Most Miss The Entire Point of Religion or Prayer...

As I study religion, I'm finding ONE common thing (in any religion).

God (whatever name the religion gives him) is all-knowing, all-controlling and directs our paths. So, if that's the case, we miss out on his #1 gift to us.

The one gift that without, I don't find anyone can truly embrace God (from within). It's also the GREATEST gift we can ever ask for (above all the money, success and all else you may want). What is it?

A sense of PEACE...

Why do you stress when something bad happens? Why are you upset? Why do you blame people or situations for things missing in your life? 

The bottomline is that God is in control of all these things. He does what he does with a PURPOSE. Leave it to him. Put all your burdens onto him and live only in his PATH. If something bad happens, learn from it and move on. Look for the GOOD in it.

That's what I call inner peace. As I go about my studies, it's the greatest Gift I'm getting. Honestly, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I'm realizing now how important it is.

All of a sudden nice cars, big houses, first class flights - all seem so small. Having a mind at peace is a feeling that is very hard to described. But it's a feeling one can appreciate after having felt nothing but unsettling pain and stress.

Whatever you name God - if you do believe in God - turn your decisions and their outcomes to him and free yourself of them. Try it...

My 2nd Visit To Church Service - Midweek Service

Today, I went to Church with a friend and her mom. 3 days ago, the idea randomly came to me and I wanted to go. I had missed the last 2 Sundays and would miss the next month traveling. So I figured I'd go.

In the beginning of service, there is a prayer with a "rock band." As soon as they started singing about God and his love, I got incredibly emotional for some reason. I controlled myself. But minutes later it'd happen again. I don't know what was wrong with me. I wanted to cry. I wasn't sad, if anything I felt great.

I rarely cry - I can count on two hands how many times I've cried in my life. It was really strange for me. I held it back but I still remember the feeling. I think the music just really got to me!

The Service:

Today we discussed "How To Have a Fruitful Fast" in which we went over many scriptures that discuss fasting. The Church is doing a "fast" for the first 21 days of the New Year to start with Strength and Faith. It's not Lint. You can give up a particular food, activity, a meal, anything - just do it in the name of God.

I liked the message a lot. I've decided to give up Pizza for 21 days :)  Pizza is my favorite food in the whole world. Here it goes!

Here Are Some Notes:

1. What is Fasting?  Voluntarily laying aside food for certain time, certain food/drink or activity for the sake of seeking God in prayer and devotion.


Here are 3 of the WRONG reasons to Fast (if you're doing it in the name of God).

1. Don't fast to GET something from God - he is not your personal Genie :)
2. It's not about "gaining favor" from God. He loves you anyways, he won't love you more.
3. Don't fast to lose weight. If that's a byproduct, fine, but it's not even a good way to lose weight!
(I think Pastor Dale was being a bit funny here too).


He also broke down "F.A.S.T" for us.

1. F = Be Focused.
2. A = Anticipate God's activity - Don't "predict" it, just know it will be good.
3. S = SATURATE yourself with SCRIPTURE
4. T = TURN your insights into ACTIONS.
* During your fast, you will get insight, Pastor Dale guaranteed that, whatever it is, you will get something. Just make sure to turn that into Action!

I've taken pictures of the note-sheets we got today. Sorry, I wrote all over it - hope you can still read it!

 

My Conversation with Mom #2 About Her Conversion To Christianity...

Today I met with a friend and her mom (practically like my second mother). Actually, interesting, if I end up considering myself 'born-again' - she WILL be like my second mom :O

She shared her story with me and corrected some misconceptions and concerns I had re: Christianity. Here are a few take-aways I had from our coffee meeting (then I'll tell you about Church). Buckle in!

Here's her background. She was once a VERY devout Hindu. As a kid, I used to even run from her when she started her sermons.  She knew all the religious writings by HEART. She then hit some hardships and one day, GOD himself (not even Jesus) appeared before her. She saw him. She even described what he looked like...

Long robe...long white hard...silhouette mostly though. He began by asking her: "Do you know my Son, Christ?"  I found that interesting since recently I had heard "My name is Christ." Wonder why he doesn't call himself Jesus?

