Tag James Allen

Growing Character by Weeding the Mind

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Make no mistake about this: You can never make a fool out of God. Whatever you plant is what you’ll harvest. If you plant in {the soil of} your corrupt nature, you will harvest destruction. But if you plant in {the soil of} your spiritual nature, you will harvest everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8

Many times others say things far better than I can and this is one of those times. Sometimes it is far better to quote someone else than to try to say the same thing poorly. I hope this message blesses you as much as it blessed me.

As A Man Thinketh by James Allen is arguably the best non-inspired book ever written on the power of thought…

Allen compared the mind to a garden and its owner to a master gardener. A good character is not the product of chance any more than a beautiful garden could happen by accident. Integrity is a natural result of continued effort in right thinking.

The overarching theme of As a Man Thinketh is that individuals control the development of their character through controlling their thoughts. At the very moment one chooses his thoughts, he also chooses his destiny. Allen’s garden analogy well-illustrates this cause and effect relationship. Just as plants come from seeds, actions grow from thoughts. The challenging part is getting the right seeds into the garden of the mind. Useless seeds find their way there all by themselves, but useful ones must be purposely planted. Good thoughts must be deliberately sown and carefully nurtured to produce the fruit of righteousness. Bad thoughts must be eradicated in the same way one removes weeds to preserve a well-kept garden. Good thoughts cannot produce bad acts and bad thoughts cannot produce good acts. The law of sowing and reaping is as true in the mental and moral realm as it is in the plant world. Holiness, like husbandry, requires planning, effort and diligence. (Aubry Johnson)

KneEmail: “Keep your heart will all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23; cf. Romans 12:2

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Living in the Land of Denial

Allen Frederick 1 Comment

 

Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor

Insight from the Journey across the Sky

People are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves. They therefore remain bound. James Allen

“We simply assume that the way we see things is the way they really are or the way they should be. And our attitudes and behaviors grow out of these [often false] assumptions.” — Stephen Covey

 

 

You say, ‘I’m rich. I’m wealthy. I don’t need anything.’ Yet, you do not realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Rev 3:17 (GW)


Russian icon of the Last Judgment (16th century).
Image via Wikipedia

Many people live their lives in a state of denial. An altered state of reality you could say. A place where, in their opinion, everything is as it should be, but those around them hold to a different viewpoint. Those who insist that all is well yet do not realize their life is in need of a drastic make-over.

 

We live in an age of enablers who continually prop up and reinforce bad behavior by not insisting upon a change in that bad behavior. The government bail out is an excellent example of enabling bad behavior. If we are never left to FAIL we will never learn to succeed. If we continually think all is well, we will never seek to change. If our bad actions do no have equally bad consequences then there really is no incentive to alter our behaviors.

There are certain behaviors that are harmful to ourselves and others and should not be encouraged let alone propped up and supported so that it continues.

Many live lives of quiet desperation, never knowing the peace and joy they could have if they only surrendered their misguided attempts of leading their life to someone who is capable of leading them into paths of right living, peace and contentment. They tell themselves that all is well.

All of us will have to give an account of ourselves to God. Romans 14:12 (GW)

Judgment day is coming. A time is soon at hand where we all must face the judge and give an account of our manner of living. It is soon time to pay the piper, to face the music, to reap what we have sown. Are you absolutely certain all is well with your life?

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

 

 

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