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Archive for May, 2011

Let us suppose, for the sake of example, that on a certain Monday, your affairs are in such a condition that, humanly speaking, certain consequences are sure to follow before the end of the week. These may be legal consequences, perhaps of a very unpleasant nature following upon some decision of the courts; or a physician may decide that a perilous operation will be necessary. Now, if someone can raise the consciousness of the harassed individual above the limitations of the physical plane then the conditions on that plane will change, and, in some unforeseen and normally impossible manner, the legal tragedy will melt away, and to the advantage, be it noted, of all parties to the case; or the patient will be healed instead of having to undergo the operation.

In other words, miracles, in the popular sense of the word, can and do happen as the result of a change of consciousness, and a change of consciousness is usually accomplished through prayer. Thus prayer does change things.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).

This is the appropriately the last message about overcoming negativity, and it sums up nicely, everything we have discussed on the subject. It is through changing our consciousness that we open the door for miracles to enter our lives. For it is when when we believe God’s word, follow God’s will and act in accordance with God’s will, that we can overcome any perceived or actual obstacles to hope, peace and joy.

Now that we have the tools to overcome negativity, we will move into a series delving into the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are Jesus teaching us how to embrace positivism and how to use our faith and actions to live in love and peace. For it is when we follow these truths that we are able to live in our gardens and shine God’s light on all those we touch.

Embracing love,
Z gardener

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Jesus taught through miracles.
If the miracles did not happen, the rest of the Gospel story loses all real significance. If Jesus did not believe them to be possible, and undertake to perform them, then the Gospel message is chaotic, contradictory, and devoid of significance.

But the deeds related to Jesus in the Four Gospels did happen, and many others too, “the which, if they should be written, every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” Jesus himself justified what people thought to be a strange teaching by the works he was able to do; and he went further and said,

…the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works. (John 14:12).

Now what, after all, is a miracle? Those who deny the possibility of miracles on the ground that the universe is a perfect system of law and order, to the operation of which there can be no exceptions, are perfectly right. But the explanation is that the world of which we are normally aware, and with whose law alone most people are acquainted, is only a fragment of the whole universe as it really is; and that there is such a thing as appealing from a lower to a higher law; from a lesser to a greater expression. In the sense of a real breach of law, miracles are impossible. Yet, in the sense that all ordinary rules and limitations of the physical plane can be set aside or overridden by an understanding that has risen above them, miracles can and do happen.

For those with eyes to see and ears to hear, the explanation of miracles above should provide a credible framework for understanding and believing in miracles. Among the hardest things to accept for those seeking spiritual truth; miracles have challenged rational people throughout history.

Yet, when we analyze miracles in the context of revealing unknown natural law, not overturning natural law, it becomes comprehensible. Just as billions of sub-atomic neutrinos pass through our bodies unknown and undetected by us, most of the universe is beyond our perceptual range and therefore could appear to contradict what we do know about the laws of the universe. In short, what we don’t know dwarfs what we do know about the universe.

So, there is a rational and defensible framework that allows even the most doubtful observer to accept the fact that miracles can and do happen. Let us today choose the miracles we need and start asking God for them.

Once we can accept this truth, we are well on the path to our gardens and the life of joy, peace and enlightenment that awaits us there.

Believing in and living because of miracles ,
Z gardener

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Letter or Spirit

Jesus made a special point of discouraging the laying of emphasis upon outer observances; and, indeed, upon hard-and-fast rules and regulations of every kind. What he insisted upon was a certain spirit in one’s conduct, knowing that when the spirit is right, details will take care of themselves. Yet, in spite of this, the history of orthodox Christianity is largely made up of attempts to enforce all sorts of external observances upon the people.

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life (2 Corinthians 3:6).

As we apply what we have learned about overcoming negativity, some key principles must be known and followed if we are to live in the Eden God created for us. One of the toughest principles to master is the fact that our spirit is the true reality in which we operate. Mere outward compliance with God’s laws and Jesus’ teaching is no more than paint on a house; a thin surface coating that seals a solid structure. Our spirits are the true structure, not our outward actions. If we follow every law God reveals to us, yet do not love, forgive and help others, we are lost.

So, let us begin anew today the quest to fully accept the Easter gift of the Holy Spirit. Let us turn over control of our lives to that spirit and be resurrected as new beings. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, God’s law has been written in our hearts and can only be manifested fully in our lives if we yield to the Holy Spirit. Let God’s Holy Spirit be reflected in our thoughts, words and deeds so that God’s love lights our garden and those of anyone we touch.

And today, let us remember that this day and every day was given to us by God for us to rejoice and be glad in it. Today, let us walk in our gardens with pure spirits, new life and full appreciation for the joy, peace and gladness that are available to us through Jesus’ love and sacrifice.

Living anew,
Z gardener

Author’s note: Today another brother joins us in the Good Morning Garden. He is a bright young light, motivated to good works for those less fortunate. We are blessed by his presence with us as surely as he will be a blessing to all those he touches. Welcome to the Garden, brother.

Z

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Jesus explains what the nature of God is, and what our own nature is; tells us the meaning of life and of death; shows us why we make mistakes; why we yield to temptation; why we become sick,and impoverished, and old; and most important of all, he tells us how all these evils may be overcome, and how we may bring fulfillment into our lives, and into the lives of others.

Jesus warns us, not once but often, that obstinacy in sin can bring very severe punishment, and that a man who parts with the integrity of his soul “even though he gain the whole world”, is a tragic fool. But he teaches that we are only punished for “and actually punished by”, our own mistakes; and he teaches that every man or woman, no matter how steeped in evil and uncleanness, has always direct access to an all-loving, all-powerful Father-God, who will forgive him, and supply His own strength to him to enable him to find himself again.

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him (1 John 2:29).

Now that we have explored every aspect of negativity and how to overcome it, we move into a series of affirming messages focused on Jesus’ teachings about embracing love and God’s will. It is this author’s prayer that these messages will help each of us find and enter that garden created by God for us.

In prayer,
Z gardener

Author’s note: Over the last two weeks the author has been on sabbatical in the wilderness. To all who helped and supported this sabbatical, thank you. The time spent in nature is a wonderful way to begin the four week celebration of Easter practiced by our church. In the coming weeks of Easter, this writer will focus on redemption and salvation as taught through Jesus’ words.

Peace
Z

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