Anyways, here's the SHOCKING part. When he appeared before her, he recited the entire 66 books of the Bible to her. She went from one day not knowing a WORD to the next knowing the entire Bible. Even before my eyes, she flew through the Bible finding scriptures left and right, almost on demand!

After that he continued to speak to her and give her instructions as to "what next." The message was unavoidable, even to a middle aged DEVOUT Hindu woman. It was clear that day. She was now on the path of following Christ.

My Conversation with Her:

In the entire conversation I asked a few questions among other conversation.

1. Is it still OK to go to other religion events if it means supporting my family and only for that reason? After all, Commandment #5 says "Honor your father and mother."

"Yes it is. Pray to Christ first and simply explain your situation. Ask to be excused. During the religious proceedings, simply think of him and pray to him. When you leave, praise his name yet again.

Actually, he'll be even more proud of you.

Christ is not an angry God. Remember, he is all love. He understands our situations better than anyone (even ourselves). What's important is that your heart is clean - that's all."

This brought me great Peace. It's what I always felt inside and considering she is still "in" a Hindu family. She has to still support her Son and others who have Hindu marriages, etc... She goes and supports her family without ever fearing hurting or upsetting Jesus.

Remember. He loves, that's it. He loves.

2. If I embrace Christ, does that mean I have to always look at my family as if they are condemned? Do I have to judge them? I won't have the heart to do it. They only do what they have always been taught in their lives.

"No it is not! As a matter of fact, by bringing Christ to me, I bring him to my family as well! I can pray for them. This is just not something I'm to worry about. I'm just a human. Let Christ handle worrying about that. I handle myself :)

My job is just to love them. Support them. All the time."

Hmm...it was a semi-comforting answer, but I guess it still worries me, it's a weird dynamic.


3. Is Christ really speaking to me?

"Yes. If he's revealing himself to me, he is. If I feel he is speaking to me, then yes, he is."

After this we went to Church service together. I'll write about that in a minute - it was a bit of an emotional service in the beginning for me. NO idea why, I rarely rarely cry, but almost did today.

The Bible Is 8 Things...

Went to Church today for the 2nd time, I'll talk about that in a minute. Today, Pastor Dale said something very interesting. In the middle of preaching on "praying and fasting," he mentioned:

"The Bible is 8 things, write these down..."

1. Convicting/correctional agent
2. Cleansing agent
3. Calming/Comforting agent
4. Clarifying agent
5. Commissioning agent
6. Counter-acting agent - stops you from wrongful thinking
7. Creative agent - afterall God "created" mankind.
8. Constructive agent

He said it so fast, I almost feel he could do an entire service on just this. I'm going to think more about this, pretty profound though, no?

Who Was Jesus? His Childhood

I just watched Epsiode 1 of a Discovery series called "Who Was Jesus." This one is all about his childhood and in what conditions he grew up. It' was SUPERB. 

I think there are 3 episodes, I will definitely finish them all soon. But, I've gone ahead and made notes for you from Episode #1!

Enjoy!

The Childhood of Jesus:

1. Mother Mary was told before conceiving Jesus that she would conceived through the Holy Spirit

2. The Angel was the one to name Jesus, she told Mary to do so.

3. Being pregnant without marriage was a crime punishable by being stoned. But now she finds herself pregnant and has now broken all moral rules.

4. Joseph was told of Mary's conception by an Angel. But they had to leave their town to go to Bethlehem to escape her persecution for being pregnant.

5. Most scholars now agree that Jesus was not born in a stable. There was very title wood back then to build a stable.

6. It was more of a cave he was born in underneath a Church. 

7. In the Jewish tradition, the Messiah must be from the House of David, which is from Bethlehem. Is this maybe why the Gospels put Jesus being born there?  But was he really?

8. Jesus was NOT born on December 25th in the year Zero - this we already know. The monk who devised the Calendar made a mistake in his math.

We have no other evidence of his birth because people did not care in those days. 

Most believe his birth was more in 4 B.C.

9. Nazareth was a small village with a very small population and his childhood was very tough. His family was very poor and they all had to work from an early age to make the family work.

10. Evidence of recurring famine during the time of Jesus has been found over and over in the bone analysis of many people from his town during his time.

11. 50% of children in that time never even reached the age of 5. 

