Buzzle

SEEKING TRUTH: The Chief Occupation of Wisdom

People usually tend to view the search for truth in terms of an experiential quest for a personal or deeper relationship with God.  While that is certainly an important part of why one seeks truth, it would be a mistake to limit one’s search for truth to such a viewpoint.  Consider how often the Scriptures instruct humanity to “ponder“, “reflect“, or “meditate“.  Isaiah instructed Joshua to “meditate day and night”.  Isaiah’s statement means that one should not accept knowledge or the things that others teach at face value even if they are claiming their teachings are from God.  Isaiah’s statement encourages us to use of our minds, to become thinkers.  No matter how spiritual or religious one might become, one should always engage in the process of thinking.  I would like to see faithful and all believers become thinking persons holding the leaders of their religious institutions and church culture to fight fire with fire.  In other words, you and I should expect our religious leaders—church authority figures—to set forth research or intelligent arguments supporting their theological positions or teachings that affect our lives.  We should never permit them to get away with using the blunt assertion of their authority to propound that certain interpretive issues within scripture is what they teach simply because they say so.  To oppose knowledge is ignorant and ignorance leads to error.  To question knowledge is to become informed.  It is always our responsibility to question knowledge regardless of whether one presenting to us from the pulpit or the lectern.  According to the Scriptures, all knowledge is from the tree and thus suspect because we all know who lived in the tree—Satan, the serpent.  That is, all knowledge has built in biases, and so we should seek truth.

When we are seeking truth, we become motivated to question knowledge.  Therefore, we should contemplate truth; give thought to something.  Carefully consider something at length.  Contemplate, meditate, or ponder on something.  A majority of professional philosophers and scholars continue to debate various theories of truth because there is no single definition about which they agree.  By the term “truth”, I do NOT mean agreeing with certain facts or particular realities extending from honesty, good faith, and sincerity in general.  By truth, I mean that which one knows through spiritual revelation and which positively affect one’s life making one free—unencumbered mentally and spiritually.  Saint Thomas Aquinas, a systematic, critical, rigorous thinker, philosophical realist, and analytical philosopher of common sense, wrote, “Truth is the last end for the entire universe, and “the contemplation of truth is the chief occupation of wisdom”“.  To oppose or refrain from the contemplation of truth is much worst than ignorance and is most foolish and unwise.  Truth is an epiphany of light; a sudden realization or comprehension of the essence or meaning of something improves the quality of one’s life.  Truth reveals beauty in its perfection.  Once enlightened by truth, one has the means of approaching real community, as those who seek truth share a common unity among themselves.  Truth is deeper than just gaining knowledge.  Truth provides us with unbiased, true-north guidance and direction.  God help those who are contented with ignorance or satisfied with the thoughtless acceptance of the knowledge of others, which is usually the result of another’s thinking.  Such a person perpetuates ignorance and foolishness, and shall waste their lives and limit their capacity for creating opportunities for themselves and others.

Although truth is an abstract concept, I believe truth is that which exists universally and at all times regardless of viewpoint or relative opinion.  Truth is a self-evident, ethical principle, which has value provided no it does no substantial harm.  Perhaps truth is the essence of natural law and its principles, or a primary principle that conforms to fact, agrees with reality, and causes the spirituality of one’s life, behavior, and conduct to conform to the divine standard.  Specifically in religious use, truth brings about a spiritual reality as the subject of revelation or object of faith in Jesus Christ as a God entity higher than one’s self.  Jesus taught, “I am the way, the truth and the life.  No man comes to the Father save through me.”  According to Jesus, he is the truth.  That is, he embodies truth; he is the expression of truth or gives a tangible or visible form to truth.  While the way to know and understand truth is difficult, discovery of truth is the sole ingredient to personal freedom and the chief occupation of wisdom.

Patience, A Virtue?

”Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle

 tongue can break a bone” (Proverbs 25:15).

 

Patience is the state of calm endurance and steady effort under difficult circumstances.  Patience is the quality of persevering in the face of difficulty, delay, or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset.  It is exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties.

The above insight suggests that a patient individual is able to wait, to put up with pain, troubles, difficulties, hardship, etc., without complaining, ill temper, or becoming anxious.  One who is patient is slow to lose one’s temper with irritating people and becoming annoyed with stressful, demanding, or frustrating situations.  One who is patient is able to wait with a positive attitude.  

