We all want it, dream of the perfect world, imagine what heaven on earth would look like, would feel like… would BE.

In his famous song, Imagine, John Lennon tried to capture heaven on earth as “all people living in peace, sharing the world and the world living as one.”

Skeptics and pessimists tell us it’ll never happen! Theologians tell us heaven is some place “out there” from which we originated and one day will return. Even Jesus said, “In this world you’ll have trials and tribulations.”

HE also taught us to pray that God’s will be done “on earth as it is in heaven.”

What does that mean? Is it possible for us to have or experience heaven on earth? Will we only experience heaven when our mortal body dies and our spirit returns from which it came? Or possibly when Jesus returns?

As mentioned in “About this Blog,” I’ve been on a spiritual quest for most of my life. I read voraciously books by spiritual leaders of our time…. Max Lucado (Just like Jesus), Marianne Williamson (A Return to Love), Dr. Wayne Dyer (A Spiritual Solution to Every Problem), Neale Donald Walsch (Conversations with God)… and all of them offer hope that yes, we can experience heaven on earth!

Romans 14:17 tells us that the kingdom of God (heaven) is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Luke 17:21 tells us in the Amplified Bible that the kingdom of God (heaven) is within and around us!

So how do we experience heaven on earth?

Simple – by choosing LOVE.

1st John 4:16 tells us that God is love and he who dwells in love, dwells in God and God in him.

The Bible exhorts us to “seek and pursue peace.” (Psalm 34:14).

In the gospel of John, chapter 15, Jesus tells us over and over to remain in LOVE.

If Jesus the risen Christ dwells in us, if the Holy Spirit of God dwells in us, if God who is love abides in us—why then can’t we simply, think, do and be love? Is it possible to do this and if so, HOW?

How do we go from where we are (spiritually and emotionally) and what we’ve been taught (fear, hatred, prejudice), to feeling, experiencing and being pure, unconditional love?

By remembering that love is a choice, a decision and at any time and in any given circumstance you can choose a loving response.

But…but…but…HOW?

How do we manifest so much love in our hearts, minds and souls that it becomes our first response instead of an afterthought? How do we feel so much love in ourselves so that it overflows into the lives of others?

By basking in the love of God for you and sharing that love with others, you become a vessel of Love.

You become a vessel for God.

And you become more like Jesus.

Every time we choose love over hate, peace and joy over stress and strife, gratitude over greed, blessing over cursing, forgiveness and grace in lieu of revenge and retribution, we experience a little more of heaven on earth.

Easier said than done you think?

Depends on how bad you want it.

Something to think about!

Meditation Challenge: Take a moment several times today, close your eyes, breath deep and simply repeat (out loud if possible) the words… “I love you.” Allow those words to rise within you, stir up your emotions, and embrace the wonder of how that feels. Then go about your day with those feelings pushing you. When challenging circumstances arise, take a love break and repeat this process. I promise you’ll have a better day all around!

(c)2013 Pamela S Thibodeaux *Previously Published / Pamela's Ponderings March 2013*

​When we hear the word love, we usually equate it with the emotions that represent our thoughts of what love should feel like. Those sweet sensations that make our heart swell, mind whirl and lips smile. But in all honesty, this is where we mess up!

In the society we’ve created, love is a four letter word with little or no substance. And yet, in all of the literature I’ve read over the years by various teachers and leaders in the spiritual revolution…the awakening of the souls of the world… LOVE is the highest and purest emotion one can feel, experience, and become.

A Course in Miracles is based on the principle that there are two core emotions: Love and Fear. Therefore anything not based in love is a result of fear.

The Bible tells us that Love is….patient, kind, long-suffering, not rude or boastful, it believes all things, endures all things. Love never fails and that perfect love casts out fear. Paul exhorts us to “pursue love” and that no matter what we do for others (or even ourselves) – if we’re not doing it from a heart of love, it profits us nothing! We are told to abide (remain, continue, or stay in a state of) faith, hope and love but the greatest is LOVE.

Think about this for a moment!

I’ve heard many people say love is not passive but an “active agent of change.”

Here’s the rub…

Love is a choice.

So how do we become a vessel of pure, perfect, divine love?

By choosing loving thoughts… love over hate, calm over chaos, peace over stress, forgiveness over judgment. By letting go of our vain imaginations of what love is or should be based on what it should feel like, and by allowing love to rise up within us and control our thoughts-control us-instead of us trying to control it and others by using love as an excuse, a bribe, or a reward. Love is not nor should be a condition by which we measure someone’s actions. By practicing love, we experience and become love.

One of the quickest paths to love is forgiveness. The most powerful prayers you can utter is… “I love you, I forgive you and I release you to God.”

 “But you don’t know what he/she/they’ve done to me!”

If Jesus can love and forgive from the cross, who are we to do less?

Something to think about...
PamT

(c)2013 Pamela S Thibodeaux *Previously Published / Pamela's Ponderings Feb 2013*

The purpose of this blog is to share books, podcasts, interviews and movies that impact me on an emotional and spiritual and/or physical level.

Although I'll be sharing lot's of nonfiction here, Redeeming Love is one such book.

I just finished reading it, again, after watching the movie (again) Friday night and let me tell you, the God Angel discovers in this book, is the God I know. 

Not the judgemental, wrathful, angry god who will, "saquash you like a bug" or punish you, but One who loves unconditionally and who pulls us up out of the pit time and time again.

This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read and one I will continue to enjoy. One I'll read over and over as long as my eyesight will allow.

It is that powerful!

​Check it out for yourself.

If you enjoy Redeeming Love, my book The Visionary is a contemporary novel about survivors of extreme child abuse and their healing process and is available in ebook, print and audio. It is also on sale this week as part of Smashwords's "Read an Ebook Week" along my other titles (all 50% off)!

That's about all for now, friends.

Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT