Good Morning Garden

These few verses consist of only about one hundred words, and yet it is hardly too much to say that at their simple face value they comprise the most staggering document ever presented to mankind. In these five verses we are told more about the nature of man and the meaning of life, and the importance of conduct, and the art of living, and the secret of happiness and success, and the way out of trouble, and the approach of God, and the emancipation of the soul, and the salvation of the world, than all the philosophers and the theologians and the savants put together have told us—for it explains the Great Law. “Burn the rest of the books, for it is all in this one,” would hold in reference to those words.

People are very apt to think, especially when they are strongly tempted, that they can probably escape the clutches of authority in some other way. If, however, they understood that the law of retribution is a cosmic law, impersonal and unchanging as the law of gravity, they would think twice before they treated other people unjustly. The law of gravity is never off duty, and no one would ever dream of trying to evade it, or coax it, or bribe it, or intimidate it. People accept it as being inevitable and shape their conduct accordingly—and the law of retribution is even as the law of gravity.

You may like or dislike the law, and if you wish, you may try to ignore it; but you cannot deny that Jesus Christ taught it, and in the most direct and emphatic way when he said:

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:1-5.

How do want to be judged and treated? Can we control how we are judged and treated? The answers are simple and they form the very basis of what our faith teaches us about human and divine interactions. We must treat others as we wish to be treated and judge ourselves as we wish to be judged. When we do these things we will experience the treatment and judgement from others and from God that we desire.

Peace,
Z gardener

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Why not make the following experiment, which will not only be thrillingly interesting, but will certainly teach you more in one day than you could learn from books or lectures in many weeks.

Here is what you have to do. For one whole day think, speak, and act exactly as you would if you were absolutely convinced of the truth of the statements that God has all power and infinite intelligence, and that His nature is infinite goodness and love.

To think in this manner all day will be the most difficult thing, because thought is so subtle. To speak in accordance with these truths will be easier, if you are vigilant. To act in accordance with them will be the easiest part, although it may require much in the way of moral courage.

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform (Romans 4:21)

How much faith do we really have? Are we willing for one day to think, speak and act as if every promise God made to us is true? Are we able to live and act in a way that recognizes that God has all power and intelligence with infinite love and goodness? There’s only one way to know for sure…try it.

Peace,
Z gardener

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There is
no difficulty that enough love will not conquer;
no disease that enough love will not heal;
no door that enough love will not open;
no gulf that enough love will not bridge;
no wall that enough love will not throw down;
no sin that enough love will not redeem…
It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble;
how hopeless the outlook;
how muddled the tangle;
how great the mistake.
A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all.
If only you could love enough you would be the happiest and most powerful being in the world.

Just remember what John and Paul (the Beatles, not the apostles;-) said, “All you need is love”.

With love,
Z gardener

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Here is one way of solving a problem by scientific prayer.

Get by yourself, and be quiet for a few moments. Do not strain to think rightly or to find the right thought, but just be quiet. Remind yourself that the Bible says “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Then begin to think about God. Remind yourself of some of the things that you know about Him—that he is present everywhere, that He knows you and loves you and cares for you. Read a few verses of the Bible, or a paragraph from any spiritual book that helps you.

During this state it is important not to think about your problem, but to give your attention to God. In other words, do not try to solve your problem directly (Which would be using will power) but rather become interested in thinking of the nature of God.

Next claim the thing that you need. Claim it quietly and confidently, as you would ask for something to which you are entitled. Then give thanks for the accomplished fact as you would if somebody handed you a gift. Jesus said when you pray, believe that you receive and you shall receive.

Do not discuss your treatment with anyone.

In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength…(Isaiah 30:15).

Many times “being still” is harder than “doing something” about that which is troubling us. However, when we begin our prayer by being quiet and calm, we are “doing something” very important. We are giving God the space to enter our consciousness. It is then that we can rise above the self and its limitations and let God fill us with his divine will, Holy Spirit and universal consciousness.

Being still,
Z gardener

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Jesus has told us that we always demonstrate our consciousness. We always demonstrate what we habitually have in our mind. What sort of mind have you? Do not let anyone else tell you, because they do not know. People who like you will think your mentality is better than it is; those who do not like you will think is worse. Just examine your conditions and see what you are demonstrating. This method is scientific and infallible.

If an automobile engineer is working out a new design for an engine, for instance, he doesn’t, say: “I wonder what Smith thinks about this. I like Smith. If Smith is against this I won’t try it.” Nor does he say, “I won’t try this idea because it comes from France.” He is impersonal and unemotional about it. He says, “ I will test it out, and decide by the results I obtain.” All that anyone can do for you is to help you change your thought. You yourself must keep it changed. No one else can think for you. “No man can save his brother’s soul or pay his brother’s debt.”

…and I will put a new spirit within you… (Ezekiel 11:19).

