SAMPLE CHAPTER 1 OF GOD'S PLAYBOOK

GOD'S PLAYBOOK

MAN KNOW THYSELF

Have you ever felt lost, like you were searching for something you couldn't quite grasp? Many of us spend our lives chasing external validation, success, and wealth relationships, but true fulfillment begins with a different, inward journey. This is the journey of self-discovery, of understanding who we are at our core. It's about looking within to find our values, passions, and purpose.

This journey is not always easy. Confronting our shortcomings, fears, and insecurities requires bravery. But it is in these shadows that we discover our greatest strengths.

 We make room for development, resiliency, and genuine contentment when we accept our vulnerability. The rewards of self-knowledge are immeasurable. Being aware of who we are helps us make wiser decisions, build closer bonds with others, and face obstacles in life with more purpose and clarity.

 Centuries ago, a Roman emperor named Marcus Aurelius embarked on his own journey of self-discovery. Amidst the chaos of ruling an empire, he found solace in journaling his thoughts and reflections. These writings, known as meditations, offer profound insights into the human condition and the importance of self-awareness.

 Aurelius believed that the unexamined life is not worth living. He realized that true fulfillment and power come from conquering oneself rather than from conquering others. He exhorts us to embrace the present, live intentionally, and develop inner peace in his writings.

 Aurelius's meditations serve as a timeless reminder that the journey inward is a lifelong pursuit. It requires patience, honesty, and a willingness to confront one's own limitations. In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the noise and distractions around us.

 We're constantly bombarded with messages telling us who to be, what to buy, and how to live our lives. This external noise can drown out our inner voice, making it difficult to connect with our true selves. We strive for success but often lose sight of what truly matters.

We chase external validation, forgetting that true fulfillment comes from within. This disconnect from our inner selves can lead to feelings of emptiness, anxiety, and dissatisfaction. It's time to turn down the volume of the outside world and tune into our own inner wisdom.

 Our purpose, our passions, and our values need to be rediscovered. The journey of self-discovery is a personal one, but some practices can help us along the way. Meditation, for example, can quiet the mind and allow us to connect with our inner stillness.

 

We can track our personal development over time, get clarity on our thoughts, and process our emotions by keeping a journal. Having in-depth discussions with therapists, family members, or close friends can also yield insightful information about our blind spots and potential growth areas. By sharing our experiences and listening to the perspectives of others, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves.

Remember the words of the stoic philosopher Seneca: each new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. Let go of who you think you should be and embrace the journey of becoming who you truly are.

 Here’s to love and light.

Rev. Leslie C. Bonner

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rev.-Leslie-C.-Bonner/author/B0DGFRMZK8

 

Embrace the Mind of Christ

Hey there, beautiful souls. Today, I want to share something truly transformative with you. Imagine tapping into a powerful mindset that brings peace and harmony to every part of your being.

This is the Christ's mindset. But let this mind be in you, which was in Christ Jesus. Imagine having a mind that knows the good and is omnipotent.

A mind filled with conscious peace and harmony. How would that change your life? How quickly would this state of mind uplift your spirit and bring health and soundness to your body? To have the mind Jesus had is to align yourself with the principle of good. It's about thinking with God and seeing all things as perfection.

 When your mind is filled with perfect thoughts, you think as God thinks. And in that space you find peace. The Sermon on the Mount provides us with detailed instructions on how to achieve this state.

 Do not condemn, judge, or oppose evil. These teachings guide us toward right thinking and show us the way to his kingdom. Keep my words, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, and avoid hypocrisy and melancholy.

 We start to see the world differently when we adopt these values. We start to live in a state of conscious peace and harmony. This is the power of Christ's mindset.

 Let us try to think like him, my friends. Let's fill our minds with perfect thoughts, aligning with the good. We will find inner peace that permeates every aspect of our identity by doing this.

 Thank you for joining me on this journey. Until next time, stay blessed.

Here’s to love and light.

Rev. Leslie C. Bonner

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rev.-Leslie-C.-Bonner/author/B0DGFRMZK8

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FREE YOUR SELF FROM BONDAGE

 Life, in its purest form, is the expression of God. Each carries a spark of this divine essence, a Christ-Life waiting to be unveiled. This is not about religion, but about recognizing the truth of our being. We are not separate from the divine, but rather, a unique expression of it. This understanding shifts our perspective from limitation to liberation.

We move from seeing ourselves as small, separate entities to recognizing our inherent connection to the infinite source. This awareness is the key to unlocking our true potential and experiencing lasting joy. 

 We often identify with our mortal personality, a collection of thoughts, beliefs, and experiences that create the illusion of separation from God. We get caught in the ego cycle, striving for validation and fearing loss. This limited view keeps us trapped in a cycle of suffering and dissatisfaction. True freedom comes from recognizing the limitations of this false self.

