The idea that God created human beings in his image with certain capacities and an element of eternity in our hearts (a spark of the divine, if you will) can explain why almost all peoples and civilizations look for meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in life through things such as community, the virtues, self-reflection, deep thought, personal achievement and expression, and various forms of spirituality. That every person is the embodiment of an idea in the mind of God gives rise to the notion that there is something within all of us and all cultures that contain elements of an original truth or sets of true things that can be shared. And this is why it is so important to work at humbly listening to and learning from everyone including and perhaps even especially those from different backgrounds, ethnicities, eras, belief systems, cultures, etc. since their perspectives can help sharpen ours.

In this episode I share some helpful insights I have gleaned from The Book of Five Rings written in the 17th century by Miyamoto Musashi, a Japanese swordsman, philosopher, and strategist. I found it fascinating how many of his thoughts track well with and at times compliment those that align with my Christian worldview.

Attributions:

"Friendless" by Oklou.

https://soundcloud.com/oklou93

https://oklou.bandcamp.com

"Nycterine" by Echo Grid.

https://soundcloud.com/echogridmusic

https://echogrid.bandcamp.com

God rarely reveals himself unambiguously. Consequently each person, in the loneliness of his or her own subjective experience, surrounded by a great deal more darkness than light, must choose what to believe regarding the nature of ultimate reality.

Is the universe a closed system of time, space, energy, the elementary particles, regularities, etc. or is there a transcendent aspect to our existence—something or someone that is beyond but somehow interacting with and within the cosmos? Are things such as virtue, beauty, the universal feeling of moral obligation, and our longings for justice, dignity, and meaning symptoms of a higher reality?

How does one relate to this transcendence, this higher reality? Is it through the realization of enlightenment or a form of divine consciousness?

Is it through the consistent expression of virtuosity that leads to a cycle of rebirth into higher forms until one finally breaks through to reach an exalted form?

Is this transcendence a personal God that can be related to? If so, is it through obedience to a set of teachings and commandments or has that God broken into history to take upon himself what is necessary for relationship?

Whatever choice one makes is a radical act of faith. And when a person chooses to believe and trust in Jesus Christ as the way into relationship with the living God, a whole panorama opens. The propositions of traditional Christian belief as outlined in the Bible will over time roll in like a tide hydrating and saturating your soul and raising your boat. It is then that you begin rowing toward a new destination, a new country. And that rowing is energized by the presence of God with and within you. Death no longer needs to be feared since it is the gate through which a person passes to experience the ultimate that is everlasting life with God and his people. It is existence in Eden restored.

Revelation 22:1-5 "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever."

Attributions:

"Endless" and "Dawn" by Kazukii

https://soundcloud.com/ohthatkazuki

https://ohthatkazuki.bandcamp.com

First, take quitting off the table then get on with it.

Nobody owes you a championship. Nobody owes you a damn thing!

Your blood, sweat, and tears are the currency with which you buy and then own such a monumental achievement.

Train hard with singular focus staying present in every moment.

Yes, you will suffer but patiently endure.

The pain you feel is not unique to you.

Everyone on the path suffers.

You have more to give, so give it!

It’s hard to beat an opponent who just won’t stay down, so keep getting up and getting after it!

Win or lose, the reflection you will see in the mirror is a warrior who fought to the bitter end.

You believed you could win and trained like one on a mission.

I saw it. I heard it. I felt it. And I am the better for it.

Keep fighting, your competition is fading as your will grows stronger.

You have won! 

Your hand has been raised in victory and you are the champion!

You earned it.

Be grateful for your fighting spirit and pay the blessings forward.

There are even more important challenges awaiting you, Warrior.

Stay on the path walking boldly yet humbly. 

You are not alone.

The Lord is your guide and your shepherd.

Trust him.

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Attributions:

"Borealis" by Scott Buckley

https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley

https://www.scottbuckley.com.au

Wisdom can be defined as the art of living well. It's not simply knowing things, but applying what you know so that you thrive in all dimensions of living. Where does it start? The writer of the book of Proverbs, which is an ancient manuscript containing hundreds of wisdom sayings, puts it like this:

"The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7)

This is a basic principle that can be applied to any area of life but in this episode we'll relate it to the area of physical wellness. 

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DISCLAIMER: The $99.00 challenge referenced in the episode is meant to be a humorous teaching illustration and there is no such website or cryptocurrency specifically attached to the Animated podcast.

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Access my blog, book, videos, and other resources at the following website: 

https://www.thoughtoutfaith.com

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Attributions:

"Freedom Whatever Whenever" from the album "Essence" by RRAREBEAR.

https://rrarebearbeats.bandcamp.com

https://soundcloud.com/rrarebearbeats

"Omnitopia" from the album "Isometric" by Jake Bowen.

https://jakebowen.bandcamp.com

https://soundcloud.com/jake-bowen

"Kuroshio" from the album "Dusk Aquarium (At Night)" by Hello Meteor.

https://hellometeor.bandcamp.com

https://soundcloud.com/hellometeor

"New Futures" from the album "Every Nothing" by Tides of Man.

https://tidesofman.bandcamp.com

https://soundcloud.com/tides-of-man

A few thoughts leveraging the saying, "Learn from the past, live in the present, and plan for the future."

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14)

Attributions:

“Plum Hax” and "Beachglass" from the album “Astral Welder” by Kiln.

https://soundcloud.com/kiln

https://kiln-audio.bandcamp.com/album/astral-welder

Habakkuk was a Hebrew prophet who wrote the Biblical book bearing his name most likely between 612 and 605 BC. His ministry was at a time in the history of the southern Kingdom of Judah when there was a shift in the balance of international powers. The Assyrians, who dominated the Holy Land in the eighth and seventh centuries BC, were defeated with the overthrow of their capital Nineveh by the Babylonians in 612 BC. The Babylonians then marched westward, defeating Egypt, and then moved southward, threatening the lands of Syria, Israel, and Edom.

