Category: Podcast
‘NOW FAITH IS: Practicing the Power of Presence’

‘NOW FAITH IS: Practicing the Power of Presence’

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Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking

Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307

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I – NOW FAITH IS the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. (Hebrews 11:1 – AMPC)

II – “…for he who comes to God must believe that HE IS, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 – NKJV)

III – “Carpe Diem”, as you probably know, is a Latin phrase meaning “seize the day”…it encourages living in the present moment, and making the most of the opportunities at hand, as the future is uncertain…what you may not know is that the famous phrase is a shortened version of a quote by the Roman poet Horace (65 to 8 BC), the full version being, “carpe diem quam minimum credula postero”…it translates to “pluck the day, trusting as little as possible in the next one”…when Jesus instructed His listeners to pray “Give us THIS DAY our daily bread”, it was an allusion to the manna that the Israelites ate in the wilderness, which could only be consumed one day at a time…according to the Exodus narrative, it was a miraculous food that God provided during their 40-year journey through the desert, described as a white, flaky substance like coriander seed, tasting like honey wafers…but “manna” was not technically a noun/word, as much as it was the question “man hu” (Hebrew: מן הוא, romanized: mān hū), seemingly meaning “What is it?”…in other words, they ate it every day, but never really knew what it was…it couldn’t be defined, and it couldn’t be stored up, because it would spoil if kept over night…it became a symbol for living in the now, not necessarily because the one who eats it wants to, but because he/she has no other alternative…the mystery of it all is actually the point, especially for people on the move, who didn’t or don’t have time to settle down and plant crops for their sustenance…will the manna – the “what is it?” – be there tomorrow morning?…who knows?…we don’t even know what it is…the ones who eat it have no choice but to live and eat IN THE NOW…”in Him we “MOVE”…the prayer is “give us THIS DAY”, not “give me bread today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life”…even when Jesus referred to Himself as “the bread from heaven”, He was perhaps implying that the Jesus you knew yesterday is not necessarily the Jesus you know today, or will know tomorrow…this concept of spiritual evolution is a powerful counter-balance to “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever”, because even though the manna in the wilderness was the same every day for 40 years, it couldn’t be predicted, or cultivated as a crop, could only be experienced in the present moment, and ceased to exist once the Israelites reached their “Promised Land” (read into that what you will)…is your understanding of God or Spiritual things different than it was in the past?…good!…the “bread from heaven” can’t be stored in jars of doctrine and dogma, or else it will be filled with the deadly worms of legalism…the I AM can only be known IN THE NOW…are you uncertain about exactly what’s going to happen in your life tomorrow?…good!…”It is not for you to know the times or seasons…but you shall receive power…”…prediction and forth-telling/foretelling have their place, and living with intention is crucial, but sustenance from manna means you don’t know how it’s going to get here, or where it’s going to come from, or even what it actually is, but that when tomorrow morning arrives, breakfast will be somehow served, and it will empower you to get through another day…Mangia! Mangia! #JESmeditations

IV – “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

VII – “Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry – all forms of fear – are caused by too much future, and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of non-forgiveness are caused by too much past, and not enough presence.” – Eckhart Tolle
“IT’S PERSONAL: Managing Your History and Unlocking Your Soul pt III”

“IT’S PERSONAL: Managing Your History and Unlocking Your Soul pt III”

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Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking

Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307

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I – “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN HISTORY TO DEAL WITH. Treat them gently.” (Romans 14:1 – The Message)

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II – “The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, ‘What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children’s teeth are set on edge”? ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel. “Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die….’Yet you say, “Why should the son not bear the guilt of the father?” Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live. The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” (Ezekiel 18:1-4, 19, 20 – NKJV)

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III – “For every living being belongs to Me—parent and child alike. You will die for your own sins, not because of what your ancestors did. So why do you ask, ‘Why is the son not also punished for his father’s guilt?’ Don’t you see? The son did not commit his father’s sins. The son chose to do what is just and right by remembering and following My laws, so he will surely live. The person who sins will die. The child will not be punished for the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent be punished for the guilt of the child. The righteous will be credited with righteousness. The wicked will be charged with wickedness.” (Ezekiel 18:4, 19, 20 – The Voice)

