In his book The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren states, “When we criticize what another believer is doing in faith and from sincere conviction, we are interfering with God’s business.”

That statement prompted this essay.

Actually, it was more than that one statement. In his comment, Mr. Warren put into words what I’ve felt for years.

I’ve heard professing Christians judge and criticize other believers for so long that at times, I’ve no desire to be around them. If having a haughty, judgmental, critical attitude toward another for their beliefs or ways of worship is mandatory for being a Christian, then I want no part of it.

But that’s not how it’s supposed to be!

In Matthew 12:25, Jesus said, “every Kingdom divided will fall.” 

The apostle Paul said in Romans 14:10, “why then, criticize your brother’s actions and make him look small?” 

In one of her messages, Minister Joyce Meyer said, “hurling words of judgment is equivalent to stoning in biblical days.”

The Bible says that blaspheme against the Holy Spirit is the one sin that will not be forgiven. Now, I believe that if it’s done in ignorance, God will understand and forgive once understanding comes and repentance is articulated. However, if it’s done maliciously, as a way to puff up yourself or put another believer down, I believe it’s blaspheme at its worst. 

Keeping these things in mind, I’ve created my own motto for dealing with critical, judgmental people; “Don’t mock what you don’t understand and Judge not lest ye be judged.”

Who are we to point at another Christian and say what he or she is doing in worship is not of God? Who are we to judge and criticize another for dancing before the Lord, speaking in tongues or saying a rosary?

I don’t remember who it was, but it’s been said that if the Body of Christ would accept our differences and embrace our similarities, there would be no stopping us! Everyone would be amazed at the power the Church would have for reaching the lost, healing the sick and casting out demons. To do this, we must come to realize that no matter what denomination we are, Christianity is based on five core beliefs:

There is One God, who is the Father Almighty. 
Jesus is the Son of God. 
By the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary and became man. 
He was crucified under Pontius Pilate, suffered, died and was buried. 
On the third day, He rose again and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 

Period. 

Now there are other universal truths that bind us together, such as: There is one Name only by which we are saved. We are not saved by works, but by Grace, etc. 

Jesus hates division! Which is why He gave us the “new” commandment to love one another as He has loved us. Love without prejudice, without judgment or criticism.  Judge not and we will not be judged, condemn not and we will not be condemned.

Nor will we be divided.

Faith is a heart issue. How are we going to be one Body if we’re not of one heart? Why do we allow division in our hearts, in our homes and in our churches? Why do we condemn those who worship Him in ways not our own? 

In John 17:21 Jesus prayed for us to the Father saying, “that they all may be one, as You, Father are in Me and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe.”

How is the world going to accept Jesus and accept us as His ambassadors if we can’t even accept each other?

We are called to be peacemakers. So, let us temper our hearts, open our minds and soften our wills toward our brethren. Let us respect our differences but celebrate our similarities. Let’s consider the words of our Lord and realize that no matter how we worship, in the heart of our worship we are one. One Body, one Spirit, one Church. As Jesus prayed we’d be.

Something to think about!
PamT
"Inspirational with an Edge! ™
"Coaching in Pjs" ™

Good Morning and Welcome back to Rainbows, Potholes and Nuggets of Gold blog!

Back in November, I posted about making my second round though this incredible series. Well, last week I finished!

Yep, 9+ years, 59 discs and over 200 episodes of faith-affirming stories. So, today, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite episodes and tell you what I've learned.

My three most favorites out of all, feature Wynona Judd beginning with the 100th episode, 151st Psalm. In this show, Audry (played by Wynona) has been unable to finish a song of praise she started writing when her son was born. But Petey needs this last item on his "To Do" list because... Well, watch this and you'll understand...

The other 2 episodes featuring Wynona are Season 6 #25 and Season 9 #20, which is the last show before the series finale.

Speaking of the finale, the way they ended this series is absolutely phenomenal! During these 2 hours we see Monica (Roman Downey) on an unknown mission while waiting to hear about her promotion. At the end, she is talking to the Lord and says, "I'm sorry but I didn't know who you were. Why didn't I recognize you?" 

To which He answers, "Don't worry, happens all the time."

This made me wonder...

Do we ever come face to face with Jesus and not recognize Him?

Do we "entertain angels unaware?"

I believe the answe to both questions are a resounding, "YES!" and so does THIS Guy.

In Season 1 #6 of The Chosen, Nicodemus tells Shmuel that fear keeps us ignorant and in the "safety of rigid tradition." AND that he doesn't want to live in a world where "God can't do anything new."

