The New Christianity’s Guide to “The Secret.”
By Solomon Keal.
Introduction:
Hello. My name is Solomon Keal.
Education: I have an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Religion, from Bryn Athyn College of the New Church.
Senior Paper: My senior paper’s topic was an exploration of the ways that that Emanuel Swedenborg’s Writings have affected the history of the world to date. A study of the “Post Second Advent Age” if you will.
Occupation: Stay-at-home dad, professional musician.
I’m not a Theologian or Priest by profession, so this is my layman’s study, which will not be as comprehensive or succinct as it would be coming from a professional.
Many of you have heard of the movie and book called The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne. It’s the latest in self-help books, offering wisdom on the secret to wealth, relationships, health, the world, and life.
As a Christian, I like to look to the Lord and His Word as the ultimate source of truth. And yet, I also love to find the Lord’s truth reflected in the thoughts of the people around me, especially when I find it in places I don’t expect. I have found a lot of truth in the book, The Secret, and I would love to share my insights with you. These are things that resonate with me, and which I recognize because I’ve read the same things in the Lord’s Word.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
The "Bath Water" in "The Secret"
As a Christian, you may have had people warn you NOT to read the book or watch the movie The Secret. It’s certainly not a Christian book, or written by a Christian author. Therefore, it takes a certain amount of translation to glean the truth from it. But I am a firm believer in the saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.” There’s plenty of “bath water” in The Secret, but underneath all the bath water, there’s a beautiful little baby of truth.
What is the bath water? In The Secret:
1. There’s an apparent focus on loving one’s self above others.
2. There’s an apparent focus on worldly things such as monetary wealth.
3. There’s an apparent contradiction with the way the 10 Commandments are worded.
4. There is also an apparent lack of focus on God as our Creator, and His Word as our guide.
5. There’s an apparent lack of focus on the redeeming quality of struggle in one’s spiritual path.
6. There’s an apparent lack of explanation for why bad things happen to good people.
(In this study, you will see why I use the word “apparent” for all of these things.)
What is the bath water? In The Secret:
1. There’s an apparent focus on loving one’s self above others.
2. There’s an apparent focus on worldly things such as monetary wealth.
3. There’s an apparent contradiction with the way the 10 Commandments are worded.
4. There is also an apparent lack of focus on God as our Creator, and His Word as our guide.
5. There’s an apparent lack of focus on the redeeming quality of struggle in one’s spiritual path.
6. There’s an apparent lack of explanation for why bad things happen to good people.
(In this study, you will see why I use the word “apparent” for all of these things.)
The "Baby" in "The Secret"
After hearing all of that, you may be wondering what I see in this book. Well, underneath all that somewhat murky bath water, The Secret has some points that I think are extremely useful for Christians to remember:
“The Baby:”
1. The Secret has a focus on love.
2. The Secret has a focus on active prayer, and active faith.
3. The Secret has a focus on trust and gratitude.
4. The Secret has a focus on looking for the good (or looking for God) in all things.
5. The Secret has a focus on the reality and presence of the spiritual world.
6. The Secret has a focus on changing one’s life for the better, which is essentially spiritual re-birth.
“The Baby:”
1. The Secret has a focus on love.
2. The Secret has a focus on active prayer, and active faith.
3. The Secret has a focus on trust and gratitude.
4. The Secret has a focus on looking for the good (or looking for God) in all things.
5. The Secret has a focus on the reality and presence of the spiritual world.
6. The Secret has a focus on changing one’s life for the better, which is essentially spiritual re-birth.
An Exercise in Translation
So if you’re interested, I would like to take you on a journey of exploration. A journey in which we examine The Secret, and identify what is false and what is true. And then, we simply reject what is false, and take what is true with us into our lives.
To aid us in this exploration, I will be referencing quotes from the Bible, as well as quotes from Christian revelator Emanual Swedenborg. (1688-1772) Any reference you see that is not from the Bible, unless otherwise noted, is a reference to a work of Emanuel Swedenborg’s. His many books are often collectively called “The Writings.” The religion based on his Writings is known as the New Church.
Much of it will be an exercise in translation; an exercise however which is extremely useful, because every single human on the planet speaks a different language. Learning to truly understand what another person means by the words that they use (no matter how different they might be from your choice of words), is part of the path to true wisdom and true charity.
For example. Mrs. Byrne frequently uses the term: “Universe” when talking about a higher power. As Christians we can simply remove the word “Universe” and insert the word “God,” or “The Lord,” or “Jesus Christ.” Mrs. Byrne also frequently uses the term “The Law of Attraction.” As Christians we can choose to either understand the meaning behind those words, or replace them with words that have more meaning for us such as “The Laws of Divine Providence, “ or “The Law of Love,” or “The Power of Prayer,” or “The Conjugial Principle.” Another word that is used in The Secret is the term “frequency” (like a radio frequency) which in this book is used to describe something spiritual, but for some of us it might retain too many natural connations to have meaning for us. So we might replace the word “frequency” with the words: “spiritual state,” “spiritual path,” “sphere,” “aura,” “thought pattern,” or “attitude.”
Even within the book The Secret, the authors are very good about recognizing the misunderstandings that can arise from different usage of terminology. But once the terminology or semantics are understood, there is often common ground in the underlying truth.
For example Mrs. Byrne says, “The true supply is the invisible field, whether you call that the Universe, the Supreme Mind, God, Infinite Intelligence, or whatever else.” (page 163) And author James Ray describes terminology with this example:
“Most people define themselves by this finite body, but you’re not a finite body. Even under a microscope you’re an energy field. What we know about energy is this: You go to a quantum physicist and you say, “What creates the world?” And he or she will say, “Energy.” Well, describe energy. “OK, it can never be created or destroyed, it always was, always has been, everything that ever existed always exists, it’s moving into form, through form and out of form.” You go to a theologian and ask the question, “What created the Universe?” And he or she will say, “God.” OK, describe God. “Always was and always has been, never can be created or destroyed, all that ever was, always will be, always moving into form, through form and out of form.” You see, it’s the same description, just different terminology.
So if you think you’re this “meat suit” running around, think again. You’re a spiritual being!” (page 158)
I think very often we allow differences in terminology, or semantics, to cloud our view of the truth. As Christians we often say, “If it’s not in the Bible, then it’s not from God!” But what if it agrees with the Bible? The Lord’s Truth is not limited to the Bible. Because of His Second Coming, the Truth is out there in the world. Now it is permitted to enter with understanding into these mysteries or secrets of faith. The Lord wants us to use our rational minds. He wants us to have a living faith, not a blind faith. He wants us to see His Truth reflected in the world around us. God uses people to spread His Truth. They might be part of God’s plan!
What I have written here is meant to be used as a study guide for the book “The Secret.” The study follows the book page by page, and you will notice page numbers throughout the study. The comments and quotes you read after these page numbers have reference to what was said on that page in the book “The Secret.”
To aid us in this exploration, I will be referencing quotes from the Bible, as well as quotes from Christian revelator Emanual Swedenborg. (1688-1772) Any reference you see that is not from the Bible, unless otherwise noted, is a reference to a work of Emanuel Swedenborg’s. His many books are often collectively called “The Writings.” The religion based on his Writings is known as the New Church.
Much of it will be an exercise in translation; an exercise however which is extremely useful, because every single human on the planet speaks a different language. Learning to truly understand what another person means by the words that they use (no matter how different they might be from your choice of words), is part of the path to true wisdom and true charity.
For example. Mrs. Byrne frequently uses the term: “Universe” when talking about a higher power. As Christians we can simply remove the word “Universe” and insert the word “God,” or “The Lord,” or “Jesus Christ.” Mrs. Byrne also frequently uses the term “The Law of Attraction.” As Christians we can choose to either understand the meaning behind those words, or replace them with words that have more meaning for us such as “The Laws of Divine Providence, “ or “The Law of Love,” or “The Power of Prayer,” or “The Conjugial Principle.” Another word that is used in The Secret is the term “frequency” (like a radio frequency) which in this book is used to describe something spiritual, but for some of us it might retain too many natural connations to have meaning for us. So we might replace the word “frequency” with the words: “spiritual state,” “spiritual path,” “sphere,” “aura,” “thought pattern,” or “attitude.”
Even within the book The Secret, the authors are very good about recognizing the misunderstandings that can arise from different usage of terminology. But once the terminology or semantics are understood, there is often common ground in the underlying truth.
For example Mrs. Byrne says, “The true supply is the invisible field, whether you call that the Universe, the Supreme Mind, God, Infinite Intelligence, or whatever else.” (page 163) And author James Ray describes terminology with this example:
“Most people define themselves by this finite body, but you’re not a finite body. Even under a microscope you’re an energy field. What we know about energy is this: You go to a quantum physicist and you say, “What creates the world?” And he or she will say, “Energy.” Well, describe energy. “OK, it can never be created or destroyed, it always was, always has been, everything that ever existed always exists, it’s moving into form, through form and out of form.” You go to a theologian and ask the question, “What created the Universe?” And he or she will say, “God.” OK, describe God. “Always was and always has been, never can be created or destroyed, all that ever was, always will be, always moving into form, through form and out of form.” You see, it’s the same description, just different terminology.
So if you think you’re this “meat suit” running around, think again. You’re a spiritual being!” (page 158)
I think very often we allow differences in terminology, or semantics, to cloud our view of the truth. As Christians we often say, “If it’s not in the Bible, then it’s not from God!” But what if it agrees with the Bible? The Lord’s Truth is not limited to the Bible. Because of His Second Coming, the Truth is out there in the world. Now it is permitted to enter with understanding into these mysteries or secrets of faith. The Lord wants us to use our rational minds. He wants us to have a living faith, not a blind faith. He wants us to see His Truth reflected in the world around us. God uses people to spread His Truth. They might be part of God’s plan!
What I have written here is meant to be used as a study guide for the book “The Secret.” The study follows the book page by page, and you will notice page numbers throughout the study. The comments and quotes you read after these page numbers have reference to what was said on that page in the book “The Secret.”
Quote and Dedication pages
The book begins with a quote from The Emerald Tablet, circa 3000 B.C. It says, “As above, so below. As within, so without.” As Christians, I think this probably reminds us all of the quote from the Lord’s prayer: “As in Heaven, so upon the earth.” (Matt 6:10) In many ways, this is the sumation of the point of the Secret. The spiritual and natural worlds are not as separated as we might think or feel them to be. Isn’t this the challange of our natural lives? To become more and more aware of our spiritual lives?
The next page has a dedication in which the author says: “Dedicated to You. May the Secret bring you love and joy for your entire existence. That is my intention for you and for the world.” This quote makes me think about a quote from Swedenborg: “To feel another’s joy as joy in oneself, that is loving.” (DLW 47) So at least if we take the dedication at face value, we can get a hint of another theme in this book: Love to the neighbor.
The next page has a dedication in which the author says: “Dedicated to You. May the Secret bring you love and joy for your entire existence. That is my intention for you and for the world.” This quote makes me think about a quote from Swedenborg: “To feel another’s joy as joy in oneself, that is loving.” (DLW 47) So at least if we take the dedication at face value, we can get a hint of another theme in this book: Love to the neighbor.
Chapter One: The Secret Revealed, page 1
The Secret is the Law of Attraction. Translated into New Church language we might say that the Secrets of Heaven (or Arcana Coelestia) are Love to the Lord and Love to the neighbor. The Law of Attraction is Love. This is not hard to grasp.
Arcana Coelestia 8604:3 says “The life which is from the Lord has a power of attracting, because it is from love, since all love has in it this power.”
“The source of human attraction and repulsion is feelings that emenate from people’s minds. These feelings attract other who have similar feelings and repel others who do not. Although these emenations are countless and are not picked up by any physical sensation, they are perceived by the sensation of our soul as a single thing. In the spiritual world, all connections and associations are formed on the basis of them.”
