This is one of those posts where I didn't know how or where to begin. So I'm turning my head off and my heart on. Let's talk about soul addiction. Something real and as deadly as any addiction to substances. First let's define what a soul is, not to be mistaken for our inner spirit.
Soul: Mind. Will. Emotions.
A soul untamed can be a driving force for self destruction. It's a shooting gun without a scope, a fishing line with no aim and moving vehicle with no destination. All which can produce either harmful, unproductive and unwanted results. What I think about most becomes what I will to do most. What I will to do most, becomes what I end up acting out. And continuing to practice in an soul untamed is as quicksand. Deeper and deeper you sink to the death of your soul. Your mind dies. Your will dies. Your emotions die.
A show I often watch is called Intervention and on this show, everyday people share their stories of addiction, often triggered by trauma from their past. A common theme I've noticed is that most of these individuals know the risks, know the harm and want to quit their addiction. So, then, what stops them? The road through withdrawal. By nature we avoid what causes us pain and gravitate towards what brings us pleasure, no matter how temporary. Over time, the body has become dependent on that substance and denial of it can cause extreme reaction. To avoid withdrawal, the addiction is continually fed. We keep drinking the poison to avoid the withdrawals of not having it.
With a soulish addiction, you have extreme highs and extreme lows. It's rarely ever balanced. No stability. That "thing" makes you happy one day and sad the next. The test of a soul addiction is when you have to let something harmful go that you know is hurting you but you feel the process of losing that thing isn't worth it even though you know it will hurt you even more. It becomes better to have that thing present because it has become such a part of you, you can't see past the anxiety of it's absence. An addicted soul begins to believe that what's right is wrong and what's wrong is right. It uses it's disability as an excuse and crutch. It adopts the victim mentality and doesn't accept the help offered. It believes that it's happiness is based on that "thing" and without it, happiness cannot be achieved. It holds on to the possibilities rather than faces the realities.
Even when the situation reads"Dead End", we keep going. I know I have. In a lot of neighborhoods you'll see a sign for some streets that say "Dead End". You can look as far as the road stretches and sometimes even see the ending of that road. But rose colored glasses can skew the view of that road and deceive you to think the sign isn't true. We do that with life. Worst of all, we do that with people. One day I had to reflect on how I end up in some of the same situations and it became that I have a habit of ignoring these signs or in denial that they exist. We see the signs that this road has a blunt dead end but because our wants get ahead of us, we continue down the road and become disappointed when it doesn't take us as far as we hoped. We plow through construction signs that say "Road Closed", "Under Construction", "Caution". But then are nursing wounds, a broken soul, when we hit craters that God meant to save us from. You headed down a road you weren't suppose to in the first place. You become emotionally attached to something that wasn't intended for you to. And because your mind is the driving force, tainted by skewed rationale, it propels your will. In turn, swaying your emotions like a flag in the wind. Sinking sand pulls you deeper and deeper into a depression. Then you become someone you don't recognize anymore. You make decisions and act in a way that is out of character.
Elevation and acceptance is the cure for an addicted soul. Addiction is selfish. It focuses on self and self fulfillment. The minute you look up to the One who is greater and worship Him instead of "it", the power the addiction appears to have over you weakens. It's not a one time act either. It's continual elevation. You can't have both elevation and a grip on a cement block. Both pull in different directions, so one direction must be chosen. One direction will give the fulfillment you desire and the other will give the illusion of it. Higher thinking promotes a will that directs our actions and choices in a healthy way. Often that thing we are afraid to let go of becomes insignificant in the scheme of the life we were intended to live. Acceptance says"Hey, this is not for me and I am ok with that. I will be ok without it". Acceptance is recognizing when something is not good for you, empty promises and all. That thing is a hot dog in comparison to the steak dinner being offered. It all comes down to a choice. A choice I have to make everyday. Some days are successful and others aren't. But that's the beauty of a new day, a new start. Letting go offers healing. Holding on offers hurt. You and I have been granted free will to choose, so let us choose life one day at a time.
Father,
Elevate our souls to see past the illusion before us and give us the strength we need to really let go.
Showing posts with label Spiritual Reflection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spiritual Reflection. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Adam and Eve hold probably the most widely known Biblical story, whether interpreted as a myth or truth that changed the course of time and quality of life. I know it as the latter and is the most intriguing to me. God creates Adam. Adam needs help. God creates Eve. Eve puts a stupor on Adam. Adam eats the fruit aka "apple" and Eve opens the door for feminine turmoil. And the story plays out to this day. A while ago I decided to read their story again out of my insatiable curiosity and recently ran across notes I had written that reflect on what I saw: the perspective of [relationship] and the original intended function of relationships.
When most of us think of relationships and marriage, they're considered milestones. Something that eventually happens in life, whether expected or unexpected. Looking deeper, it is a spiritual matter. More than just a milestone, but a greater purpose. The error is in not knowing what that purpose was/is. God and Adam initially represented the blueprint of the function of [relationship]. Communication, co-opeartion and companionship. Adam and Eve represented the blueprint of the function of human to human [relationship]. Communication, co-operation, companionship and protection. Eve's role in the relationship was to protect Adam's purpose or assignment and I can prove it.
In Genesis 2, God gave Adam his assignment and that was to maintain the garden and name the animals (2:15, 19-20). Eve was eventually created to be a "helper" (3:20). It was after God gave Adam his assignment that Eve was created, why? Because it was not good for man to be alone (2:18). Why? Because man needed one of the benefits of relationship of which is protection and accountability. Once Adam got his assignment, he became a target and vulnerable to attack because God's will was for them/us to be fruitful and multiply (1:28). And as long as being fruitful and multiplying could be interrupted, the perpetuation of the Garden would cease. Eve was to help protect that assignment and provide accountability so that God's will could continue. Because Eve dropped the ball in playing her role, the resulting consequences played themselves out. Adam fell at the permission of Eve (3:6) - not to let him off the hook. She made an emotional decision based off of what she was told by the serpent. The woman was/is the gateway. If she wasn't, why would the serpent proposition her first? Women are moved by what they hear and men are moved by what they see. This is a clear example of human nature. It's easy to lose sight of or not have insight on the benefits of relationships. And this is not to say that the absence of relationship means that you are unprotected and unable to fulfill your purpose. It is merely an added bonus.
I'd like to think that we naturally gravitate towards relationships that make us feel protected in contrast to the opposite. It's wonderful to have all the good feelings that come with companionship, but on a greater level is the purpose of relationship. When we link together, we're essentially saying that we will provide a level of security and protection within the relationship. Otherwise, why bother? The reassessment of our intentions for relationship will produce what I believe would be more favorable, lasting results. More meaningful results, rather acting out of the fear of being alone or having a status. There are, of course, other factors that come into play when it comes to relationships and this is only [a] part. But on a long term scale, our roles in each other's lives could stand to be valued more. I've heard it said that men are the head and women are the neck that support and turn the head #POW!
