The Great Mind Shift: Updating Romans 12:2
Let’s kick things off with a real gem from Romans 12:2, which says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This episode is all about embracing new thoughts and ideas that help us break free from the mundane and into something extraordinary.
We’ll dive into how to process and resolve those “new thoughts” that come our way, whether they’re inspired by ancient wisdom or just everyday life experiences. Think of it like a mental refresh button – we’re here to chat about how to hit that button and discover what God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will looks like in our lives. So, grab your favorite beverage, kick back, and let’s get ready to expand our minds together!
Takeaways:
- Transforming your mind is not just a one-time deal; it's a daily adventure of digging deeper and thinking differently!
- Don't let the world squeeze you into its mold; embrace the beauty of renewal and be the butterfly in your life!
- Cultivating a willingness to think differently opens the door to new possibilities and amazing transformations.
- Testing God's will means checking in with your heart and mind, not challenging God, but discovering what aligns with love and goodness.
Transcript
Get.
Speaker A:Get started.
Speaker B:See, a red button is pushed.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker A:I have flowers today for my mug.
Speaker B:Oh, look at you.
Speaker B:I.
Speaker B:Well, maybe those are the kind of flowers we need to think about.
Speaker B:About putting in JP's cocktail.
Speaker A:Yeah, I have a new one for him.
Speaker A:Elder.
Speaker A:Elder.
Speaker B:Oh, elder flower.
Speaker B:Oh, yeah.
Speaker B:All right, let's see.
Speaker B:Can I start that?
Speaker B:That way?
Speaker B:Yes.
Speaker B:Okay, now we started the.
Speaker B:We've started the clock.
Speaker B:We've got the red button.
Speaker B:Okay, I'm going to do that, and then we're going to start.
Speaker B:How about that?
Speaker B:All right.
Speaker B:All right.
Speaker B:Welcome to the Wise Guys, a podcast where we unleash the unthinkable, see things differently, and shatter the norms to help us expand our worldview.
Speaker B:Hopefully, that will help us do it just a little bit better.
Speaker B:We can always move the needle a little bit, can't we?
Speaker B:So, hi, I'm Mac, and I'm your host.
Speaker B:And in this episode, we're going to apply some ancient wisdom.
Speaker B:I mean, we didn't think about.
Speaker B:Think up this stuff.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:We're going to, you know, we're just going to mimic what's already been done, and we think it's awesome.
Speaker B:So we're going to apply some ancient wisdom to, you know, to now, to the current challenges that we face.
Speaker B:And even though we're applying it to the here and the now with the examples maybe, or just whatever we want to say, it's going to be some universal stuff.
Speaker B:I mean, you're going to be able to hopefully take what we're talking about in this episode and use it six months from now and use it here from now or whatever.
Speaker B:Okay?
Speaker B:So this is going to be a lot of fun, but I got the guys.
Speaker B:Now.
Speaker B:Here's the funny thing about the Wise guys tonight.
Speaker B:Okay?
Speaker B:Here we are.
Speaker B:Revolution.
Speaker B:Here we are in the room, and the Rev is sitting right across from me, which is very nice.
Speaker C:It's so nice to be able to look in the camera and you at the same time.
Speaker C:This side shot all the time, because.
Speaker B:Do you know whose seat I'm sitting in?
Speaker A:Are you in Coach 2 seat?
Speaker B:I'm in the Stu Meister's seat.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:Because here's the scoop.
Speaker B:We got him on the podcast.
Speaker B:He's here with us being a wise guy.
Speaker B:But guess where he is.
Speaker A:I wish I could show you.
Speaker C:I wish I was there.
Speaker B:He's at the beach.
Speaker B:He's at the beach, man.
Speaker B:So we're piping him in for this water.
Speaker A:Well, when it's light out, I can see the water and the sand, so it's Nice.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Bragging.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker C:Is.
Speaker C:Can you fill his shoes?
Speaker C:Can you fill his seat?
Speaker B:That's gonna be.
Speaker C:Those are some shoes to fill.
Speaker B:That's why I was.
Speaker B:I'm in his seat.
Speaker B:I don't know.
Speaker A:I'm so glad that technology allows us to do this.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:You know?
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:We can be with each other.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:And everybody can connect no matter where you are in the world, you know, which is amazing.
Speaker A:That's one benefit of technology.
Speaker A:It's an amazing.
Speaker C:So, coach, would you say that exotic cocktails can be anywhere at any given time?
Speaker C:Let me say hello.
Speaker A:Hello from the beach.
Speaker A:Welcome, all you beautiful people.
Speaker B:I see all those people going frogging.
Speaker A:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker C:Let me come, Stu.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:So.
Speaker B:So.
Speaker B:Yes.
Speaker B:Welcome, everyone.
Speaker B:Thanks for listening in.
Speaker C:You know, and I love that when you do that every single week, because it reminds me that we, behold, the three of us get together, and we see the goodness in everybody.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker C:We know there's something good and of value and amazing about everybody, and I love that.
Speaker B:That's right.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker B:Cherries, umbrellas, you know, limes, oranges, whatever.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:We love it all.
Speaker B:All right.
Speaker B:All right, guys.
Speaker B:So here we are.
Speaker B:Words to the wise this week.
Speaker B:We didn't do it last week because we were really full with John Paul, which was a great conversation.
Speaker B:If you haven't heard that episode, folks, Rocktails, go back there and listen to it, because we had more fun with that, and he's a really cool guy.
Speaker B:All right, words to the wise.
Speaker B:Here we go.
Speaker B:Life is a constant struggle between carrots and chocolate.
Speaker B:Yeah, I know which one I'm picking.
Speaker B:It's not really even a struggle, to be honest with you.
Speaker C:What if you took the carrot and dipped it in the chocolate?
Speaker A:I was gonna say you stole my thunder.
Speaker C:I'd like to live in a both end universe.
Speaker C:Not an either or a both end.
Speaker B:That's it.
Speaker B:Like, though.
Speaker B:You got my chocolate, my peanut butter.
Speaker B:You got your peanut butter, my chocolate.
Speaker B:You know, it's so.
Speaker B:Yes.
Speaker B:So we.
Speaker B:You know, I think Paul in the Bible said something about, why do I do it?
Speaker B:I don't want to do when I want to do it.
Speaker B:I mean, you know, it's that little struggle.
Speaker B:But.
Speaker B:And Natalie, my wife, is all the oldest.
Speaker B:No, you're eating the carrots.
Speaker B:You can have some chocolate.
Speaker B:It's okay, but it needs to be in moderation.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker A:What's cool about this word, this.
