Biblical Principles

 

Unless you're an atheist, most people have a sense that there's is a higher power. They believe there's something, even when they're unsure of what it is. In my studies, and life experiences, I have come to understand that human beings are comprised of a body, a mind, an emotional body, and a spirit or soul. Most people acknowledge that we have a body, a mind, and emotions. However when it comes to the spirit, they gloss over, and it becomes a vague notion that has no place in their lives.

 

When I taught criminals how to raise their self esteem and improve their self image, I would lay out a model of how we function as people. For a complete and satisfying life we need to balance our body, mind, emotions, and our spirit. When one or more of those elements are out of balance, our lives become chaotic and dysfunctional.

 

When people have no spiritual life, it creates a hole in the center of their being which they try and fill with excesses in the other areas.

Saved by Grace

 

I have shared with you that, at one point in my life, I was on the criminal side of the law and heading deeper and deeper into a negative, destructive abyss.

 

If I had not changed and found a higher path, I believe with total certainty, I would either be in prison, or dead. What is it that helped change a wretched person like me? What power turned a criminal into a law abiding, productive citizen? All I can say is that I was a lost sheep, and I was saved by Grace!

 

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see.

 

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed.

 

Through many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come;

’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

 

The Lord has promised good to me,

His Word my hope secures;

He will my Shield and Portion be,

As long as life endures.

 

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess, within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

 

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,

The sun forbear to shine;

But God, who called me here below,

Will be forever mine.

 

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun.

 

John Newton (1725-1807)

 

 

 

Nurturing the Spirit

 

People are a complex intertwining network of body, mind, emotion, and spirit.

 

Everyone is aware of the first three elements, the body, mind, and emotions. What they fail to understand is that without nurturing the spirit, the other elements breakdown and life starts to unravel.

 

The bottom line is, we are spiritual beings. And the needs of the spirit must be fulfilled.

 

When we fail to nurture the spirit and meet our spiritual needs, our body, mind, and emotions become stressed out and overwhelmed. As a result we experience pain, confusion, depression, stress, and emptiness; among other negative feelings.

 

With an empty spirit we have a hole in our body, mind, and emotions.  We will attempt to fill that empty hole with a multitude of worldly things and temporary pleasures, including drugs, alcohol, sex, money, worldly acknowledgment, etc. Eventually we become addicted to material things and pleasures. One day our addictions stop providing relief. Our life then turns into a dangerous downward spiraling crisis.

 

Before reaching rock bottom or crashing on the rocks, take time to fill your spirit. Give thanks and praise and ask God to come into your life.