From Pity to Praise

A Good Neighbor

What makes a good neighbor?

A good neighbor is friendly and considerate. They respect your space and privacy, considerate and are approachable.

They are trustworthy, it’s always nice to know if you have a package on your front porch and it will be safe. Being a good neighbor means having peaceful communication with them, knowing they will have your back.

In my neighborhood we watch out for any illicit activities on other people’s land. It’s bringing meals to neighbors who are sick and can’t cook for themselves.

Looking out for one another’s children, and property and be willing to call the authorities if necessary. Being a good neighbor that don’t tell people what they should feel.

If a new neighbor moves into your neighborhood go over with a batch of freshly baked cookies or something to welcome them into the neighborhood.

It all comes down to showing hospitality and welcoming people into your home. It’s not about appearances,or where they lived before or whether they are able to help us in return. It’s about loving your neighbor.

Stupid Laws In Utah

Utah is home to many famous landmarks, among them the incredible red rocks cliff’s in Zion National Park, and eye catching ski resorts like Snowbird, and Alta. With such elegant sites to explore, Utah is the home of many stupid laws.

Are Your Kids Unruly? Hotels in Utah have the right to charge extra fees for individuals whose kids seem excessively unruly during check-ins. Thr charges cover the losses sand damages incurred after check out. Parents with unruly children may be required to pay a deposit of $500 in the beehive state.

Bury Your Pet Promptly: If your pet dies, you may want some time to mourn and make proper preparations to give it a decent burial. In Utah, pet owners can bury their deceased pets properly but you have to do it within 48 hours. Burying of pets in the backyard is allowed, provided you do it on your own property. The law also recommends burying them three feet apart.

No Selling Alcohol In An Emergency: Utah has some stringent alcohol regulation laws. Some cities prohibit the sale of alcohol altogether. If you often run to the pub at the first hint of a problem, Utah may not be the ideal state for you. The law states that an individual may not sell, supply, offer to sell, or furnish alcoholic products in an area, during an emergency whose existence is proclaimed by the governor.

Whale Hunting Is Not Allowed: Capturing a whale in Utah is illegal. The law protects the whales and promotes conservation efforts. In a real sense, whales are unlikely to survive in the Great Salt Lake since whales live in the ocean and Utah doesn’t have oceans.

Strictly, No Weather Modification: It’s illegal to modify the weather in Utah without a permit. Yes, this is an existing law in Utah. If you are caught tampering with the weather, there are serious consequences. Weather modifications can include cloud seeding, which increases snow or rain, and helps enhance the local water supply.

Do Not Cause A Catastrophe: Causing a catastrophe due to recklessness make you guilty of a case C misdemeanor. What constitutes as a catastrophe? The code reads that as a use of weapons of mass destruction, fire, avalanche,explosion, or collapsing a building, flood, or destructive force, or harmful substance that can lead to widespread damage or injury. They can be ordered to pay for damages or health care for the injured victims.

A Waiting Period On Prescribed A Schedule 2 Pain Medication: In the State of Utah if a doctor writes a prescription for a controlled substance after a surgery there is a 3-7 day waiting period before you can get your medication.

Every Day Problems And Solutions

“I am so stressed out!”

I’m so tired!”

“Why isn’t this relationship working?”

“I’ve got to lose some weight!“

“I’m so broke all the time.”

Do any of these phrases sound familiar? How many times in the last week do you think you have used one of these phrases how many times in the last week have you heard someone else vocalize any of these thoughts?

Kansas are you here phrases like these or even use phrases like these yourself or more than you would like to. Despite the fact that America is referred to as the “greatest nation on earth,” Recent polls have discovered the Americans are among the most stressed out, unhealthy, financially insecure people on the entire planet. Throw into that mix that the divorce rate is about 40 to 50% and it does make you wonder what the definition of “great” we are using.

The next time you hear someone use one of the above mentioned phrases, ask them very sincerely, “How do you hope to change that?” If you get a blank stare, don’t be surprised. If you take a moment to really think about the above questions that echo around in your head each week, but don’t know how to change the situation, or don’t even know where to start. You’re not alone.

