HOW TO STOP FUELING MENTAL CHAOS

Lately I have been having a hard time keeping my mind in one place. My cell phone has exploded with social media distractions. My desire to keep up with breaking news has jumped into overdrive. The family is running from one event to the next at the speed of light, while I allow my own commitments to fall by the wayside. My brain is in chaos making it almost impossible to sit at my computer and get any work done.

So how can someone so scattered write a blog about staying focused? Actually, I'm at the perfect place to share with you what my life coach (the Holy Spirit) has been teaching me about getting from point A to point B without a mental meltdown. For the past few months I have been deliberately working on being consistent and determined in order to reach my writing goals. Both of these powerhouse energies are impossible to achieve without developing active focus.

First and foremost I needed to prioritize. "In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success." Proverbs 3:6 (TLB) I began to shut down the internet in the morning choosing to have coffee while reading the Bible instead of scrutinizing my emails and the news. I walk away from my time with God feeling empowered and strengthened to meet the day, instead of feeling dizzy with media overload. The next issue I had to deal with was a biggie for me... procrastination. "Never be lazy in your work. Serve the Lord with enthusiasm." Romans 12:11 (TLB)   I needed to discipline my time instead of wasting it. Putting my cell phone away while I worked was not easy, but in the long run, a lot more productive. Truth be told, nothing earth shattering happened on Facebook or Instagram that I couldn't catch up on later.

Last, but most important... I am learning that it's never to late to focus on the goals God has planned for you. Once you start to follow His leading and gain your footing, put your spiritual muscle to work. Fuel your focus! Starve mental chaos! Focus, consistency, and determination will lead the way to success in every area of your life. Our Life Coach promised..."I  (the Lord) will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8 (NLT)

IS THIS YOUR "WALK ON WATER MOMENT"?

I don't know about you but my level of anxiety along with my bathroom scale has gone up exponentially this past year. Between family issues, business woe's, economic spikes and the future's bleak outlook, I expect to be double my current weight by the end of summer. All joking aside, we are living in very serious times. Everyone, regardless of political affiliation, will be affected by this surging storm of unrest.
 

Now here's the thing...as Christians we know God is in control BUT are we going to meet these crashing waves of food shortages, skyrocketing inflation or the next pandemic in faith or cower in fear. Most of us have heard the Bible story about Jesus's disciples being out in the ocean during a raging storm when all of a sudden they see Jesus walking toward them on top of the water.  This was completely amazing but they had all seen him do other incredible miracles prior to this. They watched him raise the dead, turn water to wine, open blind eyes and cast out demons, just to name a few. Yet only one man, Peter, trusted Jesus enough to get out of the boat and walk on the rough waves with him.

Like it or not, we are all in this national crisis together. We must continue to press froward to uphold our countries values of faith, family and freedom even in the face of violence, censorship and ridicule. Jesus hasn't changed. He won't let our country sink. Look around. You can see the tide is changing. Brave men and women are stepping into the water. Once you decide to get out of the boat you might need to write that well intended letter to congress you've been putting off, or sign the petition you have tucked away on your cell phone, or go to the school board meeting and take a stand for our children's future. Whatever we can do we must find the courage to get out of the boat of complacency and unbelief. Faith leads men to do courageous things.   Maybe this is your "walk on water" moment.

 "And Peter answered him and said,Lord, if its you, bid me come to you on the water. And Jesus said,"Come." And when Peter came out of the boat he walked on the water..."Matthew 14:28-29

 

 

SUMMER SURVIVAL GUIDE 2022

There is good news and bad news as we hit the midway point in 2022. The good news is we're almost to the end! The bad ...we still have eight months to go. Now that I stated the obvious, let's take stock of where we are headed.

It doesn't matter if you're registered Red or Blue, because its a black and white issue. Our country is divided politically, racially, and culturally and like it or not we are headed into the biggest upheaval we have witnessed in our lifetimes. Not a pleasant thought, so I have compiled three ways we can try to handle the turbulence our nation has fallen into without becoming shark chum.

