Lent 2010 with Guest Blogger Melanie Love!
Last week marked the beginning of the season of Lent in the Christian world. It is 40 days long, which represents Jesus’ 40 days in the desert where he contemplated and endured temptation before beginning his public ministry. [note: Lent is observed differently by different Christian traditions. Not having been raised “in church” per se, I myself had to go to Old Faithful – Wikipedia – to get the details]
According to this story, Jesus went on a Question Journey of his own before stepping into his power and sharing his message for the world.
Our minister (who is fond of asking questions of us and questioning the text to imagine what the period of time in question was experiencing both politically and culturally) referred to the Gospel of Thomas as being a very different version of Jesus’ message, one that is still considered heretical by many as it isn’t in keeping with the orthodoxy of the church (i.e. the only way to heaven is through Jesus, etc.). The Gospel of Thomas essential quotes Jesus as saying that God isn’t out there, it is inside us and all around us if we would only look to see.
I was asked by my minister to give a prayer in keeping with this theme. What follows is my brief prayer for all those engaging in inner searching, contemplation and Question Journeys of their own. May you experience the peace and light that deep personal awareness brings.
Heavenly Father/Universe (whatever works for you),
We are encouraged and admonished by Ghandi to be the change we wish to see. In other words, the only way to change the world is to first change ourselves.
We pray for moments of reflection and insight so that we may look at ourselves with open yet compassionate eyes.
We ask for the courage to be deeply honest with ourselves for we cannot change what we do not see.
In seeing what we might call flaws, let us avoid judging these as imperfections and help us to simply accept the lessons that served our growth as human beings; and having learned and grown, simply let them fade into memory as we choose to step into the Light and towards the possibilities that the path of Love provides.
And as we look deep insight ourselves, help us to also see the good, the giving and the beautiful things that bring us ever closer to the Divine.
Amen.
From Guest Blogger Melanie Love! Check out Melanie's Blog here
Melanie and Trish at Melanie's wedding February 14, 2009!
According to this story, Jesus went on a Question Journey of his own before stepping into his power and sharing his message for the world.
Our minister (who is fond of asking questions of us and questioning the text to imagine what the period of time in question was experiencing both politically and culturally) referred to the Gospel of Thomas as being a very different version of Jesus’ message, one that is still considered heretical by many as it isn’t in keeping with the orthodoxy of the church (i.e. the only way to heaven is through Jesus, etc.). The Gospel of Thomas essential quotes Jesus as saying that God isn’t out there, it is inside us and all around us if we would only look to see.
I was asked by my minister to give a prayer in keeping with this theme. What follows is my brief prayer for all those engaging in inner searching, contemplation and Question Journeys of their own. May you experience the peace and light that deep personal awareness brings.
Heavenly Father/Universe (whatever works for you),
We are encouraged and admonished by Ghandi to be the change we wish to see. In other words, the only way to change the world is to first change ourselves.
We pray for moments of reflection and insight so that we may look at ourselves with open yet compassionate eyes.
We ask for the courage to be deeply honest with ourselves for we cannot change what we do not see.
In seeing what we might call flaws, let us avoid judging these as imperfections and help us to simply accept the lessons that served our growth as human beings; and having learned and grown, simply let them fade into memory as we choose to step into the Light and towards the possibilities that the path of Love provides.
And as we look deep insight ourselves, help us to also see the good, the giving and the beautiful things that bring us ever closer to the Divine.
Amen.
From Guest Blogger Melanie Love! Check out Melanie's Blog here
Melanie and Trish at Melanie's wedding February 14, 2009!
Posted by Trish at 2/24/2010 4:58 PM 
Categories: questions,health,personal development,self-development,spirituality,healing
Tags: self-help self development spiritual healing questions author health personal development healing spirituality books
Categories: questions,health,personal development,self-development,spirituality,healing
Tags: self-help self development spiritual healing questions author health personal development healing spirituality books
If we want to change something or if there's something that needs change, I believe that this change must start with us. Because Jesus even told us that before you remove a mess from others eyes, remove first yours. That's the major principle we shouldn't forget at any course of time.
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I can’t help not to admire your post. It was definitely great and so interesting. I totally enjoyed it. Thank you so much for sharing and may you have a nice day as always.
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Through it, this is in remembrance on what our savior did for us. So, let us cherish the moments and let's always thank God for everything he did for us.
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God exists in us, as us. We don't need to look anywhere but within. That's why it's so important to be centered and connected. Internal peace is vital to connecting with God.
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