Racists, birthers, deathers and disruptors beware!

Your time has come. It’s the end of an era of posturing and ignorance. Your good ole boy clubs and networks have been placed under the microscope. Every day that you invade town halls with your rhetoric and insanity proves this fact. Your bellowing of how health care reform will drastically interfere with the free enterprise system is being revealed by the fact that good ole boys are paying citizens to disrupt discussions at town halls. The financing from the insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies of the good ole boy network is trying to stop what they feel will hurt their bottom line. You are fueling the underlying racial divide with rhetoric and distraction. Do you honestly think that the average intelligent person can’t see through you scripted statements and false passions? Most of the people are simply tired of your B.S. That’s why Obama was elected. It’s time for you to grow up and stop being sore losers. Oh, but that’s trying to get rationality out of people who are irrational, which, in itself is irrational. Oh no, circular logic!

Was Jesus a racist? Did he not say that the good news was for both Jews AND Gentiles? Jesus embraced all kinds of people. A simple analysis of the Beatitudes reflects this:

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew5:3) – the poor and humble in spirit are blessed by God. Are the racists, birthers, deathers and disruptors of town halls humble in spirit? Hardly. Theirs is a spirit of frustration; “I want my country back!” Back from whom? A black president? Ah, you have revealed your racism!


2. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4) – mourners are those who have endured the tremendous might of evil which invades the world; one of these evils is racism. Christ is also a comforter. His wisdom and love of man is unparalleled.


3. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5) – the meek are humble and gentle; they don’t strive for disharmony because they put their needs in God’s hands, who ultimately delivers their inheritance of peace and justice on earth.


4. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6) – the loaves and the fishes are a result of the oppressed people who longed for salvation an acceptance; sound like slavery of the African-American people? How many years did they endure oppression? Separation from their family members. Working hard for NO wages. Yet they thirsted for righteousness and the result was an African-American president who is aware of, and capable of, bringing the races together. Something the separatists despise. It is ruining “their America!” Funny, I thought this was our America?


5. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:7) – When you show mercy to another person who you perceive has violated you, then you are superseding justice with love. By assuming a quality of God and showing mercy, mercy will be shown to you. Are the racists, birthers, deathers and disruptors merciful? They are demanding back what they perceive is theirs without regard for anyone else. That, is NOT mercy!


6. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8) –When you see God in everything that He has created, you are pure in heart. We are all expressions of God no matter what race we are. Anyone who sees that differently is NOT pure in heart. Is someone who accepts money to disrupt a town hall meeting with rhetoric and distraction pure in heart? Hardly!


7. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9) – Those who seek peace accept God as the creator of all things and diligently seek enlightenment and alignment with God. The God of the Old Testament appears to be a warrior God to some. Defending the Jews and claiming them as his “chosen people.” We are all children of God, yet when we seek separation from the whole of God’s creation, we are dividing up the whole into us and them. This is the basis for war, racism, separatism and all hostilities. Those who seek peace and calm, focused discussion recognize their connection to God. Is this the kind of behavior exhibited by racists, birthers, deathers and disruptors? Hardly!


8. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10) – God set the example of how we should behave with the actions and behaviors in the life of Christ. Jesus demonstrated human emotion, divine healing and showed mercy and brotherhood to all. When Peter cut off the ear of the soldier, Jesus put it back on. He lived in the Kingdom of Heaven and said it was here and now. Not in some far off place in the sky. It is up to us to emulate his behavior and live in the Kingdom of Heaven now! Their is no derision and hostility in the Kingdom of Heaven. Will there be sidearms present when you live in the Kingdom of Heaven? Think about it!


9. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12) – This verse has been my guiding light. I am exceedingly glad and my reward is being able to live in the Kingdom of Heaven here and now. When I receive attacks from commenters who speak out of their a~s, without anything to back it up, I smile and thank the Lord for blessing me with insight and understanding. The Beatitudes are about keeping the testimonies of God and seeking Him with all of your mind, body and spirit. When you do this your are living in the Kingdom of Heaven everyday. Those who seek derision against man without proof, claim to know the Bible without thoroughly researching it and act like animals at public events are persecuting everyone who shows up to discuss the current issues. Rejoice in their ignorance for they truly have their reward! They have to live with themselves. Ultimately, pray for their guidance from God and the understanding of His laws.

Racists, birthers, deathers and disruptors beware. Your B.S. has been seen in the light of day. Try actually reading the content of the Health Reform Act before you cast judgment. Stop listening to self-aggrandizing inciters like Sarah Palin who don’t have a clue about reality, except to manipulate apparent circumstances to support their positions and increase their bottom line. Do you really think she actually cares about you? If you do then you are quite foolish. Keep displaying your ignorance and keep revealing your lack of understanding of what Jesus has taught us. I can only pray that one day you will wake up and smell the flowers. They, too, are a part of God’s magnificent creation!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Sieg Hiel, Corporate America!

It never ceases to amaze me how the lack of intelligence and bullheadedness of conservative right wing intellectual terrorists will defend the very thing that is hurting them the most: corporate america. And what is an intellectual terrorist? A person that keeps battering you with distraction and nonsense long enough for you not to observe and THINK about what is REALLY happening. The expression the blind leading the blind comes to mind, but however, that is not what is happening. Most of these average American citizens are hard-working, family-oriented and want the best in their lives. Yet Corporate America daily dangles the carrot of that better life without hope for them to ever get it.

Many years ago the banks orchestrated the Federal Reserve creation in order to run rampant on the average citizen with interest rates and low monthly payments to keep them in debt forever. The government imposed an income tax on citizens and the IRS took that, according to their code (and NOT the law), to tax your wages. Income tax is legal and wage tax isn’t. There IS a difference! Every ounce of sweat you give into your job earns you money and gives you stress. Stress is the major source of all illnesses because it weakens your immune system. The only way a wage tax would be fair is if the government offered the supporters health care. But do they? Not currently except for the poor and the elderly.

