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How Brokenness Can Lead You to Your True Purpose in Life

Have you ever found yourself putting great dependence on some area of your life or confidence in yourself? Maybe an area that you take great pride in, your education, your career, your possessions, your wealth, your good looks, your achievements , athletic ability, you communication skills, your intelligence, your status at work or among your friends or simply the independent pursuit of such things are the total focus or top priority in your life.

When you consider your accomplishments you may think; my hard work produced this for me and I achieved this with my own abilities, skills and intelligence. As you reflect back it is easy to become prideful, even arrogant about your own abilities & Accomplishments. When we think we have reached the pinnacle of self control, God will choose to use that very thing in which you take pride in as an eye opener about where your good blessings came from. God will use the very gift or strength with which we place value in and use it to break us of our belief that we have complete control and live according to our own will. The bible says that God has a purpose and a plan for each of us, and while he may allow us to have free will, for those whom he wants to use for his purpose will be brought to brokenness so that they may serve to glorify him.

Proverbs 11:2

2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 19:20-22

Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

What is Gods Will?

John 12:24-26

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

Philippians 2:2-4

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Gods’ purpose and will for us is twofold: first is that we seek him as the first priority in our life and second is that we let our light shine so others can see and become like disciples and glorify god. Consider the verses above as explained by leading pastor. The kernel of wheat represents the self life, when we die to ourselves only then can God begin his good work in us. When we die to ourselves and focus our life on Gods purpose for us can we truly become fruitful and experience Gods blessing. Those who seek only worldly treasures will find only worldly rewards. These rewards die when we die and will account for nothing in the spiritual life. While we certainly have to work and provide for ourselves in this life we are not to make them our only priority. Is it not amazing the time we commit and confidence with which we place in ourselves and the things that we produce. In the world we measure people by their level of worldly success, wealth knowledge, abilities, appearance, and skills. We put such great confidence in these things it is no wonder God uses them to get our attention.

John 15 :5-8

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Greed, Pride, Deceit, Selfishness, Fear we all may posses some of these character traits, yet God reminds us that there is no place in the life of a Christian for them. In the bible God brought several men in the bible to brokenness then used them for his purpose. These same men at one time were sinners: Peter was broken of Pride when he denied knowing the Lord at his crucifixion after stating he would never deny him, Jacob selfishly and deceitfully stole Esau’s birthright and blessing, David committed adultery with Bathsheba the wife of Uriah the same David whom God said was a man after his own heart. Moses who lost all confidence in himself yet led Gods chosen people to a new land.

James 3:13-15

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil

Matthew 23:11-13

The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

So if you are feeling as thought you have been broken and everything seems a mess then you may be very well experiencing God breaking you , bringing you to the very end of yourself where you say I cannot do this anymore I give every desire to you Lord please complete your will and not my own. The bible says we are pressed but not crushed, in other words if we are resistant to the breaking then the pressure may intensify , but God will never break your spirit or give you more than you can handle with his help. This can be better described as a forced dependence on God rather than self dependence, but only if you are open to it.

Psalm 34:17-19

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Paul told the Corinthians to be pleased if they were experiencing heartache and difficulties in this world and that it meant they were being prepared for blessing.

Psalm 119:35-37

Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word

The Bible says that God is able to comfort others with the peace He gives to us in broken times. We cannot avoid having our plans and personal will broken through broken dreams, broken promises, and broken relationships. But when our brokenness has been completed, God can use our shattered circumstances to draw others to Him, and we can find joy in the fact that he is using us for his purpose and glory.

After all, Jesus himself was broken at the cross for all of us.

Chris Beard is a virtual insurance agent providing automated online and tele-service insurance services to protect Florida families with health insurance, HSA’s, life insurance, and short term medical plans. Visit his web site for more information on Individual and Family Health Plans. www.trinity1financialgroup.com Instant online quotes: Individual Health Insurance Quotes

The Ethical Rulings Of Drinking In The Bible

While some sections of the Bible are designed to give a historical perspective of drinking, and others use drinking to help illustrate a point, there are some places in the Bible that specifically deal with the ethics of drinking. One of these that stand out is Proverbs 31: 29-35. It says:

“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.

Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. ‘They hit me,’ you will say, ‘but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?’”

Verse 29 and 30

This verse is an explanation of the sorrow and the pain that is felt, more of an interjection than an actual question. It explains that pain of those who have a habit of drinking too much.

Verses 31 and 32

These verses sound poetical, but they explain how innocuous a glass of Dolcetto (http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Dolcetto/) appears, yet how it holds great pain in its after effects.

Verse 33

This is meant to be as a warning of what happens when someone becomes drunk. It speaks to the hallucinations that occur when someone has had too much to drink and how the alcohol can play with their mind. Hallucinations while drinking have also been seen in other areas of literature, leading to the presumption that it has been a problem for some time.

Verse 35

There is no one mentioned in the Bible who actually hit a drunk person, and therefore, this is often attributed to the other drunkards who accompany him, perhaps he is getting bruises from stumbling and falling due to his physical impairments caused by drinking.

Similar language is used elsewhere in the Bible, and can be used to describe everything from wickedness to Demons to Satan himself. However, because of the ranting and half-awake phrases, it seems that the drunkard is attacked by visions in his own mind.

Highlighting the evil

The words in this passage highlight the struggle of the drunkard. While we may feel pity for him after reading it, there are many more just like him enduring the same suffering on a daily basis who have a few too many glasses of Barbera the night before.

It also shows that alcohol and its overconsumption is not a new problem – it has been going on for thousands of years. Not only was it a social, personal, and moral concern in Christ’s day and earlier, it still remains a concern today. From verses like these, it becomes clear that the Bible does not condone drunkenness, and therefore does not condone the drinking of alcoholic beverages.

Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in the history of cuisine, wine, and religion. For an amazing variety of wine varietals such as Barbera and Dolcetto, please visit http://www.wineaccess.com/.

The Kind of Wine in the Bible

If there is no question as to what the Bible says about wine and drunkenness, it leaves you to wonder just what sort of wine this is. There is no doubt that it is alcoholic, though it was probably much less so than a strong drink we know today.

However, the wine does appear to be of the highest vintage – bright in color and sparkling, with a smooth taste that made it easy to drink, similar to a Grenache (http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Grenache/) perhaps. Mixed drinks are also mentioned in the Bible, though more as the second type of drink – which causes excitement, but is between the wine that is good to drink and the wine that intoxicates.

According to Solomon

Solomon was conservative and experienced, as well as wise. So many people would expect him to say that moderation was fine – that you should rationally use the gifts that God has given. Instead, he passes on the idea of abstinence, telling those to turn away as though wine was deadly and poisonous.

The wine of Biblical times was certainly purer than those you find today, with beautiful color and taste to make it all the more tempting. And because it was so tempting, it made it all the more perilous. Many think that because Solomon set forth some of the best known guidelines for living, and that this guideline should also be followed.

Proverbs 31

There are other passages that speak similar words. King Lemuel was told that kings were not to drink wine. This was because wine could cloud their judgment and cause them to forget the law and make poor rulings. The idea that wine was not for kings was repeated several times. This idea can be applied to not only kings, but to anyone who has power and authority, and not for anyone that is connected in some way to the well being of others.

This is because if they allow alcohol, even if it is a fine Malbec, to cloud their mind, then they will forget their duty. Nearly every person in the world has authority for someone, whether it is a friend, family member, neighbor, or someone with a job that offers them authority over more people.

Only those in poor health

The only use of alcohol that is recommended is to give it to those who are dying and who are “bitter in soul.” This is a medicinal use of alcohol – to provide strength to a dying person while waiting for help to arrive, or to dull the pain for surgery or other medical procedure when no other pain reliever is present, or as a way to help alleviate some deadly fear. Therefore, it seems totally clear when alcohol can and cannot be used according to the Bible.

