APPLICATION ONE, STAGE ONE: How does the first point apply to me as a new-born baby, learning everything through my five senses, and my feelings?

i) Thoughts: God has created a world of wonderful beauty and interest which use all of the five senses he has given me - color, texture, sounds, smells and tastes... As a baby, my world is a bombardment of experiences, which I know nothing about, but I am created so marvellously [Psalm 139:13-16] that I begin to connect and sort all of this with great speed. Particulary I notice eyes, and those of my family become recognisable. I associate mother and milk, the smell and feel and sound of voice and movement.

Now go through each point, each stage at this level - recording your thoughts...

ii) Work backwards through the stages, describing how you feel:

How do I feel about God's creation, and that he is a spirit, now, as an adult?

Feelings: I see the beauty of creation and it lifts my heart, I feel thankful that in the perfect balance of elements, that life is possible, and often enjoyable, that there are even wonders to experience! I feel God's care for me, and for his world, and that there is a mystery of the next world of eternity to consider, when things don't always go like I think they should. I sense the world of the spirit - that there are things that I can't see, that God exists because of the wonder of creation, and I feel like a child, it humbles me, because I am a beginner in the contemplation of it.

Each point at each stage can be considered like this, then begin again by praying to God to show you what he wants to tell you personally, about each point and stage...

iii) Begin with point one, stage one... "God, what would you like me to see about how your creation, about you being a spirit, when I was a wee baby?"

Revelations: God has put everything in place for me to be safe and cared for - he has provided all I need, if anything is missing, it is not his doing. In the womb, it is warm and cushioned, and afterwards too, my food is on tap, and what shelter and clothing is enough for my parents, is also enough for me. If my parents know the love: the security, acceptance and significance God has for them, I will feel that too, from them, and it will do me good. I feel very grateful to God for this, because it means he loves me.

APPLICATION ONE, STAGE TWO: How does the first point apply to me as a toddler, exploring my small world of the family environment? [Now have a go at filling these in for yourself!]

i)Thoughts:

ii)Feelings:

iii)Revelations:

APPLICATION ONE, STAGE THREE: How does the first point apply to me as I begin to move into the wider world of schooling, learning to read and write?

i)Thoughts:

ii)Feelings:

iii)Revelations:

APPLICATION ONE, STAGE FOUR: How does the first point apply to me as middle school child, using my reading skills to explore what books have to say about the universe?

i)Thoughts:

ii)Feelings:

iii)Revelations:

APPLICATION ONE, STAGE FIVE: How does the first point apply to me as an early teenager - all pimples and puberty, popping out into the first stages of adulthood?

i)Thoughts:

ii)Feelings:

iii)Revelations:

APPLICATION ONE, STAGE SIX: How does the first point apply to me as a serious student, preparing for adulthood with its challenges?

i)Thoughts:

ii)Feelings:

iii)Revelations:

APPLICATION ONE, STAGE SEVEN: How does the first point apply to me as an adult with responsibilities of work, homemaking and permanent relationships?

i)Thoughts:

iii)Feelings:

iii)Revelations:

If you have not reached this stage of life, there's no need to work through it - young children don't need to go through the adult stages either...

APPLICATION ONE, STAGE EIGHT: How does the first point apply to me as a retired person, taking life slower, contributing my wisdom and experience to younger ones, doing voluntary work, enjoying life, relaxing, travelling, slowing down, a time of peace, of looking ahead to the next life, of sickness and preparation for dying?

i)Thoughts:

iii)Feelings:

iii)Revelations:

Click here to return to "Good News"