Born For The Nations

It's a grey Chicago morning, in March of 2012.  I'm a lost senior in College at North Park University, the economy is limping back to life, and jobs are pretty much nonexistent for the majority of us starting out.  I'm sitting in a church on Altgeld Ave. of which I wandered in, on Chicago's west side.  The Apostolic congregation, is an experience to live.  Growing up in a traditional Swedish church, this gave me a new insight to God.  Amidst the praying, singing, prophetic gospel music, and prayer in languages only God can understand, the Apostle stops mid-message, and points at me.  "Gordon!  You were born for the nations!" And continues his message.  This could have been either spiritual rhetoric used for encouragement, or truly a prompting from God.  I've since chosen to believe the latter, but at the time, you are thinking "Yeah, I've got big dreams, and a budget that says 'boy you're going back to your hometown where you started!'"

Fast forward 4 years, it is January 2016.  I've made mistakes and found shenanigans since this time, which has slowed me down from many things yet end up working on some cruise ship that circles the Hawaiian islands.  I am now debt free, and meeting people from all over the world, working a schedule that at first made me think "what the hell did I just get myself into?!"  Always wanting to travel, co-workers came from all corners of the world, including Philippines, which I never put much thought into, until they spoke of the cheap rates, and nice people.  Beautiful weather, and it is like Hawaii, without the inflated prices.  You can do MORE, for LESS and be there for a longer period of time.

I am looking on Airbnb, and find a nice place, but it's in Bali... I never paid much thought to Bali either.  But, I ended up researching Bali, and the spirituality, and culture it was richly laced with, and I said "This is going to happen!"

A month in Southest Asia, no travel agent, nothing.  Just me, and my planning.  And there I went, booking flights, lodging, and books and forums on this new land I was to walk.

Spirit Of Nature

Being in the small island town of Lahaina, I have discovered a certain spirit in people here.  Never have I witnessed this type of unspoken energy, other than in church growing up.  Genuine kindness.  While the struggle is real for some, the genuine attitude of gratitude radiates, on the hard workers, and the homeless alike.  The vibe is alive and well.

Each wave on these beaches, is a surge of energy in which God stirs up for humanity to enjoy and experience Him with. I hear God's voice, finally, through the waves splashing, and bubbling on the individual, unique grains of sand, collectively creating a beach.  Similar, how His spirit lives in all of us, individual human beings, collectively creating the world in which we live, and dominate through Him.  The waves crash against the rocks- the foundation of the island, spraying, and cleansing them of impurities as the blood of Christ cleanses us.  Yet the strong waters, massage the beach, constantly creating some sort of evolution in the form of the beaches.

I have met some incredible people here so far. I've been told, Maui decides who stays in Maui, and who needs to leave... If you are a kind hearted individual, loves, and respects the land and her people, as well as accepts the culture that has been evident for ages, you too, can belong here.  The people who are meant to be here, will indeed, be here, stay here, and thrive here.

So, I put my trust in my abilities, my heart in the Spirit, my faith in God and His creation.  I submerge myself in the salty, warm pacific, I try to swim under, but I can't... there is an invisible force, pushing me back... the salt water, will not let me sink.  So I lay on my back, and let her carry me, floating. My arms outstretched, embracing the sky, the hot sun, melting the negativity and sadness within.  I roll over, face down in the water, cooling my hot face, and head.

I ground my feet back onto the black rocky bottom, and carefully wade back out of the water into softer sand.  From this very simple, yet overwhelming spiritual experience, I concluded one thing, a revelation if you will:

God is in everything.  Every cycle, every current and direction, every grain of sand, and every breeze we experience and feel, is full of God, full of His intentions, His energy, and most importantly, the creation of this world, was done out of a labour of love.  Simple as that.

Noise

Noise is all around.  How does one escape it?

Politicians, salespeople, theologies and philosophies in the name of God even, so loud, so different.

Opinions, biases in media, businesses, favoritism in all aspects, myths, truths, history, mistakes, victories, what is truth anymore?

Is truth simply becoming what benefits certain groups ideals?  Reality is what you make it.  Truth is what is in your heart. Is truth what makes the individual content?

Engines, sirens, talking, yelling, swearing, belittling, NOISE!

Slandering, criticizing, deceiving, NOISE!

Messages, words, images, sounds, thoughts, get nailed into our brains, faster, better, higher, quicker, -

Alleviating noise can be the best thing you can do for yourself.

