Has it ever happened to you that when you share the concept of TSOGR with someone they'll look at you in amazement and ask if you're into that 'new age stuff'?

Yesterday my oldest daughter and I were discussing the book. She commented that although it is information I taught her long ago and so she's already using it, one thing she liked about the book is that its so old. She commented further that it isn't 'new age' thinking and if one were really a student of the Scriptures they would see that the concept dates back to the time of Christ.

Its always fun to have conversations with grown children (she's 30) and see what they think. Of course its always nice to hear from them 'mom, you've taught me a lot, thanks'. She made my day.

Just thought I'd share with you that bright spot in my life.

I like your little story, Diane! It brightened up my day too!

The scriptural principles I found in SOGR is what attracted me to it. The way Wattles explains it makes it very clear that it is based on Scripture, but a somewhat different view than many are taught. I have realized that I "threw the baby out with the bath water" with other books that I have read that teach the same principles.

What struck me when first reading SOGR was that it was applicable to all relegions/faiths including anything that might be considered new age!

My feeling is that "New Age" is such a loaded term without clarity in terms of what it actually means.

From what I understand of "new age" religious concepts they tend to be about harmony with nature and I would say they aren't really new age at all. If you study them they actually seem to draw alot from wiccan and ancient druidic traditions that have been suppressed by institutional religions (the same ones that as Wallace Wattles indicates promote poverty as a virtue) over the centuries. Indeed the druids and shamans alike are understood to have been great sources of wisdom passed down from one generation to the next. I heard a quote recently "every time a shaman dies, its as if a library burned down".

I believe there is so much ancient wisdom (and possibly even advanced technology http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yITGQOyenDA) that is no longer with us or all trace of has been lost. Consider the astronomical alignment of the pyramids (not to mention the question of how they were built) and also I have heard of ancient paintings from Central America depicting flying machines that look very similar to modern aircraft.

If anything I think the new age movement is a rebirth of some of these ancient traditions and a reawakening of understanding of our connection with nature.

Yeah it feels like 'new age' is just a reawakening.

I find it fascinating that so many people reject good ideas simply because they come from people who don't consider themselves Christian. In my view, good ideas, good people, and spiritual wisdom can be found anywhere. Most of the good things that are found in the Christian Bible are also found in virtually every spiritual tradition. And as we all know, calling oneself "Christian" does not automatically make one spiritual or wise.

All wisdom comes from our inner connection to the divine source anyway. So the books we read, the churches we attend, and the religions we belong to are simply a matter of culture and choice. The truth is the same for everyone and there are people at all stages of the journey in every religion.

I don't see any good reason to judge others by such superficial labels.

Of course that's just my opinion.

Love and blessings,
Rachel

Very well said Rachel. I concur whole-heartedly!