Sharing a Few New Thoughts on Spirituality from my Notes (Part Three)

Article Title: Sharing a Few New Thoughts on Spirituality from my Notes (Part Three)
Submitted by: Craig Lock
Key words: Spiritual Growth, Spirituality, Faith, Inspiration,Words of inspiration, "Spiritual Thoughts" .
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981 (Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, 'spiritual writings' (how 'airey-fairey'), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig!)
Publishing Guidelines:
These are some notes I have jotten down over the years; so sharing some thoughts of "the spiritual jou
ey", which may be incuded in a new "work", "a labour of love". Just "planting, sowing and watering, some seeds" (not my unkept garden)... and hope they may be of interest. Enjoy.

These thoughts (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print.

"We share what we know, so that we all may grow."

* INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS:

These notes form part of a new manuscript, which I may name 'A Dummies Guide to Spirituality: How to Know and Experience God'???

These are some of the notes (in point form) from thoughts and ideas that I've written down and collected over the years (some from authors and sources unknown), which may be of interest and get you "tinking" about these "airey-fairey matters". If you want to replace the word 'God' mentioned so often with 'Life', that's great! (YOU choose what the concept of God represents to you). Hope it's not too "heavy heavy" for you and that these thoughts may be helpful, uplifting and perhaps even inspirational to you in your spiritual growth. *

SHARING SOME NEW SPIRITUAL "TORTS" (PART THREE): "My Conversations With God"

"The deepest yearning of the human heart is to know God."

Religion is a moral compass for our lives; however religion has no monopoly on moral values. Religion serves the common good as a "comfort", a "security of belief(s)".

Spiritual foundations for faith:

* motivates people * gives people energy and strength for moral justice.

Prayer moves the hands that rule the world

Everyone needs four things in life: 1. Something to do 2. A sense of accomplishment. 3. Someone to love 4. Significance in a life well lived.

"The deeper the valley, the greater the blessing."

We follow a God of extraordinary plans.

Belief in ONE God who exists in three distinct persons (???)

Jesus was a teacher of profound insight into the psychological world and he did that beautifully 2000 years ago! His faith lives through people.

Make a decision to accept faith.

Faith is not a value - it is a power, a pipeline. Faith is the pipeline, that delivers God's power. It is by God's grace that we are saved.

Prayer releases God to work miracles.

Faith can make a difference in people's health. Prayer can relieve stress.

"Jesus changes lives and makes people into beautiful persons." - RH Schuller

"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing."

Courage isn't a gift. It's a decision. YOU are responsible. God gave us the power of decision-making. We have a choice to be responsible for our lives.

Develop: * a spirit of resilience - the ability to "bounce back" after severe setbacks

* higher intuition

* passion: Where our passion is, our spiritual gifts are. Purpose + passion = power

* Self value

"To make a difference, you need to BE different."

South Africa: What makes us different...makes...?

We can either be victims or creators of change

Be sensitive to the needs of others

Activity is not necessarily accomplishment.

BELIEF is the greatest gift that God has given us. Faith is the key.

God meets you where you ARE now!

Transform yourself/the present

The thinking process. ACT differently.

However, we can postpone living by doing too much thinking.

"Do your best and let God do the rest."

"God, the Essence of Life, is the great mystery in the vast unknown; yet He is understandable."

God is not a "nebulous" power; but can be invited into your life. Doing this gives you amazing power.

"I am a voiceless voice." * Sow good actions Reap good habits Sow good habits Reap good character Sow good character Reap a great destiny

Significance is what you do for others.

God will not give to us what will not flow through us, a generosity of spirit'.

God will never tell us to do something that is impossible to do.

God uses ordinary' people, like you and me (IF we LET Him). Will give you strength, desire and discipline - you just have to ask!

"A dream without a plan is a nightmare."

Hope without a plan is no strategy". Step out in faith

Have patience. The storm will sometime pass.

ALL things are possible

The pipeline exists in every human being. Have faith in tomorrow!

