I have always had a hard time with the idea of God forgiving all of our 'sins'. Especially with the 'sins' we repeat time and time again. I have asked people of faith many times about what I call my Cookie Jar Theory and they have answered but their answers never made enough sense to me to be able to let go of my question, how can God really forgive us our 'sins'. I believed I have recently come to that answer within myself.
My Cookie Jar Theory is simple: The Cookie Jar is filled with cookies and your Mom tells you not to have any. Although you cannot seem to resist the desire to have a cookie. You apologize afterwards and you are forgiven. If you keep on taking a cookie and you keep on asking for forgiveness eventually your Mom is not going to believe you are truly sorry, because you keep on producing the same type of behavior, you can't really be sorry. My question comes from this idea: If I say I'm sorry but I cannot seem to stop my improper behavior then eventually I will no longer be forgive, so how can God truly love and forgive me?
Like I said this is a question I have asked time and time again and I have never gotten an answer I felt happy with, until now. I just realized today today that God does forgive every time we do anything, the ones who don't forgive is ourselves. Because we, some of us, believe ourselves to be unworthy of forgiveness we do not allow it into our lives. We can ask forgiveness until the cows come home but if we are unable to allow forgiveness in we will never truly find it.
The Cookie Jar theory is simple, God will always forgive us. God knows us beyond what we know of ourselves. I believe God sees the struggle we go through within ourselves, in God knowing and seeing our inward struggle God sees that we truly are sorry, even if we are unable at the time to change our behavior. I also believe God never denies us forgiveness, we deny ourselves. I don't believe God looks at our lives and expects us to ask for forgiveness. This is a journey, it's an experience, we each are going to run it to many different situations, good and bad and we are here to experience what this life has to offer.
I believe God is our creator, our Father in Heaven and that all God wants from us is to live this life with the understanding that we are connected. We are connected to God and to everyone else by God. I believe once we understand that and the fact that no matter what we do we will go back to God in the end, then we will start to be kinder to ourselves. I believe this life is not a test or a lesson, this is an experience. A wonderful opportunity to create a life in the way we want to. An opportunity to be free and know, if we can grasp the knowing, that we are always safe, always protected and always loved by God. God did not abandon us on this Earth, God created this Earth for us. We are connected and attached. We are meant to be and show the love of God through ourselves and we can only truly do that when we learn to love ourselves as God loves us completely and wholly without and judgement or persecution.
I encourage you all to consider this idea.
In Loving Inspiration,
Micah
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Religion had tainted God
I believe organized religion has tainted God. I know it was probably originally indented to bring people to God but I think organized religion has only pulled more away from God and his true message.
I can only speak from my own experiences and the experiences I have witnessed in my life. I know very few people in my own life who actually go to church. I don't go to church. I was raised Catholic and did spend time being a Christian. Now I am Micah, a believer in God.
I do understand the idea of church. A place where people can come together and rejoice in the power of God together is a wonderful idea!
The problem I have experienced with organized religion is the rules and stipulations they insist God has for receiving his love. If you have a child out of wedlock or love someone of the same sex or divorce you are, in some churches, excommunicated. What is that about!?! Can you truly tell me that because I, or others, have chosen to love, no matter what that love is, that it is wrong and God no longer wants us? Seriously!?! This is what the organized religions that I have experienced have shown with thier behavior. They hold by the word of the Bible. A book that has been written and rewritten millions of times. A book written by man. The only parts of the Good Book I decide to listen to are the stories of Jesus, my brother, for I am a child of God just as he was. The man who was brought to this Earth by God to show us that when we are not taught that we lack, we can know and see our true power.
Jesus hung out with all sorts of 'unacceptable people'. He showed love and compassion to all, especially the ones who were cast out. If the Son of God could show love and compassion to all, especially the ones who everyone on Earth believed lacked God's love then, what does that tell you? It tells me we are meant to love and show compassion to everyone. It tells me God does not judge us in the same light man would have us judged.
