Why is it that that if I look at the sun, the sun changes on the sub-atomic level? Why is it that water freezes in beautiful crystals when in the presence of happy words and forms broken crystals in the presence of “mean” words? (This is being studied for verification now.) What did Einstein mean when he said that everything happens at once? Why do some people have “mystical experiences?” What do they really mean and what does their brain have that mine doesn’t? Why does Ho ‘oponopono work? Does reincarnation really exist and what does it mean if it does? What is salvation? Who was Jesus really? What was the crucifixion all about? What if there is life on other planets, how does Christianity fit in. And on and on.

Somehow I knew that forgiveness and love were the answers to everything, but how to turn it into “science” just wasn’t working in my brain. I was trying to put it into my life but that wasn’t working either. I was trying to share what I had read and get others into what I thought was the answer. That wasn’t working either. I only made those I loved angry or annoyed. I decided to turn inward, at least for awhile, and maybe God would show me what I was supposed to learn and maybe I could “teach later.” So I started praying. For lack of a better idea, I started saying a daily rosary, as I remembered that (as I was taught as a child) that would lead to all sorts of “good things.” I even bought a book on the rosary and the promises made at Fatima (not sure why). I also tried meditation and am still trying to master that. Quieting the brain is one of the most difficult things for me. It seems to be a commonly known fact that a quiet mind is a necessity for spirituality to occur. I thought that I should go back to church. I still think about that but I now know that it doesn’t matter, at least for now.

And so the quest went on. In my ever growing library of books, I had a book by Gary Renard, “The Disappearance of the Universe.” It sat there for a few years – not read. And then I bought a CD “The End of Reincarnation” by the same author – it sounded interesting and it was cheap. I listened to it – and as they say – it rocked my world!!! I was so excited that I could hardly contain myself. I then read “The Disappearance of the Universe,” the book that had been sitting on my shelf unread. I am positive that I have found the answer. Boy did we get Jesus’ message wrong. I listened and read everything that Gary Renard wrote or recorded. I also started listening to and reading “The Course in Miracles.” Without Gary’s books I never would have had a clue as to its’ meaning.

I know that this sounds strange but I will share anyways - I asked God to give me some sign that I was on the right path. What I expected, I don’t know as I have never in my life experienced spiritual answers that I could interpret. But I think I got that sign several months later.

One morning as I lay in bed trying to meditate, I had a strange feeling come over my body. (And yes I was awake) It was almost like a tremor. I then I saw the head and shoulders of a person. It appeared to be Jesus – like from the old holy card pictures I had as a child. Then the person turned and appeared to walk away. I heard a voice in my head that said “follow me.” As it disappeared, I felt this wave of complete fear start to go over my whole body. Then I heard “don’t be afraid.” And then it was gone and it all ended. I will always treasure that moment. (Later when I picked up the Course in Miracles book – a phrase popped out at me – “follow me.”)

It is said that ACIM is not the only path to salvation, but it is the quickest. And --- it is simple -----but not easy!!

With Love
Bonnie

_______________________________________________________
I have taken the hint and ordered a copy along with DU (Disappearance of the Universe), I will share my experience and what I have learned, but I am very excited to learn and explore this new direction.
T

Listening to God

2009-01-17T10:48:00.000-08:00

I got a great comment recently from Roy about what books I should read next to follow the Road to Understanding God.

Now I have another blog, about ho'oponopono, so I am used to comments. But never have I gotten one that's so detailed, and so caring. Reading the comment he left, I felt my body tingling. I knew that this was a message from God.

Roy mentions three books in his comment that will help me understand God more. He mentions, Disappearance of the Universe, Your Immortal Reality, and A Course In Miracles. After reading his comment I googled Gary Renard, and found his website intriguing. Apparently his book Disappearance of the Universe was written after two angels (or ascended masters) came and visited with him. To say the least the information blew my mind. After reading a couple of sample chapters, I ordered it on amazon. Now I am eager to start reading it. Some of the stuff he talks about seems hard to believe, but I'm sure once I have the book, I'll understand it better.

For instance, Gary Renard talks about the Law of Forgiveness. Which is where I need help, forgiving instead of judging. What I find interesting about reading these excerpts is he writes about similar things that Dr. Hew Len talks about; for instance:

The world is an illusion (ho'oponopono states everything is in your mind)
You fall into patterns if you're not following the Holy Spirit (ho'oponopono states that you are always reacting to memories playing over and over)
The world is a product of our subconscious (ho'oponopono talks about how your subconscious housing all the bad "data" and plays it over and over again)
One of our main jobs is to forgive (ho'oponopono talks about cleaning and erasing)
The other is to be full of love (ho'oponopono also believes in the strength of love)
We should always be at peace (ho'oponopono zero limit, is when you are at peace and connected to God).

I am glad that Roy wrote the comment he did, because it's going to lead me to where I want to study next. But my point is that God speaks in mysterious ways, so before you dismiss something, figure out if it came from God or not.

I am excited to explore and learn more about God and what His path for me is.

So now, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith in his promises, we can have real peace with him because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. For because of our faith, he has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be. Romans 5:1-2

God's Guidance

2009-01-17T09:55:00.000-08:00

I admit, that every day it's a struggle for me to live God's ways. When I am at work, or at home, and I hear something my mind immediately wants to judge. Or if something comes up, I want to manipulate and maneuver my own life, and not sit back and trust in God to guide me.

Like the bible says:

And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Isaiah 58:11.

God will provide for you, and will take care of us. We need to just let go of our egos, our selfishness and just believe and trust in God.

I know that when God speaks to us, he uses everyday people. He could use homeless people, teachers, friends, family, students, or even your worst enemy, He could use books, music, objects anything. The important thing is to recognize that it is coming from God.

I was at Cosco a couple of weeks ago, and as usual I ventured to the book section. While there a book popped out at me, it's Jesus, A Story of Enlightenment by Deepak Chokra. Anyway I stood there and struggled with whether I should buy it. It was just after Christmas, money was tight, I had a lot of other books I could read. Well after a few moments I decided to purchase it. Since reading it, I feel closer to Jesus, because it gives you a glimpse into how his life must have been. He was born to die for our sins, but it's nice to know he had a choice as well. He could live his own life, or follow God's path. When writing the book, Deepak states that a lot of the story is made up, since it's impossible to get accurate information from Jesus's time besides the bible. Deepak did do his research to find out what historically was happening around Jesus at the time. I really wish I would have been alive to meet Jesus. But at least with this book, I feel more connected to him.

Whenever you make a choice, a little voice goes off in your head and let's you know if it's good or bad. In the past I would just brush this voice aside and continue to cast judgements and be negative. But now I realize that, that is the Holy Spirit or God giving me direction. Everyday you have a choice. You can decide to follow God's path, or your own.

So take heart to know that Jesus struggled too, but Jesus did follow God's path. And now you have a choice, you can follow your own path or the one that God meant for you. So I am trying to be a good Christian and read more about God, and try to listen to Him. Sometimes I feel so connected I tingle, other times He feels far away. But I know I am the one who pushes Him away, so I am trying to stop, and take time to study the bible and God and to listen to what He wants from me.

T
P.S. As always comments are very welcome.

Incorporating God into Your Life

2009-01-12T09:37:00.000-08:00

I try to read the bible once a night, at least one chapter. Unfortunately I have a harder bible to read because it's a "King James" version, which means it has the fancy wording. I am considering getting an easier to read bible, and was wondering if anyone had suggestions?

I think it's important to talk to God on a regular basis, whether that's through prayer, or while you are outside walking your dog. I consider God to be Jesus and the same. Because Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins, so we're supposed to go through Jesus to God. But when I pray I direct it to both of them.

Also, I don't go to church regularly, which isn't great. So I have to make more of a conscious effort to spend time with God. I try to watch the Hour Of Power, on Sundays just to get new suggestions, and I watch 100 Huntley Street whenever it's on. But mostly I just talk to God.