With the Bible being as clear as it is, there seems to be no room for negotiating. It surely speaks to abstinence, total abstinence, except in the rare cases of medical necessity. If Solomon spoke to abstinence, and King Lemuel told that it was not for kings, how can the use of alcohol today be justified?

Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in food, wine, and it’s influence on religion. For a great selection of wine varietals such as Grenache and Malbec, please visit http://www.wineaccess.com/.

Angels on Every Side

In a world that we live in today can be a very dangerous place with terrorism, natural disasters and human hatred at an all time high as never seen before in history. We as God’s people must understand the reality of God’s Angels. No matter what your denomination or background we are able to walk in safety in today’s dangerous world. The Lord does not look at denominations, color or background, He looks at the heart. If you live a surrendered life in the Lord then you are promised Angels for protection.

Never again do you have to live a life full of worry and fear. You can walk through life with peace and joy knowing that there are Angels walking with you and your children. Some think that God won’t protect them because of their failures and mistakes that they made in life; however we must understand that the Lord doesn’t look for perfection He looks for surrender. His word promises great protection for those who seek Him and live for Him even in today’s busy life.

Angels are ministering spirits, they minister for the saints but they do not minister to us (Ps 104:4) (Heb 1:7, 14). Only the Holy Spirit ministers to us however Angels minister for us. In times of great danger you can count on an Angel/Angels being their, because you are God’s child and He cares for you. In your worst moments you can walk assured that everything is going to be alright. When your enemies surround you pick up your head and be full of strength because you’re not alone in this battle.

When you decide in life to walk out into God’s plans you will be faced with danger on every side and every time you will see the power of God as He makes a way where their seemed to be no way through that battle and many times He will send Angels to fight and clear the path that you’re walking, because nothing and no-one can stop God’s plans for your life not even satan himself.

There have been times in my life that I have seen supernatural events of Angels working in my life concerning protection. Like the time when a car was coming right towards me both of us were doing around seventy miles per hour on a major highway in the state of Florida, the car jumped lanes and came right for me when all of a sudden I seen that car thrown off to the side as though a unseen hand pushed the car out of my way. I have had many other victories like this that’s why I am writing to you about Angels they are real and they are there for you.

Relationship, that’s what it is all about; your relationship with Jesus Christ is where it all begins. They who fear the Lord have Angels encamped around them the Bible say’s, so it all starts with relationship with the Lord. It is Jesus that should be worshiped not Angels. It is the Lord that paid the price for you and as that relationship is developed then you will experience supernatural protection that the Bible teaches. Today begin to live this life without fear and worry then you will experience the abundant life that Jesus came to give you.

Jason Powers a Christian Writer in the state of Florida. His books have touched many lives from around the world including India, Pakistan, Africa and the UK. For more information about Jason Powers or his writings visit Jason Powers Ministries

Tears in Heaven

Ever day in America an unborn child dies due to this murdering behavior called abortion. Will it ever stop; will the killing of unborn babies ever cease? When God creates a child He creates that child with a purpose and a destiny in life. The book of Jeremiah in the Bible teaches that all are created with a God given purpose in life. It doesn’t depend on color or abilities it is based on what God destines for that child. When that child’s life is taken through abortion that child’s purpose was taken from him/her; even though God gave that purpose it was taken by men.

Every day God bows His head in tears seeing another one of His children murdered by what some say is a “woman’s choice”. If you could look in the eyes of God you would see brokenness beyond human understanding; brokenness that only a Father would know. However today abortion continues in abundance like it means nothing to humanity or God.

Will anyone stand up and fight for the unborn child? Will anyone say enough is enough in the face of these murdering doctors and clinics? Will Christians who say they love Jesus Christ for once vote on moral issues and not because it is their party? Will God’s people forget that they are Democrats, Republicans or Independents and vote on Christian moral duties or will you worry more about the stock market, taxes and saving the whales and vote for someone just because it is your party even if it means forgetting your moral responsibilities?

