Ed Christian's World

I was raised believing we all exist in our own worlds. We each have our beliefs, our opinions and our own take on things. Life for us revolves around what we see and think along the constraints we set up in our own little world.

By joining worlds with our friends we expand our beliefs and feeling to include those of others to the extent of where they don’t infringe on our personal feelings. Sometimes we alter our personal feelings when someone presents something that makes more sense to our world. It’s called compromise and we learn to live within the new boundaries we set for ourselves.

Some religions encourage members to stay within the world of the church, keeping true to its beliefs and staying away from outside influences. The Amish and Menenite Religions do this and have been quite successful in keeping their communities closed. They do interface with the outside world for business only, but do have some of the younger ones starting to wander to the outside. Some of the Evangelical Churches are encouraging members to seek friends and activities from within the church community. It is a study on how people grow in life. I guess everything we do is a study in some form.

The outside world is the real world, the world we are forced to see every day on the news and outside our world of comfort. It is not a very compromising world and is a very hard nosed – my way or the highway place. I have not found an easy way to mix or merge the two worlds together. Sometimes we find ourselves at odds with what is happening out in the real world and can find no way to adapt with it.

I guess when you really get into life, we can make is as easy or as hard as we want. Life is as good as we decide to make it. We make all the decisions and choices that determine and shape our world. Grandfather always said that life is simple, only we can complicate it. He was a very wise man!

This is a simple way to look into our life and world. It is a conversation starter. What do you have to offer to the conversation? Let’s all open up our world to each other and share.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love,

Ed

With Grandfather being the Spiritual Leader, I was pretty much raised on the bible and came to know Jesus as my savior early in life. I also learned early in life, that just saying you are a Christian doesn’t make you a Christian. Grandfather made sure I also walked the walk as a Christian to be a living example of Christian life.

Like all of us, I have had a hard life with many pitfalls and rocks in the road. However, I have always been blessed with insight and strength to overcome them. My faith in God has always brought me great comfort and peace.

My Grandfather was a very wise man and set a fine example for me to follow throughout my life. He was always the first to offer help when he saw someone in need. He lead by example and would never ask anyone to do something he wouldn’t, in fact he would step up and show them he could. He was one man that walked the walk of a child of God. He led a simple life full of kindness, love and humility towards all. I strive to follow his example.

Pope Francis gave us a lesson in kindness, humility and love. He is another man who lives a simple life and sets the example of Christian living to all he meets. He is soft spoken and unassuming, yet speaks with authority with compassion.

His simple, all inclusive, message to care for the poor, the immigrants, the homeless and to love everyone regardless of their beliefs is refreshing to hear. He puts the Evangelical Churches to shame for their indifference to those in need.

Gods message is very clear about taking care of those in need and it seems, to me, to be a shame that the Pope has to come to the United States to remind us to do what Jesus commanded. Somewhere along the way, the people of the United States have become sideways with what the meaning of being a Christian really means. Maybe what we need is to look in a mirror and ask ourselves about what our walk is really about. Money seems to be the new God to so many. Not quite what the bible says when it comes to Him.

What about you, are you walking the walk or just talking the talk? What act of kindness have you done for a neighbor lately? If you are like many, you will be surprised by your answers.

Be the true person you seek and lead by example. The blessings you receive will amaze you.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Feel free to comment and offer feedback.

Love,

Ed

In my last post I said: Every happening, great and small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us, and the art of life is to get the message. I humbly think it went over the head of most of my readers. Here we are given life lessons and fail to notice they are lessons, so don’t look for the message that comes with them.

Being the perpetual optimist, I feel we could do better to see or understand the lessons we are given everyday in our life. Things just don’t happen, there is a reason behind each and every happening in our life. I firmly believe we are to be looking for these messages and grow from the life lessons we have been given.

Truth be told, many people think the world is dumping on them and are more than happy to point a finger than to take the responsibility. It has become too easy for us to brush it off rather than look deeper inside to see what lesson we’re being given. I hear people say God doesn’t talk to them, He doesn’t answer my prayers and for sure life for them is hard. Well, we weren’t promised a rose garden in life, and we were told being a Christian would present many challenges. God does talk to us every day, in every instance, but we fail to listen. We are so wound up in ourselves that we fail to notice the soft words He is whispering in our ears.

I am optimistic people will wake up to the fact that there are lessons to be learned in every instance in our daily life, including in the people we interface with throughout our day. I learned a long time ago that people are drawn to us because they have a lesson to share or we have a lesson to give. Nothing in life is by chance. The question is how do I get this message to everyone?

We are so full of ourselves and our world that we fail to see the world around us. We are always ready to place judgment on others for their actions, yet we fail to judge ourselves for our failures. When do we have the right to place judgment on others?

As Christians, Christ resides in us, God is literally establishing His rule in the world through us. As we say yes to God and live our lives in agreement with Him, He lives, rules, and reigns through us everywhere we go and in everything we do. Our job is to use the lessons we have been blessed with for the glory of God. If we fail to learn these lessons, how are we shining His light? The people you meet and interface with are your mission field, the people you shine your light on for His glory.