Speaker A:These words to the wise is it really highlights the tension between, like, discipline and enjoyment in your life.
Speaker A:Like, think about that.
Speaker A:Right?
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker A:If you want to think about, like, you know, healthy foods versus chocolate as that, you know?
Speaker C:I love that idea.
Speaker C:You know what?
Speaker C:If you're a weightlifter, you're a wrestling coach.
Speaker C:Discipline and enjoyment coexist.
Speaker C:They must coexist for a balanced life.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker A:For sure.
Speaker B:Well, yeah, that's one of.
Speaker B:Again, that's one of the things that my wife has told me.
Speaker B:She says, look, okay, you gotta eat healthy.
Speaker B:All right, I get it.
Speaker B:Okay?
Speaker B:But if you do that, then guess what?
Speaker B:You can come over here and play.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:It's okay.
Speaker B:You know, I mean.
Speaker B:Yeah, I just.
Speaker B:I finally got that.
Speaker B:All right, so.
Speaker B:All right, so there we are.
Speaker B:Words to the wise, gang.
Speaker B:Any more comments about that, guys?
Speaker B:Good.
Speaker B:Okay, time to pick up some nuggets.
Speaker B:All right, so where are we with ancient wisdom from the Bible?
Speaker A:Yeah, let me read a passage from Romans 12:2.
Speaker A:This is really what the whole episode is going to be based on today, everybody.
Speaker A:So here it is.
Speaker A:Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Speaker A:Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is.
Speaker A:His good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Speaker A:It's a very popular verse.
Speaker A:I think a lot of people are going to know this one.
Speaker B:Yep, yep.
Speaker C:It's on the wall at my.
Speaker C:In my office.
Speaker B:Yeah, I'm sure it is.
Speaker B:That's a great one for.
Speaker B:Yeah, unity.
Speaker B:So, you know, here's the thing.
Speaker B:And yes, it's out of the Bible, you know, outside of the Newer Testament.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:Isn't it?
Speaker B:I like rev, but you call it Newer Testament.
Speaker B:But understand that if you're listening to us and you are of a different faith, or if you're not a faith at all, I mean, there's just whatever.
Speaker B:We're going to claim that this is great wisdom that you can apply no matter where you're coming from.
Speaker B:I think it's universal wisdom that can be applied to anybody in everybody's life for the better.
Speaker C:I think we can find agreement across religious boundaries that this amazing mind that we have is a gift of God.
Speaker C:Our intellect and our wisdom and our intuitive faculties is a gift of God, and it should constantly be cleansed, renewed, and uplifted.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:Oh, yeah, I know.
Speaker B:It's powerful.
Speaker B:I mean, that's the other thing to remember.
Speaker B:God gave us a brain okay to use.
Speaker B:All right.
Speaker C:You know, people are always telling me in my church, oh, follow your heart.
Speaker C:Follow your heart.
Speaker C:And I say, absolutely, follow your heart.
Speaker C:But for Pete's sake, take your brain with you, because it's a gift.
Speaker C:You need it.
Speaker C:It's a partnership.
Speaker C:It's a carrot and chocolate.
Speaker C:The heart and the brain.
Speaker B:Wow.
Speaker B:We're going to be using that all over the place now.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:Carrots and chocolate, dad.
Speaker C:Because when the feeling and the thinking nature come together, I can.
Speaker C:What is it?
Speaker C:Approve.
Speaker C:It says, or test.
Speaker C:Is this of God or is this not of God?
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker C:That's how I sift through the.
Speaker C:The chaff and get to the.
Speaker B:The meat that develops the discernment, you know, because that's really what he's talking about there, I think.
Speaker B:Anyway, so.
Speaker A:So one of my favorite words is in this.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:In this biblical scripture.
Speaker A:Transformation or transforming.
Speaker A:I mean, it's.
Speaker A:I.
Speaker A:I feel like this is.
Speaker A:If I had to pick a word that describes my life, that's probably it.
Speaker A:Transformation.
Speaker A:But, you know, and it be beginning with the renewal of your mind.
Speaker A:Like, it just kind of like, to me, it's kind of like change in.
Speaker A:In your thinking that aligns with God's truth, you know?
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:It's kind of how I see that.
Speaker A:Which I think is a amazing, beautiful thing.
Speaker B:Sure.
Speaker A:So I love how this.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Well, I think it's not only a challenge, but it's also a comfort.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:That God gives us.
Speaker B:Please do this.
Speaker B:And then guess what?
Speaker B:And the thing I also like about it is because people, I've.
Speaker B:I mean, I've known this verse for, you know, decades.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:And, you know, how can you.
Speaker B:What about.
Speaker B:How do you test, you know, God, God's will?
Speaker B:How do you.
Speaker B:I mean, what do you.
Speaker B:Minute you use a word test, and you put God in the same, you know, sentence.
Speaker B:You want to turn it around, say God's testing us.
Speaker B:You hear that all the time.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:But now how do we test God's will?
Speaker B:And you know what?
Speaker B:I think that's the beauty of this too, because God's basically saying to us, test me.
Speaker B:Go ahead, ruminate on it.
Speaker B:Chew on it.
Speaker C:See, I look at that just a little bit different.
Speaker C:It's not testing God.
Speaker C:It's testing.
Speaker C:Is this of God is what I'm experiencing.
Speaker C:What I'm thinking is what I'm in the middle of.
Speaker C:Of God or not of God.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker C:I think at first I'm not too sure.
Speaker C:I feel it.
Speaker C:This isn't of God.
Speaker C:So I can make a decision to change about my own behavior and about what I participate in and don't participate in.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker C:So it's, it's.
Speaker C:It's sifting through once again to find God.
Speaker C:Not about proving God or testing God, it's testing my own ability to discern the difference between God and not God.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Well, I think when he used test God, test and approve his will, that isn't necessarily.
Speaker B:I think you're.
Speaker B:Rev.
Speaker B:That.
Speaker B:That we're not testing God, but we're trying to discern what is best for us.
Speaker C:Because what is God's will?
Speaker B:We believe.
Speaker B:Love one another.
Speaker C:Love.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:I would say.
Speaker B:I know Stu's right on that path.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:Oh, yeah.
Speaker A:So, Rev, to do what you're talking about, guess what?
Speaker A:You have to get to know God.
Speaker C:Yep.
Speaker C:It's based on a relationship.
Speaker A:Have a relationship with God.
Speaker A:And if.
Speaker A:And if you don't, I, you know, I.
Speaker A:I encourage everybody to do that.
Speaker A:It's.
