What are YOU thinking about?

Think about what you're thinking about. Do you ever do that? Really?

Thoughts --> Emotions --> Actions

Knowing and Doing are two different things.

Aren't they?

Overwhelmed? Struggling to believe?

We are too quick to believe the circumstances in front of us. If God believed what he saw, we wouldn’t exist and there would be darkness.

Has God ever told you something in your heart?

Do we see what the bible says?

 
God can’t lie. If he speaks, it happens.

He said there was light and there was light.

If he says there will be a purple polka dotted horse, there will be a purple polka dotted horse.

It has to happen if he says it.

BUT we are TOO QUICK to believe the circumstances in front of us.

CHANGE: Bite the FEAR Bullet

Why don’t we like to change? Because the status quo is comfortable, it’s familiar, it’s a known factor in our life. We LIKE it, we can count on what we know or what we THINK we know.

The fact is that life throws a lot at us and in the past many years and in the coming years, events are occurring all around us that are causing us to have to adapt and change.

We don’t like to change because it usually involves unknowns, we like to have control and to know what’s going to happen. Unknown situations are scary and we want to avoid fearful situations, so we don’t change because we just don’t know what’s on the other side of that change. 

Yet the bible says, “FEAR NOT!” over 300 times. 

Inputs = Outputs; Are You Consistent?

Life is like a boiling pot of water.

The pot is filled with water.

It's smooth as glass initially. Calm.

Then the heat is on and it starts to boil.

Then it starts to boil over.

If removed from the heat, it returns to a calm state.

Put the heat back on and it begins to boil over again.

Then it does boil over and creates a big mess.

The mess dries in the heat, hardens and becomes much more difficult to clean up.

How often is life like this? How often are WE like this?

If that pot were "managed", adjustments could be made to keep it from boiling over and creating a mess.

What if we managed our inputs more consistently? More consciously? Then our outputs might be more consistent.

What you put in determines what comes out.

Fill yourself with the things of God, he will help you rise above the circumstances so that whether the heat is on or not, you are consistent and not wreaking havoc on those around you. :)

Where Are the Chinks In Your Armor?

Vulnerabilities... We all have them. Strengths and weaknesses. The enemy has listened to the words that come out of our mouths our entire life. He knows our weaknesses best. Even as we grow and overcome in some areas, there are always others where the enemy will come at us.

STAY VIGILANT!

Questioning vs. Action!

A Navy Seal team trains together, works together, builds trust and cohesion. The more history they build, the quicker they are to react to the command of one of their own. Because they have a history of pulling each other out of tough spots, covering each other's backs, correcting when one is out of line, etc. But when the chips are down, the team lead makes the call and they react without question, they just go and do.

We have a history with God and him covering our back, pulling us out of tough spots, correcting us, of him showing us a true loyalty.

Yet when he says go, we question. And I'm just talking about the small everyday stuff. Not even the BIG things.

Ponder how reactive (vs questioning) you actually are for God, the next time he whispers, "Go and do."

Introducing Jesus: Where Do I Fit In?

So today's MUFHH (My Utmost For His Highest) devotional was PHENOMENAL for me. It would be for December 20 at www.utmost.org .

For some reason it hit home how getting people saved is not my burden, but his (Gods). I grew up Baptist. Hellfire and brimstone. Get saved, then NOT be told how to live, how to adapt, how personal it was, and it was all rules, with no understanding of the rules... not rules for punishment but for protection, not rules to be mean but to show how imperfect we are and our need for him.

I didn't understand where I fit in to this picture.

The Daily Battle

In the flesh, I often feel alone.

In the Spirit, I KNOW I am never alone. God says he will never forsake me.

In the flesh, I feel like I have to strive, earn, be accepted, be approved.

In the Spirit, I KNOW I am approved and I don't have to DO anything.

In the flesh, I want feel loved and wanted.

In the Spirit, I KNOW God loves me and approves of me because of what Christ did.

In the flesh, I feel insufficient 1/2 the time and like a conqueror the other half.

In the Spirit, I know that Jesus overcame it all, I AM a conqueror all the time and I win because Jesus won and God already has told us the ending.

In the flesh, I see my circumstances and question...

Hard to believe at times...

A verse someone sent me:

He that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

My comments:

Its hard as a kid to believe God will take care of that bully at school, or that older sibling who taunts you... Even as an adult, watching other adults say dumb hurtful things about things, events, or people you respect or care about... Its SO hard to remember that God says....

"Vengeance is mine! MINE! I am the GREAT I AM. I said I'd never forsake you. I said I only want good things for you! I said I will complete the work I've begun in you! I said I've got a plan for you - for a future and a hope. I said it. And when I TALK things happen. Light happens. Earth happens. Land and waters part. People get created. And thats just when I talk! But when I DO! When I came to earth and died to save you... THAT is when I gave my all. So stop...

Perspective on a 20 Child Massacre

There was a massacre of 20 kids in the U.S. today and in this blog I want to offer a different perspective on it. One of hope.

Are You a Blessing or Stumbling Block?

This particular blog is about a LONG day that I had and I found myself feeling angry, pitiful, and self-centered. Here is my story...and how I walked it out...

Your Way or His? The HARD road or waiting...

God has a plan for you. You should want his best for your life. Why wouldn't you? And yet how often do we settle? We do it in impatience. In disbelief that he could possibly do better. And then we get frustrated and wonder. Why?

Stay tight with God. Listen to his whispers in your heart as he leads and guides you. Trust in his ways.