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VII – “Jesus said, ‘Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out. They’ll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first.'” (Mark 10:29-31 – The Message)
“IT’S PERSONAL: Managing Your History and Unlocking Your Soul pt II”

“IT’S PERSONAL: Managing Your History and Unlocking Your Soul pt II”

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Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking

Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307

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I – “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN HISTORY TO DEAL WITH. Treat them gently.”
(Romans 14:1 – The Message)
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II – There was a time in my life when I needed to be right more than I needed to be free. I didn’t know that’s what was happening at the time, of course. I genuinely believed I was pursuing truth, defending what was holy, standing firm in my convictions. But underneath that righteousness was something far more fragile, far more human. I wasn’t defending truth. I was defending myself, from the unbearable possibility that maybe I didn’t matter unless I was right.

Growing up in the religious tradition I was born into, there was no distinction between truth and identity. They were one and the same. To question doctrine was to question your standing with God. To disagree was to step outside the bounds of salvation. So when I fought to be right, when I argued for my interpretation, my theology, my version of truth, I wasn’t just making a case. I was protecting my identity. Or at least, that’s how it felt. My need to be right was not intellectual; it was existential. It came from a deep and invisible fear that, without rightness, I had no worth.

What I see now, looking back with more compassion and clarity, is that my entire relationship to “truth” was built on the scaffolding of insecurity. I had been told, explicitly and implicitly, that I was born wrong. That I was broken. That I was sinful, depraved, undeserving. That I needed to repent, believe the right things, say the right prayers, and follow the narrow path. Only then would I be accepted. Only then would I be saved. So of course I needed to be right. My sense of worth, my sense of safety, even my sense of belonging in the universe depended on it.

And not only did I need to be right, I needed others to be wrong. Because if someone else believed differently and they weren’t wrong, then what did that say about me? What did that say about the house of cards I had built my worth upon? Their freedom threatened my stability. Their questions threatened my certainty. So I did what many of us do when we’re still trapped by unconscious fear. I evangelized my programming. I preached my conditioning. I used spiritual language to justify emotional wounds. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was trying to prove that I deserved love by proving that my beliefs were more true than anyone else’s.

Letting go of that was one of the most terrifying and liberating experiences of my life. There was no switch that flipped, no lightning bolt moment where everything fell away. It was more like an unraveling. It began slowly, subtly, with questions I couldn’t shake. Why do I need others to agree with me? Why do I feel so personally attacked when someone sees God differently? Why does being challenged feel like being rejected? These weren’t just theological questions. They were invitations, quiet, sacred invitations, to look deeper.

And when I finally had the courage to look, I saw something I hadn’t wanted to see. I saw that underneath all my certainty was shame. A deep, buried shame that had been with me since I was a child. The shame of being told that who I was at my core was wrong. That my desires were wrong. That my questions were dangerous. That my thoughts were sinful. That my very being needed to be saved from itself. That shame had never gone away. I had just buried it beneath my need to be right. I had mistaken correctness for worthiness. And once I saw that, the whole game began to fall apart.

What emerged in the aftermath was not despair, but something far more beautiful. A stillness. A space. A lightness that I had never known. I no longer had to defend myself with beliefs. I no longer had to argue people into validating me. I no longer had to project my unhealed wounds onto God. And in that space, something miraculous began to happen. I started to see that I was never wrong to begin with. I was never unworthy. I was simply young, impressionable, scared, and in need of love. And that love wasn’t waiting on the other side of theological accuracy. It was waiting on the other side of self-acceptance.

The truth is, the need to be right is not a character flaw. It’s a cry for safety. It is the mind’s attempt to control what the heart believes is not yet lovable. But what happens when we no longer need to earn love through correctness? What happens when we see that being wrong never meant we were unworthy in the first place? What happens when we realize that God, if we must use that word, is not some external authority evaluating our performance, but the very presence that has been loving us the whole time, even in our confusion?

That is when the game changes.

That is when truth is no longer something we build to feel safe, but something we relax into as freedom.

That is when we realize that what we thought we needed to protect was never under threat.

And that’s when we finally become available for what was always trying to reach us, not the cold comfort of being right, but the warm radiance of being whole.
– Logan Barone
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VI – “Who can detect inadvertent errors? From those concealed to me, hold me innocent.” Moreover, keep back Your servant from arrogancies; Let them not rule over me. Then I shall be flawless, And I will be innocent of great transgression.” May the sayings of my mouth be acceptable And the soliloquy of my heart be pleasing before You, O Yahweh, my Rock and my Redeemer!”
(Psalms 19:12-14 – CLV)
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VII – “Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don’t impose it on others. You’re fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you’re not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you’re out of line. If the way you live isn’t consistent with what you believe, then it’s wrong.”
(Romans 14:22-23 – The Message)
“IT’S PERSONAL: Managing Your History and Unlocking Your Soul pt I”

“IT’S PERSONAL: Managing Your History and Unlocking Your Soul pt I”

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Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking

Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307

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I – “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN HISTORY TO DEAL WITH. Treat them gently.” (Romans 14:1 – The Message)

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II – “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr

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III – “I believe that in each of us there is a small piece of history. In one half a page, in another two or three. Together we write the book of time. We each call out our own truth. The nightmare of nuances.” -Svetlana Alexievich

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V – “But the Fruit of the Spirit is…gentleness…” (Galatians 5:22, 23 – NKJV)

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VI – “But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way…” (Galatians 5:22, 23 – The Message)

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VII – “When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.” ― Henri Nouwen
THE GREAT ADVENTURE: Co-Creating Destiny with The Unkown God

THE GREAT ADVENTURE: Co-Creating Destiny with The Unkown God

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I – “This stirred their curiosity, because the favorite pastime of Athenians (including foreigners who had settled there) was conversation about new and unusual ideas. So they brought him to the rock outcropping known as the Areopagus, where Athens’ intellectuals regularly gathered for debate, and they invited him to speak.
Athenians: May we understand this new teaching of yours? It is intriguingly unusual. We would love to know its meaning.
Paul: Athenians, as I have walked your streets, I have observed your strong and diverse religious ethos. You truly are a religious people. I have stopped again and again to examine carefully the religious statues and inscriptions that fill your city. On one such altar, I read this inscription: “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.” I am not here to tell you about a strange foreign deity, but about this One whom you already worship, though without full knowledge. This is the God who made the universe and all it contains, the God who is the King of all heaven and all earth. It would be illogical to assume that a God of this magnitude could possibly be contained in any man-made structure, no matter how majestic. Nor would it be logical to think that this God would need human beings to provide Him with food and shelter—after all, He Himself would have given to humans everything they need—life, breath, food, shelter, and so on.
This is the only universal God, the One who makes all people whatever their nationality or culture or religion.
This God made us in all our diversity from one original person, allowing each culture to have its own time to develop, giving each its own place to live and thrive in its distinct ways. His purpose in all this was that people of every culture and religion would search for this ultimate God, grope for Him in the darkness, as it were, hoping to find Him. Yet, in truth, God is not far from any of us. For you know the saying, “We live in God; we move in God; we exist in God.” And still another said, “We are indeed God’s children.”
(Acts 17:19-28 – The Voice)
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II – “For as I passed along and carefully observed your objects of worship, I came also upon an altar with this inscription, To the unknown god. Now what you are already worshiping as unknown, this I set forth to you….He is not far from each one of us. For in Him WE live and move and have OUR being; as even some of your [own] poets have said, For we are also His offspring.”
(Acts 17:23, 27, 28 – AMPC)
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III – “When outsiders who have never heard of God’s law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that God’s law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God’s yes and no, right and wrong. Their response to God’s yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes his final decision about every man and woman. The Message from God that I proclaim through Jesus Christ takes into account all these differences.”
(Romans 2:14-16 – The Message)
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IV – Moses (to God): Who am I to confront Pharaoh and lead Israel’s children out of Egypt?
Eternal One: Do not fear, Moses. I will be with you every step of the way, and this will be the sign to you that I am the One who has sent you: after you have led them out of Egypt, you will return to this mountain and worship God.
Moses: Let’s say I go to the people of Israel and tell them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to rescue you,” and then they reply, “What is His name?” What should I tell them then?
Eternal One: I AM WHO I AM. This is what you should tell the people of Israel: “I AM has sent me to rescue you.”…This is My name forevermore, and this is the name by which all future generations shall remember Me.
(Exodus 3:11-15 – The Voice)
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V – “Recently, someone asked me about the concept that we can let go of the stories we tell ourselves – and, in doing so, create a new future. She’d witnessed someone having a strong physical reaction to the suggestion – his entire body had broken out in a rash – and she’d had such reactions herself. It seemed like just the thought of giving up a past narrative had produced a strong somatic reaction – which automatically occurred within seconds.
“Why does it make people so uncomfortable?” this woman asked me. “Why does it feel like such a radical idea to let go of these stories?” The stories we tell ourselves – about our memories, our past, and our struggles; our interaction with certain people, objects, and things – are familiar to us, so let’s call them the known. We identify with them; they become who we think we are – and, ultimately, our personality. That’s because reliving the past fires and wires the same circuits in the same ways – reproducing the same mind – and works our bodies into an emotional froth of chemicals. Biologically, as well as subconsciously, we become our past. We believe the old story and behave as if it is our truth – until we become it. So many of us remain invested in these narratives – the stories of the past – because to invest in our future, instead, is so unpredictable for the body. And the body doesn’t trust the unknown. The body is comfortable in the old stories – and all the identity-affirming emotions that accompany them. More than comfortable; it craves those emotions. In fact, any time we’re recycling one of our favorite stories – about ourselves; about someone else; about the way we grew up with our parents and siblings; about our history with illness, trauma, or the ways we were wronged – what we’re really seeking to do is fuel the emotions we associate with those stories and memories.”
– Dr. Joe Dispenza
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VI – “When you walk to the edge of all the light you have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen: There will be something solid for you to stand upon, or, you will be taught to fly.”
― Patrick Overton
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VII – “After all, if you focus on the known, you get the known. If you focus on the unknown, you create a possibility. The longer you can linger in that field of infinite possibilities as an awareness—aware that you are aware in this endless black space—without putting your attention on your body, on things, or on people, places, and time, the longer you invest your energy into the unknown, the more you are going to create a new experience or new possibilities in your life. It’s the law.”
– Dr. Joe Dispenza
A Now Word | Metron Live – June 2025