Speaker A:It's an amazing thing.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:You know, and if you have one, you know, keep working on it.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:It just gets better and better and better.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:God can go wherever you want to go with him.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:I think that's exact.
Speaker B:I mean, we read that thing out of Lies We Believe about God from Paul Young, and basically it was this whole conversation about sin and about.
Speaker B:He had a whole chapter about this.
Speaker B:But remember, the one poignant point I'm going to say in one of the chapters was.
Speaker B:And I'm paraphrasing here.
Speaker B:Okay, look, make whatever decision you want, okay.
Speaker B:You're going to screw up, you're going to do the wrong thing, whatever.
Speaker B:But.
Speaker B:But God's just going to enter into that decision with you and climb right in there and you're going to go together.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:I mean, it wasn't, you know, there was no judgment to say, oh, no, no, sorry, I'm not having anything to do with that decision.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:I thought that was pretty insightful.
Speaker B:I thought that was really good.
Speaker B:All right, so let's kind of break that down a little bit.
Speaker B:We're going to sort of, you know, give some examples as we move through that saying.
Speaker B:I won't even call it a verse.
Speaker B:I mean, it is, but, you know, to stay a little more neutral.
Speaker B:It's just good wisdom.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:So conforming to the pattern of this world.
Speaker B:Okay, what.
Speaker B:How do we do that?
Speaker B:Let's just kind of talk.
Speaker B:Let's bring it to light about how those kinds of things happen in our lives, whether we're conscious of it or not.
Speaker B:I think I'm going to say probably a lot of the time you aren't even conscious of it.
Speaker B:You just.
Speaker C:I think most times that is unconscious.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker C:We go to sleep.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:So I kind of started out with this and we were talking in the pre show about this.
Speaker B:So, you know, we're going to have some ideas about this, but all of us, and I think I just kind of broke this down in general.
Speaker B:You can, you know, you can have your own way you want to look at it or whatever, but when we enter into a situation, whatever that situation might be, does.
Speaker B:It doesn't matter.
Speaker B:We're talking just general right now.
Speaker B:I'm confronted with this.
Speaker B:All right, or this is going on, maybe not even confronted with it.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:We fall, we typically will fall into one of four camps and they can mix around a little bit.
Speaker B:But you're going to get the idea here.
Speaker B:You are either going to be open minded of the possibilities outside of your norm.
Speaker B:Okay, that could be one place that you land your plane.
Speaker C:There's something new here.
Speaker C:That might be something to learn here.
Speaker B:Right, right.
Speaker B:I mean, there could be an openness to say, whoa, okay, hello.
Speaker B:Or you and these are not mutually exclusive, most of them.
Speaker B:So, you know, they can mix and match.
Speaker B:You could be in favor and support that again, whatever that is.
Speaker B:All right, you can be putting thumbs up and going, yeah, man, I'm in, I'm on.
Speaker B:That's good, right?
Speaker B:Or you could fall into the camp that says, you know what, off my radar, I really don't care.
Speaker B:I mean, one way or the other, I'm getting on with it.
Speaker B:Okay, that could be that.
Speaker B:Or you literally could be on the other side of the spectrum from the I'm, you know, thumb thumbs up.
Speaker B:You could be thumbs down.
Speaker B:Oh, there's no way.
Speaker B:Okay, I am not going there.
Speaker B:That is not what I ascribe to or whatever.
Speaker B:I'm just saying you got the opposite and you're in opposition.
Speaker B:All right, so as we're going through some of these things, just keep that in mind.
Speaker B:And you're going to change.
Speaker B:I mean, it depends on what we're talking about.
Speaker B:You could be bullet point number two or you could be bullet point number four on the next one.
Speaker B:All right, so there's no.
Speaker B:You're not stuck.
Speaker C:All right, so is renewing your mind somewhere between thumbs up?
Speaker C:I'm totally on board.
Speaker C:Thumbs down, totally not on board, is it?
Speaker C:I'm open and receptive to a new idea, to a new thought, to a new pattern.
Speaker C:Is there a middle ground between I'm all for it or I'm all against it?
Speaker C:Well, I'm going to say renewing of your mind only can happen there.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Oh, in the.
Speaker C:If I've made up my mind and there's no budging there.
Speaker C:I'm not renewing anything.
Speaker B:That's true.
Speaker B:All right, so there has to be some wiggle room in there, you know.
Speaker B:That's a great point.
Speaker B:All right, so anyway, just stick with those little four categories as we're going through this, and maybe just.
Speaker B:Just think for yourself as we're repeating some of these things or giving you some examples to say to yourself, all right, in this situation, where do I fall?
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:What.
Speaker B:How am I thinking about that?
Speaker B:And not only how am I thinking about that, could I enter into the possibility that I need to change my thinking?
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:And renew whatever it might be?
Speaker B:All right, so I think that's what Paul was trying to encourage us.
Speaker B:Don't, you know, don't.
Speaker B:Don't conform to the patterns of the world.
Speaker B:And we're just, you know.
Speaker B:What, again, what are they?
Speaker C:Well, patterns of your own.
Speaker C:Your own thinking on your own heart.
Speaker C:I've always done things the same way.
Speaker C:Maybe I could do things a little differently.
Speaker B:Right, right.
Speaker C:And maybe there's more God to discover at the end of that, at the possibility.
Speaker C:I hope so.
Speaker B:I would say, otherwise I've been wasting.
Speaker C:My last 20 years.
Speaker B:So we're gonna.
Speaker B:You know, these aren't gonna be, you know.
Speaker B:What.
Speaker B:What are you talking about, Mac?
Speaker B:You know, we're gonna run right through these pretty quickly because, you know, we're just setting the stage.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:So how do you conform to the pattern of this world?
Speaker B:You know, greed.
Speaker B:You know, greed is a pattern of the world.
Speaker B:You know, again, is.
Speaker B:Is that part of your life?
Speaker B:Is that something that you need to examine and just say, well, am I really greedy?
Speaker B:I mean, again, it's a subconscious thing for the most part.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:I guess.
Speaker B:Let me think about that.
Speaker A:Okay, well, materialism and self ambition are.
Speaker A:I mean, those are real things that.
Speaker A:For people, right?
Speaker A:I mean, sure, a lot of.
Speaker A:A lot of people will prioritize wealth and possessions and status over their own spiritual growth and their own, you know, generosity, you know, so, yeah, I mean, you know, we got to go away from what Gordon Gekko used to say.
Speaker A:Greed is good.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker A:I haven't made a movie reference in a long time.
Speaker B:That's right.
Speaker B:All right.
Speaker B:I like that movie.
