New Identity Magazine

God in focus. World in scope.

  • About
  • Grow
    • Spotlight: In Perspective
    • Growth & Maturity
    • Foundation
    • Practical Application
    • Jargon
  • Connect
    • Community
    • Discovering God
    • God Talk
    • Life Together
  • Live
    • Give Back
    • People
    • Culture & Creativity
    • Careers & Callings
  • Back Issues
  • Write
    • Submit an Article
    • Writer’s Guidelines
    • House Style Guide
    • Content Submissions Agreement
    • Jargon Substitutions
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • Contact

WHERE’S YOUR EDEN?

By Jasmien Nikole Leave a Comment

For people to escape from their troubles and worries, they must try to imagine they’re in a place of peace and beauty. For some people to find peace of mind and to be able to think clearly, they feel the need to let their minds wander into a paradise they consider their own. In the beginning of the Old Testament, God creates paradise on earth. Genesis 2:8 says “Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

Here on earth God had given us the gift of nature. But just like the paradise of Eden was lost for Adam and Eve, little by little our environment is being destroyed and neglected with human-made innovations. Our pretty blue skies have been polluted by chemical refineries, vehicles, and every other form of transportation we use on a daily basis. Fields of land waste have contributed to the bad quality air we breathe, leaving the once pristine air polluted and hazardous to our health. However, despite these environmental changes on earth, we’re still able to experience a piece of the perfection of Eden in our places of comfort and peace. It’s still possible to obtain the image of perfection in our minds or recreate our own Eden.

Every now and then we wish to escape to where we don’t have everyday troubles or problems that hinder us from getting closer to God and finding peace within our souls: a personal place of perfection where God’s presence and perfection can be experienced. It can be outdoors or indoors, and it can also be imaginary. It doesn’t matter how a person perceives his or her Eden because it is his/her own personal place to feel comfortable, safe and at peace. A few individuals shared what their place of Eden is, where they feel God touches their hearts and souls the most.

“I know for a fact I’m most content in my bedroom, I have a sense of a free mind and relaxation when I’m there. When I’m in [my] room I feel like I get lost in my thoughts, it’s almost like I am waking to a bright sun shining through my window. I visualize laying down on a grassy hill, as the beautiful clouds set over me in the sky. I can feel the sun warming on my skin. When I’m in my room, I envision myself just letting my spirit run free, run with this great joy in my heart. My room is about the only place where I can think straight without any of the world’s outside interference. I feel God is with me in my thoughts when I’m in my room, all the negative vibes I feel outside of my room start to disappear, as if they never existed. I don’t let go of the hope I have when I’m laying on my bed in my room, I feel encouragement because God’s close to me and instilling His faith in me.” –Will Tuttle 23, Modesto, California

It’s still possible to obtain the image of perfection in our minds or recreate our own Eden.

“My Eden here on earth is Yosemite, National Park. I feel like it is God’s raw creation. When I’m there I feel a warm feeling just going through me and all my troubles seem so small. The only other person that is there with me in my place of perfection is God. The only thing that matters to me when I’m in Yosemite, is embracing a deeper understanding for all of God’s wonderful creations. I feel His presence the most when I am looking at the perfect atmosphere. I feel as if the world is at my feet. God and I are the only ones in my place of perfection. I feel as if God is speaking to me through His creations and in everything I see when I’m in Yosemite. As I breathe in fresh air, standing on the tops of shiny rocks, I can gaze at the crystal clear waterfalls I see the reason why this place is perfect to me. I see tall, healthy green trees, and clean abundant soil with pretty flowers. I experience the truth about when I am in Yosemite, every question I have about life is answered when I am there. Being in Yosemite lets me find my spiritual side and inner being, because all my concentration is on God, his creations and nothing else.”
–Mickey Curtis, 35, Long Beach, California

“My place of perfection that I consider to be Eden is the piano room in my house. The surroundings of the room are nothing. That’s important to me when I’m playing the piano. I need quiet time and constant focus when I think of God and all He has done for me. I get lost in my thoughts, when I close my eyes I hear the footsteps of God, like He’s there with me in divine spirit. When I reach my place of perfection, it’s no longer silent. Now I hear the sound of my piano keys that’s when I know I’m finding peace. I imagine my piano room is similar to heaven. After finding my moment of peace, upon opening my eyes, I see people praising God, choirs singing in his name and everyone one is content. I then arise from my piano bench and start to walk down a street paved of gold. I see God holding everyone’s hands and everyone’s smiling. People are rejoicing and sharing their happiness with one another. It’s when I’m sitting here playing the piano, I feel as if God is speaking to me, telling me there is such things as unity, love and peace. In my piano room there is no poverty, war or negative things going on, just me and my piano.”–Emmanuel Fleming, 27, Mobile, Alabama