We as Christians have a heavy responsibility from the God we tell the world we serve. We will be judge on what we did here on this earth; it doesn’t matter what your opinion is about this, it is a fact that you will stand before God one day and be accountable for what you did and stood for on this earth. This election that is coming up could be a turning point for America; study the past of each candidate and make your vote, I believe God has given us a chance to put an end to this terrible practice and business call abortion. I believe this wonderful lady named Sara Palin is going to stand with the church of Jesus Christ and fight the abortion business in America.

I believe that when abortion is banned in America you will see the hand of God in America like never seen before. I am not talking about just money; I am mainly talking about the power of God and salvation. I believe a new level of protection from terrorist and natural disasters. A hedge around America that will keep this country safe and prosperous for many generations until the Lord returns.

Why would we care about America if we Christian believe that Jesus Christ is returning soon? I will give the world one very important reason why, “SOULS”. America is the country God has used and will continue to use to evangelize the world. America is the nation that reaches out to the world beyond what any other nation does. This isn’t a political statement it is a righteousness statement. We as God’s people must stand for what is right. Do you think this nation is having all the troubles it is having just because there are some gays running around in our cities? Even though God is against the gay lifestyle I believe it is much more then just that. Let’s fight together the very thing that is breaking the heart of the God we love and serve by putting are doctrinal differences aside and come together to fight this murdering act called abortion together.

Jason Powers a Christian Writer in the state of Florida. His books have touched many lives from around the world including India, Pakistan, Africa and the UK. For more information about Jason Powers or his writings visit Jason Powers Ministries

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Who is the Holy Spirit, a question that has been asked by many through the centuries? The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus Christ; He is the Third Person of the Trinity. He is one with the Father and one with the Son yet all three are one. Never think because the Holy Spirit is called the Third Person of the Trinity that He is weaker or less then the Father or Son. The total opposite, He is equal with the Father and equal with the Son Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit is introduced in the Bible as a person; a real person who helps and guides the Christian down the path to God’s perfect will in life. He is the one who is at your side in this life time teaching, guiding, comforting and praying for the believer. Sadly many Christians ignore the Holy Spirit thinking that He is not real or should not be mentioned as God. But the Holy Spirit is God, He is equal with the Father and equal with the Son and He is on this earth to help the Christian fulfill God’s perfect will.

Paul the apostle knew about the power of knowing the Holy Spirit as a person that is why he talked about fellowship with the Holy Spirit twice through his writings. Paul knew without the Holy Spirit he couldn’t fulfill God’s will for his life. The same is true for you and me; we cannot walk out God’s will on earth without the Holy Spirit helping us. Learn this fellowship; learn to depend on the Holy Spirit for everything you do in life. Once you begin this life of fellowship with Him you will experience a powerful Christian life and walk; because it is the Holy Spirit that’s gives you the ability to live for God in victory.

Every miracle that is done on the earth is by the power of the Holy Spirit. Nothing is done without Him in the Christian life. He is the power behind the miracles on earth. Remember, the Father commands the Son Jesus Christ does it and the Holy Spirit is the power behind the doing. So next time that you are faced with a tough challenge; ask the Holy Spirit for His help and He will be there for you.

If you would study the life of Jesus when He was on this earth you would learn that He totally depended on the Holy Spirit. The Apostles also depended on the Holy Spirit; don’t you think we should depend on the Holy Spirit if Jesus and the Apostles did. Today begin to build a fellowship with the Holy Spirit and experience the wonderful friendship of the Third Person of the Trinity. He is waiting for you, that’s why Jesus said when He comes (the Comforter) He will guide you into all truth and teach you all things. The Lord knew the secret to living a successful Christian life and He lived it as God and man on the earth.

Jason Powers a Christian Writer in the state of Florida. His books have touched many lives from around the world including India, Pakistan, Africa and the UK. For more information about Jason Powers or his writings visit Jason Powers Ministries

What Does the Holy Spirit Do for the Church?