12. Infectious disease, lyce, and malaria were very common during that time.

13. Archaeological evidence shows that even severely disabled people were very well taken care of by their families and many lived to very high ages.

14. The Holy family is typically seen as just Jesus, Mary and Joseph. When in reality Jesus grew up in a house full of children - who's names we know from the Gospels. Matthew 13:55.

15. Some believe that Joseph was a widower and that Jesus's brother/sisters were from Joseph's prior marriage but not from Mary.

16. Growing up, evidence shows that Jesus was most likely picked on and bullied, treated as an outsider while he was growing up. 

17. It is likely that Jesus knew from an early age that he was the Son of God, feeling different himself from all the other boys.

18. Jesus joined his father in learning and practicing Carpentry by age of 12. 

19. Jesus grew up in a very trying time - the rich were getting richer and the poor, poorer. 

20. The Roman Empire was really hurting the people and suppressing the Jewish people a lot. 

21. When Jesus was 12 years old, the Romans sent a decree to survey to Jewish people again to raise their taxes - this led to a major uprising. The Jewish believed that they should only be paying their taxes to God - not the Romans.

But the rebellion was put down and thousands were killed to set an example.

22. Jesus was most likely able to read and write because Jewish boys his age are taught to read the Tora very clearly in that time. 

23. According to Gospel stories, Jesus had a very sophisticated knowledge of the scriptures from even a very young age.

24. The Priests of the Jewish temples in Jerusalem are known to have made deals with the Roman leaders which afforded them very wealthy lives. The Jewish population began to become very unpleased with the Temple leaders over time. 

If you can, I highly recommend watching this series. I just ordered the DVD even though it's free on Netflix to stream...

10 Questions For The Dalai Lama

I watched a Documentary called "10 Questions For The Dalai Lama" - my first touch with Buddhism. This movie is less about religion and more about Tibet and the political battle. However, still an engaging movie. You can learn about how Buddhists THINK - which is a big part of understanding Buddhism.

Here's a trailer of the movie:



  

Out of the 10 questions asked, I chose the following to reveal to you. I don't want to reveal all 10 as that would be disrespectful to the actual film :)

Question #1: Why does it seem that people are RICHER in India than even in the West. Obviously, wealth wise, the West is far wealthier. Why is that the Poor smile more than the Rich?

Answer #1: [Paraphrased] "The poor have very little to lose, very little stress. The rich have much to lose and always absorbed in wanting more, more, more. They're never happy because of greed. The poor simply want enough to make their daily needs then they are very happy. The more possessions, the more we have to lose, the less happy we will be."

Question #2: Why is the crime rate so much less in India, even with a higher population than places like the United States?  Why are people in the West so much more prone to anger than the East? The East is so much more prone to patience, is it because they have just accepted their faith?"

Answer #2: [Paraphrased] "It has to do with self discipline and being aware of consequences. The East separates desire with the right/wrong better. In the West you grow up in a society where people are more emotional and more reactive. The East you're trained to be more aware of consequences and of what is right or wrong. It's mostly cultural based."

Question #3: What do we do about religious differences and the fights it creates, especially in places like the Middle East?

Answer #3: [Paraphrased "There needs to be more personal respect, that's all. We need to simple respect the beliefs of another and not impose our own onto them. Two should first participate in festivals and mutual celebrations and become PERSONAL friends, THEN, they should discuss serious matters such as land...especially in the Middle East."

The movie was a good overall watch. But I guess I don't specifically recommend it if your only goal is to learn about Buddhism. I. however, am glad I watched it because I had NO understanding of the Tibet issue - now I do!
 

I Dream of a Scripture But Can't Remember It!

This is nuts. Lately, for the FIRST time in my life, I'm having dreams almost every night. The only thing different in my life is my nightly prayers - the new approach to praying.

The last TWO nights the dreams didn't make sense, I also forgot a good chunk of them. I'm convinced, however, that the answers I wanted are hidden in them.  For example, the night after God named himself to me, I had a dream with a Bible scripture in it that I could not remember.

My Question To God:

"Is there truly only one way to you? So if I accept Christ, then do I have to go around looking at others, especially family and friends as if they are doomed?

That doesn't make sense to me. They do that which they were taught from birth, how is that their fault? They are good people and pray to God more than I ever have.