Spending time in the arms of the one you love, silence (pure silence), being one with nature, with music, submerging yourself in the waters of peace.  Or playing with a child who hears noise, but still pays no mind, knows nothing, cares nothing, but feeling the positive or negative vibes that radiate from everyone, and life.  God Himself, gives peace.  Infiltrates our spirits.

Simplicity.

Faith Applications

Faith in God can be like the stock market.  Ever evolving, and going up and down.  This is how relationships can be as well, I guess it all connects.  What will be seen in these next words are simply part of my journey, and explorations in the faith, and what I am finding in life through accrued wisdom by reading and learning.  So I wanted to apply it to life as we know it.

I finished a great book, which some things were helpful, others I have overcome, all in all, it was good.  I am a truth seeker.  Always have been, always will be.  I am even curious about lies, because from those you discover a hidden truth by its' origin.  Deep. As a believer in Jesus, I have been zealous.  I have been too open minded, I have been mediocre, I have been on many different levels.  And it's not over, in my experiencing God!  Nor is it for everyone reading this.  From some things I discovered about myself in the last few months, I have worked on opening my mind, expanding my understanding, while maintaining my stance, and developing where I stand on different things regarding politics, morality, values, and yes even spirituality.

Lately I have felt as if God is way up high on a cloud, drinking pina coladas, and listening to Bob Marley, Don Ho, and IZ.  I know better, and that's just the frustrating aspect, is that my faith has been stronger than it is now.  Turning to explore other faiths, they have not been consistent.  For example, if Buddhism believes in karma, karma is scary to me, but with Jesus it does not exist, other than the "do to others as you wish to be done to you" teaching.  At the same time, I could not, and still cannot understand how suffering should be a part of Christian life, why would God want us to suffer?

Well, I am happy to say that from what I gathered it may not be that He intends for us to suffer, yet in the suffering He gets us out of, so we can be followers...  But not in a narcissistic way.  The affairs of society and the world which cause suffering, are all done by imperfect human beings.  God gave us free will.  Yet He will never leave or forsake us.

One thing that is hard, sometimes (I) and many believers TRY to please God, be it whether it's to judge others to feel in good standing with God, or purposefully putting themselves down to be "humble" before others and God, or just feeling like you cannot be good enough for God.  I guess I am realizing that all of these things are done subconsciously, known as my iniquities.  But it can also purposefully be done.  It's just human for us to do that.  

Many of this stems from early scars from childhood, and teen years as well.  Subliminal messages given to young women and men to live up to a certain image or standard, do certain activities, or be talented in certain hobbies or skills.

What I am finding is that it is all relative.  It is all, it's not a game, or about "falling into sin" or making the "wrong" choice.  It is, however, fulfillment, happiness, joy, and having a heart for God.  It is very interesting how we tend to all have an image of God, I do not believe there is a wrong image of who God is, but I do believe God is a lot different than we can imagine to be.

You Are Worthy

I woke up on a beach.  It wasn't hot, nor was it cold and palm trees were all over.  Nearby, some kids were splashing in the clear blue waves, and laughing.  Suddenly they vanished.  I saw a glass goblet next to me, so I decided to grab it, and get a drink.  The goblet had my initials etched into the fine glass in a cursive victorian font.  I waded into the refreshing water, and dipped the goblet in, as I brought it back up, the water became an orange color.  I took a risk, and drank.  It was cold, pure juice that tasted of mangoes, pineapples, and oranges. My thirst was quenched, and I got some more to take along, as I walked back to sit and gaze at the horizon.

I smelled a sweet, soft perfume, and looked over, and there she was... a young woman, smiling at me.  Her eyes danced as she laughed, maybe amused at my bewildered gaze.  As she laughed, her hair changed from brunette, to blonde, to black and auburn as the wind and sun caressed it.  She wore a white beach dress.  Brushing the hair from her eyes, she spoke, "I'm lady Wisdom.  I am with you wherever you go, charting your course before you.  I know your thoughts, but I also know your heart.  I use discernment to rewire your thoughts to align with your heart.  That juice you drank, was from the fruits in which God has harvested through you.  The fruits of the Spirit, in which you have inherited, developed, and strengthened in your life.  The sea, was the vast love of God, you dipped into."

