Awaken the Spirit

By Amethyst Books

This book is an open invitation for anyone exploring a spiritual path, to view our cosmos, with all its beauty and heartache, through Jesus’ eyes. He challenges us to move towards wholeness and freedom through his transcendent love.
For nearly 2,000 years people have found divine knowledge and spiritual connection in these ancient texts. Within them we encounter the wisdom Jesus shared, stories of his life, and a living spiritual experience relevant to our lives. The book offers meditations, reflections and images weaved throughout the Sacred Texts, enabling us to go deeper with them and discover their meaning for each of us.
It is a book for those who can appreciate the mystery and abundance of life, to those searching for greater enlightenment.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amethyst Books
• Release date: Mar 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9780987590503

Book preview

McKerrow

GENESIS:

The Beginning

Birthing balance and wholeness.

Light some incense as you read;

heighten your senses

and explore the Sacred Texts of Jesus.

Let this book take you through,

with new eyes,

a spiritual guide to humanity.

Art: Jay Jeffries. Photography: Marcus Tabart

■ SIMEON PAYNE

‘The Beginning’

The Sacred Texts is a collection of books written in many different genres, the first of which is called Genesis.

Genesis comes from a Greek word meaning beginnings or generations. Genesis provides the Sacred Texts with a backdrop or setting. It orientates us to God.

‘Why?’, is the key question to bear in mind when reading Genesis. Why did God create the universe and create us? What does this tell us about God? Is the Universe and all reality a mistake, or something wonderfully planned? Is there ultimate meaning? What makes humanity different from the animals, and how should we relate to our environment?

Genesis gives us a foundation to answer these questions, and helps us to understand why the world is often such a broken place today. Understanding Genesis is central to making sense of the rest of the Sacred Texts of Jesus.

As you read the text, enter into its texture and rhythm. Some themes or words are prominent and are repeated for emphasis. In the first chapter, it is God who effortlessly commands, and action follows. Light overcomes darkness, and there is a constant reaffirmation that the creation ‘is good’. We discover a God who delights in what has been made. Lastly, we discover that we are the high point of this creation. Humans are created with special attributes that connect us to this Creator, and also have a responsibility to look after what has been made.

The text also questions some of today’s ideas about God—does God represent goodness? Is God above all things, without competition? Is creation itself a god? Is God distant and remote? Does God control the cosmos?

So, welcome to Genesis! May you delight in the text and experience the pleasure that God has for all creation.

Art: Adrienne Joy

As you read through Genesis you’ll notice the style is very different. Let me encourage you to read slowly and reflectively. Be patient with the text and look beyond the words on the page. Take in all the beautiful images and with an inquisitive mind, soak up the words.

THE STORY OF EARTH’S CREATION

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

Then God said, Let there be light, and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day and the darkness night.

And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.

Then God said, Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth. And that is what happened. God made this space to separate the waters of the earth from the waters of the heavens. God called the space sky.

And evening passed and morning came, marking the second day.

God Cares for His Creation

You make springs pour water into the ravines, so streams gush down from the mountains. They provide water for all the animals, and the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds nest beside the streams and sing among the branches of the trees. You send rain on the mountains from your heavenly home, and you fill the earth with the fruit of your labor. You cause grass to grow for the livestock and plants for people to use. You allow them to produce food from the earth—wine to make them glad, olive oil to soothe their skin, and bread to give them strength. The trees of the Lord are well cared for—the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. There the birds make their nests, and the storks make their homes in the cypresses. High in the mountains live the wild goats, and the rocks form a refuge for the hyraxes.

You made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to set. You send the darkness, and it becomes night, when all the forest animals prowl about. Then the young lions roar for their prey, stalking the food provided by God. At dawn they slink back into their dens to rest. Then people go off to their work, where they labor until evening.

O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small. See the ships sailing along, and Leviathan, which you made to play in the sea.

They all depend on you to give them food as they need it. When you supply it, they gather it. You open your hand to feed them, and they are richly satisfied. But if you turn away from them, they panic. When you take away their breath, they die and turn again to dust. When you give them your breath, life is created, and you renew the face of the earth.

May the glory of the Lord continue forever! The Lord takes pleasure in all he has made! The earth trembles at his glance; the mountains smoke at his touch.

Extract from Psalm 104

Image: Miriam McWilliam

Then God said, Let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear. And that is what happened. God called the dry ground land and the waters seas. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came. And that is what happened. The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.

And evening passed and morning came, marking the third day.

Then God said, Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth. And that is what happened. God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the sky to light the earth, to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

And evening passed and morning came, marking the fourth day.

Then God said, Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind. So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water, and every sort of bird—each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.

And evening passed and morning came, marking the fifth day.

Then God said, Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals. And that is what happened. God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.

Image: Joel McKerrow

■ STEVE HOLLINGHURST

Creation, Nature and the Breakdown of the Environment

The natural world is magnificent. We can feel that we truly ‘belong’ among the forests, mountains and rivers. The human connection with nature can be extraordinary and Genesis is the story of God’s connection to our living world. It was written in response to earlier Middle Eastern stories about creation. These stories involved a family of gods—one of whom defeats a dangerous chaos serpent that lives in the sea and divides its body to make the earth—and humanity, who are the gods’ slaves. Genesis re-interprets this story, and upholds that there is only one God who is responsible for all creation and God and humanity are partners in caring for our natural world.