Neither do I, Sir. Neither do I.

So this day, I'm encouraging you to think outside the box when it comes to Who/Where/When and to Whom God shows Himself. Be open hearted and open minded because it just might be YOU and keep your eyes open to the "startling and unexpected."

Something to think about!
PamT
"Inspirational with an Edge! ™
"Coaching in Pjs" ™

iGood Morning and Welcome back to Rainbows, Potholes and Nuggets of Gold blog!

In my last personal post I mentioned a book by Tosha Silver that has resonated with me so deeply that I'm about  to start reading it again. Anyway...

On May 19th we headed to SC for a high school graduation and long weekend with my Honey's family. I love reading while on vacation, (I read these two last summer) so, I decided to buy Tosha Silver's other books, Outrageous Openenss and Change Me Prayers. 

Outrageous Openenss is the book Tosha wrote after being bedridden for 3 years due to adrenal failure. Despite being a little disappointed that she didn't tell more of that story in the book, I enjoyed it immensely. Change Me Prayers is comprised of 70 personal stories and prayers that coincide with each situation and reminds me of Illuminata by Marianne Williamson which I think I'll pull off the shelf soon, and go through one more time.

In all of her books, Tosha mentions how the work of Florence Scovel Shinn helped her open to God or The Devine so, of course I had to grab a copy of those too LOL!

The Early Works of Florence Scovel Shinn, reminds me of Catherine Ponder - which makes sense because according to my research, Catherine was "deeply influenced" by Shinn's work. Anyway, this book is a compilation of all 5 of Florence's books and, at $0.51 a bargain!

What I love most about these metaphysical writers are the biblical references and how their understanding and interpretation of scripture resonates so much with what I believe when I say, "God is bigger than the boxes we put Him in." See THIS Post.

​I hope you enjoy hearing about my reading experiences while on vacation and that you'll check out some of these authors.

Until next time take care and God Bless.
PamT

Good Morning and Welcome back to Rainbows, Potholes and Nuggets of Gold blog! I mentioned quite a while back that I opened this space to friends to share their spiritual insights. Jamie has shared with us before and I believe you'll enjoy this post as well. Take it away, Jamie...

Thanks, Pam. I shared this in my newsletter back in January and am thrilled to share with your readers today.
I’d just stepped out of the shower when something caught my eye. Over in the corner, a large plant atop a corner stand appeared to be vibrating. I’d heard something "pop," and as I looked up, I could see one of the palm stalks vibrating back and forth.

Early last spring, I’d brought home a beautiful flowering Rio plant with palm fronds poking up through the center. The bright red, bell-shaped flowers had caught my eye, and I knew I had to have it. Hubby chided me for paying so much for a plant that wasn’t expected to live in our moderate climate. "We’d agreed," he said, "to only buy perennials."

Throughout our very hot summer, I kept the Rio watered, and it thrived. Each time I walked past it, I’d smile. It was just gorgeous. All too soon, fall arrived. Hubby asked me if I planned to just let it die or if I would be taking it inside?

To be honest, I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I’d grown used to the first frosts of fall browning and weakening our plants that would soon be buried beneath several feet of snow. I had no idea where I might put this large plant that now stood about 50" tall in a pot 10" round.

Together, we managed to get it into the house, find a receptacle large enough to hold the outdoor plastic pot, and one that miraculously seemed to just fit atop the aforementioned stand in my bathroom. I figured it would be warm enough there since that room had its own dedicated baseboard heater, and that the steam heat from my showers would also be beneficial for its longevity through the long, cold winter.

​The first month took a hard toll on the Rio. It may have been nipped by an early frost. One by one, all of the remaining red flowers found their way to my bathroom floor, my toilet seat, and other nearby places. I cut the Rio back, hoping to give it as much energy as possible to preserve itself. Still, a few weeks in, I began to fear it didn’t have enough light.

We purchased some plant lights, set a timer for them to turn on and off, and waited and hoped that with proper watering, encouraging daily peptalks, and a couple of plant food sticks, it would revive itself. 

And it did! Although I saw no new blooms, tiny tendrils began stretching out for the plant lights and the window. I encouraged her to hold steady despite the bitter cold I felt certain she could feel being near a window. I also knew the lack of sunlight in what has been a grey, snow-filled winter made a difference as well.

To be honest, I’d pretty much ignored the palm fronds through all this. Several had browned along the top edges way before we brought the Rio inside, and, being that they nearly touched the ceiling, I’d considered cropping them back, but hadn’t, mostly because they’d be hard for me to reach.

