silent

I have been thinking about the subject of keeping God on my mind at all times, as much as I possibly can. Whether I am actively praying or listening for God. Basically being aware of His presence.

There are some points to think about though. First, we know the main way God communicates to us is through His Word. We also know we are to be in constant communication with Him. (verse needed)

God's presence is always here, in and around us. I believe it is us which limit how much, or in what way we experience Him - rather that be a distraction, lack of focus, or simply engaged in work or being tired etc. Which brings me to a side-point ... being that every action you initiate must be for the glory of God.

Now, having said all of this I have thought about HOW I can keep my mind on God and do my best to keep myself aware of His presence through my experience. How do we do this? Our senses. Mind, Body, Soul... all of which we are to use in coordination to honor and glorify Him. Basically, using all of our resources to praise Him and give Him thanks etc...

Naturally, after contemplating on the idea of keeping Him on my mind all day, I remembered something I read in the bible... that is to be on the lookout, like a guard at his post, to stay alert and be aware ... you never know when He is coming back. (verse needed) ---- so I thought, 'How do I limit God?' ... or better yet, 'How do I NOT limit God?'

If are are to use all of our faculties to keep a target lock on God, then perhaps a breakdown of the senses is needed in order to understand how we can keep our attention on Him better. I'll start with sight.

Sight, for me has always been somewhat of an interesting thing. I tend to think a lot about things, and usually I let the gears spin in my mind while I look around me, and say noticing the beauty of nature or the brilliant lights around me. Sometimes this perception can be 'dead' to me. By dead I mean more or less a blank stare, not much thought involved. Other times, the perception is more alive, more engaging -- more imaginative.

This is where I paused. Imagination. Could that be something important to our experience of God? Before I go any further I am not suggesting that we are to 'imagine' God, but rather use it as a God given tool to open up our mind/perception a little...

As you might have noticed, I am still thinking about a few different aspects of things, but my basic point so far is this : We are AWARE. Sometimes our awareness is limited, or misdirected, unfocused - scattered. I know mine is, I have a problem with focus. In this awareness are our thoughts, and feelings (which, if I remember correctly, I believe I read something about not listening to your feelings, but to rely on the Word, and meditate on it / to constantly think about the Word) ... ok, new paragraph... let's see if I can simplify this.

Awareness.

Sight, Sound, Thoughts, etc.


Before I suggest anything broad, I will tell you my own experience so far. I have concluded that perhaps I am limiting my perception of God. For example, when I look around the room, I see just one thing, or one point of focus. I also think this : I cannot limit God, He is limitless. So, one of the ways I have decided to try keeping my mind on Him is to simply use my everyday senses... while also thinking about God at the same time. When I am looking, I try to make myself aware of everything I possibly can, while maintaining a clear focus on what it is I am doing. What I try to do is 'zoom out' a little bit, and acknowlege that I can't limit God... I can experience Him in new exciting ways, and be thankful for even little things, like the spell checker in this post- which I am not using for some reason lol, but I try my best to bring out the details since I am good at focusing on small bits at once... and letting my imagination work with that. Not to say I am daydreaming about stuff, but to just use my imagination ... the first thing that comes to mind ... and as far as I know that would be controlled by my current attitude and intention... Intention is another subject, but one I intend to bring up shortly - not this thread... but there are a lot of thoughts about it.

Hmm. Maybe not such a good job of trying to simplify what I am trying to get across.

Basically what I am saying is ... use all the tools of your mind that you can to help you focus on God. For me, it's attempting to 'see' God, and also to listen to him... as if I were waiting for Him to show me something on this web page right now, say one of the smilies over to my right in this box is going to blurt out a text bubble and say something profound. I don't expect some arguably silly things to happen, but I DO take into account that ANYTHING is possible. Even further, something else I have been doing is trying to become aware of all that I hear... right now it's click click click on the keyboard, and some ambient music playing in the background... I just try to stay alert... not really expecting God to shout through my speakers, but just the mindset that I am focused on Him by using my senses.

