How to Have More Peace in a Troubled World

Think back for a moment on the greatest gift you have ever received. How did it feel when you saw it? Did you want to run and tell everyone you knew? Did it make you want to jump for joy? Did it make you feel loved a whole lot?

Yes, that is how a great gift makes you feel - like your heart is bursting with joy. Like you want to share it with the whole wide world. That is how I feel and why I write this blog about faith. We all have gifts and talents to share with one another and mine is the gift of Faith: to help others see the light of the world and to believe.

Come with me a moment to that silent night so very long ago when Christ came into the world.

Picture the manger scene. Draw near to the virgin mother, Mary, holding her precious new-born baby. Sense the joy that she must have felt. Enjoy the awe and wonder Joseph must have felt as he watched the shepherds, angels, and wise men come to pay homage to their son. Hear the angels singing and announcing the birth of the Messiah and proclaiming "Joy to the World". Imagine the amazement of the shepherds as they watched the scene before them. Feel the anticipation of the wise men who traveled such a great distance to honor and bring gifts to the Christ-child.

Jesus -the greatest gift of all 

He wasn't just a prophet and a teacher, nor was he just a man. He was and is God incarnate - God put on flesh to come down to earth so we could know, see and touch Him. Let's look back at history a minute to see why God sent Jesus to this earth.

First, we have to understand two things:
1) how holy God is and
2) how much he yearns to have a relationship with us.

How sin gets in the way

So God gave us the Ten Commandments to help us to live holy lives but that didn't work.  How many of us have told a lie?  Stolen something? Been jealous or envious? Lost our temper? Every sin is equal in the eyes of God and the wages of sin is death. This is why in the Old Testament they used to sacrifice animals - to cleanse the people from their sins. But that didn't work either.

Finally God decided He had to make a trip to earth in human form and so Jesus was born, a baby in a manger in the tiny town of Bethlehem. God  knew what that would mean - sacrifice, suffering, and ultimately death on a cross. How many of us would send our children on such a mission? This is why Jesus is the greatest gift of all time. 

Who is this God?
Many in this world are confused about "God". God is just one name for the all powerful, creative, loving, energy that created and controls the Universe. That's my best explanation in those terms, but if you truly want to know who God is, look at Jesus. Listen to what he says and watch what He does. Jesus came to earth to show us who God is and to teach and empower us to live holier lives. Jesus was and is the one and only Son of God who came to earth to set us free both spiritually and emotionally. He came to heal the broken-hearted and set the captives free.

Are you a captive?

Who among us is not in bondage to something? To the pursuit of wealth and material pleasures? To self-gratification? To new stuff? To relationships? How about the bondage of our thoughts, our addictions, or our desires? Jesus came to set us free from all of these. "He came to set the captives free." (Luke 4:18). What do you need to be set free from, friend?

Jesus is Peace

This Christmas, let us receive Christ once again and be vessels of peace. Let go of whatever happened this past year - good or bad. Live in the present moment. Make time to be quiet, to reflect, to just be. Put a smile on the face of a child. Bring comfort to those who grieve, healing to  the wounded, and friendship to the lonely. Forgive those who have hurt us. Be filled with hope and joy and wonder. Let us be Jesus to someone this season.

Now I don't claim to have all the answers but this I do know. We can all learn from Jesus. These are desperate times we live in and the only hope we have is God.  If the world would act like Jesus, love like Jesus, and forgive like Jesus, wouldn't it be a more loving and peaceful place, I ask you?

For Reflection
At this most special time of year, may I ask you to consider this question? Who is Jesus and what does he mean to you? Is he just some historical figure or sage prophet? Or is He indeed the Light of the world, the Messiah, and the only hope of true peace?

Here is his promise to each of us. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

Until next time, may the joy and peace of the season dwell richly in you and may you be a light to the world.

Blessings and joy,

Ariel Paz 

How to Resist the Lure of Temptation

Temptation. It comes in many forms but do we recognize it in the moment? Is it a sin to be tempted? Is it a sin to give in to it? Who really tempts us and why? Since we are in the season of Lent, I have been pondering these questions and perhaps you are too. 

What is temptation? 

The dictionary says it is "the desire to do something, particularly something wrong or unwise". I think of synonyms such as testing and trying. In my mind, this could apply to a lot of things. Who or what tries my patience? Who or what tests me? What do I do that is wrong or unwise? 

The Lord's prayer says "Lead me not into temptation." Jesus knew the lure of temptation. Remember what he went through with the devil in the desert during those 40 days of fasting. Whew. I have trouble fasting for more than a few hours. 

Have you heard the acronym "HALT"? Don't let yourself get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired because that is when we fall into temptation.