Church has added rules and stipulations that they say God believes. What we should be teaching is that God loves each and everyone of us. He loves us no matter who we love, how we behave or which religion we belong to. I don't believe the people who spend more time judging and holding people to a standard by strictly following what the Church says is going to go to Heaven any quicker than the Gay Man who loved his partner more than he could love himself.
In my eyes God is love first and foremost. When we begin to behave more like God, love all, even the ones we do not completely agree with, then we will feel God's love. When we show more compassion and understanding to the ones who need love most that is when violence and pain will start to recede. For if everyone was taught they are loved by God no matter what and that to be like God is to love all because we are all connected in God I doubt we would have as much murder or violence against one another. If we were taught that we are a collective, and if we were to behave that way, lift each other up, and spend our time seeing ourselves as part of the power of God and less time believing we are individuals this world, we would thrive!
Love costs nothing. Compassion costs nothing. Understanding and the pure joy of living life in harmony costs nothing. If we were to spend our time focusing on the abundance of all of these emotions we have to offer to one another we would be rich! We would all be prosperous, we would all be abundant, and none of us would lack. There is power in collaboration. There is power in unity. There is power in this Human Race and we will find that power when we come together to help one another for that is what God had indented for us. That is why we are here and that is what it means when it is said that he created us in his likeness.
Consider it.
Living Inspired,
Micah
I can only speak from my own experiences and the experiences I have witnessed in my life. I know very few people in my own life who actually go to church. I don't go to church. I was raised Catholic and did spend time being a Christian. Now I am Micah, a believer in God.
I do understand the idea of church. A place where people can come together and rejoice in the power of God together is a wonderful idea!
The problem I have experienced with organized religion is the rules and stipulations they insist God has for receiving his love. If you have a child out of wedlock or love someone of the same sex or divorce you are, in some churches, excommunicated. What is that about!?! Can you truly tell me that because I, or others, have chosen to love, no matter what that love is, that it is wrong and God no longer wants us? Seriously!?! This is what the organized religions that I have experienced have shown with thier behavior. They hold by the word of the Bible. A book that has been written and rewritten millions of times. A book written by man. The only parts of the Good Book I decide to listen to are the stories of Jesus, my brother, for I am a child of God just as he was. The man who was brought to this Earth by God to show us that when we are not taught that we lack, we can know and see our true power.
Jesus hung out with all sorts of 'unacceptable people'. He showed love and compassion to all, especially the ones who were cast out. If the Son of God could show love and compassion to all, especially the ones who everyone on Earth believed lacked God's love then, what does that tell you? It tells me we are meant to love and show compassion to everyone. It tells me God does not judge us in the same light man would have us judged.
Church has added rules and stipulations that they say God believes. What we should be teaching is that God loves each and everyone of us. He loves us no matter who we love, how we behave or which religion we belong to. I don't believe the people who spend more time judging and holding people to a standard by strictly following what the Church says is going to go to Heaven any quicker than the Gay Man who loved his partner more than he could love himself.
In my eyes God is love first and foremost. When we begin to behave more like God, love all, even the ones we do not completely agree with, then we will feel God's love. When we show more compassion and understanding to the ones who need love most that is when violence and pain will start to recede. For if everyone was taught they are loved by God no matter what and that to be like God is to love all because we are all connected in God I doubt we would have as much murder or violence against one another. If we were taught that we are a collective, and if we were to behave that way, lift each other up, and spend our time seeing ourselves as part of the power of God and less time believing we are individuals this world, we would thrive!
Love costs nothing. Compassion costs nothing. Understanding and the pure joy of living life in harmony costs nothing. If we were to spend our time focusing on the abundance of all of these emotions we have to offer to one another we would be rich! We would all be prosperous, we would all be abundant, and none of us would lack. There is power in collaboration. There is power in unity. There is power in this Human Race and we will find that power when we come together to help one another for that is what God had indented for us. That is why we are here and that is what it means when it is said that he created us in his likeness.