It’s easy to chalk up these questions up to “life’s mysteries” and comfort yourself with the myth that know one knows the answers. But, that’s not exactly true. We do have the answers and solutions to these types of problems, but they are waiting for us in an unlikely place. They are waiting somewhere where more modern people would rather not delve into the Bible.

The word of God is often kept in a cubbyhole of religion, and so people do not think about seeking answers to every day practical problems there. You may ask, how could the Bible deal with my very human problems like being overweight? The word of God is sacred. How could it help with the dirty details of my mess up relationships? The word of God is full of deep, spiritual secrets. How can you help me balance my checkbook?

The Bible is it just something to pick up on Sunday morning and talk to church so you can follow along with the message. It doesn’t just get special attention around Christmas time or when you share the nativity story with your children grandchildren. If this is the extent to which you interact with the Word of God, you are missing so much. Got his folder in the pages of His Word, answers and solutions to some of our most human questions and problems. The word of God is not to holy to help us with our numinous. That was the entire point, to help humans.

Whether you’re dealing with stress, financial issues, relationship issues, or health issues, God has shared biblical solutions to these practical problems in His Word.

For example, money problems look different for each individual or family. What may seem like many problems one person or family would seem like an abundance to another. So, it is important to understand that when we use the term “money problems” that is relevant to your particular situation. But regardless of your particular situation, your money, problem is a problem to you, and therefore a source of stress and worry.

Financial help is determined by income to debt ratio and savings or both emergencies and retirement. Most money problems can be traced back to the lack of savings or heavy debt. So what could the Word of God possibly have to say about our money problems today?

One of the first issues that must be dealt with anytime we are looking into money problems is the weakness of greed. Greed is the ongoing desire for more even after needs are met. Read comes in many forms and always has a negative impact on the situation. Greed is often a hidden corporate at the root of many many issues.

Look at what Luke 12:15 says,

“He said to them, beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.”

When our needs are met, what we get above, and beyond must be considered carefully. God does in many instances will for us to have things that we want above and beyond our needs. The key is too pray fully, consider these things, and only move when we have peace from the Holy Spirit. Problems arise, when I want our chased after recklessly without mindful, prayerful consideration.

Putting money into its rightful place will help us better understand its purpose. Ecclesiastes 5:10 says,

“He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; not he who loves abundance, with increase; this also is vanity.”

Money is not an entity of itself which we should desire. Money is simply a tool which God has given us to accomplish other things. When we look at money this way, we can better understand it’s rightful place. It is not something to be desired for itself, but rather for what we can accomplish with it. Money is a tool.

If money is a tool which we need to accomplish tasks, then the next natural question is what is the task? You will need to ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in knowing what the money’s purpose is for you or your family. The tasks that need to be accomplished will look different for each of us for God’s will. He should show you exactly what He wants you to accomplish with the money He has given you.

Financial stability has never been achieved without a plan. Whether it is a business, a person, or a nation, no one has ever attained financial stability without a plan.

Here are a few scriptures that finances in the Bible,

2 Corinthians 9:7. “Every man according as he purposed in his heart; so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (Giving to God’s house)
1 Timothy 5:8. “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house,he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.” (Household maintenance)
Romans 13:8. “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another; for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Pay your bills)
Proverbs 21:5. “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.“ (Save for emergencies)

The particular details of each of these categories will look different for each person, but the principles are the same for every one. With prayerful, mindful consideration, God’s word can help you solve money problems.

Relationship problems:

Generally when we think of relationships we think of romantic relationships and marriage. Although marriage and romantic relationships are some of the most important relationships in our lives, the biblical principles can help us govern our romantic relationships are the same principles which can help us nurture and protect all of the relationships in our lives. Our relationships with our friends, our children, siblings, parents, co-workers and peers are all important to our overall happiness. These relationships are also important to God.

Kindness

Some of the most complicated relationship issues have a root in lack of kindness. There’s no doubt, the reasons that can contribute to divorce can be deep rooted, long standing, and destructive. But even the most tangled situations of adultery and abuse have a root in a lack of kindness.

