Positivelyjohn's Weblog

Positively Speaking!

By: John Rodgers

Christ has risen!- He has risen indeed! We are now at the tail end of the Easter season. I hope all are still feeling the joy of the “Risen Christ”. The prophecies have been fulfilled, Jesus over came death and proved that life is eternal, and we have nothing to fear. Jesus told us He would, and He did. This should be proof enough that all who follow the teachings of this great man would believe all that He taught is “truth”, and the life He showed us is “The Way”. The last time I wrote, I discussed a teaching from Jesus; “ Judge not, lest ye be judged”! The article was about eliminating judgment, and accepting all life sends our way with the intention of finding the opportunity for joy, grace, peace, compassion, and love. Now at first glance, should one be prone to judging, the horrific torture, ridicule, and sadistic crucifixion of Our Lord, would seem a ripe condition for negative judgment. However, had Christ not endured this heinous ordeal, would Christianity even exist today? Out of a seemingly awful occurrence the greatest joy mankind has ever known was born. Funny how that worked out,no?Well, “The Good Shepherd” also taught us; “What so ever you sow, so shall you reap”! A good number of our congregation, as well as some visitors, attended the March, “Fridays”, to view a video version of the highly acclaimed, best selling, Inspirational guide, “The Secret”. This little book explains what is referred to as a “Universal Law” known as “ The Law of Attraction”. This “Law” is the scientific/spiritual mechanism through which the lesson given to us by Jesus, is accomplished. Jesus taught us the “truth” about “ The Law of Attraction”, and now we have been given a little insight as to how it works to create our lives. I previously thought that what “ The Teacher from Nazareth” was alluding to was that if we do kind things for people, kindness will be returned to us. But 20^th century Spiritual seekers, teachers, and leaders, have linked science, and spirit to find that our thoughts, actions, and most importantly, our feelings are the creative force that determines the condition of our lives.So I guess, doing good deeds but having a negative outlook, or being charitable, and worrying about bills, or being nice to friends, and criticizing the government, all contradict one another. The ‘ Truths” that Jesus Christ illuminated for all to see, were the “ Secrets” to living lives filled with joy, peace, and grace. All the lessons of the “Christian Message” were a package. No buffet dinner here. Jesus put great emphasis on the meal. He always had people eating together. Christ’s’ message was a full coarse meal, meant to be consumed in its’ entirety.March’s challenge was to try not to pass judgment on life, and take it “as is”, looking for our opportunity to love. For May, I challenge this congregation to do away with negativity, as “ like attracts like”. If we see a situation that needs attention, approach it from the aspect of creating joy from it, instead of lamenting over what we feel is wrong. If we focus our attention on what is wrong with our lives, or what we don’t want for ourselves, or what we don’t like in this world, we attract more of it. First, don’t judge, than, only give attention to what we want to create, as oppose to what we want to eliminate. Let’s not protest war, teach peace instead. Let’s not criticize government, endorse, and encourage better leaders instead, and let’s not focus on how much hunger exists in the world, focus on how many resources we can share with those that could use them. Gratitude, and appreciation will yield much better results than outrage, and anger. Don’t judge all that is wrong with the world and get angry enough to do something, be grateful for all the love we have to share, and appreciate the opportunities to do so!No complaints, no criticism, seek only what we wish to manifest. “ As you sow, so shall you reap” POSITIVELY SPEAKING,  that is good advice

Positively Speaking!

By: John Rodgers

Not so many years ago, (probably 20) there was a very popular TV commercial for Spaghetti sauce by Prego, where they kept repeating “It’s in there!” The point was to continually reinforce to the doubter that everything necessary for a perfect tasting sauce was indeed inherent in this product. Humanity was saved once again by a marketing genius. No longer would we spend countless hours at the supermarket searching and searching for the perfect sauce. Never again need we create that awful mess in the kitchen that follows the hours of toil creating sauce from “scratch”. Prego put it all “In there”.         

In recent years I’ve come to realize that the product of my life-long quest will never be found in the places I spent years looking. The product I am discussing has many names. Some call it grace, others peace, while it is also known as serenity, contentment, wholeness, fulfillment, and love. The simplest term that resonates with everyone is “happiness”. We are all searching for happiness. There isn’t a living breathing entity that does not desire happiness, (providing it can feel emotion).          

When we buy a new car, it’s not for the speed, or the look, or the economy, but for the happiness we think we will experience from those features. New clothes are not for fit, the look or the feel, but for the happiness we will derive from wearing them. When we buy a house, choose a mate, pick a house of worship, the components, features and benefits are all directed toward bringing us to the ever elusive place in our minds we call “happy”.          For much of my life “happy” was like the proverbial, “carrot-on-a-stick”. It was always just out of reach. I thought becoming an adult and breaking free of the bondage of parents would get me there. Then I figured finding a mate and settling down would be the ticket. After that I expected that the right job would be the key, then I knew once I became a dad, or joined a church, etc, etc, etc, ad-infinitum! One could get discouraged, and be prompted to exclaim, “Where’s the beef?” (Any one get the impression I am a product of television?)         

Well it seems that I have been looking in the wrong place. It also seems that the more I want something, the further from my reach it appears to be. I have been hoping that the wonderful “OZ” would help me find my way if I met his requirements, and brought him the wicked witches broom, (TV again). Well, I’ve gotten the broom and still no reward. I have figured out that the guy up on the screen is only me behind the curtain, and I have had the power to go home all along in my shoes, if I only click my heels and repeat “there’s no place like home”.         

Coming to the realization that the Spirit of God lives within my being, and understanding all that is, is for a purpose, has shown me that accepting every component of life as it unfolds, “IS” happiness. I kept looking for outside conditions to bring me to happiness. I kept chasing, and running from the wicked witch. Truth be told that which I seek, I already have and had no need to look so hard. When you look out the window you don’t see what’s in the house, and that is where home is.         

We are all diverse expressions of Divine Spirit. We are God expressing God in a countless variety of forms. Accepting this allows us to realize happiness (no matter what the outside conditions are). The contradiction I have lived with is that looking within and finding happiness brings about the outer conditions that reflect it. I always tried to put the cart before the horse, living life backward. The truth I have found is that everything I need to be blissfully happy is inside.

“It’s In There” life is an inside job! God lives in our hearts and minds. Happiness is a realization found through an acceptance of life unconditionally. The search is over and I have found that my prize was in my pocket all along. POSITIVELY SPEAKING, IT’S IN THERE!