Like a mask, it hides our true identity, the radiant Christ-self that resides within. This realization is the beginning of our spiritual awakening. We begin to question the validity of our limiting beliefs and open ourselves to a higher truth. … When we release the illusion of separation, we embrace our Christ-selfhood.

This is not about striving to be good or worthy, but about recognizing what already is. Rightness is not something to be achieved; it is our natural state. It is who we are at our core. As we align with our true nature, we experience a profound shift in perception. We see the world through the eyes of love, compassion, and understanding. Fear and limitation dissolve, replaced by a deep sense of peace and interconnectedness. …

Living the Christ way is not about following rules, but about embodying divine principles in our thoughts, words, and actions. It's about recognizing the divine spark in ourselves and in every being we encounter. This is the essence of true freedom - living in alignment with our divine nature. When we surrender to this truth, we become vessels of divine love and wisdom. We experience the joy of living in harmony with the universe, guided by a higher power that resides within us. This is the ultimate liberation - to live in the present moment, free from fear and limitation, radiating the love and light of our true Christ-self.

Here’s to love and light.

Rev. Leslie C. Bonner

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rev.-Leslie-C.-Bonner/author/B0DGFRMZK8

 

Breaking the Nuclear Nightmare

For centuries, great spiritual traditions have illuminated the path to peace. These traditions, deeply rooted in the wisdom of the ages, have provided guidance and solace to countless generations, offering a beacon of hope in times of turmoil and uncertainty. Buddhism, with its emphasis on compassion and non-violence, encourages us to see the interconnectedness of all beings.

 The teachings of the Buddha remind us that suffering is a shared human experience, and that, through mindfulness and compassion, we can alleviate the pain of others and ourselves. Hinduism, valuing Ahimsa, reminds us of the sacredness of all life. The principle of non-violence extends beyond human interactions to include all living beings, fostering a deep respect for the natural world and its intricate web of life.

Judaism, advocating for justice and righteousness, calls for peace as a divine imperative. The teachings of the Torah emphasize the importance of community, ethical conduct, and the relentless pursuit of justice as foundations for a peaceful society. Confucianism stresses harmony and social order, achieved through respect, education, and ethical conduct.

The teachings of Confucius highlight the importance of familial piety, social responsibility, and the cultivation of virtue as essential elements for achieving societal harmony. Christianity, centered on love and forgiveness, calls us to be peacemakers. The message of Jesus Christ, focusing on loving one's neighbor and forgiving those who trespass against us, serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of love and reconciliation.

Islam, meaning peace in Arabic, emphasizes submission to God's will and peaceful coexistence. The teachings of the Quran advocate for justice, compassion, and the importance of building a community based on mutual respect and understanding. These enduring traditions offer timeless wisdom for navigating the complexities of human conflict.

They provide a framework for understanding our place in the world and our responsibilities to one another, encouraging us to seek common ground and work towards a shared vision of peace. From the ancient Vedas to the Sermon on the Mount, these traditions have consistently advocated for peace. They remind us that the quest for peace is a universal aspiration, transcending cultural and temporal boundaries and that the teachings of the past hold valuable lessons for the present and future.

They remind us that true peace stems not just from the absence of war but from the presence of justice, compassion, and a deep reverence for all life. Peace is not merely the cessation of conflict but the active cultivation of a just and compassionate society where all individuals are valued and respected. They urge us to look beyond our differences and recognize our shared humanity.

By embracing the diversity of human experience and acknowledging our common aspirations, we can build bridges of understanding and cooperation, fostering a world where peace is not just an ideal but a lived reality. These teachings passed down through generations provide a moral compass for navigating the challenges of our time. They offer guidance on how to live ethically and harmoniously, emphasizing the importance of wisdom, compassion, and integrity in our daily lives.

They offer a vision of a world where peace is not a utopian dream but an attainable reality rooted in the principles of love, compassion, and understanding. By drawing on the rich heritage of these spiritual traditions, we can work towards creating a future where peace and harmony are the cornerstones of human existence. Today, the shadow of nuclear war looms large, casting a dark and foreboding presence over our world.

The mere existence of these weapons serves as a stark reminder of our capacity for unparalleled destruction. The aftermath of such devastation is a chilling testament to the horrors that humanity can unleash upon itself. The ruins of once-thriving cities stand as silent witnesses to the catastrophic power of nuclear weapons.

The very existence of these weapons poses an unprecedented threat to humanity and the planet. Each missile silo and military base housing these weapons represents a potential apocalypse waiting to happen. The consequences of a nuclear detonation are catastrophic and far-reaching, extending beyond immediate destruction.