People look for mind-blowing revelations from therapists and scientists to tell them how to make relationships work, but the truth is when we return to the biblical principles of kindness, much of these issues can resolve themselves. Ephesians 4:32 says,

“And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Messiah forgave you.“

Regardless of how tempted you are to say, “This is oversimplifying. My relationship problems are much more complicated than that,” if you really stop and think think about it for a minute. If you were hurt by someone else, it was because they were not showing kindness. This first part of this scripture because that is the starting place for all relationships. Kindness, regardless if you have been hurt or you were the one that the other, both situations can be healed with the second part of that verse; forgiveness. This is what saved my marriage. Kindness and forgiveness. It was at the root of all our problems. God does understand relationships and the answers are not complicated.

Satan wants us to think that our problems are unsolvable. Then he can keep us trapped in a sense of anger, anxiety, worry, stress and victim mentality. We move through our lives thinking that everyone else has it better than we do and everyone is doing us wrong. God’s plans for our relationship are simple. Start with kindness.

Faithfulness

Another element lacking in many relationships, no matter who the relationship involves, is faithfulness. We give up on people. We give up on endeavors. We give up on goals. We see the same from others. The result is that others do not trust us, or we do not trust others. This mutual distrust between us and the people we interact with shades all of our relationships.

Faithfulness is not just a trait which God looks for in our spiritual lives, but it is also crucial to our practical, every day lives as well. Luke 16:10 says,

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”

Faithfulness means we are trust worthy and dependable. It means that we will keep believing in a cause even when the going get tough. It means others can count on us.

The miraculous thing about faithfulness is that it generates more faithfulness. When others see they can depend on you, trust you, it inspires hem to be mor dependable and trust worthy as well. This cycle keeps growing, helping all of your interactions operate in a more healthy way.

Wisdom

You may be thinking of relationships that are exceptions to these rules. Some relationships do not react to kindness and faithfulness. Some relationships do not fall into healthy cycles no matter how many Bible verses you read. Some relationships are just toxic. What can you do about toxic relationships?

God is His wisdom understands about this too. God does not offer us Pollyanna clinches and tell us to slap them on all our problems like bandages. God knows that His ways only work for those willing to go His way. We all know that everyone is not on the same path. So what does the Word of God say about these types of relationships that are causing our problems?

God shows us what to do with toxic people too in Romans 16:17-18,

“Now I beg you, brothers (and sisters), look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them. For those who are such don’t serve the Lord, Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.”

Having the wisdom to know when to leave a relationship is just as important as having the wisdom to know how to work on a relationship. These scriptures tells us plainly that God does not will for us to work on all relationships. When you mindfully, and prayerfully evaluate relationships through the leading of the Holy Spirit you will be led in wisdom concerning relationships to work on and which relationships to leave behind.

This is not a easy thing, but it is sometimes a necessary think. Many people find themselves in relationship difficulties because they neglect to nurture the relationships they should be nurturing and instead pour themselves, their time and energy into toxic relationships which they should have left a long time ago. The leading of the Holy Spirit will help us to know the difference.

Health

Another practical aspect of our lives which God longs to help us with is our health. Very few people consider their health as part of leading a biblical life. Again, we put different aspects of our lives in different cubby holes, and then we are confused and stressed when cannot connect the dots. It is God’s will that our lives weave together seamlessly. Each aspect of our lives will affect the other aspects. Our relationships can affect our finances. Our health can affect our relationships. All of these can affect how spiritually minded we are. It flows together in one way or another. Thinking of your health as part of the whole, will help you to understand why you feel the way you feel and what you can do to feel better.

Despite the fact the America had some of the best health services on the planet, the most readily food and water supply and plenty of support services for underprivileged individuals, we are still considered some of the most unhealthy people on earth. Why? In the end it all boils down to choices. Outside of the exceptions such as chronic illness and genetic problems, the average American deals with a lack of personal health simply because of their choices. The Bible tells us how to what to eat, yet many ignore this (including me).

Rest

The foundation of human health is not a gym membership. It is not supplements. It is not even a healthy BMI. The foundation of your health as a human is rest. The human body can go without food for 7 days before we start to experience severe symptoms of starvation. We can go 3 days without water before severe dehydration symptoms impair our cognitive and motor abilities. However, if the human body goes 36 hours without sleep we can begin to lose cognitive and motor abilities which can impair a persons from completing normal every day tasks.

