The Metron Experience 8-25-24

`Perception` `Vision` `Faith`

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##  Summary

This lecture explores the profound impact of perception on reality, drawing from biblical stories, personal anecdotes, and cultural insights. It emphasizes the importance of vision, the rewards of diligence, and the transformative power of changing one’s paradigm. The speaker discusses the role of environment, community, and representation in shaping one’s approach to life and work. Key themes include the significance of gratitude, the complexities of authority figures, and the holistic understanding of faith and life’s experiences.

##  Knowledge Points

### 1. The Impact of Perception on Reality

* **Reward for Diligence**

    Scripture mentions a reward for those who diligently seek Him, emphasizing the importance of making an effort to be present.

* **Atmosphere Difference**

    There is a notable difference between attending in person and watching online, as highlighted by Tricia’s experience.

* **Perception and Reality**

    Perception significantly affects reality; it’s not just what you say but what you see that shapes your reality.

* **Biblical Example**

    The story of the twelve spies in the Bible illustrates how different perceptions of the same reality can lead to different outcomes.

* **Political Conventions**

    Different perceptions of the same country can coexist, as seen in the contrasting views presented at political conventions.

* **Matthew 6:22-23**

    The lamp of the body is the eye; if your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light, emphasizing the importance of perception.

* **Paradigm Shift**

    A paradigm shift occurs when a change in perception fundamentally alters one’s understanding of a situation.

* **Stephen Covey’s Example**

    Stephen Covey’s story about a man on a train illustrates how understanding someone’s background can change your perception of their actions.

* **Movies and Perception**

    Many movies, like ‘The Country Girl,’ show how a change in perception or a paradigm shift can alter the storyline.

* **Defending Paradigms**

    People tend to defend their paradigms unless they are very open to change, making it difficult to alter their perceptions.

* **Worry and Perception**

    Worrying about future needs can cloud your perception of the present, as illustrated by the speaker’s concerns about financial planning.

* **Manifesting Reality**

    The way you see yourself, whether as poor or abundant, will manifest in your reality.

* **Biblical Story of Elijah**

    Elijah’s story of asking a widow to make him a cake first illustrates changing a paradigm to manifest abundance.

* **Holy Acts**

    Sometimes doing something good for yourself can be a holy act that changes your mentality and perception.

* **Prayer and Perception**

    The way you pray about abundance or debt reflects and reinforces your perception of those concepts.

* **Abram’s Vision**

    God’s command to Abram to look at the stars symbolizes expanding one’s perception to see greater possibilities.

* **Building Churches**

    The speaker’s experience with building churches highlights the importance of vision and perception in achieving goals.

### 2. Vision and Perception

* **Discomfort and Growth**

    The speaker discusses feeling out of place at an event and questioning their purpose, which leads to personal growth and new insights.

* **Influence of Environment**

    The speaker emphasizes how different environments and experiences can shape one’s vision and approach to life and work.

* **Children’s Ministry Inspiration**

    A visit to a church in Tulsa inspired the speaker to redesign their own children’s ministry, showing the impact of seeing successful models.

* **Overcoming Hostility**

    The speaker recounts experiences of hostility from other pastors due to personal circumstances, highlighting resilience and perseverance.

* **Need for Broader Vision**

    The speaker stresses the importance of expanding one’s vision beyond small, limiting environments to achieve greater goals.

* **Meditation Weekends**

    Inspired by a seminar, the speaker started organizing successful meditation weekends, demonstrating the power of new ideas.

* **Seeing Possibilities**

    The speaker discusses the importance of seeing possibilities and potential in situations, even when they are not immediately apparent.

* **Representation Matters**

    The speaker reflects on the significance of representation, using the example of Kamala Harris and its impact on young black girls.

* **Vision and Perception**

    The speaker explains that vision and perception are crucial for progress, using biblical references to illustrate the point.

* **Prophetic Vision**

    The speaker highlights how prophets in the Bible were asked to describe what they saw, emphasizing the importance of personal vision.

