The Simplicity of Faith

THE

SIMPLICITY

OF

FAITH

The Rise of Human Awareness

Keith Allan Goulet

Wild Rose Ministry LLC

A Media Ministry

Copyright©2015 Wild Rose Ministry LLC

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.

Wild Rose Ministry LLC, PO Box 1082, Port Orchard WA 98366

Publisher’s Note: This is a work of non-fiction. The views expressed are those of the author, and are compiled from many sources which are listed in the final pages of this book.

Bible Quotations: ESV Study Bible™, English Standard Version® (ESV®). Copyright © 2008 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, All rights reserved.

New Living Translation, Second Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois. Copyright 2003, 2006 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

THE SIMPLICITY OF FAITH/ Keith Allan Goulet.

Editing by:  Lauren Duran

ISBN 978-0-9969248-0-1

I dedicate this book to my

 two wonderful grandchildren

Paul and Noelle

I love you both dearly

If you want to be extraordinary,

You must be willing to do

Extraordinary things!

PART  ONE

Chapter 1……………………The beginning

Chapter 2…………………....The grand illusion

Chapter 3……………………From the light

Chapter 4……………………Awareness

Chapter 5……………………Sin

Chapter 6……………………Born Again

Chapter 7……………………Forgiveness

Chapter 8……………………Seeking the divine

PART  TWO

Chapter 9……………………How we think

Chapter 10…………………..Mirror reflection

Chapter 11…………………..Revelation

Chapter 12…………………..Guilt

Chapter 13…………………..Walking the talk

Chapter 14…………………..To be a Christian

PART  THREE

Chapter 15…………………..Shedding the shadow

Chapter 16…………….…….How we express our self

Chapter 17…………………..Myths & untruths

Chapter 18…………………..Dream state

Chapter 19…………………..Deriving power

Chapter 20…………………..Epilogue

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

THERE are many people I need to acknowledge and thank. None of my work would be possible without the unselfish contributions made to my life, and to the Ministry by so many trusting and caring people. It is not practical to name everyone, but will mention a few who, from the beginning, trusted and had faith in me, even though the worst of times. Your friendship and love held my life together when I needed it the most.

First I must mention my little sister Julie. She has been a trooper right from the start. She and my sister Doreene took positive steps to reassure me they would always be there for me. I can confirm that they have been. For those members of my family who wrote and sent their love and concern, I thank you for caring enough to write. My friend Jack, who passed away this past year, will always be remembered as a real Christian friend who had a very forgiving and caring heart. I will miss you Jack, and remember the time and effort you put forth pulling me back in life, even against my will.

Most of us can look back at our lives and recall one or two people who entered our lives at a critical time, changing our future forever. When I arrived that first night in Sidney, I met such a man. He saw something in me I would have never recognized in myself. He did not see a man in crisis, but saw a human being struggling to find purpose in his life. I was lost in a world filled with everything that was wrong. What he saw in me was resignation, almost a complete withdrawal from life. He saw life in my heart, when there was none in my eyes. I had given up, and surrendered to the forces outside of myself. There was only a small thread of something which connected me to the old life I believed was gone. Cliff was truly different. His wisdom set him apart from all other people. He seemed to know, and saw what no one else seemed to see. He was quick to point out that I wasn’t just lost and someone who questioned his faith, but saw that I had fallen well beyond that into an abyss, a place I never expected to return from. I had fallen, and only waited to sink to the bottom. I was waiting for that last breath of air, which would put me in the ground. The first day, that first weekend, in just a few short conversations with me, Cliff reignited in me, a flame that had nearly burned out so long ago. I do not know why he chose to save me, but he did, and I am truly grateful for that.

Robert and Joan Bell became my friend nearly fifteen years ago. I spent many pleasant days having coffee at the donut shop, and attending cattle sales with my good friend Bob. He became an anchor in my life, and his friendship will always be special. I will always cherish the time we spent together. I especially enjoyed the home cooked meals, which made me feel right at home. I have been richly rewarded by the invitation into their life. I thank you both for your friendship, love and support during such trying times in my life.

For nearly eight years, Dale and LaDean and the twin boys, were the total focus of my life. They gave me a place in the world when I did not believe I had one, and gave purpose to my life again. Their friendship and love made my life bearable. I may not have survived if it had not been for the farm, and the family life they made me a part of. I am grateful that you cared.

I must mention Tom and his family, as they were a huge part of my life during those troubled years. Tom gave me a chance to fulfill a lifelong dream, music. I shall always be grateful for his kindness and concern.

My friend Woody, the gentle giant who was taken so suddenly, will always occupy a place in my heart. He has gone to be with the Lord now, and I will see him one day soon. Montana was, and will always be a place of renewal for me. I will always remember what Montana gave to me, and how it served as a place of restoration and healing. It gave me back my life, the life I believed was gone forever.

In the book Deadly Journey, I offered a sincere apology to my son and his family. He and his family have every right, and the greatest reasons not to forgive me. The decision, which took me to Montana, separated me from him and his family. Todd, his wife Andrea and two magnificent grandchildren, Paul and Noelle, are the delights of my life. How blessed I am to have them back in my life again.

Seattle or at least the suburbs was my home for nearly twenty years. I came here to be with my family and left here to get away from them. I returned to the area to finish my life. As a disabled Vietnam Veteran, I feel honored to have served my country, and now spend my time giving back where, and however I can through my own Christian Ministry.

There are many who came to my rescue when I had nothing. Michael and Margie shared a part of their life with me, and I must give thanks to their Ministry, the House of Hope, it was a beginning point for all the blessing God had in store for me. It is there that I met Francisco who has become a close friend and fellow Christian, who works with me in my own Christian ministry. I thank you Frankie for being a friend and for looking out for me. You played a vital role in helping me find a safe place in my own heart, to trust again.

Ken and Mary became one of my biggest supporters personally, and with the Ministry. Your friendship has restored my faith, in that there are real people in the world that cared, and had a giving heart. The summer of 2012 will always bring a smile to my face as the fond memories of the back yard, and the beautiful screened porch will occupy the pleasant memories in my mind. Thank you for caring so much.

There were others who came into my life, some for a few short months, others whose names I will remember for the rest of my life. Jon and Sarah, you were the first to take the risk. The church meant a lot to me. It gave me courage each week, just when I found myself fresh out of will to go on. The early morning weekly bible study was also a place of growth and learning. I thank all the guys who were caring, and considerate, sharing their knowledge and concern.

There are others who are an important part of my life. I will not mention them by name here, but will say how much you have affected my perspective of life. Doug, how we became friends is not a mystery. We are opposites. He is a bleeding hearted liberal and me a stuffy old style conservative. Often we took over a booth at the local pancake house for hours at a time attempting to settle the world’s problems. I don’t think we accomplished much as far as politics goes, but the time we spent together has enriched my life. Then there is my good friend JR. What I like about Jerry is that he listens well. As you might have guessed, I talk a lot. We have established a lifelong friendship, and I look forward to the many years that lie ahead. He has been tough on me, as, on occasion, he reads the pages I write, and does not hesitate to tell me when I ramble on, not sticking to the point, or when, on occasion, I continually use my favorite spoonerisms.

In the companion book Deadly Journey, I detail over fifty years of my life, how the struggles and obstacles paved the way, which has led me to a fulfilling and happy life. I never expected to be here at this age in my life. When I was young, I truly believed I did not possess the ability to survive. I often thought about dying, and truly believed I would never see the year 2000. The events and struggles became the building blocks which have made me into the person I have become.

At some point along the continuum of my life, I made turns that led me into the darkness. I cannot answer why, maybe there isn’t an answer anyway. Maybe it was my destiny to begin with. In any event, it led me back to the place where I began, a place of love, an abundance of compassion, and a real sense of forgiveness. The road was hard, and often devastating. I have come to discover one thing for certain. The shadow force, which had taken over my life nearly destroying me, exists in everyone. Without the knowledge of its existence, in addition to how to deal with it, it has the capacity to destroy any one of us. Without the knowledge of its existence, I would have surely lost the battle for my personal survival and freedom.

Today, I know there is hope, not just for me, but for everyone, no matter how damaging the circumstance, no matter what the situation might be. I hope this book and the companion book Deadly Journey, combined with my willingness to reveal the truth about my own life, will open the door for others to explore the possibilities of a life which lies hidden deeply within each of us. If this book helps even one person, then all that I have experienced, all the pain I have suffered, will be worth it. The price I have paid is no different from what many others have paid. In a world full of contradictions, twists and turns, I have come to discover one thing which is always constant, there is always hope. Often it does not come in the time frame we might have anticipated, or even in the way we might have imagined. But it will always come. Sometimes, we need to suffer the indignities of error and poor judgment, to realize that there is truly a divine purpose to our lives. God does love us! There is hope for everyone.

PROLOGUE

THE first ideas for this book came during a time of great turmoil in my life. There is nothing like a crisis, one of confidence, identity, or even a significant emotional event, to inspire changes in one’s life. We stumble through life doing the best we can. I sincerely believe every human alive, makes every attempt to live their life in the best way they know how. If we knew something different, then we would probably conduct our lives differently.

Over the past twenty years, I have learned one significant truth, we cannot grow beyond where we are at, be it financial success, personal growth, or spiritual growth, without input, or influence from some outside source. We cannot teach ourselves something we do not know, nor can we make ourselves into something better, or someone greater, without the knowledge and awareness from some outside source, which will inspire us to the greatness that is within us.

Every human is born into this world with the same capacity, the same characteristics and traits. The difference in each of us is derived from the different roads we travel, creating the one of a kind personality we develop. There is no one in this world exactly alike. The differences in us are created through our interaction with our family, friends, and the outside world. Each of us is given different talent and abilities. Our likes and dislikes are a combination of genetics and environment. We have different desires and needs, different wants, a different perspective on life.

Our environment, our parents, brother and sisters, friends, and a hundred other people, along with an endless series of events, shape and mold us into the person we become.

We make choices in our life based on a collection of information, knowledge and events that have occurred, along with life’s ups and downs. How we feel and perceive ourselves and others, is taught to us by these same events and criteria.

Based on the perception we have created, we make choices, and follow paths that lead us somewhere, sometimes down a dead end road that brings disaster into our lives. According to the experts, the path we chose may be more predictable, than one might imagine.

Regardless of the path we have taken, there always remains one more option, a new or different path to follow. No one is prevented from achieving their ultimate purpose in life. Failure only arrives when we give up all hope of overcoming obstacles, and the failures we have experienced in our life.

When we experience failures, setbacks or obstacles, it is only how we deal with them that will determine the consequences we will suffer as a result of our actions. How we perceive our situation, even what we think of others, is determined by a hidden shadow force within us. We see the world, our environment, our families, friends and even strangers, as the enemy, or at least a competitor, who stands between us, and what we want in life. We have hundreds of encounters each day, thousands each month. Each encounter helps to create the persona we will present while acting, or reacting to every situation or event we bump into during our daily lives. Our success and failures are determined by the choices we make based on this mindset.  The perception we have created about our self and others, becomes our thought system, a mindset of beliefs and behaviors, by which we judge every other human, as well as how we will react or relate to every event, large or small, that will occur during our lifetime. It is because the mind is the mechanism of decision. It determines our happiness, or misery, success or failure.., we choose it all.

When we encounter opposition, uncertainty or critical assessment as a result of our daily encounters, we become aware that some of our actions or behavior may be considered, or deemed inappropriate, or unacceptable. For most of us, it is our natural instinct to avoid confrontation, and in an effort to remove the possibility of rejection, we modify our values, beliefs or behavior, in an effort to become more acceptable in the eyes of those around us.

Unknowingly, we have begun the process of creating the image of our shadow self. This new personality, which is comprised of those traits and behaviors, we believe are the most acceptable to the world around us. It becomes the public persona, the new person we want the world to see.

It is not enough to think in a certain way, as our intent will always reveals our true feelings. Our behavior demonstrates what we truly believe. As we begin to act out the part of this new character, we begin to reprogram our thought system to reflect our new belief. As you will see in the chapters which lay ahead, the shadow you have created may not be representative of the person you really are.

The sad part of this new creation is some of the values do not reflect what you actually feel. The values are more imposed values, reflective of institutions, laws, and social pressures which you have encountered. Where you change your mind set to fit-in, or comply with outside pressures, you have created a false, or shadow belief. The shadow covers up the real belief, and when acted upon or expressed often enough, you will begin to assume it is what your real beliefs are. These new thought patterns are made out of perceived necessity. Some of these new values and beliefs are based on what other people think, or how you may have been treated when you’re true, or real opinion or view were expressed. There are many reasons why we alter or change our position on various issues. Not all of the reasons are forced. Some are real changes of heart, as a result of new information or experiences. It is how we build our belief system. 

The shadow force is described as the unreal or counterfeit part of our mind that seeks to validate the illusions of life, and fight against what is real and true. The force believes it is the only real part about you, and sets out early to validate itself, and put forth every effort to destroy any attempts to overcome it. This part of your mind is the ego. Its primary goal is to hide from you from the truth and knowledge that will free you from its grasp. The ironic part to all of this is that it itself is not real, and is only an illusion that we have created. But, make no mistake about it, the effects of the shadow force and our ego, are very real, and are responsible for our misfortune and all the misery we have, or will encounter during our lifetime.

Understanding this hidden power and utilizing its force as a benefit, rather than destruction will change your life forever. This is not a religious theory, or some magical solution to life greatest mysteries. It is in its simplicity, the basic human understanding of the function of the human mind. When understood and taken control of, it will change everything about your life, hopefully for the better!

The pages of this book contain materials that are both controversial and enigmatic. I must honestly say up front, that most is not my original material or ideas. Most of what I talk about concerning Christianity is over two thousand years old and comes straight from the Bible. The theory behind the Shadow Force has been widely published before. I have given credit to the originator, and have provided the names of other, more in-depth narratives and its authors.

It has been my sole intent to reduce the complexity of life, Christianity and happiness, to its simplest form. I strongly believe if we would view life, salvation and eternity in its simplest form, it is all we need to know to prosper and live a happy and fulfilling life. For some reason, humans feel the need to make things as complicated as possible, thus believing that the answers to life, must also be complex. The old saying that the simple answer is nearly always the right answer, certainly hold true for most of the questions and obstacles we will encounter in life.

PART ONE

THE ILLUSION

Five mile bridge just outside my home town.

 As a young boy, I fished the river that runs beneath it.

"It might be better to demolish your bridges behind you, then there is no choice but forward."

"Wild Rose" Tj Weldonn

Christianity is not an invitation to become a moral person. It is not a program for getting us in line or reforming society

The Journey of Desire

John Eldredge

CHAPTER ONE

IN THE BEGINNING

WE live in uncertain times, a time when change is coming, perhaps it is already here. We have lived the lies and illusions for so long they almost seem real, but they are not. This is not some new revelation or modern science, but a new and greater understanding of the importance of how the human brain functions. There is much about the human mind we do not know or understand.  We use only a small portion of our brain, yet we have the capacity to accomplish extraordinary feats for both good and bad purposes. We see anomalies that baffle us defying what we believe to be real; savants that possess phenomenal abilities, who without training can play and compose music. We write it off as being a freak of nature, but is it? Or is there a better explanation?

The basis to understand this force is tied to creation of life itself and the perceptions and knowledge which obscures realities and truths from our consciousness. Like the laws of nature, they are unchangeable qualities which dominate the world we live in. Jesus spoke of it and the apostles wrote about it, but it was simply not well understood.  Maybe it was because it seemed so unlikely and so unreal that the concept was just too difficult to understand, let alone accept and live by. Jesus used parables to tell the stories of life but even those were difficult to understand.

It is these basic understandings, the natural laws of our nature, which are presented in this book. Whether you believe them or not, it does not change the reality of how they work in our lives. There is a saying spoken by Jesus himself, which describes the true reality and the nature of the self. It is found in the Gospel of Thomas:

When you understand yourself you will be understood. And you will realize that you are Sons of the living Father. If you do not know yourselves, then you exist in poverty and you are that poverty.

These words tell us several things. First, that the key to life is already in us and that we must seek the knowledge that will overcome and remove the veil that obscures these realities of our life.  Second, that we are Sons of the living Father which makes us like Jesus, a status we cannot earn, but one that we already have where our worth is already established. The caveat is if we do not seek knowledge so our mind may be transformed, then we exist in a state of poverty. That poverty is the lack or void of the knowledge of two important elements of our faith and belief.

SPIRITUAL DEADNESS

The first is the not knowing of our self refers to our spiritual condition in our relationship to God. Adam changed the condition of our spirit. By his disobedience, we, including all of humanity were condemned to sinful life. We were no longer without sin. Adam’s one sin placed us in the state of poverty which is defined as our evil nature or sinful state, which are a mental and physical condition which we shall always carry, where the ultimate penalty is our physical death.

If it had not been for God’s love we would have remained in that condition. But God sent his one and only son to redeem us. By Jesus’ death and resurrection, we were made righteous in the eyes of God. The death of Jesus on the cross restored us to a state of holiness as stated in First Corinthians, chapter one, verse two.

EXISTING IN POVERTY

There is good news and bad news in attempting to understand what Jesus was referring to regarding us existing in poverty. We cannot know God without being born of the spirit. Again we can say if Jesus did not die on the cross and ascend into Heaven then we would have no way of receiving the Holy Spirit.

But now I am going away to Him who sent Me, and not one of you asks Me, ‘Where are you going?’ Yet because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor [Holy Spirit] will not come to you [John 16:5-7]

The bad news is that human wisdom cannot begin to reveal the knowing of God. Paul further clarifies this notion in First Corinthians, chapter one, verses twenty-one and twenty-two:

Since God in His wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, He used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.

Our human folly [preaching] can only awaken an awareness to seek God. Awareness will not save you. What seeking knowledge does do is prepare our heart and mind to receive the Holy Spirit. Spiritual birth is not an act of human will. Spiritual birth is totally and completely an act of God. There is nothing a human can do to be born again. It is out of our control.

ORIGINAL CONDITION

It is important to understand that we were created in the image of God. Scripture tells us our original state was good. In Genesis chapter one, verse thirty-one:

 And God saw everything that he had made and behold, it was very good.

Our condition was changed by the sin of Adam but even that has changed as a result of Christ’s death. Adam’s sin led to our condemnation. We were convicted of sin and our sentence was death. Because of Jesus, we can now trade the judgment of sin for forgiveness.

If God is immutable, then what He has created is unchangeable and we remain in the same condition in which we were created. God does not and has not changed nor have we changed from the state in which we were created. What has changed is the condition of our spirit.  Adam’s one sin placed us in the state of poverty which is defined as our evil nature or sinful state, which are a mental and physical condition which we shall always carry where the ultimate penalty is our physical death.

Our mind determines our own condition, because the mind is the mechanism of decision. It is the power by which we determine experience, feel our pain or joy, peace or chaos.

God does not take steps to correct because His accomplishments are not gradual, His creations are timeless. Whatever steps God took last existed in the beginning. What is timeless is always there because it is eternal. We know the Kingdom of God exists in each of us. We may not see Him or even have the capacity to recognize the qualities, because of the void that exists without the Holy Spirit. Because we do not see or are unaware does not mean it does not exist.

The notion that we cannot see the Kingdom without the Holy Spirit is supported by what Jesus told Nicodemus in John chapter three, verse three:

Jesus replied, ‘I assure you: unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

We will talk a great deal more about how we are born again in a later chapter.  Until we receive the Holy Spirit we are separated from God. It is not that God has forgotten about us or doesn’t love us. It is because the act of Adam has placed us in the state in which our mindset is not set on God. It is set on everything which is the opposite. When God gave his one and only son [John 3:16] to the world, so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life, it also changed and woke the spirit within us. [Hebrews 8:10]

We will look at what this New Covenant means in later chapters. Remaining separated from God now that we are aware of His existence, is a mental choice. The results of our decision to choose worldly thing over all else, is the determining factor in our own physical conditions. We can choose to remain in the state of poverty, or seek the knowledge that will provide and prepare our mind to receive God’s great gift of the Holy Spirit.

 The real questions are what are we separated from and how do we undo the separation? What is included in this book is an overview of those processes. It is not necessary to read this book chapter by chapter to extract the message, as each chapter has its own meaning and purpose.

This book is about revelation, knowledge, and awareness. Life cannot be viewed as a picture or an abstract object to be analyzed for good or evil, right or wrong. Without purpose, life appears to be nothing more than a series of random events that occur leading us from birth to death. But life is not random; it is intentionally driven by what we know. It is intended to be a personal journey towards the divine, an experience that