Yet every time a conservative right wing regime is in power in this country, health care reform is passed over. Do you see a pattern here? Corporate America is in the pockets of both Republican and Democratic representatives who proclaim that their stance against health care is for the betterment of America’s citizens. They wave the flag and decry socialism. They try to distract all of us from the truth. Corporate America worships only one God; and that is THE BOTTOM LINE! Their deacons and ministers are the numerous bean counters who daily tally up that “take” and advise them what needs to be done to keep increasing the bottom line. And what’s wrong with that a healthy capitalist might say? Nothing, except when it steps on the freedoms and rights of American citizens. Physical slavery was abolished over 100 years ago and look how long it took for an African-American president to be elected. It is time that people ignore the distraction and nonsense of misguided individuals who support Corporate American rapists and put a STOP to financial slavery.

Stop worshipping at the altar of a false god. What do you think the Hebrews did when Moses didn’t return when they thought he should? They made idols of golden calves (money?) and began worshipping them. God and Moses didn’t take kindly to that, did they. But yet, these same people who bang the Bible in town hall meetings are the same people who turn a blind eye to what Corporate America is doing everyday and cry, “I want my America back.” Why don’t they just call a spade a spade and admit that they are racists. They can’t believe that the best person for the job of leading us out of the mess created by the neo-cons is an African-American. What better person than Barack Obama, who had to grow up with bi-cultural assets in a separatist world, could understand the plight of the average person who is being raped by Corporate America.

People, wake up. Don’t bang the Bible professing it is truth. Read the truth that is in it and realize that Corporate America is your enemy, not your friend. Bring down the regime that has forcibly put you into financial slavery by supporting the real people who are fighting for your individual rights. Don’t just pray for them, get off your tush and do something about it. Show up to town hall meetings to discuss the issues, not distract the discussions from the issues. Truly be an American; one who fights for religious freedom and says no to taxation without representation. Write your congressman, go to town hall meetings, make your voice known. John the Baptist was a lone voice crying in the wilderness; yet his cry announced the Son of Man and the blessings that God has bestowed on us. Wake up and smell the stench of the lies of those who wish to control, dominate and manipulate your every action! Don’t listen to Sieg Heil!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Relay your thoughts

What does that mean? One commenter on my article Ask and it is given stated “All good gifts come from God, not from some imagined human ability to 'create'. Duh.” And what does any human capacity of creativity have to do with the gifts from God? Everything!!! Duh! If one cannot see the glory, majesty and blessings that God has given us then they need to turn on the windshield wipers. I have repeatedly referred to this statement, and I will refer to it again; “Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done (Matthew 21:21). God’s greatest gift to us is the power of creativity. But how does this come about? Are our brains truly thought generators that reach out and move mountains and worlds? Hardly. Or are our brains directors of energies that move mountains and worlds? The symbology here is critical.

From about 1973 to 1993 I was a practicing Astrologer. I did charts on many types of people and the results were startling. I researched the energies involved between the Earth, the Moon and the Sun, as well as the planets. I designed a computer program to track the gravitational relationships and energies transmitted and received only to realize that there are miniscule effects at best. Yes, the Moon affects the tides and because our bodies are between 88% to 92% water it does affect us. Without the life giving energy of the Sun we couldn’t survive on this planet. These are all facts I struggled with but just couldn’t resolve whether or not physical interactions genuinely existed or were at least, influential to our human existence. The Bible does state that Astrology is for signs and the seasons, yet, primarily due to misunderstood translations, the Christian community tends to ignore them as being valid or relegates them to being evil. They seem to forget the 3 wise men who used these signs to locate and provide finances to Jesus for his ministry. They forget that Joseph and Mary weren’t rich and the gifts from the Magi provided them with the necessary capital they needed to keep Jesus alive.

In 1981 I read a book by Dane Rudhyar, a transcendental astrologer entitled “The Astrology of Transformation.” He proposed that Astrology was a language of symbology and not an interactive energy measuring device. When we were born on this planet at a certain time of day, a certain day of the year, the reference of the planets in their houses and signs provided an analysis of our tendencies, not a predetermined stance or posture of a person’s entire life. Wow! Just like what the Bible said. A language for signs and for seasons. Not an evil method to steer one away from God. Hmmm! I can hear the tapping of the commenter’s keys right now. Here comes judgment rearing its ugly head. However, I won’t focus on that image since I don’t want to create it.

One scientist that was interviewed by Larry King on CNN stated that our minds do not generate enough energy to rearrange matter as is proposed in the movie, “The Secret.” Technically, he is right. The Law of Attraction is beyond science’s ability to measure, qualify and quantify. Why? Because they are opening the front door of the barn looking for the horse while the horse has already left by the back door. Read the criticism section under the above LOA link. Years ago I worked for Amtrak at the Wilmington shops as an Electronics Inspector. We spent most of our days cleaning off electrical devices called relays. Relays are basically switching devices that use a safe lower voltage to change direction of a not-so-safe higher voltage. Without relays, human beings could be fried to death with the high voltages required to run locomotives. Yet, with these ingenious devices, we have mastered the power of the electron and made it safe for us to harness it. Our thoughts are generated from our brains at a lower voltage. God has freely given us the gift to choose what thoughts we focus on. Could it be that the thoughts we generate harness the greater energies present in the universe that move worlds? I believe that this is the case. Just like Dane Rudhyar stated about Astrology being a language of symbology I propose that our thoughts create symbols and archetypes that relay our thoughts to the universe, and through the Law of Attraction, create the circumstances in our lives.

The Law of Attraction obeys the symbols, archetypes, pictures and verbal proclamations, whether we believe this or not. The Law of Attraction precisely responds to what you envision, state and hold true about yourself and your world. If you offer a vibration of confusion and disharmony, it will respond with more of the same. Conversely, if you offer lucidity and focus, it will relay your thoughts to God’s clock (the Universe) and the powers that are already there will obey. This is what Jesus meant when he said that the mountain will move.

God has given us the gift of creativity and the ability to harness the powers of the universe simply by focusing, maintaining and relaying our thoughts on a consistent basis. Which thoughts will you choose? Will you focus on lack and limitation or will you focus on abundance and prosperity? Will you seek to help others or further your own selfish causes? It is your choice. Act responsibly!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Posturing

If any of you have been following the recent articles and posted comments over the past couple of weeks you have witnessed some heated exchanges. None more so than my exchange with Gary Davis, a writer with Associated Content. Pot shots were taken by both of us and posturing came into play. However, ultimately, the spirit of truth made itself apparent. His initial article, “Dean Banks Suggests Apostle Paul Possible Apostate” was in reaction to my article, ”Paul: apostle or apostate.” His subsequent article, “Of Friends, Foes and Dean Banks” was written after we exchanged some comments about the disagreements and the way we both handled them. Mr. Davis stepped up to the plate and initiated peace and I am humbled by his forthrightness and professionalism. Because of that, I have a new friend, whom I might not always agree with, but one for whom I significantly respect. This man is not only a musician/keyboard player like myself, but fought in Viet Nam. I thanked him for his service to this country and for the sacrifice of putting his life on the line for all of us. Whether we agree with any of the wars our country has been involved in or not, we still owe respect and support to the men and women who served.

Posturing is defined as developing a policy or stance for yourself, a group or your country. It is based on adopting an attitude or position on a particular subject and not moving. It implies rigidity. As much as we all sometimes try to be understanding of the other guy, we can dig down deep and take root into posturing. For example, the recent town hall meetings and the ill-informed participants who scream out their position. Sometimes in the heat of an argument, both sides may believe similar things, but the ego creeps in and keeps the focus on “me” being right. The ego, or what has been commonly referred to as Edging God Out, is a necessary component of human behavior because it maintains our survival mechanism. Jesus always pointed to the Father. Even when Jesus trashed the merchants tables at the synagogue (And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables – John 2:15), it wasn’t his ego that was enraged. It was his tolerance. He had had it with people disrespecting God and he was wise enough to talk in the only language that those people would understand. Do you think if he used another approach it would have been as effective? Possibly, “Oh please stop making money in the temple because it offends God.” Would that have worked? Hardly.

Speaking in the language that other people understand can sometimes be very difficult. Would you speak your native language in a foreign country and expect to be fully understood? Even if the people you were speaking to understood your language, would they understand your geographic idioms and dialect, language nuances or the vocabulary from the educational level in which you spoke? Most magazines today print their stories at a 7th grade reading level because they don’t want to alienate their readers with bombastic expressions that would go over their head. We must all learn to talk at a level of comprehension that is mutual in order for us to understand one another. We must find common ground.

Yes, I got angry with Gary Davis, but I learned something about him and myself after I cooled down. He intrigued me enough to read some of his articles and I saw beyond my anger and came to respect him as a writer and now, new friend. We met on common ground and came to understand one another. Out of this microcosm of writing, commenting and posturing came a new environment of respect and understanding. We both have learned and grown from this exchange and I hope that the result that we have embraced, can not only be a lesson to both of us, but to our readers as well. Gary is now 60 years old and I am 55. Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? It all goes back to the article I wrote on perspective (Altering your perspective). All of us can learn from one another if we get beyond ourselves and don’t posture. If you squeeze your hand on the truth too hard it will slip through your fingers.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Hook, Line and Sinker

Let’s examine a metaphor concerning our dear friends the Bible beaters. A metaphor is a phrase that is used to parallel similar behavior concerning a different action. It represents that action with commonly understood terms. Hook, line and sinker is a fishing term that implies that when the fish takes the bait, he takes the whole rig. Not just the bait but the actual mechanism that snares him. The hook grabs you and doesn’t let go; the line is the connection to “string puller” and the sinker is the device that puts the hook just at the right depth where the fish are feeding. The metaphor generally refers to a gullible person who only requires a taste of the facts to believe the whole wad, without scrutinizing the idea or thought presented. It means that this person does not think their way through by examining all of the facts. Like in the story of Adam and Eve, one bite of the apple was just as dangerous as eating the entire apple.

This being said, I would like to evaluate my recent commenter’s (Daniel, Ron and Gary) attacks on me concerning my ‘interpretation” of the Word. True Christians are known by their fruits. Each one of us operates at a level of awareness. As my philosophy professor once said, “Most people don’t think, they emotionally react.” We’ve all been there at one time or another. Generally speaking, if someone is dumb they are lacking intelligence or good judgment. This doesn’t mean that they are a bad person; they might just be acting badly. The converse of this is a bright person who is quick-witted and clever. A stupid person is one who lacks the ordinary quickness and keenness of mind; a person that doesn’t completely recognize, is foolish or senseless about what’s going on in his immediate environment. Again, they might just be acting badly. The converse of this is a smart person who recognizes the facts in his environment and uses quick intelligence and mental capability to engage and respond to his environment. An ignorant person is one who is uninformed, unaware or simply lacking in knowledge or training about a certain subject. The converse is an educated person, whether formally schooled or not, who has taken the time to educate himself/herself enough to display qualities of culture and learning. This education is based on information and/or experience. Knowledge requires an understanding of information learned and wisdom requires an understanding of the knowledge one has obtained.

A person’s mental acuity is not the only aspect or area of development that a human being embraces. There are physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects to take into consideration when a person makes a statement or interpretation. For example, some people may be very developed in some areas and not so developed in others. Again this doesn’t mean that they are bad; it could just be that they are acting badly. If they emotionally react instead of thinking things through to a logical conclusion, it reveals a quality of discernment. Discernment is directly tied to judgment. Judgment is the considered evaluation of evidence in the formation of making a decision. Evidence is weighed or adjudicated based on the facts and/or eyewitness testimony. According to some passages of the Bible, people will receive their reward (heaven) or punishment (hell) as a result of God’s reflection, study and resolving of your performance in this life.

In my articles I have mentioned several times the metaphor, “don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” It basically means to take caution when throwing out things that you think you don’t need or that are unnecessary, because you might throw out something that is important as well. Originating from a 15th century German satire, this saying was used by Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestant movement. One of the tenets of Protestantism is the infallibility of the Bible as it stands. Remember what kind of man Martin Luther was. Other faculties are necessary when understanding the Word. Throwing out logic and imagination can lead to a complete misunderstanding of the Word.