* **Perception Shapes Reality**

    The speaker notes that one’s perception can shape their reality, using the example of the Israelites seeing themselves as grasshoppers.

* **Limits of Vision**

    The speaker quotes Arthur Schopenhauer to illustrate that people often see the world only within the limits of their own vision.

* **Revelation and Action**

    The speaker suggests that having a revelation is a precursor to action and change, indicating a readiness for new possibilities.

* **Importance of Checking Details**

    The speaker advises checking details, such as whether a place is open, to avoid disappointment and wasted effort.

* **Adapting to Change**

    The speaker discusses the rapid changes in environments, particularly in cities, and the need to adapt quickly.

* **Biblical Lessons**

    The speaker uses biblical stories to draw lessons about vision, perception, and the importance of seeing beyond immediate obstacles.

* **Encouraging Vision in Others**

    The speaker emphasizes the role of leaders in helping others see potential and possibilities they might not initially recognize.

* **Personal Anecdotes**

    The speaker shares personal anecdotes to illustrate points about vision, perception, and overcoming challenges.

* **Impact of Travel**

    The speaker highlights how traveling and experiencing new places can broaden one’s perspective and inspire new ideas.

* **Community and Support**

    The speaker mentions the importance of community and support in achieving and sustaining new initiatives, such as the meditation weekends.

### 3. Embracing a holistic and inclusive understanding of faith, life experiences, and perception.

* **Real Jesus**

    The speaker emphasizes that the real Jesus is irresistible and that people are often put off by others’ imposed perceptions of God rather than God Himself.

* **Cultural Imposition**

    The speaker criticizes the imposition of European paradigms on other cultures, particularly in missionary work, and highlights the importance of respecting indigenous expressions of faith.

* **Gender and God**

    The speaker discusses the fluidity of gender and how it can help people understand God better, suggesting that God’s pronouns could be ‘Them’ and ‘They’.

* **Yes and Paradigm**

    The speaker introduces the concept of ‘Yes and’ instead of ‘either/or’ to embrace both positive and negative experiences as part of one’s life journey.

* **Childhood Experiences**

    The speaker talks about how childhood experiences, both good and bad, shape one’s paradigm and should be accepted as part of the whole experience.

* **Perception and Gratitude**

    The speaker stresses the importance of perception, gratitude, and awareness in recognizing the blessings and miracles in everyday life.

* **Neurodivergence**

    The speaker mentions how neurodivergent individuals may notice and appreciate things that others overlook, using this as an example of heightened awareness.

* **Authority Figures**

    The speaker discusses the complex relationships people have with authority figures, acknowledging that they can be both harmful and supportive.

* **Mixed Signals**

    The speaker addresses the confusion caused by mixed signals from authority figures and the importance of understanding these nuances.

* **Embracing All Experiences**

    The speaker encourages embracing all life experiences, both good and bad, as they collectively shape who we are.

* **Daily Blessings**

    The speaker highlights the importance of recognizing daily blessings and being aware of the good things that happen in life.

* **Victim Mentality**

    The speaker warns against having a victim mentality and encourages a mindset of gratitude and awareness.

* **God’s Nature**

    The speaker explores the multifaceted nature of God, suggesting that God encompasses all genders and identities.

* **Cultural Respect**

    The speaker advocates for respecting and valuing different cultural expressions of faith rather than imposing one’s own views.

* **Authority and Mixed Signals**

    The speaker discusses the impact of mixed signals from authority figures and the importance of understanding these complexities.

* **Life’s Paradoxes**

    The speaker talks about the paradoxes in life and how embracing both positive and negative aspects can lead to a fuller understanding.

* **Gratitude Practice**

    The speaker emphasizes the practice of gratitude and how it can change one’s perception of life.

* **Perception Shift**

    The speaker suggests that a small shift in perception can make a significant difference in how one views life.

* **Hyper-awareness**

    The speaker discusses the concept of hyper-awareness and how it can lead to a deeper appreciation of life’s details.

* **Emotional Honesty**

    The speaker values emotional honesty and the importance of expressing genuine feelings.