Does accepting you Christ, mean that I have to shun or judge others? Because I will never be able to do that, I don't have the heart for that, especially my family!"

God's Answer Through a Prayer:

I had the following dream:
Someone very dear to my life is lying down, she's not feeling well, nothing serious, just a Cold. I leave whatever I was doing and come rushing to her. Ironically, the minute I climb into bed, I'm now laying on HER thighs.

She's actually running her hands through MY hair and somehow she's comforting ME? Weird...SHE was the one that was ill?

Suddenly, I see a small piece of paper lying on the pillow. I pick it up and open it. Instantly I recognize that it's a scripture from the Bible. I ask her "What is this? Where did it come from?"

She simply smiles at me and the dream ends :(

My analysis of the dream?

Frankly. I have no idea. But for the life of me, I can't remember the scripture on that note. Again, I sought council from a friend. She feels the dream is more a representation rather than direct. It was probably an answer to my prayer.

1.  The significance of the scripture was to reveal the dream as Holy - that's all. What was written on it was not important. Think about it, if that was not there, I would assume I was simply dreaming about a person I was missing.

2.  Since I was a child, whenever ill, I always ask my Mother or my Sister to run their hands through my hair, it brings me peace. It's weird. I typically fall asleep no matter how much pain I'm in. The person in the dream was doing just that - it symbolized love and peace.

3.  I forgot the scripture. Perhaps that means that my parents are NOT shunned. What's on that note is not important, it's that relationship with God that is!

4.  I was distressed. Well, obviously I went to sleep sad thinking about what to do, how to do...

5.  The dream ended on a smile from the person with me. Well, it's her smile that I've always spoken of. It has this way of lighting up my day. So again, that dream was all about bringing me peace.

Perhaps God was trying to tell me to relax. "Don't worry so much." Be at peace and let HIM handle all these details. In a way if you see, my question to him was answered in that dream (even if I don't remember all the details!).

"My Name is Christ"

It's taking a lot of strength for me to make this post - but I will now. So, have you read THIS post? Couple days ago, titled, "The 3 Steps To Getting an Answer To a Prayer?" I made this post after something happened one morning.

3 nights ago before sleeping, I prayed to God. I thanked him and I posed the following question:

"I've been praying to you for years now, granted my style of praying has changed a lot recently. But, I've never had a name for you. I always just called you 'God.' But everyone I meet in my life has a name. Religion seems to be based around 'naming you.'

So you must have a name, right? If so, please tell me your name. What should I call you?"

The next morning, around 9:30 AM and I had 4 words come to my mind. It was in that weird state when you're not awake but you're awake enough to think.

I remember suddenly thinking "My Name is Christ." 

When this happened, I was in shock, even in my sleep. I even chuckled a bit and said to myself:

"WOW! Is that for real? Did you really just directly answer my prayer?

OR is this my subconscious playing tricks on my mind? Do I somehow just 'want' your name to be Christ for 'other' reasons and so I'm tricking myself?

OR since I've been mostly studying Christianity lately, am I just having this reaction because I am immersed in the name Christ right now?"

I'll be honest, I'm scared to accept what I heard. Why?

Because it means a LOT of changes in my life. It means fighting with my family maybe? It means recognizing and accepting. It's just all a bit too much at one time for me?

I spoke to a friend last night and she is convinced that what happened is the Truth and my prayer was answered. She told me NOT to worry about "what's next" and to simply keep praying. The only thing, she said, that I need to do right now is:

"Believe and ACCEPT that his name is Christ. Let him guide you out of the dessert and lost feeling and he'll show you what needs to happen next. Don't jump to making changes or anything - just ACCEPT."

BTW, I also laughed because apparently God is a man of a few words. LOL. He answered a 20 minute prayer with 4 words. My kind of guy!

** I think my finally posting this on the blog is sign of my accepting my prayer. Last night when I prayed, I DID call him "Christ." Not Jesus or God, just Christ, the name he gave me.

What Is Islam - The 5 Pillars of Islam

I just watched a great 30 minute documentary, episode 1 called "Christianity and Islam, Ep. 1 - The Tenets of Islam." The following are my notes - it was very resourceful. I found it on LIVE Streaming for Free on Netflix.