The first thing to realize is that the Holy Spirit is a person; a person who is here for the church of Jesus Christ. He has many areas that He helps the church in. The first thing we will discuss is that the Holy Spirit is a teacher. That’s right, He is our teacher (John 14:26) if you are a minister don’t try to study without the help of God’s Spirit because you will be wasting your time. Think about it; there are churches on every street corner in America but sadly there are a lot of dead churches that operate with no power. Why? The difference between a minister that depends on the Holy Spirit for his services and the minister who depends on his college education is changed lives.

You can have all the college that this world can offer and all the knowledge that you can obtain and still never touch a life. Only the power of the Holy Spirit can change a life that is why we must depend on God’s Spirit one hundred percent. Never preach without asking the Holy Spirit to help, never sing without asking the Holy Spirit to help, never build your business without asking the Holy Spirit for help, do you get what I am saying to you?

The next thing the Holy Spirit does for God’s people is comfort. He is called the Comforter (John 14:17, 18). Life is full of troubles, brokenness and sorrow, that’s why we must know the Holy Spirit as Comforter to see us through the tough times of life. Why would you want to become hard hearted and bitter after facing a tragedy in life like the world. Let the Holy Spirit keep your heart tender and peaceful through His comfort.

The one thing I really like about the Holy Spirit is that He makes Jesus so close and real. Without the Holy Spirit all you have is religion; no fellowship no promise, no joy, no peace nothing but religious misery. Have you ever seen those who confess to be Christians but all they do is debate and argue over God’s word. It’s all they know like politicians without guidance. The Holy Spirit makes life joyful and worth living glorifying Jesus Christ bringing joy and peace to the believer; revealing the wonderful touch of God to all who call upon the Lord.

The last thing is that the Holy Spirit makes intercession for the church according to the will of God the Father (Rom 8:26, 27) He helps us pray in any situation good or bad, on the mountain top or in the valley He is praying for you and your children. He never stops praying always on guard for you and your family. So what are you so worried about? Don’t you know that the Holy Spirit is there with you helping you, guiding you and praying for you? Learn to walk with Him today and see His mighty hand working in your life. Begin to study God’s Spirit through the Bible and see the amazing things to learn concerning the Third Person of the Trinity. What are you waiting for? Do it!

Jason Powers a Christian Writer in the state of Florida. His books have touched many lives from around the world including India, Pakistan, Africa and the UK. For more information about Jason Powers or his writings visit Jason Powers Ministries

The Great Disappearance

It seems that as every day passes by the world is getting darker and the people are getting wickeder. Natural disasters seem to be increasing like never seen before in history. What is going to happen if it continues to get much darker year after year? Many will be afraid to even live in this world with such darkness. Fear and worry will strike the hearts of millions as it is happening now. If it continues to get darker year after year what will ten years look like? Does God have a plan for His people during all this?

God always has a plan and purpose for His people. No-matter what is happening the world Jesus Christ has everything under control. He wishes that all enjoy life and live victorious. That is why He has a plan to remove His children before satan rules this world with an iron fist. Christians call it the rapture others call it the disappearance, but what ever you decide to call it; remember, God is going to hide His people from the torment that satan is going to throw on this world.

Some say God can’t or will not remove His people from this earth and they even go on to say that He will make His people suffer and die through all that satan has planned for this world. However the Bible teaches different; just for the record there have already been disappearances or raptures that have already taken place. To be exact there have been five raptures that have already happen.

#1 Enoch (Gen 5:22-24) (Heb 11:5)

#2 Elijah (2Kgs 2:11)

#3 Moses and Elijah on the Mont. (Matt 17:1-8)

#4 Jesus Himself (Mk 16:19) (Act 1:9)

#5 Paul was caught up (2Cor 12:2)

So you see a disappearance or rapture isn’t something that is strange to God. The two witnesses in Revelations will also be raptured in the future. This should help many understand that a disappearance is not some child’s game this is real people and it could happen very soon.

What is the reason for the rapture? God declares in His word that we are not appointed unto wrath but to salvation. Why should God’s people who have surrendered their life to serve the Lord and won many to Christ stick around here on this earth when satan takes complete control. The only reason we are her still is to win souls, souls, souls! We are not here to just waste time and do noting with our lives. That’s why we must continue doing what God has called us to do with our lives so that others can be influenced and eventually come to know the Lord.

