Dying to "self" - a lesson.

[inHisgripkim]

Heaven (God = Love)
and
Hell (Godless = Evil)

Evil is "live" backwords.
Spell "live" backwards and you get "evil."


A Story
Heaven and Hell
​

A Samurai warrior who came to a Zen master for instruction. "Master, I would like to know if Heaven and hell really exists," asked the Samurai.

The teacher heard his request and broke into mocking laughter. "You would like to know about Heaven and hell!?! . . .Don't be ridiculous! Jut look at you: you're fat, you're undeducated, and you're uncouth! What teacher in his right mind would invest his time in the likes of you?!. . .Go back to your camp and practice your silly exercises!" With that, the teacher turned his back on the man and ignred him.

The Samurai became enraged. His face turned red, he began to breathe heavily, and he drew his sword, ready to chop off the master's head with his next breath. Just as the sword was about to fall, the master turned around smoothly, and calmly told him, "That, sir is hell."

The Samurai stopped cold and realized the profundity of the master's teaching. He saw instantly how he had created his own hell through pride and anger. Immediately, he fell at the master's feet in humble reverence.

The master looked down at him, lifted the Samurai's head, and quietly said, "and that, sir, is Heaven."
​

Die to "self" and be born again in Christ.

Discard "self-image."

Put on the armor of God and take on His image.

Amen



​

 

[FallingWaters]

Thank you for the inspiration.

 

[Soulwings]

Thank you for sharing. That really is inspiring.

 

[inHisgripkim]

The Fishbowl To Bathtub​

One morning, Eve decided it was time to clean her fishbowl. Unable to find a container in which to put her two goldfish, Yin and Yang, while the bowl was being cleaned. Eve let about two inches of water into her bathtub, and lovingly placed the little creatures there. When she finished scrubbing the bowl and putting the ceramic deepsea diver in a new position Eve returned to find Yin and Yang engaged in a very thought-provoking behavior: the two goldfish were swimming around in one little corner of the bathtub, in a circle no bigger than the fishbowl!​

In many ways, we are like the goldfish. We develop our routines and mindsets learned from things of this world - the world of flesh and not of the Kingdom of God. When we find God, we have the chance to go beyond them to discover a new and freer dimension through the body of Christ and His grace. However, we tend to remain in our same pattern of fleshly thoughts and behavior patterns learned from this world. We tend to stay in that little corner like the Goldfish, even when we are offered a higher divine existence by the Grace of God. Our old ways offer little joy, a lot of anxiety and struggles, and no expansiveness.​

Get out of the Fishbowl.
If you wish to live in freedom, you've just got to become divine.
Put on the image which God has given you. Put on the armor of God.​

Discard the old image
and surrender it to Him.
Freedom at last. Amen.​

 

[Soulwings]

I think I'm still in the fishbowl.