God created us with freedom of choice.

What values will you focus your faith on... ones which will make you a better person.

How to set goals?

TRY

TRUST

YIELD

"If you don't know where you're going, you're sure to gow nowhere!"

"We grow old because we stop playing."

Get a dream

Have no regrets

GOALS * physical * family goals. Measurable. Make a decision * friends * finances * spiritual

What unites us is far more important than what divides us.

GIVE This could simply be words of encouragement. Giving is our way of testing our faith in God (the power of God in our lives).

G generously I intentionally V visually E agerly Then watch what unfolds in the most unpredictable and amazing ways.

Once you obey God, your problem IS solved, whether you understand it or not!

It's time to start. Begin executing the plan.

Pull down the walls, break through the fear, modify the picture.

Success lies in the jou
ey. Loving faith

When we give generously, blessings of God begin to unfold. Give intentionally.

We are vessels, conduits; God's Spirit flows through us .

Write down the blue-print. The invisible becomes visible.

"Faith without works is dead." - James 2:26

BE everything God called you to be.

Have determination, will, vision.

"Great people are just ordinary people with extraordinary amounts of determination."

Every good idea has obstacles.

Don't expect perfection.

Craft your future. Give yourself a chance to succeed.

"Without a destination, there is no destiny."

Think BIG enough for God to fit in your plans and dreams. Think BIG enough and have sufficient faith for God to work miracles in your life. Allow the seed to grow.

Nothing, absolutely nothing is impossible with God.

God will not give what will not flow through others

* Add value to others (hopefully sharing these "torts" does that) * Help others

Are you a reservoir or a river?

"God show me what I can do today to be a blessing to others." Exhort!

The picture we paint in our minds: Paint the canvas in your mind not in water-colours, but in oil.

The best-laid plans lie not so much in the accomplishment, but in the jou
ey. Live one day at a time, one day at a time. NB: Have faith to speak the truth...always

Remember yesterday. Dream about tomorrow. But live TODAY.

God, Remove my barriers and enlarge my territory. I want a vision for more in my life. Lord, challenge me to be all that I can one day become.

craig (based upon and inspired by Dr Bruce Wilkinson's 'Prayer for Jabez')

"Sow good actions Reap good habits Sow good habits Reap good character Sow good character Reap a great destiny."

erprivileged children - mine!

"The task ahead of you can always be overcome by the power within you...and the often seemingly difficult or even "impassible") path ahead of you is never as steep with the great spirit that lies within you."

"Success to others may be apparent in what you DO; but significance, meaning and purpose lies, then reveals itself in what you ARE and BECOME down the 'river of life' - how and the spirit with which you face, then overcome the daily obstacles, the frequent trials and tribulations along the often rocky path-way of life's magical and mysterious jou
ey. Light your path by shine your own bright light of hope and love to the world " - craig

"Let the light of your BEING shine brightly; so revealing Who You Really Are. Be a Bringer of the Light, which emanates from our soul, God, our Creator, the Source, the Essence of Life (and Ground of our very Being). Therefore, it can do more than illuminate your own path.YOUR spirit will help makes the lives of others easier by illuminating others paths. For this light is our humanity, the spirit of God, truth, wisdom, beauty and especially love...and it lies within each one of us. Through your actions and your being, let your light, YOUR spirit truly shine brightly on the world, like the radiance emitted by a candle at midnight." - craig (as adapted from Neale Donald Walsh in 'Conversations with God Book 3').

To your health, prosperity, a sense of self-fulfillment and satisfaction in your work, peace and especially joy. All the best for 2009 and beyond

God bless you all

shared by "not so goody goody airey-fairey" craig ("incorrigible encourager and people-builder")

THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED

"Together, one mind, one life at a time, let's see how many people we can impact, encourage, empower, uplift and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials."

"God is a mystery, the 'mystery of life', a Creative Presence, Who/That allows me to be who I really want to be and become."

"God, the Essence of Life, is the great mystery in the vast unknown; yet He is understandable."