Speaker B:That was pretty good movie.
Speaker B:Okay, so greed marginalizing, you know, and you can go into the Bible and you can find all kinds of examples that Jesus came to turn that around, because that was.
Speaker B:Again, that was a pattern of the world in Jesus's day.
Speaker B:I mean, it was just rampant, and that was the way they thought it should Be not.
Speaker B:They weren't.
Speaker B:You know, there wasn't a whole lot of conviction that we need to change something.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:So, you know, that's just sort of marginalizing, which.
Speaker B:This one dominating and oppressing.
Speaker B:That kind of fits right in, if you will.
Speaker B:Again, look back to when Jesus came.
Speaker B:What was the Roman world like at that time?
Speaker B:Full of it.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:Full of it.
Speaker C:There was a lot of survival consciousness going on here.
Speaker C:We have to survive.
Speaker C:So these things were necessary to thrive.
Speaker C:I have to put you down.
Speaker C:I'm against you.
Speaker C:All three of these are us versus them.
Speaker C:A belief that the haves and the have nots has to exist in order for my survival.
Speaker C:We don't live there anymore.
Speaker C:Hopefully we've had some new thoughts over and over and over again that we've escaped the mentality and Jesus was a part of that great awakening.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker C:You don't have to live.
Speaker C:It's not about survival of you and, and, and, and me.
Speaker C:It's about the survival of the whole.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker C:And I think greed gets put into check when that happens.
Speaker C:Marginalization gets put into check.
Speaker C:Domination and oppression and belittling gets put into check when we shift that new thought that, oh, we really belong to each other here.
Speaker C:We forgot and I don't need to survive anymore.
Speaker C:You're.
Speaker C:My survival depends on your survival.
Speaker C:I am because you are.
Speaker C:You are because I am.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Yeah, that's.
Speaker B:Yeah, I totally agree.
Speaker B:And that's a new thought.
Speaker C:And.
Speaker B:Well, I think here's, here's the thing that you were teaching a class not long ago that I was in and you were giving some background on the new thought, you know, movement, if you would, and we're going to talk a little bit about that later.
Speaker B:But the point you made was this.
Speaker B:Understand something.
Speaker B: We're here in: Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker B:Nothing new about it.
Speaker C:Hadn't had a new thought in 25 years.
Speaker B:Well, you know, that's not bad necessarily.
Speaker B:It's just that these are some ancient truths that people got a long time ago, you know, that either we're just remembering now or we're just repeating and we're accepting.
Speaker B:I mean, but to think about a.
Speaker B:You know, there are new thoughts, but at the same time, you know, don't, don't get high and mighty about the fact that you just invented something.
Speaker B:So, so, yeah, so dominating oppression, belittling all relational types, things where you are, you know, you're pushing certain people, you know, down or you're trying to, you know, it's just, I think it's one of those things where it's a.
Speaker B:It's a ego thing a lot of times that wants to put you above somebody else, you know?
Speaker A:Well, you know, what else is happening, Mac, is there's a lot of peer pressure and even, like, cultural trends and, you know, where people are trying to.
Speaker A:They're seeking approval, you know, from the world, from their environment, where they might adopt, you know, popular beliefs, behaviors that actually contradict, like, God's truth or biblical truth, depending on how you want to look at it, you know, and it kind of redefines their morality, but it's almost become like a norm, like it's.
Speaker A:And.
Speaker A:And they don't even realize they're doing it right.
Speaker A:You know, they're just kind of in it because everybody's doing it right.
Speaker A:Everybody else is doing it.
Speaker A:So it kind of justifies it.
Speaker C:And that's how I test it.
Speaker C:That's how I test and prove God.
Speaker C:I use my mind to go, is this of God here?
Speaker C:I'm thinking, no, it doesn't feel.
Speaker C:It doesn't feel like it either.
Speaker B:No.
Speaker C:I gotta have a new thought here, because the way of the world is not in alignment with God.
Speaker C:It's not in congruity with the God of my understanding.
Speaker C:So I need to act differently and be extra conscious and awake that I don't conform to that idea of us and them.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:And the verse says the pattern of the world.
Speaker B:Right, Right.
Speaker B:So understand that I had a bullet point, but I'll go ahead and talk about it right now.
Speaker B:That there's certainly certain things in the world not of the world that you definitely can conform to, I.
Speaker B:E.
Speaker B:What?
Speaker B:The Rev is already talking about Stu's talk about love.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:I can conform to love.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:That's awesome.
Speaker B:All right.
Speaker B:That's a good thing.
Speaker A:Let's do that.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker C:I vote yes.
Speaker C:Thumbs up.
Speaker B:But here's what came to my mind, Rev, when you were just talking, it was that deal about, you know, well, we fall into this pattern about just doing what everybody else does.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:You know, that kind of thing.
Speaker B:So I can hear my mama right now.
Speaker B:I can hear my mother.
Speaker B:Well, if everybody jumped off a cliff, would you do it, too?
Speaker B:I mean, you know, there it went.
Speaker B:It just went right into my brain.
Speaker C:My dad always had this guy named Joe Gagowski.
Speaker C:He said, joe Gagowski jumps off the bridge.
Speaker C:You can.
Speaker C:And I asked him:1.
Speaker C:Is Joe Gagowski a real guy?
Speaker C:No, he just made him.
Speaker C:I want to meet Joe Gagowski and tell him I love him.
Speaker B:Yeah, thanks a lot.
Speaker B:Joe.
Speaker A:So here's the thing, Mac, that.
Speaker A:That's a little bit scary.
Speaker A:People are jumping right now, even.
Speaker A:And here's the thing.
Speaker A:They don't even know how far it is to the bottom.
Speaker A:They're just going.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:I don't even.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:Oh, that's.
Speaker B:Well, yeah.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:I don't know how we got to this point, but it.
Speaker A:But it's what's going on.
Speaker A:I think just acknowledging it, knowing that it's happening and getting people to think.
Speaker B:Right, right.
Speaker A:Or to stop, take a breath, think.
Speaker C:And they're not jumping off bridges.
Speaker C:They're jumping to conclusions.
Speaker C:They're jumping.
Speaker C:They're jumping to judgment.
Speaker B:Wait, wait.
Speaker B:There might be a meme right there, Stu.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker C:And is that suicide?
Speaker A:I think every single episode I gotta.
Speaker C:Keep up with you guys.
Speaker C:But it's jumping to conclusions.
Speaker C:A suicide of the human race and of itself.
Speaker C:When I jump to conclusions, I've killed the human race and I've killed my ability to know love and to know God.
