All too often our modern society lacks both sight and insight resulting from a refusal to see the reality of creation. Such lack of recognition and appreciation for the Creator is spiritual blindness. Yet, the fruits and evidence of His love and wisdom are clearly demonstrated everywhere we look. Author Dr. James Gills, a world-renowned ophthalmologist with a deep love of the Bible, writes about spiritual blindness with stunning clarity and relevance.
MOST OF US HAVE LIMITED SPIRITUAL VISION - and don't even know it! - With two trillion galaxies in an expanding universe, how could it be that only the Christians are "saved?" - Traditional religious symbols are losing power in a changing world (Most people don't even know they are supposed to be symbols) - Our rational minds keep wanting to question but conventional religious leaders tell us to just "trust" them (or trust scripture, or tradition) - Despite declining church attendance, interest in the spiritual search is at an all-time high. New ways of making meaning are arising. - A study of all religions reveals a common core - a longing shared by all humans. Could this be the basis of the spiritual search? - In the 21st century we need a BIGGER STORY of what religion and spirituality are all about. Our traditional scriptures were written in a time when people had no idea of the vastness of the universe. The spiritual messages they were able to receive suffered from lack of awareness about science and about wisdom from other cultures: their worldview was insular. Today educated people have little excuse for maintaining this kind of insularity. Advances in science and global communications call us to develop a more comprehensive (less myopic) perspective about the UNIVERSAL human search for meaning and connection that formed the basis for ALL our religions. In Overcoming Spiritual Myopia, practicing optometrist and award-winning author, Margaret Placentra Johnston* challenges you on a journey toward a BIGGER STORY about religion and spirituality.
How can we transcend our tribal, philosophical, and religious differences? Is it possible to develop a global consciousness to resolve the peril to our biosphere and other human-made existential crises? Become Conscious of Wholeness: Humanity’s Only Future explores how connecting human consciousness with Universal Consciousness will give individuals and societies a sense of being complete, not fragmented. Accessing Universal Consciousness, the fundamental wisdom, intelligence, and love in the Universe, will align their identity and purpose and free them from limiting beliefs and fears. Universal Consciousness is the organizing, unifying force, beyond space and time, filled with the creative potential from which our diverse philosophies, religions, and primordial traditions emerged. When Consciousness is understood from multiple scientific, spiritual, psychological, and mystical perspectives, what is of ultimate value becomes clear—our relationships with each other and the Earth, our essential Wholeness. The reader will explore various portals to Universal Consciousness, drawing upon their own mystical and spiritual experience to develop a more holistic Self. Specific action steps are also presented to reframe religion, reimagine education and mental wellbeing, and reform the business organizations, government agencies, and divisive politics that perpetuate a fragmented view of reality.
Faith Beyond Belief gives a much-needed voice to the “good” people who have left their church but whose spirituality continues to mature. Johnston uses first-person stories as well as known spiritual authorities in describing various stages of religious growth. Some of these real-life accounts are by nonbelievers; others are by those among the growing numbers of the “spiritual but not religious.” All are thoughtful people with too much integrity to live what they consider a lie. The stories of the nonbelievers-including an ex-Catholic, a former Mormon, and a clandestine Muslim apostate who left his community after the attacks of 9/11-show how complete confidence in human reason can lead away from literal religious interpretation. But, while that step is a necessary one on the spiritual path, it is only intermediate. Her second set of stories are of people at the “mystic” level who can tolerate paradox and see truth and reality as multidimensional. Johnston’s book will help doubters to see things in a new light as well as those who are struggling to clarify their own spiritual vision. It also points beyond the atheist/believer controversy wrecking such divisive havoc in our culture today.
