Sharon and I were enjoying a pot of Moroccan mint tea at my seaside kitchen table. I had some oatmeal cookies baking ; the smells of vanilla and cinnamon are my favourite forms of aromatherapy.
Sharon asked me what I thought about all this talk about ‘Mindfulness’ that was going around. I told her that I practised Mindfulness. Upon hearing this , Sharon raised an eyebrow at me, and shifted in her chair. She is a conservative Christian whom I met at a Bible study, several years ago.
Sharon was concerned that I was wrongly being influenced by the New Age Movement, or that I was toying with Buddhist thoughts !
I explained to Sharon that authentic Christianity was all about being aware of God in the present moment.
I reminded her that God describes himself in Exodus 3:14, as the great ‘I Am’. Our heavenly Father transcends time and space, and thus we can only meet him in the ‘now’. Mindfulness encourages us to be aware of the fact that God is with us every moment. How beautiful is this realization.
As we talked, Sharon started to relax. I reminded her that we can only experience Christ’s peace if we stay focused on Him in every moment. ( Isaiah 26:3).
I shared with Sharon that a book I read, called ‘ The Practise of the Presence of God ‘, written by Brother Lawrence in the 17th Century, had made me aware that it takes practise to be aware of God’s presence with us at every moment of the day. Thus, whether I am peeling a potato , or tending my garden, God is with me. In his presence there is fullness of joy. There is so such thing as an ordinary moment. Every moment, when we are focused on the Lord, becomes holy.
Sharon and I decided to continue our conversation about Mindfulness another time. When the baked cookies had cooled, I gave her some to take home to her husband.
You are right, we should try and be aware of God in every moment.
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Those were very wise words you spoke to Sharon. I’m sure she will ponder what you said. Thanks for the reminder to be mindful of God’s presence at all times 💕
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Thanks, Dawn. Jesus reminds us in Matthew that He is with us always. As we stay focused on Him, our joy and peace increase. 🤗
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The classic by Brother Lawrence is one I would recommend to all ye saints of the Lord.
“The Practice of the Presence of God.” I have been recommending it for years. And I, also, am a “Conservative Christian.” That is, the Bible being the rule and standard for faith and practice for confessing Christians. Christ above all. Great post. Thank you.
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Thanks, G.W. I too, an a conservative Christian, choosing always to focus on the Lord. Unless our minds are stayed on the Lord, we miss the thousands of blessings that God is showering upon us every day. Thanks for your comments. 🤗
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I have heard even that Jesus Christ has been to India in some years of his life . He used to meditate and contemplate like the Buddhist monks and Hindus…There is a belief that the church in old times used to believe in reincarnation as well …
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One of the followers of Jesus, Thomas, was a missionary in India. Many Christians in India have the name Thomas. Definitely the Bible tells of many times when Jesus withdrew by himself to meditate and pray. 🤗
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Echo horizons, there’s actually nothing in the Old or New Testament that suggests reincarnation. Scripture actually contradicts such beliefs (see link below). Neither is there anything in the New Testament suggesting Jesus meditated like a Hindu or Buddhist. His prayers as we’re told in Scripture were to the Father and purposeful.
https://bible.org/question/what-does-bible-say-about-reincarnation
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Thanks for your comments, Tom 🤗
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Sure, Sally. There are secondary doctrinal differences among believers that we must graciously accommodate, but then there are primary doctrinal differences with unbelievers, religious and atheist, that cannot be accommodated because to do so would compromise or betray the Gospel.
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There is a video saying that some verses that talk about reincarnation have been replaced or removed for the kings and some churches to keep authority …
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There are literally tens of thousands of extant ancient Bible manuscripts and if any of them were discovered to include these allegedly expunged passages referring to reincarnation it would be rather big news.
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Have you read or heard of a book called many lives, many masters by Brian weiss ?
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The world proclaims that there are many paths to heaven, nirvana, spiritual fulfillment, etc. But Jesus Christ declared that He was the only way, the narrow way. I have put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone and strongly advise that you and others do the same.
https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/GTY162/is-jesus-the-only-way
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Jesus says the kingdom of God is within you…
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