With all Your Gifts Remember ...

Christmas is the season that we remember the Birth of Christ Jesus. A time of sharing in festivities and gift giving.

Someone once said, that Christmas is a time to be all wrapped up in family and friends, and I totally agree. We can not celebrate Jesus without celebrating each other, as scripture text has told us "when we have done unto the least of these, we have done unto the Lord."

This season it would benefit us to remember that Christ in Us is the hope of Glory. Oren Arnold had some good ideas concerning our gifts.

• To your enemy offer forgiveness.
• To an opponent, tolerance.
• To a friend, your heart.
• To a customer, service.
• To all, charity (love).
• To every child, a good example.
• To yourself, respect.

As we are shopping this year let's remember that Christmas is not in the push and shove at the stores and restaurants.

It is not in the rage in the highways.

Christmas is not in the swollen ankles from excessive cooking or decorating, or in the bodies run down from over working.

Christmas is not in the most expensive packages or the tallest of trees.

Christmas is not in give me this or get me that's ... no...Christmas is in You and Me.

Christ in us the Hope of Glory (earths true wealth)

I am not saying that you should not shop, eat out, or travel. I am not telling you not to cook, decorate or go hither and tither. No the opposite these are all part of our Christmas joys and privileges. Decorate your tree, tall or short make it shine. Do all that is in your heart to do, but in all of your doing remember to stay balanced and get the most out of the season.

When you hit the highways do it prayerfully. While shopping do it mindfully. When cooking and decorating take time to enjoy.

As you sitting with friends and families remember to relax and get the most out of your time. Don't Rush the season away and wonder where it went. It will go fast enough already. Take a Christmas Breath.

Inhale the cookies as they are baking.

Breathe in the crisp winter air as you are hanging your wreaths.

Enjoy that cup of Joe with a friend without looking down at your watch to see what time it is.

Breathe in the armor of Christ.

Gaze at the stars and wonder.

Look at the givers who some with gifts in hand and ponder, and give your gifts to others with purpose. And in all of your giving. Remember who gave first.

"God so loved the World, that He gave His only begotten son
that whosoever would believe in Him (receive Him) would not perish,
but would have Life and that everlasting (eternal)."

Don't forget Love ... the greatest gift ever given.
Love the greatest gift one can ever offer. Let your light shine this Christmas for all the World to see!

Guard your Heart ...

Pro. 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

For the good of all, let's rightly divide our text.

Keep:
Guard, Hide, To be a watchman over

Heart:
Feelings, intellect, mind, center

Diligence:
Suggest the watch of a prison or ward. ‘With delegated authority keeping certain things in and other things out’

Issues: your deliverances and boundaries

Life:
Strength; age; appetite; company; congregation;
happiness; multiplication; to maintain
quickness; ability to run and spring up;
Your revival; Your ability to give and receive; Your nourishment; Your ability to preserver; to recover, repair, restore, to be whole and to prosper.


We use the Word of God and our faith, so very superficially. When we need to get serious about it. We need to study to show ourselves approved according to II Timothy 2:15 and in doing so, be renewed in the spirit of our minds according to Eph. 4:23.
II Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.


Study:
To use speed; To make effort; to be prompt and earnest; to labor; to make haste; to make it your business;

Rightly dividing:
to take it apart, study it, see how it aligns properly with the life you now live (Spirit life).


Eph 4:23
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Renewed:
Reformed; Renovated

Spirit of your Mind:
The rational soul (mind, will emotions), mental disposition (attitudes).


In other words be reformed and renovated through the life you now live in Christ, by the aide and with the help of the Holy Spirit.

You are not alone in this renewal process, but you are key, YOU have to show up and give yourself to the Spirit teacher.

It has been said, “When the student is ready the teacher will come.”
Others have said it like this, “When you are ready the teacher will appear.”

Most people live and die and have never readied themselves (became teachable) for the inward teacher, who at times also comes upon you.

The truth is the Holy Spirit is available, but being one just like Jesus, he is not going to press himself upon you, nor is he going to make you do anything.

He will wait on you.

He will speak to you, attempt to lead you because being like Jesus, his nature is for you. But you must contribute with your own participation.

The Holy Spirit is a teacher, helper, comforter, standby, counselor, intercessory aide, and advocate, but you must do your part. You must ready yourself and learn this life we now live by faith.

You can not just seat back doing things the way you have always done them and expect to excel or move to new levels.

You can’t keep listening to every Tom, Dick and Harry who are living unstable, unproductive, weird and fruity lifestyles. Instead you must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit teacher, and get counsel from those who are godly and making progress both spiritually and naturally.

You have to think differently to move forward in life, no matter what stage you are at. Each day there are ample opportunities to gain knowledge and understanding that will take you to new levels of living and success.

Stay teachable ... be daily transformed!
Joyce Meyer said,
“Your thoughts produce attitudes, and your attitudes will determine your altitude.”

Meaning your thoughts and attitudes will determine your progress and success in every area of life.

A large percent of the time peoples minds are idling … running randomly and undisciplined. They are not focused.

At other times minds are in gear, but that gear is reverse, taking them backwards or into a present collision by gazing at what is past.

And yet at other times the mind is actually consciously kept and directed in present day activity and future day possibilities.

We need to train our human spirit to align with the Holy Spirits lead.
We need to learn to be good students of the Word and Spirit, passing every test that is handed to us; this is the way to promotion.

The beginning of this spiritual education is getting the right things into the mind.
Many people are Sick minded, Devil minded, Poverty minded, Negative minded … so forth. But we are to have the mind of Christ. He did not live in this realm. He was Kingdom minded, making Him, Generous minded, Health minded, Victory Minded, Positive Minded, Love and Peace Minded.

We need to learn how to get our minds stayed; Learn how to focus and stay focused until we obtain the thing we are focusing on. We have to learn to discipline our minds so that we think on things that are honest, just, pure, lovely and offer good reports.

Why?
Because what our minds are stayed on is what we are going to produce.

Not because you have whatsoever you think as an absolute, but as a man thinks he soon becomes … why?

What we think will drop into our center most being and from there we will begin to speak. The Word tells us form the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, and also that death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat the fruit their of … what fruit.

The fruit that is produced by the Seeds that you allow to go down into your mind and take root Once they have taken root, they will branch out of your mouth and turn into visible manifestations.

In other words we say what we think and have what we say. And since we are made in the image and likeness of God … we create within our mind’s eye (we could say from our Spirit eye), and then we bring it to pass through declaration.

Now don’t be deceived you can have most anything you imagine for good or evil … so make your imaginations good ones.

The tower of Babel was a creation that was in manifestation from imaginations actions, but it was evil … and evil will never prevail. So don’t try to use the Word for evil purposes, or you words may become God tangled, and thus your creation be stopped by the greater imagination and word. (if you are unfamiliar with the Tower of Babel you can find it in the book of Genesis chapters 10 and 11).