(TCR 365:4)
“Whenever I have been reading the Lord's prayer, I have plainly perceived an elevation toward the Lord which was like an attraction, and at the same time my ideas were open, and from this there was effected a communication with some societies in heaven; and I noticed that there was an influx from the Lord into every detail of the prayer, thus into every idea of my thought that was from the meaning of the things in the prayer. The influx was effected with inexpressible variety, that is, not the same at one time as another; hence also it was made evident how infinite are the things contained in the prayer, and that the Lord is present in every one of them.” (AC 6476)
“[The Lord] attracts all people toward Himself, but because they are finite, angels and people are unable to follow that current of attraction except to a limited extent. The force of attraction toward infinity persists all the same.” (TCR 350)
Page 5
The book says that the Secret “began at the beginning of time.” This makes perfect sense if we think of the Secret as the Lord’s Love. The book also includes a list of famous thinkers who knew the Secret. I believe that we could add another name to that list: Emanuel Swedenborg.
Page 6
The Secret is a way of thinking. We might extend that idea and say that it is a way of praying as well. When we think good thoughts, good will come to us. When we think evil thoughts, evil will come to us. Sometimes we might not even realize that we are not thinking or praying correctly. One of my favorite quotes is from the Christian minister Joel Osteen: “Don’t tell God how big your problems are, tell your problems how big your God is.” What is the difference? It’s about attitude. It’s about faith. If we pray to God and just constantly tell Him how bad our lives are, we’re really just complaining to God. That negative attitude doesn’t open our minds to being receptive to God’s goodness. In fact it opens our minds to being receptive to evil spirits who love to complain. But if we have faith that God is constantly bringing good into our lives, and we pray with that trusting, grateful attitude, then we are opening our minds to being receptive to God’s goodness.
It might be hard for us to grasp how powerful a change in attitude can be, but that is the power of the spiritual; the power of the Secret. And with what we know from the Writings, we should expect the spiritual to be more powerful than the natural. And attitude is the realm of the spiritual.
Arcana Coelestia 8604:3 says “The life which is from the Lord has a power of attracting, because it is from love, since all love has in it this power.”
“The source of human attraction and repulsion is feelings that emenate from people’s minds. These feelings attract other who have similar feelings and repel others who do not. Although these emenations are countless and are not picked up by any physical sensation, they are perceived by the sensation of our soul as a single thing. In the spiritual world, all connections and associations are formed on the basis of them.”
(TCR 365:4)
“Whenever I have been reading the Lord's prayer, I have plainly perceived an elevation toward the Lord which was like an attraction, and at the same time my ideas were open, and from this there was effected a communication with some societies in heaven; and I noticed that there was an influx from the Lord into every detail of the prayer, thus into every idea of my thought that was from the meaning of the things in the prayer. The influx was effected with inexpressible variety, that is, not the same at one time as another; hence also it was made evident how infinite are the things contained in the prayer, and that the Lord is present in every one of them.” (AC 6476)
“[The Lord] attracts all people toward Himself, but because they are finite, angels and people are unable to follow that current of attraction except to a limited extent. The force of attraction toward infinity persists all the same.” (TCR 350)
Page 5
The book says that the Secret “began at the beginning of time.” This makes perfect sense if we think of the Secret as the Lord’s Love. The book also includes a list of famous thinkers who knew the Secret. I believe that we could add another name to that list: Emanuel Swedenborg.
Page 6
The Secret is a way of thinking. We might extend that idea and say that it is a way of praying as well. When we think good thoughts, good will come to us. When we think evil thoughts, evil will come to us. Sometimes we might not even realize that we are not thinking or praying correctly. One of my favorite quotes is from the Christian minister Joel Osteen: “Don’t tell God how big your problems are, tell your problems how big your God is.” What is the difference? It’s about attitude. It’s about faith. If we pray to God and just constantly tell Him how bad our lives are, we’re really just complaining to God. That negative attitude doesn’t open our minds to being receptive to God’s goodness. In fact it opens our minds to being receptive to evil spirits who love to complain. But if we have faith that God is constantly bringing good into our lives, and we pray with that trusting, grateful attitude, then we are opening our minds to being receptive to God’s goodness.
It might be hard for us to grasp how powerful a change in attitude can be, but that is the power of the spiritual; the power of the Secret. And with what we know from the Writings, we should expect the spiritual to be more powerful than the natural. And attitude is the realm of the spiritual.
Section One: Like Attracts Like, page 7
The Law of Attraction says that like attracts like. The book, The Secret talks about it by using the analogy of us as magnets. The Lord talks about it by using the analogy of us as vessels. (Matt 23:25-26) We have a choice as to which way we turn and therefore what we attract to us and what we fill ourselves with. The Writings also talk about associate spirits. (AC 4417) When you think positively you attract good spirits. When you think negatively you attract evil spirits.
“Those who are given to the improper and obscene pleasures of scortatory love attract to themselves similar people from hell; but those who are given to the proper and chaste pleasures of conjugial love are associated by the Lord with similar angels from heaven.” (CL 431)
“Hell and heaven are near to people, even in people. Hell is in an evil person and heaven in a good person. After death everyone comes into that hell or into that heaven with which he had been associated while in the world.”
Arcana Coelestia 8918 Emanuel Swedenborg
page 8
You become what you think about the most... or perhaps we could say, the way you think determines the person you become. So think good thoughts. This is the path of regeneration. Try to think, speak, and act like an angel, and you will eventually become one!
page 9
Author Mike Dooley said: “Thoughts become things.” We as Christians know this to be true. The Bible opens with God thinking and speaking the Universe into existence. And we are created in His image, so is it any wonder that we would operate in a similar way? The Writings talk about how in the spiritual world thoughts literally become things. Here on earth, it usually takes a good deal of time for thoughts to become manifest as things. But if we are patient, and trust in the Lord, it happens here too. And it’s good practice for Heaven!
“The individual ideas of anyone - whether an angel or one of us - can be presented visually in heaven’s light when it so pleases the Lord.” (HH 240)
“In the world of spirits countless representatives manifest themselves almost constantly. They are visible forms of spiritual and celestial things, not unlike the forms that occur in the world. The origin of them I have been given to know through daily association with spirits and angels. Representatives in the world of spirits flow in from heaven, and from the ideas and the discussions of the angels there. Indeed when angels' ideas and their discussions resulting from those ideas come down to spirits, they present themselves in a variety of ways as representatives.” (AC 3213)
page 10
Perhaps one way to really grasp the power of the Secret, is to delve into the relationship between the spiritual world and the natural world. Traditionally Heaven is thought of as existing “above” us, while Hell exists “below” us. This idea very conveniently separates us from them and unfortunately allows our minds to become apathetic to their influence over us. But the Writings talk about how there is no spatial realtionship between the natural and spiritual worlds, to use a sci-fi phrase, it’s simply a different dimension. It’s important for us to remember that the spiritual world is (for all intents and purposes) HERE, not THERE. In many ways this is the most powerful point in the Secret. The spiritual world exisits in our minds, but in a more real way than does even the natural world.
“The Kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)
Therefore, we can’t allow ourselves to think that our thoughts and attitudes will go unnoticed by the spirits in the other world. They are real and they have an effect, just like our actions have an effect here in the natural world. Jesus even said, “You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eyes has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt 5:27-28)
As Charles Haanel (1866-1949) says in the Secret, “The mental attitude will invariably attract such conditions as correspond to its nature.”
The Writings also talk about how thought brings presence in the spiritual world.
“In heaven thinking about a place leads to being present in that place.” (AC 8985)
The book the Secret uses the word “frequency” to talk about the nature of our thoughts. We might replace it with words like attitude, orientation, sphere or aura.
“Everyone is surrounded by a spiritual aura, an aura that flows out in waves from the life of our affections and their thoughts. Further, since this kind of aura flows out from every individual, it also flows out from every heavenly community and every hellish community, therefore from everyone at once, or from all heaven and all hell.” (HH 591)
“Man is not aware that he is encompassed with a certain spiritual sphere that is in accordance with the life of his affections, and that to the angels, this sphere is more perceptible than odor to the finest sense on earth.”
Arcana Coelestia 4424 Emanuel Swedenborg
page 11
We are spiritual beings, and our thoughts impact the spiritual world (as well as the natrural world). We are known by our works (our transmissions) that’s what makes us who we are. “You will know them by their fruits.” (Matt 7:16)
“If you want to change anything in your life, change the channel and change the frequency by changing your thoughts.” This is the final step of repentance. (TCR 528)
New Church pastor Ethan McCardell says in his book “If you were to distill the message of the Word of God into two words, it would be LIFE CHANGE.” - Ethan McCardell (from his book “Be of Good Cheer; The Redeeming Quality of Struggle” page 154)
“Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven. If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving - large or small - it will be used to measure what is given back to you.” (Luke 6:37-38)
“Those who are given to the improper and obscene pleasures of scortatory love attract to themselves similar people from hell; but those who are given to the proper and chaste pleasures of conjugial love are associated by the Lord with similar angels from heaven.” (CL 431)
“Hell and heaven are near to people, even in people. Hell is in an evil person and heaven in a good person. After death everyone comes into that hell or into that heaven with which he had been associated while in the world.”
Arcana Coelestia 8918 Emanuel Swedenborg
page 8
You become what you think about the most... or perhaps we could say, the way you think determines the person you become. So think good thoughts. This is the path of regeneration. Try to think, speak, and act like an angel, and you will eventually become one!
page 9
Author Mike Dooley said: “Thoughts become things.” We as Christians know this to be true. The Bible opens with God thinking and speaking the Universe into existence. And we are created in His image, so is it any wonder that we would operate in a similar way? The Writings talk about how in the spiritual world thoughts literally become things. Here on earth, it usually takes a good deal of time for thoughts to become manifest as things. But if we are patient, and trust in the Lord, it happens here too. And it’s good practice for Heaven!
“The individual ideas of anyone - whether an angel or one of us - can be presented visually in heaven’s light when it so pleases the Lord.” (HH 240)
“In the world of spirits countless representatives manifest themselves almost constantly. They are visible forms of spiritual and celestial things, not unlike the forms that occur in the world. The origin of them I have been given to know through daily association with spirits and angels. Representatives in the world of spirits flow in from heaven, and from the ideas and the discussions of the angels there. Indeed when angels' ideas and their discussions resulting from those ideas come down to spirits, they present themselves in a variety of ways as representatives.” (AC 3213)
page 10
Perhaps one way to really grasp the power of the Secret, is to delve into the relationship between the spiritual world and the natural world. Traditionally Heaven is thought of as existing “above” us, while Hell exists “below” us. This idea very conveniently separates us from them and unfortunately allows our minds to become apathetic to their influence over us. But the Writings talk about how there is no spatial realtionship between the natural and spiritual worlds, to use a sci-fi phrase, it’s simply a different dimension. It’s important for us to remember that the spiritual world is (for all intents and purposes) HERE, not THERE. In many ways this is the most powerful point in the Secret. The spiritual world exisits in our minds, but in a more real way than does even the natural world.
“The Kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)
Therefore, we can’t allow ourselves to think that our thoughts and attitudes will go unnoticed by the spirits in the other world. They are real and they have an effect, just like our actions have an effect here in the natural world. Jesus even said, “You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eyes has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt 5:27-28)
As Charles Haanel (1866-1949) says in the Secret, “The mental attitude will invariably attract such conditions as correspond to its nature.”
The Writings also talk about how thought brings presence in the spiritual world.
“In heaven thinking about a place leads to being present in that place.” (AC 8985)
The book the Secret uses the word “frequency” to talk about the nature of our thoughts. We might replace it with words like attitude, orientation, sphere or aura.
“Everyone is surrounded by a spiritual aura, an aura that flows out in waves from the life of our affections and their thoughts. Further, since this kind of aura flows out from every individual, it also flows out from every heavenly community and every hellish community, therefore from everyone at once, or from all heaven and all hell.” (HH 591)
“Man is not aware that he is encompassed with a certain spiritual sphere that is in accordance with the life of his affections, and that to the angels, this sphere is more perceptible than odor to the finest sense on earth.”
Arcana Coelestia 4424 Emanuel Swedenborg
page 11
We are spiritual beings, and our thoughts impact the spiritual world (as well as the natrural world). We are known by our works (our transmissions) that’s what makes us who we are. “You will know them by their fruits.” (Matt 7:16)
“If you want to change anything in your life, change the channel and change the frequency by changing your thoughts.” This is the final step of repentance. (TCR 528)
New Church pastor Ethan McCardell says in his book “If you were to distill the message of the Word of God into two words, it would be LIFE CHANGE.” - Ethan McCardell (from his book “Be of Good Cheer; The Redeeming Quality of Struggle” page 154)
“Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven. If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving - large or small - it will be used to measure what is given back to you.” (Luke 6:37-38)
Section Two: Attract the Good Instead of the Bad, page 12
This section of the book tells us that we shouldn’t focus on negative things. After reading this section of the book, a Christian might say, “But we HAVE to focus on what we don’t want. The Lord even tells us this in His 10 Commandments. We should focus on not wanting to lie, to steal, etc.” And that is true.
But it’s one thing to say to your self: “I don’t want to lie anymore, and with the Lord’s help, I know I can change and be an honest person.” And it’s another thing to say, “I don’t want to lie anymore. I’m such an evil person! I’m breaking one of the 10 commandments! I’m going to go straight to Hell! Why did the Lord make me this way? I don’t know how I will ever change!”
The trick is that we have to observe what we are feeling as well as what we are thinking. We might be thinking “I’m not supposed to covet my neighbor’s new car.” and feeling: “Even though it is so unfair that they can afford that new car and I can’t.” Or “I’m not going to covet my neighbor’s new car.” and feeling: “Because I’m a better person than they are.” We have to really examine the attitude behind our thoughts. This is really where we have to monitor our focussing on the bad.
The Lord keeps us in freedom, so we are free to choose to live in negative attitudes. But there are consequences by means of the Lord’s laws. And He warns us: “Don’t covet, etc.” Essentially He is saying: “You shall not covet... or you will cause yourself to be unhappy.”
So really what we should be saying and feeling is: “I’m not going to covet my neighbor’s new car. I’m going to feel happy for them, and thankful for what I have.”
Focus on “the negative” (what needs to change in you) in a positive way, and you will attract goodness. Focus on what is positive in a negative way, and you will attract evil.
“First seek God’s Kingdom, and it’s justice, and you will gain all.” (Matt 6:33)
In other words, focus on the good, and you will attract it.
page 14
If we are constantly focusing on what is evil in us, then that will attract evil spirits who continue to point it out to us. And if we constantly focus on what is evil in other people, then we won’t be a good neighbor to them. “Let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!” (John 8:7)
Whereas, if we focus on what is good in us (not in a selfish, arrogant way, but in a recognition of God’s Creation), then we attract angels, who continue to point out our usefulness to society, and ability to love and be loved. And if we focus on what is good in other people, then we will be a good neighbor. “Love your enemies!” (Matt 5:43-48, and Luke 6:27-36)
“People who have goodwill hardly notice the evil in another person, but instead notice all his or her good and true qualities, and they put a good interpretation on the bad and wrong things. All angels are like this. It is something they have from the Lord, who bends everything bad into something good.” (AC 1079)
page 15.
says, “Quantum physicists tell us that the entire Universe emerged from thought!”
What an extrodinary statement, coming from a non-religious book. Christians have long known this to be true from the Creation story, and now Quantum physicists are confirming it. Very cool. “In the beginning the Word already existed.” (John 1:1)
“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3)
Another way to look at the law of attraction is as Divine Providence. The idea that the Lord is continually attracting us to Him, because He wants all of us to live with Him in Heaven. “[The Lord] attracts all people toward Himself, but because they are finite, angels and people are unable to follow that current of attraction except to a limited extent. The force of attraction toward infinity persists all the same.” (TCR 350)
When I read the statement in the Secret about the Law of Attraction working, even if we don’t know about it, it makes me think about the fact that we are all in the Stream of the Lord’s Providence, whether we know it or not. We have three options. Swim against the current, swim with the current, or simply float along. The Lord’s Law of Attraction ensures that a majority of people will be attracted to Him, and experience the joy of Heaven and His love.
page 16
“Creation is always happening.” Michael Bernard Beckwith.
“Divine Providence, which is, as it were, a continual creation” (DP 190)
We have the power to, as it were, create our lives BECAUSE we were created in the image and likeness of the Creator. We are the children of the Creator. So we too are little creators. We have the same family trait. We’ve inherited the family business. We create with our thoughts.
God gave us life to experience as if it was our own. We choose our thoughts and actions and that is how we create our lives.
page 17
“What you think about the most or focus on the most, is what will appear as your life.” The process of regeneration.
Regeneration is Re-creation, and it is also recreation... the Lord wants us to be having fun and being happy.
page 18
Despite the fact that homosexuality is wrong, that doesn’t mean that we have license to be cruel to people who are engaged in wrong behavior. The Lord said “Love your enemies” Hate the evil, but not the person.
“Let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!” (John 8:7)
“Love your enemies!” (Matt 5:43-48, and Luke 6:27-36)
But it’s one thing to say to your self: “I don’t want to lie anymore, and with the Lord’s help, I know I can change and be an honest person.” And it’s another thing to say, “I don’t want to lie anymore. I’m such an evil person! I’m breaking one of the 10 commandments! I’m going to go straight to Hell! Why did the Lord make me this way? I don’t know how I will ever change!”
The trick is that we have to observe what we are feeling as well as what we are thinking. We might be thinking “I’m not supposed to covet my neighbor’s new car.” and feeling: “Even though it is so unfair that they can afford that new car and I can’t.” Or “I’m not going to covet my neighbor’s new car.” and feeling: “Because I’m a better person than they are.” We have to really examine the attitude behind our thoughts. This is really where we have to monitor our focussing on the bad.
The Lord keeps us in freedom, so we are free to choose to live in negative attitudes. But there are consequences by means of the Lord’s laws. And He warns us: “Don’t covet, etc.” Essentially He is saying: “You shall not covet... or you will cause yourself to be unhappy.”
So really what we should be saying and feeling is: “I’m not going to covet my neighbor’s new car. I’m going to feel happy for them, and thankful for what I have.”
Focus on “the negative” (what needs to change in you) in a positive way, and you will attract goodness. Focus on what is positive in a negative way, and you will attract evil.
“First seek God’s Kingdom, and it’s justice, and you will gain all.” (Matt 6:33)
In other words, focus on the good, and you will attract it.
page 14
If we are constantly focusing on what is evil in us, then that will attract evil spirits who continue to point it out to us. And if we constantly focus on what is evil in other people, then we won’t be a good neighbor to them. “Let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!” (John 8:7)
Whereas, if we focus on what is good in us (not in a selfish, arrogant way, but in a recognition of God’s Creation), then we attract angels, who continue to point out our usefulness to society, and ability to love and be loved. And if we focus on what is good in other people, then we will be a good neighbor. “Love your enemies!” (Matt 5:43-48, and Luke 6:27-36)
“People who have goodwill hardly notice the evil in another person, but instead notice all his or her good and true qualities, and they put a good interpretation on the bad and wrong things. All angels are like this. It is something they have from the Lord, who bends everything bad into something good.” (AC 1079)
page 15.
says, “Quantum physicists tell us that the entire Universe emerged from thought!”
What an extrodinary statement, coming from a non-religious book. Christians have long known this to be true from the Creation story, and now Quantum physicists are confirming it. Very cool. “In the beginning the Word already existed.” (John 1:1)
“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3)
Another way to look at the law of attraction is as Divine Providence. The idea that the Lord is continually attracting us to Him, because He wants all of us to live with Him in Heaven. “[The Lord] attracts all people toward Himself, but because they are finite, angels and people are unable to follow that current of attraction except to a limited extent. The force of attraction toward infinity persists all the same.” (TCR 350)
When I read the statement in the Secret about the Law of Attraction working, even if we don’t know about it, it makes me think about the fact that we are all in the Stream of the Lord’s Providence, whether we know it or not. We have three options. Swim against the current, swim with the current, or simply float along. The Lord’s Law of Attraction ensures that a majority of people will be attracted to Him, and experience the joy of Heaven and His love.
page 16
“Creation is always happening.” Michael Bernard Beckwith.
“Divine Providence, which is, as it were, a continual creation” (DP 190)
We have the power to, as it were, create our lives BECAUSE we were created in the image and likeness of the Creator. We are the children of the Creator. So we too are little creators. We have the same family trait. We’ve inherited the family business. We create with our thoughts.
God gave us life to experience as if it was our own. We choose our thoughts and actions and that is how we create our lives.
page 17
“What you think about the most or focus on the most, is what will appear as your life.” The process of regeneration.
Regeneration is Re-creation, and it is also recreation... the Lord wants us to be having fun and being happy.
page 18
Despite the fact that homosexuality is wrong, that doesn’t mean that we have license to be cruel to people who are engaged in wrong behavior. The Lord said “Love your enemies” Hate the evil, but not the person.
“Let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!” (John 8:7)
“Love your enemies!” (Matt 5:43-48, and Luke 6:27-36)
Section Three: The Power of Your Mind, page 20
The Lord looks at our intentions “A person's ultimate aims and intentions in life determine where he is in the next life.” (AC 3570)
“Your life is a mirror” Think of it as the book of life.
page 21
Quantum physics: “You can’t have a Universe without mind entering into it.” That mind is God’s and ours. The marriage of the Lord’s mind with our minds is what makes the Church and therefore what makes up the Universe.
“Your mind is actually shaping the world around you.” This actually happens in the spiritual world.
“Things that arise in the heavens do not arise in the same way as things on earth. In the heavens, everything comes into being from the Lord in response to the deeper natures of the angels.... The appearances that arise in heaven in this way are called real appearances because they do actually come into being....
By way of illustration, I should like to offer one instance of the way things look to angels because of correspondences. To angels who are focused on intelligence there appear gardens and parks full of all kinds of trees and flowers.” (HH 173-176)
“In general terms, [angels’] houses correspond to the good that oocupies them and the items within their houses to the various things that constitute that good.... They also change slightly in response to the changes of state of their deeper natures.” (HH 186-190)
page 22
“Thank God that there’s a time delay, that all of your thoughts don’t come true instantly. We’d be in trouble if they did. The element of time delay serves you. It allows you to reassess, to think about what you want, and to make a new choice.” - Lisa Nichols.
What she is describing here is the process of regeneration, especially in this earthly life. We have our whole earthly life to practice our attitude change, to prepare for a life in heaven.
page 23
It’s actually an insult to God if you constantly think of yourself as dirt. If you think of yourself as fundamentally flawed, then essentially what you are saying is “God goofed when He made me!”
We shouldn’t be arrogant, selfish, and conceited, but we also shouldn’t put down and disregard the magnificent creation of God that we all are.
Swedenborg taught self-examination: TCR 528
“We should examine not only our actions but also our thoughts, and explore what we would do if we were not afraid of laws and of losing our reputations.”
Divine Providence 278 Emanuel Swedenborg
“Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.” (Josh 1:8)
“I am the master of my thoughts” ... not the hells.
The book the Secret uses phrases like “The most magnificent version of you.” If you are uncomfortable with language like that, then think of it as “The angel that I will be someday in Heaven.” This is not a selfish, arrogant, conceited goal... this is what the Lord wants us to pursue.
“Your life is a mirror” Think of it as the book of life.
page 21
Quantum physics: “You can’t have a Universe without mind entering into it.” That mind is God’s and ours. The marriage of the Lord’s mind with our minds is what makes the Church and therefore what makes up the Universe.
“Your mind is actually shaping the world around you.” This actually happens in the spiritual world.
“Things that arise in the heavens do not arise in the same way as things on earth. In the heavens, everything comes into being from the Lord in response to the deeper natures of the angels.... The appearances that arise in heaven in this way are called real appearances because they do actually come into being....
By way of illustration, I should like to offer one instance of the way things look to angels because of correspondences. To angels who are focused on intelligence there appear gardens and parks full of all kinds of trees and flowers.” (HH 173-176)
“In general terms, [angels’] houses correspond to the good that oocupies them and the items within their houses to the various things that constitute that good.... They also change slightly in response to the changes of state of their deeper natures.” (HH 186-190)
page 22
“Thank God that there’s a time delay, that all of your thoughts don’t come true instantly. We’d be in trouble if they did. The element of time delay serves you. It allows you to reassess, to think about what you want, and to make a new choice.” - Lisa Nichols.