He foresaw that the Babylonians would attack and then eventually overrun his nation to take many of its citizens into exile. The prophet's bewilderment In the face of such an impending calamity resonates with peace-loving, God-fearing people of almost any time or place and can even relate to our own personal circumstances.

Why is God silent as evil and the suffering that follows increases within a society?

The book's message is that God will do what is just and right. Sooner or later, there will be a reckoning as God holds evil nations and individuals to account. God, who is mighty in power, is nevertheless merciful and attentive to a person's cry for answers. Believers live by faith that leads to embracing his ways even when things don't seem to make sense such as in times of darkness and tremendous turmoil. The prophet exemplifies this by moving from a frustrated lament to a song of worship despite what he knows is going to be impending disaster.

Through faith in God, Habakkuk is ready to press on confidently in his life journey despite what is going to be a crushing circumstance. Meditate on that idea and be at peace, my friend.

Additional Bible verses quoted in this episode:

"For we live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

"But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back. But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved." Hebrews 10:38-39

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Attributions:

“Rotation” from the album “Horizon” by Christopher Willits.

https://soundcloud.com/willits

https://christopherwillits.bandcamp.com

2020 as a year of discontent in so many ways has underscored just how important it is to have someone to talk with when things are rough. Being seen, heard, and valued is a fundamental longing we all experience and one of the primary ways those needs are met is when someone shows how much they care by simply being there. It's most often not what that person says that makes the difference, but just that he's there. You know he's there, you know he cares, you know he wants to somehow share the burden and see you move through the valley to get to that sun-soaked ridge on the other side. That really can lift you up in the throes of anxiety and discouragement, can't it?

That's been my experience with prayer. Prayer is talking with God. Of course, that involves the belief that God is there and that he cares. He is not just a concept or a being far away but someone who is with and even within me, which enables him to feel my pain. And my experience continues to be that he then actually provides relief. Not that the hurt, concern, and disappointment just vaporizes into a mist of technicolored glory, but that I become better able to manage my response to what is vexing me and then go out to bless someone else.

Prayer calms

Prayer mobilizes

Prayer clarifies focus

Prayer humbles

Prayer reorders

Prayer makes room for experiences of the transcendent

Prayer lets God in and allows him to move in places only he can access

Prayer changes things

Prayer changes you

Doubt your doubts that this is true and that you can experience this as well. Peace to you, my friend.

Bible verses quoted in this episode:

"Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." Hebrews 2:14-15

"For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'" Acts 17:28

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

"Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see? When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. The LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge." Psalm 94:9,18-19,22

Attributions:

“Feel A way” by Bizzle.

https://soundcloud.com/gomrecords-1

https://bizzleakalavyss.bandcamp.com

“After Tomorrow” from the album “In-between” by Arovane, Hior Chronik.

https://soundcloud.com/arovane-1

https://arovane.bandcamp.com

https://soundcloud.com/hiorchronik

https://hiorchronik.bandcamp.com

“Glass Curtain” from the album "Domicile" by Helios.

https://soundcloud.com/keithkenniff

https://heliosmusic.bandcamp.com

So much talk of algorithms these days, right? In its most basic form an algorithm is a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or operations designed to solve a problem or accomplish a goal. It will often take the shape of step-by-step procedures for getting to or producing a desired result, with a recipe as one of the more basic examples.

It’s important to take stock of what algorithms we grant access to our consciousness driving our thinking and behavior patterns, which includes deciding what or to whom we grant authority in terms of putting into place the instruction sets that become our guiding principles.

Whose algorithms are you granting authority in your life? Who or what do you trust to deliver the goods in terms of living well?

Download the YouVersion Bible app at the following link: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/

Attributions:

“Destiny.Exe” by Ben Rosett.

https://soundcloud.com/benrosett

https://benrosett.bandcamp.com

“Winter Industry” from the album “Impressions” by Alonefold.

https://soundcloud.com/alonefold

https://alonefold.bandcamp.com

“Panacea” from the album “Entropy” by Soular Order.

https://soundcloud.com/soularorder

https://soularorder.bandcamp.com

Doesn’t it seem that there’s a natural tendency to point out other people’s flaws? And isn’t the world of social media-driven interaction often just a platform for toxicity, hyper criticism, and judgment? These platforms can seem to grease the skids when it comes to vitriol, hate, and leveling hurtful criticism toward those who don’t look the right way, sound the right way, think the right way—right defined by often narrow definitions that are self-serving. But this is indicative of our own heart’s flaw, isn’t it? Making ourselves the jury and the judge can lock up our heart and soul by focusing our energies into a mindset that is draining and leads to personal disintegration.

In this episode we look to some guiding principles that can help us develop far more life-giving patterns that will not only enhance our own lives, but perhaps even change the world in authentic ways.

Bible verses referenced:

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Book of Proverbs 18:21)

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Book of Proverbs 12:18)

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. (Book of Proverbs 15:4)

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (Book of James 3:9-10)

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Gospel of Matthew 5:7)

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn…Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Gospel of Luke 6:37, 41-42)

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you… (Gospel of Matthew 7:12)

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Gospel of Matthew 6:19-21)

Attributions:

“God Badge” from the album “Fiction Family Reunion” by Fiction Family.

https://soundcloud.com/fiction-family

“Dreamer” by Alaskan Tapes.

https://soundcloud.com/alaskantapes

https://alaskantapes.bandcamp.com