Resting is one of the simplest ways we can build our health and yet it is one of the most overlooked aspects of health. Normal adults need 7-9 hours of sleep a night, but most people rarely get this. It is not that we don’t necessarily have time to sleep, but rather the majority of people live lifestyles which discourage good sleeping habits. Extended hours of screen time late into the evening, large amounts of caffeine consumption, as well as bad bedtime routines all contribute to poor sleep. Chronic insomnia zaps you energy level and affects your mood and your health.

Think it’s your doctor who cares about how much sleep you get? Psalm 127:2 says,

“It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil; for he gives sleep to His loved ones.”

It is vain. That means it is pointless. Bread of sorrow. That means that this habit, not sleeping enough, will bring you troubles. When you consider that the most common symptom of sleep deprivation is irritability and poor decision making, it is no wonder that other aspects of our lives are suffering. Our relationships will suffer when we are irritable and making bad choices. Our finances will suffer when we are not thinking clearly enough to make good money decisions. Sleep deprivation even has an effect on our immune system, making us more susceptible to infections and disease when we are tired. Those all sound like “the bread of sorrows,” don’t they?

The foundation of health can be improved by creating a bedtime routine. Cut off caffeine early in the afternoon and cutoff screen time earlier in the evening. Set a priority on sleep and your health will improve.

Hydration

If there were a pill available that could improve your mood, brighten your skin, increase blood flow in your entire body thereby increasing your metabolism, help you lose weight, and create an improvement on the functionality of every system in your body would you take it? Would if it didn’t even cost any money? It’s available i your kitchen right now.

We don’t need this magical pill, because God has already provided for us a substance that provides all of these benefits. Yet, many people walk around dehydrated every day. Me included, I hate to admit it, but I would rather drink coffee than water every day. I reason with myself saying “well, coffee is made of water, but I know it’s not the same.” It’s another example of a simple thing that can complicate other aspects of our lives. Remember, God intends for our lives to work toad a seamless whole, not as dis-jointed parts.

Signs of dehydration often include muddled thinking, irritability and lack of energy. Think about how these symptoms can affect our relationships, or money decisions in our work life. If we are irritable, we might find ourselves being unkind to those around us. Even something as simple as staying hydrated has an effect on our lives as a whole.

Lack of ongoing proper hydration can also lead to physical issues such as constipation, joint pain, and decreased heart function.

You might be thinking, “Well, should I drink more water, but God doesn’t actually say anything about that in the Bible, God has all wisdom and James 4:17 says,

“To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn’t do it, to him is sin.“

God gets us humans. Remember, He made us in our mother’s womb. He knows how we are always looking for a loophole (like my water-coffee excuse.M

Making even small health changes such as adding more water and less sugary drinks can have an impact on our lives. And brings the parts of our lives into more harmony.

Exercise

The same logic of, “if you know to do good…“ can be applied in the realm of exercise as well. This is a area that many of us would like to avoid if possible. The truth is our bodies cannot it be used efficiently in the service of God if we are not strong and healthy.

Timothy 4:8 says,

“For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.“

We must keep in mind, however, that this scripture was written in a time period where just daily life provided almost all the exercise anyone could ever need to be healthy and strong. In Paul’s day, people walked everywhere, literally everywhere they went. It was a manual labor rule, not an exception. Everyone worked hard physically from sun up to sun down. Even the rich and privileged would have exerted more physical activity in one day just going about there normal lives than we do. So, more than likely the word exercise in this scripture is relative to the time period. Most likely, Paul is referencing Roman athletes who performed for entertainment. These people would have had exercise regiments that were above and beyond the normal exercise that everyone was getting.

Today, our lives Domitian provide the amount of physical activity needed to be strong and healthy. It must be supplemented with planned intentional exercise.

Exercise improves all systems of our body, elevated our mood and helps us sleep better. Once again all these things work together to keep the parts of the whole us working best.

You may think God only cares about your church attendance, and maybe if we give a little to the church once in a while. But, God cares about every aspect of our lives. That is why He has provided, in His Word, answers and solutions to problems which we face in every aspect of our lives.

If you think you’ve found a problem that the Word of God doesn’t address, dig in and see if God has skipped anything that is relevant to the human experience.

What principles I Live By

What principles define how you live?

