The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com and http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 (Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig)
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INTRODUCTION:
Craig is studying the teachings of different religions, as he researches and writes his latest novel ‘A New Dawn’, set in the Middle East and his latest “labour of love” ‘The Real, The True Jesus… the One That I Really Know!)’: To THINK about who Jesus really was (IS), as well as attempting to find ‘common ground’/principles between different religions and cultures…then build on that. And as he learns from his research, is sharing these notes in an attempt to ‘enlighten’ (himself and perhaps others) about different religious faiths
In ‘A New Dawn’ he attempts to find ‘common ground’/principles between different religions and cultures and to try to make some difference in building bridges in an ever more dangerous, turbulent and uncertain world. A passionate story of inspiration: hope, faith, peace and especially LOVE.
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“Slowly and gradually, out of a rich experience of the world, one builds a faith.”
Happy are the solitary and those chosen, for they shall find God’s Kingdom. If you seek it in your heart, you shall enter again.” – The Gospel of Thomas
The Gospel of Thomas (from whom comes the phrase “a doubting Thomas”) offers a (slightly) different perspective of Christianity (and in fact, adds to my faith). It is one of the ancient Nag Hammadi manuscripts, discovered in 1945 in a jar buried in the sands of Egypt. It dates to the second century C.E and is a text from the Gnostics, a mystical group of early Christians who pursued secret knowledge, or gnosis, about God. Gnosis gives union with God, because gnosis can be perceived as the inner spark of divine light. Exactly what certain people have experienced in a few, precious, and fleeting moments.
The Gospel of Thomas begins with the intriguing statement, “These are the secret sayings that the living Jesus spoke and Judas Thomas the twin recorded.” This statement seems to promise to convey Jesus’s wisdom. The third saying goes directly to the heart of the matter: “Rather, the kingdom of God is inside you and outside you. When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and will understand that you are the children of the living Father.” This is a directive to go within and seek understanding.
He said: “Blessed are the solitary and the chosen, for you will find the kingdom. Because you have come from it, you will go there again.” – says Jesus in saying 49
NB: “If you bring forth what is within you, what you have will save you.” – so says Jesus in saying 70
(In other words, salvation comes when the spiritual life is fully developed.??? Ponder that ONE, craig!)
“I am the light that is above everything. I am all; all came forth from me and all has returned to me.” – saying 77 “Whoever finds self is worth more than the world.” (saying 110)
Another version: “Let him who has found the world and becomes rich deny the world.” (ie. worldly values are spiritually insufficient and should be rejected).
And finally… He said: “The Kingdom of the father is spread out on the earth and (yet) people do not see it.” (v 113)
Info above sourced from the www, as well as ‘The Gospel of Thomas: Unearthing the Lost Words of Jesus’ by John Dart and Ray Riegert (published by Seastone, an imprint of Ulysses Press). * Joseph Campbell once described the concept of God broadly as ‘a metaphor for an eternally existing mystery that absolutely transcends all human categories of thought’. I’ll ponder those deep words!
Finally (absolutely)… and most importantly…
In Jesus’s own life was the key of his nearness to God, that He expressed as no other could, the spirit and will of God. The full flower that is the hope and joy of all mankind may be found in the figure and life of Jesus. The tradition of Jesus of Nazareth points us to new thoughts and a new life, as well as endless possibilities…as an individual, a community and as a nation. We are choosing hope over fear, unity over division, a new vision for the world. And so it is the triumph of life over death, of love over hate, of light over darkness.
“To me, the Lord is not defined in purely religious terms. To me, the Lord is that which is truth, that which is joy, that which is abundance, that which is integrity, that which is light, that which is peace. Delight yourself in those things, all that is God, all that God encompasses, and he, she, it, the universe will give you the desires of your heart.” – Oprah (thanks O)
Always… “TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE.”
Thanks dearest mom, your spirit lives on through these words.
God (Lord), Activate, direct and expand my spirit, broaden my horizons … and reveal to the world your living spirit of faith, hope and especially love.
craig
“The task ahead of you can always be overcome by the Infinite Power behind you…and the often seemingly difficult or even “impassible”) path ahead of you is never as steep with the great spirit that lies within you.”
“Success to others may be apparent in what you DO; but significance, meaning and purpose lies, then reveals itself in what you ARE and BECOME down the ‘river of life’ – how and the spirit with which you face, then overcome the daily obstacles, the frequent trials and tribulations along the often rocky path-way of life’s magical and mysterious journey. Light your path by shine your own bright light of hope and love to the world ” – craig
“Let the light of your BEING shine brightly; so revealing Who You Really Are. Be a Bringer of the Light, which emanates from our soul, God, our Creator, the Source, the Essence of Life (and Ground of our very Being). Therefore, it can do more than illuminate your own path.YOUR spirit will help makes the lives of others easier by illuminating others paths. For this light is our humanity, the spirit of God, truth, wisdom, beauty and especially love…and it lies within each one of us. Through your actions and your being, let your light, YOUR spirit truly shine brightly on the world, like the radiance emitted by a candle at midnight.” – craig (adapted from Neale Donald Walsh in ‘Conversations with God’ Book 3).
About the submitter:
In his various writings Craig strives in some small way to break down social, cultural, religious and economic barriers. He truly believes that whilst we should celebrate our differences, what we share, our common humanity is way more important than what divides us. www.craiglockbooks.com http://www.selfgrowth.com/experts/craig_lock.html
Craig’s new manuscript, ‘A New Dawn’ is set in the Middle East: In it he attempts to find ‘common ground’/principles between different religions and cultures and to try to make some difference in building bridges in an ever more dangerous, turbulent and uncertain world. A passionate story of inspiration: hope, faith, peace and especially LOVE.
“What we learn in the darkness, we are to share in the eternal light.”
This piece may be freely published, electronically or in print
WHO IS "THE REAL, THE TRUE, THE LIVING" JESUS? 