We are shown a caring God, who subdues the destructive chaos of creation, and then fills the earth with teeming and vibrant life. Humans are the pinnacle of this and are made in God’s image. God invites us to continue this creative, nurturing work. These days we know that human activity has harmed the environment, and it is tempting to want to blame others for this. Christians are sometimes accused of being the culprits and some critics think the root source for today’s devastation starts with the command in Genesis to ‘subdue the earth’. Sadly it is true that some who claim to follow the Sacred Texts have exploited the earth, but that is not what the text actually teaches.

The command to ‘subdue the earth’ is not about ripping the world apart. It is about humans being wise guardians by subduing destructive forces and acting in protective and nurturing ways so that the earth can bring forth fruit to sustain life. The paradise image is of a natural garden—not a strip mine or deforested wasteland.

As the story continues you will learn that environmental destruction is caused by human selfishness. Selfishness is at the heart of what the Sacred Texts call ‘sin’. It breaks the relationship between humans and God, and between humanity and creation, resulting in the environmental mess we see today. In sending Jesus, God starts to reverse the impact of sin and the way that it destroys every relationship between God, humanity and the earth. The Christian 1st century writer Paul wrote to the early Christian community in the Greek city of Corinth, and explained that in Jesus, God was healing the world. He realized that this was a saving event for all creation. In another letter, Paul anticipated that all creation was longing ‘to see the sons and daughters of God so it too could be freed from destruction’.

We are invited to return to God; to stop being selfish and to protect and nurture creation. God wants harmony, not environmental chaos, conflict and destruction.

Then God said, Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.

So God created human beings in his own image.

In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Then God blessed them and said, Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.

Then God said, Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life. And that is what happened.

Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!

And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.

So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.

This is the account of the creation of the heavens and the earth.

When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, neither wild plants nor grains were growing on the earth. For the Lord God had not yet sent rain to water the earth, and there were no people to cultivate the soil. Instead, springs came up from the ground and watered all the land. Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.

Image: The Earth and the Moon in Quiet Conversation, Laura Alice

■ STEVE HOLLINGHURST

The beauty of nature is a wonderful, inspiring source to help us meditate on God. This next meditation uses a living plant or tree to reflect on. It is best done outside in a place where you can be next to and touch a tree, but it could also be done indoors. Try to memorise this outline so you can use it without looking at the text. You could pre-record a reading of this text, leaving lots of long pauses. Another way for you to meditate can be with a friend, taking turns to read the text for each other.

Encountering God in Nature

Focus on the visual and tactile aspects of a tree or plant. First, just look. Notice the intricacies of the way its leaves, stems and branches are formed. Look for ways in which the seasons are affecting its appearance. Concentrate on it. When you are ready, reach out and touch it. How does it feel? Is there any movement in it? Imagine you could get inside the trunk and watch the sap drip and the life moving around inside…

Focus on the feeling of life as it flows through the plant. Look upwards and appreciate the sun and the way it gives energy for life. Feel the sun’s warmth and the energy it conveys. Imagine that energy flowing through the plant, down the branches and shoots and into the soil, flowing right into the earth beneath it. Imagine the energy flowing through the soil that covers the whole planet, the sand in the deserts, the bottom of the oceans, the fields of grass, the cultivated garden. Immerse yourself in the life flowing through the plant you are looking at, and up out of that plant returning back into the very air you breathe. Its leaves are the lungs of the planet. Imagine it breathing so that you can hear it. Imagine the rhythm of its breathing. Now breathe in time with that plant or tree, breathe in time with the planet, take in and give out life in unity with creation.

Focus on the Creator’s presence, sometimes called God’s breath or Spirit, like a wind that passes through creation. Feel the breeze like it was God’s breath growing and building up the plant. Soak yourself in God’s presence, as the Creator of the tree. Imagine God as the sun sustaining the plant. Feel the warmth that runs through the plant. Be aware of all you are sensing. It may help to meditate by saying a prayer as you breathe, ‘Breath of God, Breathe in life’.

Image: Wendy Tabart

Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

A river flowed from the land of Eden, watering the garden and then dividing into four branches. The first branch, called the Pishon, flowed around the entire land of Havilah, where gold is found. The gold of that land is exceptionally pure; aromatic resin and onyx stone are also found there. The second branch, called the Gihon, flowed around the entire land of Cush. The third branch, called the Tigris, flowed east of the land of Asshur. The fourth branch is called the Euphrates.

Revealing

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.

God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.

The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.

How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19

The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord God warned him, You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.

Then the Lord God said, It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him. So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him.

So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man.

At last! the man exclaimed.

This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman’, because she was taken from ‘man.’

This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.

Image: Fiona Newton

Art: Adrienne Joy

THE FIRST ACT AGAINST GOD

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?

Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, the woman replied. It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’

You won’t die! the serpent replied to the woman. God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.

The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, Where are you?

He replied, I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.

Who told you that you were naked? the Lord God asked. Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?

The man replied, It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.

Image: Joel McKerrow

THE CARETAKERS

Oh, how the human race has taken for granted the gift of light, of water, of soil and of all creatures. Oh, how we have abused and rejected our lands and seas. We have gotten ourselves lost, and we have disconnected from this great earth.

Then the Lord God asked the woman, What have you done?

The serpent deceived me, she replied. That’s why I ate it.

Then the Lord God said to the serpent,

"Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. And I will cause hostility