Speaker C:With you.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Well, yeah.
Speaker B:And I'm Pierce with picture in my mind about the jump off the cliff thing.
Speaker B:There's certain people in that group or whatever, they're jumping.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:They've decided I'm jumping off the cliff for whatever reason.
Speaker B:But there's other people in that are just being pushed forward because who they're associating with and they're going over the cliff, you know, with the herd.
Speaker B:And it may not be a conscious decision to jump.
Speaker A:Yes, right.
Speaker B:There it is.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:And so you have to be careful about who you're surrounding yourself with as well.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker C:You become like the people you're hanging out.
Speaker B:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker B:Because they're going to take you to some places that you might not have the discernment to say, wait a minute, this ain't part of what I want.
Speaker A:There's.
Speaker A:Unfortunately, there's a lot of people neglecting God right now.
Speaker A:You know, living as.
Speaker A:As.
Speaker A:And what that means is not that he's completely gone, but they're living as if he's, like, secondary.
Speaker A:I just.
Speaker A:I mean, I just don't feel that way.
Speaker A:I don't see it that way.
Speaker A:And I know my life is great because I don't see it that way.
Speaker A:So I would only hope others might, you know, put God or your.
Speaker A:Your higher power at a.
Speaker A:At a higher.
Speaker A:In a higher place.
Speaker C:You know, we kind of live mentality.
Speaker C:When all else fails, well, I guess there's always God.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker C:Or when all else fails, all love.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:Well, if you're doing that, all the unforgiveness and bitterness that's going on right now, I think goes away, you know, I mean, or at least it's minimized.
Speaker A:It's not at the top of the list.
Speaker B:Yeah, well, exactly.
Speaker C:I have to hope that that's true.
Speaker C:I absolutely believe that.
Speaker C:So I stay the course of love.
Speaker B:Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:There is no greater power if you believe that, than, you know, in the universe per se, if you.
Speaker B:You know, if you want to go there.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker A:Well, think about.
Speaker A:Think about this.
Speaker A:How amazing would the world be right now if everyone just was guided by God's spirit rather than world expectations?
Speaker B:Good.
Speaker B:I mean, historical question, but that'd be good.
Speaker B:It'd be good.
Speaker B:All right.
Speaker C:People are forgetting, right?
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker C:Is that in of itself God's will, love?
Speaker C:You know, can we break down all the world religions that have divided us all and go.
Speaker C:Yes.
Speaker C:Love is right there at the center of all of them.
Speaker C:The golden rule is right there at the center.
Speaker C:I think that's what's going to heal the planet.
Speaker B:Well, awakening to that, if you will.
Speaker C:And we may have to be crucified.
Speaker C:Well, to do that.
Speaker C:Am I willing to do that?
Speaker C:I'd like to believe I am.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Well, we crucify our ego, hopefully, on a daily basis to get just a little more conformed.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:But maybe everybody doesn't take that path either, so.
Speaker B:Hey, listen, this is awesome Stuff, guys.
Speaker B:I.
Speaker B:I would love to just keep on this path for a long time, but I think we're going to have some really cool nuggets coming up.
Speaker B:I'm ready for transformation, because we want.
Speaker B:Yeah, this is Stuff's favorite word.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Stu's favorite word.
Speaker B:Transformation.
Speaker B:So we're gonna.
Speaker B:We're gonna take a break.
Speaker B:We're gonna have a little cocktail over here maybe, or whatever.
Speaker B:We're gonna.
Speaker C:Exotic one.
Speaker B:You can go ahead and.
Speaker B:Yeah, yeah, you can go ahead and use the restroom.
Speaker B:Whatever you want to do.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:But we're gonna be back in a few minutes.
Speaker B:We're gonna take a break and hang on.
Speaker B:Thanks for listening.
Speaker B:Oh, look at that.
Speaker B:I don't usually.
Speaker B:I don't usually punch those buttons, too.
Speaker B:Usually takes care of it.
Speaker A:You're doing a little extra work today.
Speaker B:I know.
Speaker B:Yeah, man.
Speaker C:Big shoes to fill, big chair to fill.
Speaker B:Yep, yep, yep.
Speaker C:And I am officially in low battery mode at this point.
Speaker B:Oh.
Speaker C:So it may go dead halfway through here.
Speaker C:We'll see.
Speaker B:Oh, okay.
Speaker C:That's okay.
Speaker B:All right.
Speaker C:I'm feeling.
Speaker A:He's going.
Speaker A:His vault.
Speaker A:His voice is going straight into the board.
Speaker B:Right, yes, yes.
Speaker A:It's just a video.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:All right.
Speaker B:So, I mean, yeah, if he didn't, we will just lose.
Speaker B:Video is what we'll lose.
Speaker A:We can go.
Speaker A:I mean, I'm ready to go if you want to.
Speaker A:Just hop in.
Speaker B:Okay, so let's go back.
Speaker B:So.
Speaker B:All right, we're back, the wise guys, and we are talking about some ancient wisdom that does.
Speaker B:There's wisdom in the Bible again, Christian, not Christian, doesn't really matter that we can grab a hold of that we can learn from, you know, and we've talked about some things in the first half about conforming to the patterns of this world.
Speaker B:I'm going to go ahead and read the verse again.
Speaker B:Stu, read that for me again, will you?
Speaker A:Yes.
Speaker A:So this comes from Romans 12:2.
Speaker A:Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Speaker A:Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is.
Speaker A:His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Speaker B:All right, so we've been kind of breaking that up a little bit, trying to glean the.
Speaker B:The truth and the nuggets from each little part of that.
Speaker B:And now we're going to sort of move into the.
Speaker B:The transforming and renewing of your mind.
Speaker B:Because really, in the first half, we sort of talked mostly about the problem.
Speaker B:Okay?
Speaker B:I mean, here's the problem.
Speaker B:Here's what we're facing, you know, the world today.
Speaker B:It's a lot of anger and angst and, you know, confusion and whatever.
Speaker B:And those are.
Speaker B:Let me put it this way.
Speaker B:That's not unique to this time.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:By any means.
Speaker B:All right?
Speaker B:We face these kinds of situations in our own life or in the world or in, you know, whatever it might be all the time.
Speaker B:All right?
Speaker B:So, you know, this is a universal, you know, condition, if we can call it that.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:So let's talk about trans.
Speaker B:Transforming and renewing your mind.
Speaker B:What do you think about those concepts, wise guys?
Speaker C:All I know is that my life is rich and full and magnificent and beautiful.
Speaker C:And it's because I was willing to entertain a new thought, a new idea, a new paradigm and not go along with the herd.