I feel like I am tempted everyday - by my bad habits, by family members, by my desires, by loneliness. Jesus knew all about these, that is why he told us to pray not to be led astray by temptation. We are tempted when we are with others and when we are by ourselves. It is a constant battle within. 

Temptation comes in many forms. 

Food, alcohol, chocolate, chips, pizza. They appeal to our appetite but what is our appetite for exactly? Is it really for food or for something else such as a comfort for loneliness, anger, frustration, etc? When tempted with turning stones into bread to satiate his hunger, Jesus answered "Man does not live by bread alone, but by the very word of God." (Matt 4:4) In other words, we often turn to externals such as food, alcohol, sugar, and shopping to satisfy, satiate, and comfort us when really we should turn inward and apply God's word to comfort and console ourselves. 

The temptation to glorify ourselves. 

The devil tried to entice Jesus to throw himself down from the pinnacle off the temple and call on the angels to rescue him. We are not to tempt God. Many people have claimed "God will protect me" as their reason for not getting the Covid vaccine or going to the doctor or getting that test done. To me this seems like putting God to the test rather than taking personal responsibility. 

There are other ways we try to glorify ourselves. Having to have the last word. Not admitting fault. Trying to outshine others by our travels, our intelligence, or our knowledge. We want all the credit, the acclaim, the recognition, to be a big whig and to look good in front of others. None of us want to look bad. Ever. We don't like to take responsibility for our faults and weaknesses. We don't like to admit we made a mistake or said something hurtful. We like to blame, shame, and judge others to make ourselves feel better. But, does it really? Or do we feel worse? 

We think we achieve great things and material wealth all on our own accord, but it is God who gives us the talents, the abilities, and the opportunities to achieve these things and so the glory belongs to him alone. Remember the story of Daedelus who flew too close to the sun. 

The lure of wealth, power, fame, beauty, youth and status. 

People want to be popular, admired, accepted, well-known, "in the cool crowd". Remember the high school cliques? They made you feel excluded and less than.  Many people thrive on adulation as evidenced by all the buzz on social media, but as we see in Jesus' case, the crowd's opinion is fickle and can change on a dime. 

Don't we know how well known we are in the eyes of God? I think we sometimes lose track of that fact. How much he loves us - no - adores us, despite our flaws, our faults and our failures. God knew us even before we were born. "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you." (Jer 1:5).  We are uniquely and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). In fact, God calls us a "masterpiece" (Ephesians 2:10). Nothing here on earth can even come close to that kind of love and recognition. 

We often look to others for approval and acceptance, when it doesn't matter what other people think of us - at all. God sent Jesus to this earth to die to cleanse us from all unrighteousness so that we can have full access to the throne of grace, because only blood can cleanse us of sin. When we accept Christ as Lord, we are found righteous, approved and accepted. Our sins are forgiven. Case closed. 

It's all about the Ego 
The bottom line is temptation comes from our flesh aka our ego aka the devil. We look to the wrong things to comfort us, to give us a sense of worthiness, and to make us feel good about ourselves when really Christ is the answer to all our identity problems.

When we come to truly know who we are in Christ, we don't succumb to the temptations of the flesh as much or as often. We are more willing to accept the will and sovereignty of God and to acknowledge our humanity and the humanity of others. 

For Reflection
This Lenten season, let us each ponder the ways in which we are tempted and why. We all have our weaknesses and our sensitivities. Let us humble ourselves before the cross instead of judging because "There but for the grace of God go I". Let us pray for God's grace and mercy and extend that grace and mercy to others. 

I hope this post has given you food for thought as we prepare our hearts during this holy week. If you'd like more positive and practical advice, enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my weekly posts plus a copy of my newest ebook entitled "How to Develop a Spiritual Practice". It's a short read to help you grow by practicing spiritual habits such as journaling, prayer, meditation. I welcome your feedback on it. 

Stay tuned for more on healing, wholeness, health and harmony so YOU can ignite the power within and discover YOUR destiny!

In the meantime, 

Keep looking up!


Ariel Paz 

How to Know God & Yourself Better

It's Spring and you can't help but notice the new growth and new life all around us: the daffodils peeking through the grass, the blossom buds starting to appear on the trees, the empty birds' nests. Nature spends the winter in darkness, hibernation, and rest and now as the season changes and the sun comes out more, it is time for rebirth, renewal, and transformation. This is what Lent is all about - renewal, rebirth, and transformation. 

Yet to have these, we must put in the time. This Lent, has it been business or busyness as usual or have you made some time for self-reflection, study, and journaling? I hope so! 

Personal Journey

For me, Lent is a season to get to know myself and God better. The two of us are a team. I cut back on social activities and fleshly pursuits so that I can use that time (I prefer the morning)  to reflect and connect more with my emotional and spiritual self, with God, and with my purpose. The social activities will always be there, but Lent is a time to devote to my spiritual growth and that doesn't just mean going to church once a week. No, spiritual and emotional growth is an inside job and no one can do it for us. 