• #1...DON'T PANIC! I think it has become clear that our government and science has failed us. We can't afford to spent time looking to 'the experts' for answers. The scientists are as confused as we are and our representatives have made mandates that are slanted against law abiding citizens. Some of our so called leaders are contributing to the chaos by allowing violence and murder to rule our streets. The good news is, no matter what may come out of this current disorder, God is still in control and has a plan for our future. Most of our country's problems stem from individuals turning away from God. Each person makes a choice but it's up to the church (us) to get the word of salvation out there. God's mandate is still the same. Jesus told us to be fishers of men. The fish have changed a lot over the years but sharks are fish...right?
• #2...PAY ATTENTION! Don't tell yourself socialism will never come to this country. Be awake! We need change but our troubles are more dangerous than some political differences. We have entered the War Zone and are engaged in a spiritual battle. Make no mistake friends, this war calls for spiritual weapons. Put on the Full Armor of God! (Ephesians 6: 10-17) Christians are God's warriors in the army of Jesus Christ and it's time to Suit Up! I'm talking about prayer and fasting. We need revival in this country and it won't come until God's people really get on their knees and fight.
• #3..BE INTENTIONAL! When we pray, think of those who are lost. Just as it was in the days of Noah, before the flood,  people are oblivious to God's coming judgement. (Matthew 24: 37-39)  Be that one person who believes Jesus will return when we least expect Him, and begin to look at this madness with a different motivation. God has given each one of us a fishing pole. There are many sharks to be fished out of this dirty water and saved for eternity. 

"When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a (battle) standard against him."( Isaiah 59: 19)

LESSONS FROM NATURE......Deep Roots

After the long winter we finally had a beautiful warm weekend. It felt like I walked out my door into the Land of Oz. Overnight our back yard burst open with emerald green grass, colorful spring flowers and fresh budding trees.  Suddenly, I was delighting in warm sunshine, sporting bare legs, wearing my favorite flip flops,and sipping herbal tea on a lounge chair.

You can imagine my surprise when a weather alert appeared on my cell phone. Tornado Watch!

This type of storm is extremely rare in our State making the news flash seem impossible.  Yet, the report on my husbands weather scanner confirmed the prediction and warned everyone in our area to stay indoors for the next few hours.  I walked back outside and looked into the early night sky.  Creeping across the horizon to the west was a huge black mass.  Heavy grey clouds, full of lightning, intermittently broke through the darkness.  What struck me with fear was the eerie, dead silence of this thunderstorm as it moved forward in all its power.

 The swiftness of the unexpected made me realize how important it is to be prepared for life's storms. Before disaster strikes we need to be rooted and grounded in our belief system.  Jesus needs to be our trusted friend and counselor when the sky is still crystal clear and blue.

Z. Randall Stroope put these words of hope to song from fragments of Jewish text found on a cellar wall in Cologne, Germany during World War 11.   It is believed to have been scrawled by a child hiding from the Nazis.

I believe in the sun,  even when it is not shining.
And I believe in love, even when there's no one there.
And I believe in God even when he is silent.
I believe through any trial, there is always a way.
But sometimes in the suffering and hopeless despair
My heart cries for shelter, to know someone's there.
But a voice rises within me, saying hold on my child.
I'll give you strength, I'll give you hope,
Just stay a little while.

If your caught in the "eye of the storm," be encouraged.  God said, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, because the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:6

DRIVEN BY THE WIND

 Our thoughts are a lot like waves. Sometimes our emotions are stormy and angry, other times choppy and unfocused, sometimes circumstances wipe us out leaving our psyche in s frenzy of confusion.

Unless we are grounded in faith, we will be tossed about and driven by our feelings. One minute our minds will rise to the crest of faith in hope and the next we will sink below the surface of doubt in despair. The Bible puts it this way. "When you ask, you  must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. (James 1: 6-8 ) 

World news, coupled with our own personal circumstances, can leave us feeling hopeless in the face of all the chaos. Even though we are surrounded by trouble we need to fight the urge to quit. Instead, we are encouraged to continue to pray no matter how long it takes for God to answer our requests. As children of God we don't get a free pass. We are not privileged. We are not oblivious to the trouble surrounding us. Instead, God tells us to pray in faith...before we see any change... and fight our natural tendency to doubt. 