Speaker C:I'm really grateful, and it's scary.
Speaker C:That takes a lot of guts to transform.
Speaker C:I'm willing to be changed at depth.
Speaker C:Has been a prayer that has made my life heaven on earth when it has been hell before.
Speaker B:Hmm, good.
Speaker B:That's good.
Speaker B:That's a good testimony right there.
Speaker B:I love that.
Speaker B:Okay, well, you know the two words transform and renew, right?
Speaker B:This is what we're this is part of that verse.
Speaker B:Transform to change in character or condition.
Speaker B:So it's pretty major.
Speaker B:I mean, it's a big deal.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:When you are transforming.
Speaker B:So it's.
Speaker B:It's drastic, but it's also beautiful.
Speaker B:You know, the whole butterfly thing.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:You know, where it transforms.
Speaker B:How about renew, though?
Speaker B:In a similar word, you know, a synonym would be regenerate.
Speaker B:So your definition there is restored to a better, higher, or more worthy state.
Speaker C:You know the word regenerate you used, I think, born again.
Speaker C:Born again and again and again and again.
Speaker C:I'm made new.
Speaker B:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker B:And that's a.
Speaker B:That's an ongoing process.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:And.
Speaker B:And again, don't tell yourself that I.
Speaker B:I need to not have that happen.
Speaker B:I don't want to fall and then get back up and fall and get back up and.
Speaker B:Oh, no, no.
Speaker B:That's exactly what you need to do.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:That's the plan B.
Speaker B:Plan A and B.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker B:So.
Speaker B:So anyway, those two concepts is what we're.
Speaker B:Paul, when he wrote this, from Romans, when he wrote a letter to Romans.
Speaker B:So let's start out with this.
Speaker B:I'm going to let the guys kind of just jump off of this statement.
Speaker B:Minimize or even eliminate differences through a better understanding of one another.
Speaker A:Well, yeah, I.
Speaker A:I think the Rev and I are.
Speaker A:Are alike in this way.
Speaker A:We're always looking for how we are alike over how we're different.
Speaker A:And that's just naturally.
Speaker A:That's just where I go when I meet people, which is why I end up in these conversations, like at the gas station and wherever I am, you know, with different people.
Speaker A:Yeah, my toe shoes.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker A:But I mean that.
Speaker A:And that's a way to have a better understanding.
Speaker A:Everybody has.
Speaker A:Mac, you and I have said this for years.
Speaker A:Everybody has a story.
Speaker B:That's right.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker A:If you're interested in that story.
Speaker A:You can better understand somebody once you know more about them.
Speaker B:Sure.
Speaker A:And that's a beautiful thing.
Speaker A:And you know what?
Speaker A:Not only that, it's fun to learn about other people.
Speaker B:I mean, they're exotic cocktails.
Speaker C:One thing I've learned that if my mindset, my starting point is I'm seeking connection, I connect with people.
Speaker C:If I'm looking for what's different or what alienates you from me, I'm going to find that as well.
Speaker B:You'll find that.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker C:And the world gets more separate and more separate and more ugly and more dark.
Speaker C:So I'm saying, hey, the alternative is just look for where the connection is.
Speaker C:Your story matches my story.
Speaker C:We've had A similar story.
Speaker C:Let's dance in a collective story together, right?
Speaker B:Well, the basis of things like 12 step, all of that, you know, all kind of rehabilitation and all that is to share the stories.
Speaker B:Because that way it takes away that, well, I'm unique.
Speaker B:It's only happening to me.
Speaker B:Why am I the victim in this?
Speaker B:Where everybody can share, not only can share commonality, but can share healing, can share camaraderie, can share love.
Speaker C:So does transformation require listening?
Speaker C:You know, in order to transform, I need to put my ears on and listen.
Speaker A:Of course.
Speaker C:Yeah, I think so.
Speaker C:I think it's a prerequisite.
Speaker B:Well, what you're really saying here, both of you guys are saying that transformation is not an isolated on an island event that I'm going to try to initiate in myself, right?
Speaker B:That it's a communal thing, that if you're transforming and you're around other people, they're going to see it.
Speaker B:First of all, you can offer some counsel, you can offer some guidance.
Speaker B:You're in the story together now, right?
Speaker B:That's a story.
Speaker C:My evolution, my transformation, my becoming is intricately associated with yours, right?
Speaker C:It's.
Speaker C:It cannot be disconnected.
Speaker C:So we do it together and there's a greater power, a greater strength, and maybe a greater proving of God.
Speaker B:To me, I think that's the way it.
Speaker C:Maybe that's the earthly journey as we prove God by remembering these truths.
Speaker B:Absolutely.
Speaker B:Well, the thing that I've learned recently too, and we were talking, talking about this in the pre show, so if you sit down and let's just say you think, you think you perceive that you have 10 things that you just are disagree with somebody over.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:Just wherever you got that.
Speaker B:But that's your filter, that's your grid.
Speaker B:And if you really sit down with them and you have a conversation and you're earnest about trying to find out, well, okay, I see us having a conflict here.
Speaker B:Help me understand you know where you're coming from better than I do right now.
Speaker B:Even if you can't reconcile all ten.
Speaker B:Okay, what about if it's just three or two that are left?
Speaker B:What have you just done?
Speaker B:You've just mitigated and closed the gap, you know.
Speaker B:Now that doesn't mean sometime in the future you can't keep working on it.
Speaker B:And maybe you will close the gap.
Speaker B:All right, Totally.
Speaker B:But at least you don't have the angst and the anger and the fighting and everything else that comes with.
Speaker B:If I'm fighting you over 10 things, oh, my gosh, we're consumed by it both you Know, as opposed to just saying, well, look, let's revel in the, you know, in the seven that we agree in and figure out what we knew about the three.
Speaker B:All right.
Speaker B:I mean, I just think it's a process that if you don't enter into, ain't going to get any better.
Speaker C:I find the more that I'm wanting to build bridges, the more transformation is possible for me.
Speaker C:So I say I'm kicking down all the walls I have put up in my past and I'm trying to turn them into bridges.
Speaker C:And that's exactly where can we find agreement?
Speaker C:Where can we find that.
Speaker C:That I teach every week.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:It's a.
Speaker C:It's a much more beautiful place to live.
Speaker B:Well, that's a crucifixion you were talking.
Speaker C:About, because you got to crucify the old idea.
Speaker B:That's right.
Speaker B:That's the old stuff.
Speaker B:I get it.
Speaker B:No doubt.
Speaker B:All right, so that was one.
Speaker B:Minimize or eliminate the differences.