Remember we are dealing with a grace that’s beyond our imagination when you talking about Jesus Christ. Israel was spared from God’s wrath upon Egypt under the law, how much greater will we be spared under grace? God’s grace is so abundant that you and your children will not have to see satan’s reign on this earth with all the destruction that’s coming. Don’t listen to doomsday hard hearted so called Christians who tell you to buy a mountain so we can all hide their one day. God’s people do not hide from anyone, for greater is He who is in us then he who is in the world!

Jason Powers a Christian Writer in the state of Florida. His books have touched many lives from around the world including India, Pakistan, Africa and the UK. For more information about Jason Powers or his writings visit Jason Powers Ministries

Spiritualizing the Body

Many people today who have some knowledge concerning the identity of the soul and the passage of human beings through multiple lifetimes of experience, also have an understanding that ‘karma’ is what we carry from one lifetime to another as unhealed portions of ourselves.

Sometimes these unhealed portions show up in emotional difficulties or mental preoccupations. Often, they show up in the way our external life flows or does not flow – the limitations, tragedies, crises, and successes that we have that seem to be part of a plan that our conscious self had no say in making, but that another part of us may have.

When ‘karma’ operates in a positive way, we feel glad about it and don’t feel a need to look into the matter further. However, when ‘karma’ brings to us difficulties or misfortune, we wonder what we ‘did to deserve it.’ Though this thought can be pondered with various degrees of seriousness, it often floats across the mind as a possible explanation for what is.

What we can know about the body and about change is that the healing of karma in the present changes the negative conditions that we have inherited from the past. But what, exactly, does this involve?

Often, it involves a change in attitudes, judgments, resentments, and wrong-thinking that we must give up in relation to others or ourselves. Yet, sometimes this choice is not clear, and it is difficult to know what it is that must be changed in order to make life work better. Sometimes, no obvious emotion or attitude seems to relate to what is happening to us.

A not-so-obvious explanation for this is that the healing of karmic influences cannot solely take place on the level of the mind or emotions. Such healing must take place on the level of the body as well. We must go through a process of releasing the feelings and thoughts that are stored within our bodies – within the very tissues and cells themselves - in order to be free of the chain of karmic influences that we carry.

Frequently, emotions and thoughts are less available to us because they are not part of our conscious awareness but are being carried as energies stored in various places within our physical self. We release them not just through erasing negativity on the mental level, but through allowing spiritual light to pass through our bodies so that what has been carried there can be let go of.

What is spiritual light?

It is the energy of God that created the world and that is, today, bringing about a collective spiritual awakening. This light is moving people to a deeper sense of their own identities and a more searching quest for spiritual truth. Light is Divine Intelligence emanating from God, but traveling across all planes and dimensions into the physical plane as well. The energy of spiritual light can be found in holy places. It can be invited into one’s body through meditation and prayer. And it can be deepened, expanded, and strengthened through a process of alignment that creates a steady and constant communication with this healing stream.

Light transforms the body by separating out what must be let go of from what may be kept because it is part of our inherent divinity – part of God’s light and love.

Spiritualizing the body involves understanding that ‘karma’ is not just happening to us. It lives within us as well. It is displayed in the flow of external events. It is experienced as the flow of emotional events. Yet, its more subtle aspects are often buried within the tissues and organs of our physical being, sometimes invisibly so, and sometimes creating illnesses and other kinds of limitations that we must pay attention to.

The body is meant to be a sacred vessel for the soul. It is meant to be pure and light-filled – a home for our higher consciousness. For many of us, this requires a great leap forward in our understanding of who we are and what a spiritual life is about. Strong habits from the past often separate our spirituality into things we think and feel – things we pray about or reflect on – and the rest of our life which often seems less sacred.