Another good example is Zachariah’s … John the Baptist Father. When the Lord wanted to bring forth a child through the womb of Elizabeth and name that child John. He knew that Zachariah’s traditional ideas could thwart that plan, therefore Johns tongue was made dumb until Elizabeth gave birth … and once Zachariah sided with the God plan and then His tongue was loosed.

This is actually for us a great promise as we can know that if someone made it to the top so to speak through principle without godly purpose that plan can be thwart through godly manifestations.

I recall a person who left the dark side and came to the light. They had been into witchcraft from many years. They understood prayer, meditation and manifestation. They had experienced in the body out of the body spiritual activity.

The story goes something like this:
We were taught how to leave our bodies and by the Spirit go into places. We could go into a house and find out anything we wanted to know about that place or we could go by the Spirit and hassle people at our desire.

He said, I had done it many times and then would return to my physical body without and opposition. Until one night I decided to go and hassle a Christian that I assumed was like all the others I had met. They had a form of godliness, but denied the power thereof, those kind I could hassle easily and get my way among them. But this night was different. I came face to face with one who knew their God. (The God I know now and serve).

On this night I left my body and traveled in the Spirit to this lady's home. What was amazing where others had not even recognized a Spirit being there ... she recognized me, and when she did she turn and took a spiritual authority that I knew nothing about, and with that authority she bound me and I could not leave and go back to my physical body.

I kept thinking if she does not loose me from this state I will never be able to get back to my physical body again. I will be lost in here this state, so from that Spirit life I made a conscious decision that if I could ever get back into my body I would serve the same God she served. I would take Jesus as my Lord and savior unto good deeds.

It was only at that place I could return to my body. The next day I went to the church that I knew she was part of and gave my life to the Lord. The Spirit realm is real ... but light will always dispel the darkness.

There is one who comes AS and angel of light, but is not true light. That one will never prevail.
He is evil and there is no good in him.

But Jesus is both the truth and the light and in him there is no shadow of turning. There is no ying and yang with him ... he is just yang. He is light in him there is no darkness! Our God is 100% Spirit, 100% Truth, 100% Light.

John 10:30 says:
I and the Father are one … then Jesus prayer in John 17 that we to with them become one.
This can only be done by the Spirit and in the Spirit. When we walk int he Spirit we too can walk in perfect love, light and truth.

One in mind, one in purpose, one in unison. Commanding and creating good.

Lu 11:34
The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness


In order to do this we must not give place to the flesh nature, we must keep our ego and intellect suppressed. Thus we have the scripture Proverbs 3:5-6 … Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

We must learn to never impose our will against God’s best desires and plans for use. We must be open to Him, when producing and creating.

The word manifestations is an interesting word meaning: to bring into demonstration or evidence that can be seen.

I like what someone once said concerning manifestations.
It is man infestation … or we could say man … creating many things into the earth (or his life).

When people use the word 'infestation' they often us it concerning epidemics or large break outs of harmful things. But there can be, and should be infestations of good in the earth.

Deuteronomy 28 says that the blessing should be coming upon us in ‘infestation’ proportion.

Deut. 28:1-2
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

This is our promise of manifestations of good.

But if we refuse to get our minds (renewed) and set. If we refuse to do things the God way what could have been blessing instead be a curse.
De 28:15
But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

This would be infestations (or manifestations) of evil.

Both the good and the evil come form our own choices, and choices come from mindsets.
So it is time for us to get our minds set on good things.

Isa 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Mind:
The thought realm, the imagination … the place where things are worked out and things are framed.

Stayed:
Established and resting

So He will keep him in perfect peace whose thoughts and imaginations are established and resting; because they are secure in hope and confidence that they will have what they have been thinking and imagining, as they operate in proper spiritual authority.

Remember nothing that is created was … until it was first in the mind of God or Man and spoken into existence.

Some creations begin and then are aborted because of lost focus. Some are formed within and miscarried and lost. How is that?

People begin to imagine [mentally begin to create], but soon lose focus. Their words drop and the project or what ever their imagination was comes to an end. It is never birthed.

Some things are created and then abandoned. They are created in the mind, manifested in the earth and then there is no maintenance [faithfulness and commitment] to the creation.

People who are not centered (focused / balanced) will often begin things and then never carry them out, or think thinks and imagine things but never but actions with them.

Births of any kind will call or a travail, and then for the responsibility of maintenance. That is part of the God kind of life. And your thoughts and imaginations are a part of it all. The mind is always acting to create and birth. But it also must be trained to create and birth good and then disciplined to maintain what it births (creates).

Put theThanks with the Giving

I recall a poem by Walt Whitman this Thanksgiving Season.




Dear Stranger
if you in passing, meet me,
and desire to speak to me,
why should you not speak to me?
And why should I not speak to you?
~Walt Whitman



For many 2010 has not been a light breaking year. Some have lost jobs, others changed jobs or been scaled down in pay.

Many have lost homes, and others may suffered through tragedies. We must not close our eyes, nor all the light within us to be snuffed out.

In hardships our light must shine! We are to be like lights on hills, shining in the darkness. Beacons that remain when the harsh winds of adversity blow.

This year I will have the honor and privilege of spending Thanksgiving Day with my immediate, and some extended family. But it has not always been so, our days and years vary ... they are all diverse ... none absolute in their creation. I recall some years with only a few family members and no Turkey or stuffing.

One year our thanksgiving plates were rounded with Pizza Pie and laughter, one with local restaurant goods, surrounded by people we did not know .. but smiles went out creating other smiling faces through the diner.

Some thanksgiving days were spent in remembrance of a family member that no longer sat among us ... and one was spent recovering from a great character attack when heart and emotions had been abused and broken.

Yet, another was spent with an acquaintance, one my family did not really even know at the time. A dear man who had a slight mental illness and had no family near him. While others shunned him, God looked well upon Him by asking us to feed Him and show him love and kindness. Though this man's life hopefully and seemly was blessed that Thanksgiving, ours all the more from the opportunity.

I will spare you the details of all of my families none traditional Thanksgiving events. However, I felt the need to express just a few to make a point.

What's the point you might be asking? The point is ... God is good, ALL the time!
In the easy times and the most challenging times, and we should always show forth His praises.


Eph. 5:15-20

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;



Life is what you make it. It is filled with Blessings or Curses, but you get to choose.

Thanksgiving is not about what's on the table, or how beautiful your house is decorated. It is about enjoying lives that are surrounding you and remembering the lives of those who have passed. And like our poet Walt said ... speaking to and befriending those who are passing by.

Thanksgiving was built upon ... thank offerings to Our Heavenly Father. It was a day prepared, and a table set with what the earth brought forth.It was a day without discrimination or war.

It was a relationship building day, when people enjoyed people as much as the food they shared. Children laughing, ideas elaborated on, loved ones remember, and plans made for a bright future.