Time spent in spiritual pursuits is time well-spent. Journaling, prayer, reflection and solitude brings emotions and issues to the forefront where we can process them. Otherwise, they stay hidden in our sub-conscious mind and will continue to rob us of our peace and joy throughout the year. 

So let's talk a minute about God. 

Who is this God? 
If we want to know God, who He is and what he desires for and of us, there is no better way to do this than reflect on the personhood of Jesus Christ. After all, he is the embodiment of God (Spirit made flesh) and by studying his life, his words, and his actions, we can learn how to treat others, how to live a life of integrity, how to love ourselves in a balanced way and how to find our purpose.

People seek God in all sorts of ways, but sadly so many ignore the very person of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God. At some point in time, we each must ask ourselves the question "Who is this Jesus?" and "Why did he die for me?"

Jesus is Our Example 
Jesus is the perfect example of a life well-lived; a life of service, sacrifice, and purpose. Jesus knew his destiny and dedicated each day to fulfilling it. He made it a priority to heal, to help, and to encourage those who were hurting despite the constant derision of those in power. He was a friend to the poor, the outcast, and the lonely. 

Most importantly, Jesus followed the will of God, not his own will, straight to death on the cross. Guiltless, he paid the penalty for all of our sins in one sacrificial act of atonement on the cross. Your sins and mine have all been washed white as snow. Who else can do that for us? 

When Jesus died on the cross for you and for me, the veil in the Jewish temple was torn which means there is no longer a separation between man and God for those who believe in Christ. We can now come directly to God, without fear, trepidation, or the need of an intercessor such as a priest or guru. No matter what we have done in the past, our sins are forgiven. We are redeemed and set free from our past, our mistakes, our guilt and our shame. And that, my friends, is worth celebrating! 

For Reflection 
If you have not considered Jesus lately, friend, I encourage you to take some time to get quiet this Lenten season and do so. Jesus was not simply another teacher or prophet, as some religions teach. He is the one and only Son of God, a friend when we feel abandoned and rejected. He is the incarnation of God on earth who died so that we can have true peace, joy, abundance, and an inspired life of service and joy. Will you get to know him this season?

If you enjoyed this post, do join our community. Simply enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my free eguide, "How to Develop a Spiritual Practice" as well as my weekly newsletter. We're all about personal development and spiritual growth and my goal is to help you heal, grow, and flourish. 

Stay tuned for more on igniting the power within so you can discover YOUR DESTINY!

Until next time,

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

How to Draw Nearer to God this Lenten Season

Most of us are really busy. I'm retired and I'm still really busy. We have our daily schedules, our agendas, our plans and our projects. We like our routines, our meals and our lifestyles. These give us a kind of comfort and stability in this topsy turvy world we live in. How often have you heard yourself say this:
"I don't have enough time to ......" You fill in the blank.

The Busyness of Life 
The stuff of life can keep us so busy and so stressed out, we rarely have time to do what Stephen Covey, author of numerous best selling books including "7 Habits of Highly Effective People", calls "Quadrant 2 Activities".

Quadrant 2 activities are those activities which are important but not urgent or pressing. Some of them include planning, prevention and improvement. It includes spiritual practices such as prayer, journaling, fasting, and meditation.  These habits are all crucial to our well-being, but none of them are critical or urgent. Therein lies the crux of the problem. We are addicted to the urgent and we neglect the important, as Stephen Covey says. 

Wake up calls 
Sadly, it is not until life gets uncomfortable and some crisis happens such as a sudden illness or a job loss, a breakup, or an epidemic, that stops us dead in our tracks. It is then - maybe -  that we say "Whoa, wait a minute. Maybe I need to slow down and rethink my priorities". 

When things get uncomfortable, scary, stressful, or painful, it is time to surrender, not resist. God uses everything in our lives to make us more like him and lead us into our destinies, which is - by the way - to be more like his Son, Jesus.

These times are wake-up calls of sorts. God is trying to get our attention. He may be leading us away from certain activities, jobs, situations, places, or people. He may be trying to get us to change our attitudes and behaviors. He may even want to send us help. 

God is always trying to get our attention onto what really matters. We may resist and rationalize. When God is calling us to let something or someone go, it is important to stay with the discomfort, even when it interrupts our busy lives and messes with our agendas. God has the plan. What we need to do is let go and surrender to it.

Go With the Flow

You've heard the phrase, I'm sure. But that is easier said than done when something difficult happens. We tend to fight it, escape it or look for ways to avoid dealing with it. Yet, none of these is helpful. When difficult situations present themselves, the best thing we can do is to surrender and accept instead of denying or fighting against it. Try to deal with whatever it is in a calm and focused manner. Stressing out and getting upset never helps anybody. This is when we need the help of the Holy Spirit to come to our aid. 

