In Mark 5, we have a couple of healing stories juxtaposed with each other. There is much to learn from these stories, but I am focusing in this Spirit Spark on Mark 5: 36 and Mark 5:38-40.

It seems that as Jesus approaches the house of the synagogue official, the official’s daughter has died. His servants tell him this, and also to not bother Jesus any longer. After all, the girl is dead.  To which Jesus replies, in Mark 5:36: “Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler”Don’t be afraid, just believe”.  So apparently, here is a perfect example of a challenge we all face from time to time when co-creating our lives. Which do you believe? The appearance, or the Truth?  In this case, Jesus IGNORES the appearance, He knows and believes the Truth, that the girl will live.  In fact, in His mind, she already DOES live.  See the difference? The same continues in 5:38-40, when Jesus throws everyone out who is giving in to the appearance.  Get it?  Believe in the TRUTH of what you want to create, NOT in the appearance, especially in the appearance of what you don’t want!  It’s all here folks!

Tapping set up:

“Even though I give in to believing in appearances of that which is around me, I choose to believe in the Truth of what I want to create, that is real.”

All four Gospels contain the story of Jesus clearing the Temple of money-changers and those selling items for the sacrifices. His actions are prompted by what He feels is a disconnect, He yells that they are making God’s house of prayer into a den of thieves. There are many insights to learn from this, but what I would focus on and ask you is:

Are there things in YOUR temple that need to be cleared out? If there is anything in you that is not of God (fear, anxiety, saddness, etc.), CLEAR IT OUT!!!! For if you don’t, are you not robbing God of YOU?

Tapping set up phrase:

“Even though I have this issue (fear, saddness, etc.), I choose to clear and release it now. “

Often we are so bound and shut off from the Divine, we don’t really experience His Power in us.  Of course, those blocks which bind us and shut us off are of our own creation. And you said you can’t create! wink wink.   So guess what happens when you UN-create those blocks….Mr./Ms. So and So, meet the Divine within YOU.

Set up tapping phrase:

“Even though I feel isolated and not connected with God, I choose to easily allow the connection with the Divine within me. “

The beginning of the ministry of Jesus was preceded by the appearance of John. John’s was a “baptism of repentence.” Repent, in Greek, denotes a change of thought or mind.  So, what does this mean to us? Simple, before you can experience God, you have to have a change of mind!  Now, the trick is, what in your mind needs change?

“Even though this _______ is a challenge to me, I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”

“The Truth shall set you free!” Oh, you have no idea how true and powerful this statement is, or do you? Well, do you? If not, why not? Maybe its because you haven’t experienced Truth.  Yes, the rites and rituals can help, but they are not the Truth.  So what is blocking this realization for you? This would be a good place for the use of the Personal Peace Procedure. Start making a list of negative emotions and traits. These need to be cleared and removed, these are some of the blocks to this spiritual realization that you seek.  Work on one on that list per day. Before you know it…TRUTH and FREEDOM!

Use this set up phrase for each item on your list:

“Even though I feel…(or am …..), I deeply and completely love and accept (or forgive) myself.”

All things, all people, all circumstances can teach us something that can help us grow spiritually. The key is to look for it, find it, learn it.

Tapping set up phrase:

“Even though I dont know what (this event, person, etc.) is supposed to teach me, I choose to allow myself to be open to the learning.”

There are ten people with leprosy, calling to Jesus from a distance.  He tells them to go show the priests that they are clean, and on their way the notice they are indeed cured.  One man turns back to THANK Jesus, and he is told to go in peace, his faith has cured him. 

Now wait…how has his faith and gratitude cured him, wasn’t he already cured? Weren’t they all?  Hmmm.  Seems if you follow the flow of the story, it is easy to figure out the final outcome..those who didn’t show gratitude..well, they lost the healing they had.

Moral to the story? That’s easy.  Without gratitude, you will eventually lose what blessing God is giving you.  Gratitude connects you to the source of your blessings, so do you think gratitude may be a useful habit to cultivate?

Tapping set up phrase:

“Even though I don’t always feel grateful for ALL things, I choose to radiate gratitude for EVERYTHING!”"

Can’t worship in spirit and truth with a false self.  Yes, it can be hard and even a bit painful, but the self-made mask has to come off.  You are created in the image and likeness of God, why hide it?

“Even though I feel I may not be who I really am, I choose to allow my True Self to express to the world, without fear.”

I again feel compelled share something. No fancy wording, and maybe even a bit of rambling, but here it goes.

I’m asked often, “Why is there suffering?”  “Why is there pain?” and questions of the like.  This evening I watched the movie, “The Soloist”. It deals with a homeless man and another man’s attempts to help him recover his musical gifts. Another question came to me. “Why are there homless people?” “Why is there mental disease?” “Why, why why?”.

Now of course, I know the “pat” answers, you know, the ones the theologians teach. I know them well, I have used them myself. Every time I have, there was a deep, almost secret whisper accusing me, knowing that not even I really thought that explained it.  The bottom line truth is, I have no answer that covers those questions, other than, I just don’t know.  That leaves me in a place I am not comfortable, however.  What does this all mean, then?  What is my purpose?

That, thankfully, I guess, I do have some idea of.  I want to help relieve that pain. By helping to relieve it others, perhaps, somehow, I relieve my own.  After all, we are all connected, are we not?  And so I move forward in purpose, healing the world somehow, easing its pain, even just a little. I do it one person at a time. These are my gifts, I dare not refuse to use them.

What about you?  What if you helped someone, just one person, ease their pain?  Do you think, in some way, that may help you ease your own?  Just being there for someone, like the character in the movie. Maybe just a smile. Maybe just listening. Maybe…..

We are all in this together, after all.  I do what I do because it is my purpose. What is yours? Whatever it is, the world needs it.

So for this posting, no set up phrases, not fancy words, just a humble request.  Take some quiet time to just think, and reflect on what is YOUR purpose, and what can that mean to the world, to God’s children. Maybe you will be what they need tomorrow.

Ah, sometimes the best laid plans….I’m sure you may have uttered the above phrase and filled in the blank with a colorful word or two. There are times when circumstances run contrary to what we want and what we are working toward. Good time to remember Jesus’s teaching “…You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s” (Matt 16:23 NLT). Or as written by Wallace Wattles, dont look at appearances, but keep focused on the truth. We have to see past appearances and hold to the Truth, that God wants your good! Have faith and be patient!!

Tapping set up phrase:

“Even though I get frustrated (or angry, or whatever it is..) that things arent going my way, I choose to relax in the faith and knowing that God wants only my good.”