 We can't have schizophrenic faith and expect to ride our wave to victory. At some point, we have to stop living in the shallow waters of fear and unbelief  and go deeper to ride the "drop", the most uncertain moment of the wave. After all, life is always going to be unpredictable, thrilling and terrifying but God promises he will never leave or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)

Heavenly Father,  Instead of fear and doubt I choose to let praise set the tone of my day. When doubt tries to overwhelm me, I will run to you as soon as I start to drift into unbelief. I believe you are my refuge and fortress, my God in whom I can trust.

 

 

 

Surfing info inspired by Srinivas Rao

Lessons from Surfers

IDENTITY...THE NEW HOT BUTTON

  We don't need a PhD to realize God created two distinct sexes...Male(XY) and Female (XX) yet some parents, teachers and churches are allowing a false narrative to spin our kids lives out of control. In our attempt to include everyone's preferred pronoun we are participating in a lie that is leading this generation further away from God and the abundant life he's planned for them. So what has sparked the increase in sexual identity confusion? Many professionals think its influenced by group dynamics and social media. 

Sounds reasonable. Teens and young adults have always been peer conscious and tend to define themselves by the opinion of others. Let's face it...identity is a big deal. Everyone needs to be loved, valued and accepted. The way we perceive ourselves shapes the outcome of our lives. "As a man thinks in his mind, so he is."(Psalm 23:7) 

Unfortunately, these new social norms are telling us if we don't like a part of ourselves we can cancel our true identity and take on a new sexual orientation. It's as easy as transforming our bodies, our personalities, our sexuality, and slapping a new part of speech in front of our names. This idea will kill, steal, and destroy the lives of everyone following this path to self delusion. In the end your mind still comes with you on your transformation journey. Until you align your thinking with the correct source you will never be happy. 

The truth is...you are not here on this planet by accident. "For you shaped me first inside then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. Body and soul I am wonderfully made, bit by bit you sculpted me into something amazing."(Psalm 139:13-14) God had you in mind at conception. He decided your gender before you were born. In His eyes you are beautiful/handsome, smart, talented, worthy, capable, and valuable. He has a purpose and plan for your life. HE KNOWS ALL ABOUT YOU. YOU ARE LOVED. YOU ARE CHOSEN. YOU ARE ENOUGH. 

 This world is confusing and scary right now "but God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7) Everyone has an opinion about this topic but the only thing that matters is God's truth. He alone can transform you into the person you want to be. Place your identity into the hands of Jesus, the one who gave his life to set you free. Believe what the Bible says about you.                           God doesn't make junk.

LORD GOD, HELP ME TO LOVE THE PART OF MYSELF THAT I STRUGGLE TO ACCEPT AND GUIDE ME IN THE PATH YOU HAVE CHOSEN FOR ME.

IN JESUS NAME. AMEN 

2022 CHALLANGE

Self-control has become a flashy concept. This hyphenated English word has turned heads and grabbed headlines since the 1960's. People spend millions of dollars every year on the latest Self Help program trying to harness this elusive virtue. Controlling our desires has proven to be the epitome of "easier said than done."

Let's face it...the reason we keep coming back for more every year is because there is a lot more riding on this than saying "NO" to another Oreo!

The good news for believers is we have our own super power living within us- the Holy Spirit- to help with our personal transformations. Think of self-control as the glue that holds the other virtues together. We can't love properly without it. We will never experience real joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness without developing self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

This fruit, as it's called in the Bible, is the result of the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives. As we live our lives in Christ we grow a little bit at a time. With God's help we don't have to struggle to measure up to some impossible standard. Change will come as we continue to draw close to Him. 

Jesus is our example and he also grew and developed as he worshiped God. We can't change by believing in the 'gospel of self-help'. Instead, we are guaranteed to be Transformed by the renewing of our minds."So don't be conformed to this world; instead be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so you can prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)