So anyways just as something to think about... is why I am posting this. I have had several ideas in the past, which were hit or miss ... but I think maybe I am on to a new way for me to experience Him and keep my focus on Him. I figure, if He is literally right here, right now, then why should I ignore Him? Why not do my best to become aware that He is around me? The general thought of Him being here... seeing how He can and does make things 'pop out' in my perception, usually sight... for example, I will see things that while I am thinking about God look/appear 'awesome' or peaceful, or cool etc... and I think about all His characteristics, such as He is an Awesome God ... well, shouldn't we all be able to recognize that, as much as we can? Perhaps the simple act of sight ... and the knowledge of how things work can spark off a sense of thanks, and wonder ... even awe. This is the part where I think about imagination. Imagination is a big subject. To be honest I am not really sure what to think about it, but I believe it can be a powerful tool, especially a creative tool that we can all use in order to come to God in new and creative and personal ways. Now after saying that, it pops into my mind that we cannot find our own way to God. That is not my intention. My intention in all of this is just ways to get myself to recognize Him, give thanks to Him etc. To be AWARE of Him. He's here right now! So, all of that said, I believe everything He says in His Word. Anything I may think, do or say does not cancel anything out or numb it in any way, nor does it replace anything I may have missed or am just unaware of.

What I do know is this ... I have faith, and I am currently working on establishing proper full definition believes, which come with experience. Experience is what I am working on. Awareness is what I am working on. The mind and senses are tools that enable me to work in new dynamic ways in order to accomplish His Will. Everyone has these tools.

So in closing, I would like to know what people think, in what areas I could work in, or to otherwise just comment and speak your mind. I can get creative in the ways I think, and understand things, and I suspect there are a lot of people out there in the world that do the same. So I guess you could say ... you can use imagination/creativity as a tool that enables us to see all the possibilities that exist WITHIN HIS WILL that we can do, in order to carry out His Will - if that makes sense. To put it another way - we are all required to do His Will, period. So, in what known, and unknown (until we think of them) can we accomplish that? What new actions, what new thoughts can I dedicate to Him in order to do His will? In what ways can I think in order to draw closer to Him? What can I recognize each day, each moment, that show evidence of His presence?

God created all things. I can therefore give thanks to EVERYTHING. That smiley with the sunglasses is blue, and cool. I find that entertaining. I give thanks. Looking at the File menu above in my browser, giving me options to do different things. That's cool. I'm thankful. How many things can you find, each second of the day to be thankful for? - Have you stopped to think how powerful thanks can be? How much praise you can give Him by telling Him your thanks ... about anything, big or small. Thank Him for your thoughts, thank Him for the music you are listening to. This can tune you into His presence, and keep you focused on the good, positive side of things. To focus on His LOVE for you. He gives us all so much, even if it's a million small things each day that we don't take time to even acknowledge.

So wow. Didn't plan on this post being so long... but anyone that knows me so far knows I like to think things out as I type them down. So, maybe I said something extra that helped to get what I am saying across. So anyways, I look forward to see your responses, and maybe even develop some meaningful dialog and explore some different options and ideas.

silent

I have thought of a few more things.

Something struck me while reading about imagination and perception and thinking processes. Nothing too specific, but they make me think.

What happens when we first encounter something? A sound, a sight, a feeling of touch, etc?

We recognize things intuitively, with no thought processes attached (at least not analytical, unless you engage it before hand).

The reason for this, is immediate experience. When we see or hear something, it is usually immediately recognized, and your mind infers things to construct it into a whole in your perception.

What does this mean to me? Well ... it seems this is one of the fundamental points I have been trying to get to. I need to have an immediate recognition of God. Intuition? Not exactly. Intuitive understanding? That's closer. I think I am still trying to nail something on the head here, just not sure what exactly... but I think I am getting close to my goal of becoming closer to God and understanding Him.

The primary way of doing that is by reading His Word. So, at this point, these are just ideas in which I think are applicable in recognizing certain things, like key characteristics of God. Different attributes, that upon being aware of spark an intuitive knowledge, or understanding... for example, people experiencing something, and immediately 'knowing' it was God.

How do you know something is/of God? Intuitive knowledge? Either way you look at it, you still must add in, reading the Word. That would seem to be THE key.

But don't disregard anything else I have said before this, because I think there might be something useful here - even if its merely a way in which we can understand the nature of something in a different light in order to apply ourselves better at doing His Will.

Science has proven that our entire experience, is formed internally. The first thing that pops into my mind is that I asked Jesus into my heart, and that God is therefore there by extension, as Jesus/God/Holy Spirit are all part of the Trinity. So where from here?

Well, given the knowledge that all of our perception is formed internally, by external things we can also say that our perception is controlled by filters. There are many different filters of perception and experience. Attitude is a big one. Our faith and beliefs, our PERSPECTIVE are some others.