What she is describing here is the process of regeneration, especially in this earthly life. We have our whole earthly life to practice our attitude change, to prepare for a life in heaven.
page 23
It’s actually an insult to God if you constantly think of yourself as dirt. If you think of yourself as fundamentally flawed, then essentially what you are saying is “God goofed when He made me!”
We shouldn’t be arrogant, selfish, and conceited, but we also shouldn’t put down and disregard the magnificent creation of God that we all are.
Swedenborg taught self-examination: TCR 528
“We should examine not only our actions but also our thoughts, and explore what we would do if we were not afraid of laws and of losing our reputations.”
Divine Providence 278 Emanuel Swedenborg
“Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.” (Josh 1:8)
“I am the master of my thoughts” ... not the hells.
The book the Secret uses phrases like “The most magnificent version of you.” If you are uncomfortable with language like that, then think of it as “The angel that I will be someday in Heaven.” This is not a selfish, arrogant, conceited goal... this is what the Lord wants us to pursue.
Chapter Two: The Secret Made Simple, page 27
We might say, “How does the idea of attracting good or evil to us, fit in with what we know about freedom, permission, and providence?”
Free will can make it look like God is impartial and impersonal.
“Providence acts invisibly, in order that man may not be compelled to believe from visible things, and thus that his free-will may not be injured; for unless man has freedom he cannot be reformed, thus he cannot be saved.... Evils are ruled by the Lord by the laws of permission, and they are permitted for the sake of order. The permission of evil by the Lord is not that of one who wills, but of one who does not will, but who cannot bring aid on account of the urgency of the end, which is salvation. To leave man from his own freedom to think and will evil, and so far as the laws do not forbid, to do evil, is to permit. Without freedom, thus without this permission, man could not be reformed, thus could not be saved.... Fortune, which appears in the world wonderful in many circumstances, is an operation of the Divine providence in the ultimate of order, according to the quality of man's state; and this may afford proof, that the Divine providence is in the most single of all things.” (HD 276)
page 28
The best way that you can contribute to changing the fact that bad things happen to good people, is by being a good person yourself, and spreading your sphere (frequency) into the world, and thereby changing the world for the good.
“For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)
“The life that leads to heaven is not a life withdrawn from the world, but a life in the world. A life of piety separated from a life of love, which is possible only in the world, does not lead to heaven, but a life of love does.”
Heaven and Hell 535 Emanuel Swedenborg
page 29
“Oh, I have to monitor my thoughts?” Yes, that is the path of regeneration, or spiritual re-birth, or being “saved.”
page 30
True change comes when we change our will (feelings) not just our understanding (thoughts.) The conventional New Church thought is that we need to change our understanding, and then that will give us a new will. We need to force ourselves to do good and shun evil, even when we don’t feel like it, because that is what our understanding dictates. While this is true, I belives that it is really just the first step. There is no magic wand when it comes to regeneration. We can’t just sit back and wait to feel charitable feelings just because we’re thinking about them. We need to do the work. We need to examine our feelings to truly get a sense of where we are on the path of regeneration. If we are doing good things for people, but feeling selfish or self-righteous while we’re doing them, then we have a long way to go. True change comes when we change our attitude (our will). True change comes when there is a marriage of will and understanding.
page 32.
Then the book goes on, and it seems to imply that if it feels good, it must be right. We know in the New Church that this is not correct. But I would argue that there is some truth in what the authors are trying to convey.
Evil is it’s own punishment. Doing bad things can’t truly make you happy. It might feel good temporarily, but it will fade and quickly be replaced with bad feelings. When that happens, it’s probably not a good thing that you’re doing. So it’s really a matter of examining your feelings over time (not just in the moment).
For example pre-marital sex, and sex within marriage might both bring about good feelings. However, over time, if one is truly examining one’s feelings, I think a person will find that pre-marital sex isn’t satisfying. One only has to look at our culture to see that that is true.
The Lord wants us to be happy, therefore He knows that doing good things will make us the most happy. It’s a perfect law.
page 33
Our feelings often indicate whether we’re thinking good thoughts or not.
page 34
“Luck” is about attracting good spirits or evil spirits.
Swedenborg said, “For many years I watched carefully to see whether there was any such thing as fortune. I discovered that there was, and that prudence was not in that case of any avail. Furthermore all who have reflected on the matter for a long time know and confess this to be true, though they do not know why it is so. Scarcely anyone knows that fortune has its origin in the spiritual world; yet that is where it does indeed originate. In a social gathering I once played a commonly known game of chance in which dice are used, while the spirits present with me spoke to me about fortune in games. They said that good fortune was represented to them by means of a bright cloud, and ill fortune by means of a sombre one, and that when a sombre cloud was seen near me I could never win. Seeing that sign they were also foretelling to me the changes of fortune that took place in the game. From this I wished to know that what people attribute to fortune, even in games, has its origin in the spiritual world; this is even more true with regard to the changing fortunes that befall a person during the course of his life. What is called fortune results from the entry of Providence into the last and lowest degrees of order, in which it manifests itself as fortune. Thus it is that Providence is at work in the most specific aspects of everything, as accords with the Lord's words that not even a hair falls from one's head unless God wills it.” (AC 6494)
page 35.
When we start intentionally changing our thoughts (which is regeneration), then as Michael Bernard Beckwith says, “The Universe will correspond to the nature of your song.” Eloquently put.
page 36
Look to the good. We have power because we have free will; a gift from God.
(AC 1079 and 1088)
page 37
Secret Shifters. Ways to get out of bad thought patterns and moods. Music, Reading the Word, etc. Fill in the blank with your own.
Free will can make it look like God is impartial and impersonal.
“Providence acts invisibly, in order that man may not be compelled to believe from visible things, and thus that his free-will may not be injured; for unless man has freedom he cannot be reformed, thus he cannot be saved.... Evils are ruled by the Lord by the laws of permission, and they are permitted for the sake of order. The permission of evil by the Lord is not that of one who wills, but of one who does not will, but who cannot bring aid on account of the urgency of the end, which is salvation. To leave man from his own freedom to think and will evil, and so far as the laws do not forbid, to do evil, is to permit. Without freedom, thus without this permission, man could not be reformed, thus could not be saved.... Fortune, which appears in the world wonderful in many circumstances, is an operation of the Divine providence in the ultimate of order, according to the quality of man's state; and this may afford proof, that the Divine providence is in the most single of all things.” (HD 276)
page 28
The best way that you can contribute to changing the fact that bad things happen to good people, is by being a good person yourself, and spreading your sphere (frequency) into the world, and thereby changing the world for the good.
“For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)
“The life that leads to heaven is not a life withdrawn from the world, but a life in the world. A life of piety separated from a life of love, which is possible only in the world, does not lead to heaven, but a life of love does.”
Heaven and Hell 535 Emanuel Swedenborg
page 29
“Oh, I have to monitor my thoughts?” Yes, that is the path of regeneration, or spiritual re-birth, or being “saved.”
page 30
True change comes when we change our will (feelings) not just our understanding (thoughts.) The conventional New Church thought is that we need to change our understanding, and then that will give us a new will. We need to force ourselves to do good and shun evil, even when we don’t feel like it, because that is what our understanding dictates. While this is true, I belives that it is really just the first step. There is no magic wand when it comes to regeneration. We can’t just sit back and wait to feel charitable feelings just because we’re thinking about them. We need to do the work. We need to examine our feelings to truly get a sense of where we are on the path of regeneration. If we are doing good things for people, but feeling selfish or self-righteous while we’re doing them, then we have a long way to go. True change comes when we change our attitude (our will). True change comes when there is a marriage of will and understanding.
page 32.
Then the book goes on, and it seems to imply that if it feels good, it must be right. We know in the New Church that this is not correct. But I would argue that there is some truth in what the authors are trying to convey.
Evil is it’s own punishment. Doing bad things can’t truly make you happy. It might feel good temporarily, but it will fade and quickly be replaced with bad feelings. When that happens, it’s probably not a good thing that you’re doing. So it’s really a matter of examining your feelings over time (not just in the moment).
For example pre-marital sex, and sex within marriage might both bring about good feelings. However, over time, if one is truly examining one’s feelings, I think a person will find that pre-marital sex isn’t satisfying. One only has to look at our culture to see that that is true.
The Lord wants us to be happy, therefore He knows that doing good things will make us the most happy. It’s a perfect law.
page 33
Our feelings often indicate whether we’re thinking good thoughts or not.
page 34
“Luck” is about attracting good spirits or evil spirits.
Swedenborg said, “For many years I watched carefully to see whether there was any such thing as fortune. I discovered that there was, and that prudence was not in that case of any avail. Furthermore all who have reflected on the matter for a long time know and confess this to be true, though they do not know why it is so. Scarcely anyone knows that fortune has its origin in the spiritual world; yet that is where it does indeed originate. In a social gathering I once played a commonly known game of chance in which dice are used, while the spirits present with me spoke to me about fortune in games. They said that good fortune was represented to them by means of a bright cloud, and ill fortune by means of a sombre one, and that when a sombre cloud was seen near me I could never win. Seeing that sign they were also foretelling to me the changes of fortune that took place in the game. From this I wished to know that what people attribute to fortune, even in games, has its origin in the spiritual world; this is even more true with regard to the changing fortunes that befall a person during the course of his life. What is called fortune results from the entry of Providence into the last and lowest degrees of order, in which it manifests itself as fortune. Thus it is that Providence is at work in the most specific aspects of everything, as accords with the Lord's words that not even a hair falls from one's head unless God wills it.” (AC 6494)
page 35.
When we start intentionally changing our thoughts (which is regeneration), then as Michael Bernard Beckwith says, “The Universe will correspond to the nature of your song.” Eloquently put.
page 36
Look to the good. We have power because we have free will; a gift from God.
(AC 1079 and 1088)
page 37
Secret Shifters. Ways to get out of bad thought patterns and moods. Music, Reading the Word, etc. Fill in the blank with your own.
Section One: Love: The Greatest Emotion, page 38
Charles Haanel said, “It is the combination of thought and love which forms the irresistible force of the law of attraction.” In the New Church we might say, “It’s the marriage of good and truth, or love and wisdom.”
“There is no greater power in the Universe than the power of love.”
“We can become one with God only through love and loving actions, love being the essence of spiritual connection.”
Arcana Coelestia 2349 Emanuel Swedenborg
“If you could wrap every thought in love, if you could love everything and everyone, your life would be transformed.” ... or we would say, “regenerated.”
This is the Law of Love.
page 39
“If you think thoughts of love, guess who receives benefits - you!” This is what the Writings would call Mediate Good. There are “rewards” for doing good things. It encourages us to pursue more goodness.
page 40
Albert Einstein said, “The most important question any human being can ask themselves is , ‘Is this a friendly Universe?”
This is essentially asking oneself: “Am I a ‘Glass is half-full’ or ‘Glass is half-empty’ kind of person?”
Often we think that it is external stimuli that make us either happy or sad. But it is really an internal personal choice to be happy or sad.
page 41
The Secret says, “Life is easy! Life is Good!”
The Word says, “For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” (Matt. 11:30)
The Secret says, “You deserve all good things life has to offer.”
The Writings say, “No one is born for hell, but all for heaven.”
Divine Providence 322 Emanuel Swedenborg
“There is no greater power in the Universe than the power of love.”
“We can become one with God only through love and loving actions, love being the essence of spiritual connection.”
Arcana Coelestia 2349 Emanuel Swedenborg
“If you could wrap every thought in love, if you could love everything and everyone, your life would be transformed.” ... or we would say, “regenerated.”
This is the Law of Love.
page 39
“If you think thoughts of love, guess who receives benefits - you!” This is what the Writings would call Mediate Good. There are “rewards” for doing good things. It encourages us to pursue more goodness.
page 40
Albert Einstein said, “The most important question any human being can ask themselves is , ‘Is this a friendly Universe?”
