Animated

The Christian concept of salvation isn't just about past events, including Christ's death on the cross and when I accepted him as Savior, and a future destiny on into eternity, but how life is to be lived in the here and now. It is engaging life in all dimensions by faith in God and being strengthened by him to live moment by moment as one following the teachings and example of Jesus and the apostles. This is true spirituality.

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Attributions:

Schaeffer, Francis A. (1971).True Spirituality: How to Live for Jesus Moment by Moment. Tyndale House.

"Hope" and "Enough Time" by Kazukii.

https://soundcloud.com/ohthatkazuki

https://ohthatkazuki.bandcamp.com

"1" from the album "Parhelion" by Hakobune.

https://soundcloud.com/hakobuneofficial/albums

https://hakobune.bandcamp.com

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For more resources from and information on how to contact Pastor Johnny, please visit the following sites:

https://www.invictusmaneopress.com

https://www.thoughtoutfaith.com

The message of Jesus Christ (the gospel) includes the call to live in the reality of the supernatural. Holding to the right beliefs in terms of theology and doctrine is important, but it is not an end in itself. There is to be an experiential reality, moment by moment. And the glory of the experiential is that we can do it with all the intellectual doors and windows wide open. We aren't just after some spectacular religious or ecstatic experience requiring a dark room, certain types of music, or the influence of hallucinogenics; we can know the reality of the supernatural here and now as we are to be in a relationship with the whole Trinity - Father, Son, Holy Spirit - through trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross as Savior and Lord. The doors are open now - the intellectual doors, and also the doors to reality.

This is the Christian life, true spirituality. And in light of the Bible's teaching in regard to the supernatural nature of the universe, we are to approach life in all dimensions in faith, a wholehearted trust in Jesus Christ as the crucified and risen Lord who now dwells within us through the Holy Spirit.

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Attributions:

Schaeffer, Francis A. (1971).True Spirituality: How to Live for Jesus Moment by Moment. Tyndale House.

"Hope" and "Dawn" by Kazukii.

https://soundcloud.com/ohthatkazuki

https://ohthatkazuki.bandcamp.com

"Nycterine" from Echo Grid.

https://soundcloud.com/echogridmusic

https://echogrid.bandcamp.com

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For more resources from and information on how to contact Pastor Johnny, please visit the following sites:

https://www.invictusmaneopress.com

https://www.thoughtoutfaith.com

Having concluded in part 3 that the Lord tells us to live as though we had died, gone to heaven, seen the truth there, and then come back to this world, he is not asking us to act on just some psychological motivation, but on what really is, what is ultimately real. Therefore I am to live now by faith, grounded in three space-time realities: what has occurred, such as Christ's death and resurrection; what exists right now in the unseen realm; and what is to come, including my future bodily resurrection and return with Christ.

This should inspire us to live in a manner reflecting an authentic and expectant hope that takes shape in having a more joyous and tranquil outlook no matter the particular circumstances we experience in life. The gospel, the message of Jesus Christ, provides the animating principles for how best to be the creatures God made us to be: human beings bearing his image. And in Christ we are presented with the calling to be this creature by choice, to be creatures glorified.

But now we have to turn to the practicality of it all. How is it possible to live this way? All this talk of the Christian life, true spirituality, which is basically the ideals taught and exemplified by Christ and the apostles, is often quite daunting and feels sometimes out of reach, doesn't it?

What is the answer to the how of it all? How are we going to live this way, if we are to think of this not merely as some sort of abstract religious experience, a set of unattainable ideals, a combination of mood and moment, a vague, meaningless existential experience? How do I get started?

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Attributions:

Schaeffer, Francis A. (1971).True Spirituality: How to Live for Jesus Moment by Moment. Tyndale House.

"Hope" and "Dawn" by Kazukii.

https://soundcloud.com/ohthatkazuki

https://ohthatkazuki.bandcamp.com

"Nycterine" from Echo Grid.

https://soundcloud.com/echogridmusic

https://echogrid.bandcamp.com

____________________

For more resources from and information on how to contact Pastor Johnny, please visit the following sites:

https://www.invictusmaneopress.com

https://www.thoughtoutfaith.com

We have up till now highlighted the important negative aspects of the Christian life: rejected, slain. Now we turn our attention toward the positive, without which the other two cannot represent a true, balanced spirituality: raised.

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Attributions:

Schaeffer, Francis A. (1971).True Spirituality: How to Live for Jesus Moment by Moment. Tyndale House.