When most of us think of relationships and marriage, they're considered milestones. Something that eventually happens in life, whether expected or unexpected. Looking deeper, it is a spiritual matter. More than just a milestone, but a greater purpose. The error is in not knowing what that purpose was/is. God and Adam initially represented the blueprint of the function of [relationship]. Communication, co-opeartion and companionship. Adam and Eve represented the blueprint of the function of human to human [relationship]. Communication, co-operation, companionship and protection. Eve's role in the relationship was to protect Adam's purpose or assignment and I can prove it.
In Genesis 2, God gave Adam his assignment and that was to maintain the garden and name the animals (2:15, 19-20). Eve was eventually created to be a "helper" (3:20). It was after God gave Adam his assignment that Eve was created, why? Because it was not good for man to be alone (2:18). Why? Because man needed one of the benefits of relationship of which is protection and accountability. Once Adam got his assignment, he became a target and vulnerable to attack because God's will was for them/us to be fruitful and multiply (1:28). And as long as being fruitful and multiplying could be interrupted, the perpetuation of the Garden would cease. Eve was to help protect that assignment and provide accountability so that God's will could continue. Because Eve dropped the ball in playing her role, the resulting consequences played themselves out. Adam fell at the permission of Eve (3:6) - not to let him off the hook. She made an emotional decision based off of what she was told by the serpent. The woman was/is the gateway. If she wasn't, why would the serpent proposition her first? Women are moved by what they hear and men are moved by what they see. This is a clear example of human nature. It's easy to lose sight of or not have insight on the benefits of relationships. And this is not to say that the absence of relationship means that you are unprotected and unable to fulfill your purpose. It is merely an added bonus.
I'd like to think that we naturally gravitate towards relationships that make us feel protected in contrast to the opposite. It's wonderful to have all the good feelings that come with companionship, but on a greater level is the purpose of relationship. When we link together, we're essentially saying that we will provide a level of security and protection within the relationship. Otherwise, why bother? The reassessment of our intentions for relationship will produce what I believe would be more favorable, lasting results. More meaningful results, rather acting out of the fear of being alone or having a status. There are, of course, other factors that come into play when it comes to relationships and this is only [a] part. But on a long term scale, our roles in each other's lives could stand to be valued more. I've heard it said that men are the head and women are the neck that support and turn the head #POW!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Even broken pieces of glass can be melding into something new...
John 6:12
A couple a months ago, I ventured to Ann Arbor to go someplace where nobody knew my name. I planned to visit a few sites while I was there and one of them was Ann Arbor Art Center. I eat art [nerd]. While I was there, the center just happened to be holding a glass molding/blowing demonstration. Glass manipulation [we'll call it] is something I have seen on TV but never in person, so I was geeked! The glass blower was a professional, of course, and walked us through the intimate details of making glass jewelry etc. So she transformed sticks of glass into beautiful yet fragile pieces. To see how fire manipulates the elements of the glass was amazing! What was even more amazing was how the fire made it easy to shape and mold.
I happened to be reading John 6 for some reason which tells the story of the miracle through the fish and bread and came across verse 12 which reads: "When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, 'gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted'" This scripture hit me so hard and I immediately got the revelation that God does not like waste. Because God does not waste, he won't let even the broken pieces of our lives to be disposed of. When things work out and everything is copacetic, it's easy to live life. But it's when we experience change in our lives that cause brokenness, we have to really exercise trust with the left over or shattered pieces being restored to something even more beautiful. You often hear the adage about being tried by fire. Fire hurts but is transformative in nature. Often what accompanies change is a process that is painful. But the process is the fire that welds the broken pieces back together while God's hands shape and form the unrecognizable areas of our lives into something new. He is notorious for making something out of nothing. Trust that nothing in your life is in vain. Not even your pain. But that your process will bring someone else success.
2 Corinthians 1:4 (MSG) says "He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us." We go through to make it through. So if you're lost in 'Woe is Me-ville', just remember there is always someone tied to the end of your road who is at the beginning of theirs.
Nothing. Is. In . Vain.
John 6:12
A couple a months ago, I ventured to Ann Arbor to go someplace where nobody knew my name. I planned to visit a few sites while I was there and one of them was Ann Arbor Art Center. I eat art [nerd]. While I was there, the center just happened to be holding a glass molding/blowing demonstration. Glass manipulation [we'll call it] is something I have seen on TV but never in person, so I was geeked! The glass blower was a professional, of course, and walked us through the intimate details of making glass jewelry etc. So she transformed sticks of glass into beautiful yet fragile pieces. To see how fire manipulates the elements of the glass was amazing! What was even more amazing was how the fire made it easy to shape and mold.
I happened to be reading John 6 for some reason which tells the story of the miracle through the fish and bread and came across verse 12 which reads: "When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, 'gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted'" This scripture hit me so hard and I immediately got the revelation that God does not like waste. Because God does not waste, he won't let even the broken pieces of our lives to be disposed of. When things work out and everything is copacetic, it's easy to live life. But it's when we experience change in our lives that cause brokenness, we have to really exercise trust with the left over or shattered pieces being restored to something even more beautiful. You often hear the adage about being tried by fire. Fire hurts but is transformative in nature. Often what accompanies change is a process that is painful. But the process is the fire that welds the broken pieces back together while God's hands shape and form the unrecognizable areas of our lives into something new. He is notorious for making something out of nothing. Trust that nothing in your life is in vain. Not even your pain. But that your process will bring someone else success.
2 Corinthians 1:4 (MSG) says "He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us." We go through to make it through. So if you're lost in 'Woe is Me-ville', just remember there is always someone tied to the end of your road who is at the beginning of theirs.
Nothing. Is. In . Vain.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Compromiso
"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun..." Psalm 37:5
Recently I've recommitted to what I believe my purpose is and own up to the excuses of what I "don't have" to do it. I remember my mom telling me one day "you will have no excuse" because God has already given us everything we need. I was at the kitchen sink, washing out a pot when I happened to look up and see the S.O.S. Brillo pad box. There was a text box that stated "Environmental Commitment". Below that box was another text box with the Spanish translation of the above. The first word read "Compromiso". Whether you are able to read and understand the Spanish language or not, it is obvious that compromiso reads like compromise. I thought it strange that our English word commitment would be translated into it's equivalent in Spanish with what reads like compromise. You know how we use words but when we're asked the actual meaning, it's difficult to explain. The same goes for compromise. It has, in a sense, a negative connotation or sounds like you are giving up what's important to you for the sake of someone or something else. As if you are losing out. So I looked up the actual meaning of compromise and this is what I found:
1. Agreement reached by mutual concessions
3. To make vulnerable
Many times when we settle down enough to hear God's voice to find out how we can be used, we forgo the step of giving anything up or making "concessions" [yielding]. When we "commit" to God's purpose and will, we essentially "compromise", by making ourselves vulnerable [surrendering and giving over possession of our will for His]. God is saying "I am holding up my end of the bargain by providing provision", now what are you bringing to the table? What are you investing? When you commit to marriage, both individuals vow to bring something to the table in the deal. In every covenant made in the Bible, there was an exchange or a sacrifice to represent the commitment. To have faith, is to believe that your sacrifice in the spirit of your commitment to purpose is not in vain. God won't renege on his end of the bargain, but we do.