This is essentially asking oneself: “Am I a ‘Glass is half-full’ or ‘Glass is half-empty’ kind of person?”
Often we think that it is external stimuli that make us either happy or sad. But it is really an internal personal choice to be happy or sad.
page 41
The Secret says, “Life is easy! Life is Good!”
The Word says, “For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” (Matt. 11:30)
The Secret says, “You deserve all good things life has to offer.”
The Writings say, “No one is born for hell, but all for heaven.”
Divine Providence 322 Emanuel Swedenborg
Chapter Three: How to Use the Secret, page 45
I like to think of it as “The Parable of Aladdin”: Aladdin is us. The Genie is God. The Lamp is the Word.
“Your wish is my command!” equals “With God nothing is impossible”
“Ask, believe, receive” Maybe this is a story from the Ancient Word?
We might question this and say, “But the Genie refers to Aladdin as ‘Master,’ but God doesn’t refer to us as ‘Master!’” But then think about this quote: “Even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.” (Matt 20:28)
page 46
The Genie is the Law of Attraction... or we might say, God is Love.
He is always present, always listening.
Sometimes the genie grants wishes that don’t seem to be good. Be careful what you wish (pray) for, it just might come true. We do have freedom of choice.
“The genie immediately begins to leverage the Universe, through people, circumstances, and events, to fulfill your wish.” This makes me think of the helicopter rescue story:
A man was caught in a flood. He was finally forced to the roof of his house. From on his roof he prayed to God to save him. Soon after that, a man in a canoe came by and offered him a ride. The man of the roof politely refused, and said that he was waiting for God to save him. Next came a man in a motor boat, and then a helicopter. He refused both. He eventually drowned and went to the spiritual world. Once he was there he asked God, “Why did you save me?” And God answered, “Who do you think sent the canoe, the boat, and the helicopter?”
If we’re not paying attention, we can miss it when God answers our prayers. And we may even be stubborn enough to reject good and true things that others offer to us because they don’t bear the mark of God (Such as the book “The Secret”!)
“Your wish is my command!” equals “With God nothing is impossible”
“Ask, believe, receive” Maybe this is a story from the Ancient Word?
We might question this and say, “But the Genie refers to Aladdin as ‘Master,’ but God doesn’t refer to us as ‘Master!’” But then think about this quote: “Even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.” (Matt 20:28)
page 46
The Genie is the Law of Attraction... or we might say, God is Love.
He is always present, always listening.
Sometimes the genie grants wishes that don’t seem to be good. Be careful what you wish (pray) for, it just might come true. We do have freedom of choice.
“The genie immediately begins to leverage the Universe, through people, circumstances, and events, to fulfill your wish.” This makes me think of the helicopter rescue story:
A man was caught in a flood. He was finally forced to the roof of his house. From on his roof he prayed to God to save him. Soon after that, a man in a canoe came by and offered him a ride. The man of the roof politely refused, and said that he was waiting for God to save him. Next came a man in a motor boat, and then a helicopter. He refused both. He eventually drowned and went to the spiritual world. Once he was there he asked God, “Why did you save me?” And God answered, “Who do you think sent the canoe, the boat, and the helicopter?”
If we’re not paying attention, we can miss it when God answers our prayers. And we may even be stubborn enough to reject good and true things that others offer to us because they don’t bear the mark of God (Such as the book “The Secret”!)
Section One: The Creative Process, page 47
“Whatever things you ask when you pray, beleive that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24)
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matt 21:22)
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matt 21:22)
Step 1: Ask, page 47
“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!” (Matt 6:7-8)
Don’t use vain words. Really think about what your are asking God for. Really know that you are talking to a live person, and not just reciting magic words that you don’t need to understand. The Lord wants us to know what we’re asking Him for. He wants us to use our freedom and rationality.
Be clear. If you don’t ask for help, God will honor that choice.
“Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.” (Matt 7:7-8)
page 48
If you have to make a choice about something and you don’t know which way to go, ask God! You should never have to feel stumped. Make prayer part of your active life, not just something you recite before bed or in church. Pray to God when your driving your car, when your eating your food, when your struggling at work, when your enjoying time with your family.
“Regarded in itself prayer is talking to God and at the same time some inner view of the things that are being prayed for. Answering to this there is something akin to an influx into the perception or thought of the person’s mind, which effects a certain opening of his internals towards God. But the experience varies according to the person’s state and according to the essence of whatever he is praying for. If his prayer springs from love and faith, and if they are wholly celestial and spiritual things about which and for which he prays, something like a revelation is present within his prayer which manifests itself in the affection of the one praying in the form of hope, comfort, or some inward joy.” (Arcana Coelestia 2535)
The origins of the word “Pray” mean to “ask earnestly,” “to request,” and “to entreat.” (wikipedia)
Don’t use vain words. Really think about what your are asking God for. Really know that you are talking to a live person, and not just reciting magic words that you don’t need to understand. The Lord wants us to know what we’re asking Him for. He wants us to use our freedom and rationality.
Be clear. If you don’t ask for help, God will honor that choice.
“Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.” (Matt 7:7-8)
page 48
If you have to make a choice about something and you don’t know which way to go, ask God! You should never have to feel stumped. Make prayer part of your active life, not just something you recite before bed or in church. Pray to God when your driving your car, when your eating your food, when your struggling at work, when your enjoying time with your family.
“Regarded in itself prayer is talking to God and at the same time some inner view of the things that are being prayed for. Answering to this there is something akin to an influx into the perception or thought of the person’s mind, which effects a certain opening of his internals towards God. But the experience varies according to the person’s state and according to the essence of whatever he is praying for. If his prayer springs from love and faith, and if they are wholly celestial and spiritual things about which and for which he prays, something like a revelation is present within his prayer which manifests itself in the affection of the one praying in the form of hope, comfort, or some inward joy.” (Arcana Coelestia 2535)
The origins of the word “Pray” mean to “ask earnestly,” “to request,” and “to entreat.” (wikipedia)
Step 2: Believe, page 48
Have faith in God. Know that God desires your happiness. Believe in Him. Have faith that He will lead you to happiness.
“Don’t worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your Heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not.
And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t He more surely care for you? You have so little faith!
So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matt 6:25-34)
page 49
“Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” (Psalm 37:3-4)
Act, speak and think on this faith in God. How much do you really believe that God is bringing happiness to your life? Examine your faith. Do you really believe?
page 50
Trusting in the Lord can sometimes look like naivite or simplicity. People might say, “You should worry about that.” But remember that “Innocence is wanting to be led by the Lord and not by oneself.” (HH 341). So be innocent. Follow the Lord. Trust in Him, like a child.
Often it is “out of the mouths of babes” that we more often hear the sentiment of “with God, nothing is impossible” Get yourself out of the way of God’s omnipotence, and trust in Him.
“Out of the mouth of babes and infants You have ordained strength.” (Psalm 8:2)
“What is impossible from a human perspective is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)
“Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” (Matt 19:26)
page 51
“Most of us have never allowed ourselves to want what we truly want...”
I’m not talking about wanting evil things. While God will let us choose evil, He knows it won’t make us happy.
“You don’t need to know how it’s going to come about.” Let the Lord show you the way. I’m not saying just sit around trusting and not acting. When you truly trust in God, He will show you how to act.
When we try to work out HOW it will happen, we are not trusting God.
page 52.
We might pray to God for something, and it might not come or happen.
And that might introduce disappointment and doubt. We might even NOT pray to God for certain things because of a fear of disappointment! But fear of disappointment is really just a lack of trust in God. Because God’s agenda is our happiness, so if we don’t get something that we thought would make us happy, then we should trust that there’s something BETTER on the way. God is omniscient, not us. That’s the blessing of unanswered prayers.
“Don’t worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your Heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not.
And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t He more surely care for you? You have so little faith!
So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matt 6:25-34)
page 49
“Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” (Psalm 37:3-4)
Act, speak and think on this faith in God. How much do you really believe that God is bringing happiness to your life? Examine your faith. Do you really believe?
page 50
Trusting in the Lord can sometimes look like naivite or simplicity. People might say, “You should worry about that.” But remember that “Innocence is wanting to be led by the Lord and not by oneself.” (HH 341). So be innocent. Follow the Lord. Trust in Him, like a child.
Often it is “out of the mouths of babes” that we more often hear the sentiment of “with God, nothing is impossible” Get yourself out of the way of God’s omnipotence, and trust in Him.
“Out of the mouth of babes and infants You have ordained strength.” (Psalm 8:2)
“What is impossible from a human perspective is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)
“Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” (Matt 19:26)
page 51
“Most of us have never allowed ourselves to want what we truly want...”
I’m not talking about wanting evil things. While God will let us choose evil, He knows it won’t make us happy.
“You don’t need to know how it’s going to come about.” Let the Lord show you the way. I’m not saying just sit around trusting and not acting. When you truly trust in God, He will show you how to act.
When we try to work out HOW it will happen, we are not trusting God.
page 52.
We might pray to God for something, and it might not come or happen.
And that might introduce disappointment and doubt. We might even NOT pray to God for certain things because of a fear of disappointment! But fear of disappointment is really just a lack of trust in God. Because God’s agenda is our happiness, so if we don’t get something that we thought would make us happy, then we should trust that there’s something BETTER on the way. God is omniscient, not us. That’s the blessing of unanswered prayers.
Step 3: Receive, page 53
“Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24) Act! Be RECEPTIVE to God’s will. Truly trusting in the Lord will bring about states of peace and contentedness. And this will attract angels not evil spirits. And those associate spirits, and your good mood, will affect other people in a good way, thereby making it easier for your prayer to come true.
page 54
Matt 21:22, Mark 11:24
“Go test drive that car, go shop for that home” ... in other words go act based on your faith. Take action. Do good. Test drive the angel that you want to become.
Ask, believe, receive could be worded as: Turn to the Lord, Trust in His Truth, and Do Good.
page 55
When you are in line with God’s will, you will feel happy (ultimately). When you are doing the things that God designed you to do, your use, your ruling love, “you’re going to feel so alive. Time will just stop. You could do it all day.” That’s not to say that there won’t be some struggles along the way, temptations, selfishness, but ultimately it will be true. Action, work, use: Heaven.
page 56
Stream of Divine Providence.
“It is granted to humankind to see the Divine Providence in the back and not in the face.”
Divine Providence 187 Emanuel Swedenborg
page 57
“Everything that has been invented and created throughout the history of humankind began with one thought” - God’s thought.
page 54
Matt 21:22, Mark 11:24
“Go test drive that car, go shop for that home” ... in other words go act based on your faith. Take action. Do good. Test drive the angel that you want to become.
Ask, believe, receive could be worded as: Turn to the Lord, Trust in His Truth, and Do Good.
page 55
When you are in line with God’s will, you will feel happy (ultimately). When you are doing the things that God designed you to do, your use, your ruling love, “you’re going to feel so alive. Time will just stop. You could do it all day.” That’s not to say that there won’t be some struggles along the way, temptations, selfishness, but ultimately it will be true. Action, work, use: Heaven.
page 56
Stream of Divine Providence.
“It is granted to humankind to see the Divine Providence in the back and not in the face.”
Divine Providence 187 Emanuel Swedenborg
page 57
“Everything that has been invented and created throughout the history of humankind began with one thought” - God’s thought.
Section Two: The Secret to (Fill in the Blank), page 58
If you think that weight loss is too natural a goal to use as an example, pick something else like parenting, or marriage, or charity.
Ask the Lord to help you to become a good parent, spouse, or friend
Believe that you can become a good parent, spouse, or friend.
Be receptive to becoming that person, and act like it.
Ask the Lord to help you to become a good parent, spouse, or friend
Believe that you can become a good parent, spouse, or friend.
Be receptive to becoming that person, and act like it.
Section Three: How Long Does It Take?, page 62
Time and space are different in the spiritual world, and the spiritual world is HERE with us.
page 63
Time delay, or unanswered prayers usually just mean that you’re not ready spiritually for what you want, or that you don’t even really know what you want.