Speaker B:How about this?
Speaker B:If you're going to transform or renew your mind, enlists the power of the Spirit.
Speaker B:And again, the Christians have a view to.
Speaker B:Way to look at that.
Speaker B:Almost any religion will look at the greater power.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:Whatever that might mean for you.
Speaker B:But there's a great power that's greater than us that will enable us to do these kinds of things and be successful at them.
Speaker B:You know, if you don't draw upon and it lives right in you, I mean, we don't think I'll find it anywhere.
Speaker B:All right?
Speaker B:It's right there.
Speaker B:It's right here.
Speaker B:It's just a matter of us enlisting it and acknowledging it and enlisting it.
Speaker B:And you'll be amazed then at.
Speaker B:At what starts to happen and how you end up transforming.
Speaker B:Not them.
Speaker B:Not.
Speaker B:Not them.
Speaker C:See, I gotta find it in myself first before I can find it in you.
Speaker B:Right, exactly.
Speaker C:So here's the good news.
Speaker A:Rev is the Spirit.
Speaker A:Is.
Speaker A:It is with.
Speaker A:Was with all of us.
Speaker A:Yes, each of us, all the time.
Speaker A:And just many of us either don't know how to acknowledge and communicate or hear the Spirit, but it.
Speaker A:The Spirit is.
Speaker A:Is touching, nudging us, you know, helping us with feelings, with thoughts.
Speaker A:I mean, it.
Speaker A:It's there.
Speaker A:I mean, you can.
Speaker A:I mean, you could call.
Speaker A:Call it intuition sometimes.
Speaker A:I mean, it's.
Speaker A:I know it's there, and it's taken some time to.
Speaker A:For me to cultivate it and cultivate it.
Speaker A:But, you know, transformation, my favorite word.
Speaker A:Right is not.
Speaker A:It's.
Speaker A:It's not instant right.
Speaker A:I mean, it's a daily process of aligning our hearts and minds to me with, you know, Christ or the Christ consciousness and.
Speaker A:And just, you know, renewing our minds, growing in wisdom and faith and all of that.
Speaker A:And that's what gets you there with.
Speaker A:With the spirit.
Speaker C:For me, for me, for me, it's every morning getting up, and there's old hymns that I used to sing.
Speaker C:Open my eyes that I may see and let my prayer before my feet hit the floor in the morning.
Speaker C:Open my ears that I might hear where God is and cure my blindness, my deafness, because I've been missing where love is, where light is, where life and God is.
Speaker C:Let me live in such a way that I'm a little more open today than I was yesterday and that tomorrow I'll be a little more open than I am today.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:Well.
Speaker B:And Stu's really good about this.
Speaker B:He'll talk about, quote, prayer, but ways that we can connect, if you will, or more realize on an ongoing basis just in our lives every day.
Speaker B:And it can be small little moments, it can be little snippets.
Speaker B:It can be all this other kind of stuff.
Speaker B:You know, you take them.
Speaker B:It's an awareness level, you know, and it can't pigeonhole where that awareness is going to happen or in what frame.
Speaker B:But I will say this.
Speaker B:This is my own experience, okay?
Speaker B:I mean, this isn't like the universal thing that, you know, everybody's got to do, but for me, I had to stop the monkey brain, okay?
Speaker B:And so it.
Speaker B:For me, it's super important on a regular basis that I need to contemplate, you know, I mean, it just doesn't work for me.
Speaker B:And not that those little moments, that can't happen.
Speaker B:I mean, they certainly can.
Speaker B:But.
Speaker B:But again, if I don't make a conscious effort, a specific effort to say, okay, now I'm just going to sit down and I am going to contemplate.
Speaker B:And there's all kinds of different ways you can do that.
Speaker B:I'm going to have to go into that in this podcast, but understand that I think it's super important that that's part.
Speaker B:That's just part.
Speaker B:You know, you got all kinds of different avenues you could pick, but if you don't every once in a while, stop the monkey brain, it's really hard to learn to listen to those things that are not normal.
Speaker B:Let me put it that way, right?
Speaker B:You know, you listen with your ears, but now you need to start listening with your spirit.
Speaker C:Jesus said, come apart for a while.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker C:And I say, come apart for a while or In a while, you're going to.
Speaker C:Coming apart.
Speaker C:You've got to step back from the world because it has got a strong magnetizing pull to you.
Speaker C:So you've got to give equal value and time to the spirit.
Speaker C:And that means checking out of the world for a while and remembering truth.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:I think I did a meme on that, by the way.
Speaker C:You could have.
Speaker B:Yeah, I did.
Speaker B:I think I got it somewhere.
Speaker C:You're the meme master.
Speaker B:Well, I just take everybody's truth, and then I get to be a little creative with it.
Speaker B:I don't have to be the one to think about it necessarily.
Speaker B:But it's all good.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:It's all good.
Speaker B:So.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:So you got the spirit.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:Then we want to introduce you just in a very overarching just.
Speaker B:Just in a bigger, you know, just way to.
Speaker B:What I want to say here.
Speaker B:Just a broad brush stroke, maybe.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker B:That we want to give to the rev is a.
Speaker B:You know, is a reverend in a unity church right here, close to us.
Speaker B:And there is a philosophy and a religion built around that that's called New Thought.
Speaker B:Or, you know, there's different ways that it's called, I guess.
Speaker B:So share some of these, you know, transforming, renewing your mind.
Speaker C:Well, you're gonna.
Speaker C:You're gonna make me do the elevator speech.
Speaker C:No sermons today, so I'm gonna go real quick.
Speaker C:There is one presence in the world.
Speaker C:There's only one of us here.
Speaker C:It's that energy of life, of love, of goodness, and God.
Speaker C:If we're experiencing something different, then we're the ones that move.
Speaker C:There's only God.
Speaker C:Second is, if there's only God, then you are an expression of God.
Speaker C:I'm an expression of God.
Speaker C:Everybody is an express expression of that light and that love and that goodness.
Speaker C:We belong to each other.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker C:Amen.
Speaker C:Amen.
Speaker C:Amen.
Speaker C:And the third principle is our thoughts and our feelings and our actions are creating our reality.
Speaker C:It's heaven or hell based on what we're doing between our ears, our mind, our thinking and our feeling.
Speaker C:And the way we refine that skill is through prayer and meditation.
Speaker C:It's the coming apart that you talked about.
Speaker C:Absolutely.
Speaker C:Spending time in the spirit, in the still small place in the sanctuary of God.
Speaker C:And then fifth, and it's my favorite of the five principles, the truth that I know in that silence and stillness is the truth that I demonstrate.
