The Secret - O Segredo, Rhonda Byrne
Originally uploaded by grave-digger

The Secret Is For Christians, Too
Part 1

If you're heard of the movie/book The Secret, you no doubt know that there are some very interesting topics that are discussed. The secret is the law of attraction, but how does that fit in with Christian theology? Can we really attract specific circumstances, events, and people to us? If so, where does God fit in? And isn't this just another name for faith?

My take on the law of attraction is this. I believe God made the law of attraction just like he made the law of gravity and the laws of thermodynamics, and I thank him for it. I use it and it works. Each time it does, I give God the glory - and mean it - to keep my heart in check.

Consider this familiar story in Genesis 11:

1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As men moved eastward, ^[a] they found a plain in Shinar ^[b] and settled there.

3 They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."

5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. 6 The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."

I want you to also consider what Jesus says in Mark 11:

23"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Remember, we were created in God's own image. (Gen. 1:27) I'm not entirely sure what that means, but I believe we have more control over things than the Church gives humanity credit for.

To be continued...

[What do you think? Post your comments below!]

For the love of God
Originally uploaded by Fernando Delfini

The Story Isn't Over Yet

I've been through a couple difficult times in my life. They were times that I really believed I could not (and would not) go on. I remember something my mother told me each time. "Peter, just hold on. You don't know how this ends. The story isn't over yet."

Whatever it is that you're going through, please know that God is there. He is there in the midst of the divorce. He is there in the midst of the recent death. He is there in the midst of your financial trouble. He is there in the midst of your miserable job. He is there in the middle of your dysfunctional family relations.

James, Jesus' brother, said: "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you..." (James 4:8)

You don't have to become a Christian, sell all your stuff and give it to the poor. If you're at a point where you feel you just can't go on, whatever you believe, try something.

Call on God.

Something as little as: "God, I don't know you. But if you're there. Help. Show me you're here."

And leave it at that. I guarantee you he will show up. It might not be in the way you expected, but he will show up. He's promised it. And God doesn't go back on his promises.

Whatever you're going through, remember: this is not the end. Your story isn't over yet. If you need to, just call on God. He's there.

Prayer
Originally uploaded by Timhaiti

Three Great Ways To Get Closer To God

There are more than four, but here are four that, when consistently implemented, can have a dynamic impact in your life. You will not only feel closer to God, but will be able to hear his voice better. Some don't think God talks today, but God ardently wants to speak to us and does so often:

1. Prayer - whether it's a one-word "Help!" or a four-word "Please heal my wife." The more you pray, the more you connect with God. In many respects, prayer is simply communicating. Do relationships last without communication? I didn't think so. Same with God.

2. Meditation - but not like you may think. If you can tune out all other sounds, noises, and people, and just focus on one passage in scripture - even a couple words from a verse - you are halfway to meditating. The other half is listening. A lot of times, God will speak.

3. Fasting - ok, not the most fun or easy, but powerful. While our bodies are like spoiled children when we don't eat, it's been proven that fasting once a week is quite healthy for the body. Whether you fast a day or a meal spend time in either prayer, silence, or meditation. It can be a powerful experience, and very helpful if you're looking for specific direction.

To Beseech Thee
Originally uploaded by The Wandering Angel

Don't Taze Me, Bro

So there's this verse that I love. Psalm 118:6:

The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

I find comfort in the last line: "What can man do to me?" Sometimes I say that to myself. What can man do to me? It gives me confidence. I am a child of God. He's my Father. He takes care of me now. He will take care of me in the future. He is faithful.

There is nothing that I will go through that God can't and won't help me with.

If we call on him, He has promised to answer us. Remember that.

Jason's Take

The Gift of Not Getting What You Want

It is said that there are two real tragedies in life: not getting what one wants, and getting it. I can certainly see this to have been the case in my experience.

When I graduated from college in 2004, life didn't seem to fall into place like it should have. I had goals, but didn't know how I would make them happen financially. I was broke, unemployed, and my parents had to help me out with my bills. In an effort to jump start my career, I tried applying for the Air Force officer candidate school, but my application was passed over. Admittedly, that career path was in the opposite direction of where I wanted to go, but the pressure to get my life together was more real to me than what was ultimately best for me. When my recruiter told me I had not been picked up for officer training, I was disappointed to put it mildly; crushed is probably a more accurate description. But eventually I was able to feel relieved--relieved that God knew what was best for me and was not going to let me make a mistake out of desperation.

After that, things still didn't fall into place immediately. It took a couple more years to really find where I was supposed to be. But I felt that God was with me that whole time, through all of the uncertainty and doubt and worry. And even in my efforts to do what I thought was best for me, I am thankful to have not gotten what I thought I wanted.

God knew better.

[Check out more of what Jason has to say at beginners-mind.blogspot.com]

this is not real
Originally uploaded by od1ug

The Appeal of Real

I can't stress enough how important it is to be real with people. Maybe it's because I've learned that it's a successful way to communicate - and I love to do that, communicate (because I love people). But it is also imperative when it comes to talking about matters of faith.

So often people freeze when conversations shift to spiritual topics. People either think:

"Oh great, this is when Sue here is going to blast me and tell me how I'm a sinner."

Or, from a different perspective.

"Bob can probably tell I have no idea what I'm talking about. I didn't memorize the Bible! I thought this witnessing stuff was easier!"

Relax.

Be yourself. We were all created in God's image, not just the successful ones. We each represent something unique and different that another person does not offer. I don't believe Jesus made people feel uncomfortable because he didn't know how to talk to them. He genuinely loved every person. Do you think that made it easier or harder to talk to them?

That doesn't mean you need to go out and hug everyone you meet. You will be punched. But understand that things are never as complicated as we think. Be yourself. Be comfortable in your own skin. And know that there isn't a cute, little angel sitting on your shoulder with a notepad grading everything you say. That's only in the movies.

Girl Picking Up Trash
Originally uploaded by Aquistbe

The Salient, Seven-Letter Word That Shakes Society

There are many words that stand out, but few when properly used - and rightly identifying - matter as much to the world. The word:

Serving

When a group of people unanimously characterize a certain individual as being a servant, someone who serves, without question, at every possible opportunity, things happen:

1. It produces a ripple effect of change. I once heard this quote from a sales manager, someone who seemed to have such influence but was so incredible and down to earth. He said this: "Peter, the one who bends the most has the most influence." Now, while that can represent someone other than a servant, remember, a servant is someone who bends their own will to serve another consistently. (It's in this case that I make the point.)

2. People listen. When a someone with the heart of a servant speaks up, everybody listens. Why? Because they do what nobody else wants to do. They command respect. They summon attention. They do this without force. Mother Theresa ring a bell?

3. You look like Jesus. Who doesn't want to look like Jesus? It's what every "good" Christian says their goal is - to be more "Christlike". Well, then, find (or create) an opportunity to serve and then do so. You will be well on your way.