The principles I live by are guidelines to follow in order to please God and grow in faith. Some of these principles include:

True repentance of sins and asking God for forgiveness.
Asking for God’s grace to deny any ungodliness and shun worldliness
Abstaining from all appearances of evil and following righteousness
Developing a habit of thanking God for big and small things throughout the day.
Seeking the Wisdom of God. And having a fear of the Lord.
Avoiding foolish or ignorant disputes
Always being willing to accept advice.

I have a view that every Word in the Holy Bible is the true way of living. It’s brings wisdom for having a blessed life. I use the Bible as my instruction book.

The Destructive Power Of Unforgiveness

What is your first response when someone hurts you? Maybe you immediately become angry and want to retaliate. Or perhaps you outward expression doesn’t change, but inside you begin to quietly nurse bitterness. Being nurt by someone, particularly someone you love and trust, causes sadness and confusion. The more you dwell on hurtful situations or event, grudges filled with resentment and hostility can take root.

Unforgiveness can be defined psychologically as the emotional imbalance due to delayed response towards a transgressor. However, the expression of anger, hatred, frustration or violence depends on the mental state of a person. Studies show that unforgiveness is a type of stress response that has a direct impact on the mental and psychology of a person. unforgiveness provokes a person to respond intensely with ultimate impacts on social and cognitive behavior. People who have delayed expressing to trauma cannot interact with other people well. Trauma caused by unforgiveness impacts communication skills, abilities thinking, and decision making power.

It is thought to believe that the negative effects of unforgiveness are similar to those of interpersonal mental trauma. The human brain when suffering from a trauma goes into a hyperactive state when can cause hormonal imbalance.

When Unforgiveness goes unaddressed delayed negative emotions can cause a number of long term mental health problems. Depression is one of them. unexpressed emotions that are formed from Unforgiveness causes this type depression to be more dangerous than other forms. Studies show that Unforgiveness not only causes mental problems but physical problems as well.

Unforgiveness almost cost me my life, my marriage, my children, and my health. I attempted suicide many times, suffered from horrible depression, had stomach problems, unbearable headaches, joint pain, and cancer.

When we choose Unforgiveness it doesn’t hurt the person/people who hurt us, we hurt ourselves.

It took me over 15 years to realize what I was doing to myself and those closest to me.

Unforgiveness is spiritually destructive because it’s contrary to God’s will and effects our emotions, thoughts, and relationships. Scripture is clear that we are to forgive anyone who causes us harm, because we ourselves have been forgiven by God. The grace God pours out on each of us should be our motivation to extend grace to others.

Forgiveness involves a total change of attitude and action. When we give up resentment toward someone and relinquish the desire for revenge, we begin to heal from the inside out. In our own strength it is impossible, but if instead of rehearsing our hurts, we ask the Lord to change us and forgive us, He can begin to fill us with the power to forgive others.

When I did this, God transformed my heart. While I have no more stomach issues, and was cured of cancer after a long battle. I still suffer from joint pain, and reoccurring headaches. My life has improved tremendously. But looking back I am regretful I didn’t realize any of the issues that Unforgiveness caused me. I have had to come to grips with the years I’ve wasted by not forgiving my mother, and all that I’ve lost because of my refusal to do so. But, I am thankful for my time I have left. And looking forward to a beautiful life ahead.

My advice is not wait to seek a life of forgiveness. Unforgiveness is a destroyer of life, and life is too short as is it. Don’t waste it.

What I’ve Been Putting Off

What have you been putting off doing? Why?

I have been putting off a surgery I need to have, not because I am scared, but because I have an allergy to nickel.

I need a total knee replacement. I’ve need it for probably 10 years now. I am an active person and I know this will slow me down.

I am having this surgery tomorrow. And am trusting God. I found an orthopedic surgeon that I’m sure I can trust, and have been praying.

It’s time to take this step and move on to new things.

The Shalom (Peace) Of God

Shalom is a little word with enormous significance. It’s Hebrew for hello, goodbye, and peace. It’s a word that is full of hope when greeting someone, wishing them well as they leave, and expressing to then your positive desire for their well-being. Shalom implies wholeness, wellness, and contentedness.