As for Daniel, he keeps badgering me with his Britannica definition of the word apostasy. I responded to him with the source that I used and yet, that wasn’t good enough. An apostate is one who forsakes his religion or cause and takes up one that he believes is true. My point about Paul and his teachings. Ron battled me over the verses about homosexuality, failing to see my point. Finally, Gary completely dismissed my interpretation as one that came from complete ignorance. Instead of going and doing the research that I did, they chose to attack my position with forthrightness and attitude. So be it. I responded to them, and yes, sometimes harshly. Why? Because the only way the truth is revealed is through conscientious debate and not posturing. Opening one’s mind to the possibilities that what you have been repeatedly taught might not be true can be harrowing at times. I understand their frustration; that’s why I read the red. However, from where I stand I choose to question anyone who contradicts what Jesus said. What he said and what Paul said are PART of the Bible as it now stands. If one chooses to believe everything in it and believe it hook, line and sinker, then please, please, don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. Pray for guidance and understanding before you ridicule and posture your viewpoint as the only correct one. In my writings I offer what I believe to be true. Not once have I ever said that it is an absolute truth. If you don’t like what I say then go about your merry way and read what you want to believe; hook, line and sinker.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Is Jesus a figurehead?

For the past few weeks I have been locked in mortal combat with some evangelical Christians abut the Gospel of Jesus. The word gospel means “good news”, yet some Christians get quite irate and nasty when anyone challenges the word of Paul. For example, a pretentious Bible studies doctoral student, Gary Davis, took such offense with my article “Paul: Apostle or Apostate”, that he ranted about how my reasoning wasn’t sound and that my years of religious studies and Bible reading were invalid. Yet, his understanding of the Bible somehow supersedes mine. Arrogance at its best! Why is it that some Christians take offense to any challenge about Paul? Is it because what he says justifies their sense of power over others? That their way is the only way?

One reader, Daniel, argues that my choice of Apostate was wrong about Paul. He suggests that I perhaps should have used heretic. Then, he proceeds to insult one of the most God respecting men I know. He doesn’t even know this man, yet he has a strong opinion of him. This is where judgment rears its ugly head. Paul taught a gospel based on his own bias. As Saul his behaviors could have been likened to the Nazi Gestapo. Yet, after his conversion and blinding he miraculously began preaching more of his own gospel with Jesus as a figurehead. The Roman Catholics just loved his books because it gave them control over the masses. Why do you think they were canonized? I suggested to Daniel that he study history and logic before he so obviously sticks his foot in his mouth. As for the homophobic Gary Davis, his impressive list of articles primarily focusing on human maladies reveals his own particular skew on life. He continues to quote the same old gay bashing Leviticus 18:22, without the proper Aramaic translations cited. His readership seems to be what I call Conscious Christians; those who only use Literary Authoritarianism as there source of knowledge about life. Did Jesus just use the Torah? Not by a long shot. He also used common sense. Something some of my commenters seem totally devoid of, even though they proclaim some superior knowledge.

This is what happens when someone takes the written word literally. Christ said to the Pharisees that the spirit of the law is what is important. Paul’s teachings seem to point to the letter of the law more than the spirit. For example, when referring to Jesus’ brother James and his teaching about Christ, Paul says the following: “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ”. “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2 Corinthians 11:3-4). How arrogant Paul is! He is basically saying that if his version of the gospel of Jesus is not believed, then we are not receiving the true gospel. This arrogance is very similar to the commenters' arrogance regarding Paul’s apostatic revelations. And what about James who directly contradicts Paul’s assertions about faith and works? (Jam 2:17: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”; Paul in Galatians 2:16: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified”).

Through a study of history, one can see an interesting parallel between Pauline Christianity and the story of the Sumerian god Tammuz. Paul struggled tirelessly to promote his version of the gospel to the Hellenists and gentiles. Jesus made it clear that the HIS gospel was for all men. Why can’t some people see this? They would much rather propagate division and acrimony than to love their brother. Visit this site for more information on how Paul made Jesus a figurehead. I don’t necessarily agree with everything that the author claims, but he does raise some interesting points about Paul. More to come...

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Light of Love Unlimited - Soul Food Cafe

In this article I would like to feature one of the great spiritual teachers we have in quad-state area. I had the privilege of attending a “Wealth Consciousness” class led by Pankaj Sharma in 2007. His leadership and ability to engage his students was most refreshing. From the moment I came within five feet of him I could feel his extraordinary energy and focus. His guided meditations led me to depths I hadn’t experienced in a long time. The confidence and sheer focus of this teacher was transferred into my spirit and I experienced a peace and understanding that allowed me to relax completely. His insight into the abundance of the universe and the blessings of prosperity that we all have innately, reminded me of my years of study in the field of developing wealth. Wealth is a term meaning well-being; with your body, mind, soul, social interactions and financial prosperity. Yes, you can have it all if you allow yourself to have it.

Pankaj Sharma leads the temple called Hari Aum Mandir located at 348 E Boot Road, Downingtown, PA. 19335. You can get directions here. According to his website, Pankaj Sharma is a spiritual teacher that synthesizes Eastern & Western traditions presenting them in a practical, contemporary way that provides rich results. He loves to travel the globe, sharing the wisdom & spiritual technologies he's gathered in this lifetime as well as previous ones. He currently lives in Chester County, PA. with his lovely wife Ruby and two boys. Some of the major trainings he's attended are: Angel Therapy Training with Doreen Virtue, Sound Healing Training with Tom Kenyon, Pranic Healing & Arhatic Yoga with Grandmaster Choa Kok Sui, Yoga of Sound with Russill Paul, Amrit Yoga Teacher Training with Amrit Yoga Institute, Transformational Breath Facilitator & Teacher Training with Judith Kravitz, Agape International Spiritual Center Licensed Practitioner class of 2001 Culver City, CA. and is an Ordained Minister & Spiritual Healer with Divine Light Ministries.

Pankaj conducts two Consciousness gatherings in Breath and Yoga. His Breath Consciousness gathering is described as follows: “The art and science of conscious connected breathing is a powerful key for well being, transformation & spiritual awakening. Breath is life and many cultures have seen breath as a portal to the Soul. The yogis of India have taught that breath is not only the link between the body and the mind, it is the link to our Soul.” His Yoga Consciousness gathering is based on the following: “This is what the Yoga of Consciousness is about; Awakening to our Divinity, connecting to the Source within and being freed from our self-imposed limitations.” He conducts a weekly Saturday morning Yoga gathering at Hari Aum Mandir in Downingtown.