Right now I have a lot of commotion going on in my life, commotion about whether I should move down south, or whether I should stay here...and I'm trying to let go and let God take control, but it is hard. I also try and remember that God doesn't give you more than you can handle. So for now, I just try to feel full of love, and be happy and satisfied and blessed in the now. God will let me know what direction he wants me to take.

And again, when it's in your "Sweet Spot," things become easy and flow nicely. So we shall see what road God wants me to take.

Till next time, try to spend a few minutes each day, with no TV, no distractions and listen to God, or talk to Him. We're too busy now adays and that's how we drift away from God. We need to start taking some time to reflect and just be quiet.

The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Psalms 32:8 NLT

My Story with God

2009-01-12T09:15:00.001-08:00

Hi, my name is Tracey and this is my story.

I was baptized by the time I was one. I went to Sunday school regularly till I was thirteen and than my dad gave me the choice of whether I wanted to go. Being a teenager, I decided I had enough of Sunday school, and basically began to drift away from God.

Over the next seventeen years I drifted in and out with my relationship with God. I had already asked Jesus Christ to be part of my life, and I knew deep down the Holy Spirit was there waiting. But I decided I was in control, and I didn't need God. Sure I prayed from time to time, when things got hard, or I was worried, but really, I haven't done enough for him.

In July 2007, I watched the movie the Secret, and I began to search for something else. It felt like something was missing in my life. I had a bit of money, was starting to feel success, but I wanted more. Since watching the Secret, I have been following a path that slowly lead me to God.

My first step was reading Zero Limits by Joe Vitale. This taught me about ho'oponopono. And for those that don't know ho'oponopono, it gives you the power to change your life. By always cleaning and erasing negative memories, you become more at peace, state zero. (If you are interested in it, I suggest visiting the blog ho'oponopono works, or the book Zero Limits.)

I practiced ho'oponopono for over a year, and my life changed amazingly. But through it, I wanted to know more about God. Ho'oponopono talks about a higher power, or the universe, but I truly believe it's God.

This lead me to read the book, Cure for the Common Life, Living in Your Sweet Spot, by Max Lucado. The book talks about how God has a path or purpose for everyone. You may have been pushed or persuaded to go a different way from your parents, teachers, or whatever, but every person born has a purpose from God.

The book even has a Sweet Spot Discovery Guide, to help you find your calling. Basically everyone has a talent, some way to praise God. This is why you were put on Earth, but we all have the free will to reject this idea, or live in our sweet spot.

Lately I've been questioning my purpose, what area could I be in that would really make me shine. I know I am smart, love writing, and have been trying to push my own dreams on the world. Apparently this isn't my calling as it hasn't flowed easily.

Max Lucado claims that once you are in your "Sweet Spot," every thing comes easily. You know those rare moments in time, where a parking spot miraculously opens up, or the elevator opens just as you arrive, or a person you were thinking of calls you, you got the dream job...etc. When you are in the "zone" God blesses you and amazing things happen.

Of course you need to give up your ego and your reputation and just praise God.

I finished reading this book just over Christmas, and it has taken me that long to figure out what my "Sweet Spot" is. What is God's path for me? So by assessing my talent, and my passion, I knew that writing was what I really wanted to do with my life. But how could I praise God? At first I thought that meant writing fiction, cause I really enjoy writing science fiction, mystery, and other stuff. But after trying it for a couple of weeks, it just didn't feel right.

Also as much as I like ho'oponopono, I know my relationship with God was missing. So after thinking all weekend, I realized why don't I devote a blog to my story about understanding God. I know there are a lot of resources out there about Him, but I still feel like this what I need to do. So I'm going to try and write at least a weekly blog post featuring my week, and what God is trying to say to me. Also feel free to comment on my posts, as I might misunderstand things, or if you have a story of how God has changed you, I would love to hear it. Otherwise, thanks for reading.

T