I have to admit, I have a couple of trash shows I enjoy watching that come on in the evenings. But I know that the evening time is the best time for me to be intimate with God (not a morning person). I know the call that's on my life and I also know that the more time I spend in God's presence, the easier it will be for me to make steps towards completing my assignment with as little missteps as possible. I have to wrestle with myself though and make a sacrifice of my time so I can be successful. One thing I am selfish about is my time. That's the biggest sacrifice I have to make. What sacrifice have you been protecting because you aren't ready to let go? If you haven't given something up, you aren't committing wholly. That will be the key to cure complacency.
The mark of a true sacrifice can be measured by the story of Abrahan and Isaac. Imagine your commitment involving your first born that you waited for painfully. I encourage you to read Genesis 22 to throw a log in your fire for God.
Definitions from: http://www.thefreedictionary.com
Recently I've recommitted to what I believe my purpose is and own up to the excuses of what I "don't have" to do it. I remember my mom telling me one day "you will have no excuse" because God has already given us everything we need. I was at the kitchen sink, washing out a pot when I happened to look up and see the S.O.S. Brillo pad box. There was a text box that stated "Environmental Commitment". Below that box was another text box with the Spanish translation of the above. The first word read "Compromiso". Whether you are able to read and understand the Spanish language or not, it is obvious that compromiso reads like compromise. I thought it strange that our English word commitment would be translated into it's equivalent in Spanish with what reads like compromise. You know how we use words but when we're asked the actual meaning, it's difficult to explain. The same goes for compromise. It has, in a sense, a negative connotation or sounds like you are giving up what's important to you for the sake of someone or something else. As if you are losing out. So I looked up the actual meaning of compromise and this is what I found:
1. Agreement reached by mutual concessions
| 2. | Compromise - an accommodation in which both sides make concessions |
3. To make vulnerable
Many times when we settle down enough to hear God's voice to find out how we can be used, we forgo the step of giving anything up or making "concessions" [yielding]. When we "commit" to God's purpose and will, we essentially "compromise", by making ourselves vulnerable [surrendering and giving over possession of our will for His]. God is saying "I am holding up my end of the bargain by providing provision", now what are you bringing to the table? What are you investing? When you commit to marriage, both individuals vow to bring something to the table in the deal. In every covenant made in the Bible, there was an exchange or a sacrifice to represent the commitment. To have faith, is to believe that your sacrifice in the spirit of your commitment to purpose is not in vain. God won't renege on his end of the bargain, but we do.
I have to admit, I have a couple of trash shows I enjoy watching that come on in the evenings. But I know that the evening time is the best time for me to be intimate with God (not a morning person). I know the call that's on my life and I also know that the more time I spend in God's presence, the easier it will be for me to make steps towards completing my assignment with as little missteps as possible. I have to wrestle with myself though and make a sacrifice of my time so I can be successful. One thing I am selfish about is my time. That's the biggest sacrifice I have to make. What sacrifice have you been protecting because you aren't ready to let go? If you haven't given something up, you aren't committing wholly. That will be the key to cure complacency.
The mark of a true sacrifice can be measured by the story of Abrahan and Isaac. Imagine your commitment involving your first born that you waited for painfully. I encourage you to read Genesis 22 to throw a log in your fire for God.
Definitions from: http://www.thefreedictionary.com
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Home Improvement
"...He refreshes my soul." ~ Psalm 23:3
My soul was refreshed today and it felt like the break of Spring, dawning from a long Winter season. Everything is fresh and everything is new. I have heard many messages about restoration and healing, but this time I walked out of the doors of the church and noticed that my anxiety lifted off my chest. I felt light. Forgiveness, as I have probably mentioned previously, doesn't just stop there. Sometimes there's residual feelings and emotions that you deal with. It can often be accompanied with the guilt of knowing you are a believer and "shouldn't" be mad at God because He didn't seem to avenge you or you shouldn't be angry for being betrayed or you shouldn't be sad because of what you believe you lost.
When I was riding home, I began thinking about how my process has been reflective of a home renovation. We represent a home where we allow people and things in and out. Over the years, homes sustain wear and tear. Furniture gets old, ceilings crack, and stains are left as a reminder of events that have taken place. There comes a time when carpet needs to be torn out, cracks need to be repaired, walls need to be repainted and the overall decor can stand to be changed to a new look. So I welcomed God to come into my home and begin renovating and during the process, it didn't look or feel good. As a matter of fact, it seemed that things got worse. Walls were knocked down and my wiring was tampered with. So I asked God, "What are you doing?? I thought you were helping me! All I needed was new furniture and paint!" He went into deeper areas of my home that I felt had nothing to do with what I could see on the surface. Several times I fired Him. Several times I rehired Him. I became worn from a process that, to me, was ugly. I threatened to move to evoke God to do what I wanted Him to do. I pushed Him out the way and said I would do it myself. I told myself that "it is finished". I convinced myself that my house is whole and no more work needs to be done, when clearly visitors could see otherwise.
My house is not fully renovated BUT I am further in the process. Today I welcomed God to continue the work he began in me (Phil 1:6). I let go of believing I can do it on my own and asked Him to do what He has to do to make me completely whole so I can truly welcome people in. I often remind myself about how the best teachers are the one's who have been in their field of work. The same goes for believers who desire to walk out their path and make an impact on someones life. Often we say that we want to be used by God, but don't want to go through what it takes to be used. What a better way to make an impact with having gone through the experience, than not at all. We have to live the message we preach. If I don't get through to the other side, I can't tell others how to. That's what's most important to me now and that's my motivation to get through my renovation process. And when it's all done, the results will be beautiful.
"Those that are in Christ should never let tragedy rob their victory"~ From the messenger who delivered a message that saved my life, Pastor Andre.
My soul was refreshed today and it felt like the break of Spring, dawning from a long Winter season. Everything is fresh and everything is new. I have heard many messages about restoration and healing, but this time I walked out of the doors of the church and noticed that my anxiety lifted off my chest. I felt light. Forgiveness, as I have probably mentioned previously, doesn't just stop there. Sometimes there's residual feelings and emotions that you deal with. It can often be accompanied with the guilt of knowing you are a believer and "shouldn't" be mad at God because He didn't seem to avenge you or you shouldn't be angry for being betrayed or you shouldn't be sad because of what you believe you lost.