On August 16, 2009, Pankaj will be featuring a “Soul Food Cafe” at Hari Aum Mandir. He describes the event as follows: The Soul Food Café is a space for creating community and nourishing all levels of our being (Body, Mind & Soul). We will have an inspirational speaker, music, meditation, prayer and more. Elizabeth May Sutor will be performing her New Thought music at the event. The first hour and fifteen minutes is devoted to serving up spiritual food that nourishes our Soul and inspires our Mind. Afterwards we will gather to break bread and share fellowship; nourishing our Body while forming deeper connections with each other. Please come and experience a loving, wholesome energy co-created by us all. The schedule for the day is as follows: Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Spiritual Gathering: 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m, Dinner & Fellowship: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. A Monthly Gathering of this event will occur on the third Sunday of each month from August-November in 2009. The Gathering Dates in 2009 are: Aug 16, Sept 20, Oct 18, Nov 15. Do your soul a favor and don’t miss these events.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Ask and it is given

In honor of my 50th article for the Examiner I would like to write about my favorite saying of Jesus. Ask and It Is Given is the title of the current book I am reading by Esther (Abraham) and Jerry Hicks. A fascinating pre-cursor to their book The Law of Attraction in which I couldn’t put the book down! I suggest voraciously reading both books as they are a complete owner’s manual to the Law of Attraction. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7 of the King James Version of the Bible, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Let’s examine this statement phrase by phrase.

Ask, and it shall be given you – This is the starting point for the Law of Attraction, or That which is like unto itself is drawn. By asking for what we want, we are accepting and believing that something beyond us can give it. The desires of our heart are placed there by God for us to fulfill and actualize them. How many people go through their entire lives never becoming what they were created to be simply because they never asked for what they wanted. They either didn’t know how to ask, never believed they should have asked, or couldn’t bring themselves to a state where they were humbled by the presence of God. Asking turns over the control of self from the ego (edging God out) to the divine. The divine responds with whatever thoughts you predominately think about and emotionally charge according to the next phrase, Seek, and ye shall find. Like the genie (the Universe) says in the movie The Secret, “Your wish is my command.” Asking is a form of prayer to God for the things, circumstances and people you desire to have in your life.

Seek, and ye shall find – God doesn’t hand anyone things on a silver platter. You have to earn them. Esther (Abraham) and Jerry Hicks state this next phrase as The Science of Deliberate Creation or That which I give thought to and that which I believe or expect – is. This is where you get what you predominantly think about, whether you want it or not. If you don’t apply these phrases or laws to the benefits of yourself and others, they still operate by default. If you think bounty, you will reap bounty. If you think lack, you will reap lack. Seeking is a form of meditation because it allows you to let go of the outer world of distraction and focus on what you truly desire. You must first know what you desire, make a plan to achieve that desire and expect it to happen. This can only come as a result of inner focus and not outer distraction.

Knock, and it shall be opened unto you – Once you know where you are going, you must take the steps to get there. Many have said it is hard and few have said it is easy. Whomever you choose to believe sitting around and dreaming of your desires without expecting them is a mind game. You must implement your plan by providing a service to mankind. This is based on the Hicks’ third law of The Art of Allowing which says I am that which I am, and I am willing to allow all others to be that which they are. This means to serve others by not judging them. It means to accept them as they are and love them for who they are. When you allow you cannot resist. If you resist the flow of life, everything that annoys you will persist. It’s like the story of the barnacle who wondered what it was like downstream away from the turbulent waters. All of the other barnacles told him that if he let go of the rock he would be swept downstream and be bashed on the rocks. He would surely die! One day he let go of his hold on the rock and was swept downstream being bashed from rock to rock. However, he didn’t die as the other barnacles told him. He ended up in a peaceful pool and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of his life. Allow others to be who they are, even if they don’t allow you to be you. Don’t invite others to rent space in your head with their troubles and circumstances. Allow the universe to work as it does and your reward will be the joyous freedom of being able to create your own life experience exactly as you want it to be according to the Hicks. Set your daily intention to deliberately create your own life experience. Jesus followed in Matthew 7:8 with "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” What a promise!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Conspiracy theories

“A conspiracy theory is any theory which explains a historical or current event as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful Machiavellian conspirators. The word conspire means ‘to join in a secret agreement to do an unlawful or wrongful act or to use such means to accomplish a lawful end.’ The word ‘theory’ is, in this usage, sometimes considered to be more informal as in ‘speculation’ or ‘hypothesis’ rather than mainstream scientific theory (Source: Wikipedia).”

Two of the most popular conspiracy theories are 911 and the Moon Landing. Some people, in contrast to the eyewitnesses and scientific evidence foolishly, in my opinion, believe that the moon landing never took place. One of my readers commented to my article "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind", “The moon landing was fake, filmed in the desert in Nevada with the help of captured Aliens from area 51. Don't believe it.” Well, I choose to believe the facts in this case; not implausible theories. In regard to 911, however, there are two conspiracy theories; the first is that Al-Qaeda perpetrated 911 and the second is that the Neo-Cons, under the command of Bush (more like Carl Rove) and Cheney, allowed it to happen. In Secretary Mineta’s testimony to the 911 Commission he stated that Cheney had, within his power, to stop the attacks cold; but Cheney’s order to stand down never changed. It kind of makes you wonder what was going through the diabolical mind of a man who has had repeated heart problems and lives in fear. As for Bush, his dumbfounded look in the classroom when he was informed of the attack clearly shows he had no idea; he was clueless. Yet Cheney, was in the “bunker” in command and giving the orders; or should we say NOT giving the orders to shoot down the jets. After years of searching for the WMD, none were found; yet one man’s fear plunged us into a war and many American and Iraqi lives were sacrificed on the altar of fear. If you are wondering how could someone like this sleep at night, come to know that they can; because they are convinced they are doing, or have done, what is right for themselves and everyone else. Neo-con thought embraces the principles of Machiavelli.