Is patience a virtue?  I believe a virtue is behavior of the highest moral standards.  It is a quality in a person that one consider as morally good or desirable.  If patience enables one to apply steady effort and calmly endure difficult circumstances then patience is indeed a virtue.

Patience is a good or useful quality—a distinctive attribute or characteristic—that will help one achieve some lesser or greater degree of excellence.  According to Galatians 5:22, patience is the fruit of the Spirit and is to be as valued as love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.

Patience and gentle talk can convince a ruler and overcome any problem.  If one is patient, one can win an official over to one’s side, and one will posses a considerate, understanding, good-natured, and compassionate manner, and one’s words will be gentle but strong enough to break a bone.

Patience, a virtue?  I believe it is.

 

Get Understanding

 “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom, and, in all your getting, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7).

UNDERSTANDING KNOWLEDGE is the foundation of all firm beliefs and courage.  A lack of understanding is the foundation of all doubts and fears.  Thus, to understand is to comprehend, develop the right perception, and a firm belief.

On the one hand, when we understand, that is, develop, comprehend, or have the right perception, of the laws of faith, and attraction, we will have a firm belief in the power and application of these laws and the courage to apply them in the face of opposing negative circumstances.  That is, when we fully understand these laws, we will firmly believe in their power, and will have no fear as we apply them with confidence.

On the other hand, if we still have questions, it is evident that we still lack a full understanding.  Once again, lack of understanding is not something to be ashamed of, but something to be aware of, so that we might know that we need to seek deeper.

Through understanding we will always KNOW who we are, will be certain that we are in alignment with God’s laws, and consequently, will always be able to get what we want through the application of these laws.  For we will have no ability to create positive things or bring about any positive experiences through the application and or performance of these laws as long as we have “what or why” questions in the back of our minds that remain unanswered.

Power To Attract

“You get what you think about; your thoughts determine your experience.”
 You will experience the corresponding manifestations of your predominant thoughts, feelings, words, and actions.  You have direct control over your realities and your life through your thoughts alone.
 Your thoughts (conscious and unconscious), emotions, beliefs, and actions will attract corresponding positive and negative experiences.  Be aware of what you are thinking by being aware of your feelings or emotions.


Remember the creative process is a thinking process and your emotions serve as your guidance system allowing you to feel your thoughts so that you may understand what thoughts you are thinking; what thoughts are good and what thoughts are bad.
 Therefore, what ever you are feeling is a perfect reflection of what you are thinking and what is in the process of coming into your life.
 So, be very aware of your feelings so that you can know what you are thinking and consequently change every thought and imagination that is not aligned with God’s will and promises for your life; God’s will is that you prosper, be in health, and have whatsoever you desire.

In Philippians 4:8 of the New King James Version of the bible, Paul wrote, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

Carpe Deum

CARPE DEUM (CAR-pay DEE-um) is a Latin motto which says “To live in the now, and to not waste time or opportunity”.  

English interpretation: “Seize the day.”

According to Zachary Scott as we grow older, we realise the only things we regret are the things we didn’t do.

James Dean wrote, “Dream as if you’ll live forever.  Live as if you’ll die today.”  

In the words of Christian Furchtegott Gellert, “Live as you will wish to have lived when you are dying”.

Time

Time is a buffer between the creating process or thinking process and the manifestation of your thoughts. 

Without time, there would be no buffer between the creating process and the manifestation of the things you create through and by your thoughts. 

Without time, every thought that passes through your mind would manifest instantaneously the moment you think it.


Time gives you an opportunity to change your thoughts and thus have greater control over what you will manifest into your life.

Stay In Control

Control:  The power to influence or direct people’s behavior or a course of events: | the ability to manage a machine or other moving object: | the restriction of an activity, tendency, or phenomenon | a managerial function like planning, organizing, staffing and directing

Self-Control:  The ability to remain calm and reasonable despite provocation:  Make every effort to control your self, to be a model of polite restraint by exercising discipline in your personal and social activities.  The ability to control your essential being, or particular nature, or personality—that which distinguishes you from others; those qualities that make you individual or unique.

