An ordinary guy on a supernatural journey.
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  • Optimal Operating Conditions

    Posted on November 21st, 2011 michael No comments

    I don’t know what to say. I’ve been away for so long. But I have something to think through, and I know that I’m never more clear than when I’m typing into my BoW blog.

    I just finished watching Limitless – a movie about a man who discovers a drug that he takes to attain utmost clarity of thought. There’s two things I want to work through:
    1 – during the movie, I realized that there’s this state of mind that I get from time to time, where my whole facial ‘mode’ shifts. It changes from what I would call tense and scowling or overly concerned maybe, into a clear, peaceful state, where I feel confidence, serenity, and no fear.
    2 – I wonder whether God’s ‘commands’ are really commands at all. I wonder if they are really more like instructions. I wonder if they are more like operating procedures. God has given me a miracle of a gift – my very being. My human form is governed by my mind. What if sin is really nothing more than a name for violating the optimal operating procedures. God has laid out his instructions… all He asks for… no… all that’s required for us to experience the life He intends for us, is to trust Him. Does He really hold our sins against us? I know that He doesn’t as long as we accept the sacrifice of His son. But… I’m not sure where that last piece is going, but I have a distinct feeling that I’m on to something here. God created a magnificent being. Yes, it’s adaptable, but there are certain aspects of its existence that, if certain rules are followed (or ‘laws’ obeyed), my existence will basically be described as ‘abundant life’. So the question becomes… what are those rules? NOT what are His laws in the sense of if I don’t follow His laws, I’ll be punished, but what are the optimal operating conditions???

    Optimal Operating Conditions

    OOC

    Is what I’m doing right now an OOC?

    Is what I’m doing right now an OOC?

    What are the OOC’s?

    A soft ‘what would God want me to do?’ or ‘what would Christ do’ turns into ‘what has God told me would result in an ultimate life experience’.

    Is what I’m doing right now an OOC?

    What is my OOC right now?

    OOC

    This post seems a bit manic…

    It’s so weird… when I blog in this way… I use words that I never use… and when I use them, they turn out to be the exact right word… I have to look them up and it confirms that it was the best word… so weird…

    What else…

    I want my ultimate life experience – ULE

    Consistent OOC >>> ULE

    Is what I’m doing right now an OOC?

    Optimal Operating Condition

    What is my current OOC? Right now, it’s writing this – I feel that this is discovery.

    Is UHG my OOC? In some ways, it’s been a shadow of an OOC in the sense that it’s taught me a tremendous deal. However, I would say that that learning and experience could have been attained far more effectively and efficiently through a true OOC.

    Oh, back to what I was going to write about initially…

    Most of what surrounds us is DISTRACTION. Satan has us fucking duped. I use that word for emphasis and to express anger, not to be crude. We are duped. We learn from duped people who we think have the answers. They may have a clearer story, or be closer to truth, but most are still duped in some way.

    What would happen if a person wasn’t duped? Would he be ‘sinless’? He would certainly know and follow God’s OOCs! Did Jesus get this? I’m sure He did…

    This puts a whole new ‘spin’ on studying the Bible. It’s not necessarily all about just ‘reading God’s word’ or ‘knowing Him’ although I think the latter is important. But I think that God put His word on paper to teach us, to guide us, to experience a life of abundance – our Ultimate Life Experience.

    So… what is my OOC right now?

    What are general themes of OOC that I need to… no, want to… pursue?

    I guarantee, alcohol is never an OOC. Alcohol will never make me clear… although alcohol does make you susceptible to ideas. I’ve had 3 beers tonight. Does that mean that all of this ‘insight’ is flawed? Would I have had this insight if I didn’t have those 3 beers? I believe that my thinking would have been even clearer, and my idea flow possibly more fluid.

    So, removing alcohol’s grip on my life is an OOC.

    What else…

    My health, of course. When I’m healthy, I feel more alive, more confident, more capable. My health is of tantamount importance. Just being on the right path is empowering. I don’t have to be 5% body fat to feel good about myself in this way; I just need to be on the right path. I know this by experience. I’ve seen it on Biggest Loser – they don’t have to lose 100 pounds to start feeling good about themselves. It’s the DIRECTION they are heading that is most impactful to their esteem.

    What else…

    Alcohol. Health.

    What does ‘health’ entail? Obviously right eating and exercise. Is supplementation in there? Possibly. I’m not sure, but I can start with what I know.

    What else?

    Learning. But learning what? I suppose I can lean on God’s direction for determining my OOC for learning at any given time. But my OOC is dependent on Him.

    Definitely Bible study. I need to learn the OOCs that God has already communicated. There’s just sooooo much interpretation that clouds the meaning of the Bible. Again, I need to lean on communion with God to sift the wheat from the chaff. I suppose I can start with what I know and build.

    People need to know this perspective. I wonder if there is writing on this anywhere…

    Father

    Heavenly Father. I know I’ve been distant. I’m not sure why and I don’t offer any excuse. I am sorry. Was there some purpose in it?

    Michael. Even men in the Bible went through times where they were on again and off again – cyclical.

    I always had the impression that they were steadfast.

    Some were, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to the most intimate communion. Steadfast mediocrity is not the goal. Growth is the goal. Growth in our intimacy. If your being distracted for 6 months brings us closer together, then it was time well spent. You were never far away though. You knew that.

    I did.

    So am I on to something here? Is there valuable perspective in what I’m writing or perceiving?

    There is. The question is, how will you use it? You know the answers to the test. How will you put it to practice?

    Father, I’m going to leave it at that for tonight. I love you and I praise you for your blessing and protection, even when I’m ‘lost’.

    You’re welcome, Michael.