In our modern world many can enjoy these same things, as well as a warm house, parade, football, movie, shopping ... we are blessed with much to be thankful for. But for some ... there may not be a house, food to eat, TV to watch, or money for shopping. Thus ... our light must shine.

As we enjoy this season. Let us remember to be thankful for, and enjoy all of our blessings. But let us choose to also be a blessing.

Maybe you can invite someone to Thanksgiving Dinner, or offer a smile across a restaurant. You could open your purse to the poor, or aide them by serving in some fashion.

You will know from the deep place within you, what you can and should do.

So with this in mind today (the day before the feast). I challenge you opt to pray a day early, being thankful for all your blessings, and then inquire of what you might do to let your light shine this thanksgiving holiday season.

Be a carrier of light, a vessel of hope, a spokesman and representative of truth. This year, Put the Thanks with the Giving and let others know that God is good!

Keeping the Thanks in My Giving and wishing you a very Happy 'Thanksgiving'.

Divisive Spirts a Vortex of Destruction

Don't allow a Spirit of division to cause a vortex of destruction!

Safe guard your home. Never allow a spirit of division an entrance. If one does happen to slip in, use your authority which is robbed in love and power to put it out as quickly as possible. Divisive spirits are fires that will destroy relationships.

The enemy carries a divisive nature, while God calls forth unity. The God kind of Faith and Unity will always build relationships and organizations.

Unity is fueled by faith and fired by love. Unity talks about locking arms and is a creative force. Unity draws in blessing and creates an atmosphere that is welcoming and rich with peace and blessing.

As Christians we understand that our battle is never flesh and blood, but principalities, powers and wickedness in higher realms. Therefore, a spirit of division is normally not recognized by those who live in the carnal realm until it is already in manifestation. But those who live in Spirit, should also walk in the Spirit and have the ability to pin point divisiveness before it brings it's deadly weaponry out in the open.

Many times those who carry a divisive spirit are insecure or carnal in nature. Those immature in Spirit may easily never recognize a divisive spirit. A devise spirit will present its self many times in the form of power. But it is false power. It stands before people to intimidate them, to try to may them step out of God positions. But remember when dealing with a Spirit of division, God did not give you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self discipline (sound mind), and do not be moved!

I have seen this spirit run it's course unchallenged and work it's havoc. It normally works to separate and then it splits and leaves those separated alone and battered. I have watched this spirit nature come between husbands and wives, friends, siblings, and into homes and organizations to destroy them. Guard strong against it.

Paul spoke of it within the arena of the church, when he was endeavoring to bring a group of people into unity.

Unity and Diversity in the Body

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹ If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. ²⁸ And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

As you continue to read in I Corinthians you will find chapter 13 speak about love and it's attributes. Love is the antidote for strife and the agent that will defuse division, while causing your faith to ignite victory in your life.

Do not allow a gift or calling (position) to make you a slave to strife. Refuse to be a carrier of division. We are called to unity of the faith, with the understanding that there are many members. Every member vital and necessary. They are not to be tossed out and left to die in desert places.

It is amazing to me how positions can get the best of people, instead of being used as a platform to bring the best out of people. Jesus' life was His platform. He is found taking those who were pregnant with greatness and building them.

Jesus did not separate people from others, we even hear his pray for unity and usefulness in John chapter 17. Jesus' only idea of separation was that His followers be kept from the evil in the world, so they could be separated into the World to greater purposes.

Jesus love was and is, amazing love. Even in the midst of religious strife, His cry was 'Oh Jerusalem how I have longed to take you under my wing like a mother hen would take her chicks ... but you would not.'

Jesus nature is not only loving, but also protecting nature. His was a kingdom building nature ... but we must remember His kingdom is not of this world ... it is a greater kingdom within the realms of people. By building people vs. organizations, organizations could be built nearly effortlessly. Flowing and functioning like a loving family considering one another.

The World is ready conquer and draw to themselves great followings and names. Jesus came to offer life and that more abundant. His entire life sat upon the reading of the Word from the book of Isaiah:

*The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised ... To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

If the nature of the windy vortex around you is not there to eradicate poverty; heal the broken; deliver (not destroy, divide or discard) those in bondage of sin; to enlighten eyes with liberating truth; and set people free ... then you must do everything you can to safe guard against it.

This nature can rise up from within you, or twirl around you as it cause others to dance to it's demonic beat, but at all cost guard your heart ... for out of it comes the issues of life.

Do not fall prey to a divisive spirit ... don't let the enemy who is ranked a zero (holds not legal power) a place.

Take Care of the House of God

When reading the title of this blog, I wonder what you thought? Did you immediately think of the building we are so quick to call the church, [which is actually only a place to assemble ourselves together for worship]. If you did I am glad that you desire to be a blessing in your place of worship. However, I would like to talk to you today about taking care of the true 'House' of God.

1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

As born again believers 'You' are the House of God. You are a house of prayer for all nations. The house of God is not a building with walls. God lives in You and I. And it is time that we learn to take care of His temple.

Sometimes people take better care of their cars than they do their own bodies. This should not be ... God does not dwell in cars.

It is good to take care of all things that God has blessed us with, including our cars. But it is more essential to take care of yourself and other human beings, for God dwells within people.

There are many natural things we can do to take care of our bodies. And sometimes those natural things are also spiritual.One of those things is to eat right and in proper portions.

The word teaches against over indulgences, and teaches us to be temperate in all things. We can also, refresh and hydrate our bodies with plenty of water and fluids.

Sleep is good for the body, as we regenerate while we are resting. Psalms 127:2 tells us that it is vain to get up early and set up late. It is also written that the Lord gives his Beloved sleep and it is sweet.

Another thing we can do that is like medicine to our bodies is to laugh often. Laughter is said to set off feel good endorphins in the body, which work to keep us healthier.

We also know that worry and stress works ills within us. Therefore, let us not be anxious (worried) about anything, but instead be prayerful and thankful, as we cast all of our cares over on the Lord.

We find a thread throughout the Gospels of washing the feet. We have many reasons that we wash feet. Especially in the sense of spiritual purpose. Yet, our feet carry us around the day long, therefore it is good to take care of them. Learn to let them rest. Soak your feet, elevate them, relax and hydrate them with oils. When your feet are kept, your whole body feels better.

Pamper yourself ... by doing so you are pampering the house of God.

Have you ever deep cleaned your natural house (the four walled one)?
Have you ever put a coat of fresh paint on it or washed it down good inside and out?
If you are faithful with what God has blessed you with, you have. But in all that faithfulness, don't forget to pamper God's House.

• Take relaxing baths, bask in sea salted waters.
• Take a hot shower and/or set in a steaming sauna.

Be sure to enjoy the quiet or put on soft music while you are bathing ... it is good to quiet the mind. When you lay back in tub or at bed time ... place a nice compress across your eyes to relieve tension.

The bible tells us that the Word of God is life to us and health to all of our flesh ...so be sure to daily read the Word of God. Let His word be before your eyes, in your ears and roll off of your tongue daily. It will keep the temple in top shape.

