Spirit Rising Ministries

I once read that our thinking mind is akin to a three-ring circus. We not only have an incessant stream of thoughts, we often have more than one thought (circus act) at a time. To make matters worse, these thoughts often complete and conflict with each other. I have learned that I can quiet my mind by mentally stepping out of the chaos of the circus and focusing on loving the quiet meadow that surrounds it. I used to worry that going to that quiet inner space of the meadow was just a means of escaping reality rather than dealing with it. What I didn’t understand was that the peaceful inner state I was retreating to is reality! It is my true nature to be peaceful, loving and joyous. Anything less than that is an illusion. In every moment I can choose either the chaos of the circus or the peace of God.

I think I will go for a walk in the meadow.

 Let your spirit soar!
Paula

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I recently saw a story about an artist who drew a series of pictures of Jesus laughing and smiling. The person circulating the story on-line said that a laughing, smiling Jesus was a concept he “had never considered”. How sad, I thought. However, on further reflection, I realized that I could only recall one time that I ever saw a picture of Jesus smiling. It was a huge painting that was displayed on a stage during a lecture I attended. I could hardly take my eyes off of His gleaming teeth and smiling eyes. I don’t remember one word from the lecture, but I never forgot the painting.

 You see, I too had fallen into the habit of picturing Jesus as sad and suffering on the cross; forgetting the great joy, love and peace with which He lived His life. Can you imagine what it must have been like to be around Him?!!! Receiving that email reminded me that being spiritual – being more like Jesus – is not a serious affair. It’s a joyous one.

 Let your spirit soar!
Paula

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