Personal Story 

So my elderly mom, who lived out of state, had a few falls last year. I tried to tell her she needed daily care, but she would have none of it. Then, it happened. In February, she fell and fractured her back. She called me as the EMS team was taking her to the ER. Now, I could have freaked out, but praise God. I didn't. I said a quick prayer, stayed calm and collected and talked to her all the way to the hospital, thru the x-ray process, and back to her room, trying my best to keep myself and her calm. At least I was connected to her, even if I wasn't there physically. It is in times like these that a spiritual practice comes to our aid. 

When We Don't Understand
Life is full of mysteries. Why is my mom/son/husband/boyfriend acting like this? Why did I lose my job? Why did this happen to me? We don't always understand why things happen but we can trust that whatever it is is ultimately for our good and God's glory. When the questions whirl thru my mind like the swirling winds of March, my natural tendency is to try to figure it all out but the truth is....

We don't have to figure it out. That's our ego egging us on, stressing us out. We need not fret or worry. All we have to do is trust. Trust that God sees us. Trust that God has the answer even when we are at wits end and have tried everything. 

When we don't know what to do next, it is time to wait on God. Let go and let God as they say in recovery groups. When we don't know what to do next, like Samuel said when he heard the voice of God, we need to let God know he has our attention, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening", then listen and wait. The answer is always the same.

Come a little closer. Let that go. Trust me. 

Scripture says this: "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you." (James 4:8). I often think that God allows these situations to draw us closer to him. I know I have a tendency to drift. How about you?

For Reflection 
What is it that God is working on and in you today? What is he calling you to let go of or to embrace? Are you willing to listen? To surrender? To obey? Jesus is calling you to come a little closer this season. Perhaps, like me, you sometimes get too caught up in the busyness of doing that you fail to hear the still soft voice of Jesus that beckons us to sit at his feet, just like Mary of Bethany.  

Close your eyes and listen to this song by Dierks Bentley. Jesus is saying the same thing to us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVGw7FbohY4&feature=kp

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Stay tuned for more on the purpose of Lent and until next time, come a little closer!

Ariel Paz

How to Find Peace in Anxious Times

There is a lot going on in this world of ours that can steal our peace. Just turn on the nightly news. Drive in rush hour traffic. Deal with unruly kids. We can lose our peace in an instant and that is why a daily spiritual practice is so very important. Find a time to get quiet and be by yourself and then ask yourself this question:

"Am I at peace right now?"

Pause and listen for that still small voice in the depths of your soul. What did it say? 

 

                                

Lesson Learned 

I have learned that Peace is our most precious possession if we want to live a happy, joyful and healthy life. It is actually a spiritual gift yet often, we let life, relationships, and busyness steal it. We put pressure on ourselves to go go go, do do do, buy buy buy, work, work, work - none of which result in the peace our souls long for. Today I want to help you make Peace more of a priority in your life. 

Personal Story 

When I was married and in a dysfunctional, abusive relationship, I knew in my heart of hearts, I was not at peace. We had two kids, two cars, two houses, two incomes, but I was not at peace - and I knew it. Something had to change if I was to have peace and that meant I had to change. I realized I needed to set firmer boundaries with my spouse. Sadly, being a narcissist, he couldn't handle it and the marriage eventually ended. He was used to treating me abusively since I was codependent and thought he did not need to change. I lost a relationship but gained peace and it was so worth it. 

Places We Look 
Many are seeking peace in a multitude of places and through a variety of means. Some try to find peace by amassing wealth or attaining a certain status only to find out wealth can vanish in the blink of an eye when the stock market drops. Who and what is popular today can be unpopular tomorrow. The world is just as fickle today as it was in Jesus' time. 

Others try to find peace by medicating themselves with food, drink, drugs, fashion, material possessions and endless activity that will never give us the lasting peace our soul craves. These provide temporary satisfaction at best and, in excess, do more harm than good. 

Others try the spiritual route. They try meditation, relaxation techniques, mindfulness, yoga and the like. Now I am all for stilling the body and the mind, but these, too, are only temporary, as practitioners well know. How many times have you or I gone for a massage, to an exercise or yoga class, or to a church service and then, a few hours later the feeling of peace is ruined by an aggravating phone call or thoughtless comment? It takes constant diligence to remain at peace when we try to achieve it on our own. So what exactly is True Peace and where do we find it?