Looking at the vibrating stalk, I realized that, without my noticing, this new palm leaf had grown double its previous size. The "pop" was it unsticking itself from the stalk so it could now unfurl itself into a full-size new leaf. As it reached its full unwound width, I noticed a tiny hole at the top. I then realized what I had heard "pop" as it freed itself from its winding. How much energy must it have unleashed to begin this amazing process?

I guess I am a child at heart, as this whole thing has utterly fascinated me. Each time I walk into the bathroom, I check to see how much further it has unwound itself. At first, just about 1/2", and daily, an inch or so more. This, despite being quite close to its neighboring stalk, which doesn’t seem to hinder its unveiling. It somehow has the energy to pull itself past the other as it continues its fantastic opening.

Despite my husband reminding me that "not everything has to mean something," I kind of like the idea that my Rio and company are "turning over a new leaf." It reminds me that as I move forward into new pathways and adventures, that, despite having dropped its flowers, fought to survive with inappropriate light, and facing colder than the norm temperatures, my Rio is growing, so I must be too.

There are times when we don’t always see the changes and growth we are stepping into until they are smack-dab in front of us. Yet, here is a sign that even if conditions aren’t optimal, we definitely are. The phrase, "grow where you are planted," surely fits here as my Rio shows me just how natural it is to turn over a new leaf. 

​Jamie’s passion is assisting those seeking relief from grief, pain, and strife, while empowering them to follow their heart and intuition. For thirty years, she has taught clients how to transform their lives by listening to their soul weep and their body groan. Jamie is a certified metaphysician through Lily Dale’s prestigious Fellowships of the Spirit. She’s the author of twelve books, including her Marvelous Messages™ series.

Good Morning and Welcome back to Rainbows, Potholes and Nuggets of Gold blog!

When I began this blog my intention was to share with you books, spiritual teachers and lessons I've learned throught my life and spiritual quest.

We are all on a journey to remember WHO and WHOSE we are. Meaning, to come into the full realization that we ARE God's children. 

It is my belief that EVERYONE is God's child. 

Now, I know what the bible says and what's been taught to us over the last two-thousand-plus years - but in all reality what we've been taught is not that old. The bible as we know it, came into being in the 4th century AD - but I'm not going to get into a debate about all that.

There is enough of that going on and all it does is cause "discord among the bretheren" which is an abomination to God.

If you've followed me for long, you know that I read all sorts of books in my quest to become more like God. More aligned with God's true nature which is Love and more open in my thinking.

The book I'm sharing with you today is one I have already read three times since I purchased it on March 4th. 

It is that deep and it is not only about money.

Ms. Silver outlines an eight-week plan to help us realize that, "it's ALL God's money." In fact, everything we have belongs to God and that we can live in peace knowing that all of our (true) needs are abundantly met in amazing ways.

She gives us 5-steps to begin our practice and then goes deeper into each process/practice until we completely surrender every thing to God and are fully guided by Him.

I've been a student of the Law of Attraction / the Law of Sowing and Reaping for decades and I know how powerful the mind is for "creating your reality," but let me tell you, this book gives you full permission to let all of that mindset and identity work go and just BE in alignment with the Spirit of God within you and allow this unity to transform your life.

No more vision boards. No more affirmations - although PLENTY of prayers! No more trying to feel like it has already happened, or you've already received whatever 'it' is when you have no clue how that should feel!

Simply Surrender Every Thing. 

One thing that really grabbed me was the concept of being an "old soul." Ms. Silver says to stop reading or listening to anything about "getting more, having more or being more. Because if you've tried and tried to get more money and found this hasn't worked, you are NOT a failure. You just might be an old soul."

She says that being an old soul means that you are born to align with Love's will and serve something "beyond the ego" and that as you shift from demanding and chasing, abundance will come through you.

I could go on and on about the nuggets of gold in this book, but I'll just say one more thing...

Before you purchase It's Not Your Money, please know that Ms. Silver uses various terminology for God (EX: God/Lord/Divine/He/She/Infinite Goodness/LOVE/Flow/Shakti) stating that the name or gender you use should be personal and comforting and is simply a term for what is "incomparable and unnamable."

If this bothers you, don't waste your money.

BUT if you can let go of all preconceived notions of Who/What God's Name is and read this with an open heart and mind, this book will change your life.

I mean seriously, even the bible has over 100 names for God!

I plan to do more posts on how my life has transformed by reading It's Not Your Money, but for now I wanted to introduce it to you.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.
PamT