“You didn’t have enough faith. I assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” (Matt 17:20)
“But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isa. 40:31)
“Size matters not” - Yoda, Star Wars.
page 64
Visualization is (can be) a form of prayer.
One day I tried visualizing my three-year-old son behaving for me. What this did was it allowed me to get into a good state of mind, because as I was watching him behave nicely in my mind, I felt happy. This happy feeling must have positively affected my son, because he started behaving nicely. If I had been expecting him to continue to misbehave, I would have continued to feel miserable, which he would have seen in my face, and so the downward spiral would have continued. It was a self-fulfilling prophesy that was based on my attitude.
page 63
Time delay, or unanswered prayers usually just mean that you’re not ready spiritually for what you want, or that you don’t even really know what you want.
“You didn’t have enough faith. I assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” (Matt 17:20)
“But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isa. 40:31)
“Size matters not” - Yoda, Star Wars.
page 64
Visualization is (can be) a form of prayer.
One day I tried visualizing my three-year-old son behaving for me. What this did was it allowed me to get into a good state of mind, because as I was watching him behave nicely in my mind, I felt happy. This happy feeling must have positively affected my son, because he started behaving nicely. If I had been expecting him to continue to misbehave, I would have continued to feel miserable, which he would have seen in my face, and so the downward spiral would have continued. It was a self-fulfilling prophesy that was based on my attitude.
Section Four: Create Your Day in Advance, page 66
Start your day with a prayer of thanksgiving. It not only will help you be in a better mood, but will help others be in good moods too. Attracting angels instead of devils will only have huge (and possibly unforseen) GOOD effects.
page 67
If you wake up expecting a bad day, or dreading the day, evil spirits are attracted to that mood, and will do everything they can to prove you right.
Turn every moment in your life into an opportunity to pray.
“Start each day like it was on purpose.” - Quote from the movie “Hitch.”
page 67
If you wake up expecting a bad day, or dreading the day, evil spirits are attracted to that mood, and will do everything they can to prove you right.
Turn every moment in your life into an opportunity to pray.
“Start each day like it was on purpose.” - Quote from the movie “Hitch.”
Chapter Four: Powerful Processes, page 71
Our job as humans is to freely and rationally choose to change our lives for the better. Everyone can! No matter what your situation.
page 73
Don’t define yourself by your past, or heredity, or environment. You have the ability to rise above it. It’s never too late to change, as Jesus told us in the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. (Matt 20:1-16)
page 73
Don’t define yourself by your past, or heredity, or environment. You have the ability to rise above it. It’s never too late to change, as Jesus told us in the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. (Matt 20:1-16)
Section One: The Powerful Process of Gratitude, page 74
Attitude of Gratitude. Thank God everyday!
page 75
And... appreciate the people around you.
Try saying “Thank you Lord!” to everything that goes right with your day. This brings you closer to the Lord, and thereby closer to goodness and happiness.
“Thank You” is a personal statement, not addressed to something inanimate. Visualize looking God in the face and thanking Him.
page 77
At least 16 Psalms in the Book of Psalms are specifically psalms of Thanksgiving. The psalms of thanksgiving are: Psalms 18, 30, 32, 34, 40, 65, 66, 67, 75, 92, 107, 116, 118, 124, 136, 138.
page 78
The 10 Commandments are essentially saying: Avoid negative emotions!
page 75
And... appreciate the people around you.
Try saying “Thank you Lord!” to everything that goes right with your day. This brings you closer to the Lord, and thereby closer to goodness and happiness.
“Thank You” is a personal statement, not addressed to something inanimate. Visualize looking God in the face and thanking Him.
page 77
At least 16 Psalms in the Book of Psalms are specifically psalms of Thanksgiving. The psalms of thanksgiving are: Psalms 18, 30, 32, 34, 40, 65, 66, 67, 75, 92, 107, 116, 118, 124, 136, 138.
page 78
The 10 Commandments are essentially saying: Avoid negative emotions!
Section Two: The Powerful Process of Visualization, page 81
“If a person has his eye on good as that end, he catches sight of what comes out of it, that is, he has a perception of the things that originate in it - a perception that by no means exists unless good is kept as the end in view, that is, unless this end reigns without exception in every single things.” (AC 5949)
“How can one advance towards an end or chase after a goal and so win a prize, unless there is some end or goal where the prize may be won?” (TCR 730)
“The end in view controls every single thing a person thinks or does.” (AC 1317)
Visualization is a form of prayer.
page 82
THe Lord wants us to leave our mark on the world. To leave the world better than when we came into it. So visualize what that might look like.
If you think “I’m not good enough to make the world a better place.” You’re essentially saying, “I don’t have faith in God,”
You’re saying “God goofed when He made me, I don’t have a purpose.” What an insult to God!
But ... “With God nothing is impossible.”
page 83
The Spiritual World is more real than this world! (AC 3485)
page 84
Beware of hypocricy: Saying one thing, but feeling a different way.
page 85
Don’t worry about what you will wear... The Lord will take care of you.
You don’t have to know HOW, just know that He WILL.
The Bible tells the story about a Roman Officer whose servant was sick. When Jesus said He would come and heal him, the Roman Officer said, No, just say the word, and I know he will be healed. And Jesus was amazed at his faith. (Matt. 8:5-13)
“How can one advance towards an end or chase after a goal and so win a prize, unless there is some end or goal where the prize may be won?” (TCR 730)
“The end in view controls every single thing a person thinks or does.” (AC 1317)
Visualization is a form of prayer.
page 82
THe Lord wants us to leave our mark on the world. To leave the world better than when we came into it. So visualize what that might look like.
If you think “I’m not good enough to make the world a better place.” You’re essentially saying, “I don’t have faith in God,”
You’re saying “God goofed when He made me, I don’t have a purpose.” What an insult to God!
But ... “With God nothing is impossible.”
page 83
The Spiritual World is more real than this world! (AC 3485)
page 84
Beware of hypocricy: Saying one thing, but feeling a different way.
page 85
Don’t worry about what you will wear... The Lord will take care of you.
You don’t have to know HOW, just know that He WILL.
The Bible tells the story about a Roman Officer whose servant was sick. When Jesus said He would come and heal him, the Roman Officer said, No, just say the word, and I know he will be healed. And Jesus was amazed at his faith. (Matt. 8:5-13)
Section Three: The Powerful Process of Action, page 87
Make all of this a habit. That’s what the path of regeneration is all about: make good thoughts and feelings a habit. It’s a spiritual discipline. So let’s be good disciples.
Remember that the Summation of Bible is: Life Change Not just one day’s change.
page 89
The Lord honors our freedom; if we choose unhappiness, He let’s us, because he loves our freedom.
Do not doubt the power of God.
page 91
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.” (Deut 6:6)
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
page 92
Instead of using the term “Universe” I’m going to re-word the quote by Jack Canfield using the term “God” instead:
“Decide what you want. Believe you can have it. Believe you deserve it and believe it’s possible for you. And then close your eyes every day for several minutes, and visualize having what you already want, feeling the feelings of already having it. Come out of that and focus on what you’re grateful for already, and really enjoy it. Then go into your day and release it to God and trust that God will figure out how to manifest it.”
Remember that the Summation of Bible is: Life Change Not just one day’s change.
page 89
The Lord honors our freedom; if we choose unhappiness, He let’s us, because he loves our freedom.
Do not doubt the power of God.
page 91
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.” (Deut 6:6)
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
page 92
Instead of using the term “Universe” I’m going to re-word the quote by Jack Canfield using the term “God” instead:
“Decide what you want. Believe you can have it. Believe you deserve it and believe it’s possible for you. And then close your eyes every day for several minutes, and visualize having what you already want, feeling the feelings of already having it. Come out of that and focus on what you’re grateful for already, and really enjoy it. Then go into your day and release it to God and trust that God will figure out how to manifest it.”
Chapter Five: The Secret to Money, page 95
We as Christians often have a sense that money is the root of all evil:
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where theives break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from theives. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.” (Matt 6:19-21)
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matt. 6:24)
page 98
True wealth is about being happy and useful.
Money is a tool; neither good nor evil.
Being truly wealthy or rich is an attitude of gratefulness for God’s blessings. This is a good wealth to desire.
We want to avoid coveting.
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where theives break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from theives. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.” (Matt 6:19-21)
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matt. 6:24)
page 98
True wealth is about being happy and useful.
Money is a tool; neither good nor evil.
Being truly wealthy or rich is an attitude of gratefulness for God’s blessings. This is a good wealth to desire.
We want to avoid coveting.
Section One: Attract Abundance, page 99
Just like there’s a big difference between being arrogant and conceited, and a healthy love of one’s own worth (recognizing the worth of you as God’s creation), there’s also a big difference between wanting lots of money because you’re selfish and lazy, and wanting lots of money because of the good you can do with it (raising a family, giving to charities, tithing, etc.)
page 100
How many of us shy away from doing good things (such as having a baby) because of a lack of money? When we could trust in the Lord that He will provide. (Once again, not blind trust without action.) Isn’t it a good thing to want to attract money in order to raise a family?
page 100
How many of us shy away from doing good things (such as having a baby) because of a lack of money? When we could trust in the Lord that He will provide. (Once again, not blind trust without action.) Isn’t it a good thing to want to attract money in order to raise a family?
Section Two: Focus on Prosperity, page 101
Not natural prosperity:
“What sorrow await you who are rich, for you have your only happiness now.
What sorrow await you who are satisfied and prosperous now, for a time of awful hunger is before you.” (Luke 6:24-25)
...but spiritual prosperity:
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall medidate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Josh 1:8)
“Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” (John 16:24)
page 106
The Lord doesn’t want our uses, our ruling loves to be struggles. Heaven may be a Kingdom of Usefulness and Service, but it’s not a Kingdom of Struggles, it’s a Kingdom of Joy.
page 107
Think about what a terrible hypocricy it is to claim that you don’t care about money or being rich because you are a spiritual/religious person, but then your day to day life consists of worrying about paying bills, worrying about not having enough, even thinking bad thoughts about people who are rich.
Be grateful, don’t covet.
“What sorrow await you who are rich, for you have your only happiness now.
What sorrow await you who are satisfied and prosperous now, for a time of awful hunger is before you.” (Luke 6:24-25)
...but spiritual prosperity:
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall medidate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Josh 1:8)
“Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” (John 16:24)
page 106
The Lord doesn’t want our uses, our ruling loves to be struggles. Heaven may be a Kingdom of Usefulness and Service, but it’s not a Kingdom of Struggles, it’s a Kingdom of Joy.
page 107
Think about what a terrible hypocricy it is to claim that you don’t care about money or being rich because you are a spiritual/religious person, but then your day to day life consists of worrying about paying bills, worrying about not having enough, even thinking bad thoughts about people who are rich.
Be grateful, don’t covet.
Section Three: Give Money to Get Money, page 107
“Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven. If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving - large or small - it will be used to measure what is given back to you.” (Luke 6:37-38)
“Do for others as you would like them to do for you.” (Luke 6:31)
page 108
Some of us may not tithe because we feel to poor.
“I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” (Luke 21:3-4)
Give from Love. Not like the scribes and pharisees do.
“Give to Caesar what belongs to him. But everything that belongs to God must be given to God.” (Matt 22:21)
page 109
The Lord wants you to be happy. Wealth is a means to happiness because it means you can help a lot of people, and it means you can pursue your ruling love and use.
page 110
The Mark Shimoff quote is very similar to:
“First seek God’s Kingdom, and it’s justice, and you will gain all.” (Matt 6:33)
It doesn’t say, seek ye first the kingdom of God, and you will remain poor and miserable.
The outside world is the world of effects, it’s just the result of thoughts.
The spiritual world is the real world.
“Do for others as you would like them to do for you.” (Luke 6:31)
page 108
Some of us may not tithe because we feel to poor.
“I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” (Luke 21:3-4)
Give from Love. Not like the scribes and pharisees do.
“Give to Caesar what belongs to him. But everything that belongs to God must be given to God.” (Matt 22:21)
page 109
The Lord wants you to be happy. Wealth is a means to happiness because it means you can help a lot of people, and it means you can pursue your ruling love and use.
page 110
The Mark Shimoff quote is very similar to:
“First seek God’s Kingdom, and it’s justice, and you will gain all.” (Matt 6:33)
It doesn’t say, seek ye first the kingdom of God, and you will remain poor and miserable.