When I was riding home, I began thinking about how my process has been reflective of a home renovation. We represent a home where we allow people and things in and out. Over the years, homes sustain wear and tear. Furniture gets old, ceilings crack, and stains are left as a reminder of events that have taken place. There comes a time when carpet needs to be torn out, cracks need to be repaired, walls need to be repainted and the overall decor can stand to be changed to a new look. So I welcomed God to come into my home and begin renovating and during the process, it didn't look or feel good. As a matter of fact, it seemed that things got worse. Walls were knocked down and my wiring was tampered with. So I asked God, "What are you doing?? I thought you were helping me! All I needed was new furniture and paint!" He went into deeper areas of my home that I felt had nothing to do with what I could see on the surface. Several times I fired Him. Several times I rehired Him. I became worn from a process that, to me, was ugly. I threatened to move to evoke God to do what I wanted Him to do. I pushed Him out the way and said I would do it myself. I told myself that "it is finished". I convinced myself that my house is whole and no more work needs to be done, when clearly visitors could see otherwise.
My house is not fully renovated BUT I am further in the process. Today I welcomed God to continue the work he began in me (Phil 1:6). I let go of believing I can do it on my own and asked Him to do what He has to do to make me completely whole so I can truly welcome people in. I often remind myself about how the best teachers are the one's who have been in their field of work. The same goes for believers who desire to walk out their path and make an impact on someones life. Often we say that we want to be used by God, but don't want to go through what it takes to be used. What a better way to make an impact with having gone through the experience, than not at all. We have to live the message we preach. If I don't get through to the other side, I can't tell others how to. That's what's most important to me now and that's my motivation to get through my renovation process. And when it's all done, the results will be beautiful.
"Those that are in Christ should never let tragedy rob their victory"~ From the messenger who delivered a message that saved my life, Pastor Andre.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
"Who told you that you were naked?"...Endearing, profound and revelatory ...
I was tagged in a note recently with the title "Who told you that you were naked", deriving from Genesis 3:11. I'm sorry to say that I didn't end up reading the note, but the title kind of haunted me days after glancing at it. I believe it's safe to say that most parents think the best of their off-spring, mess and all. From the unidentifiable drawings to the oddly shaped clay that somehow is suppose to resemble you, it's innate to adore.
I believe the most important things God wanted Adam to know about himself was that he was created in His image, possessing the ability and power to assign value, to color His world with words, rule as opposed to being ruled, live and not labor, love purely and be loved. Until one day, that day we often joke about in light-hearted banter, when he was told otherwise. I also will venture to believe that the "serpent" represented more than what is read on it's surface. What has someone told you that, as a result, caused a sense of self consciousness or that thing that you never realized that made you hide like Adam? I remember being told a story about a little boy who went to school one day and received news that rocked his little world. This little boy, after being picked up from school, proceeds to share with his mother that he was told he was African American. Now the little boy no longer sees himself as just the unstoppable Hulk Hogan, but by the color of his skin. The mother had a compassionate heart, recognizing the innocence of her child. I can imagine the compassionate tone God had towards Adam, realizing his innocence was gone. It was factual that the little boy was African American but before then, he only lived on the truth that he knew about himself. Truth that his family loved him. Truth that he could be anything he wanted. Truth that he wasn't lacking anything or in need.
It was indeed factual that Adam was naked, but he lost his truth all because of what he was told about himself. The truth of who he was was robbed by a fact. I'll use myself as an example. I have some cosmetic flaws. That's a fact (:-/). But I'll tell you this, I lost the truth of my beauty because I was made aware of my flaws by someone who was close to me. You could have a slight slant in your smile that you never noticed, but it's not until it's been pointed out that you notice it every time you take a picture. Then it turns into a complex, when before you were uninhibited. When I really do some self reflection, the main things that I have a complex about are things that have been put on spot light, overshadowing who I was made to be. What has been said to cause you to second guess yourself, your ability, worth or who you are? For the sake of modernizing, in other words "Who told you anything other than what God made you to be?"
I was tagged in a note recently with the title "Who told you that you were naked", deriving from Genesis 3:11. I'm sorry to say that I didn't end up reading the note, but the title kind of haunted me days after glancing at it. I believe it's safe to say that most parents think the best of their off-spring, mess and all. From the unidentifiable drawings to the oddly shaped clay that somehow is suppose to resemble you, it's innate to adore.
I believe the most important things God wanted Adam to know about himself was that he was created in His image, possessing the ability and power to assign value, to color His world with words, rule as opposed to being ruled, live and not labor, love purely and be loved. Until one day, that day we often joke about in light-hearted banter, when he was told otherwise. I also will venture to believe that the "serpent" represented more than what is read on it's surface. What has someone told you that, as a result, caused a sense of self consciousness or that thing that you never realized that made you hide like Adam? I remember being told a story about a little boy who went to school one day and received news that rocked his little world. This little boy, after being picked up from school, proceeds to share with his mother that he was told he was African American. Now the little boy no longer sees himself as just the unstoppable Hulk Hogan, but by the color of his skin. The mother had a compassionate heart, recognizing the innocence of her child. I can imagine the compassionate tone God had towards Adam, realizing his innocence was gone. It was factual that the little boy was African American but before then, he only lived on the truth that he knew about himself. Truth that his family loved him. Truth that he could be anything he wanted. Truth that he wasn't lacking anything or in need.
It was indeed factual that Adam was naked, but he lost his truth all because of what he was told about himself. The truth of who he was was robbed by a fact. I'll use myself as an example. I have some cosmetic flaws. That's a fact (:-/). But I'll tell you this, I lost the truth of my beauty because I was made aware of my flaws by someone who was close to me. You could have a slight slant in your smile that you never noticed, but it's not until it's been pointed out that you notice it every time you take a picture. Then it turns into a complex, when before you were uninhibited. When I really do some self reflection, the main things that I have a complex about are things that have been put on spot light, overshadowing who I was made to be. What has been said to cause you to second guess yourself, your ability, worth or who you are? For the sake of modernizing, in other words "Who told you anything other than what God made you to be?"
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
I had an "I don't want to grow up" stint this past week adjusting to a new job where I was questioning my ability to do my job right and to make a difference. Pile on some decisions I have to make soon concerning my future and a great amount of anxiety about the upcoming holidays. I just became one big ball of tension! For a moment, I imagined life being a little easier where I wasn't challenged in so many ways and where everything just worked out right without much effort. Then I thought about the Easy Button and how nice it would be if it were something real that could be pushed and *shazam* everything turns right side up. Problems go away, folks act and treat you the way you expect, responsibilities become a little lighter, and days aren't so hectic. Smooth sailing. But since that button doesn't really exist with those functions, in my mind I have escaped to a small town in South America, living a simple life selling fruit in a street market (as I always say when I feel the urge to press eject).