Consider it.
Living Inspired,
Micah
A New Day, New Opportunity
I start today with the intention that I will enjoy each and every moment I experience. I will remember that I am part of this universe, not merely a pawn. I am able to create in this experience. I have the power and ability to be, do or have anything it is I truly want. I need only believe and allow myself to have all my dreams come true.
I'm still working on the allowing and believing aspect of this plan. As much as I do truly believe that I posses more power than I am aware there is also that voice of doubt inside me. The voice that I have believed for so many years. A voice that is comprised of many different voices that has told me since birth that I am limited in the power I posses and the changes I can make within my life and the life's of others are limited. A voice I have heard for so many years it now sounds like my own voice. It is the voice of evil, evil against myself and against God who created me in his likeness.
As I said before I think the true Evil and Sin that we as man have been a part of is the belief that we are not enough. That somehow we lack. If we were to truly except and believe that we were made in the likeness of God, and God is all powerful and limitless, then we would rejoice in this opportunity to experience this life.
In the belief that we are merely man, a simple creation God put upon this Earth, we lack in power, importance and belief that we are something truly beautiful.
I guess it comes down to what you believe God is. If you believe, as I do, that God is Ultimate love, forgiveness, compassion and joy you would not doubt the importance of yourself. Each of us is an inspiring creation, none of us are exactly the same. We all bring to this world a unique perspective and power. We were made in the likeness of God. What does that mean to you when you hear that? Do you think the bodies we have are the 'likeness' we hold to God? I know I used to. I thought it was just that simple, God made us to look like him.
I've thought about this long and hard recently. I highly doubt we look like God. I believe we are made in the likeness of God inside. In the compassion, love, joy and all the good we are able to give and receive emotionally. I believe the times we are most like God are the times when we love for no other reason than to love. When we feel joy in the simplest joys in life. When we show compassion to someone who acts as if they don't deserve it. I say they 'act as if they don't deserve it' I believe if we were truly made in the likeness of God everyone would deserve our compassion, for God gives compassion to everyone. We as people are the ones who judge and find lack within each other and ourselves. That is where we lack as humans. We do not look at ourselves as a collective Human Race, we think and act as individuals. God made us in his likeness, and I believe that by being in his likeness, I was created to be kind, loving, understanding and compassionate. I believe I was meant to be that way to every single person, not just the ones I like but everyone. We are all connected. We are all a part of God, I believe we actually all make up the true power of God. When we come together we create amazing things and experiences. In those moments we are God on Earth. Not one of us is more important than the other, for we all are single pieces and bits of the same God. He may be named different in different places but he is the same none the less. The all powerful being that created this world and everything in it.
I'm still working on the allowing and believing aspect of this plan. As much as I do truly believe that I posses more power than I am aware there is also that voice of doubt inside me. The voice that I have believed for so many years. A voice that is comprised of many different voices that has told me since birth that I am limited in the power I posses and the changes I can make within my life and the life's of others are limited. A voice I have heard for so many years it now sounds like my own voice. It is the voice of evil, evil against myself and against God who created me in his likeness.
As I said before I think the true Evil and Sin that we as man have been a part of is the belief that we are not enough. That somehow we lack. If we were to truly except and believe that we were made in the likeness of God, and God is all powerful and limitless, then we would rejoice in this opportunity to experience this life.
In the belief that we are merely man, a simple creation God put upon this Earth, we lack in power, importance and belief that we are something truly beautiful.
I guess it comes down to what you believe God is. If you believe, as I do, that God is Ultimate love, forgiveness, compassion and joy you would not doubt the importance of yourself. Each of us is an inspiring creation, none of us are exactly the same. We all bring to this world a unique perspective and power. We were made in the likeness of God. What does that mean to you when you hear that? Do you think the bodies we have are the 'likeness' we hold to God? I know I used to. I thought it was just that simple, God made us to look like him.