You Don’t Know My Circumstances:  Your circumstances are outward manifestations of your past thoughts and are not in control of your life.  God’s natural universal laws control life here on earth and everything throughout the universe, and we control our lives through the utilization or practical application of these laws.  To whatever extent you apply these laws will be the extent you are aligned with the natural universal laws of life and are able to control your life and achieve your purpose or destiny.  Your present circumstances—good or bad—neither prove nor disprove anything.  Stay in control through the application of both the law of faith and law of attraction.  We create what we want through the law of faith, and the law attraction.  Faith is knowledge without proof.  You are experiencing faith when you believe or accept that a statement is true or that something exists without a study of the facts, an observation of events, or without practical contact with the thing you believe exists. 

PHRASES

In Control: able to direct a situation, person, or activity

Out Of Control: no longer possible to manage

Under Control: power to direct or determine or to deal with something or a situation successfully and competently

What, Is NOT Faith!

MATTHEW 6:31
 of the King James Version, Jesus said, “Take no thought saying, ‘WHAT shall we…’”


New Living Translation: “So don’t worry about these things saying, ‘WHAT will we…’”


English Standard Version: “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘WHAT shall we…’”


New Century Version: “Don’t worry and say, ‘WHAT will we…’”

New International Reader’s Version: “So don’t worry. Don’t say, ‘What will we…’”


Worldwide English New Testament: “So then, do not keep asking”, WHAT shall we”…”

WHAT…

This word ‘WHAT’ implies that one is asking for information, for an opinion, or for confirmation of something one does not fully understand.  If one is asking questions regarding the things one do not have in one’s present experience, it is reasonable that one still have some doubts as to whether one’s thoughts are creating the things desired.  If we are asking questions, it is reasonable whether we are convinced that our spoken words are creating or attracting the things we have been saying.  Perhaps, we lack understanding if we still have unanswered questions in our minds regarding the laws of faith and attraction.  Lack of understanding is usually revealed through the questions we ask in the various forms of the word ‘what’.  Lacking of understanding is not something to be ashamed of, but something to be aware of, so that we might know that we need to seek a deeper understanding.  As long as we do not fully understand the law of faith and or the law of attraction, we will not be certain about how to apply their inherent power, and thus continue to forfeit control of having and or creating what we want in our lives.

MARK 11:23 “Whosoever shall say, and do not doubt what you say, but BELIEVE YOU SHALL HAVE WHAT YOU SAY, you shall have what you say”.  

In other words, faith is believing without any proof that you shall have what you say you will have as long as what you say is believable to you.

Purpose of My Blogs

The name “If Truth Be Told” is a play upon words and my way of expressing my quest for truth.

I started this weblog on June 27, 2007. I decided to start this site so I could have my say about the many things and issues that inspire me and sometimes irritate me in my quest of truth. I understand fully each word that I write has attached to it a whole bag of beliefs. However, as I write about these things, I will be thinking out loud in hopes that I might gain further insights and eventually discover some truth.

Of course, truth is an abstract concept. One can never be certain that what one absolutely considers as certain truth is not error. Don Juan offers this insight: perception as we know it is a “bubble” formed around us so that we perceive only the reflection of our own world view; for we perceive according to our description. To open the “bubble” would be to suspend the description, to escape the ideational world (by suspending the mind itself; cf. Vishnudevananda) and experience reality without conceptual baggage (Castaneda, esp. 1974). Thus, freedom of spirit, freedom from thought, world view, habit (linguistic and behavioral), language itself, and from culture, is temporarily achieved. That being acknowledged, I believe truth is that which exists universally and at all times, regardless of viewpoint or relative opinion.

Truth is a self-evident ethical principle, which has value, providing no substantial harm is done. Truth appears to be knowledge of an external ideal, which is beyond the reach of one’s will. Perhaps truth is the essence of natural law and its principles, or is itself, a primary principle that conforms to fact, agrees with reality, and causes the spirituality of one’s life, behavior, and conduct to conform to the divine standard.

Specifically in religious use, truth brings about a spiritual reality as the subject of revelation or object of faith in Jesus Christ as a God entity higher than one’s self.

Jesus taught, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father save through me.” While laying hold upon truth is filled with difficulty, it is the sole ingredient to personal freedom, and thus its discovery is my life long endeavor.