Predict Your Future With Your Words

Today I was on instant messaging with a coworker and we were good naturedly bantering for a few minutes back and forth. Then I typed in something that while to most would be considered mild, to God it was NOT good and he chastised me. Saying, do not say such things about yourself and do NOT release words like that into your life. Oh trust me, what I said was a joke and was lighthearted, true enough often in the lives of others, but not in my own, which is what made if funny, but God didn't think it was funny and he let me know it!

When you criticize yourself, you criticize God.
When you speak negatively of your life, you are mapping out your future.

Critical Control - You're NOT God. Quit it!!!

A blog you won’t like because it’s critical.

Why is it so often that we as women want to fix things.

We either want to help someone improve or sometimes we just think we have it together and because of that, are "obligated" to fix everyone else which usually comes out sounding a lot like criticism.

God showed me the criticism in me. I was so ashamed.

I asked him how I could possibly ever be in another relationship and entrusted with the treasure of a man’s heart? Why bother if after the warm fuzzy wears off, I begin to start trying to fix him, always having an opinion about how things are done and generally coming off as sounding untrusting, discontent, and critical? How can I be trusted with marriage let alone a relationship?

So I ask God, “Why am I so critical, why are we as women so critical? Why do we believe the lie that criticism fixes ANYTHING?"

He said, “Because since the beginning, you’ve had free will and since sin was chosen, you’ve wanted my power, to be like me, to be a god.”

God has a bigger picture and bigger purposes going on than the nitpicking couples do in relationships.

Would You Risk Your Life To Save You?

If I were in a different body, looking at a photo of myself, knowing I'm "missing" and "out there" somewhere in a war torn country, I would use all means, all resources, every ounce of energy to save me, to get back to me, to be reunited with me... I'm worth it.

The Dollhouse - a series on Netflix

There is a series on Netflix called the Dollhouse. In this show, people contract their life/body for 5 years and after that time, they get a sum of money large enough to live luxuriously for a lifetime.
During the 5 year contract, their personality is wiped from their body and backed up to a hard drive. They are then "imprinted" with other personalities as is needed by the company for whatever characteristic or skill. Such as doctor, investigator, adventurous companion, romantic companion, etc.

I know this sounds odd...but stay with me here. I'm going somewhere with this.

How much would you sacrifice for YOU?
You might do it for others, but would you do it for you?

10 Wrong Misperceptions About God

1. He doesn't care about me (Romans 5:6-8)
2. He isn't a part of my life (Psalm 139:1-18)
3. He's mad (Luke 15:11-24)
4. He makes bad things happen to me (Romans 8:28)
5. He isn't on my side (Romans 8:31-32)
6. He doesn't want to be my friend (John 15:13-15)
7. He doesn't have good plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11)
8. He doesn't hear my prayers (Jeremiah 29:12)
9. He's hiding Himself (Jeremiah 29:13)
10. He doesn't love me (John 3:16)

How to receive Christ (in 30 seconds): CLICK HERE


Borrowed from: http://aheartforgod.blogspot.com/2011/01/10-wrong-thoughts-about-god.html

Top 10 List A Mother Wants In Daughter's Future Husband

As written to daughter:

1. Must love Jesus 1st with all his heart and soul thus sharing your faith with you.

2. Must be willing to pray together.

3. Be your best friend.

4. Must have a job and be confident in who He is in Jesus and in this world.

5. Must love and respect you making you feel like you are #1 in his worldly life.

6. Must be a good listener (this goes for you as well).

7. Be flexible…Be a good follower of Jesus letting him lead you in setting your goals and priorities. What is really important in the direction you want to go.

8. Understanding, honesty, kind, caring, having common values, strength in character.

9. Be good with children of all ages.

10. Love your mother!

11. Support your mother if necessary. LOL!

Love you,
Mom

Types of People God hired onto His Staff Team Over Centuries

1. Noah was a drunk - Genesis 9:21
2. Jacob was a liar - Genesis 27
3. Leah was ugly - Genesis 29:16-18
4. Joseph was abused - Genesis 37:22-28
5. Moses had a stuttering problem - Exodus 4:10

This We Believe! (Do you really?)

Check out the following christian beliefs and consider if you live your life in such a way that reflects that you REALLY believe them...

1. God created the world - Genesis 1:1
2. God scripted the Holy Word of God -  2 Timothy 3:16
3. Jesus Christ was born of a Virgin - Matthew 1:23
4. Jesus is the sinless Son of God - Hebrews 4:15
5. Salvation is real and found only through Jesus Christ - Acts 4:12
6. Jesus rose from the dead - Acts 10:41

As stated by Shannon O'Dell inTransforming Churches in Rural America...

"These are monster beliefs!"

No wonder the non-believing world thinks that the Church is absolutely crazy.

Are the Following True of You?

Transforming Church in Rural America: Breaking All The Rurals

Consider the following:

• You passionately love Jesus but you don't really want to be like Him.

• You admire His humility, but you don't want to be THAT humble.

• You think it's beautiful that He washed the feet of the disciples, but that's not exactly the direction your life is headed.

• You're thankful He was spit upon and abused, but you would never let that happen to you.

• You praise Him for loving you enough to suffer during His whole time on earth, but you're going to do everything within your power to make sure you enjoy your time down here.

I'm reading a book called Transforming Church in Rural America: Breaking All the Rurals by Shannon O'Dell.

www.brandnewchurch.com

This blog post outlines blurbs from his book.

If you want your faith transformed, check this book out.

The insight and thought-provoking, blunt straight talk in this book will cut to your core.