What is True peace

True peace is knowing that we are in the hands of a loving and gracious God. That truth is the solid rock that keeps us grounded. No matter what happens or how bad things may seem, as author and spiritual guru, Gabrielle Bernstein, puts it, God has our back. He is still on the throne and he is still in control. Even though it may not look like it in the moment, he is working ALL things out for our good. Yes, all. Not some - ALL. Remember that.  

Every trial is a test meant to move us forward into our destiny and in our spiritual growth and when the test is over and we have passed it by learning the lesson, we will look back with thanks and gratitude for what it taught us. Trust me on this. 

True peace is steady. 

Sure we may waffle for a bit, just as Peter did when Jesus told him to step out of the boat, but eventually we will waffle less and trust more. Peace is an inner calmness that comes from trusting in a Holy and loving God and in his son, Jesus Christ, the Anointed One. 

On the outside we may be buffetted by people and circumstances. We may get angry, concerned, frustrated, but deep within our souls, we are at peace. True peace is an anchor we can hold onto during the inevitable storms of life. We may doubt and become anxious when the challenges of life muddy the waters, but as soon as we connect with Jesus, the waters still. I love the verse "Be still and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10). The storms will pass. Sometimes all we need to do is be still and let go of the reins of control. 

Where True Peace is Found

Perhaps like me, you've tried to find peace in different places. Peace was not in yoga class. Nor in church. Nor in food, sweets, or chocolate. Nor in any of the ex-boyfriends for that matter. When everything around me is in chaos and the ground is shaking beneath me,  I hold onto the one person who is faithful, steady, and ever-present. The one person whose promises I can depend on. I hold on to Jesus.

True peace is a fruit of the Spirit. As you know, fruit begins with a small seed. As it is watered and nourished, it grows into luscious fruit. In the same way, peace is a fruit of the Spirit that grows over time as we experience more and more of the Lord's faithfulness and love. Those of us who have been through the fires of hell know God more intimately. We have met Jesus and we have seen the power of the Holy Spirit work in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones.

Now if you don't know Jesus, you may not understand about the Holy Spirit. Here's how it works. When we accept the love of Christ into our hearts, God sends his Holy Spirit to unite with our spirit to give us a supernatural connection and power. See Romans chapter 8 for more on this. I encourage you to let Christ into your heart today so you can receive this supernatural, empowering gift. 

Facing the Storms of Life 
When the storms of life threaten to capsize your ship, remember what Jesus said: "Peace I leave with you. My peace I bring to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27). The peace of Jesus is far more powerful than the peace that is offered by anything else in this world. It is a supernatural peace that only Jesus can give.

When the disciples were in a tizzy on the sea of Galilee and the winds and the rain pounded their tiny boat, what did Jesus say to them? "Oh ye of little faith,". In other words, Jesus was right there in the ship with them and yet they were afraid when they had no need to be. Who or what are you placing your faith in today?

Going Thru Storms 

Storms serve a purpose. They are to help us grow our spiritual muscle so that when the next storm comes, we won't be as rattled by the winds and the waves. Whatever you are going through, remember Jesus is right there in the ship with you. Jesus promised "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Heb 13:5). We can count on the promises of  God. Unlike people, He never goes back on His word. 

Whatever storm we are going through, Jesus promises to navigate us through it and bring us out of it. I know, because, I have been through many storms - hurricanes really - and I'm still standing. You can read about them in my true story memoir, "The Power of Faith: a journey to healing, wholeness, and harmony".  It's a short but powerful and inspiring read. The goal is to stand firm during the storms, trusting that our Lord cares for us and that we will emerge victorious and stronger after it passes. 

For Reflection
What storm are you going through, friend? Relationship issues? Financial problems? Health problems? Whatever it is, do not let it steal your peace. Keep your heart and mind set on Jesus and stay in peace. Trust God to be your strength, your strong tower, your protector. I encourage you to read Psalm 34. 

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If this post resonated with you, you may enjoy my newest book, "Ignite the Power Within: 10 Steps to Supercharge Your Spiritual Growth". In it, I share the ten steps I have found to spiritual growth that will give you more power, more purpose, more connection and more JOY!

Find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble & Apple Books or place a discounted order with me by sending 4.99 via Zelle to arielpaz08@gmail.com. 

And if you love to cook, like I do, order your copy of my new cookbook, "Mediterranean Mom's Family Favorites". Over 150 pages of deliciousness and most recipes are made in 30 min or less. Digital copy available for $24.99. Use my email address arielpaz08@gmail.com to order thru Zelle or $26.99 thru Paypal.

Stay tuned for more practical and spiritual wisdom to help you ignite the power within!

Until next time, shalom and keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

How to Make Love a Reality this Season

As we enter the last week of Advent, amidst the frenzy of gift-buying and gift-giving, let us focus on the greatest gift of all - the gift of Love. Contrary to Hollywood movies and popular interpretation, love is not a feeling nor is it something that just hits you all of a sudden. Nor is it to be confused with with sexual attraction, chemistry, or lust. 