Much has shifted and moved lately, in a good way, but it doesn't mean that with the shifts there wasn't going to be some pressure applied [I'm reminding myself]. Pressure is definitely not comfortable and neither is coming out of your comfort zone. Seems like when I'm taken to a new level there is an element of difficulty. I am grateful for the opportunities God has presented for me, no doubt. Think about gymnasts competing in the Olympics. It's definitely an honor to be there in the first place! There's a portion of their score that judged partly off of level of difficulty. Meaning that that there is an element to their performance that maybe they've never done before, was attempted. If they want to beat their competitors, they not only have perfect that element but do it better than everyone else. That's pressure! Just because the element may look nice on TV doesn't mean that it was easy for them to do. But what if someone won the gold medal for completing a cartwheel alone. Was much effort really put into winning that medal? Maybe if you were athletically challenged but for a good number of us, it can be done without much effort. Would the gold medal be appreciated if there wasn't any blood, sweat and tears put into it? It makes you think why our victories are sweeter when we've cried a little or thought this was the end of us but came to find out that it really wasn't. Then we look back and say "I don't even know how I made it through that hot mess!"
I've also thought about labor and why God designed it the way He did. The easy thing would be for your stomach to detach somehow and there's the baby. But it's an intense moment in time that tests you and seems like is pushing you to your limits (unless you've had an easy labor). I've always heard mothers say that once the baby arrived, everything they went through to get to that point seemed to disappear. For whatever pain or pressure was experienced, the end result makes it worth it all. I'm looking forward to that moment. But in the meantime, I have enough life moments like this illustration to labor through. The end results will be worth it and I know it. So do we really want life to be easy, taking it for granted? Or do we want to be pushed to explore our abilities and enjoy the fruits of our labor? I believe the latter.
Dear Lord,
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Special Delivery
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - things about such things." Philippians 4:8 NIV
About a week ago, I was having a particularly sad evening. So I remedied it by going to bed. That next morning I woke up from what was, to me, a nightmare about something that is near to my heart. Needless to say, that dream made matters worse and thoughts of fear and anxiety were swirling through my head all day. With the way I felt, the dream might as well have been real! This was something that I have battled with before and had gotten under control. I know how I am when things like this happen. I won't pray about the issue, I won't get encouragement from the Word and I won't talk to God because "I just need a moment". I got nothing accomplished that day and used my sadness as an excuse. The very next evening, I went to church as I heard a message about faith (something pretty commonly talked about). But this time, it was different! It was explained in a way that got my attention. The theme of the message was about recession and believing for God to restore back the material things that were lost [by faith]. That's not my story though (thank God!), so I'm believing for other things. I went home and repented for allowing doubt and fear to come into my heart and not believing that God is actually able to work my stuff out. Sometimes we feel that things are so far gone that we give up on them.
In reflection, I realized why I had a moment of a temper tantrum. My weekends had been particularly busy and long. When I find myself going to bed late, getting up early, not saying my confessions, running out the door and running on E, I'm in a position of vulnerability. I basically left the backdoor open for the enemy to get into my thoughts. So he seized the opportunity to deliver my [old] fears and [old] anxieties and I signed for the packages. These are things I have no business entertaining. So I reminded myself of the scripture above and told my mind that it will only think of things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Anything that is of negative report, you can find comfort in knowing that it is not from God. God doesn't deliver fear and anxiety. He's a business man but that's not his m.o.
Having a life and staying busy needs balance. With no balance, you will end up a target. It's ok to slow down and take care of not just your body but also your mind. Just know that whatever you are believing for, the enemy will come with his plan of attack to get your faith off of believing for that thing. It's no coincidence. That's the true test. How much do you really believe God is able, against all odds?
About a week ago, I was having a particularly sad evening. So I remedied it by going to bed. That next morning I woke up from what was, to me, a nightmare about something that is near to my heart. Needless to say, that dream made matters worse and thoughts of fear and anxiety were swirling through my head all day. With the way I felt, the dream might as well have been real! This was something that I have battled with before and had gotten under control. I know how I am when things like this happen. I won't pray about the issue, I won't get encouragement from the Word and I won't talk to God because "I just need a moment". I got nothing accomplished that day and used my sadness as an excuse. The very next evening, I went to church as I heard a message about faith (something pretty commonly talked about). But this time, it was different! It was explained in a way that got my attention. The theme of the message was about recession and believing for God to restore back the material things that were lost [by faith]. That's not my story though (thank God!), so I'm believing for other things. I went home and repented for allowing doubt and fear to come into my heart and not believing that God is actually able to work my stuff out. Sometimes we feel that things are so far gone that we give up on them.
In reflection, I realized why I had a moment of a temper tantrum. My weekends had been particularly busy and long. When I find myself going to bed late, getting up early, not saying my confessions, running out the door and running on E, I'm in a position of vulnerability. I basically left the backdoor open for the enemy to get into my thoughts. So he seized the opportunity to deliver my [old] fears and [old] anxieties and I signed for the packages. These are things I have no business entertaining. So I reminded myself of the scripture above and told my mind that it will only think of things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Anything that is of negative report, you can find comfort in knowing that it is not from God. God doesn't deliver fear and anxiety. He's a business man but that's not his m.o.
Having a life and staying busy needs balance. With no balance, you will end up a target. It's ok to slow down and take care of not just your body but also your mind. Just know that whatever you are believing for, the enemy will come with his plan of attack to get your faith off of believing for that thing. It's no coincidence. That's the true test. How much do you really believe God is able, against all odds?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Small Ditty
Was having a call and response moment with myself this morning...or maybe I should just say that I was talking to myself in my mind :-). I was thinking to myself that I know my Bible pretty well and started to say, good enough. But there is no such thing as knowing enough of the Word! Then I had an illumination!! Remember those books (and TV Guide Magazines) that had a colorful picture of patterns and if you stare at it long enough you start to see something else. Thats what the Bible is like. You can read it (look at it with surface eyes) but the Bible has sooooooo many layers that even if you read the same scripture, you can find a different revelation then before (you see a picture within a picture)! You see something different that you have never seen. You read it differently then before. It wowed me, I don't know about you! You might be new to reading the Word and it doesn't make sense or it's starting to sound like an unrealistic story book. Look at it again with a fresh perspective and an anticipation to see something you haven't seen before...SE-LAH!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Crazy Wonderful
I love that phrase right now, "Crazy Wonderful"! That's how my life is feeling at this moment because I am witnessing a Word I received from the Throne itself unfolding! Sometimes when we quiet ourselves and get the boldness up to write down what we hear, we question what we've heard. I know I do! I'm like "God, was that me or you? Not tryna take credit, but I just needed to know if I'm talking to myself". I'm so messed up right now, my appetite has come and gone! And if you know me, then you know how much I love my food ;-)
My prayer journal is chock full of either dreams I have had, prayers I have prayed or spoken word form the Lord. This morning I woke up earlier than my alarm, so I decided not to fight it and to get up and pray. So I prayed and took my shower and was going to read over my notes from Sunday service and Tuesday's convention. That all changed as soon as I sat on my bed. I picked up my journal to read over a dream I had at the end of last year, when the book opened to the page where the Lord had spoken to me a few months ago. He gave me specific instructions that I had been lagging on and it hit me so hard! I will take a moment to be transparent (that's the purpose of this blog spot).