My Notes:

1. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, especially the West. It's 2nd largest religion today. The largest Islam nation is Indonesia.

2. Both Christianity and Islam believe in ONE true God.

3. Islam claims:

"We worship the same God that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and even Jesus worshiped."

4. Islam - from aerobic root that means 'Peace' - 'Surrender to the will of God to achieve Peace."

5. The 5 Pillars of Islam:

1. Shahadah - Declaration of Faith
2. Salahn - Prayer (5 times a day, everyday. This  wat it is a constant reminder, knowing your Lord). - Must be done in Arabic. Reciting opening versus of the Quran.
3. Sawm - Fasting. Cultivate discipline and self-control. Most important is Ramadan. This is when the angel appeared to Mohammed to reveal to him the Quran.
4. Zakah - Financial Obligations Among Muslims. Required to pay at least 2.5% of wealth to help needy.
5. Hajj - Pilgramage to Mecca. Once in lifetime they need to do this as long as they can physically do this.

6. Islam has no "baptism" persay. There is no gateway, to recite the Shahadah infront of 2 believers and really mean it is to become a Muslim.

7. Mohammed is considered the last prophet to God. But he is not given divine attributes, he states that he is simply human and a messenger to bring the laws of God.

8. When Mohammed was meditating, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and gave to him the Quran. He eventually wrote these words down and that was how the Quarn was created.

9. Mohammed had to carry out many military campaigns to protect his people, but to also cleanse temples of Idols to protect the real worship of one and only God - Allah.

10. Mecca is most important city in Islam. All prayers are done in the direction of Mecca. Mecca is important because when God gave message to Abraham, Abraham built the first house of worship in Mecca under instruction to God.  Abraham offered Ishmail, not Isaac, but Ishmail at Mecca to God but God stopped the sacrifice.

Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 1-3

I've begun reading a book called "The Bhagavad Gita - A Walkthrough for Westerners." This book is EXCELLENT and a total god-send because The Gita is actually hard to understand.

There are not near as many translations of it as there are for the Bible. More so, the translations I saw were still complicated. This book is simple and to the point - I'm enjoying it!

The overall summary is as follows:

Begins with Arjuna and Krisna awaiting the great battle to take place. It's a war between family - cousins. Arjuna and his brothers have been greatly wronged by their own kin and taken of their land. They've been persecuted, shamed, exiled and abused over and over.

Even after all the abuse, the brothers (of which Arjuna is one) are still willing to negotiate and walk away with a sour deal - they just want a small portion of the land. Their cousin who has betrayed them furthers the humiliation by offering them nothing.

It is now that the sides are split and war is among them. 

On both sides of the Battlefield are friends, family, teachers and esteemed leaders. Great blood will be shed and lives will be lost. A family will be torn - this is guaranteed as great warriors rest on both sides.

This is a battle of GOOD versus EVIL. Krisna is the almighty lord and he is the Chariot driver for Arjuna. It is clear that God has taken the side of Arjuna and the war will be won by them. However, not without the cost of great leaders and family members.

Right before the wear, Arjuna has second thoughts and falls weak and cries at the thought of having to massacre his own great teacher, his grandfather, his family and many other great men.

He refuses to fight and asks Krisna for guidance. It is here that Krisna goes into the great "poem" which describes the core beliefs of Hinduism between right and wrong. The Bhagavad Gita is essentially a conversation between the teacher and almighty (Krisna) and his disciple (Arjuna).

Here is a short summary of what is being said:

• It is not up to humans to FEEL for what is right or wrong - we are only to do our duty (in this case Arjuna's duty is to fight the war).
• Our service to God is determined not by what we do, but with the spirit in which we do it.
• Even if war is fought, it is never to be fought for personal gain - it is to be fought for what is right and to punish that which is wrong. The rewards should always be only that for God.
• If the above is believed, then your KARMA (your actions from which God will judge you) are clean and clear.
• Every human has a different responsibility and role in this World - based on their teachings.
• Arjuna is a trained, respected and strong warrior - his proper KARM (action to take) is to fight this war.
• We as humans are not to worry ourselves with what is right and wrong as long as we are always doing just our duty.
• Live your life for service to God and embrace the role in society God gives you.
• Krisna is the ultimate word and live to serve him and the almighty.

A recurring theme:

"Do your worldly duty, but without any attachment to it or desire for its fruit. Keep your mind always on the Divine...Make it as automatic as your breath or heartbeat."

My favorite quotes:

"To work without desire may seem impossible, but the way to do it is to substitute thoughts of Divinity for thoughts of desire. Do your work in the world with your heart fixed on the Divine instead of on outcomes. Do not worry about results. Be even tempered in success or failure. This mental evenness is what is meant by yoga (union with God). Indeed, equanimity is yoga!"

"Not doing the right thing when it is required is worse than doing the wrong thing."

"Arjuna the contact of bodily sense with objects and attractions in the world creates feelings like sorrow or happiness, and sensations like heat or cold. But these are impermanent, transitory, coming and going like passing clouds. Just endure them patiently and bravely; learn to be unaffected by them"  <-- Very Buddhist in nature, btw.

"People with an unsteady mind will inevitably end up failing; those with a unwavering mind achieve great success."

"Their idea of heaven is their own enjoyment. The main reason they do their activities is to achieve the pleasures and power that 'heaven' promises. Thus, even though their motive is common and positive; they are in truth filled with rather selfish desires"

"Work performed with the best of motives becomes a sacrifice."

That pretty much sums up so far. The recurring theme has been the same around the above concept so far.

My Problem with Leviticus

Firstly, do not take this personally. I am simply voicing questions and concerns not offering judgment. The Book of Leviticus is about rituals and sacrifices. From my studies of Jesus and Christianity, it seemed that rituals and sacrifices were looked down upon.

However, the Bible is the word of God. Christians follow the Bible. Jesus defends, explains and expands on the Old Testament (a part of the Bible). Leviticus is IN the Old Testament. Hence, Christians (and Christ himself) believe in the Leviticus. Right?

Established?

Then, why do I not know a SINGLE Christian that follows these practices or laws? Most I know eat Pork (against Leviticus 11:7).

None I know offer any such sacrifices or rituals. The opposite happens. They avoid and judge other religions for their sacrificial background and beliefs.

I asked my Christian friend and she said:

"Well the Bible is the word of God. We won't understand it all. That's OK. We just trust him. We can't pick and choose what we BELIEVE, we must believe it all. However, some things do change with the time and culture."

BAM! I got a problem with that last statement.

No where in the Bible does it state that we have the right to tweak it based on "Time." Jesus never said that either. So...who said we can then?

And, if so, who decides? Where is the line?

What applies and what doesn't?  This opens a BIG hole. This opens a LOT of room for personal "opinion."  I'm not saying that's bad or good. I'm saying Christians need to be true to that and realize it.

I guess that's why we have so many denominations? Just interesting. 

I guess I don't like that people feel they can say "ohhh that...yea that is not applicable due to the time" to something they don't do. But, to something they DO follow, they can scream "bloody murder" at another Christian and pass judgement.

It smells of hypocrisy. That's all :)  I part in peace, no offense intended.

Bible (Old Testament) - Leviticus Overview

I have a lot to say about the Book of Leviticus - mostly questions. I found MANY things here that are not practiced by any Christian I know.

Here's a great short summary video:

Also, Wikipedia as always has an EXCELLENT summary - Click here to check it out...

Here's a REALLY quick synopsis:

The Book of Leviticus is about holiness, atonement and rituals. I was lost at "rituals" - I tend not to believe in these. Even though I've been raised Hindu, I don't like "sacrificing animals" and related beliefs.

I was surprised to see this Book in the Bible and defended by Christ. Actually Leviticus is even said to foretell of Christ's crucifixion.

Underlying messages:

- Sin must be atoned for through the offering proper sacrifices.
- Proper sacrifices means the blood of certain animals (such as Lamb).
- Outline of DIETARY restrictions and allowances.
- Day of Atonement - Sacrifices are made on behalf of all man and our collective sin.
- Guidelines for holiness
- Holiness can only be attained through atonement which can be attained only through the appropriate rituals, festivals and sacrifices.

Personally, I didn't relate much at all to the Leviticus and it's led to a lot of questions. Look at my next post to see my thoughts.