That's all for today ... just a pleasant reminder To Take Care of the House of God.

Wisdom in Silence

Have you ever wanted to give someone a piece of your mind?
I think most people have at one time or the other. If you have not kudos to you.
But for all those who ever want to give someone a piece of their mind; for those who have been frustrated with ignorance, arrogance, and the know it all ... this blogs for you!

~ Martin Fraquhar Tupper once said:
"Well-timed silence hath more eloquence than speech."

What a wise man he was if he remained silent as his quote suggest.

~ Ecclesiastes 3:7 reads as follows:
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

When we talk about keeping silent we are not talking about never saying anything. We live by our words. But because we live by our words we should learn to choose them well. We should also learn that to cast our pearls before swine is only to have them trampled.

~ Mattew 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Here the word swine represents those who are self centered and believe that they know the way and not one else gets a say. They want to make a mark for themselves without thought for others.

People like this will make their own ruin certain, as the famous Jimmy Durante once said:
"Be nice to people on your way up. You'll meet 'em on your way down."

~ Proverbs 23:9
Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

So it is best take heed to God's counsel and silently cast off that of a fool.

How is it that keeping silent will help us.

I will be the first to tell you from God's word, and from experience, when you do the will of God (including using your words properly), you will put to silence the ignorance of the foolish.


Many people want to come against authorities and over rule them, instead of communicate properly in a decent order. But the wise will keep silent and do the will of God ... allowing him to direct all paths.

When the time is right God will allow those tongues to be loosed to effect. He will also keep you from wasting good energy within the realms of ignorance, arrogance or the foolish.

There is a time to let your yes be yes, and your no be no, with nothing more said.

~ Matthew 5:37 says:
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

It is good to be guided by the Holy Spirit and to walk in love at all expense. However, walking in love is not surrendering to evil nor following after stupidity. It is simple quietly walking away in confidence, knowing that God will open a brand new door of opportunity to you from the stance of integrity.

Many times people want to offer a piece of their mind to others, when those who think themselves to be elite refuse to give them entrance or voice, but I say with a very well respected minsters counsel ...

"If someone pushes you out of their circle ... rejoice they just put in a much larger one, with greater opportunities; Leave them in their own small cages."

You will find that learning to use your words properly is a great advantage; from your words will come your future.

Since Words are a creative force that lay out the rail way for your blessing to come and your future to open, use them well. Do not waste them on those who would trample them; nay, keep for yourself a good future.

Take the words that you have ... and place them before God in times of prayer and meditation. Put them on paper as a vision. Create with them a plan. And offer those inventive and great words to those who are willing to receive them toward good; to those who will constructive aide you for betterment without embitterment, to those who can and will run with the vision at hand.

Funny how people want to recreate a visionaries vision. I pray that visionaries are quick enough and wise enough to know when the vision was placed within them it was a heavenly vision, given them by God, and is not to be altered by man. Man is simply to run with it, and bring it to pass.

I have worked with Pastors (Visionaries) for along time now, and I have watched time and time again people showing up to alter the vision. That is error.

Those sent of God will work well with the Pastor and in the rank of the church. They will not bring strife to those who are planted. So it is with any business. Any Boss worth two red cents will not allow someone to come in and alter the business which they have built. Those who are sent will come to aid within the realm of the vision.

A fool comes in with many words. But those who are wise come in an listen. They find out what the business is all about. They know how to be a wind underneath the visionary.


When trouble tries to come into your company, God has your answer. I recall as I put fingertips to keys a story that involved one beautiful lady named Abigail who was married to quite the fool, his name was Nabal.

Abigail was a wonder. She not only beautiful, but had good understanding. You say if she had such good understanding how is it that she was married to such a fool? That was not a choice she was able to make. That was arranged, and in the end still worked toward her good. Just as many times God has arranged for us to be in places that seemed anything but good, and in the end God brought great victory for those like Abigail who would walk in good understanding.

Nabal was one much like those who refuse to receive others ... as is shared with us in I Samuel 25:10 ... Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.

As we read the story we find the very ones that Nabal was coming against was the ones that had been a wall about his sheep fold.

Those who have been the strength of the wall are always the first to be attacked. They are the ones who will lay down their lives before they see the sheepfold hurt. They will stand until they are brought down before they will stop battling on behalf of the whole. They are not a people to themselves, but a people who want to be sure that all is well within the camp.

When Abigail finds out that war is about to break out because of the foolishness on Nabal, she steps into action. She becomes a peacemaker. She gathers up her goods and heads out to David.
Upon meeting him, David says: ... Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good. So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

Abigail being wise did not come against David with Words, she fell down on her face in homage. And then she ask that her words be heard, even before she spake. At this point, Abigail lays out her heart and advice, and it is received. Abigail had learned when to speak and when to be quite. She was with good understanding.

Learn to use your words properly. Learn how to under gird vision. Under girding vision is supporting it, as it has been given the visionary.

The work we are presently involved in is one that had suffered a crisis. When the Pastor heard from God to keep the sheep together in spite of the conflict. We were called upon to under gird that Pastor.

What was our responsibility? To aide the Pastor in holding the group together.

Later when things had calmed, and people had healed.
What was my part in under girding the Vision? It was to find out what the visionaries next direction was.

This time the direction was get it out in the eye of the public.

What was my job? It was to aid the Pastor in getting the organization out in the eye of the public. It was not to alter that plan, with lots of foolish words and ideas that were misplaced.

Does this mean I had no voice. No, absolutely not. It meant that words were used to
communicate properly. It meant respecting ranks and orders and supporting others. Learning to be silent is not being without a voice, but it is learning to listen closely to the inward voice and speaking in time with the vision.

By operating in a unit I saw this organization (group of believers) go from crisis to victory and form victory to thriving victory.

Don't come into a place like a raging bull, or like the king of the palace that you did not build ... learn that in silence and confidence there is a great strength you will be more powerful than you ever imagined!

The giving and receiving of supplies

Amazing how people blow into your life, blow up and then blow off, when you do not allow them to control you. God is not a controller. He never intended people to control others or to be controlled by others. God created us for fellowship (communication), to work together. He has created us to work together under His Spirit guidance.

In Genesis Chapter 2 we find that Adam was created and placed in the garden to dress and keep it. His directions came from God (who was and is Spirit). Adam communicated directly with God.

There was no need for a secondary mediator. However, since God was Spirit and Adam was Spirit to indwell a flesh body created from the dust, God saw fit for him to have a help meet. This help meet was one; flesh of his flesh, and yet with the Spirit of God indwelling.

Help meet does not suggest control. Help defines, and offers up the idea of aiding, serving and assisting.

Helps is on of the largest and most needed ministries of today. Yet is a one that most people shun, because they feel it entitles control without benefit or recognition. This mentality must change.