The time has come for you to open your world to others and to let your light shine. It is time to look beyond the surface and see your entire world. It is time to listen to the lessons God has given you and to share your blessings with all. As we spread the glory of God and His blessings, the joy will grow among all we touch. We have the hope and love to lead others to Him so let your light shine brightly!

How about you, are you looking for the lessons He is giving you everyday? There is always a bright blessing inside them. Open your entire world and let your light shine!

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love,

Ed

The Heart – One True Editor…

They say time heals all wounds and for the most part it does. God has created in us a system that helps heal our hurts and stresses, broken bones, heartaches and just about anything else that causes hurt in our bodies and minds. It is the heart! Our heart, mixed with a little love, is the great editor of hurt and distress for our soul.

Psalms 147:3 He heals the broken hearted and bandages their wounds. When we turn our wounds and hurts to Him, He gives us peace and comfort. I don’t think we fully realize the depth of His love for us. I know we don’t realize the enormous power of love, whether it is His love for us or even our love for each other.

When Jesus gave us the commandment to love our neighbors as He has loved us, it was to open the door for us to see others as He has. Love is the key to all things and because of that it is the most powerful emotion and trait we have been blessed with.

I remember Grandfather telling me when I was about 7 years old that every happening, great and small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us, and the art of life is to get the message. Then added every act of kindness and love we do is showing His love within us to others, giving them a unique look inside our heart. The heart will, with love, rewrite our hurt and pain so it doesn’t seem so harsh. It will, over time, help us see things in a different light – His light.

I am reminded of when he told me to listen to my mind, but to follow my heart. God resides inside our hearts and provides wonderful guidance for us, if we choose to follow. He set the example for us, through His son Jesus, and asks us to use that example in our everyday life. He taught forgiveness, unequivocal love and compassion for everyone.

He gave us free will, so we make our own decisions on our life events. Forgiving others for a wrong is a choice, if we choose the path of love and forgive our heart is filled with joy. If we chose the other path, we continue to carry it’s pain with us. Why choose to carry that burden? Let your heart heal the hurt, let love in and push the pain out.

Because the indwelling Christ resides in us, God is literally establishing His rule in the world through us. As we say yes to God and live our lives in agreement with Him, He lives, rules, and reigns through us everywhere we go and in everything we do. Thus He also takes our pain and suffering from us therefore making our heart the best editor for our memories.

When you put it all together you realize how powerful love is and how important it is that we forgive others as He forgave us. Knowing we are the only bible some people will ever see makes shining our light even more important. Love is the light of the world and it is never wasted.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love,

Ed

We all come into this world with a goal to reach, a job to do and a marker to reach. This is called our true calling in life. We have many vocations throughout our time here on earth, but it is when we realize our true calling that we really begin to shine. How do we find our true calling? For me it was a long uphill drive. I have had several vocations from Electrician to Plant Manager and everything in between. In the end they all had one common thread that ran through them that lead me to realize my true calling. In everything I did, I was serving people in one form or another. When I realized this, I knew my true calling is to serve others as God has served me. He has blessed me, educated me and guided me throughout my entire life. My purpose on earth is to share these blessings with all I encounter and to show His love and shine His light.

Now that I have realized my true calling, I put together a few thoughts on how to help other find theirs.

Notice dreams and signs. The subconscious has ways of letting you know if you’re heading in the right direction. Pay attention to the things that happen in your life, the people you meet, the things you notice, the places you are drawn to. Upon waking, actively connect to your dreams and let their symbolism work on you. I have always followed my dreams.

Prioritize expressing yourself in whatever way you find enjoyable. If you want to be fully yourself and find your path in life, creativity is not a luxury – you must carve time for it. Speak your truth softly, show your light to all.

Think about what you love. Our callings are very often things that we loved to be or do when we were very young – before we were asked to ‘fit in’. How did you play as a child? What did you love to do? What were you curious about? How did you think?

Notice what feels good. Callings feel good. When we are doing what we are supposed to be doing, we are connected, joyful, expressive, loving and purposeful. Notice times in your daily life that you feel like this – What are you doing? Who are you with?

Pay attention to what keeps coming back. The things that are always true for you or won’t go away are really important in discovering your calling. Are you always making up amazing stories to entertain the children in your life? These recurrent things are giving you clues as to what will really satisfy you, pay attention to them.

If you’ve got a hunch, give it a go, try it on for size. Finding our true path in life isn’t passive. It won’t appear in a puff of smoke. It’s only through trying out an activity that you’ll know whether it’s the thing for you.

Find a way to connect with something outside yourself daily. Get out in nature. Practice a simple meditation. Find a community of like-minds and share.

Getting out of your routine, changing your environment, and carving some time for yourself can work wonders. Shifts in perspective, connections and realizations are more easily explored and nurtured when you give yourself the space physically and emotionally.