A Now Word | Metron Live – June 2025

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Bishop Jim’s insightful messages help others find THEIR METRON through M~otivation E~nlightenment T~ranscendence R~enewal O~utreach and N~etworking

Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307

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AI assisted with these notes:

Welcome to Metron Live, where spiritual growth meets unconditional love, bold truth, and deep transformation. 💫 Whether you’re joining us for the first time or you’re a longtime member of our tribe—you belong here. Today’s message is real, raw, relevant, and filled with hope, healing, and clarity.

🙌 What to Expect in This Powerful Gathering:

  • Uplifting affirmations for healing, self-love, and divine connection

  • Candid talk on life, aging, caregiving, and spiritual resilience

  • A bold message challenging outdated religious beliefs with love and wisdom

  • A compassionate, modern understanding of scripture, inclusion, and justice

💬 Topic Highlights:
✅ Why the Bible is more than a rulebook
✅ What “chosen people” really means (hint: it includes YOU)
✅ How love—not fear—is the highest truth
✅ The danger of biblical literalism without context
✅ Why spiritual evolution matters now more than ever
✅ Personal stories that make you laugh, cry, and say “me too”

💡 This Message Is For You If You’ve Ever Felt:

  • Hurt or excluded by religion

  • Confused about the Bible’s contradictions

  • Hungry for a deeper, more authentic faith

  • Ready to let go of fear-based beliefs

  • Curious about inclusive spirituality rooted in love, not law

📅 Special Announcements:
✨ Meditation Weekend #26 at beautiful St. Simons Island – Aug 2–3, 2025
❤️ This month’s outreach supports United Way – thank you for giving

🌿 Quotes to Remember:

“You don’t need to be wrong for me to be right.”
“Christ is all, and in all.”
“Let love lead your interpretation of scripture.”
“The Bible is a mirror—look at your heart, not just the page.”

🎧 Listen, Reflect, Share:
This is more than a message. It’s a moment to breathe, heal, awaken, and reconnect with your divine identity.
If it spoke to you, let us know in the comments. Like. Share. Subscribe. Someone you love may need this truth today.