Some of the ideals of a help meet are as follows:

• give help or assistance; be of service
  
• improve the condition of
• be of use
• serve
  
• aid
• contribute to the furtherance of
• aid
• improve; change for the better

All of these imply 'working along side', not under a domineering one man or woman show. It is a supply that contributes to other supplies. The word even directs us to be workers together; not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought; and to consider others better than ourselves.

When Paul wrote concerning the church (a body of believers, with Jesus as the head). He spoke of joints supplying. He never spoke of one individual supply that ordered the lot. No Christ as head directed each supply and each supply was meant to work together for the good of the whole.

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. ~ Eph. 4:16 KJV

No prolonged infancy's among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. ~Message

He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
~ Gods Word

I Cor. 12:27-28 is a reference text that uses not only the five fold ministry, but helps (administrations) and governments.

When people operate in or under an insecure and/or controlling nature, they like small immature children push out those whom they can't control. These are people who want to work only with those whom agree with them. They love the idea of yes men who carry their bags and support their every breath. Yet, when it comes to new ideas and joining supplies for the good, they seem to wain out or disappear. I am not suggestion by any means strife or contentions, but rather healthy communications, for productivity.

I am talking about:

• working together for the good of all.
• about varied (different; diverse) supplies.
• about those who can brain storm without storming out.
• about those who can sit and consider one another and value each persons supply (whether it is used or not).
• about those who can offer a ideas and still stay in the game working with others whether or not their idea is promoted.

I am not suggesting that people should not have self respect or think themselves competent, but rather that they be flexible in service. I am suggesting that walls fall and people learn to work together in spite of cultural backgrounds or traditions of men; standing together as men and women of God; young, old, tall, short, thin, heavy, black, white, yellow or red. We should be able to communicate allowing our diversities stimulate us to become something better, instead of causing dissensions.

Likewise, as a body of believers the Pastor should be able to communicate with the evangelist and the evangelist with the apostle; apostle with prophet, prophet with teacher; teacher with helps; helps with governments and so forth. There should not be a breakdown in communications and supplies, because of position.

Refuse to allow insecurities that stem from deception to control your life. Refuse to stand in the shadow of everyone else opinion and supply and add yours to the mix. You will be glad you did, so will others.

Don't Live Your Life Insecure

Insecurity:
1. Not sure or certain; doubtful:

2. Inadequately guarded or protected; unsafe:

3. Not firm or fixed; unsteady:

4.Lacking stability; troubled:
5.Lacking self-confidence; plagued by anxiety:

There is nothing about this word that I like. Who wants to be unsure, doubtful, unsafe, inadequately guarded or protected, never fixed or firm in life, unsteady, lacking stability, plagued by anxiety, troubled and lacking self-confidence?

What a miserable life, and yet it is a lifestyle that many partake of every day. They get up to these attributes every morning and lay down with them every night. This is not the kind of life that God intended us to live.

God wants us to lie down in peace. He was us to rise to the dawning of every sunrise with these words on our lips, "This is the day the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it."

People who live in insecurity do not know the character of God. God is Love and desires that you live your life total security. Psalms 91 is a excellent descriptive truth of the security that comes from a right life with God.


Psalms 91
1 ¶ He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 ¶ Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.



Job 11:18 says:
...thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.


God wants us to know that there is both hope and help in Him. He wants us to understand a life of safety and confidence; one without fears or cares.

Insecurity comes to stop you from fulfilling your purpose in life, but there is a life of security through Christ Jesus. He came to give you life and that more abundantly.

To live insecure is to live with a defensive attitude. Insecure people seem to think when anyone does not totally agree with them are against them, or they put themselves down as being incompetent. When in reality, that is not truth, that is just being able to work together for an overall good.

A person who is insecure can display nervousness and social withdrawal, but can also express themselves through arrogance and aggression. Either way the person is moving in what they perceive to be threat to them . And for the insecure, most everything is a threat. They can even become paranoid. At this state they think everyone is against them.

Insecure people are most comfortable in an atmosphere where they are alone or have someone to cling to that is a 'yes man' so to speak. This person lets them always have their own way all the time. However, this is very unhealthy for both parties. A relationship that is built one sided is usual of a co dependent nature.

Here is the good knows YOU can OVERCOME insecurity. YOU can be FREE! You CAN live your life: sure; steady; stable; confident and free of worry and strife. But it will take you making adjustments. You have to change the way you think about things. You have to build a new belief system.

God's Foundational Truth Will Set You Free

1. Read the Word concerning who God has created you to be.
2. Make daily confessions concerning your value
3. Refuse to become to defensive ... and if you are a runner who withdraws refuse to run
4. Hold fast to your confessions of faith concerning the truth
5. Pray for boldness that is laced with grace


To overcome insecurity, a person must begin to value and respect themselves. Respecting yourself is not being arrogant and unteachable. It is not placing yourself higher than others, and it is not self promoting. Respecting yourself is to respect God and others and to see yourself as an equal.

If you want to be free from insecurity you must learn to stand on your own two feet and be able to look in the mirror an know what kind of man or woman you truly are. You have to be willing to change and be transformed daily to the better you. To be free from insecurity you will have to separate from codependent living, and learn how to work with people not use people for your personal promotion or benefit.

You can be free of insecurity!
But You must be willing to face reality.

Unless you are willing to admit to your insecure life without blaming someone or something else for all of your emotional dysfunction. You will remain the same. But if you will look in the mirror and say, Okay it is time for change. I am not living my life like this anymore. It is time for me to be able to move forward on my own two feet. If I fall I will get up, but I will get up on my feet, not on the crutches of another persons vision.

God never intended you to live in the shadow of someone other than Him. You are meant to cast your own shadow! But insecurity will keep you under others insomuch that your shadow will seem to be lost. Refuse to allow the enemy of insecurity to keep you from living the good life!

A Dramatic Moment

Have you every had one of those clean slate days. A day when nothing seemed to inspire you, nothing seemed to be written on your wall so to speak? Just a blank page, but a page that just kept staring at you saying "create!"

What do you do with this kind of day? Where do you find the inspiration; the motivation to put pen to paper, brush to canvas and walk away leaving your mark? Inspiration and motivation seem to be such powerful words. Words that move people to action.

Have you ever wanted to ask these two companions where in the World are you? Where have you gone? Who are you with today, please come quickly and speak into my life!

Inspiration:
The agent of influence
The act of drawing air into the lungs

Come quickly my agent, and breath in me.

Motivation:
The condition of being.
A force that works with influence.

Join your force with influence and cause me to revive to good works!

Sounds dramatic doesn't it? Thus the title "A dramatic moment."
Yet, I say, "speak Lord, your servant is listening."
You assured that you would cause breath to enter, and then life would appear, so let the inspirational winds blow, as I wait on you. As I take in your sweet aroma, basking in your presence.

Connect me to your power, and connect me yet to those who are connected. Bring us together like leaves that have blown in the Autumn breezes until they bumped into one another on planet earth.