The set of instruction were all related to the same subject but one of the things the Lord told me to stop doing is pulling my hair back. Usually when it's around the time when I need to wash my hair, it stops cooperating with me and gets dirty. So I pull it back until I have time to wash it. Now this is not the reason 100% of the time, but for a good portion, that's the reason. I was suppose to wash my hair the other day but was too busy studying. Needless to say it got put off for an extra day. So I had been pulling my hair back and was going to do it again this morning. I felt this urgency to get up and wash my hair right at that moment. It's 7:40am and I needed to be at church by 9. It takes me a good hour and a half to really wash, blow, and curl my hair right. I only had 45 minutes, that is a short amount of time! I'm like "Ok Lord, I will do it but you have to help me". I was able to do it and leave the house in just enough time to make it to church. God wants you looking and feeling your best!
What's my point? God will blow your mind if you let him, so take a chance in hearing what He is saying to you and write it down! I can't speak on it just yet until things solidify but, I really feel a testimony coming on. I remember giving up on taking total control of my life and asking the Lord to write my story (on my signature line of my emails) in specific areas or just in general. It's so unconventional too. He is causing the desire of my heart to be granted, why? Because HE plants the desire in your heart (you're not that smart ;-) I'm feeling Crazy wonderful and my stomach has butterflies from anticipation land.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Today
Today I'm grateful....
I'm grateful that I can see
I'm grateful that I can hear music, the sound of cars passing by and the trees clapping for me
I'm grateful for the V.I.P.'s that have been written into my life story
I'm grateful for every little accomplishment, even if it is baby steps
I'm grateful for my role here on earth and don't want to be anybody but myself
I'm grateful for the interesting touches to my day that remind me that God knows what I desire
I'm grateful that I breathe in and out
I'm grateful for the supply of joy that is not attached to swaying circumstances, waiting for me every morning
I'm grateful that I can hear the screaming kids getting off the school bus
I'm grateful for the adventure of interesting people
I'm grateful for extremes and in extremes to help me find a balance
I'm grateful for the warm weather
I'm just grateful
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Darc Nite
The night is darkest before dawn
In one of my archived blog posts, I told a story about how some friends and I were downtown and I spontaneously felt moved to give away my spaghetti that I really didn't want. When given the opportunity, I questioned it so much that I missed my window of opportunity. What an awful feeling! Yesterday I ran to the grocery store to buy my favorite snack (Chocolate Turtle Chex Mix) and on my way in the store, I caught a glimpse of a man who was sitting by the door in a wheel chair. I saw that he was terribly burned and he had a box on his lap. Without doing a double-take, I went into the store and in my darkest hour of need, I decided that I was going to give all the money I had in my purse to him. On my way out the door I said a quick prayer of healing over the money (tangible things can transfer). I walked outside and there was a shopper talking to him so I walked up behind her and put the money in his jar. He looks at me and says "God bless you." I granted him the same thing. I don't feel proud because this is what we are suppose to do as believers. We are suppose to have open hands instead of closed fists. I feel optimistic about the restoration of this man, not just physically but everything he has lost. I am confident in the Word that prayers of the righteous make much change!
I was having a bleak moment before I went to the store. Things weren't looking so much in my favor and I almost had a moment of panic. No one knows your dealing better than you and no one can feel it like you. I shed a few tears and picked myself up quickly so I wouldn't fall in the ditch of sorrow. Though it feels like my darkest hour, I am not alone. Neither is the man who was burned. God will use you to be a blessing to others to get the focus off yourself. Swimming to shore and drying off is much better than floating away and losing sight of land (hope). I'm doing the backstroke all the way back to my shore. It's time I start taking my own medicine, lol!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Opposite
Subliminal messages...a very discrete yet affective tactic. I feel like I have been a victim (in a good way) in the last couple days. Not from commercials or from implied ideas through conversation, but through music. Although music can have a direct and clear message, the frequency of the message is what has caught my attention. I stumbled upon an alternative Christian band called Leeland (they remind me of ColdPlay) last year and their new album was released recently called Opposite Way (single called Opposite Way). I purchased the CD, listened to it, and forgot about it within weeks. In the meantime Tye Tribbett has come out with his new album titled Stand Out. I listened to the single Stand Out and was immediately reminded of my growing up. I can say without a doubt that I NEVER fit in, and not by choice. I was raised differently than my friends and I never embraced my "sticking out like a sore thumb" image until I became an adult with spiritual maturity. I think that's what attracts people to ask questions and from asking questions, you have an opportunity to share Christ. I learned that I was made to be different and not blend it. But it's the most uncomfortable experience when you don't have an understanding of it.
Today I popped in my Opposite Way cd and listened to that very song. Lyrics:
Living in the same town
for all these years
Doing the same old things
hanging with the same crowd
and it's starting to get crippling
you never felt in place
and you tell yourself it's all okay
but something's different today
you want to run the opposite way
and it seems like you're locked in a cage
and you need to find a way of escape
when everyone's setting the pace- it's okay to run the opposite way
When we hear the phrase opposite way we think of it in a negative way, or going in the wrong way. But this is different, going opposite of the wrong way. Going away from the movement of the crowd. I realized that I have slowly reverted back to my old ways of being concerned with trying to blend in. In the skin of Tye Tribbett's CD is a picture of a pair of black, white and red Converse AllStar shoes amongst a pile of dull generic duplicate shoes. I was and am that pair of Converse shoes. It is a very vivid image and spoke to me as a reminder. These two songs reinforced in me what I have carelessly forgotten and the Lord is good enough to remind me of in a way I would understand. You don't want to be caught red handed bending yourself to be what you are not. In what way have you blended in? It's the one's who don't fit in who are in a position to become billboards. At one time or another we have all been captivated by someone who we have made notice of because something about them was different. We wanted to get to know them better, didn't we? Almost wanted to know the secret ingredient that made them so unique.
We are responsible for our own self, actions, what we say and what we don't say, what we do and what we don't do, especially for the sake of being "down" (we don't say that anymore). Self identity gets lost in the crowd along with every ounce of tenacity that drives us to battle right from wrong. I'm reminded of my Shepherd King who didn't fit in either. What if He did, would we be here today? What about that one person who was responsible for you turning your life around? If they we worried about fitting in, they might have missed you. I have a mandate and somebody is waiting on me to be at the right place at the right time, sticking out like a sore thumb. I can't afford to blend in. I am growing in grace and will not be afraid to run the "opposite way". I ask that you run with me.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Zap Your Zit
Usually in middle school, teenagers are going through changes and with that, sometimes accompanies acne (zits). But what is a zit really, or why is it rather? There is a hormone that produces more oil (oily skin) during that time and can clog your pores, causing an infection. The thing about white heads is that the infection remains below the surface of the skin and manifests with a white bump. So what's going on below the surface of the skin manifests itself and is released (by whatever method).