The 3 Steps To Getting An Answer To a Prayer

The more I pray, the more I'm learning how to! I haven't read anything about it - I just do whatever feels right. Here's the 3 steps I'm seeing:

1. Pray for an answer - put a question out there to God.
2. Be open enough to HEAR the answer.
3. BELIEVE the answer *KEY STEP*

Step 1:

Obviously, you need to pose a question to God. Don't ask for something specific, that's not a prayer. That's you playing God. You're telling God that you already know what's best and for him to just GIVE it to you. God is not your personal "Genie." Only he knows best, give him that respect.

Everyone prays in a different way. I don't believe there is a right or wrong way. I like to pray at night right before bed (sometimes I even fall asleep half way in :P) but that's OK!

Step 2: 

Keep an open mind an LOOK for the answer. God will provide it in any way he feels fit. Personally, I notice mine get answered mostly when I'm sleeping. A dream... or it's my first thought when I wake up... something like that.

Step 3:

BELIEVE it. This is actually the HARDEST part. You'll be inclined to question it. "Was that really an answer or am I just crazy?" "Was that just my subconscious?" "Did I just read too much into that?"
If it feels like it was possibly an answer, it probably is.

See, I think this is where God leaves us be. He can only show a path, it's up to us to TRUST him enough to take it or recognize it.

Listen, if he were going to make it so easy as to just HAND it to you and do all the work, then what's the point? Why would he even put us here to begin with.

The decision to believe his answer has to be yours.

It sounds easy, but it isn't. Trust me, Step 3 is the toughest one and it takes time. I'm working the most on that right now.

Bhagavad Gita, As It Is (Audio Version)

So today I'm driving for 2.5 hours. Lately, I don't waste that time "jamming" to techno music. I've been listening to the Bible.

Today, let's take a break and go explore the Bhagavad Gita!  It's very hard to understand at times (because of the Sanskrit). But I'm a FIGHTER, I'll push through and make sense of it!

I found this AUDIO Version to listen to today.  Again, sorry I'm downloading the TORRENT version - I don't know, maybe that's wrong of me :(  I'll be sure to donate some money or buy the official MP3 if I like the series.

Here it is - CLICK THIS LINK to see the version I'm listening to.

The Bhagavad Gita - A Walkthrough For Westerners

Talk about a book that confuses me! Originally written in Sanskrit, the message of the Bhagavad Gita is VERY tough to understand - even the translation.

There are many references to things like "Vedas" and others. If you don't know what they mean, you're out of luck.

Instead of reading popular "translations" - I chose to start with a "summary."

It has it's positives and it's negatives.

The Gita is said to be a "Song" - meaning it's very poetic. Reading "Walkthrough" version is more of a novel, so it takes away from that poetic feel a bit. But, hey, I'm not very poetic as it is anyways. So far, I'm loving this book - AFTER this I can probably read the real translation and do well.

Wow, interesting. I hit the same road blocks I had hit when I was trying to study the Bible. It seems for a TRUE understanding, you have to read both. The summary and the actual scriptures.

Geez God, couldn't you make this a bit easier!!! :P

Learn The Bible in 24 Hours

Being a Marketer, I got captivated by the Title! Sounds very promising. I've now about 6 hours in as of writing this and the feedback is about a 60% rating.

I'm finding it VERY difficult to follow the summaries, they seem to go by so fast. 

- A bombardment of new characters
- Wars, famines, fights, buildings - AHH so fast and so many.

But, is this a fault of the BOOK or just in general? Meaning, is it just the Bible - is it a topic that has no shortcut to learn properly?

I'm beginning to think that it may just be the Bible and the depth of it's teaching/topic/writing style. Meaning, it's hard to just understand it through summaries, most of the WISDOM of a Bible lies in the actual SCRIPTURES.

So, do I still recommend this book?  YES.

But, I'm getting certain now that you should study the Bible in TWO ways:

1. Actually read or listen to it - scripture by scripture.
2. THEN, read a summary on it (such as this book).

So far the Books I understand the most are definitely the ones I read line by line and also studied in summary books (or articles). 

SIMPLIFY - Are You Hindu Or Not? Easiest Way To Know...

I've read a lot of different articles and materials on Hinduism now and here's what I'm gambling it comes down to. Ready?

