A few days ago I wrote "Learning About Faith." I found that having faith is a choice we make, just as so many things in the Course point out that it's up to us to choose between alternatives -- God and Love or ego and fear, for example. In my case I had to also choose between Faith and coincidence.
Here's what's happened...
In recent weeks I have enjoyed a freelance writing assignment that asks me to read and review over a dozen books, all with a scientific basis and spiritual overtones. These are not to be found among the raft of self-help books that clog up the retail bookseller shelves. These books address Compassion, Happiness, Mindful Loving and many similar topics in profound depth. They all have a great deal in common with what the Course teaches.
One might say, "Well, Allan, good for you. What a coincidence." But I've chosen to believe this assignment is part of what the Holy Spirit is setting up for me to help me grow toward living full-time in my Right Mind. I have Faith that is so. I simply cannot express in words the appreciation, and the feeling of being Loved that this assignment gives me. Not for its worldly benefits of making money, or even for the vast new learning I am enjoying from reading and reviewing these books. The appreciation I have is in giving Thanks to the Holy Spirit for guiding me in this way. For giving me so many new, insightful views into what the Course is teaching me. For answering my strident prayers to get help in finding my Right Mind.
I would never had known most of these dozen or so books but for this assignment. I would never have had the opportunity to see the fundamental teachings of the Course elucidated in so many different ways. Thank you Father for your help in leading me another step down the path toward You.
Chapter 21: REASON AND PERCEPTION, Section II. The Responsibility for Sight says that:
I am responsible for what I see.
I choose the feelings I experience, and I decide upon the goal I would achieve.
And everything that seems to happen to me I ask for, and receive as I have asked.
It is impossible the Son of God be merely driven by events outside of him. It is impossible that happenings that come to him were not his choice. His power of decision is the determiner of every situation in which he seems to find himself by chance or accident. No accident nor chance is possible within the universe as God created it, outside of which is nothing. Suffer, and you decided sin was your goal. Be happy, and you gave the power of decision to Him Who must decide for God for you. This is the little gift you offer to the Holy Spirit, and even this He gives to you to give yourself. For by this gift is given you the power to release your savior, that he may give salvation unto you.
Here's what's happened...
In recent weeks I have enjoyed a freelance writing assignment that asks me to read and review over a dozen books, all with a scientific basis and spiritual overtones. These are not to be found among the raft of self-help books that clog up the retail bookseller shelves. These books address Compassion, Happiness, Mindful Loving and many similar topics in profound depth. They all have a great deal in common with what the Course teaches.
One might say, "Well, Allan, good for you. What a coincidence." But I've chosen to believe this assignment is part of what the Holy Spirit is setting up for me to help me grow toward living full-time in my Right Mind. I have Faith that is so. I simply cannot express in words the appreciation, and the feeling of being Loved that this assignment gives me. Not for its worldly benefits of making money, or even for the vast new learning I am enjoying from reading and reviewing these books. The appreciation I have is in giving Thanks to the Holy Spirit for guiding me in this way. For giving me so many new, insightful views into what the Course is teaching me. For answering my strident prayers to get help in finding my Right Mind.
I would never had known most of these dozen or so books but for this assignment. I would never have had the opportunity to see the fundamental teachings of the Course elucidated in so many different ways. Thank you Father for your help in leading me another step down the path toward You.
Chapter 21: REASON AND PERCEPTION, Section II. The Responsibility for Sight says that:
I am responsible for what I see.
I choose the feelings I experience, and I decide upon the goal I would achieve.
And everything that seems to happen to me I ask for, and receive as I have asked.
It is impossible the Son of God be merely driven by events outside of him. It is impossible that happenings that come to him were not his choice. His power of decision is the determiner of every situation in which he seems to find himself by chance or accident. No accident nor chance is possible within the universe as God created it, outside of which is nothing. Suffer, and you decided sin was your goal. Be happy, and you gave the power of decision to Him Who must decide for God for you. This is the little gift you offer to the Holy Spirit, and even this He gives to you to give yourself. For by this gift is given you the power to release your savior, that he may give salvation unto you.