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This book starts off with two basic truths:

1. THIS little volume (the result of meditation and experience) is not intended as an exhaustive treatise on the much-written-upon subject of the power of thought.

2. THE aphorism, "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he," not only embraces the whole of a man's being, but is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of his life. A man is literally _what he thinks, _his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.

The following statement is the key to the author's understanding, "Man is a growth by law, and not a creation by artifice, and cause and effect is as absolute and undeviating in the hidden realm of thought as in the world of visible and material things. A noble and Godlike character is not a thing of favour or chance, but is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking, the effect of long-cherished association with Godlike thoughts." Based on this foundation, he draws conclusions and orders his life based on his own understanding of what it truly means to be "Godlike." It is at this point that we part ways as I am convinced that he shows little indulgence for or understanding of, the true spiritual nature of man; a spiritual dimension that is more real than the physical dimension we contend with daily. In this spiritual reality, man is not a master and surely not a creator; having sold his birthright in the garden of Eden. He is himself now subject to one of two masters who vie for influence of his thoughts and the affections of his emotions.

The writer quickly puts man in charge of his own universe. Look at where that has taken man. Educated and enlightened men have taken two paths to the same destination. One group in an overt attempt to liberate themselves from any responsibilities towards a true God; have laid hold of apes and monkeys and forced their genealogy upon them. The other camp pretending to acknowledge God, have made man of equal value and abilities. I like what my Bible says  - that it is by faith so it is no longer by works. Righteousness or Godlikeness must be "imputed" to a man through faith because it is impossible for him to earn it by any other means. This does not mean that man is uninvolved with his own salvation. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Faith is dead without works. Man must pray, meditate, fast and behold the Christ (for it is by beholding that we are changed into his likeness). However, the diving force, the enabling force is the Spirit of God in man that is renewing his mind and molding him into the form of his Creator.

Herein lies the danger of this written work. It begins with a biblical truth and has a scattering of biblical truth throughout but it's dominant premiss is humanistic at the core. Where have centuries of enlightenment gotten us? Is there more justice? Is there more peace? This noxious mixture of truth and human wisdom can be more dangerous than the venom of a two horned Adder. Eventually a man will kick against a stone and neither force of will nor extraneous effort will move it. We are all sooner or later going to come face to face with a new paradigm :
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
Zechariah 4:6

What can be learnt from this book by James Allen can be even better learnt from a general study of God's holy words. In particular, the book of Psalms and the book of Proverbs are a well spring of holy wisdom. Wisdom that is built on a more excellent foundation of man's dependence on an omnipotent God; not only for direction, values, virtue and physical provisions but also for strength, grace and favor to accomplish the things that he cannot of his own will attain to.

As for me, change and growth are always necessary as life itself is a constant cycle of seasons. I am climbing "Jacob's Ladder" so to speak. Each careful rung takes me closer to my eternal destination. While I ought not be careless of the climb ahead of me, I am mindful always of the distance I have come and the sure strength of the rung I am currently standing on. Not by frantic enthusiasm but by graceful exertions, I make a steady progress towards my future; ever grateful for my now moments and quick to dismiss the trials and failures of my yesterday. With balance and poise; with hope and faith; with effort and expectation; with knowledge and wisdom; with declaration and meditation; with prayer and thanksgiving - I press ever so close to my divine destiny.

And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2

Read or download/print this book here:  

 http://hisrealestatenetwork.com/James-Allen-As-A-Man-Thinketh%20Free%20Ebook.pdf

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