I believe these are not only important, but crucial to understanding the nature of things, at least in varying degrees. Tools of understanding. We have many ways in which to understand things - again, THE source is God Himself, in His Word.

So what am I trying to think through here? Hmm. Not entirely sure, like I said before... I keep searching for something profound that will just transform my attitude, and my perception... something fundamental. Something that is part of my experience all the time.

For me, there are different depths to things. I think one of those are what are referred to as 'nuggets of truth' which are found in the Word. (verse needed, for nuggets of truth, Proverbs maybe?)

So likewise, I assume there are always new possibilities, new ways, new perspectives in which to view things (keeping in mind that it must be in God's Will, and adhere to the Word) ... because God is infinite, and we are creative because that is one of the gifts we are given. So, why not create new thoughts in which to contemplate? Hmm.

Anyways ... I think one of the big things is our view of things, our attitude towards them, and how we initiate action afterwards. When I say that, other things come to mind - INTENTION, WILL, and something else. Action, I suppose.

One other thing of interest I would like to point out. Time is a concept. It is a measure of change. Let's assume time does not exist. Instead of there being a point, A --------to-------- B, think of your experience as being filled with more awareness, or data. That is to say, you think about the PRESENT MOMENT as infinitely expandable.

We do not exist in the future, or the past. Only the Present.

Where does God exist? In the present. God is infinite.

When we draw closer to God, what are we doing? Taking the time to be in the PRESENT, and not diffuse our minds by thinking primarily about the future - what's going to be on tv, what's for dinner etc... or thinking about the bad day at work, or a conversation from earlier, good or bad, etc. Point being, the past and future are not the FOCUS.

The focus is the present, the focus is on GOD in the present. Your first number one focus should be GOD. This is no surprise to anyone here, but I feel like it must be reiterated to get across what I am saying.


So, if we take into account the wealth of information, the vast expanse of awareness in the experience we participate in, then it's just ... amazing to think about all the different possibilities in which there are to glorify God, and draw closer to Him.


So, maybe at this time it would be best to talk about how we experience God. In what ways do you experience Him? What are you doing, that is an expression of His Will?

still lots of thoughts that follow... but that's all for now.

violet

Beloved

Hi their Silent, I agree with sister Violet,

I'm also very analytical... If you don't mind though ( for people like me ) I cannot focus on long post...

You can post as much as you want but before you end, could you quote or post in a different color or size font a Readers Digest version...for those of us who have trouble following???? Thank YOU

angela

__________________
Shalom

( SHALOM says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. )

Beloved
1 Corinthians 14:1 Let Love be your highest goal.

Beloved

Good Morning Silent,

I was where you are now some time back...

I want to be with the Lord in my heart and mind all the time but in reality the days brings a multitute of distractions that have nothing to do with the Father...

And frustrating things that even infiltrate our peace and joy...

So I relied on my precious BEST FRIEND my Holy Spirit... I asked the Lord, please keep my mind on you even during the daily frustrations...

And He is doing it... My part is the desire of my heart, It is said He gives us the desires of our heart.

Matthew 6:33 (Amplified Bible)

33But seek ([a]aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ([b]His way of doing and being right), and then all these things [c]taken together will be given you besides.


Romans 8:27
And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God's will.
Romans 8:26-28 (in Context) Romans 8 (Whole Chapter)

It did not happen all at once, but I can confidently say that practicing every day ( surrendering ), like excercising, it's getting better and better...

If I may add there has been times when I am doing nothing ((( spiritual ))) but the Holy Spirit came in like a flood to tell me of a nieghbor about to commit suicide, or a freind who was under serious attack by a demon, or most recently marraied friends that were fighting and about to break up...

See it's not about you, It's about HIM...

Have faith He will come through even if you are absorbed in something not Holy... Like washing dishes, vacuuming ect...

Keep the Faith

__________________
Shalom

( SHALOM says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. )

Beloved
1 Corinthians 14:1 Let Love be your highest goal.

silent

How do you keep you focus on the Holy Spirit?

Is it true the Holy Spirit only comes to us, after we are baptized?
I have heard two very contrasting things about this.

My problem is this :

Focus, Concentration, Awareness.

Ideas, or suggestions?

Boanerges

An interesting book on the subject is " Practicing the Presence of God" written by a monk named brother Lawrence. Reading this will certainly help keep your mind and heart focused on the Lord!