The outside world is the world of effects, it’s just the result of thoughts.
The spiritual world is the real world.
Chapter Six: The Secret to Relationships, page 113
The Lord tells us that if we earnestly pray to find true love, He will give it to us, even on this earth.
“[Conjugial] unions like this were provided on earth, which happens in the case of people who from their youth had loved, desired and sought from the Lord a lawful and lovely partnership with one, and who spurn and reject roving lusts as an offense to the nostrils.” (CL 49:5)
page 116
Do you want a loving husband? Then start acting like a loving wife!
Do you want a loving wife? Then start acting like a loving husband!
This is the Law of Attraction.
“[Conjugial] unions like this were provided on earth, which happens in the case of people who from their youth had loved, desired and sought from the Lord a lawful and lovely partnership with one, and who spurn and reject roving lusts as an offense to the nostrils.” (CL 49:5)
page 116
Do you want a loving husband? Then start acting like a loving wife!
Do you want a loving wife? Then start acting like a loving husband!
This is the Law of Attraction.
Section One: Your Job is You, page 117
Golden Rule: “Do for others as you would like them to do for you.” (Luke 6:31)
Don’t try to change your partner, change yourself.
The beginning of Swedenborg’s book on Married Love is all about people who thought heaven would be one thing, but found out that it was not.
We often think relationships will be one thing, and we find out that they’re not.
We often think relationships are about having the same interests, or perpetual romance, or whatever. But in reality, relationships are about serving others, not yourself! And at the same time they’re about changing yourself, not your partner.
page 119
Loving oneself has it’s proper place, it’s just that it’s proper place is beneath a love for the neighbor and God:
“Since in the perfect man the love of heaven holds the highest place, and forms, as it were, the head of all that follows from it, the love of the world being beneath it like the chest beneath the head, and the love of self beneath this like the feet, it follows, that if love of self were to form the head, the man would be completely inverted.” (TCR 405)
No one is unworthy of love.
page 120
If you don’t think of yourself as lovable (as one of God’s children) then it will be hard for someone to love you.
Love is not just about generously giving, but it’s also about gratefully receiving.
Look for the good in you, and use it for good
Parable of the talents.
“To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what they have will be taken away.” (Matt 25:29)
page 121
“I’m not talking about conceit, I’m talking about a healthy respect for yourself.”
Shift focus from complaining about others to appreciating others:
“People who have goodwill hardly notice the evil in another person, but instead notice all his or her good and true qualities, and they put a good interpretation on the bad and wrong things. All angels are like this. It is something they have from the Lord, who bends everything bad into something good.” (AC 1079)
page 122
Opportunity to share in your happiness.
What is loving?
Love is “wishing to be one with someone” (TCR 43)
Love is “devoting oneself to another’s happinss” (TCR 43)
Love is “being loved by another, thus essentially conjunction” (DLW 47)
Love is “feeling the joy of another as joy in oneself” (DLW 47)
Love is “genuine when wisdom is united with it” (CL 65)
Love is “the joy that resides in serving another for loves’s sake and not one’s own” (AC 548)
Love is “doing good for another when the possibility exists, and doing it with all one’s heart” (AC 6073)
Love is “loving the good and truth in another” (HD 106, TCR 417)
Love is “being charitable towards another, not for the sake of reward but for the sake of good, and the good in the other.” (LJ 39)
“Your ability to generate feelings of love is unlimited, and when you love you are in complete and utter harmony with [GOD]”
Don’t try to change your partner, change yourself.
The beginning of Swedenborg’s book on Married Love is all about people who thought heaven would be one thing, but found out that it was not.
We often think relationships will be one thing, and we find out that they’re not.
We often think relationships are about having the same interests, or perpetual romance, or whatever. But in reality, relationships are about serving others, not yourself! And at the same time they’re about changing yourself, not your partner.
page 119
Loving oneself has it’s proper place, it’s just that it’s proper place is beneath a love for the neighbor and God:
“Since in the perfect man the love of heaven holds the highest place, and forms, as it were, the head of all that follows from it, the love of the world being beneath it like the chest beneath the head, and the love of self beneath this like the feet, it follows, that if love of self were to form the head, the man would be completely inverted.” (TCR 405)
No one is unworthy of love.
page 120
If you don’t think of yourself as lovable (as one of God’s children) then it will be hard for someone to love you.
Love is not just about generously giving, but it’s also about gratefully receiving.
Look for the good in you, and use it for good
Parable of the talents.
“To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what they have will be taken away.” (Matt 25:29)
page 121
“I’m not talking about conceit, I’m talking about a healthy respect for yourself.”
Shift focus from complaining about others to appreciating others:
“People who have goodwill hardly notice the evil in another person, but instead notice all his or her good and true qualities, and they put a good interpretation on the bad and wrong things. All angels are like this. It is something they have from the Lord, who bends everything bad into something good.” (AC 1079)
page 122
Opportunity to share in your happiness.
What is loving?
Love is “wishing to be one with someone” (TCR 43)
Love is “devoting oneself to another’s happinss” (TCR 43)
Love is “being loved by another, thus essentially conjunction” (DLW 47)
Love is “feeling the joy of another as joy in oneself” (DLW 47)
Love is “genuine when wisdom is united with it” (CL 65)
Love is “the joy that resides in serving another for loves’s sake and not one’s own” (AC 548)
Love is “doing good for another when the possibility exists, and doing it with all one’s heart” (AC 6073)
Love is “loving the good and truth in another” (HD 106, TCR 417)
Love is “being charitable towards another, not for the sake of reward but for the sake of good, and the good in the other.” (LJ 39)
“Your ability to generate feelings of love is unlimited, and when you love you are in complete and utter harmony with [GOD]”
Chapter Seven: The Secret to Health, page 125
Order of Creation. Spiritual first. The Natural world is the containter for the spiritual world.
page 126
Thoughts and feelings and prayers and love are powerful. Powerful enough to heal natural bodies. If I don’t believe that, then do I really believe that the spiritual world is more real than this one?
Story of the woman who touched Jesus’ robes and was healed:
“Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” (Matt 9:22)
page 127
We are a vessel, we can choose which way we want to face: negative thoughts and feelings or positive thoughts and feelings; heaven or hell.
Doesn’t it make sense that thinking negative thoughts would attract evil spirits who love sickness? And that thinking positive thoughts would attract good spirits who love health?
page 126
Thoughts and feelings and prayers and love are powerful. Powerful enough to heal natural bodies. If I don’t believe that, then do I really believe that the spiritual world is more real than this one?
Story of the woman who touched Jesus’ robes and was healed:
“Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” (Matt 9:22)
page 127
We are a vessel, we can choose which way we want to face: negative thoughts and feelings or positive thoughts and feelings; heaven or hell.
Doesn’t it make sense that thinking negative thoughts would attract evil spirits who love sickness? And that thinking positive thoughts would attract good spirits who love health?
Section One: Laughter is the Best Medicine, page 128
“Joy is the serious business of heaven.” - C.S. Lewis
page 130
When you are sick, or unhealthy, remind yourself of the miracle of your body as a part of the Lord’s creation. The miracle of scabs, the immune system, the regenerative aspect of our physical bodies.
page 130
When you are sick, or unhealthy, remind yourself of the miracle of your body as a part of the Lord’s creation. The miracle of scabs, the immune system, the regenerative aspect of our physical bodies.
Section Two: Think Thoughts of Perfection, page 130
“But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matt 5:48)
Instead of thinking about getting older, think about getting wiser, getting ready for heaven.
Look to the good in all aspects of life. Thank the Lord for the health that you have. Don’t take it for granted. Don’t wait until you’re sick to start praying.
page 132
You may ask, “What about people who caught a disease, and yet were amazingly positive people. They were just unlucky?” What about epidemics, food poisoning, plagues? The hard answer to that is: this world is kept in a state of freedom by the Lord; a state of equilibrium where good and evil are equally present, so that people may freely choose. Because of that protection of our freedom, bad things can happen to good people. But as Gandalf says in the Lord of the Rings movie: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”
page 133
The Lord wants us to be happy... so let’s cooperate with Him. Let’s meet him half way and try BEING happy.
page 135
Let God worry about HOW. Let go and let God.
Instead of thinking about getting older, think about getting wiser, getting ready for heaven.
Look to the good in all aspects of life. Thank the Lord for the health that you have. Don’t take it for granted. Don’t wait until you’re sick to start praying.
page 132
You may ask, “What about people who caught a disease, and yet were amazingly positive people. They were just unlucky?” What about epidemics, food poisoning, plagues? The hard answer to that is: this world is kept in a state of freedom by the Lord; a state of equilibrium where good and evil are equally present, so that people may freely choose. Because of that protection of our freedom, bad things can happen to good people. But as Gandalf says in the Lord of the Rings movie: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”
page 133
The Lord wants us to be happy... so let’s cooperate with Him. Let’s meet him half way and try BEING happy.
page 135
Let God worry about HOW. Let go and let God.
Section Three: Nothing is Incurable, page 135
With God nothing is impossible.
The Kingdom of Heaven is within us
"It can never be said that heaven is outside anyone. It is within; because every angel accepts the heaven that is outside in keeping with the heaven that is within."
Emanuel Swedenborg, Heaven and Hell 54
Do you believe in miracles?
page 138
Ultimately it is love that heals. Positive thinking.
The Kingdom of Heaven is within us
"It can never be said that heaven is outside anyone. It is within; because every angel accepts the heaven that is outside in keeping with the heaven that is within."
Emanuel Swedenborg, Heaven and Hell 54
Do you believe in miracles?
page 138
Ultimately it is love that heals. Positive thinking.
Chapter Eight: The Secret to the World, page 141
We do need to fight evil, but the best way to do that is by being good people.
When it comes to fighting evil, we shouldn’t fight fire with fire.
page 142
Think about how much negativity surrounds politics.
The best way to resist evil, is to do good. Fill the void.
page 143
Seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God: goodness, love, peace, etc.
Don’t spend your time booing the team you don’t like,
spend your time routing for the team you do like.
Often times the very things we hate about others, is something that exists within us, and we spend too much time trying desparately to not be like our parents, or whatever, and so we become our parents.
How much time and energy do we spend having internal arguments with people we disagree with?
Rise Above It!
page 144
The best way to fight evil in the world is to be one more person who thinks, speaks, and acts in a loving way rather than a hating way.
The power of prayer. “Pray for those who spitefully use you... “Love your enemies!” (Matt 5:43-48, and Luke 6:27-36)
Pray for terrorists. Pray for evil people. Pray that the Lord will touch their hearts with love, and protect their victims.
page 145
“The News” is mostly bad news. Newspapers and TV often like to focus on the scandals and murders and explosions. This fills our heads with negative thoughts.
page 146
It’s not our job to change the people around us. It’s our job to change ourselves into good people, and only by example and love to have positive effects on the people around us.
“The life that leads to heaven is not a life withdrawn from the world, but a life in the world. A life of piety separated from a life of love, which is possible only in the world, does not lead to heaven, but a life of love does.”
Heaven and Hell 535 Emanuel Swedenborg
When it comes to fighting evil, we shouldn’t fight fire with fire.
page 142
Think about how much negativity surrounds politics.
The best way to resist evil, is to do good. Fill the void.
page 143
Seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God: goodness, love, peace, etc.
Don’t spend your time booing the team you don’t like,
spend your time routing for the team you do like.
Often times the very things we hate about others, is something that exists within us, and we spend too much time trying desparately to not be like our parents, or whatever, and so we become our parents.
How much time and energy do we spend having internal arguments with people we disagree with?
Rise Above It!
page 144
The best way to fight evil in the world is to be one more person who thinks, speaks, and acts in a loving way rather than a hating way.