I've thought about this long and hard recently. I highly doubt we look like God. I believe we are made in the likeness of God inside. In the compassion, love, joy and all the good we are able to give and receive emotionally. I believe the times we are most like God are the times when we love for no other reason than to love. When we feel joy in the simplest joys in life. When we show compassion to someone who acts as if they don't deserve it. I say they 'act as if they don't deserve it' I believe if we were truly made in the likeness of God everyone would deserve our compassion, for God gives compassion to everyone. We as people are the ones who judge and find lack within each other and ourselves. That is where we lack as humans. We do not look at ourselves as a collective Human Race, we think and act as individuals. God made us in his likeness, and I believe that by being in his likeness, I was created to be kind, loving, understanding and compassionate. I believe I was meant to be that way to every single person, not just the ones I like but everyone. We are all connected. We are all a part of God, I believe we actually all make up the true power of God. When we come together we create amazing things and experiences. In those moments we are God on Earth. Not one of us is more important than the other, for we all are single pieces and bits of the same God. He may be named different in different places but he is the same none the less. The all powerful being that created this world and everything in it.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Questions to Ponder
Let me start this post by saying these are my ideas. My questions and my thoughts, openly and honestly. I am not looking to offend anyone or make you question your beliefs but I however do have questions to ponder.
Is everything in the bible true? We [I was] were taught that the bible is the book to live by. However I questions the stories. I do not question my belief in God but I do question the stories. When I think about an all powerful God I think of complete and total love. I think of compassion, understanding and abundance. That picture of the God I have in my mind does not meet the God in the Bible. The God in the bible limits us from our first days on Earth.
I believe that that ultimate sin in life is to believe that in God we can find lack. Lack of love, forgiveness, understanding and compassion.
I hear people say 'You did this wrong and God is punishing you for that by giving you this'. If you truly believe in God and that he is the ultimate power how can you ever believe in lack within his love? I think that is the ultimate sin. For within God is everything good. Within God we find limitlessness and ultimate power. I believe God is in within each and everyone of us and that with this power we can have everything it is we desire.
I believe that once we except that God is part of us and we are part of him we can change this world and our lives for the better. When we let go of the belief that in God we can find lack then we can start to let go of the belief that within ourselves there is lack. For if God does not lack, and we are part of him, then we do not lack. We are all a part of God. I believe that we are God, in single bits and pieces. I believe that we are focused energy in this life and that our ultimate consciousness is what makes up God. I know some may believe I'm going to far in my reasoning but I love this idea. The idea that we all contribute and are all an intricate part of the God that provides for us.
I'll leave you with these ideas to ponder :)
Is everything in the bible true? We [I was] were taught that the bible is the book to live by. However I questions the stories. I do not question my belief in God but I do question the stories. When I think about an all powerful God I think of complete and total love. I think of compassion, understanding and abundance. That picture of the God I have in my mind does not meet the God in the Bible. The God in the bible limits us from our first days on Earth.
I believe that that ultimate sin in life is to believe that in God we can find lack. Lack of love, forgiveness, understanding and compassion.
I hear people say 'You did this wrong and God is punishing you for that by giving you this'. If you truly believe in God and that he is the ultimate power how can you ever believe in lack within his love? I think that is the ultimate sin. For within God is everything good. Within God we find limitlessness and ultimate power. I believe God is in within each and everyone of us and that with this power we can have everything it is we desire.
I believe that once we except that God is part of us and we are part of him we can change this world and our lives for the better. When we let go of the belief that in God we can find lack then we can start to let go of the belief that within ourselves there is lack. For if God does not lack, and we are part of him, then we do not lack. We are all a part of God. I believe that we are God, in single bits and pieces. I believe that we are focused energy in this life and that our ultimate consciousness is what makes up God. I know some may believe I'm going to far in my reasoning but I love this idea. The idea that we all contribute and are all an intricate part of the God that provides for us.
I'll leave you with these ideas to ponder :)
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