God, Are You Listening?

God, Are You Listening?

Joe Cleek

Copyright © 2024 Joe Cleek

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2024

Joe Cleek assumes no responsibility or liability for the collection of monetary proceeds from this book. This is not intended to be a get-rich-quick scheme. All monetary proceeds collected through this book may be invested in the future for possible growth. All monetary proceeds may be subject to gains/losses in the future. Buyers should be aware that there is no guarantee of such proceeds due to investments made in the future. All proceeds will be held in an account for future investments and released to the United States population at a future date. This account will be subject to minimal expenses like any other business.

ISBN 979-8-88960-309-2 (pbk)

ISBN 979-8-88960-330-6 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank God for showing me his presence and making me realize my mind was shallow and cold. I would like to thank God for being a part of my life and carrying me through the difficult times that I have encountered. God, I would not have had the courage and strength to write this book. So I say, I love you, God.

For my wife and son, I say thank you for your strength and patience throughout the years of difficult times. Your comfort and support have made me a stronger individual. I know our family will grow stronger throughout all our life experiences. Thank you, and I love you.

To my mom, sisters, and brother: Mom, thank you for being my foundation. You have shown me how to carry myself and pick myself up when life got me down. I love you and thank you for this interesting life. To my sisters and brother, thank you for caring for me. I know you have always supported me.

Dad, thank you for financially supporting my book. This would not be happening without your support. I know we have not had the time together in this life, and you know I forgive you. Maybe in heaven, we will meet again. Rest in peace. I love you.

To my grandma and grandpa, thank you for visiting me one night after you had passed. Thank you, Grandma, for the push and catapulting my book when I was in need. I love you, Grandma and Grandpa. Rest in peace.

Thank you, Neale Donald Walsch. Your readings have been inspirational and have allowed me to grow. I never really cared for reading until I read your conversation series. Neale, thank you and God bless!

Introduction

Do you ever wonder why things happen to all of you on a regular basis? Good or bad, these things keep occurring day after day for your entire life? I have been thinking about this for a long time. My life has changed in both a negative and positive direction. It has brought me to this moment in writing this book.

Where does God fit into all this turmoil that I have been experiencing? Why doesn't God change my life? Why can't I go to God and ask him to make things right in the world? When will the world change and be a better place to live in? If I could change the world, what could I do to make it better? Is it possible to change the mind and heart of individuals? Could everyone in the world come together as one entity? These are the questions on my mind. Want to explore them with me?

Travel through my thoughts and my personal conversation with God. Maybe I will have the answer to your questions you have with God. Let me explain one possible solution that may assist many individuals with their financial circumstances. This book is intended to change millions of lives. I'm not here to talk about what is going on in our world today. I am willing to change it forever. Thank you all and thank you, God!

First of all, I am not a writer. I am just an ordinary guy with a lot of thoughts writing sentences down and had the opportunity to speak to God through my thoughts. Everyone is capable of speaking to God given the opportunity, belief, and faith in God. I had an experience with a relative that passed away many years ago. This calling I had with my grandma changed my life and confirmed the existence of God, at least in my mind and soul. I didn't believe in God for many years. In fact, I shut out the concept that God ever existed in my life. I know the truth, and I am here to explain to others who will listen. I thank every person who will take the time to read this book and understand what I have written. Understand, God is with all of us all the time, waiting for your personal acknowledgment. Thank you, God!

I believe that everyone has the opportunity to know God on a personal level. It took me over fifty years to find God. My mind continued to fool my soul for the majority of my life. I didn't want to know God because my mind convinced my soul that everything would be fine and my mind would make all my life choices. My mind was in control of my life, and my soul trusted its decisions. Sound confusing?

Most people use their minds to make decisions. At least this is what I observe by watching people and observing their personal choices. I see many people making snap decisions with their minds versus their souls making the correct choice. I'm guilty of being the same as others, and I still fight with my mind versus the soul. The mind was designed to assist the soul during its journey of life. Unfortunately, most people don't recognize the distinction between the two entities. Humans make one choice with the mind and discard the soul. The two were meant, on purpose, to coexist at one time. Think about the last time you were sick. What were you thinking? Probably not too much. You wanted to get on with your life and make it to the next day. Am I getting close? That is when your mind takes control of your body and stabilizes it for existence. Have you ever felt this way? That is why the mind was created by God. The mind is there to assist the soul, particularly under duress. Have you ever been really tired while you're driving and arrive at your destination and don't remember the events during the course of the drive? That was your mind taking over for your soul because your soul was exhausted. This is the same concept that I was talking about when you were feeling sick. You have a mind and soul, and each one has a responsibility when making decisions during the course of your life and affecting other lives.

It took me many years to figure out what was going on in my life. The dual concept of the mind and soul wasn't a concept in my mind. Funny, I say to you my mind, which was the truth. I didn't understand the mind-soul concept, and there was not a problem. I believed that my mind was making the correct decisions in my life. I felt that my mind wasn't attracting any negative behaviors and that the entity was making positive choices for my personal journey. My life became filled with turmoil, and I became the victim of my own mind. I lost several jobs and houses with my mind in full control of my destiny. My soul grew tired of my mind's decisions. My soul became frustrated and felt desperate about my mind's field of destruction within my life's journey. My soul decided to find God without its mind's approval. My soul, in desperation for assistance, sought out God, and the Lord stepped into my life immediately without any resistance.

This is when I was able to speak to God not verbally but through my thoughts and feelings, working through the Holy Spirit. These are my private moments with God.