#MetronLive #InclusiveFaith #ProgressiveChristianity #SpiritualAwakening #GuidedMeditation #FaithDeconstruction #BishopJimSwilley #YouAreLoved #BibleWithContext #MindfulFaith #MeditationAndAffirmation
‘ACROSS THE UNIVERSE: Finding the I AM Connection to All Things Through Space and Time’

‘ACROSS THE UNIVERSE: Finding the I AM Connection to All Things Through Space and Time’

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Join us in person each Sunday at 195 Arizona Ave NE w1, Atlanta, GA 30307

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I – “At the very beginning there was willed action, and the willed action then was by God (Alaha), and God was that willed action. The beginning was by God. All was by Him and without Him not a single thing came into being out of that which was. From Him there came into being a perfect life and this perfect life became light unto all men. And this light out of darkness caused light, and darkness did not overcome…And willed action became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw glory as if begotten from the Father, completely filled with heavenliness and righteousness.” (John 1:1-5, 14 – Khaboris Manuscript)

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II – “Jesus said to them, ‘A little while the light is with you. Walk while you yet have the light so that darkness will not overtake you. He who walks in darkness does not know where he goes. While you yet have the light with you, have faith in the light, that you will be children of enlightenment.’ Thus spoke Jesus and went off and hid from them. ‘I came as enlightenment unto all men so that whoever completely believes will not stay in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I will not condemn him, for I came not to condemn men, but to save men.'” (John 12:35, 36, 46, 47 – Khaboris Manuscript)

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III – “Across the Universe” is a song by John Lennon that explores themes of spirituality, self-discovery, and the interconnectedness of the universe. It’s a song that encourages acceptance of the present moment and a sense of freedom through meditation and spiritual practice. Key Themes and Interpretations: Spiritual Freedom: The song suggests a feeling of liberation from the burdens of daily life and a connection to a higher consciousness. Acceptance and Gratitude: The lyrics convey a message of accepting the world as it is and finding meaning in every little thing, even the mundane. Interconnectedness: The title itself, “Across the Universe,” implies a sense of being linked to all things through space and time. Spiritual Teachings: The mantra “Jai Guru Deva, Om,” is a Sanskrit phrase that means “Victory to God divine” or “All glory to Guru Dev,” referencing Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s spiritual teacher. Poetry and Imagery: The lyrics are highly poetic and use vivid imagery to represent abstract concepts, like thoughts “meandering” and words “slithering”. Specific Lines and Their Meanings: “Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup.”: . This line is a simile that uses the image of rain overflowing a cup to depict the feeling of words flowing freely. “Love is shining all around me like a million suns.”: . This line is a metaphor that uses the image of a million suns to represent the intensity and all-encompassing nature of love. “Nothing’s gonna change my world.”: . This line suggests a sense of being grounded in the present moment and accepting the world as it is, without the need for external change. In essence, “Across the Universe” is a song about finding peace and meaning in the face of a vast and complex world, through spiritual practice and a sense of interconnectedness. It encourages listeners to appreciate the beauty of the present moment and to find joy in the simple things. Google AI

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IV – “Jai Guru Deva, Om” translates to “Victory to the Divine Teacher” or “Hail the Divine Teacher”. It’s a mantra, often used in meditation, intended to bring a sense of peace and connection to a higher consciousness. The word “Guru” refers to a spiritual teacher, “Deva” means divine or god, and “Om” is a sacred sound representing the ultimate reality. Jai: This word means “victory,” “triumph,” or “hail,” expressing a sense of praise or recognition. Guru: This term signifies a spiritual teacher or guide who can illuminate the path to enlightenment. Deva: This word means “divine” or “god,” indicating a higher power or a divine being. Om: This sacred sound is a fundamental aspect of many Hindu and Buddhist practices. It is believed to represent the sound of the universe and is used to focus the mind during meditation. The phrase “Jai Guru Deva, Om” is a mantra that can be used to invoke a feeling of gratitude and reverence towards the divine teacher within oneself or a higher spiritual authority. Google AI

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‘SETTING YOURSELF FREE: Living Your Best Life by Opting Out of the Law of Judgment’

‘SETTING YOURSELF FREE: Living Your Best Life by Opting Out of the Law of Judgment’

