Spirituality Articles

Spirituality is a broad yet personal topic. Although it can vary as much as people do, spirituality is an important part of figuring out how to be happy.

The Greatest Gift

by Jared Akers

During the summer of 1989, just out of High School, I spent three weeks in the USSR. The above picture is a note my mother hid in my luggage that I found while on the trip

March 12, 2006 was the darkest among many dark days for me. Later it would be defined as the catalyst that led to my shift or sometimes referred to as a moment of clarity.

It was the day I left behind my perception of the world and my place in it. After a failed marriage, a job I resented, and a friend who had recently passed away, I was depressed and overwhelmed with life. From a loft apartment in downtown Kansas City I would make my final stand. With money in the bank and a liquor store three blocks away, I was in heaven, and hell. This is how I remember those last few days.

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Practical Prayer

by Jared Akers

practical prayer I work with computers. I like things that make sense, most of the time. As a kid, I was always taking things apart—clocks, radios, you name it—to discover what made them tick. As for God? Whatever… show me an angel and then maybe I’ll believe in something. Show me footprints in the clay where Jesus walked and I’ll consider the possibility that a great man, a model of humanity, once walked the earth.

When it was first suggested almost three years ago that I get on my knees and pray every morning, I was desperate enough to try anything, so I did. I was told simply to pray for others and was given a few simple prayers to get me going. One I still use today is:

“God, I offer myself to Thee—to build with me and do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will Always!” [Read more…]

Staying in the moment

by Jared Akers

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”
-Buddha

Today, I am a spiritual warrior, fending off anything that threatens my spiritual fitness. My enemies are anxiety, depression, regret, resentment, and fear. Although some of these can be helpful at times—like the fear of cutting off my finger while using a skill saw—mostly they threaten my spiritual zen. When I’m anywhere but in the moment, I’m of no use to myself or others. I have discovered some actions that help me stay in the moment.

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What's Your Heaven Look Like?

by Jared Akers

my heaven The following scene from field of dreams always resonates with me. This is where Kevin Costner’s character Ray is asked by his father John if he’s in heaven:

John Kinsella: Is this heaven?
Ray Kinsella: It’s Iowa.
John Kinsella: Iowa? I could have sworn this was heaven.
[John starts to walk away]
Ray Kinsella: Is there a heaven?
John Kinsella: Oh yeah. It’s the place where dreams come true.
[Ray looks around, seeing his wife playing with their daughter on the porch]
Ray Kinsella: Maybe this is heaven.

For the majority of my life, I felt that “if only” I could achieve this, or obtain that, then I would be happy. And heaven? Well that was just a place I may or may not go to reflect on my life. I would deal with that then.

Ray’s heaven, and key to happiness, is a house where his wife and daughter can enjoy afternoon’s on the porch. Where he’s given the courage to follow a dream no matter how crazy others think he is. Where something inside him drives him because he knows in his heart it is true and pure; and that for him is how to be happy. It is him. Where his faith was tested and at times he considered giving up, but in the end he stuck to the truth he felt within and he discovered heaven.

My heaven is inside me today. It’s the feeling that I am human, that I need help, and if I need it today I will ask for it. Heaven is a loving wife who accepts me for who I am, and nothing else. Heaven is a loving God. Heaven is picking up the phone and listening to someone in need. But most importantly, heaven is accepting the consequences of being myself.

What’s your heaven look like?

photo credit: mlwguide

You think my problems are bad

by Jared Akers

I heard someone the other day say, “You think my problems are bad, you should see my solutions.”

For years my solution was self-will and alcohol. Today, my solutions are spiritual and mainly consist of:

Prayer and Meditation
Asking for help
Rule 62, not taking myself to seriously

Its comforting to know I don’t have to figure things out on my own. I can pray for guidance and have faith the answers will come. This faith has come from experience, its just that simple. I believe God works through other people, and by asking for help, I’m seeking a spiritual answer to my problem.

photo credit: morberg