“My Eden is at a nearby neighborhood park by this one particular tree. Every time I visit this park, I look for my special tree. This tree where I rest my head is the only tree in the park, not surrounded by anything but bright green grass. When I’m under this tree I can sit and be by myself and write poetry, read the Bible or just relax with peace and quiet. I feel God’s presence when I’m looking at the pure green leaves of this tree. I feel as if God made this tree in this park, especially for me. When I rest under this tree I like to read this novel I own called “The Rapture”. I feel as if I’m laying on clouds when I’m here. The feeling of being in this park, where it’s just me and this single tree, is just beautiful silence. I smell nothing but clean and crisp air; the air blows through my hair like a cool breeze does to a windmill. When I’m in my Eden, it’s almost like I can stay here for hours without a care in the world. I can embrace the simplicity of nature and not worry. I can focus on my thoughts of God and His creations of nature without disturbance. I’m able to meditate in my place of perfection. Being in this park reveals to me, God really cares for me and wants me to know that His arms are always open to me. I experience so many possibilities when I’m in this park, close to my tree even if it’s just in my imagination. I like how this tree is a designated spot for me… ”
–Charm Chinnel, 26 Santa Fe Springs, California

Share with friendsShare on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on Reddit
Reddit
Email to someone
email

Filed Under: Connect, God Talk Tagged With: Issue 8

Related Posts

  • HONORING GOD ON ALL HALLOWS EVEHONORING GOD ON ALL HALLOWS EVE
  • TURNING YOUR DAILY GRIND INTO A DIVINE ADVENTURETURNING YOUR DAILY GRIND INTO A DIVINE ADVENTURE
  • SHATTERED GLASS: THE DIVORCE DILEMMASHATTERED GLASS: THE DIVORCE DILEMMA
  • A 30-DAY SEARCH PARTYA 30-DAY SEARCH PARTY
  • CHURCH-LESS CHRISTIANITYCHURCH-LESS CHRISTIANITY
  • THE WHEELS ON THE BUS – AND THE BLESSINGS – GO ‘ROUND AND ‘ROUNDTHE WHEELS ON THE BUS – AND THE BLESSINGS – GO ‘ROUND AND ‘ROUND

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Current Issue

Current Issue

Read Now

newidentitymag

New Identity | Exploring Faith
We hope you enjoy the new issue! Check out the lin We hope you enjoy the new issue! Check out the link in our bio! Happy Fall/Winter! 🍁
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment! ✨
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment! ✨
How should we be using our money? - We're looking How should we be using our money? - We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment!
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment!
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on the topic of praying continually and what that can look like in our fast-paced society, please leave us a comment! 😊
We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute We're looking for volunteer writers to contribute to the next issue! If you're interested in writing on this topic, please leave us a comment! ✨
Happy Spring! Enjoy the new issue! #linkinbio Happy Spring! Enjoy the new issue! #linkinbio
Our striving to be like Jesus or do his work on ou Our striving to be like Jesus or do his work on our own is in vain. We can never hope to achieve the same level that Jesus was on while we are still here on Earth. We’re like little kids, struggling just to walk. But that’s why Jesus gave us an example of redeemed followers in the form of the Apostles, who were his close group of students here on Earth. He chose a group of broken, sinful men, and ultimately shaped them into the group responsible for continuing his ministry here on Earth. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Tim VanDeWalker in "Running By Example" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's th "Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." –Desmond Tutu
The Bible tells us to live in the world, but not t The Bible tells us to live in the world, but not to become like it. The New Living Translation puts it this way, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (Rom. 12:2a). Some have interpreted this as an instruction to reject anything that isn’t explicitly Christian. But I don’t think that’s what this verse is getting at. I think it means much more.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Lindsey Beharry in "Choosing Wisely" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
If you desire to serve, seek to form groups withou If you desire to serve, seek to form groups without age distinction. Maybe you want to form a group in your church. Avoid just inviting members from your age group. Seek out people older and younger than you to invite to meet together. Find that person who sits alone and talk to her or him. Instead of a focus on building groups that have the same characteristics to “relate” with one another, you center your discussion in the work of Christ. He will bring the group together. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Russell Almand in "Community and Age Diversity" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"If we put our faith in temporal things, they will "If we put our faith in temporal things, they will inevitably let us down. They were never meant to be enough for us. Not alone. When Barnum finally does hit bottom, he recognizes that his heart has been led astray, fooled into thinking that fame or fortune could satisfy him."⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @slimkeman in "The Greatest Showman" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"Porn. We are only now beginning to realize the ex "Porn. We are only now beginning to realize the extent of its effects on the brain, relationships, and society at a time when sexually explicit content is just a click away. Christians have recognized pornography’s negative impact for decades, yet it is still often considered a “male” problem within the Church. This can leave women who struggle with porn addiction feeling isolated and alone. The organization SheRecovery (formerly Dirty Girls Ministries) aims to change that and has become a resource for women with porn addiction. You can read more about their ministry at the link in our bio. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Lisa Gagnon in "Dirty Girls Ministries" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"The presence of my sin reminds me of my great nee "The presence of my sin reminds me of my great need for grace, and good works are the outpouring of a grateful heart; being a good child is not a means of earning the favor of God."⁠
⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Sally Blotzer in "Forgiving Failure" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"As Christians, we identify ourselves not only by "As Christians, we identify ourselves not only by how we handle our daily lives, much like those around us, but also by an added component: our faith. How we pray and worship and spend time with our fellow followers provides additional meaning to our lives."⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Matthew Hamilton in "Does Your Form Determine Your Function?" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📷: Photo by Lum3n from Pexels⁠
Often I picture Jesus telling us to love others an Often I picture Jesus telling us to love others and not to judge. I forget that when he said, “Come follow me,” he wasn’t just inviting us to a strict set of rules but to a real and exciting life whether you turn out to be a pastor, a doctor, designer or simply “Dad.” Sometimes I forget one of his main messages was that he came to give us a better life than we could ever dream of—life to the fullest. Jesus wasn’t locking us down to a vocation or job title. It’s as if he was saying, “Real, vibrant life is available to you now. Following me, loving me and living like me is your real calling…the rest is just there to aid you in following, loving and living.”⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Wendy Van Eyck in "Living For A Purpose" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
Like Morpheus, I want to “show you how deep the Like Morpheus, I want to “show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.” There is yet another parallel between the Christian story and The Matrix, simultaneously the most foundational and the most captivating. It’s that something which is missing, something which is not quite right with the world. You can’t quite put your finger on it, but you know that it’s there. At the outset of the first film, Neo is searching for it. Trinity asserts that “it’s the question that drives us.” Morpheus claims that “you can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes.” The question is: What if I’ve only ever scratched the surface of all that life has to offer? What if there is a deeper, truer current of reality, ever-present behind all of my life’s experiences, to which I might awaken at any moment?⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @slimkeman in "Tumbling Down The Rabbit Hole" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"I’ve always been intrigued by Augustine because "I’ve always been intrigued by Augustine because we all struggle with temptations to sin. And we all struggle to live in a way that honors God. Like Augustine we all feel the tug of our past sins that say, 'Don’t you want to enjoy us?' And Augustine’s story relates to Galatians 5:16-26 where Paul tells us about how the Christian life is like a walk. In a way, walking is a metaphor for the Christian life." ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @the_christopherscott in "In Step With the Spirit" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"The Holy Spirit empowers us for Christ-like livin "The Holy Spirit empowers us for Christ-like living, and for serving others." Where in your life or in what ways has the Spirit enabled you this week? We'd love to hear, tell us in the comments below!⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @the_christopherscott  in "In Step With the Spirit" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Subscribe

More Articles

WHEN THE CHURCH {BODY OF CHRIST} MALFUNCTIONS

When I was almost fourteen, I became part of what started as a home church with several other families. We had two pastors who traded off preaching every week. To … [Read More...]

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

After getting married, life was great for Matthew and Ashley. They loved each other, and others well, and were active in their faith and community. But five months … [Read More...]

Allowing God To Move

How do we learn to be disciplined in what we set our hearts and minds on but always be open to what God wants to do in us and through us each day? It’s so easy to … [Read More...]

Copyright © 2023 New Identity Magazine. All Rights Reserved · Log in