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I – #jimswilleybooks “Don’t set yourself up as a judge who takes the liberty of casually condemning others, or even as a critic who thinks that he or she has the right to criticize them, because when you do that, you set a universal law into motion that will inevitably bring negative things back into your own life. In other words, don’t judge so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For in direct proportion to your judgment, criticism and condemnation of others, you will be personally judged and criticized and condemned. It’s just the way the law works. And in accordance with the measure you use to deal out to others…whatever you may deal out…it will be dealt out again to you. You define the terms of your own life in this sense. And why do you fixate on the very small particle…the tiny speck of sawdust…that is in your brother’s eye, while you are completely unaware of and oblivious to the huge beam of timber that is in your own eye? Or how can you obsessively say to your brother, ‘Let me try to get that tiny, superficial splinter that I’m preoccupied with out of your eye,’ when all the while there is the beam of timber that is obvious to everyone but you lodged in your own eye? Don’t be such a clueless hypocrite! Work on dislodging that beam of timber from your own eye first, because until you can completely remove such glaring, personal obstructions, you’re frankly not qualified to take on the responsibility of extracting anything at all from your brother’s eye, no matter how big or how small.” (Matthew 7:1-5 – Matthew In The Now)

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II – “The ‘Let Them Theory’ will teach you that the more you let other people live their lives, the better your life gets. And, the more you let people be who they are, or feel what they feel, or think what they think, the better your relationships will be. Learning how to let adults be adults has changed my life. And it will change yours too, because when you finally stop giving your power to other people, you’ll see how much power you truly have.” ― Mel Robbins

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III – “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42 – NIV)

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IV – “Peter: Lord, and what will happen to this man? Jesus: If I choose for him to remain till I return, what difference will this make to you? You follow Me!” (John 21:21, 22 – The Voice)

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V – “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” (Luke 15:25-32 – NIV)

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VI – “The source of your power is not in managing other people, it’s in managing your response” – Mel Robbins

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VII – “When you let go of control and commit yourself to happiness, it is so easy to offer compassion and forgiveness. This propels you from the past, into the present. People who are negative spend so much time trying to control situations and blame others for their problems. Committing yourself to staying positive is a daily mantra that states, “I have control over how I plan to react, feel, think and believe in the present. No one guides the tone of my life, except me!” ― Shannon L. Alder
WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?: Will The Real Jesus Please Stand Up?

WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?: Will The Real Jesus Please Stand Up?

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I – “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:13-15 – NIV)

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II – “You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.” ― Anne Lamott

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III – “I think we are in a moment where Jesus is a victim of identity theft… -Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock ________________________________

IV – “Jesus did not come to change the mind of God about humanity (it did not need changing)! Jesus came to change the mind of humanity about God.” ― Richard Rohr

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V – “The Bible is only as good and decent as the person reading it.” ― Dan Savage

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VII – “Jesus supposedly lived over 2,000 years ago. We don’t have his voice. We don’t have his handwriting. We don’t have a single thing he himself actually recorded or preserved. All we have are stories. Stories written decades after his death by people who never met him in person. And those stories only cover maybe three years of his life—just a handful of moments, parables, and miracles, scattered across time and text. And yet… we’ve turned those fragments into doctrines. We’ve built moral codes, churches, political systems, entire identities around what other people said about him. And I don’t know… something about that has never quite sat right with me. I’ve always wondered: why didn’t Jesus write anything down? If he was really God in the flesh—the only one ever to be that—why wouldn’t he use his divine power to make sure his words were recorded, preserved, protected? Why didn’t he leave us something direct? Something undeniable? Instead, we’re left with layers of interpretation. And now, everyone’s got their own version of “Jesus.” I’ve met hundreds of people who say they have a personal relationship with him—and yet no two versions of him look exactly the same. Some see a loving, nonjudgmental mystic. Others see a king, demanding obedience and worship. Some follow a Jesus who preaches peace and inclusivity. Others follow one who’s always already to cast people into hell. So who’s right? Who is Jesus? Honestly, I’m starting to think… maybe we don’t know. Maybe we can’t know. Maybe what we call “Jesus” is less about who he was and more about who we are. Maybe Jesus is a mirror—reflecting back to each of us our deepest beliefs, our buried wounds, our unconscious projections. Maybe we don’t see Jesus clearly because we’re still looking at him through the lens of our ego. Judgmental people? Their Jesus judges. People addicted to certainty? Their Jesus punishes doubt. People who’ve done deep inner work and opened their hearts? Their Jesus looks like unconditional love. What if Jesus has always been a mirror? A way for us to see ourselves? Not to worship him—but to wake up to us. And maybe that’s what’s been lost. We pedestalized him. We made him untouchable. We turned him into a divine exception rather than a divine example. And in doing so, we forgot that the whole point might’ve been to realize that what was in him… is also in us. Maybe the real gospel isn’t “Jesus is the son of God.” Maybe it’s: So are you. Maybe it’s not “Worship me.” Maybe it’s: Follow me—into the divine truth of your own being. Because the moment we stop worshiping Jesus and start embodying what he pointed to, everything changes. We stop asking, “Who’s right?” and start living, “What is love?” We stop drawing lines around who’s in or out and start realizing there were never lines to begin with. Only illusions of separation. Only walls we inherited and called holy. And maybe—just maybe—the kingdom of God really is within us. Not in a book. Not in a belief. But in the quiet stillness of our own being. The real question isn’t “Who is Jesus?” It’s “Who are you?” – Logan Barone
THE MIND OF CHRIST AND INTENTION: Shaping Reality through the Nexus of Science and Spirit – Part IV

