I remember the day I started looking into different prophets & religions.   I had spent my life being raised, in an evangelical Christian home, believing that Jesus was God.  

 I walked away from my beliefs because my life was impacted by flawed humans.  I couldn’t see how one man in our past, could make any difference; even if he did hold supernatural power of any kind.  Over my lifetime journey, so far, I've made friends from many different walks; Muslim friends, atheist friends, Wiccan friends, Buddhist friends, Indigenous friends, etc... 

Through getting to know others,  I saw that every belief had different prophets, teachers & leaders; and they all seemed to preach similar messages.    I saw common ideas & threads in their beliefs; for example - "treat each other better,  take care of nature so it can continue to take care of us, and There Is A Higher Power."  

 

I started to realize that the beliefs I had been raised with, held truths; just like the other belief systems.   As I spent some time researching different gods & prophets, I started to realize that there are many things in this universe that we cannot understand.   We are surrounded by things that affect us, but we act as if they don’t exist…. Atoms, frequencies, light particles, ….. Spirits??

 

Just like wind in the trees, we are moved and effected by these things, but the force that moves us can't always be seen by the human eye.  

 

After years of training & experience in behavioral studies, I started to see patterns of behavior in different leaders, teachers & prophets.   I found positive patterns in the behaviors of honorable leaders & teachers; they promote personal growth, humility, kindness to others and a better treatment of our planet.   But there was also an opposing pattern, one that works against the Good Way and, instead, leans into the darkness.   There is a history of selfish teachers displaying proud, power hungry intentions; and leaders who subjugate followers & freely scoff at the value of life.   As I looked at the lives & choices of many different teachers, prophets & leaders, I could clearly see their humanity but I also saw the Higher Power & Their divine message.  The beautiful message about humanity's value, shines through all of the flaws & cracks we humans make; we cannot stop the good news.

 

I began to believe that THIS is the dilemma that the entire Universe faces….. Good > Evil

...light > dark...

  

On my own individual level, I remember a time when I had just taken an interest in a small business that my friend talked about;  I went to a teaching conference where they discussed the value of a good Mentor.  I learned that science has proven that we take on the character traits of the 5 people we spend the most time with.  That made me take an inventory of my closest acquaintances…. That Sunday, while at church, this topic was still fresh in my mind, the pastor taught us about someone in the bible that spent 6 Months learning & growing; "apprenticing" with the teachings of the prophets that had come before him.  The bible called it mentoring with The Spirit.

 

This 'Rabbit Hole' was very enlightening for me.  

I re-evaluated my closest friends and contacts, I re-examined my boundaries & friendships, I thought about who I WANTED to be, and I started looking for a MENTOR.   I wanted to learn from & model myself after someone who was Kind, Strong, Humble, Patient, Wise, Generous, Thoughtful, Peaceful, Empathetic, Trust Worthy, Creative & Adventurous.   As I learned from different leaders & teachings along the way, there was ever only ONE person who met all these standards for me - Jesus.   So many others, held some of the qualities I listed above, but no one held them ALL as completely & wholly as the man who was JESUS.    This was the beginning of my Mentorship. 

 

Jesus became my cipher for every tough decision & every question I had.  Just like when I wanted to get to know my close friends better, I had to spend time getting to know Jesus.  As I studied who he was, I read about his life, his messages, his interactions, his friends, his stories, his family, …… I began to feel Incredibly close to this man of many names & titles.   I'm still learning from this beautiful human everyday.  The way he lived his life & the way he treated others has been an inspiration to me.  The way he interacted with others & who he chose to keep close to him, helped guide me through setting new boundaries in my relationships.  The way he looked to his higher power (who he called 'Father'. - also the same word in Egyptian for Creator) for support & strength, the way he opposed a cruel government & a selfish world view.   The way he modeled moderation, trust worthiness, care, empathy & respect in everything he did…..  

 

These are all the things that made me want to be his apprentice & mentee

 

He was a brilliant teacher, counselor, therapist, psychologist, ambassador & leader; but also a thoughtful friend, considerate brother & loyal companion.  He had a sense of humor, he was sarcastic when frustrated, he struggled with anxiety & liked to mess with his friends.   

 

Not only do I want to know him more, but I also want to be More like him.  

 

This began my next concept; THE Way of Love.

(Coming Soon)