by Doug Pedersen

Here's another post.

Not a lecture.

Simply a reminder for me and anyone of like mind.

Simple intentions.

Behavior choices.

Life experiences.

These things often lead to unhappy circumstances, including spiritual struggle and doubt.

However, these things also push us in matters of the spirit.

How we feel.

How we speak.

How we act.

How we learn, grow, and mature through our experiences.

Nothing good is wasted.

I say: Struggle! Doubt!

Everything struggles as it grows. And growth is good.

The Father of all infinity knows who we are and what we need.

by Doug Pedersen

This one's a toughie.

A study circulating says roughly 80% of our thoughts are negative. And they auto-repeat.

Such negative thinking often leads to gossip, complaining, and criticism of all things in all ways.

I'm no genius, but I've learned that I'll never be at peace when I carry a critical attitude.

Criticism is the spiritual equivalent of death by 1,000 cuts.

It's an energy drain—a leakage of spiritual potential.

It's hard, but practicing innocent perceptions of people and situations is liberating.

Exercising equanimity is, as well.

I say: Quit Criticizing.

Allow people, circumstances, and things room to blossom.

Give them grace, and receive more grace in return.

It's a recipe for a calmer, more peaceful life.

Who doesn't want that?

by Doug Pedersen

"Hey Siri: How do you guarantee never to have complete faith?"

You worry.

Ok. My kids didn't ask Siri this.

But they might someday.

I hope that Siri tells them that worry is spiritually unnecessary.

The anxiety it creates robs you of your present moments.

It restrains you while restricting your ability to connect to your deeper Self.

You will need your present moments when struggling with spiritual doubt.

Mental and emotional freedom is what's required here.

I say: Don't Worry.

A pure heart, mind, and body can feel, think, speak, and act with divine guidance.

Isn't that right, Siri?

Who doesn't want that?

by Doug Pedersen

People are still looking for a takedown.

Are we really in a culture war?

I'm not sure, but I believe that the world will be ideal when prejudice, bigotry, chauvinism, corruption, and all vile behaviors no longer exist.

These things are ignorant.

But intolerance of ignorant people leads to more prejudice.

Grace, patience, growth, living examples, isolation, and more overcome it.

I'm not saying we need to allow ignorance into our personal space.

I'm saying that intolerance is spiritual ignorance.

Our Creator is in all. He is tolerant of all.

We can focus on hope and work morally forward on our disagreements.

I say: Say Farewell To Intolerance.

Hope is a way to have greater peace and tranquility.

Who doesn't want that?

(Image credit: Take My Hand by Greg Olsen)
mock Q&A by Doug Pedersen

“Christianity and its bible are a lie and entirely fiction.”

“People don’t trust your church anymore.”

“People don’t trust your bible.”

“People don’t like your God."

I read these phrases a few minutes ago while perusing an article on Medium. They are tame compared to other comments I’ve seen regarding religion and God. The fact is, many more phrases exactly like these exist in article copy, headlines, and within the reader responses on the platform—and all over social media. Check out the leading atheist writer when you're bored one day. Here are a few more examples:

If the Church Wants Credibility, It Should Start by Apologizing

We Need to Talk About Christian Deconstruction

The REAL Reasons People Are Leaving Your Church

There was a time when people never discussed religion openly or on purpose. It was taboo and thought to be among the three things you should never talk about: money, politics, and religion...