We are being called, today, to take a new view of things, and, indeed, to take more responsibility for healing the things of the past. When we do this with consciousness and deliberation, we will come to the point of recognizing within ourselves that which can be healed more easily, and that which seemingly takes a very long time to heal. Sometimes, in relation to certain longstanding patterns of limitation, we may have serious doubts about whether healing is possible at all.

To imagine incorporating the body into our view of the emotional/spiritual healing process will take us into new territory, but it will also allow us to work with the forces of Divine Intelligence and healing that are now more accessible on the Earth. As we do so, we will become enabled to let go of things that we have held onto for too long, or that have seemed impossible to release. This is the result of spiritualizing the body as well as the mind and heart. We become free to be ourselves without the limitations of the past, and to create a future that is based on wholeness and on the untapped and vast potential of our soul.

Julie Redstone is a teacher, writer, and founder of Light Omega, a center for spiritual teaching and healing whose purpose it is to create an understanding of the sacred transition into light that the Earth is presently going through and the changes this will bring to individual and planetary consciousness. To learn more about bringing light into the body, see Purification Titles.

Two Wings of a Bird: The Practice of Judaism and Zen

Today a great spiritual hunger is surfacing as many seek comfort, support, and meaning in a world that has spun out of control. Yet, times of loneliness, confusion, fear, or separation come for a powerful reason—so we can stop our usual way of being and discover where true strength, connection, and understanding lie. These difficult times are actually a blessing, removing us from preoccupation with externals and inviting us to embark on a journey into the heart and meaning of our lives. Both Jewish and Zen practice call us to enter the journey, though in different ways.

In a sense, Judaism and Zen represent two opposite ends of a continuum: Zen is based upon radical freedom, letting go, being in the present and nonattachment. Judaism comes rooted in family relationships, love, prayer to a Higher Power and the injunction to hold on and remember. A Jewish heart is warm, giving, human, devoted to family and friends. A Zen eye is fresh, direct, spontaneous, unencumbered by ideas, beliefs, hopes or expectations. These two practices are like two wings of a bird; both are needed to be able to fly.

Each tradition addresses the primal questions that drive our lives and provides keys for finding answers. In Zen practice, you take time to remove yourself from family and friends, do zazen, journey within and awaken for the good of all. Jewish practice is done in the midst of the community. Relationships are central. It is said that God is to be found at the kitchen table, with family, friends and food. In Jewish prayer you go to God and ask for everything. In this way you always know the Source of your good and constantly offer thanks.

In Zen practice you do not pray for help at all. You do zazen, (zen meditation), sit, back straight, legs crossed, eyes down, facing the wall. You do not speak, reach out, touch, or listen to the troubles of others. You do not offer consolation or turn to others for support. In fact, what you thought of as support is taken away. If others are having trouble on the cushion, experiencing sorrow or pain, you do not interfere. Their experience is precious and they are now being given the opportunity to face it fully. The support you offer is silent and profound, just sitting strongly beside them, facing your own experience as well.

The need to combine Zen and Jewish practice always felt important to me. I was born into an Orthodox family where everybody had a different opinion about what God wanted from us. And I had a lot of questions: what was the true way, and why did people who were serving God with all of their hearts have trouble living in the same house? Today, many who feel displaced as well. They wish to relate to their original religion in a way that feels healing and congruent for them. It is easy to lose sight of the true purpose of any practice. Even with the best intentions, anger, judgmental attitudes and domination can easily replace the kindness, generosity and wisdom that are at the heart of all the teachings.

The practice of zazen (zen meditation) creates an atmosphere of acceptance, respect, clarity, kindness a illuminate your original teachings, and provides a deeper experience of them. And, your religion of origin can ground you in the reality of who you are. In this way, practicing both Zen and Judaism provides balance and richness as each practice enriches, illuminates and challenges the other.

Discover how Jewish and Zen practice heals your life and provides keys to the personal struggles you face each day, in Jewish Dharma(Guide to the Practice of Judaism and Zen) www.jewishdharma.com Dr Shoshanna is an award winning author, speaker and psychologist.

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