True enduring Love is an action and a choice we make on a daily basis, sometimes and often despite how we feel.  Now that may come as a shock to some of you but love is not simply or solely a matter of feelings. Many people get divorced because they just don't "feel" it anymore, but that is not what true Love is all about. 

Love is a daily decision and a conscious choice. It is a choice the Lord God made two thousand years ago to send his one and only Son to be born in human form to eventually die a criminal's death on the cross  - for you and for me. This week's post is dedicated to understanding this great gift of Love and what it means to us today. 

Imagine this scene for a moment: a couple and their newborn child huddle together in a stable filled with the sights and sounds of animals, hay, and probably some other not so pleasant things since there was no room for them at the inn. Instead of family and friends, they are encircled by strangers, cows, and pigs, in a land of poverty and persecution. Instead of fancy trees decorated with ribbons and lights, they are surrounded by stars and the light of the Heavenly Host. There are no beautifully wrapped gifts under a tree. No tables laden with food galore. There is no hustle and bustle, just a calm peace and the quiet of this Holy Night. They are surrounded by the warmth of Love and Wonder and Awe.

Despite the harsh conditions, the lack of shelter, and being far from family and loved ones, there is a peace that surpasses all understanding because they are surrounded by the Love and presence of God.

And so are you and I.  No matter who is mad at us, who has wronged us, who has rejected us or who is absent, whether we are married, single, or widowed, God is with us.  His name, Emmanuel means just that: God with us. Jesus understands the loneliness of being single, the sadness of loss, and the grief of the death of a beloved friend or relative. Despite how we may feel, we are never alone, just as Mary and Joseph were not alone. 

Whatever our situation, God is near. The question this season is: will we let the peace and the joy of what God has done for us soften our hardened hearts and heal our broken places? Will we draw closer to the Christ child and receive his precious gift of Love this season? And then, will we show this love to others even though they don't show it back to us? This is the love - the sacrificial love - that God showed us that silent night, not expecting anything in return. 

When the burdens of this life seem overwhelming, when we feel hopeless, alone, and rejected, we can remember Jesus felt this way too.  His answer was to get alone with God. Our answer is the same, not do more to numb ourselves from the pain, but to stop completely, to be still, and to reconnect with the presence of the Holy One. He is our rest and our refreshment. He is our peace and our joy and He wants nothing more from us than to make time to be with Him so that He can wrap us in his outstretched arms of love us and reveal himself to us once again.

For Reflection 
God loves us so very much that He sent his only Son, Jesus, to be born in a manger, to bring us the true gifts this world so desperately needs: hope, peace, joy and love. So I ask you, friend, will you pause to experience the presence of the Holy One this season? Will you make this holiday a little more peaceful and a little less stressful on yourself? It can be done, truly. It is simply a choice. And it starts with remembering that you are surrounded by Love.

If you enjoyed this and would like to join our community to receive my weekly posts enter your email in the box provided. You'll also receive a copy of my free e-guide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". 

Wishing you a most blessed, peaceful and joyful Christmas!

Until next time, remember to keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

Lent: A Time to Return to God

Lent starts tomorrow. Can you believe it? 

Ash Wednesday is a day that begins a period of 40 days that the church has set aside as a time to fast, pray, and abstain from activities and pleasures in order to draw closer to God. 

What does Lent mean to you? Is it business as usual? Some try to give up chocolate, television, or some other material thing that brings them pleasure. I think Lent is about more than that. Lent is a time to cut back on activities and fleshly pursuits, as well as food, so that we can use that time to reflect and connect more with ourselves, with God, and with others. 

What better way to do this than reflect on the person of Jesus Christ? After all, he is the embodiment of God and by studying his life, his words, and his actions, we can learn how to treat others, how to live an honest and holy life, and how to love ourselves in a balanced way. People are seeking God in all sorts of ways, but why do so many ignore the very person of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God?

Jesus is Our Example 
Jesus is the perfect example of a life well-lived; a life of service and sacrifice. Jesus knew his purpose in life and dedicated each day to fulfilling it. He made it a priority to heal, to help, to encourage those who were hurting. He was a friend to the poor, the outcast, and the lonely. Most importantly, Jesus followed the will of God, and not his own will, straight to the cross. Guiltless, he paid the penalty for all of our sins in one sacrificial act of atonement.

Isn't that the truest example of love? To sacrifice yourself for someone else? Denying oneself not just of pizza or chocolate, but to lay down one's very life for another. To follow the will of God? Jesus gave his life so we could be set free and forgiven from ALL our sins, mistakes, guilt, shame, insecurities, doubts and fears. Think about that for a bit.