Open the heavens and give vision to something more; the greater part and the glorious realm. Drop in the inventions, yet to be spawned. Inspire the books yet to be written and songs yet sung. Cause imaginations to run like rivers through our minds, like painters with palette in hand.

Break into this day Lord, into this generation with all of You; with all of your passion, compassion, creativity, magnificence, power and awe. Visit this generation and those to come, light the darkness of those dull of hearing and dim of sight. Break forth!

Break forth like the morning. Rise like the sun!
Come down in power like lighting that streaks through the sky, like veins of the universe, come and run through us.

Cause health to sprung up like lilies in the Spring and strength to come in torrents like summer rains that pound the ground like horses pawing; raring to run the race and wear the garland of roses. Come!

Come, inspiration with companion motivation! I bid you come!

In quietness and confidence is our Strength ...

If you could have the spoils of war or the blessings of the Lord which would you choose? As for me and my house we choose the Blessings.

I suppose it would help if I offered you my perceptive of spoils of war vs. blessings of the Lord. When I think on the spoils of war, I understand that Gold, Silver and many precious things may reside in the midst of the rubble. Already a point made ... in the midst of the rubble, not to mention the shed blood and the stench of death.

Where life, health, peace, joy and love had once been; now broken homes, looted businesses, weeping, sorrow, heartache, and orphaned children. Although there is stuff in the debris, it is stuff that has lost value because of the effects of war, broken shards that were once crystal vases, fine linens and name brand clothing but they are stained and torn, food is there but may be contaminated. Have I begin to paint you a picture.

One of my favorite text in the bible is from Psalms 46 ..."He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder .... "

I am so exhausted with people who are always in some spiritual war zone. I choose peace. I choose blessing. I choose life. Life that was offered me through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

There was a war ... it did rage. But the war I am speaking of was not a flesh war, it was a war within the realms of principalities and powers. Ego had been put away in the Garden (personal will put aside for God's best life through the mortification of the lust of the flesh).

Blood was shed ONCE, and for ALL, if we ever find in our hearts to believe and receive it. Jesus, Himself, spoiled principalities and powers making a show of them openly; and for whosoever will ... has caused wars to cease.

The fight for those found in Christ is simply this, 'THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH.' And as many have said before me, 'it is a good fight, because it is a fight in which the outcome is sure.' Faith is always the Victory!

Faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen. I understand that we have an enemy, but we also have already been made over-comers in this life, and in the life to come. Our job is to hold fast our profession of faith without wavering. It is not to wage war ... the battle is over.

There is no peace in war. I am not saying peace can not come out of war. When Hitler was igniting his war against the Jews, and everyone that did not surrender under his hand of tyranny, war was inevitable, and once the enemy was defeated, peace came to many lands. But those are flesh wars ... brought on by Ego and the need for power.

That same struggle for power, causes a war to rage within the human soul. The need for position, attention, and control.

Many people are looking to be led by the Spirit, and yet dealing with fighting within and without. Fighting that drown out the still small voice, and keeping them from going out in peace, and going forth in joy. Don't you think it is time to quite ourselves as a weaned child and find strength in our quietness and confidence?

Quietness and confidence does not mean that we do no have a voice. But it is a voice that carries weight without wars. It is a voice of wisdom, knowledge and good understanding. It is a voice backed by a supernatural God who can and will back faith's integrity. It a a voice given to prayer ... it is a life given to meditation ... and feet given to action!

As Jesus walked with us revealing God and teaching us how to live the good life. His voice was powerful enough to quiet the power seeking religious of the day, as well as shut devils up and evict them from peoples lives. But I never once recall him raging a war with the religious or with governments.

When someone knows who they are and who their God is, they recognize the shoulders upon which the government rest. They understand their authority and power of their own voice.

The most angry we see Jesus, was in the temple putting out the money changers and those who were setting themselves up in the place of prayer for the nations. And yet his anger was without sin. His zeal was admirable.

Zeal ... interesting word isn't it?
Zeal: Eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something.

What are you zealous about?
Zealous enough to allow turn your swords to be beaten into plowshares, and spears into pruning hooks.

Are you zealous enough to clear a place of prayer for the nations? Would you rather war on and go through life covering over the dead? Do you want to keep breathing in the smoke, and kicking through the trash from effects of the battle?

Breaking fallow ground and learning to keep the tops of your harvest in check seems to be way more productive and godly than warring. Warring which leaves children orphaned, women widowed, families separated and poverty a place, all in the name of power.

Expectations in Balance

I have ready many books concerning expectation. I have also listened to many sermons on Faith's expectation. However, if expectation is not understood and kept in balance, people will become frustrated, and often forfeit their faith. Once faith is surrendered, flesh (ego) takes over, giving anger a seat and deferring hope. I might also add that if one gives a place to the flesh ego, it will rob them of their faith.

Am I against expectation, or faith expectation?
No, absolutely not.
I live my life within this vein, but there is a liberating balance.


Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.


What exactly does this mean?
Hope (expectation), that has been delayed (not came as you thought it should, when it should), is unhealthy. Yet, when the thing that you long for does come it is exciting and ignites you.

The thing about this text if studied out, we find that "hope"(expectation) that does not come when you want it to, as you want it to, makes the heart (intellect, will, feelings emotions) sick.

Your soul becomes imbalanced, and within that imbalance is mental anguish. Then comes emotional instability, broken will, physically illness and at times faith dismissed. This is not God's will for your life.

God's will for your life is Good.

Every good and perfect gift comes down form the Father of lights. In Him there is no shadow of turning. God wants you to delight in Him (truth, light and the life of love). God wants you to make room for the fulfillment of your heart's desires.

God's plan for you is a good plan, with a bright future. It is for you to prosper and be in health even AS your SOUL (mind, will, emotions) prospers.

So, what is one to do?
How can you walk in faith expectantly, and yet stay balanced?
The answer is to walk in the Spirit; to keep your flesh under; to live a life of Wisdom and good understanding; to staying open to the fresh winds (ideas, aide, people ...) that God brings your way.


Several Bible text speak to us about walking in the Spirit and not fulfilling the lust of the flesh.

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:4
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:25
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.


If we would learn to flow with (in) the Spirit of God, that has been made available to us through the person of Jesus Christ, then we would be settled in the center of the will of God, and living out our purpose.

Jesus said when speaking of this wonderful born again (transformed) life in the Spirit:
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.


When one is living in the Spirit, they have sided with God.

• They learn to live every moment in the present.
• They have vision for tomorrow.
  
• They do not live in the realm of their past defeats or victories.
• They flow freely in the now.

This breed of people have great expectations, but they live so connect to the spirit, that they disconnect from the ego with it's flesh lust. Their expectations are in the realm of a balanced faith. They do not put dates, times and "must be this way's" on their programs. They have an agenda, but they are ready to flex (not compromise), but flex with the winds of the Spirit.