Bewildered, I looked down, feeling pain from my past choices, attitudes, and the way I treated some people.  She continued, "Gordon, you are worthy... you are worthy, Gordon... you are worthy."  She repeated this, and I looked into her eyes, and said, "No, no I am NOT."  She leaned into me, and kissed me, whispered into my ear, "Yes, yes you are."  She then stood up, wings spread out from her dress, and mist came at me, she laughed and said "Follow me, do you want to feel God's love?  This is how He feels about you."  Water rushed over me, and the neuro-science articles I have read would justify my feelings from a release of endorphins, dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin, yet I know this was spiritual.  Lifting my arms, I shot up out of the water, 20, 50, 100 ft.  I flew, and she said "Follow me, find your vessel, and sail!"  Boats were everywhere, but somehow I knew which one mine was.  It was about 52 ft. with a cabin.  It was white, with teak trim, on the back in dark green, cursive font it read Jer. 29:11.  I got lower, pulled myself down from the wheel, and as I landed, I saw a big screen.  I wondered where the girl was, and on the screen appeared the girl.  I wondered where I should sail, and Jamaica came onto the screen.  I noticed a pattern, so I then thought of a giraffe, and the funny animal came onto the screen.

She then touched me, and said "That's your mind.  As you sail, we will navigate through your mind, as I guide your thoughts and we will both follow your heart, which is here..." She showed me a tablet, with categories, under one file which read "God"  It was like an IPAD, but instead of the Apple logo, it was my initials.  She grabbed a pen, and started writing...  I felt that strange good feeling again, so I laid down.  Hebrew words flooded my mind, she said "God told me to write His laws, love, and spirit into your heart.  It will dwell in you forever and will grow and widen the seas in which we will sail.  You'll enjoy the juice from your fruits, you will reap what your heart has sown for eternity."  Eyes closed, I heard the sails raise, flapping in the wind.  I immediately felt us rocking and cutting through the water at a good speed.  I did not care who was sailing, I trusted the wind, I loved the boat, and I knew I was not alone.

Thoughts and memories rushed through my head, and I heard her reacting both to the good and bad, from monitoring the screens.  Some things vanished, others magnified, I couldn't explain what was happening, but I felt dizzy.  It was like a brain massage.

Then, music filled the air, the same music in my mind, and I thought "God!"  And audibly, the words were in the atmosphere.  So I said "pussycat", and sure enough...

As we sailed onward, she said "Sail on, love, your boat has come, God will bless you beyond your wildest dreams, because you are worthy..."

Universal Language of Music

The nations have become so divided by politics, economic status, lifestyles, religion, language barriers, and nationalistic ideologies.  I have discovered there is one painless force that will break all of those strongholds, reaching into our most spiritual and human part of us- the heart.  That force is music.  Music in itself is a universal language, we all understand.  No words necessary.  It's a God-given Heavenly way to heal, connect, uplift, and bring a certain form of ecstasy into our world.  If lyrics are involved, a message can be spread as well.  Therefore, music can also be a weapon. (After all, it is universal).  If people are open to listening to the message of the lyrics, and feeling what the melody says, the combination could be beyond words.  What images does it bring to the mind's eye?  Lyrics can create a movie or story, while the melody a feeling.  However, words aren't always needed to do this, in order for the song to speak in a manner in which you can understand.  Let your heart translate the music and speak to you.  Your heart will not lead you astray if you are wise about it. 

Romance Through Divine Love

From the time when we are 13, us guys like her cute laugh, and she annoys the crap out of us, yet deep down we like her... She loves how he pokes at her, and just makes her heart beat quicker.  Yet she is so annoyed by him, deep down she likes him.  Fast forward to high school, between 15-18... many discount this age as being "too young to love" And that nobody knows what "love" is.  Let me just say... from the moment of birth, everyone knows what love is.  There are stages of love.  The new love, is the infatuation/honeymoon love, in which EVERYONE experiences.  Yet we all deny it rolling our eyes, as if it is something we are to be ashamed of.  The love a young couple feels, is real... very real, and very strong.  Emotions raging, hormones peaking, yes, you feel it, and you're in love.  What young people DON'T know, is MANAGING love... they start to see their quirks, they get into conflict, they don't know how to handle it, they get bored and cheat or break up... that is what speaks to everyone around as to how they are "so young"... love will come anytime you let it. Managing love... is up to you, and the divine power of God to be your glue.

I'm going to go through some subjects that many do not talk about.  It may seem 'wrong'... but life is nothing but transparent, and God know everything about our hearts, why hide and not discuss this stuff?