For Reflection 
If you have not considered Jesus lately, dear one, I encourage you to make time to get quiet this Lenten season and do so. Jesus is not just some teacher or prophet. He is so much more than that. He is a friend who stays closer than a brother. He is our peace and our hope. He is the incarnation of God on earth and he died to remove the veil from our eyes so that we can have true peace, joy, abundance, and a life that exceeds our wildest dreams!

If you'd like to join our community, simply enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my free ebook, "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path" as well as my weekly posts. We're all about personal and spiritual growth and discovering our destinies.

Stay tuned for more on igniting the power within and until next time,

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

The Reason for the Season: Who is this Jesus? Part 2

Many people have a simplistic incomplete view of Jesus. They relegate him to being just a teacher or a prophet. Jesus is so much more than either of these and as a disciple of Christ, my duty is to help others understand who Jesus truly is. In this series, I am attempting to do just that by analyzing a sentence that Jesus uttered describing himself. It is in John 14 where Jesus said this:

Last week we examined the first part of this so today we will pick up with what did Jesus mean when he said "I am the truth and the life." 

The Truth 

The truth can often be difficult to discern. Many people wonder about who God really is, both then and now. Even in the presence of Jesus himself the disciples still asked to see God. Why is that? Because their spiritual eyes were closed. We cannot discern things of a spiritual nature unless we have had a spiritual awakening. 

Jesus came to earth to show us who God is and what he desires us to be - more like God. Yet, many are unable to accept this fact for whatever reason. Jesus is God. He is the truth and he is reality. He shows us our hearts and our true motives. He tells it like it is and makes us look inside. Yes, the truth can be a tough pill to swallow but Jesus said this:"You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." (John 8:32) Isn't that worth knowing Jesus? To be set free? To have the blinders removed and to see things as they really are? To not be unconscious anymore? 

I believe knowing Jesus is the path to consciousness, a path to God, and a path to awareness of ourselves. It is a path to the truth about ourselves, God, and others. What other source can you go to to figure out who God truly is? 

The Life 

In this instance, I believe Jesus is talking about eternal life. When we believe and follow Jesus, we never die spiritually. We go on to live in another realm with God. See John 3:16.  For those who fear death and dying, this should be an encouragement that there is life after death, although not as we know it today. 

No other historical figure - not Buddha, not Mohammed, - made this claim. How could they? They are dead and buried yet Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead. He is alive and sits at the right hand of God. 

Jesus made several comments about life. He also said "I have come so that you can have life and have it more abundantly." (John 10:10). This means that Jesus wants us to enjoy a truly abundant and fulfilling life, not just a get by life, lacking joy and peace. The only real way to do this is through Jesus, because life can be just too hard at times. Our dreams don't materialize. We settle. We lose our joy. This is not the life that Jesus died for us to have. 

For Reflection

Who is Jesus to you? Is he more than just a teacher or a prophet? Is He truly the Son of God? Each of us must answer this question for ourselves. Our eternal souls depend on our answer. 

Next week we'll finish up this series. Until then, I encourage you to give some thought to the person of Jesus. He is the reason for the season and I wish you the gift of Peace this second week of Advent. 

If this post encouraged you, feel free to join our community by entering your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my free eguide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". You'll also receive my weekly posts to ponder and to share. Also, don't forget to check out the many Pinterest ideas, recipes, and tips at https://www.pinterest.com/arielpaz/_saved/. 

Until next time, I wish you the peace that passes all understanding. Stay well. Stay safe and above all, 

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

The Reason for the Season: Who is this Jesus? - Part 1

 As December is now upon us, the stores are filled with Christmas stuff. The sales ads beckon us to spend, spend, spend. But in the midst of all the materialism, where do we make room for Jesus? Will we answer like the innkeeper who said "There is no room at the inn?' when Mary and Joseph arrived? Or will we be more like the shepherds on the hills who gazed in awe and wonder and make time for the precious Christ-child to enter our lives once again in a real and amazing way? 

This series is drawn from the passage in John Chapter 14 verse 6 where Jesus states "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except thru me."  To some this may be off-putting and divisive. What do you mean Jesus is the only way? I'm going to do my best to present to you a bit of a different perspective on what this verse really means. It will be a bit deeper than my usual posts but I will break it down in pieces so we can really understand who this Jesus is and what he really means by this statement. 

I Am

This is a crucial concept to understand. When Jesus stated "I am", what did he mean? When else can you remember God saying something similiar? Remember the burning bush? When Moses asked "Who shall I say sent me?" God replied " I am who I am". The translation varies and there has been much discussion on the true meaning, but doesn't that sound a bit curious? From what I can determine, God is saying he is the eternal existence. To put it another way - consciousness or awareness. The words "I am" are an attempt to identify who we truly are in the flesh, but Jesus was more than flesh. He is also Spirit. So when Jesus said "I am" could it be that he was referring to the universal consciousness rather than merely himself as a human being? Puts things in a different light now, doesn't it? 