I believe God desires to take us to higher levels and I know that for myself. To myself, I feel that I am ready but it's not until God shows you flawed areas, that your realize underlying issues you didn't know were REALLY issues. Procrastination has been my biggest downfall. It use to be a joke because I felt that I did my "best" work at the last minute under pressure. That was usually the case. But now that I am an adult, procrastination has become a stronghold keeping me from moving forward smoothly. I started seeing things about myself that are flawed like how I don't keep an account of my money properly, or do things in a timely manner and that's a confidence killer. But I see now that those things (infections underneath) had to be brought to the surface (like white heads) and be brought to my attention. God wasn't showing me these things to discourage me! He was showing me so that I can acknowledge that I have a problem and allow Him to do a work in me. While we can't deliver ourselves from strongholds (only by the greater one on the inside of us) we can give God something to work with. For example, I have adopted the habit of creating of list of daily goals each morning. As long as I have my list, the Lord orders my day and helps me accomplish my tasks.
When you start noticing bad habits and undesirable traits about your character, don't get discouraged. Know that God is bringing those things to the surface so you can be delivered from them and be successful in everything you put your hand to. Zap those zits!
I believe God desires to take us to higher levels and I know that for myself. To myself, I feel that I am ready but it's not until God shows you flawed areas, that your realize underlying issues you didn't know were REALLY issues. Procrastination has been my biggest downfall. It use to be a joke because I felt that I did my "best" work at the last minute under pressure. That was usually the case. But now that I am an adult, procrastination has become a stronghold keeping me from moving forward smoothly. I started seeing things about myself that are flawed like how I don't keep an account of my money properly, or do things in a timely manner and that's a confidence killer. But I see now that those things (infections underneath) had to be brought to the surface (like white heads) and be brought to my attention. God wasn't showing me these things to discourage me! He was showing me so that I can acknowledge that I have a problem and allow Him to do a work in me. While we can't deliver ourselves from strongholds (only by the greater one on the inside of us) we can give God something to work with. For example, I have adopted the habit of creating of list of daily goals each morning. As long as I have my list, the Lord orders my day and helps me accomplish my tasks.
When you start noticing bad habits and undesirable traits about your character, don't get discouraged. Know that God is bringing those things to the surface so you can be delivered from them and be successful in everything you put your hand to. Zap those zits!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Easy-does-it
Yesterday was particularly windy and I almost got blown away quite a few times walking from here to there. That's almost a parallel to the kind of last few weeks I have been having. But at one point, I was sitting in my truck waiting to go into a building when I noticed the seagulls flying above the parking lot. I locked my attention on one and made a profound observation. This poor seagull. I'm sure he had a destination in mind and he was trying his hardest (yes, I assigned a gender as we all unconsciously do) to get there. But the wind was so strong, you could see it pushing him backwards or sideways as he tried to fly straight ahead. Then I saw the most amazing thing! Suddenly, the seagull stops resisting and lets the wind catch him under his wings. He starts to surf off the wind. It was really cool to watch! He wasn't struggling along anymore, he just relaxed and surfed as if he knew he wasn't going to fall.
Wow, if we all could just relax and glide off of the wind...how freeing of a feeling. That's why people who go sky diving become addicted to it. Because for however many minutes they are soaring, there is a feeling of exuberance and easygoingness (that is a word). It sort of reminds me of Alice in Wonderland when she was falling down that rabbit hole. Sometimes I feel like I am falling, losing control of things around me, feeling insecure. But when Alice's dress ballooned open, she felt more secure. The counter wind caught under her dress and she floated along.
Everything is not for us to control. Human nature feels insecure when things are beyond our control. Those are the times when we should relax and ride off of the wind of life knowing that God won't let you fall! Stop resisting, spinning your wheels and tiring your wings. Be a kite today. I imagine I am a rock star kite with an electric guitar on it...
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Tightrope'n
Some years ago, I remember watching a video of a man who was a tightrope walker. This video ended up on the World's Most Shocking Videos by the way. This man, don't remember the name, was attempting to walk between two buildings. This wasn't a novice. This guy had been doing this for some years. So he starts down the wire and next thing you know, a wind comes along and knocks him to his death. What was tragic was that his death wasn't a result of an act of heroism. It wasn't for an occupation per se. He wasn't getting paid to do it. His death was a result of a thrill, a challenge, or maybe taken on a challenge prematurely.
Tightrope walkers typically have a focus point. Their focus is ahead of them. Most times they have a balancing pole that helps them to distribute their weight evenly, which results in balance. One foot is moved at a time. There is no other route, just one rope, one way to the end. When I think about our walk as believers, I think of tightrope walkers. Life or our path chosen for us, is the rope we are walking on (If you choose God's path for your life). That's why the narrow road is the lonely road. It's just you and Jesus (HG). The balancing bar is the Holy Spirit that helps distribute our weight and auto-corrects our steps. Our focus is (or should be) on Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith. When we experience imbalance in our lives and a struggle between our flesh and our spirit, it's because we have taken our eyes off Christ and we are looking around at everything else. We stopped looking at Christ concerning our relationships and are now looking at that good brotha to the left. We stopped looking at Christ concerning our provision and are now looking at that good bill that came in the mail. The wind that blows are the things of this world that are designed to knock us off our ropes. Keep Christ and the Word before your eyes so you don't loose focus. And like the famous tightrope walker that fell to his death, don't move forward until you have been guided to. Premature actions could cause the death of your soul or the death of you.
Tightrope walkers typically have a focus point. Their focus is ahead of them. Most times they have a balancing pole that helps them to distribute their weight evenly, which results in balance. One foot is moved at a time. There is no other route, just one rope, one way to the end. When I think about our walk as believers, I think of tightrope walkers. Life or our path chosen for us, is the rope we are walking on (If you choose God's path for your life). That's why the narrow road is the lonely road. It's just you and Jesus (HG). The balancing bar is the Holy Spirit that helps distribute our weight and auto-corrects our steps. Our focus is (or should be) on Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith. When we experience imbalance in our lives and a struggle between our flesh and our spirit, it's because we have taken our eyes off Christ and we are looking around at everything else. We stopped looking at Christ concerning our relationships and are now looking at that good brotha to the left. We stopped looking at Christ concerning our provision and are now looking at that good bill that came in the mail. The wind that blows are the things of this world that are designed to knock us off our ropes. Keep Christ and the Word before your eyes so you don't loose focus. And like the famous tightrope walker that fell to his death, don't move forward until you have been guided to. Premature actions could cause the death of your soul or the death of you.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
I have "gas"
Do you remember when gas was below $2? Man, my best friend and I would go half on gas. I put in 5 and she would put in 5. We were good to go! Then as the temperature outside rose, gas prices rose. Then I just started getting plain cheep! I used to have a bad habit of putting only $5 worth of gas in my car because I was stuck in a mentality that "I don't want to pay extra". The gas attendant got a kick out of my ignorant behavior. You couldn't tell me a THING! I would slide that five dollars on the counter like it was an offer he couldn't refuse. So what do you think happened? The next day, I was right back at the gas station...womp, womp. Needless to say, I have been delivered from that mentality and foolishness. I fill my tank to the full now because, when you think about it, it costs more when you don't.