Answer this question:

Do you believe in RE-incarnation?  

Essentially, "hell" is being re-born on this earth as something of a lower caste/value than your prior life. Or, progressing upwards if you live well. FREEDOM from re-incarnation (essentially Heaven) is when you can be free from your material body and exit the material essence.

Do you believe that you live. You die. You go to an actual heaven or an actual hell? Or, do you find it possible to believe that you get re-incarnated?

From all my reading, it seems Hinduism is NOT "God-based." Hindus carry almost NOTHING in common (belief wise) except this one belief - re-incarnation.

Most other religions are very clear about who their GOD is - so they can distinguish based on that, however, Hinduism definitely is not. So, that's my 2 cents.

If you feel you can believe in re-incarnation, you may have a chance at being Hindu. If you think it's a crazy idea and "No, of course I go to Heaven or Hell" - then you're likely not a Hindu. :)

Can a Hindu Be DUAL Religion. Let's Say...a...Christian too?

About.com has some very interesting articles on Hinduism. They're very simple. Are they too simple? I want to know if someone can maybe embrace another religion alongside of Hinduism?

Here's a few quotes that caught me.

Quote: 

"It does not require its adherents to accept any one idea, and thus is cultural, not creedal."

So...can I say I believe in Alah or Jesus?

Quote:

"Hinduism can never be neatly slotted into any particular belief system — monism, theism, monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, panentheism — for all these systems are reflected in its many facets."

So, can I believe in the "monotheistic" part of it? That way I can CO-embrace another religion?

Quote:

"In conclusion, Hinduism, of all religions, makes it conducive for us to believe in the coexistence of multiple religions. Hinduism’s all-embracing quality not only makes its possible for its followers to accept a variety of beliefs and practices, but also creates the warmth that helps them welcome followers of other faiths and reap the benefits of its ancient heritage."

Umm...but what if I want to co-believe in something that directly doesn't believe in re-incarnation? (smacks forehead) - this is so confusing.

Arguments AGAINST it. Why a Hindu may NOT be any other religion...

Quote: 

"

characterized by the belief in reincarnation, one absolute being of multiple manifestations, the law of cause and effect, following the path of righteousness, and the desire for liberation from the cycle of births and deaths.

Religions like Islam and Christianity say "Poo on reincarnation." You live. You die. You get judged. You go to Heaven or Hell. (Badda bing, badda boom).

===================

Think About It...

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It seems to me that Hinduism may still "jive" with you accepting another faith, but most other faiths won't "jive" back. Also, there are certain KEY things about Hinduism that ARE different that would stop it.

Either way, I can see Hindus being much more ready to accept another faith than vice versa. Is that good or bad, who knows - that's a personal opinion I guess?

When Did Hinduism Start?

A bit of a Historian today.

There seems to be no argument that Hinduism is the oldest of religions (third largest today with 1 Billion followers). Some sources say as old as maybe 10,000 BC. There are archaeological findings 3,000-4,000 BC that have scriptures linking to Hinduism.

QUESTION then:  When does God say he created Earth (and Man/Woman) in Genesis?  Does science here directly argue back with evidence? Hmm...

Something I'm beginning to understand about Hinduism is that it got created over a certain time - thousands of years. It comes from the collections of many stories and beliefs (this explains why it's so vast and inclusive).

How "Hinduism" - The Name Came... 

Here's a quote I found:

"

According to historians, the origin of Hinduism dates back to 5,000 or more years. The word "Hindu" is derived from the name of River Indus, which flows through northern India. In ancient times the river was called the 'Sindhu', but the Persians who migrated to India called the river 'Hindu', the land 'Hindustan' and its inhabitants 'Hindus'. Thus the religion followed by the Hindus came to be known as 'Hinduism'."

Interesting. No?

My current readings are also HINTING at the influence Hinduism may have had on all the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Hinduism & Islam). Time to dig...

Bible (Old Testament) - Exodus Overview

I've finished studying Exodus. Rather than read it all (or listen to it), I resorted to the latest summary book I'm reading, some notes/cliff-notes available online and the video below:




For a great summary, better than I could ever write - check the Wikipedia entry. It's by far the best resource I found.

Wikipedia Review of Exodus, Old Testament...