The Way

What does Jesus mean by "the way"? The greek word used in the New Testament means the journey, the path, the road. Jesus, as you know, came to earth in human form to show us who God is and teach us how to be like him. He is God incarnate. A deity represented in human form so that we humans could identify with him. Now consider this. 

Jesus spoke in parables. Parables are short simple stories using everyday situations that had deeper, spiritual meaning. What if Jesus himself was kind of a parable? A representation that has deeper meaning? When Jesus said he was the way, could he be saying he is the path to consciousness and awareness? 

Remember Adam and Eve? They were told not to eat of the tree of knowledge, the awareness of good and evil. They became AWARE that they were naked. Could it be that "the way" is the process of becoming consciously aware? Aware of our thoughts and emotions, aware of our words, our actions, and their impact on others? I submit to you it is. 

For Reflection 

How do you think of Jesus? What does he represent to you? Do you feel you are on a path to more being more conscious? More aware? Doesn't that make knowing Jesus even more appealing?

I'll stop here for this week and leave you to ponder these ideas. Jesus is more than meets the eye. He is more than just a figure in the Bible, a prophet or a teacher. We'll continue next week on this thought-provoking perspective. I hope you'll stay with me and I do covet your feedback so send me an email. 

If you are not a member of our community, consider joining us. Enter your email in the box provided. You'll receive my free eguide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path" in addition to receiving my weekly posts. 

Until next time, enjoy this first week of Advent and the gift of Hope. 

As always, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

Why Did Jesus Die for Us?

Seems every time I turn around there's more bad news. Friday, for example, one friend finished her last chemo treatment. She shared about the death of the wife of a mutual friend of ours. On my walk, a neighbor pulled up to tell me she was having surgery for bladder & kidney cancer. Then another girlfriend called to say she was sick so was cancelling Easter activities, her husband had just lost his job and they have two small children to care for. Can you think of someone who is not hurting in some way? Who does not need healing, grace, or forgiveness? Would anyone reject a miracle touch from God?

What is your need?

Most people I know have a need. It may be a financial, physical, relational, or emotional need, but everyone has a need. We search for solutions in many places. Some seek solace in their jobs, others in food and drink. Still others busy themselves with activities, sports, or exercise. But at the end of the day, we come up empty-handed. Why? Because no one can provide the healing and the peace our souls long for. No one, that is, except Jesus. 

Who is this Jesus? 

Many have scoffed and scorned him, even so far as nailing him to a wooden cross. The scorn and contempt continues today, doesn't it? Jesus, they say, is a crutch for the weak. Or Jesus was just a good man, a prophet. But they deny his deity. If you look at all the other religious figures in history, they are all dead and buried in a grave someplace. Not Jesus. His tomb is empty. Could it be, perhaps, that Jesus, too, was misunderstood? His mission was not to become a king or a conqueror as we think of in human terms. His mission was to redeem mankind, like sheep who have strayed, and reconcile us to the Father. "For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” (Luke 19:10).

Jesus came to redeem and rebuild lives. He came not just to show us who God is, but to show us the way to Him. He shed his blood so that we may have free access to God, the Father. We do not need to go through a priest or a guru or anybody else, for that matter. We can come - boldly - to the throne of Grace through our belief in Jesus Christ. Jesus came to empower us; this is what the Resurrection is all about. Overcoming. New Life and victory over sin and death. 


Comprehending Holiness

Yet, until we comprehend the holiness of God we cannot fathom the depth of what Jesus did for us on the cross. This is not meant to put anyone on a guilt trip, for 'there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1) but God cannot coexist with sin and we have all sinned. Jesus opened the path to God for us by shedding his blood in atonement for our sin. Let that sink in a moment. Picture Jesus on the cross. Feel the nails piercing his hands and feet. He endured all that because of God's great love for YOU! 

Did you know that Jesus accepts us just as we are? He loves us UNCONDITIONALLY and isn't that what each of us is really looking for? To be loved and accepted unconditionally by another? The answer we are looking for can be found at the foot of the cross. By this great act of love, our deepest need is met: to feel loved, accepted, forgiven, and connected. Will you draw near? Will you put your faith in the One who loves you so much he shed his blood for you?

I hope this post was encouraging and uplifting. If you would like to join our community and receive my weekly posts, enter your email in the box provided. You will also receive my free eguide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". 

Until next time, my prayer is that the light and love of Christ will shine into your heart and you will know how truly loved you are this Easter. Happy Resurrection and here's to new life and victory!

Ariel Paz