The initial blast would be followed by fires, radiation sickness, and long-term environmental damage. The human toll would be unimaginable, with countless lives lost and many more suffering from injuries and radiation exposure. The environment would be scarred for generations, with ecosystems destroyed and landscapes rendered uninhabitable.

The development and proliferation of nuclear weapons have created a climate of fear and mistrust among nations. Diplomatic efforts are often overshadowed by the looming threat of nuclear conflict, making genuine peace and cooperation difficult to achieve. The potential for accidental or intentional use of these weapons remains a constant source of anxiety.

A single miscalculation or moment of madness could trigger a chain reaction with devastating consequences. The global community lives with the chilling knowledge that a single misstep could have devastating consequences for all humankind. International leaders grapple with the immense responsibility of preventing such a catastrophe.

The nuclear threat is not merely a political or military issue; it is a profound moral crisis. It challenges our values, humanity, and very survival. Religious and ethical leaders call for a reevaluation of our priorities and a commitment to peace.

It is a call to action for all of humanity to come together in unity and solidarity. Candlelight vigils and peace rallies symbolize our collective desire for a world free from the threat of nuclear annihilation. It challenges our values, our humanity, and our very survival.

The efforts of humanitarian aid workers and the innocent hope of children remind us of what is at stake and why we must strive for a better future. We must confront this threat with unwavering resolve, seeking ways to dismantle these weapons and create a world free from the fear of nuclear annihilation. Activists and ordinary citizens alike play a crucial role in this endeavor.

Seeking ways to dismantle these weapons and create a world free from the fear of nuclear annihilation is not just a dream but a necessity. The signing of peace treaties and the dismantling of nuclear arsenals are steps in the right direction. The urgency of this task cannot be overstated.

The doomsday clock symbolizes how close we are to global catastrophe and serves as a constant reminder that time is running out. The future of our planet and the well-being of generations to come depend on our ability to transcend the politics of fear and embrace a future defined by peace and cooperation. Our actions today will shape the world of tomorrow.

We must act now before it is too late. The sands of time are slipping away, and the window of opportunity is closing. Let us join hands and work together to ensure a safer, more peaceful world for all.

Rev. Leslie C. Bonner

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rev.-Leslie-C.-Bonner/author/B0DGFRMZK8

Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged A Modern Reflection

Victims of Circumstance: We seldom judge victims of circumstance harshly. Imagine a friend stuck in a toxic relationship, manipulated and controlled. We provide support, not disdain. We understand they are victims, not villains.

Similarly, consider individuals caught in the clutches of a cult. Their worldview warped by manipulation might seem alien to us, yet we understand they are victims of indoctrination. This empathy so readily extended in personal context often evaporates in the realm of political and cultural discourse.

We encounter differing viewpoints, not as opportunities for understanding but as threats to our own beliefs. The Battlefield of Beliefs, Where Judgment Thrives. Political and cultural debates often devolve into battlefields.

We arm ourselves with facts and figures, ready to vanquish opposing viewpoints. Judgment becomes our weapon of choice, wielded with righteous indignation. This judgmental approach ignores a crucial element, the role of misinformation and manipulation.

Just like the manipulated partner or the cult member, individuals with differing viewpoints might be operating from a place of distorted information. Their upbringing, their sources of information, and their lived experiences, all contribute to shaping their worldview. What we perceive as ignorance might be their reality, molded by forces beyond their control.

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Discord, Lessons from Stoicism: The Stoic philosophers of ancient Rome offered timeless wisdom for navigating our judgmental tendencies. Marcus Aurelius in his Meditations, urges us to consider the possibility that those who wrong us act out of ignorance.

Epictetus, another Stoic master echoes this sentiment stating, do not be angry with the mistaken one. He reminds us that even those who cling fiercely to their beliefs do so because they believe them to be true. These ancient teachings highlight a fundamental truth.

People rarely hold on to beliefs they know to be false. Their convictions, however misguided, stem from a place of perceived truth. A Bridge of Understanding Empathy Over Condemnation.

Instead of meeting differing viewpoints with judgment, let us strive for empathy. Let us remember that behind every opinion, and every belief, lies a human being shaped by a unique set of experiences and influences. This is not to say we should abandon our own principles or condone harmful beliefs, rather, it is a call to approach disagreements with understanding, recognizing that our own perspectives are but fragments of a larger truth.

As Jesus taught, judge not, lest ye be judged. In a world rife with division let empathy not judgment be our guiding principle. Only then can we hope to bridge the divides that separate us and build a more compassionate and understanding world.                                    

Here's to Love and Light.                                                                Rev. Leslie C. Bonner

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