There is a difference in flexing and compromising. To compromise you disembark your morals and values.


To flex you are able to move within the realm of your morals and values.
You are open to change.


After all you are either being transformed daily or your not, and to be transformed daily is to live in the realm of change, not compromise.

Expectations are often a large part of transformation. It is part of the stirring up process (an agent to encouraging yourself toward your good future). But if your Expectations are out of balance, and if your faith is misguided, it can be a disastrous end.


Let me share a little story with you in which both expectation (unnecessarily was deferred and faith misguided).


The Big Flood
It had been raining for days and days, and a terrible flood had come over the land. The waters rose so high that one man was forced to climb onto the roof of his house.

As the waters rose higher and higher, a man in a rowboat appeared, and told him to get in. "No," replied the man on the roof. "I have faith in the Lord; the Lord will save me." So the man in the rowboat went away. The man on the roof prayed for God to save him.

The waters rose higher and higher, and suddenly a speedboat appeared. "Climb in!" shouted a man in the boat. "No," replied the man on the roof. "I have faith in the Lord; the Lord will save me." So the man in the speedboat went away. The man on the roof prayed for God to save him.

The waters continued to rise. A helicopter appeared and over the loudspeaker, the pilot announced he would lower a rope to the man on the roof. "No," replied the man on the roof. "I have faith in the Lord; the Lord will save me." So the helicopter went away. The man on the roof prayed for God to save him.

The waters rose higher and higher, and eventually they rose so high that the man on the roof was washed away, and alas, the poor man drowned.

Upon arriving in heaven, the man marched straight over to God. "Heavenly Father," he said, "I had faith in you, I prayed to you to save me, and yet you did nothing. Why?" God gave him a puzzled look, and replied "I sent you two boats and a helicopter, what more did you expect?"


This man appeared to have expectation (large faith expectation). However, his hope was deferred because he had no idea how to live in the realm of faith's expectation. Nor, had he learned to flow with the winds of the Spirit.

The winds of the Spirit had brought opportunity. Opportunity that the man passed up not once, or twice but three times. Thus, his hope was deferred, deferred, deferred, and it left this man in a death sentence.


God will offer us daily opportunities. He willingly chooses to give us heart desires as we 'delight' in Him ... not fight Him. We must learn how to leave ego far behind and flow with the winds of the Spirit.


God has a great plan for each of us. That plan will rise within us. And when it does, all of God's (already) supplied resources will show up. However, we must be willingly to get in the boat and board the chopper (to do our part, so to speak), so we can get to the other side.

Don't misplace your faith today by trying to be super spiritual. The Proverbs tell us that Wisdom is the principle thing ... and with all our getting of wisdom to get understanding.

Spirituality is not refusal to use intellect. It is intellect supercharged!

Richard Bach said,
"In order to win, you must expect to win."
And I will tag those words of wisdom with this:
To win, you must make wise choices in life, and move like the wind.

The EGO factor

I am not sure who first penned that Ego is actually Edging God Out, but I tip my hat to them. Ego does edge God out, and it leaves no room for growth or true success. Ego is also coupled with pride and insecurity, ending with a great fall.

Both pride and fear need be mastered if Ego is to decrease. A person who thinks of himself to highly or to shallow are both in the danger of Ego's deadly shadowing. Ego is not for the high and lofty minded alone, no, ego is out to throw it's dark shadow over anyone who does not truly know what manner of man (woman) they are.

Ego tends to cause one to set themselves apart as distinct from the world and everyone in it. They do not see themselves given to the world or as a part with others (members individually making up a whole). Ego also stands directly in opposition with humility and modesty, and is the third entity in the triangle of broken relationships.


It has been written that, "Ego is the biggest enemy of humans, while those who are soft spoken, truthful, and walk in humility can accomplish anything and are loved by all."


In the Proverbs we find these truths ...

• Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
• By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life.

Ego wants full attention and will lay marks to get it. People who are ego driven build their vision, mission and careers upon being seen and known.


The great Robert Schuller said this, "Goals should never be set by one's ego, but by problems that are crying out for solutions."


There is not a problem with being seen or known, both are fine in their own right. However, to be seen for the sake of being seen ... any idol statue can accomplish that. But to be seen and known for accomplishments, that have came from hearing the cry of those who need solutions; coming from truth that radiates divine vision, mission and service offered with a grateful heart ... that is greatness!

It is those who are grounded in God's unconditional love and promises that make lasting marks.
They are the ones who turn lemons into lemonade, and see adversity as opportunity. They are the ones who are willing to go through the fire for what they believe, with the awareness of the promotion that rest on the other side.

Ego must be confronted and mastered if we are to make the Big Difference here on planet earth.
And don't for a minute believe that Ego goes down quickly, for it does not.

Ego is a giant of sorts, but it can be taken down and beheaded. With this in mind one must understand that it is not just a problem for the novice, but also for the apprentice, journeyman, and master.

Ego shows up cloaked in many shades of darkness. Let me share some of them by placing them within the categories listed above.


For the Novice it normally shows up dressed in fears, prides and accessorized by lack of submission.

• Fear of failure
• Fear of looking bad (foolish)
• Positional pride
  
• Mental prides of intellect (think they know more than their teachers)
  
• Failure to trust others (especially mentors)

For the apprentice:

• Lack of patience and faith
• Not feeling adequate (fearing failure)
• Becoming discouraged when progress is slower than desired
• Loss of enthusiasm and motivation
• Loss of faith in leader (when their process slows)

For the journeyman it is fears stemming from success:

• Transitional fears
• Fear they are not skilled enough
• Fear of public exploitation
• Loss of Vision from tiring
• Fear of out growing their teach and the repercussions of such
  

For the Master:

• Complacency
• Becoming unteachable
• Failure to receive constructive criticism
• Becoming an Island
• Misuse of skills (power) ... using their knowledge in a self-serving arrogant way
  

From the foot of the ladder to the top rail ... Ego must be kept in check.

So what is the answer?

• Stay in the Light of God.
• Walk in the Truth.

Stay fully awake and aware of this enemy that crouches at the door to destroy all in it's wake, and take you down with it!

The amazing affect of a hug

Hugs.

Wonder where there first one every took place?

• Was it in the Garden with a friendly spiritual embrace from on High, after all we understand that the Lord doth embrace us with his loving right arm.
• Maybe it was it when Adam woke to his Eve in the Garden (the morning after)?
• And of course there is the scientific theory that it was a means of keeping warm in harsh elements of our early years.

I do not know the answer and I am not convinced that anyone this side of heaven does, but I do know they are great and I am glad they are available.

An unknown once penned:
A hug delights and warms and charms,
that must be why God gave us arms.

Webster defined Hugs as:

• to press tightly in the arms
• to hold fast
• to stay close to

Wikipedia says:
A hug is a form of physical intimacy, not necessarily sexual, that usually involves closing or holding the arms around another person or group of persons. The hug is one of the most common human signs of love and affection ...