"Hope" and "Dawn" by Kazukii.

https://soundcloud.com/ohthatkazuki

https://ohthatkazuki.bandcamp.com

"Nycterine" from Echo Grid.

https://soundcloud.com/echogridmusic

https://echogrid.bandcamp.com

____________________

For more resources from and information on how to contact Pastor Johnny, please visit the following sites:

https://www.invictusmaneopress.com

https://www.thoughtoutfaith.com

Practicing the willingness to say no to ourselves and to things in order that the command to love God and men may have real meaning is a tremendous challenge for us due to our fallen nature. We all experience the natural inclination to focus on ourselves and what we want, and not to deny ourselves. Since the fall of humanity, we are inclined to do everything we canto put ourselves at the center of the universe. This is where we naturally want to live. And this is precisely the environment that we're saturated with in this age, isn't it?

In our effort to live the Christian life, to engage in true spirituality, we must face this fact head on. Even as a Christian I am prone to be focused on myself and my pursuit of things and my own victories, regardless of the cost to those around me, so it's inaccurate not to feel as if I were smashing against a wall when I consider the call to this negative. And if I stand in the normal perspective of fallen humanity - especially the normal perspective of our modern age - I will feel as if I am having a high-speed collision with the hull of a battleship. But if I shift my perspective, the whole thing changes, and that is what we are after here - to shift our perspective.

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For more resources from and information on how to contact Pastor Johnny, please visit the following sites:

https://www.invictusmaneopress.com

https://www.thoughtoutfaith.com

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Attributions:

"Hope" and "Dawn" by Kazukii.

https://soundcloud.com/ohthatkazuki

https://ohthatkazuki.bandcamp.com

"Nycterine" from Echo Grid.

https://soundcloud.com/echogridmusic

https://echogrid.bandcamp.com

There is an interesting self-improvement practice that harnesses one of the most powerful tools available to us: humility. It has to do with imagining that everyone around you is playing an important role in your life as a coach or instructor. Some may even go as far as to say that one way to take this little exercise up a notch is to imagine that everyone around you is enlightened while you're the one in need of their teaching or guidance in some way. It's not about thinking poorly of yourself or engaging in negative self-talk, but highlighting the importance of viewing everyone you encounter as a potential helper in terms of seeing the world more clearly, which includes what we can do to improve in ways that make our lives better and us better at life. 

For example, the most obnoxious driver cutting you off has a role to teach you about things such as situational awareness, patience, and self-control. The most ridiculously-dressed person (whatever that is to your sensibilities) is there to coach you into being less judgmental. It's true that other people do some weird things (who doesn't?), but we're the ones getting upset about it, so we are the ones who need to change. We're not talking about accommodating, approving, ignoring, or advocating behavior that is dangerous, violent, mean-spirited, or destructive (to self or others). It's about learning to be less bothered by the actions of people. After all, one of the cardinal rules of joyful living is to avoid wasting usable energy on judging others or allowing what they do or say to become tyrannical rulers of your own conscience. 

Make it one of your new goals to try to determine what the people in your life, including those you only interact with in a single brief moment, are trying to teach you. What is he trying to coach me up on? What practical and valuable instruction is she laying down for me? This leads to being far less annoyed, bothered, and frustrated by the actions and imperfections of other people (just like we are and can be to others). Give it a try. You might find yourself being a bit more tranquil and joyous if you do.

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Attributions:

"Sleepy Quest for Coffee" by Plastik Joy.

https://soundcloud.com/plastik-joy

One of the most important elements in terms of living well has to do with guarding yourself against being drawn into quarrels and struggles that do not warrant your full involvement. Our time, talent, and energy are scare resources that must be managed properly.

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Scripture references:

Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own. (Proverbs 26:17)

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. (Proverbs 27:12)

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Attributions:

"Ship" from the album "Plans Drawn in Pencil" by Isan.

https://isan.bandcamp.com

https://soundcloud.com/isan/tracks

It's easy to fall into a pattern of viewing day-to-day life as just a dress rehearsal for a later performance when things are just right and then we can finally experience peace and happiness. What's the best way out of that?

Attributions:

"In My Eyes - stripped" and "Headspace - blnkspc_ Remix" from the album "The Color of Nothing (Reprise)" by .ford.

https://fordsounds.bandcamp.com

https://soundcloud.com/ford

A simple strategy to deal with those negative thoughts we all have from time to time.

Attributions:

"Drifting" by Dontcry, Nokiaa, Yasper.

https://dontcrymusic.bandcamp.com/releases

https://soundcloud.com/dontcrybby