Thursday, May 03, 2007

What I Believe


















I became very spiritual at a young age. I was taught prayers and church etiquette, all while being exposed to a variety of denominations and teachings. I have had my own personal experiences, seen a lot, heard a lot, studied, went to school and this last year I found myself putting it all out on a table before me (metaphorically speaking) and stood in silence as I stared at years and years of truth, opinions, facts, theories, philosophies and some plain old goofy stuff.

Also, this last year has been my "Very" year. I feel like I could put that word in front of so many things....

I have been:
very focused
very distracted
very happy
very sad
very inspired
very unmotivated

You get the idea? A very big table with all of my life's journeys spread out in front of me. After a long hard look at all I saw before me and what each thing represented, I deeply gleaned 3 important facts:

1. Do not judge...anyone, for anything.
2. Free will is our right and very respected by God.
3. God is all loving and does not punish us.

Any information that comes my way, is put on a shelf for later contemplation.
If someone says something to you that is new and a little 'out there' always ALWAYS listen to your heart. Important things that are said to you should always be a confirmation to what you already know!!! Your heart should say, "Yes!"
If it comes to you as a surprise, or does not resonate with your heart?... shelf it.

Just some food for thought because it's what I've been thinking about myself.

love you all





One of the
things God
gave us was
a cross, I
can see it's
reflection in
so many things.

24 Comments:

Blogger Constance said...

I love the little hummingbird photo! All creation testifies...
Connie

4:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Amazing Love! :) I've been singing about these very things all throughout April, with a choir I joined just before Christmas. It's wonderful, and so are you! So very precious, Darlene. The photo's are glorious, as ever... :)
Much Love, Suze xXx

4:39 AM  
Blogger Angela Marie said...

Thank you Sweetie.

4:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dearest Darlene

A big AMEN to that!

What a beautiful crucifix. (If one can say that about a crucifix?!!?)

Love to you

(Hope the website is growing)

6:24 AM  
Blogger Jack K. said...

How sweet it is to come to the realization that one's heart is the guide for a loving, prosperous, caring, serving life.

If you are into reading some other books, you might go to Influential Books. This a list that I have read over the past 30+ years. I am still adding to it. These books have helped me to come to my own spiritual awakening.

Love your pictures, all of them. On this posting and your others.

Think healthy. Think of all of the positive things you want in your life. When I was an active member of Optimist International, we had a part of the creed that stated Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater acheivements of the future. I wish the same for you.

Namaste',

Jack K.

7:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Darlene,

Isn't it wonderful that as we get older we realize what is truly important in life. To me, as a Christian it is summed up best when I can love my neighbor as myself.

So often, it is difficult for some of us to remember that we are all put on this earth for a season. When we can love unconditionally as Christ loves us, then life is easier and we have a greater impact.

I think your seeing the beauty in the world and sharing that with your blog readers is one way that you are having an impact.

Sweet sister ... hope that the web site is coming along. I need to get mine up and running, but I procrastinate way too much.

Hugs,

8:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

All I can say is "AWESOME" Darlene. A cross, so simple with so much meaning.
Love you bunches !!

10:55 AM  
Blogger Shaz said...

Beautiful Post sweet friend, I also believe that very much.

4:30 PM  
Blogger Mary Timme said...

Darlene,

I'm constantly amazed, awed, and humble by your observations! You are in a good giving groove girl. I don't think you even see it, but I have gained so much just from writing in your comments and reading your blog. You will be a special person that I'll remember for a long long time. May you live long and prosper. God is so in love with you!

5:24 PM  
Blogger Wanda said...

Thanks for coming back...if even for a short time. The cross says it all for me. I love that beautiful silver one, and I love that Old Rugged Cross.
You are always my treasure.
Love and Hugs
Wanda Mom

8:22 PM  
Blogger sandy said...

Beautiful Darlene...the writing and the photo of the hummingbird...it is VERY nice.

sandy

12:08 AM  
Blogger boho girl said...

i loved our phone chat the other day, Dar.

i keep thinking about it and appreciating you for not judging me and what resonates with my heart. it means the world to me and it opens me up rather than shuts me off to sharing with you. i felt deeply loved and appreciated by you.

i have a feeling our chat sort of inspired this post. you have a gift of such deep and true wisdom. you always have.

after hanging up the phone with you, i was brought back to a time when my first love and i broke up and i layed with you in your bed crying on your shoulder. you wrapped me up in your arms and gave me a gift of such wisdom and peace with your words that i've carried it with me always.

i felt your arms wrap around me in that same way the other day.

i love you,
your sis boho

7:43 AM  
Blogger Gracey said...

Do you mean God never punishes us even when we go against His Word and sin against Him? There are too many examples in the Bible that point in the other direction of that so just wondering your thoughts on that?

10:57 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You are a bright angel my dear, a true gift and testimony of God. Your spirit shows through your words. I like that putting it on a shelf idea very much. That is something that will always stick with me now. Thank you!!

And just to comment on Gracie's post above : God doesn't punish us, it's our free will and the choices we make that sends problems and hardships. God isn't negative, only good!! He loves us unconditionally!! Sorry to butt in, but I want people to understand the concept and get rid of the saying, "Why did God do this to me?" He did't Satan did, to try and turn your focus away from God.

Teresa
xxxooo

7:05 AM  
Blogger Wanda said...

I will add my two cents....Gracey, I know God tests us, and trials come into our lives, to show us where our faith is and to cause us to rely on Him. Jeremiah says he has future for us, not to harm us but to see us through....! Good question....

8:43 AM  
Blogger JP (mom) said...

Beautiful! I love your 3 Important Facts and absolutely agree. Much peace and love to you Darlene, xxxx, JP

9:48 AM  
Blogger LEstes65 said...

I like this post. Resonates quite well with me. My heart said, "Yes!"

9:59 AM  
Blogger Darlene said...

Gracey ~*~ Hello friend :) I want to respond to your question to me and my answer begins with your very own name GRACE...so beautiful and the very reason Jesus came, died and rose. He abolished the laws of the old testiment to bring us back into God's true nature...love, mercy, deep forgiveness and grace.

I don't want to tit for tat this subject, my point really resides in looking at ourselves, our choices and the idea's brought before us and a loving way to handle them.

Love to you Gracey :)
xoxo d

12:25 PM  
Blogger Giggles said...

Beautiful post, full of thought provoking wisdom! Love the photos too...

Hugs Sherrie

12:56 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Here another thing that resembles a cross when we all participate!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL7Jo_1Z3Y8

Enjoy! =)

10:34 PM  
Blogger Trish Ryan said...

Wow Darlene - as always, I'm blown away by your courage, taking on such a deep topic with your signature grace. God is love - I so agree (I'm one of the recipients of his amazing patience). I'd add that my heart has been wrong before, which is (forgive the pun) heartbreaking. I find the Bible a really helpful roadmap for finding the path through all the maybes when I'm wondering, "is this God?"

4:35 PM  
Blogger Amber said...

Very good thoughts. Very wise and true...

My own spiritual ideas have been changing and coming back again, and growing and changing some more. But I find that no matter how I think about or entertain new thoughts...I still always feel most at home with the cross. I guess for me, that is where I find love and peace.

I like to hear others thoughts like this. I think often people feel afraid to speak of it, not wanting to offend.

:)

9:46 PM  
Blogger Regina said...

Thanks, Darlene- I needed to read this today...
xo

4:36 AM  
Blogger Louise said...

Love love love this post!!
Thanks SO much for sharing!!

2:34 PM  

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