My life begins in a little town located in Illinois. My family didn't have a lot of money, but we had an older house that we called home. I lived with my four sisters and one brother. My mom raised us for the major part of our lives as we grew up in this small town. She did her best trying to give our family food on the table with the little amount of money that her job provided. She is a tough woman with a heart of gold, always wanting the best for our whole family. That is my mom, and she will never change.

I pondered my past, and I understand now where I acquired my toughness. It was from my mom. My dad was not around during the course of my life. Don't worry, Dad, I don't hold any grudges. I see his spirited side of himself (some say it's A.D.D.). I am always starting new projects and not finishing them. What a coincidence? I believe I have inherited his traits. My grandpa, with whom I did not spend a lot of time, was a quiet but stern man. He was a good man. I believe I have acquired his traits. My grandma was a sweet elderly woman. Grandma, you gave me my beautiful heart. Add up all those ingredients, and that is who I am.

It took me many years to come to this conclusion. Now that I have gathered this information, I can start to assist others. Unlike what I used to be. I was shallow, self-absorbed, and strong-minded, not caring for others. I was a man trying to survive in a world built by men of greed and competition. No better than the next person, I used them, and they returned the favor. I was successful in life, and then I failed. I didn't know what to do or what direction to go in life. I felt like I had no one to help me. Until I realized that I needed one entity. Someone (God) I voided out of my existence. I never knew him, but God didn't forget me. I chose to ignore him; God accepted me. I drove God out of my life; God remained by my side. I broke down in tears; God picked me up. I began to follow my heart; God displayed his beauty. I was anxious with despair. God showed me how to silence my mind and be patient. I gave God my soul. God spoke to me through my thoughts. I made God a promise of kindness. God displayed his love. I opened my eyes. God gave me eternal peace. I never questioned his name. I am who I am (Exodus 3:14), God!

Awakening the Truth

Mind: Why don't you get a bagel for your wife on Saturday?

Joe: Mind, stop it for a minute!

Mind: Why should I?

Joe: Mind, I need to align my soul with our Creator. I need you to give me complete access to our Lord.

Mind: Access, what do you mean?

Joe: I need to have a conversation with God!

Mind: I'm not giving you access.

Joe: Let us have an agreement.

Mind: What kind of agreement?

Joe: You turn off the goofy thoughts and let me speak to God.

Mind: And?

Joe: I promise it will benefit us (mind and soul). I promise that I will not shut you out of our life. Mind, you know that I am (soul) strong, and I promise to coexist with you for our entire life. I know why you exist and am here to protect me. Can we move forward?

Mind: Fair enough. Go ahead.

Joe: Thank you!

Mind: You're welcome!

Joe: Father, I am here!

God: (Silence)

Joe: Father, are you present?

God: (Silence)

Joe: God, are you listening?

God: I am here!

Joe: Is it really you, God? Am I making this up?

God: What do you think?

Joe: I want to believe I am speaking to God.

God: Then you have answered your question.

Joe: I am surprised I am able to speak to you, God.

God: Would it matter if you were not able to speak to me?

Joe: It would be embarrassing to think that I was speaking to myself.

God: Who is listening?

Joe: My audience that are reading my book.

God: Tell your viewers that I exist and am able to communicate with all individuals.

Joe: I am excited. I can hardly think.

God: I see, take it easy! There will be plenty of time for open discussions.

Joe: Really?

God: Of course, there will be plenty of time. Relax.

Joe: God, do you think we can keep our talk simple?

God: What do you mean?

Joe: I am just a car guy. Building sentences to create a book.

God: Joe, you don't need to be so humble.

Joe: I may not be the best writer, but I will try my best!

God: Give yourself credit, Joe. This is your first book written. Be proud of what you have accomplished. If you want our talk to be simple, so be it.

Joe: Thank you, God!

God: For what?

Joe: For showing up and giving me the opportunity to be with you.

God: I have been here always for you!

Joe: Really? I have often felt alone.

God: You needed time to work things out by yourself, and I let you make your personal decisions.

Joe: The times have been tough for me.

God: I know, I've been watching!

My Youth

Joe: Where do I start, God?

God: In the beginning…(John 1:1).

Joe: Now where have I heard that before?

God: Is that a wisecrack, Joe?

Joe: Maybe? I had to get my sense of humor from some being.

God: A good sense of humor it is!

Joe: Well, thank you. Let us move forward. I attended grade school. No different than any other kid.

God: How was your experience?

Joe: I had good teachers and made several friends!

God: Do I sense some hostility?

Joe: God, why did you take away one of my best friends?

God: Is he still living on earth?

Joe: Well, yes. I don't see him anymore.

God: Change is constantly occurring.

Joe: No need to inform me about that subject!

God: Why do I sense there is additional hostility? Is this about high school?

Joe: High school was tough!

God: Why?

Joe: You should know, God! I struggled through puberty. Competition was shoved down my throat. I was trying to adapt with a certain class of individuals. First, it was embarrassing. I had no hair in the places I thought was important that others would see. Second, I tried cross-country track and failed as a runner. Third, you were labeled in school as a burnout (drug user) or a jock (into sports). I was neither of the two. Sadly, I say I smoked weed (marijuana), hoping to find new friends because I was lonely. God, I never want to return to that era of my life.

God: What about friends?

Joe: I had a few friends. When I was not with them, I watched television and played video games. Exciting life, huh?

God: There are others worse off than you, Joe. What is really on your mind?

Joe: My education or lack of it?

God: What do you mean?

Joe: I went to college…

God: And?

Joe: It took me a long time to finish. Not that I really wanted to go (sorry, Mom). I only went to college to receive a well-paying job. I didn't want to