what i believe (for doogiet and friends)

MC Grace · Post by **MC Grace** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:02 pm

doogiet,
we've been having a bit of conversation about faith. and as promised i am trying to follow up by the end of the week (guess i'm cutting it close).
well, as mike aka NinjaFrodo mentioned--this may not the best time in your development to have all-out discussions about God/gods, faith, and all that. and, really, i am not interested in all that write now.
it's imporant to consider the possibilities, without putting too much pressure on yourself--while using the structure of the program.
what will believe will come up for you as you go through the lessons - on some level - so it's good to (at the very least) acknowledge these thoughts/questions -- as long as you don't push yourself to come to a conclusion. rather, take your time.
i noticed that you posted a question about walking with Jesus, so to speak. and that kind of curiousity and vulnerability is really good, it indicates great potential for growth.

the program will give you skills to explore your faith and lack of it (we all have both to varying degrees). for example, here are some of my beliefs. . .

i (MC) believe in Duke Ellington, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Corey Booker, and Frederick Douglass. not all the time, but i do. i gain inspiration from their lives.
i believe in being neighborly: things like community gardens. . . asking for and giving directions. . . mentoring. . . pool parties, etc.
i believe in festive mugs, making ice cream from scratch, and sun tea.
i believe in saving compassion for myself, reflexology, massage, meditation, worshipping my God (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) with my whole heart, and deep breathing.
but sometimes i forget these things. sometimes i'm not in the mood.
sometimes i have to stop and scratch my head. sometimes i am excited and ready to learn new things.
other times i am overwhelmed the best thing i can do is nap.
i heard something like this recently. and i like it: i believe Jesus was born not only to get us out of trouble--but to get into trouble with us.
you may now about the Christmas story that talks about Jesus as "Emmanuel", which means God with us. which leads me to: how do i walk with Jesus? with trust and belief that Jesus is my friend. with one foot in front of the other. . . .

and i don't except you to believe in the same way that i do, as a few others mentioned in other, related threads.

you are a unique individual. your beliefs will take a different shape and as you take the time to learn about yourself through the program, they will develop.
that's scary. but we learn to get over fear.
there's inspiration all around us--but no one is exactly like us.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:21 am

MCGrace,
You said: "but sometimes i forget these things. sometimes i'm not in the mood.
sometimes i have to stop and scratch my head. sometimes i am excited and ready to learn new things.
other times i am overwhelmed the best thing i can do is nap."
I LOVE that you said that as it reminds me of the obvious (but not-so-obvious to me) point that we aren't "on" all the time or we don't have it all together all the time or "get it". I get anxiety when I don't feel secure in my beliefs and when I don't feel "all together" about things. I don't need to FEAR those times because it's normal and what I'm passionate or confident in ALWAYS comes back to me later.

Thanks!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 1:47 pm

I don't need to FEAR those times because it's normal and what I'm passionate or confident in ALWAYS comes back to me later.

yes!

I get anxiety when I don't feel secure in my beliefs and when I don't feel "all together" about things.

i'm glad you "got" and appreciated this! aren't reminders great? i am listening to some lessons (5 and 14) that i haven't too in a long while--and it's amazing the things that i have been reminded of. it's so great to be at a point where i can listen to them and appreciate the reminders and not beat myself up as much as before. this program is so great and i'm glad we can encourage each other!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 6:02 am

This is interesting...that you mentioned being "off" at times. I refer to that as being "in the Wilderness". There are times we are on the mountain-top in our faith and everything seems so clear. But then there are those times we enter a wilderness and everything is scary and "dead"....lifeless. It looks too real and too permanent. But I have learned it is like the calm before the storm. There is growth in it. He is with us even if we don't sense His presence. It is a time to press in and listen to that quiet voice within. Eventually, we find that quiet oasis of fresh flowing water, (we find that in the Word) and we are strengthened and changed, and ready for the next phase of the journey. What we need to do is trust that He is there. We really are not alone, ever, even when we feel like it. Trust and know that I AM.