Speaker C:Go out and be love.
Speaker C:Demonstrate love.
Speaker C:Be kind, be compassionate, and get into service to others.
Speaker C:Because that's being the Christ, that's being the Buddha.
Speaker C:That's being the light of God.
Speaker B:That'll preach.
Speaker C:Yeah, that's about as fast as I can do it.
Speaker C:I could do a three week course on any one of them.
Speaker B:No, we love it.
Speaker B:I mean, you know, again, I love it because it just.
Speaker B:It meets me where I'm at as well, that type of thinking, that type of, you know, Richard Rohr, he's one of my favorite guys, and he started a thing called cac, which is a center for action and contemplation.
Speaker B:So for those folks and he, you know, you can take almost any mystic throughout the ages, that it takes contemplation.
Speaker B:That's great.
Speaker C:That's the fourth unity principle.
Speaker B:But it has to move into action.
Speaker B:The fifth.
Speaker C:Do something.
Speaker B:Yeah, exactly.
Speaker B:And then, you know what I mean, it's a beautiful thing.
Speaker B:Now I act.
Speaker B:Oh, man.
Speaker B:That's a little bit beyond me.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:I need to contemplate some more.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:I mean, it's like this, you know, they feed each other.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:I mean, how can it not?
Speaker B:Because I think that's.
Speaker B:That's the idea about how we transform.
Speaker C:Faith without works is dead.
Speaker B:Oh, hello, James.
Speaker B:Yep.
Speaker C:Okay.
Speaker C:One of my favorite books.
Speaker B:There we go.
Speaker B:Oh, all right.
Speaker B:So that was new thought.
Speaker B:You want to find some more about that?
Speaker B:We'll put some stuff in the show notes if you.
Speaker B:If you're interested in.
Speaker B:In that we practice it.
Speaker B:Rev and I, we go and Stu really practices.
Speaker C:You know what I love is that we share the principles from different faith traditions.
Speaker C:It's the same principles.
Speaker C:We're finding the bridge.
Speaker C:We're finding the commonalities.
Speaker C:It's not new thought, it's old thought revisited and kept fresh.
Speaker B:Yeah, exactly.
Speaker B:So there's an idea about how you can transform this one other avenue.
Speaker B:I mean, certainly everybody's got their own.
Speaker B:And then the last thing we'll just bring up right now is cultivate a willingness.
Speaker B:I'm willing to think differently.
Speaker B:And I don't really know what that means right now.
Speaker B:I have no idea.
Speaker B:I don't know what's going to come my way.
Speaker B:But we call it, what Antennas up.
Speaker B:We've used that saying for years.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:You just got to get them off up so that you at least can get the download, you can get the airwaves coming in.
Speaker C:I have to suspend my judgment, my preconceived notions and my beliefs about anything and everybody in order for that download to happen.
Speaker B:Right, right.
Speaker C:That's not easy.
Speaker C:I've defined myself by my judgments for years.
Speaker C:Nope.
Speaker C:It's time to let him go.
Speaker B:Very cool.
Speaker B:Very cool.
Speaker A:Well, the fear in doing this can go away to me if you just rely on the Holy Spirit.
Speaker A:Allow the Holy Spirit to shape your thoughts and your actions daily.
Speaker A:And you don't have to worry about it.
Speaker A:It's that easy, man.
Speaker B:I totally agree, man.
Speaker B:That'll preach.
Speaker B:Yeah, right there again.
Speaker B:So, so good stuff tonight, wise guys.
Speaker B:I love it.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:I absolutely love it.
Speaker B:Love it.
Speaker C:I was at the beach doing this.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:We're going to turn this off and then Stu's going to go for a walk on the beach.
Speaker B:Here's going to take.
Speaker B:That's, you know, God, right?
Speaker C:Go find God on the beach.
Speaker B:I hate you, John.
Speaker B:I hate you still.
Speaker B:Just.
Speaker B:Just so you know.
Speaker B:Okay, but you know, we gotta end, you know.
Speaker A:Yes, we do.
Speaker B:Here we go.
Speaker B:All right.
Speaker B:Your ongoing mission, should you choose to accept it, is decide to think differently.
Speaker B:That's number one.
Speaker B:Find like minded.
Speaker B:How about that?
Speaker B:Okay, you gotta go find you the red pill.
Speaker B:People talk about that every week, right?
Speaker B:Then you strap on the armor.
Speaker B:And we've been talking about the armor literally this whole episode.
Speaker B:And that's your truth.
Speaker B:You know, you just need to stand firm in your truth.
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker B:But be open minded that, you know, some of that might be massaged along the way.
Speaker B:Then you need to storm the gates.
Speaker B:And really that starts with each one of us.
Speaker B:We gotta storm the gates of our own stinking thinking, as the rev would normally say.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:That's where it's got to start.
Speaker B:And as you do that, and as you move through that and out of that, you will help others remove the blinders.
Speaker B:You will help others become stronger.
Speaker B:See some things, things that they haven't seen before, you got to storm the gates of that complacency.
Speaker B:And you know, in the herd mentality we were talking about tonight, and lastly, what's going to happen when you do all this stuff?
Speaker B:You are going to unleash the unthinkable.
Speaker A:Unthinkable.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:And these, these are new thoughts.
Speaker B:We talked about this all episode this week.
Speaker B:So you gotta, you know, you got to be ready to, to unleash those thoughts that are just going to take you to a place that are absolutely amazing.
Speaker B:So there's your challenge, guys.
Speaker C:And God is speaking this week.
Speaker B:Listen, listen, listen, listen to God speaking this week.
Speaker B:So.
Speaker B:So anyway, we're wrapping up.
Speaker B:That's great.
Speaker B:Thanks so much again, my guys.
Speaker B:I love the wisdom, I love your hearts.
Speaker B:And we will be back again next week.
Speaker B:Stu will be back and we're going to make him suffer all that we can.
Speaker B:Since he's been back at the table, I have to move out of his seat.
Speaker B:Ok.
Speaker B:But thanks for listening.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:We really do appreciate it.
Speaker B:We do hope we bring at least some little nuggets that can help make your life a little bit better.
Speaker B:That's our goal.
Speaker B:And we really believe that we're accomplishing that.
Speaker B:And we can always do it better.
Speaker C:Let us know.
Speaker B:But yeah, let us know what we can.
Speaker B:What you want to talk about.
Speaker B:That would be great with us.
Speaker B:And so, anyway, have a great week.
Speaker B:Hope you ponder some of this stuff, and we'll see you back again next week.
Speaker B:Thanks.