In The Prince, Machiavelli is attributed with the fundamental break between political Idealism (the outside world is an extension of the mind) and political Realism (existence is independent and not a result of knowledge and consciousness). The Prince is a manual to acquiring and keeping political power. In regard to Bush and Cheney, there is an interesting quote from The Prince; "There are many who think a wise prince ought, when he has the chance, to foment astutely some enmity, so that by suppressing it he will augment his greatness." Interesting, considering Machiavelli’s position taken by the Medici family when the families of Italy had to be united in a common cause against the Gauls. As a political scientist, Machiavelli emphasized the methodical exercise of brute force (punishment or reward) to preserve the status quo (current or existing state of affairs). The term “Machiavelli” denotes someone of politically-extreme perspective and is referenced in modern psychology as a personality type. Personality types involve qualitative differences between people as opposed to personality traits which are quantitative differences between people. In regard to personality types, Carl Jung postulated that there were four main functions of consciousness; sensation and intuition were perceiving functions and thinking and feeling were judging functions. These functions were modified by the two main attitude types of extroversion and introversion. Jung’s theory further states that whichever function dominates a person’s consciousness, its opposite is repressed and will characterize their unconscious behavior. In regard to personality traits, the Big Five factors and their constituent traits are Openness (curiosity), Conscientiousness (self-discipline), Extraversion (self-confidence), Agreeableness (compassion) and Neuroticism (easily experiences negative emotions; emotional instability). In other words, if your dominant thoughts are neurotic and extraverted, you will repress the good things in life and tell others that’s how it is. When you live in fear you are living outside of yourself (Realism). Turn to the world on the inside of yourself and discover a place where there is no fear, only faith (Idealism). Show me anything created by mankind on this earth that wasn’t first a thought in someone’s mind. You can’t! Seduction comes from the Latin and it means “to lead astray.” Mankind continually uses distraction and seduction to convince others to follow their belief system instead of going within and accessing the one true God. Don’t be fooled by getting distracted and seduced by unscrupulous individuals who are out to gain power over you and rent space in your head.

The true principles of spirituality lead you to an alignment with God and His resultant creation. Those who perpetrate fear and separation are responsible for all of the lack and limited beliefs in the world. This universe and this world are abundant. Those who live in fear will always tell you otherwise. You have the power to change their channel to a channel of wisdom, peace and abundance. It starts by shutting off the outside world and going within to seek the Kingdom of Heaven. God has no conspiracies!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

The law of distraction

The definition of the Law of Attraction, according to Esther Hicks (Abraham), is “that, which is like unto itself, is drawn." In other words if you think positive thoughts you will attract positive outcomes. Conversely, if you think negative thoughts you will attract negative outcomes. Seems simple enough, doesn’t it? I can hear all of the scientists laughing out loud. The mere thought that the electrical signals in your brain can generate a significant enough magnetic field to affect the energy and matter outside of the brain is not plausible to them. Just as scientists claim that the magnetic fields of the planets and stars are not strong enough to affect us; their main claim to poopoo Astrology. Yet the gravitational effect of the Moon’s mass in its orbit around the Earth affects the tides. Since our bodies are between 88% to 92% water, wouldn’t that affect us as well? Dane Rudhyar, in his book “The Astrology of Personality”, approaches astrology as a language of symbology, not physics. Remember, science needs to measure things quantitatively and qualitatively. If it cannot devise a way to measure something, it is relegated to the term pseudoscience. Pseudoscience is defined as theories methodologies, or practices that are considered to be without scientific foundation. In other words, they cannot be proven by experimentation; according to the way some scientists think. But what if the Law of Attraction is merely symbolic?

Before a coffee table became a coffee table the thought of that coffee table was in the mind of the designer. By looking at it from every angle of how it would come into being, the designer, either by himself or with the help of others, brought the idea into a thought form. Before things existed they were first thoughts. Some scientists can clearly see this, yet they still poopoo the Law of Attraction because they cannot develop an accurate way to measure it. So, like most small minded people, they throw the baby out with the bathwater and relegate the LOA to pseudoscience. I call this the Law of Distraction. Simply because one is not intelligent enough to devise a way to measure something doesn’t mean that there isn’t a way to measure it. In other words, “that, which cannot be measured, according to current understanding, is dismissed.” Some scientists conveniently forget that our senses and our measuring devices, which are based on our senses, are limited. Science cannot measure beliefs and faith. Since they don’t have physical properties, they are all constructs of the mind. Many scientists forget the human passion that is necessary to create all the wonders we experience today. Passion like that of Nikola Tesla. The man who invented radio and alternating current, making it possible to communicate and receive power over long distances; in effect, bringing our world closer. He saw these things in his mind and his passion made it come about.

Politicians effectively practice the Law of Distraction. If they can make up a scenario for you to focus on long enough, they can distract you from seeing what they are really doing. Take “C Street” for example. Also, the constant commercials about writing your congressman to stop health care reform. God forbid we don’t do what the banks, insurance and pharmaceutical companies want us to do. In order to be an aware individual you must not get distracted from your focus. Don’t listen to the nay sayers, whether scientists, theologians, corporations or politicians who bait and switch the masses everyday. After watching Liz Cheney make an utter fool of herself concerning Obama’s birth certificate, I came to the conclusion that the Republican party is so desperate to distract their constituents from the truth, that they parade the former VP’s daughter around in the media. Why is she there? What civil service job has she held? Oh, that’s right; she is a blonde and speaks forcefully supporting her dad; the same dad who endorsed death squads and torture camps. And then there’s G. Gordon Liddy. Oh yeah, we can surely trust him! If they can keep you distracted long enough, they can convince you, by congressional inaction and finger pointing, that they were right! Don’t be fooled with rhetoric and distraction.