There are many forms of love, from brotherly/sisterly love, emotional, maternal/paternal love, spiritual love, and a love of... beer or chocolate, or beaches. We are attracted to things, that have something good and positive to offer to us, helping us not just survive, but thrive and enjoy.  In turn, we give back.  You 'love' the beach?  You don't litter, you support and organization that preserves manatees or beaches.  You 'love' chocolate?  Invest in the market- buy some candy bars! You 'love' beer?  Support your favorite beer company and drink responsibly (in fact using it responsibly is the greatest gift you could give to their company).  Spiritual love, you devote yourself to the higher power, be it Jesus (for me), or whatever else.  Children and parents- kids, obey, and never stop telling your parents you love them, and hug them.  Same with parents to kids.  Treat them gently, firmly, and compassionately.  Friends, well,be a friend whom understands and helps one another.  Jokes with each other, just thrives and goes on adventures.

In the beginning, God created Eve to be a mate for Adam... There are places where it says biblically it is not good for man to be alone.  Also, a man whom finds a wife, finds a great thing a gift from God.  Also, men, treat your wives as Christ loves his creation, his people... God's people... treat her with adoration, kindness, respect, and affection, no matter what.

It is an equal thing.  Culturally the man is no longer always the bread winner, nor does the woman always cook and clean... we have become a team, complimenting our strengths, living in our situations, and growing our weaknesses.  In every relationship it is 110/110... I give my all to please her, while she would do the same... we know what each other, likes, and needs... so, through our love, we express and but those into actions, words, and affections.

By loving your mate, you are loving God... God send you guys, and started this love in your hearts for a reason... God smiles, approvingly everytime you two kiss.  Everytime you two cuddle.  Everytime you two say "I love you..."  God knows, He has done a good thing.  You experience the divine love of God through the other person romantically...

Love is meant to heal.  Love is meant to renew.  Love is meant to inspire.

Here are some quotes by an inspiring individual from India, named Deepak Chopra:

"Ecstasy is the release of individuality bade into wholeness.  Whatever brings you closer to wholeness, brings you closer to ecstasy."

"See your beloved as a mirror of your higher self."

"Surrender to love as your guiding force.  A single point in the heart can expand to liberate the world...."

"You are a unique path created between you and your beloved"

Rumi- "My soul glowed from the fire of your fire.  Your world was a whispering river of my heart..."

"A Liberated soul is a citizen of the universe..."

"Sexual union initiates DIVINE creation.  What you express through your passion is God's love for you."

"Inspiration is that state in which mind and heart are connected."

"Any desire to grow is following the flow of love."

"Love is everywhere, but in some places it is blocked by fear."

"When you blame of criticize others, you are avoiding some truth about yourself."

"If you create any open space within yourself, love will fill it."

"The highest expression of love is creativity"

"When sex (or intimacy) is fully loving, you experience the divine through your partner"

"Sexual/intimate love energized by absolute love, is ecstasy."

"Love doesn't need a reason, it speaks from the irrational wisdom of the heart."

"A heart that has learned to trust, can be at rest in the world."

"To love and be loved is the most natural expression of our being."

So, sexual intimacy, is a divine experience, in which God is experienced through your love for each other.  The blissful state of ecstasy through eachother, is simply a gift God gave humanity, and smiles on.  I believe there are places only a man and woman can go, nobody else can go but them.  Each couple has a different place, because they have different souls, hearts, and levels of intimacy.  Sure, it is a spiritual thing, but there are of course many other times in which you can get more... risque or naughty with it- which again is natural state of humanity.  It was designed for spiritual union, as well as a pleasurable activity, all because you love each other.

It has been said, that hugging often, creates longer relationships, more likely to end up in marriage, and LAST... The same goes with kissing.  Kiss each other A LOT!  And passionately.  Kissing has chemicals, that send off positive chemicals to the brain, alleviating depression, anxiety, and increases dopamine, oxytocin, and better performance in life, at work, and in the home.  Cuddling, creates a bond, that makes you both secure and safe.  I will post another on the stages of marriage, and why so many end in divorce.  Divorce is preventable...

When two people adore each others' beings, you end up uniting, as 2 flesh become one, spiritually you unite as well, you connect in such a deep level... you feel the ecstasy, the blissful state of mind, you never find anywhere else... It's a powerful state, love is.  Such a beautiful thing.  The world today, has corrupted it, and degraded it, dumbed it down, and turned it into things it is not.  For me, I know how to do a couple things well... 1. Write and play music.  2. LOVE the girl to be wife I will be with. As well as other friends and family.  I'm a lover, not a fighter.

Peace><>