My classmate warned me earlier this week that gas is going up to $3.65 by the end of the week. I would've been ok, except for that fact that I have been upgraded from a car to a truck. I reverted back to my old way of thinking. Man, I don't want to pay the extra amount of money it's going to take to fill my tank up.
God will speak to you in unconventional ways. He started to show me the correlation of filling my gas halfway or quarter way, that's how much I was filling myself up spiritually. I would sorta read my word but not study it. I would sorta read my word but not meditate on it. God will upgrade us to a new level but to whom much is given much is required. We fill up with the Word halfway or some of us, just a quarter tank because we don't want to spend the extra time. We do just enough to barely get by. It costs more when you don't fill yourself up with the Word. Put off the old man, and put on the new.
Clearly, today I was on half a tank and felt the effects of it...
Monday, March 3, 2008
Emo-ccident
An emo-ccident this weekend, needless to say! Gut splitt'n laughs and sincere tears. If I didn't have a balance, I would be in a straight jacket right about now. There is no pain like the pain of a bad decision. There is no joy like the joy the Lord blesses you with through good friends. True medicine with no harmful side-effects!
I was watching Oprah's Big Give show last night. I think its awesome to provoke people to answer to the call of the needs of others. I was boo-hoo'n like a baby! I have experienced the euphoria of giving or making sure someone gets the service they need in order to function more efficiently. There is a super-natural law that is in place that rewards the act of giving with the right heart. But it never ceases to amaze me how Biblical principles are used without giving credit to it's source, THE BIBLE! For instance The Secret http://www.thesecret.tv/, I admit I was one of the first people to jump on the band wagon and treated this "new finding" as a phenomenon. But I got checked real good because The Secret simply is a reiteration of Biblical principles, with a slight twist. The law of attraction, faith: ask-believe-receive, positive thinking=positive results...This is nothing new at all! But as soon as Oprah put The Secret on prime time TV, everybody ate it up and talked about how it changed their lives. Doesn't the Bible do that? God gets no love either because The Secret refers to the higher source as the Universe. If they mentioned God in The Secret, would people still eat it up?!
A New Earth: Awakening Your Life's Purpose...also, another "new phenomenon" changing so many lives. But why doesn't the Bible change the lives of the people who believe in Universal principles? Why isn't the Bible making it in Oprah's book club (no diss on Oprah)?
Even more importantly, why aren't believers big like Oprah, having such an influence that we provoke people to try God or try the Bible. There has been a robbery and I don't want to be the standby that does nothing.
I was watching Oprah's Big Give show last night. I think its awesome to provoke people to answer to the call of the needs of others. I was boo-hoo'n like a baby! I have experienced the euphoria of giving or making sure someone gets the service they need in order to function more efficiently. There is a super-natural law that is in place that rewards the act of giving with the right heart. But it never ceases to amaze me how Biblical principles are used without giving credit to it's source, THE BIBLE! For instance The Secret http://www.thesecret.tv/, I admit I was one of the first people to jump on the band wagon and treated this "new finding" as a phenomenon. But I got checked real good because The Secret simply is a reiteration of Biblical principles, with a slight twist. The law of attraction, faith: ask-believe-receive, positive thinking=positive results...This is nothing new at all! But as soon as Oprah put The Secret on prime time TV, everybody ate it up and talked about how it changed their lives. Doesn't the Bible do that? God gets no love either because The Secret refers to the higher source as the Universe. If they mentioned God in The Secret, would people still eat it up?!
A New Earth: Awakening Your Life's Purpose...also, another "new phenomenon" changing so many lives. But why doesn't the Bible change the lives of the people who believe in Universal principles? Why isn't the Bible making it in Oprah's book club (no diss on Oprah)?
Even more importantly, why aren't believers big like Oprah, having such an influence that we provoke people to try God or try the Bible. There has been a robbery and I don't want to be the standby that does nothing.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Spaghetti
It was the night before my birthday last year and a group of friends and I went downtown to hang out.
~~Sidebar about birthdays: I had an epiphany. God didn't intend on us , according to his original design, having to celebrate birthdays (seeing another year). We were originally designed to exist in eternal life. Adam and Eve existed in eternal life until the fall of man. That's when the governance of time came into being. Hence, the celebration of birthdays. Funny how we put so much time, effort and resources into recognizing each other living another year because time has become a precious commodity. Hmmm...
~~Resume: Our favorite band HOTSAUCE was playing at Heart Plaza, but by the time we showed up, they were almost done playing. Needless to say we were hungry (I will speak for myself!) and fishing around for where to go so late. Twelve O'Clock hit and my lovely girls harmoniously sang Happy Birthday to me. Awww...really made a girl feel special! After walking around Heart Plaza aimlessly and harassing the security guard in the GM building, we finally decided on where we should go to eat. Pizza Papalis it is! "But isn't the kitchen closed?" We arrived and were greeted by bouncers. Bouncers at Pizza Papalis, dangee! We had four minutes to make our orders, so I went the safe route and ordered spaghetti. Oooo, those dog-on servers! Anyways, our food arrived and as I was eating, a thought came to me (or what I thought was a though). Wouldn't it be nice if I gave my food to a homeless person. Something was even telling me I should but I reduced it to be just a "nice thought". We Finished eating but I still had leftovers so I asked for a box. We headed to the parking garage when I heard the voice of an older gentleman asking for food. I was at the back of the pack so he wasn't necessarily talking to me. Then it was my turn to walk past him and he says, "Ma'am can I have your food?" Here was the chance for me she give someone my spaghetti. It was weird because my feet kept moving but my attention was fixed on this man. I asked myself, "are you really still walking?" Why didn't I just give the man my spaghetti when I didn't have need of it anyway. Maybe because we allow good ideas and nice thoughts to be just good ideas and nice thoughts. The Lord was giving me an opportunity to exercise Psalm 41 "Blessed is he who has regard for the weak". When you fail to act, everything becomes just a good idea or nice thought.
Good Ideas acted on: Cars, Air plains, toothbrushes, hot combs, satellites, shoes...everything we take for granite!
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