The LOD is a ploy to make you NOT look at the facts. Just because you cannot measure something doesn’t mean you cannot believe in it or have faith in it. Do you know what magnetism is? Because you don’t know what it is or how to measure it does that mean that you don’t use it? Everyday, from your clock radio to your TV, microwave and car you use magnetism. Examine the facts about the world around you and don’t get distracted by those who speak with authority and conviction in order to distract you from the truth. Stay focused and attract the best into your life by letting go of distraction.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Coping with disbelief

I’ve recently seen a humorous commercial from Fiber One cereal about a new disease called I.D.S., which is an initialism for Irrational Disbelief Disorder (not an accepted disorder by medical and psychological professionals). I.D.S. is a supposed condition where, despite all of the observations and the facts, one does not believe in the accepted conclusions of many observers. In other words, people are “incapable of believing in things that are universally understood to be true”, as is stated in the commercial. In science, one must observe, record and interpret data based on an experiment as it occurs in the environment of the experiment; this includes the observer’s participation in the experiment. This commercial is a brilliant piece of marketing because it pokes fun at all the initialisms and acronyms that the medical and psychological communities invent to box people into disorders. “If you can box them, you can control them” is the statement I once heard at an A.M.A. medical convention by a doctor that was speaking in St. Louis in 1980. Less than 50% of all doctors belong to the American Medical Association in this country; what about what the other 50% have to say when the A.M.A. issues a statement?

I saw (for about the tenth time) the town hall meeting in Delaware in which Representative Mike Castle was presiding. Each time I watched the “birther” lady in the audience make an utter fool out of herself waving an American flag and her “U.S. birth certificate” in a plastic bag; BTW, it had to have been a county birth certificate. Despite the facts that are in evidence, she still believes that President Obama was not born in this country! Instead of cloaking her claim in something as ludicrous as disputing a legal document, why doesn’t she just speak the truth and reveal that she is a racist and religious bigot? Someone should have told her that if she left immediately, she could have still caught the Klan meeting in Elkton, MD. Mike Castle handled the situation calmly and professionally and stated the fact that Obama WAS born in this country. One of my readers has insisted that I not point the finger at conservatives but in this case I have one question. Why do you have so many extremists, sore losers and nut cases in the Republican (Conservative) camp? Why would you allow such people as this lady, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly to determine your platform? Can’t you see that they are hurting your cause more than helping it? In regard to this lady, David Schuster of MSNBC stated last night that her behavior was a “lack of intellectual integrity.” I couldn’t have said it better. My conclusion is that the problem here was an emotional reaction by her; no intellect was apparent whatsoever. I guess she suffers from I.D.S.

As for finger pointing, what about the conservatives who pointed the finger at Bill Clinton? As the saying goes, the problem with pointing the finger is that three fingers are pointing back at you. Senator John Ensign’s hand was caught in the cookie jar after he attacked Clinton’s infidelity. My fiancé made a great observation; Ensign appeared to not be sorry for what he did wrong but for the fact that he got caught! Can you believe this or are you suffering from I.D.S.? It doesn’t matter what political camp you come from, the fact remains that human beings when thrust into positions of power sometimes react badly. It doesn’t mean that they are bad people; it means that when they are confronted with situations that they haven’t encountered before, they sometimes make the wrong choices; or should I say choices that aren’t beneficial to themselves, their careers, family or lifestyles.

Beliefs are a result of practiced thoughts. Whether they are true or not doesn’t matter. If you practice a thought pattern day after day and year after year, eventually it will become true for you. It is a relative truth. If you make the time to discover your connection with God you will be exposing yourself to His absolute truth. Like Pete Townsend said, “And I'll get on my knees and pray, We don't get fooled again.”

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"

This is one of the greatest quotes in the history of our world. It sums up the efforts of thousands, if not millions of people and support staff that made the first landing on the moon possible. Neil Armstrong took his individual step and ushered in a new era for mankind by recognizing the efforts of everyone who made his step possible. I remember, as a 15 year old boy, the magic of this moment. It was in the evening of an 87 degree day and I was riveted to the TV set. I was sweating from the 85% relative humidity and couldn’t wait to see the first step on the moon; LIVE! My mother and I watched intently as Neil made history. She reflected that she never thought she would be alive to see this moment. It was a moment that I would never forget because we shared it together. It has now been six years since she has died and I still remember the look of amazement on her face when Neil took his step.

In honor of this 40 year anniversary of this momentous occasion I would like to update Neil’s statement to an even broader perspective. If each one of us took one small step every day toward a better life on this earth, could you even imagine what effect it would have on humankind? Instead of wallowing in a pool of self-pity, self-aggrandizement or self-centeredness, what if we just gave a portion of our time and knowledge to those in need? The seed of participation and cooperation would spread virally across the planet. It would be a pay-it-forward avalanche. Let’s take it further. What if we took one small step in not believing that the worst will happen to us and only expect the best to happen? Would our bounty be an avalanche of blessings from this abundant universe? The only way to truly know is to try. Jesus said, “How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?” (Luke 2:49). If we truly want to be like Jesus, shouldn’t we be about our Father’s business? What is our Father’s business?

Dr. R. J. Rushdoony says the following in regards to the The Sermon on the Mount, "Man is not, however much he may talk of autonomy, a self sufficient creature. He is necessarily dependent upon others. Coupled with this necessary dependency is the fact that he is created in the image of God. Man is a purposive creature: he is goal directed. God created him to be his vicegerent (a deputy) over the earth, to exercise dominion and to develop the meaning and scope of God's reign and Kingdom. Man's life thus is colored in all things by a purpose, meaning, or goal." Wow! According to this statement God has left us in charge of this earth and to be fruitful and multiply. Our past history has indicated that we have done this amidst wars, diseases and pestilences. We have been fruitful and we have multiplied. But have we taught our young how to think correctly and how to have dominion over the earth? With this charge comes a great responsibility. Have we equipped the next generation with the intelligence and tools necessary to accomplish this task?

In order to pass on our responsibilities to the next generation we must deputize them not only with our power, but our insight as well. By making the time to teach them the necessary lessons we are taking that one small step. The giant leap for humankind comes when our young collectively apply the lessons we have taught them in manifesting desires that positively affect each and every one of us with health, wealth, prosperity and abundance. Stop the lack and limitation garbage thinking in this world by accepting the abundance of this universe. Show our young that their resources are unlimited. You can temporarily cover up the smell of garbage with perfume (positive talk) but the smell of the perfume will eventually wear off. Only when you remove the source of the smell (negative thinking) can you truly create a new and better smell that will last. Speak power into the lives of the young and we will all reap the rewards that God has already given us; we just need to get out of our own way to receive them!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Altering your perspective

One night before a battle in the Civil War a lone soldier began to sing out with his tenor voice, “There’s no place like home.” Within minutes he was joined by a chorus of voices in the Confederate side. Soon after, on the other side of the river Union soldiers began to echo the voices they heard. Their perspective was one of fear and impending death yet one lone voice altered, if just for a few moments, their perspective. Your point of view is so integral in your outlook on life. Where is your point of view? Do you take a stance based on facts, beliefs or what someone else has told you how it is? Examine where it is you are coming from and where it is you want to go. Select a perspective based on where it is you want to go.

There is an old story about the two hunters who were on opposite sides of a hill. A big dog ran down the hill in between both of them chasing a bird. When the hunters got together and talked about the dog running down the hill their stories were a bit different. One hunter said it was a yellow dog, but the other said it was brown. They argued because their perspective was different. Prior to running down the hill the dog rolled in the mud on one side and when the mud dried he appeared to be brown. Both hunters were correct in their observation that it was a big dog; they just differed in what color the dog appeared to be. It’s the same with religion and God. Most spiritual people agree that there is a God; they just differ in how He appears to be to them. Appearances are deceptive because they are based on our limited sensory input. We cannot see beyond an octave of frequencies. We cannot hear beyond 7 octaves of frequencies and we cannot smell, touch or taste beyond an octave of frequencies.

Perspective can be further illustrated by the story of the glass being half empty or half full. If the glass started out being empty, and water is poured in half way, it is half empty. If the glass started out being full and water is removed half way down, then it is half full instead of being half empty. This analogy could be turned into an endless loop argument but suffice it to say that one’s expectations of the end result is what determines one’s perspective. What are your expectations of your end result? Do you declare everyday that it is going to be a great day or a lousy day? Do you set the intentions of your day to derive positive results or do you simply wait for someone to tell you who or what to believe in? Are you an active participant in your life or a passive acceptor of the way it is?

When you think positively about your outcomes and expect the best result it is impossible for the results to turn out badly. When you consistently feel badly about something does it ever turn out good for you? Examine the converse and realize that your mind is a broadcast mechanism that directs electrical energy in your brain and manifests exactly what you are consistently focusing on. Are you focusing on health, wealth, prosperity and abundance or are you focusing on illness, poverty, lack and limited resources? When negative thoughts appear in your mind just change the channel. Don’t accept their possible outcomes as true. Your feelings are your emotional guide to let you know how to proceed. If you are feeling badly about occurrences in your life then project positive outcomes from these occurrences. Don’t accept that just because it appears to be bad, that’s the way it will turn out! We are all designed to be healthy, wealthy, prosperous and abundant. Don’t allow the possibility of other than that to be the resultant outcome. Change your thought channel from doom and gloom to peace and actualized potential. Christ gave us the authority to speak greatness into our lives! “Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done (Matthew 21:21).

When you focus on positive states of mind, give attention to these states and consistently practice changing your attention to positive outcomes, the Law of Attraction yields to your command and brings about the positive state your desire. Just like when you succumb and give your attention to negative thoughts and practice these debilitating reactions leads to the desired outcome of lack and limitation. You have control over your reactions and your pro-actions. Expectation creates an exact match of what you expect. Expect only the best in your life and tune out the outcomes that don’t match your positive intentions.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Make thanking God the first thing you do everyday

It is has been said by many successful people that the first thing you do to accomplish your goal is to set the tone for your trip by taking the first step. How many of us dream of our goals and yet, no matter how hard we try, never reach them? Why? Is it because we don’t have the skills to accomplish what we seek? Is it because we aren’t lucky? Or is it because we don’t set the tone for our trip by giving thanks for our blessings? This seems to be the best starting point for any trip toward your goals.

Giving thanks for your blessings allows you to humble your spirit and acknowledge your connection to God. Since everything comes from God giving thanks accepts the fact that we are an extension of the Almighty. God, from His point of stillness, emanates 144 octaves of energy known as the electromagnetic spectrum. Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it just simply changes form. Matter is a denser form of energy. It vibrates slower than sunlight. The only thing that separates matter and energy is its rate of vibration. Check out the current discoveries in quantum physics to corroborate these observations. We are always connected to God whether we see it or not. If you want to change your life for the better and manifest your dreams you need to start where you are right now. Don’t wait for some fantasy time in the future when all things are perfect, because that time doesn’t exist. The only time you truly have is NOW! Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you’ll get it together tomorrow. You might not have a tomorrow; we are all one breath away from death. Make good use of the time you do have.

When you start your day by giving thanks to God for your blessings you are setting a positive tone for your day. You will be surprised how things fall into place, how people interact with you and how problems roll off your back. Don’t allow others to “rent space in your head” with their skew on life or their problems and attitudes. Set the tone for God to guide your steps throughout the day by giving thanks to Him the first thing everyday. Make your gift of love and thanks to God a priority. Blessings will abound when you make the time to respect your creator. Be true to God and yourself!

Life is a process of keeping what you want and getting rid of what you don’t want. The only thing that truly matters is what you think about yourself; not what others think about you. If your focus is upon how much better, smarter or more incredible you are than others, than you’ve missed the point. It’s not about competition; it’s about creation. God has given you talents and gifts in specific combinations only for you to manifest. Will you do something with those gifts or will you sit on them? If you sit on them it’s like telling God He didn’t know what He was doing when He created you. There hasn’t been a human being ever alive that knows what God knows. Human arrogance is so foolish. Don’t buy into the humanistic top-of-the-food-chain crap that some religions feed you. They too are missing the mark. We are extensions of the Most High God and we are His prized creation. Shouldn’t we be acting like we are?

Respect of God and His creation is the first and foremost step to achieving peace, harmony and abundance in this life. Without it, we are lost. Focus on the blessings. An old church hymn says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God has done. Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done.” When you recognize that God has created this universe with everything you need to survive and thrive, why not be thankful for it? What would you do without the air you breathe? You would die. It’s that simple. This planet and the life it gives is in such delicate balance that it couldn’t have happened by chance. And who’s to say that evolution was not the process that God chose to manifest His creation? Whoever does needs to examine the facts and not blindly rely on myths and stories to the contrary. God emanates life to each and every one of us; the plants, the animals, the universe. Respect that balance by giving thanks to God everyday.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.