What are we demonstrating in our lives? The question is not “What are we thinking, wishing or feeling” , but what are we demonstrating (doing). Are we demonstrating selfless love, outgoing concern and help for others? Are we living a joyful and life with gladness? Does the reality of our daily lives create peace, hope and faith?

In self-analysis,
Z gardener

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People who are honestly trying to follow the spiritual life often make the mistake of being too hard on themselves. Because they do not seem to be progressing as fast as they would naturally like, or because they find themselves repeating some old fault that they thought they had completely overcome, they feel discouraged, and condemn themselves mercilessly.

All this is foolish. If you are doing your best to use what Truth you know, at present, you are doing all that you have a right to expect of yourself.

Don’t be impatient with yourself—but this does not mean that you are to be lazy or complacent. Handle yourself as a wise parent handles an obstreperous child—kindly, patiently, but with gentle firmness, not expecting too much too quickly, but foreseeing inevitable growth and improvement.

…and all of you are children of the most high (Psalm 82:6).

Self condemnation is the flip side of self-righteousness. Both are sins that separate us from the love of God. One positions us beneath the love of God and the other places us above it. Both wrongly blind us to the truth that God loves us, not because we are good or bad, but because we are God’s children.

Loved by God,
Z gardener

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What is nature? What we call nature is a small part of God’s universe that we are able to see at the present time, and much of which we see awry. All the wonderful things that are going on in the woods, all the marvelous happenings that take place in the depths of the ocean, the whole sublime story of the heavens, are all parts of God’s self-expression. Above all, our own bodies themselves are part of nature, perhaps the most wonderful part of all; and probably the part about which we ourselves know least.

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of all mankind…With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding
(Job 12:7-10, 13).
When we live according to God’s will, nature is a Garden of Eden in which we walk with God each day in joy, peace and understanding. It is a place of hope, love and faith. It is where we feel safe, strong and wise. It is our heaven on earth. It is a place where we overcome our problems by finding God’s blessings in them.

Seeing God Today,
Z gardener

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Pass a test in Spiritual understanding, and never again throughout eternity will that particular task have to be done. You attitude should be:

I am going to live forever; in a thousand years from now I shall still be alive and active somewhere; in a hundred thousand years still alive and active somewhere; and so the events of today have only the importance that belongs to today. I greet the unknown with a cheer, and press forward joyously, exulting in the great adventure.

Armed with this philosophy, and really understanding its power, you have nothing to fear in life or death – because God is All, and God is Good.

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus… make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight… (Hebrews 13:20-21).

When we live in the knowledge that our lives are eternal, the day to day concerns that can hold us down will lose their grip on us. These concerns do not evaporate, but they do lose their power to keep us from our gardens. This is called the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Walking free,
Z gardener

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Will you meet your relatives and friends when you go over? Where there is a strong emotional link either of love or hatred there is likely to be a meeting. Where there is a strong link of genuine love there is sure to be a meeting. Where there is no particular feeling between two people there will not be a meeting. There is a real danger that if you allow yourself to indulge in hatred of anyone, you will meet when you have both passed over. To prevent this happening, destroy the link by ceasing to hate.

The so-called dead are very sensitive to our thoughts, and for this reason excessive grief is to be deprecated. It saddens them and prevents their focusing their attention as they should upon the new life that they are starting. Of course, it seems very hard to tell people not to grieve when one whom they have dearly loved passes out of sight, but remember that if there is a link of love you will certainly meet again, and that nothing that is good, or beautiful, or true, can ever be lost.

We can pray for those who have passed on, and indeed it is a sacred duty to do so. The practice was generally discontinued after the Reformation because it had been greatly abused and commercialized, but, nevertheless, it is an excellent practice in itself. Realize peace of mind, freedom, and understanding for them.

In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2).

The most sure thing this writer believes about the afterlife is that God promises a joyful eternal life to those who believe. If we are to live with God in heaven, then we must live our lives here according to God’s will for us. This does not mean we have to be perfect. It does mean we have to believe in God’s word, follow God’s will and do our best each day to live according to God’s instructions.

Linked to God,
Z gardener

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Regeneration means building a new mentality; that is, creating a new soul in place of your present one. It does not mean merely improving your present self, —it means producing (through the power of God, of course), a new self.

If you do this, everything else in your life will rapidly change for the better. Other people will become much more friendly to you. Because your soul will be filled with peace, you will radiate peace, and other people will get it intuitively. Everybody likes peace and harmony and they are attracted to any source from which it comes.

Naturally you cannot radiate peace if you do not first possess it within yourself. You cannot radiate anything from the outside. To radiate any quality, that quality must be within yourself.

True peace of mind is the short cut to regeneration. The Master said,

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you (John 14:27).

Today, let us open our “selfs” to God’s power of peace and ask God to fill us with His peace which surpasses all understanding. This is not the same as asking God to remove all our problems. It is the same as asking God to lift us above our challenges and give us the peace that comes from God’s words and messages to us.

Seeking God’s Peace
Z gardener

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