Discovering and honing your path in life will be a continual part of your journey. Be compassionate to yourself, knowing that where you are right now is the best place. Treat yourself, your practices, and the world with patience.

These are the things I’ve realized while searching for my true calling. Some of them may help you find yours. I know some people never think of what their purpose in life is and never give it much credence, but when you realize your true purpose for being here everything starts to make better sense. Life begins to have a new meaning and a brighter outlook.

What is your true purpose in life? Have you begun your journey to find it?

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love,

Ed

Grandfather once told me the mark of an ignorant man was when he made statements and came to conclusions without having all the facts. He taught me to research the facts before I reach a conclusion and the importance of educating yourself. This, he said, would prevent you from making a fool of yourself. Ignorance has no place in an educated world.

I have followed this practice all my life and for the most part research the facts on a subject before I engage my mouth. What surprises me, however, is how many people don’t. Everyday I hear people jumping to conclusions by what they hear on the news, or watch on television. Is this because of lack of education or just plain laziness on their part?

Part of the problem, in my opinion, is that so many people just follow like sheep going to the slaughter house because that is where the flow is taking them. This is one of the main causes for the discontent that has taken over our country today. With all the years I spent getting an education, one of the most important traits I learned was to think for myself and not to follow the crowd. It takes a little effort on your part to research something, but the enlightenment is far more valuable. I have watched peoples eyes light up in surprise when they actually learned the facts behind something they had already formed an opinion on.

Another problem is Church leadership. They have a tendency to use the pulpit to push their opinions on things without looking at all the facts or researching the laws they are based on. Many in the church will adopt these opinions as fact because they forget the pastor is human too. Many times preachers use the bully pulpit to push ideas they heard of but never fully researched. I see this as irresponsible on their part.

The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know anything about. The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end there it is. Taking the time to research the truth will, in the long run, make this a better country.

In closing I offer one more bit of wisdom from Grandfather. Stand on your own feet, you don’t need to lean on others for support and you don’t need to follow the crowd just because everyone else is.

What do you think, are you taking the time to learn the truth before you leap?

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love,

Ed

Have you ever met or had a conversation with an Angel? Would you know if you did?

I ask because I believe Angels walk among us everyday and interface with us more than we realize. Grandfather was a firm believer in us living a multidimensional life. LIFE is multidimensional … .You need to look beyond the surface to appreciate the heights and depths of your life’s experiences.

Grandfather was adamant that we are multidimensional in life and that sometimes we take on the role of Angels to fulfill the wishes of God. It is only when you apply yourself and the gifts given to you by God that your grow in your life. This was one of Grandfather’s favorite statements. Never hold back, give 100% to every person you meet. He or she just might need the Angel in you. As you enlighten them they will enlighten you.

I believe we all are Angels to someone and many times throughout our life, we see and talk to Angels without even knowing it. I believe the blessing God gives us are to be shared with others and that we should be a shining example for others to follow. Shine your light brightly and speak your truth softly. You just may be the Angel somebody needs today.

I welcome you into my world, I ask you to share yours with others. Blessings are meant to be shared for the glory of God. Imagine how the world would be if we all followed these thoughts. Love is never wasted – if you send it out, much more will flow your way!

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love,

Ed

Joy and Happiness…

Happiness is caused by things that happen around me, and circumstances will mar it; but joy flows right on through trouble; joy flows in the night as well as in the day; joy flows through persecution and opposition. It is an unceasing fountain bubbling up in the heart; a secret spring the world can’t see and doesn’t know anything about.
Dwight L. Moody

Both joy and happiness are positive and desirable emotions where a person has a feeling of being satisfied.

Joy comes from the inner-self of a person, and is connecting with the source of life within you. It is caused by something really exceptional and satisfying. The source of joy is something or someone greatly appreciated or valued, and it is not only about oneself, but also about the contentment of those people whom you value the most.

Happiness is an emotion experienced when in a state of well-being. The state of well-being is characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. Happiness is simply the state of being happy. It may be caused by good fortune, luck or various other pleasures that range from person to person. Happiness is a result of something that is outside of you, and gained by observing or doing that particular thing. Social networks and human relationships are the most important correlation with happiness. Happiness spreads through relationships like friends, siblings, partners, neighbors etc.

Happiness may be momentary, as it is a result of short-term contentment; but joy, being related to the inner self, is long lasting. Happiness simply pleases a person, while joy brings warmth to that person’s heart, and brings contentment to one’s heart.

Happiness comes from outside, while joy from within, and with this attitude of joy, the person is in a state of grace. Joy is an extension to happiness. It is a continuous state of happiness, and a positive emotion. It is not merely a fleeting thing, like happiness. But, I believe you can’t have one without the other. Because one without the other makes less sense than none at all… Joy warms a person’s heart while happiness merely pleases. Happiness brings pleasure but Joy brings true contentment to one’s heart.

Psalm 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed