{"id":2620,"date":"2023-01-20T11:24:52","date_gmt":"2023-01-20T19:24:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mikehillebrecht.com\/?p=2620"},"modified":"2023-01-20T11:24:52","modified_gmt":"2023-01-20T19:24:52","slug":"the-demise-of-grace-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/mikehillebrecht.com\/index.php\/2023\/01\/20\/the-demise-of-grace-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"The Demise of Grace \u2013 Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"29\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/mikehillebrecht.com\/index.php\/theres-only-grace\/inbaby-hand3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikehillebrecht.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/inbaby-hand3.jpg?fit=135%2C135\" data-orig-size=\"135,135\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"inbaby-hand3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikehillebrecht.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/inbaby-hand3.jpg?fit=135%2C135\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-29\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikehillebrecht.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/inbaby-hand3.jpg?resize=135%2C135\" alt=\"hand in hand\" width=\"135\" height=\"135\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Today, the world is fractured. There are forces at play keeping humanity divided along national, ethic, social, economic, and many other subcategories all intended to eradicate the divine principle this nation was founded upon, e pluribus unum, out of many, one.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Joh 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Grace can be seen as the divine animating power of Love; a power which attracts and binds the cosmos together in union with it\u2019s Creator. When grace is neglected and diminished, division and separation naturally occurs. What causes grace to be abandoned, particularly when it is so needed in times such as these?<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Pro 16:18 (MSG) First pride, then the crash&#8211; the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>I have made <a title=\"Spiritual Tools \u2013 Part One\" href=\"http:\/\/mikehillebrecht.com\/index.php\/2022\/12\/10\/spiritual-tools-part-one\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">reference to the works<\/a> of David R Hawkins, M.D., Ph. D. dealing with understanding the levels of consciousness. Over these next few writings, I am going to explore how levels of consciousness move us from a linear perspective to a non-linear reality and how this shift affects our ability to function and utilize the grace we all possess.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThe self identifies not only with the mind, but also with the content \u2013 which becomes \u201cmy\u201d memory, \u201cmy\u201d senses, \u201cmy\u201d thoughts, \u201cmy\u201d emotions, \u201cmy\u201d property, \u201cmy\u201d success, \u201cmy\u201d failure, \u201cmy\u201d expectations, \u201cmy\u201d feelings, and so on. Identification presumes ownership and authorship; thus, the ego sees and believes itself to be a personal, separate causal agent and the inferred source of its own existence.\u201d David R Hawkins, M.D., Ph. D., <a href=\"https:\/\/a.co\/d\/jkwWrVF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dissolving the Ego, Realizing the Self<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>You are not your ego\/mind. Any argument to the contrary is merely a display of how low level the nature of consciousness is operating at. The ego is narcissistic in its nature and only seeks its benefit even at the expense of the life of the person it is operating in. Dying for a religious cause is just one example of this. History is full of other examples. Yes, even your history.<\/p>\n<p>Pride is a low level of consciousness. We are taught in religious environs how it was the cause of the fall within the angelic realm. If it could happen there, it most surely can and does happen in mankind. And yet we are encouraged to show pride for our country, its flag, our leaders, our sports teams, our standard of living and our ability to overcome adversity. So surely not all pride is destructive, right?<\/p>\n<p>The consciousness level of integrity is the demarcation line of where actions require force or actions demonstrate power. Pride, greed, shame, grief, fear, desire, anger, and apathy are all lower levels of consciousness which reside below the level of integrity. Within these lower levels force must be employed to hold onto these thought patterns not only in yourself but within a social structure. This is the realm of ego.<\/p>\n<p>While I began this post dealing with the nature of the world, change in any conceivable form will only transpire on a personal level first. So, if I make mention of the macro effects of consciousness it requires a micro effect first on the lowest element in the cluster.<\/p>\n<p>My intention is to move us into the higher levels of consciousness beyond the level of integrity. As I proceed with these writings you may find that some of the materials hit too close to home. Grace is identical at every level, but our understanding of it is often stunted by a level of thought we have never encountered before or have difficulty in accepting. Whatever result this produces within you, stay the course for the answer will be revealed to carry you higher. Buckle up, we\u2019re heading up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today, the world is fractured. There are forces at play keeping humanity divided along national, ethic, social, economic, and many other subcategories all intended to eradicate the divine principle this nation was founded upon, e pluribus unum, out of many, &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/mikehillebrecht.com\/index.php\/2023\/01\/20\/the-demise-of-grace-part-1\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"amazonpipp_noncename":"","amazon-product-isactive":"","amazon-product-single-asin":"","amazon-product-content-location":"1","amazon-product-content-hook-override":"2","amazon-product-excerpt-hook-override":"3","amazon-product-singular-only":"","amazon-product-amazon-desc":"","amazon-product-show-gallery":"","amazon-product-show-features":"","amazon-product-newwindow":"3","amazon-product-show-list-price":"","amazon-product-show-used-price":"","amazon-product-show-saved-amt":"","amazon-product-timestamp":"","amazon-product-new-title":"","amazon-product-use-cartURL":"","amazon_featured_post_meta_key":"","_amazon_featured_alt":"","amazon-product-template":"default","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[4,6,5],"class_list":["post-2620","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-19","tag-grace","tag-mike-hillebrecht","tag-teaching"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2ITDy-Gg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3187,"url":"http:\/\/mikehillebrecht.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/19\/gods-universal-revelation-no-exclusive-claims\/","url_meta":{"origin":2620,"position":0},"title":"God&#8217;s Universal Revelation: No Exclusive Claims","author":"mike","date":"November 19, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"I hold firmly that God has revealed Himself throughout humanity across all ages, with no single culture or tradition claiming exclusivity. This belief opens the door to grace's boundless inclusivity, celebrating diverse spiritual expressions as interconnected threads in a grand, unified narrative. It challenges dogmatic monopolies, encouraging a synthesis of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;2025 Postings&quot;","block_context":{"text":"2025 Postings","link":"http:\/\/mikehillebrecht.com\/index.php\/category\/2025\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"hand in hand","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikehillebrecht.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/inbaby-hand3.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4325,"url":"http:\/\/mikehillebrecht.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/04\/grace-in-creations-hidden-oneness\/","url_meta":{"origin":2620,"position":1},"title":"Grace in Creation&#8217;s Hidden Oneness","author":"mike","date":"February 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Week 5: The Deceptive Veil Hiding the Divine Essence Day 4: Grace in Creation's Hidden Oneness Today's Veil to Pierce Following the piercing power of ancient portraits, we now contemplate grace in creation's hidden oneness\u2014the divine essence woven into the fabric of the natural world, often concealed by the deceptive\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;2026 Postings&quot;","block_context":{"text":"2026 Postings","link":"http:\/\/mikehillebrecht.com\/index.php\/category\/2026-postings\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikehillebrecht.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/piercing-the-veil-201x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3330,"url":"http:\/\/mikehillebrecht.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/03\/grace-in-leisure-moments-rest-as-divine-kindness\/","url_meta":{"origin":2620,"position":2},"title":"Grace in Leisure Moments: Rest as Divine Kindness","author":"mike","date":"December 3, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"During hobbies or downtime, grace subtly emerges as restorative kindness, infusing leisure with sacred purpose. This hidden essence, rooted in grace's empowering flow, turns relaxation into kingdom renewal, revealing oneness in rest and empowering eternal vitality amid the ordinary. Grace's Restorative Power in Downtime Leisure often escapes notice, yet grace\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;2025 Postings&quot;","block_context":{"text":"2025 Postings","link":"http:\/\/mikehillebrecht.com\/index.php\/category\/2025\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"hand in hand","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikehillebrecht.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/inbaby-hand3.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4508,"url":"http:\/\/mikehillebrecht.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/27\/invoking-grace-in-collective-stillness\/","url_meta":{"origin":2620,"position":3},"title":"Invoking Grace in Collective Stillness","author":"mike","date":"February 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"M2-Week 4: Grace in Collective Awakening Day 6: Invoking Grace in Collective Stillness Today's Veil to Pierce Following restorative grace after collective falls, we now explore invoking grace in collective stillness\u2014the shared contemplative space where the deceptive veil of busyness or distraction is pierced to welcome divine presence across groups.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;2026 Postings&quot;","block_context":{"text":"2026 Postings","link":"http:\/\/mikehillebrecht.com\/index.php\/category\/2026-postings\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikehillebrecht.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/piercing-the-veil-201x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4321,"url":"http:\/\/mikehillebrecht.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/grace-revealing-parental-unity\/","url_meta":{"origin":2620,"position":4},"title":"Grace Revealing Parental Unity","author":"mike","date":"February 2, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Week 5: The Deceptive Veil Hiding the Divine Essence Day 2: Grace Revealing Parental Unity Today's Veil to Pierce Building on yesterday's unveiling of the infinite source, we now contemplate grace revealing parental unity\u2014the intimate, nurturing aspect of the divine that the deceptive veil often conceals behind images of stern\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;2026 Postings&quot;","block_context":{"text":"2026 Postings","link":"http:\/\/mikehillebrecht.com\/index.php\/category\/2026-postings\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikehillebrecht.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/piercing-the-veil-201x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4086,"url":"http:\/\/mikehillebrecht.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/27\/cultural-deceptions-obscuring-divine-flow\/","url_meta":{"origin":2620,"position":5},"title":"Cultural Deceptions Obscuring Divine Flow","author":"mike","date":"January 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Week 4: Dispelling Deceptive Distortions Day 6: Cultural Deceptions Obscuring Divine Flow Today's Veil to Pierce Nearing the end of Week 4, extending from eternal grace beyond temporal comforts, we now address cultural deceptions\u2014the pervasive illusions woven into societal norms, traditions, or values that obscure the divine flow. 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