Tag: christian

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Quiet Period – Rethink your Thinking and Rewire Your Life

Do you have these quiet periods of life? When you're not producing anything, nor being efficient on the outside?

It could be you are processing pain. And you feel you are in the Valley of Darkness - away from the world.

Is it another season for you? Like the Season of Growth. When it's a time to read the great books, and write in your journal. To rethink your thinking and rewire your life.

On those times ... you might think "I am wasting my time". Your emotional universe is filled with guilt. Because you are not doing, and your schedule is not full and you are not producing.

But ... what if those times are actually being productive in another way? Producing - not in the world but within yourself. Producing new energies. Producing new emotions. Transforming your fears into love.

Because in order to let go, to release you have to go through the pain. And when you release those fears then you grow in bravery.

What does that do to your craft? What does that do to your power?

You are renewed, you look at your skills with new eyes. You see things that were hidden.

A break away can serve you well.

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DisIntegration Experiences: 3

I convey my journey in countries and societies, based on my perspective and only my own experiences. I encourage you to contribute, ask questions and offer your own views. This platform is not complete without your contribution. Posting extracts from my upcoming book.

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PROLOGUE (THE FOREIGNER)

With hindsight it was pretty far from the best moment to arrive at the main airport in France that Friday night in November 2005.

It was pouring with rain, and by Saturday 4th, the ninth of unrest and protest, there had been 259 arrests, a dozen men and women had been injured and more than 2,141 vehicles burnt. The suburbs of Paris were ablaze and the fever had spread uncontrollably to Lyon, Strasbourg and Rouen - political mismanagement fueling the rage of the most impoverished of France's citizens. Cars had been torched and buildings smashed. Riot police moved in, firing rubber bullets and tear gas. Fighting escalated. The rioters grew in number to 400. The Sunday before word spread that a tear-gas canister of the kind used by the police had been thrown on to the doorstep of the Bilal mosque up in northern Paris...

 

Photo by Norbu Gyachung
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Be True to Yourself – Speak Up Now

Are you somebody who sits back and says nothing when something really needs to be said? It could be an idea, a suggestion, an observation, a criticism ... but for some reason you don't want to speak up. Well, I was.

Some people might say like staying silent is the wiser choice – and it does apply to some situations.
But there are a few reasons why despite the risk, standing up is a good choice.

‘You must feel the fear and speak your mind anyway. Then act in spite of fear. Act in spite of anything.
So often people sit back and say nothing when something really needs to be said. Speaking up is an important form of honesty – for yourself’

 

gandhi

Think about fear. Why are you frightened? Imagine you feel in your guts that you want to say what you think. Say it, and it will bring you relief and release your emotions.
- If you stay silent it is usually taken as if you would agree. And if you don’t say what you wish, what could be further from the truth – it will later frustrate and create resentment in you.

You may not be alone in your thinking. Others may share your thoughts and opinions, but may be also unwilling or fearful to speak up. By speaking your mind you also encourage them to voice their opinions. If you say something that is considered irrelevant and unimportant then you voiced your opinion anyway: and if this is criticized in the group – it is a sign that the dialogue is not open.

Speaking up demonstrates that you will be truthful not only with other people, but with yourself. And when you practice this – it will flow naturally to speak up as your confidence improves, even if you would be an introvert.

 

Photo by Ricardo Mancía

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Christianity is proclaiming the good news. Then why are so many Christians unhappy?

Why it is important to face this question is because we are living in a pragmatic age. People of today are less interested in truth, and more in results. And they ask - does Christianity work?

Well. Does it?

Many say of Christian people: 'Look at Christian people, look at the impression they give. They look so unhappy and troubled and downcast. They have written on their forehead - I'm not good enough'. All this while the people of the world are excited and thrilled about football matches, museums and culture - and they sure want everybody to know it!

There is no doubt that this 'display of unhappiness' by Christians is a big reason why large numbers of people have stopped to be interested in Christianity - and let's honestly admit that there is some justification in their claims. Christians too often give the appearance of unhappiness and of lack of freedom and abscence of joy.

There are large numbers of these Christians, or more specifically - miserable Christians, in this unhappy situation. Their Christian life seems to them be a constant problem, they read books, attend conferences which are meant to give instruction about the Christian way of life - yet they always seek this something which they don't find and seem to live a life of defeat. Astonishingly, most of them have a clear perception of the Christian faith, and here is often the problem. They often focus more on the question of sanctification and being righteous and doing good works - than justification. They have assumed they are on the right tracks and have forgotten or ignored about the basics of salvation and justification. The question they need to ask is 'Do I know God' not 'Do I believe in God'. 'Is Jesus Christ real to me' not 'Do I believe in Him'.

The best remedy for overcoming doubts, discouragements, regrets and fear for the future is learning to live the Christian life wholeheartedly. This is of course not easy. It is not an act of righteousness. This demands that you take time to explore whether you are humble or just play a game of appearing righteous! No, this is not in fashion today with all the social media hype about appearing so cool, right?! We are all in such a hurry to congratulate ourselves - and, we have to have everything at once. We also think that all truth can be stated in a few minutes, all questions answered immediately without contemplation. The answer to that is that it cannot, and so the reason why so many today are living superficial Christian lives is because they will not take time to examine themselves. Before we face anybody else, we must really face ourselves.

Conviction of sin: If you have not a conviction of sin, and if you do not realize that you are unworthy before God, and that you are utterly condemned and a complete failure before God - pay attention to nothing else until you have it, until you understand this because you will never get rid of your depression until you are right about that.

In other words: It does not matter if you have nearly entered within the gates of hell, if you are guilty of murder as well as every other wicked sin, it does not matter from the point of being justified with God. Because you are no more hopeless than the most respectable self-righteous person in the world!

Do you wish to be rid of your spiritual unhappiness? Then say farewell now once and forever to your past. Realize that it has been covered by Christ. By his blood to be more specific. What you need now is not to make resolutions to live a more holy life, to start fasting and sweating and praying. No, you just need to begin saying ... 'I rest my faith on Him alone'.

Therefore the conclusion is that a man is justified by faith without deeds of the Law.

 

Photo by Steven Kamps