Hugs may also be exchanged as a sign of support and comfort. A hug can be a demonstration of affection and emotional warmth, sometimes arising out of joy or happiness at meeting someone.

In India a hug is called a JHAPPI.

I define Hugs ~ as Love's wonderful healing embrace!

We all need social contact including touch. Take, for example, babies benefit from skin-to-skin contact with their mother.

An example was a study of Korean infants in an orphanage. Those who received an extra 15 minutes of a female voice, massage (touch/hugs) and eye-to-eye contact, five days a week for four weeks, gained more weight and had greater increases in body length and head circumferences after the four weeks and at 6 months of age than children without the extra stimulation.

Therapeutic touch has also been shown to reduce stress and pain among adults, and reduces symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. As well as release oxytocin and bring down blood pressure.

Recently I watched the movie Temple Grandin. The movie is based on the true story of Professor Grandins life with Autism.

Children with Autism often do not like to be touched or (hugged) by other humans, but the need for the touch/hug remains. As Temple begin to see the calming effects of cattle tightly fitted into mechanical devises used at the stockyards during vaccination called a squeeze shoot, she had a wonderful idea.

It seemed her thinking was, if that calms the cattle, then maybe something like this would help calm me during onsets of the hysteria of some of the symptoms of Autism. So she build, what is called in the movie "a squeeze ... or ... hug machine". She could climb into it, triggering boards to pull in close to her and squeeze her tightly. It worked.

Never knowing or being able to enjoy touch/hugs or the benefits, still there was something in that magnificent brain of hers that saw the value of hugs. Something that aided her and enabled her to move forward with her education and life.

The Power of a Hug!

Hugs also release serotonin and dopamine, both are what we call feel good chemicals. In other words, hugs can be our anti-pill form, of anti-depressants. It can be our happy outside of happy hour!

Leo Buscaglia once said, "Everybody needs a hug. It changes your metabolism."

Hugs are the universal medicine. ~Author Unknown

And I believe that Walter Anderson had something when he wrote, this in The Confidence Course ~ "If you're angry at a loved one, hug that person. And mean it. You may not want to hug - which is all the more reason to do so. It's hard to stay angry when someone shows they love you, and that's precisely what happens when we hug each other."




Grease the wheels of the World today ... Give yourself a hug, hug someone else ... even those whom you have odds with. When you do, stress will melt, anger subside, health increase, metabolism charge, smile appear and joy return. You just oiled the squeaky wheels. :)

XOXO

Your Life is Significant

I recently read a very short and colorful book by Andy Andrews entitled "The Butterfly Effect".
The book brings light to the significance of every life lived ... a significance that my go unnoticed by most, but never unnoticed. Many times things that seem to be the least important or least visible can be the very thing that creates a vortex of blessing.

According to Author Andy Andrews, Edward Lorenz presented a hypothesis in 1963 to the New York academy of Science. His theory was that a butterfly could flap it's wings and set molecules of air in motion, which would then move over other molecules of air, in turn moving more molecules of air ~ eventually capable of starting a hurricane on the other side of the planet.

Lorenz was a laughing stock. His theory seemed preposterous, and everyone seemed to want to market the idea, but at Lorenz's expense. People often sneer at and reject what they do not know or understand.

John Rohn made this statement, "walk away from the 97%." Mr. Rohn was speaking of 97% of people who never take charge of their lives. However, there were 3% who took charge of their lives through personal responsibility. As for me ... I choose to live my live in the 3 percentile, and trust that percentage will be changing with the upcoming generations.

On that same basic idea that Rohn had, Lorenz was in the 3% of those who choose to take a risk. A risk of failing. A risk of becoming a laughing stock. A risk of peril or loss. Yet in Lorenz's case ... he seemed to have failed and stood before other scientist of his day as their source of jesting. But the last laugh was yet to be heard. Lorenz was not as Fuzzle -minded as they thought.

Thirty years after all the jeering, Lorenz theory registered as authentic, accurate and viable. Today it is known as The Law of Sensitive Dependence Upon Initial Conditions.

The point I am making today as I blog, is that you and your choices matter. Your life is significant.

God has a plan and a purpose for you to pursue.

As you read the Bible notice the importance of each player. When you watch a sports game pay attention to the moves of each team member. Recognize the coach on the sideline and the announcer in the media box. Recall every person and historical event that you can imagine. Every person, every move, every sound has a significance. Every life matters.

Abraham Lincoln a well know member of U.S. History, was not born into royalty. He did not have everything handed to him on a silver platter. He was born in 1809 outside Hodgenville, Kentucky, not far from my own hometown. Lincoln lived in a small one room log cabin, with an uneducated father and a mother who soon died when he was nine years of age.

How could someone under these predicaments, make a difference? This is just one of the many questions people often ask themselves while viewing their lives from a negative stance.

Some other similar questions may be:

• How can I make a difference, just look at my life?
• How could someone like me make an impact in my city ... in the world?

What if Lincoln would have sat down and said, "I am just the son of the uneducated Thomas Lincoln who never took an interest in studies; so I don't see the point of reading."

But Abe Lincoln, unlike his father, was a 3% man. He read and studied even in the dimmest of lighting, and he was about to have a butterfly effect on a country. After many attempts and failures, he took the seat of the President. Later from this position, he put an end to legalized slavery. But it was his stepmother, Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln, who had already fluttered her wings under young Abe. Sarah had encouraged his education and appetite for reading.

Most everyone recalls Abe Lincoln and his presidency, but not as many recall Thomas or Sarah Lincoln. But if Thomas had not married Sarah, she could not have encouraged Abe to read. If Abe had not read, he may have never ran for office. Are you getting the idea?

Every person has a purpose. Everyone has a significance.
You are valuable.

Maybe you are saying, "I am an unemployed husband/dad or unemployed wife/mother, what good is that?" Listen! Make the most of where you are! Do something productive! Take a risk!

Take charge of your life, don't just sit back and wallow. Wallowing is for the hogs, not for the significant.

You have choices. You can find a job. Maybe go back to school. You can function as a wonderful house manager until you know which way to go. But don't sit back in the 97% with those who choose to complain and cry till they die, while doing nothing.

Complainers and whiners do have an effect ... but the effect may be that your child grows up and tells the world, "I didn't want to be like my dad (or mom) who sat back and did nothing with their life." ~ Don't be that kind of life changing example.

Abe Lincoln grew close to his step mother who breathed positive winds under him, and further away from his father, who had a tendency to be negative. ~Don't be the negative flutter in life, but the positive one.

No matter where you are today, or what condition you are in, let the winds of life, love, adventure and purpose be your current.

Let positive winds set the sails; Let them empower your life, and the lives of others. And always remember winds cannot be seen ... just the effects. So don't be discouraged if you don't see your life making sudden positive impacts, just know that it is, and that evidence will show up.

Who says that you cannot or will not be a world changer?