Nothing is impossible with God Jesus never said we would be protected from trials and tribulations. So we ask not, What can I do to avoid difficulties? but, How can I best handle them when they arise? Who better to show us the way toward a godly response than Joni Eareckson Tada. Known worldwide for her powerful testimony and how she daily overcomes the adversity of paralysis by drawing near to God, this book now brings together a treasure of Tada's inspirational entries. Her thoughtful insights and gentle wisdom will nourish your soul, fill you with hope, and bring you ever closer to the One who never leaves your side. Thirty-One Days Toward Overcoming Adversity is the second in her devotional series that takes you beyond pat answers, deep into the Word of God. Step by step, day by day, move from “overwhelmed” to “overcoming”…and forever victorious!
Why you should read this book Spiritual Christianity emphasizes spirituality and explains how the acts of repentance, giving away and following must occur as spiritual rather than physical events. The book details how to act spiritually and how to accomplish these three most important moments in a Christian's life. The book points out that the spiritual sense of following Jesus means joining Jesus for spiritual companionship. The book looks at certain changes in outlook, personality, thinking and emotions needed to make ready for a walk with Jesus. Spiritual Christianity shows how to fulfill the Great Commandment as the essential spiritual purpose. The book details how to use this wisdom to make spiritually important life changes. The book makes the point that all these changes can be made without dramatically altering the affairs of daily life. It is the inner, spiritual life that changes. This book challenges a Christian to plumb the deepest levels of spirit, psychology and personality and make profound spiritual changes. It combines original insights from biblical, devotional and psychological perspectives. It is intended as a guide to the serious Christian who want to improve spiritual life from being a hearer of the Word to become a doer of the Word.
To Obtain an Overcoming Life is a series of devotions on how to overcome the negative traits and behaviors in our life such as; fear, pride, temptation, finding fault, jealousy, making excuses, rebellion and self, or selfishness. These are very important and valuable as they teach us how to obtain the power to live a victorious life in Christ Jesus. It begins with self for unless we can overcome self we wont be able to overcome other negative traits, as all hinge on self. There are devotions on making right choices and how to set goals and priorities; about attitudes and faith, having a continuous praise in our heart to the Lord and how to obtain our final reward in heaven thus the Road to Eternal Life. As we strive for the Kingdom, we have mountains to climb and valleys to cross, were faced with hills and barriers, and each step has a new name. They are there to keep us out of Heavens territory. We must over - come and step over; failures and past failures, handicaps of every kind, peer pressure, fear, anger, and defeat. Approximately two-thirds of Jesus teachings were in parables. A parable is an earthly story with a spiritual or heavenly meaning, teaching Christian morals, principles and values. Many of these devotions will be based on some of these parables.
In a cinematic culture where multiple visions of reality "play" at the same time, it is critical that Christian believers know how to confidently identify and "discern," among other stories, the Jesus-story that defines their most important commitment in life. Using the optical metaphor of the "eye of faith," the author identifies the spiritual life as a "visual life." Through themes such as "looking through Jesus' eyes," the bible as a "visionary text," and the church as a "wide-eyed people," he builds a connecting bridge between the seeing-soul in Christian spirituality, and the twenty-first century as the "age of the eye." The key words for this exploration are spirituality, discipleship, insight, luminescence, and optical "therapy." The author proposes the need for a "catechism of the eye" that will lead to the renewal of Christian ministry, spirituality, discipleship, and identity.
Meet a man forced to live in a fast changing and godless society. He faced fears about the future, concern for his safety, and the discouragement of world that seemed to be falling apart at warp speed. Sound familiar? His name was Daniel, and with the power of hope, humility, and wisdom, he not only thrived, he changed an empire while he was at it. Though he lived thousands of years ago, he has a much to teach us today. Even in Babylon, God Is in Control In Thriving in Babylon, Larry Osborne explores the “adult” story of Daniel to help us not only survive – but actually thrive in an increasingly godless culture. Here Pastor Osborne looks at: - Why panic and despair are never from God- What true optimism looks like- How humility disarms even our greatest of enemies- Why respect causes even those who will have nothing to do with God to listen- How wisdom can snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat For those who know Jesus and understand the full implications of the cross, the resurrection, and the promises of Jesus, everything changes – not only in us, but also in our world.