The power of prayer. “Pray for those who spitefully use you... “Love your enemies!” (Matt 5:43-48, and Luke 6:27-36)
Pray for terrorists. Pray for evil people. Pray that the Lord will touch their hearts with love, and protect their victims.
page 145
“The News” is mostly bad news. Newspapers and TV often like to focus on the scandals and murders and explosions. This fills our heads with negative thoughts.
page 146
It’s not our job to change the people around us. It’s our job to change ourselves into good people, and only by example and love to have positive effects on the people around us.
“The life that leads to heaven is not a life withdrawn from the world, but a life in the world. A life of piety separated from a life of love, which is possible only in the world, does not lead to heaven, but a life of love does.”
Heaven and Hell 535 Emanuel Swedenborg
Section One: The Universe is Abundant, page 147
There’s more than enough love to go around. We don’t have to feel guilty if we’re happy and others are not. And we certainly shouldn’t make ourselves miserable because other are. Don’t worry, be happy, and spread the love. God’s love is infinite.
page 148
God can change the world. And we can help him by changing ourselves.
page 149
Everybody has a use, a place in the Grand Man of Heaven.
page 150
You cannot creat other people’s lives for them.
That is charity. That is serving others.
Pray for the world, change yourself, and do good useful things.
page 151
Look to the good in the world, and others around you, and by the law of attraction, that’s what will increase.
God Bless You! Say this more often.
More often we say to ourselves about others: “God, please help them see that they’re wrong.”
That is a negative feeling that will only attract more of the same.
page 152
Love your enemies, bless those who curse you.. etc.”
This is how to change or help the world.
Thank people and praise them for their unique perspective.
page 148
God can change the world. And we can help him by changing ourselves.
page 149
Everybody has a use, a place in the Grand Man of Heaven.
page 150
You cannot creat other people’s lives for them.
That is charity. That is serving others.
Pray for the world, change yourself, and do good useful things.
page 151
Look to the good in the world, and others around you, and by the law of attraction, that’s what will increase.
God Bless You! Say this more often.
More often we say to ourselves about others: “God, please help them see that they’re wrong.”
That is a negative feeling that will only attract more of the same.
page 152
Love your enemies, bless those who curse you.. etc.”
This is how to change or help the world.
Thank people and praise them for their unique perspective.
Chapter Nine: The Secret To You, page 155
We are spiritual beings. We have life from God in us.
Everything reflects the form of good and truth.
Everything is made from Divine Love and Wisdom.
page 156
Being forms of love, we eminate spheres of love.
page 157
We are free to choose what we love and think. This is our power.
And God has the power to give us what we choose. He does the work, but we have to choose it.
The Law of Attraction is powerful because God and all of the Spiritual World is here with us, in us.
“The Kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)
It’s not removed, up in space.
Think about what this means for your everyday life.
page 159
We are spiritual beings, and therefore will live to eternity in heaven, or hell. But we can choose which.
Everything reflects the form of good and truth.
Everything is made from Divine Love and Wisdom.
page 156
Being forms of love, we eminate spheres of love.
page 157
We are free to choose what we love and think. This is our power.
And God has the power to give us what we choose. He does the work, but we have to choose it.
The Law of Attraction is powerful because God and all of the Spiritual World is here with us, in us.
“The Kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)
It’s not removed, up in space.
Think about what this means for your everyday life.
page 159
We are spiritual beings, and therefore will live to eternity in heaven, or hell. But we can choose which.
Section One: The One Universal Mind, page 160
“In the beginning the Word already existed.” (John 1:1)
“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3)
We are the creators of our destiny... we choose heaven or hell.
“You are in Me, and I am in you.” (John 14:20)
“Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.... But if you stay joined to Me and My words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted!” (John 15:5-7)
God is not the same as us, but He is in us. It’s how we are alive.
page 161
“Look around you for needs waiting to tbe filled.”
The kingdom of heaven is a heaven of usefulness
“God is the one and only reality.”
page 162
Think in terms of the Spiritual World and God:
God is One, and Creation is an Image of God.
You have been given free will. The word “given” even implies “by a Person.”
page 163
Competition is like coveting. It’s assuming that God will not give you exactly what you want, and He WILL to others.
Law of Supply and Demand (or Request)
Don’t look to the world for happiness, look to God.
God works His miracles through people, but the source is God
Flood, Helicopter Story
page 164
We are not God, but we are made in His image.
Because we are created in the image of God, we are created in the image of: “Love, Kindness, Mercy, Courage, Compassion, Humor, Patience, Generosity, Acceptance, Confidentiality, Strength, Action, Order, Optimisim, Joy, Faith, Chastity, Humility, Contentment, Forgiveness, Tranquility, Gentleness, Charity, Wisdom, Gratitude, Assurance, Peace, Encouragement, Respect, Praise, Rest, Playfulness, Innocence, Trust, Truthfulness, Honesty, Appreciation, Understanding.” (Rise Above It, page 54)
page 165
parable of the talents
God wants us to use the life that He gave us.
“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3)
We are the creators of our destiny... we choose heaven or hell.
“You are in Me, and I am in you.” (John 14:20)
“Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.... But if you stay joined to Me and My words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted!” (John 15:5-7)
God is not the same as us, but He is in us. It’s how we are alive.
page 161
“Look around you for needs waiting to tbe filled.”
The kingdom of heaven is a heaven of usefulness
“God is the one and only reality.”
page 162
Think in terms of the Spiritual World and God:
God is One, and Creation is an Image of God.
You have been given free will. The word “given” even implies “by a Person.”
page 163
Competition is like coveting. It’s assuming that God will not give you exactly what you want, and He WILL to others.
Law of Supply and Demand (or Request)
Don’t look to the world for happiness, look to God.
God works His miracles through people, but the source is God
Flood, Helicopter Story
page 164
We are not God, but we are made in His image.
Because we are created in the image of God, we are created in the image of: “Love, Kindness, Mercy, Courage, Compassion, Humor, Patience, Generosity, Acceptance, Confidentiality, Strength, Action, Order, Optimisim, Joy, Faith, Chastity, Humility, Contentment, Forgiveness, Tranquility, Gentleness, Charity, Wisdom, Gratitude, Assurance, Peace, Encouragement, Respect, Praise, Rest, Playfulness, Innocence, Trust, Truthfulness, Honesty, Appreciation, Understanding.” (Rise Above It, page 54)
page 165
parable of the talents
God wants us to use the life that He gave us.
Section Two: You Are Not Your Past, page 165
The real question is , what are you going to do now?
God is forgiveness itself, which means we can choose to repent, reform, and be re-born.
page 166
“So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” (Matt 5:23-24)
page 167
You can overcome hereditary evils.
The power of God is greater than the power of the world and hell.
Saying: “I’ll never be good enough for heaven” is creating yourself in the image and likeness of hell.
page 168
Powerful words: “I AM” “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14)
God is whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious, and happy. And we can choose to be created in the image of that.
When we say I AM messed up, then that’s a powerful creation.
When we say I AM able to change my life, then that’s a powerful creation.
page 169
Choice is so powerful because when we choose, it becomes fact, existence in the spiritual plane, and the spiritual plane is the real world.
Strive to live your ideals, and they will come true.
Henry Ford Quote “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, either way you’re right.”
If you think you can’t overcome a specific evil in you, then you won’t, by your own prediction. And vice versa.
Start your business plan for heaven.
God is forgiveness itself, which means we can choose to repent, reform, and be re-born.
page 166
“So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” (Matt 5:23-24)
page 167
You can overcome hereditary evils.
The power of God is greater than the power of the world and hell.
Saying: “I’ll never be good enough for heaven” is creating yourself in the image and likeness of hell.
page 168
Powerful words: “I AM” “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14)
God is whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious, and happy. And we can choose to be created in the image of that.
When we say I AM messed up, then that’s a powerful creation.
When we say I AM able to change my life, then that’s a powerful creation.
page 169
Choice is so powerful because when we choose, it becomes fact, existence in the spiritual plane, and the spiritual plane is the real world.
Strive to live your ideals, and they will come true.
Henry Ford Quote “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, either way you’re right.”
If you think you can’t overcome a specific evil in you, then you won’t, by your own prediction. And vice versa.
Start your business plan for heaven.
Section Three: Be Aware of Your Thoughts, page 170
Be aware of your thoughts. Don’t live in the past or the future, but in the present. Examine your thoughts. Become aware of how you react to things. Be spiritually awake.
page 171
Meditate, pray
page 172
Read the Word. Ask God questions
Behold I stand at the door and knock
God wants to answer all our questions, He’s just waiting for us to open the door for Him. But too often we can’t hear him knocking because our “TV” is too loud. Turn down your “TV” or turn it off.
God answers our prayers, it’s just that we often aren’t listening when He does.
“Everything we want is motivated by love”
page 173
Ordering our loves does include loving yourself. Hell is simply when you love yourself MORE than anything else. And Heaven is when you love others MORE than yourself.
page 171
Meditate, pray
page 172
Read the Word. Ask God questions
Behold I stand at the door and knock
God wants to answer all our questions, He’s just waiting for us to open the door for Him. But too often we can’t hear him knocking because our “TV” is too loud. Turn down your “TV” or turn it off.
God answers our prayers, it’s just that we often aren’t listening when He does.
“Everything we want is motivated by love”
page 173
Ordering our loves does include loving yourself. Hell is simply when you love yourself MORE than anything else. And Heaven is when you love others MORE than yourself.
Chapter Ten: The Secret to Life, page 177
We have a purpose, but it’s not predetermined. We have free will.
Our book of life is like a blackboard; we can go back and start again.
page 178
The parable of the talents is not about a predetermined life, merely that God gives us talents and we can choose our purpose based on those talents.
“If it ain’t fun don’t do it,” This doesn’t work at first, while we’re shunning evils, and getting rid of bad habits. And it doesn’t work with things like paying bills, etc. But it eventually works in heaven.
Joy is the serious business of heaven - C.S. Lewis
page 179
Heaven is a state where doing what we love is useful to everyone around us. “What is my joy, my ruling love, my use?”
The trick with joy is what is TRUE joy? Doing selfish or evil things won’t bring us as much joy as doing good things.
Freedom is very important.
page 180
We can work towards heaven here on earth. Life isn’t about waiting for better things. It’s about working towards better things.
Starting right now.
Today is the beginning of the rest of your life.
page 181
We are in a new era. It’s the era of the New True Christianity. A time when we can be enlightened by God. A time when freedom is supported. A time when spiritual growth becomes a priority.
Our book of life is like a blackboard; we can go back and start again.
page 178
The parable of the talents is not about a predetermined life, merely that God gives us talents and we can choose our purpose based on those talents.
“If it ain’t fun don’t do it,” This doesn’t work at first, while we’re shunning evils, and getting rid of bad habits. And it doesn’t work with things like paying bills, etc. But it eventually works in heaven.
Joy is the serious business of heaven - C.S. Lewis
page 179
Heaven is a state where doing what we love is useful to everyone around us. “What is my joy, my ruling love, my use?”
The trick with joy is what is TRUE joy? Doing selfish or evil things won’t bring us as much joy as doing good things.
Freedom is very important.
page 180
We can work towards heaven here on earth. Life isn’t about waiting for better things. It’s about working towards better things.
Starting right now.
Today is the beginning of the rest of your life.
page 181
We are in a new era. It’s the era of the New True Christianity. A time when we can be enlightened by God. A time when freedom is supported. A time when spiritual growth becomes a priority.
Section One: Embrace Your Magnificence, page 182
God is power, perfection, wisdom, intelligence, love, joy.
“You were born to add something”
page 183
“I believe that you are great” read the quote, but insert God
“I believe that God is great!”
God made creation for us. God is the master of the Universe.
And God gave us a wonderful gift: freedom to choose our own path.
“Therefore the Lord is not resposible for our failure to be reborn and saved; we ourselves are.” (TCR 366)
“But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matt 5:48)
“You were born to add something”
page 183
“I believe that you are great” read the quote, but insert God
“I believe that God is great!”
God made creation for us. God is the master of the Universe.
And God gave us a wonderful gift: freedom to choose our own path.
“Therefore the Lord is not resposible for our failure to be reborn and saved; we ourselves are.” (TCR 366)
“But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matt 5:48)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