THE MIND OF CHRIST AND INTENTION: Shaping Reality through the Nexus of Science and Spirit – Part IV

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I – “…a man double-souled, turbulent in all his ways.” (James 1:8 – CLV)

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II – “A two-souled (divided-willed; emotionally split) adult male is unstable (unfixed; inconstant; turbulent) in all his ways.” (James 1:8 – JMNT)

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III – “Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Gandhi

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IV – “My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are contrary to each other, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?” (Galatians 5:16-18 – The Message)

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V – “In weaving, “warp” refers to the lengthwise threads that are stretched vertically on a loom, while woof” (or weft) refers to the crosswise threads that are woven over and under the warp. Together, these threads create the fabric. The term “warp and woof” is also used figuratively to describe the fundamental structure or foundation of something, like a society, a process, or a system. The warp threads are the vertical threads that are held taut on the loom. They run parallel to the length of the fabric. The woof (or weft) threads are the crosswise threads that are inserted into the warp.They are woven over and under the warp, creating the fabric’s texture and structure. The expression “warp and woof” is also used to describe the essential foundation or base of a structure, organization, or system. For example, one might say that “the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are the warp and woof of the American nation”. Google AI

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VI – “Cognitive dissonance is a state of mental discomfort experienced when an individual holds conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes simultaneously. This discomfort motivates individuals to resolve the conflict by changing their beliefs, justifying their actions, or ignoring the conflicting information, accirding to The Decision Lab. At its core, cognitive dissonance arises when two or more of an individual’s thoughts or beliefs are inconsistent with each other. A classic example is someone who knows smoking is harmful to their health (a belief) but continues to smoke (an action). This creates a conflict that leads to discomfort. To reduce the discomfort, individuals may employ various strategies: They might start to believe that smoking is not as harmful as they previously thought, or that the benefits outweigh the risks. They might rationalize their smoking by saying it helps them manage stress. They might avoid thinking about the negative aspects of smoking or focus on the positive aspects. Cognitive dissonance can have a significant impact on an individual’s behavior, decisions, and self-perception.” Google AI

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VII – “A common quote related to manifesting from the subconscious mind is: “Until you make the subconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate,” attributed to Carl Jung. This highlights the subconscious’s influence on our lives and the importance of understanding its role in creating our reality. The subconscious mind, often seen as a “hard drive” of the brain, stores experiences, beliefs, and habits that unconsciously guide our thoughts and actions. Manifestation, in this context, is about bringing desires and intentions into reality. The subconscious plays a crucial role in this process by acting upon our thoughts and beliefs. Jung’s quote emphasizes the importance of understanding and working with the subconscious to gain control over our lives and destiny. Until we become aware of and actively shape our subconscious, it will dictate our choices and experiences, which we may mistake as fate. This understanding can be applied to various aspects of life, including personal growth, career aspirations, and relationships. By consciously influencing our subconscious through techniques like positive affirmations, visualization, and self-reflection, we can actively shape our reality.” Google AI