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How do we make sense of God?

Religion teaches that becoming more like its founders is the way in which an authentic relationship with God is established. The goal is to be more like the religious guide (Jesus, Muhammad, Moses, Buddha, etc.) and less like yourself. But being more like your religious figure suggests we as individuals seeking to have a deep and meaningful relationship with God lack the natural characteristics and attributes to establish a connection with God ourselves. Let's explore the possibility of connecting with God by being more like ourselves and not a particular religious figure.

We look at religion as a source of informing throughout the lifespan of the believer. Religion is a device that assigns identity to both God and humanity according to its own criteria but is religion a reliable source?

We get stuck in the idea and routine of trying to fit in, trying to be accepted and think this is where our power comes from; belonging. Our real power does not come from belonging to a group but by accepting who and what we are and expressing that uniqueness every possible moment we are alive on this planet.

Ultimate Truth, according to religion gives us a very rigid and immutable set of guidelines in with to live our lives according to. This singular system wishes to inform, define, instruct, and assign direction, purpose, and identity to humanity as a whole not taking into account the value of individuality. This episode we discuss how Ultimate Truth is a life giving source for the individual self expression instead of an oppressive chock hold on uniqueness for the sake of conformity.

It is a common notion that God changes mind, but I believe if this is an accurate description of God it is a handicap with severe consequences.

It's a new year and people are inspired to better themselves. Many times taking on this challenge leads to change but no real transformation. In this episode we discuss personal transformation, how do we recognize when opportunities for it are in front of us.

There is a cosmic intelligence that seems informs leading us along our lives path but how do we tap into it more often?

Our specific culture gives us an idea of who God is but what if that idea is limited? What if there was a way to discover God beyond the single image, word, and identification of a social construct? Why not discover God for yourself.

Consider ultimate truth to be something that is experienced and not something that is exclusive to a religious concept.

Where do the ideas, images and concepts we use to identify ourselves come from? We regularly use cultural concepts and ideas to establish ourselves as individuals amongst our peers, social circles, in our relationships, religions, and society at large. The questions is are these ideas and concepts of identity pushed on us by society honest and authentic to who we are as individuals?

What is greatness and how do we achieve it?

Is becoming more like Jesus or any religious or spiritual figure and less like yourself a soul nourishing spiritual exercise.? What do we stand to gain in attempting to become more like Jesus, The Buddha, Moses, Abraham, Prophet Muhammad, Confucius, Lao Tzu? And in what ways is this spiritual practice of less of me more of you preventing us from showing up as our whole self in our relationship with God, in our spiritual communities and in loving and accepting ourselves and others for who they are?

Let's explore the idea of a good life. What does it mean? How do you define it? How can one adhesive it?

Why you should stop trying to make God happy

In part 1 of this 2 part discussion we explore the question, if God can be made to be happy, sad, joyful and angry due to the actions of humankind what does that say about the God? Do we make God emotionally unstable? Are humans in control of the emotional wellbeing God? Do we have the power to take God from a state of joy and place God in a state of grief? Is so, what does this mean that God can be pulled in and out of various emotional states and made to be joyful or dissatisfied according to the actions of humankind?

As we evolve as unique persons in the human experience our ideas and understanding of God evolves. We outgrow one idea of God and take on another that makes accommodations for the people we are becoming through the cycle of life.

Is becoming more like Jesus or any religious or spiritual figure and less like yourself a soul nourishing spiritual exercise.? What do we stand to gain in attempting to become more like Jesus, The Buddha, Moses, Abraham, Prophet Muhammad, Confucius, Lao Tzu? And in what ways is this spiritual practice of less of me more of you preventing us from showing up as our whole self in our relationship with God, in our spiritual communities and in loving and accepting ourselves and others for who they are?

Religion is wrong when it suggests a meaningful relationship with God requires us to become God's kind of person. Religion says we must change, be born again, be renewed, become something other than what we are now. The most meaningful connection with God is made when who and what you are is embraced.

What would it look if those fulfilling The Great Commission were focused on being Christian instead of making Christians? If I have my own ideas of God, salvation, and spirituality, what can the Great Commission offer that has any value? The Great Commission should be more than a global conversion project but an opportunity to be enlightened by others in order to come to a deeper understanding of love of God, self, and neighbor.