connections in LA

[chrisnvenice]

My name is Chris. I'm interested in the other people who are listening to God as he reveals love and connectedness. This past week I've been reconneted to three old friends randomly! One sent an email out of the blue, the other I ran into at a gay bar, and the third noticed me at The Grove (a mall in LA). These were people I had not seen in several years and who live thousands of miles away.

So, my point is that I get very excited when God reveals his lessons so clearly to me. Well, someone may not see the message in random meetings, but I clearly see the reminder that we are all connected as children of God.

I've recently adopted a more conscious view of "life as a classroom" in which every interaction, situation and decision is a lesson. It's not a new concept to me, but the hightened awareness is a new state of mind.

What are some of the exciting or ordinary ways that God reveals love to you? How do you maintain a conscious awareness of his presence and life's lessons in a world of distractions?

I'm curious to meet other people who share a similar perspective. I don't have many Christian friends in LA, so if you are nearby, it would be especially nice to chat with you.

[antonyh]

I've recently adopted a more conscious view of "life as a classroom" in which every interaction, situation and decision is a lesson. It's not a new concept to me, but the hightened awareness is a new state of mind.

What are some of the exciting or ordinary ways that God reveals love to you? How do you maintain a conscious awareness of his presence and life's lessons in a world of distractions?

I'm curious to meet other people who share a similar perspective. I don't have many Christian friends in LA, so if you are nearby, it would be especially nice to chat with you.

Hi Chris, welcome. I'm afraid that people may have missed your introduction because were were debating the AG pastor. I like your idea of viewing life as a classroom. There are lessons all around us if we look with open hands and hearts.

God reveals his love to me when I can be with my partner, cook up a delicious vegetarian meal, walk to the lake, write a poem...so many 'ordinary' ways. I don't seek God's presence in my own life. I do meditate and sometimes sense God in that practice...that is wonderful.

[dsdrane]

Public disclosure (which chrisnvenice may come to rue):

I know this man;
I love this man;
he is fluffy;
you may pet him, if you like.

Welcome, my Sweet!

:love:, -d.

[davidb]

What are some of the exciting or ordinary ways that God reveals love to you? How do you maintain a conscious awareness of his presence and life's lessons in a world of distractions?

I feel closest to God when I am having dinner and conversation with my close friends; when I am walking by Lake Michigan; and last but certainly not least, from my dearly departed Shar-Pei...

She came to me from a rescue society, after she had been removed by the police because her "caretakers" were gang members that were fighting her for money. When she refused to fight, they burned her with cigarettes and broke her nose. She was left out in the freezing cold for days at a time, had mange, frostbite, and was suffering from malnutrition. In spite of all that, she was absolutely the sweetest dog. She had nothing but love for people and for other dogs. She was patient and longsuffering. She passed away 7 years ago, but I will never ever forget the lessons she taught me.

[Pablo Rafael]

Hi Chris,

Welcome. It is always good to hear from someone in my old home, LA. I always enjoyed living there. I know Venice fairly well though I lived in the Silver Lake area close to downtown LA.

I find that being close to God requires that I keep close to Him. I am one who believes that I need to keep a connection to Him through Bible study and prayer. I also believe that God shows himself to us through other people. Each person carries the image of God and each person is precious and has intrinsic worth.

Tu Amigo, Pablo

[dsdrane]

c.nvenice --

Pablo's the one who dumped me. :agree:

[sniff]

[Daniel]

...at least that's my take on things. A wonderful counselor and teacher- who is an Eastern Orthodox Christian- taught me this many years ago.

Like you, in the last year, I have been in contact with 5 of my school chums- all out of the blue- one after another- after 24 years. One of them, however, is still in the closet, and teaches at one of the schools that the ERiders went to last summer. Oops!

Since I went to an AG school that expelled 4 gay men during my junior year a week before their graduation (which sent shock waves through the school- all hush hush), it was a healing experience. It was espcecially cool to see that everyone (we were all in choir together :lol: ) has come out of the closet- except for the aforementioned- and are blessed with relationships and interesting endeavors.

Yeah...I think life is a classroom, like a Montessori School.

The Montessori Method

The chief components of the Montessori method are self-motivation and autoeducation.

How do I keep an awareness of Presence in daily life?

I meditate. And pray for those who suffer. And remind myself to smell the roses.