It is one word which says to a person as you greet them or say goodbye, “as we meet each other or as we depart, may your life be filled with hope, happiness, health, peace, prosperity, and all things good that can possibly be communicated.

Shalom Can Be Elusive

Shalom is not easy to come by. Though people’s strive for peace, very few people find it. Most spend their lives in pursuit of it. Whether that pursuit takes one in the direction of business, the arts, or family, everyone’s desire is to find that which satisfies and brings them Shalom. It’s finding satisfaction in life that we are all striving for.

The reason we are all searching for Shalom is because we live in a world that is not peaceful. Our lives are filled with turmoil of some sort. Void of peace. We are comforted daily with a disarray, broken, and lost barrage at home, at work, from the internet and television. Bombarded by events both audible and visual that remind us how elusive Shalom can be.

A quick look at the internet, social media, or the evening news is enough to shatter a person’s hope. At home we struggle to raise and protect our families. Distractions abound. We are compelled by a broken world to endeavor to bring Shalom back into our lives.

Shalom Can Be Fleeting

Once found Shalom can quickly disappear. The world around us is constantly changing, throwing new challenges in our direction. That which brings Shalom one moment may be gone the next or replaced by something else that robs us of the newly found Shalom.

Real Shalom Is Devine

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and your through to in Messiah Yeshua” -Philippians 4:6-7 (Messianic).

Real Shalom can only come from God -from a relationship with Him through Jesus. It’s “other worldly” internal personal conflicts, those at home and those created by external circumstances, can only be resolved by intervention from a Holy God external to ourselves. Jesus said He came to bring us Shalom, but not like the world defines it.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let it be fearful” -John 14:27 (Messianic).

True Shalom comes from understanding God’s shalom. It is a heart motivated, spiritual contentment that comes from recognizing our inability to control our own circumstances. Trusting God, and accepting His will, and understanding His ultimate sovereignty brings true peace.

Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of God.

The Things Above

The world has a way of getting us down. It fills us with distractions, temptations, and entertainment, it promises us happiness but never fully delivering. It’s easy to become weighed down and overwhelmed looking at the state of the world, as it is full of corruption and confusion that surrounds us.

When we focus on earthly things our eyes forget to look above. We forget the blessings and promises we have through our adoption from God. Our satisfaction in Christ slips away as well.

Colossians 3 explores what it means to set your mind on things above, enabling us to experience the true joy the Father wants to lavish on us. When we set our eyes on Him, we are better able to listen for His voice, and be guided through this life with hope.

The Bible gives us clear instructions. We are not to linger our old habits of fear, sin, and discouragement, as we were unbelievers. Instead we are called to lay these things down that hinder us and through the power of the Holy Spirit step into a new life.

Our desire to look to earthly things instead of heavenly things comes from two flaws in thinking. We either looks to earthly things because we think they will serve us somehow – such as bringing us comfort, identity, pleasure, etc… or we look to earthly things because we forget who we serve. The first step toward setting your mind on things above is to rid yourselves of your old self and turn away from your sins that accompany it.

Every time I ask God for forgiveness, I work on never doing that sin again. If I’m not trying to turn away from the sin in my life, why am I asking God for forgiveness in the first place.

Sin keeps us from having a relationship with God and keeps our eyes on lowly things. We cannot be fully in a relationship with God’s and remain part of the system of the sin we’ve been delivered from. Imagine trying to climb a ladder with heavy weights tied to your ankles. You would be dragged back down with every step you intend to take. The ways of heaven and earth are opposed to each other. We cannot achieve a heavenly mindset while we are persisting in our earthly actions.

Getting rid of sin in our life cannot be done in our own strength. If we try to do it in our own power, we will always fail. God gives us the power to reject sin and temptations through the empowering of the Holy Spirit transform our minds through His Word (2 Peter 1:3). Reading God’s Word helps us to put on our new self, which makes us justified through Christ.

When we focus on things of this world, our peace is stolen from us. We become so wrapped up in the transient things that we forget the eternal foundation and unshifting identity of Christ. The world shakes and shifts, but. Christ is our strong tower (our rock), our refuge, and our peace (Psalm 91:2).

Isaiah 26:3 states that the Lord will keep us in “perfect peace” when we focus our minds on Him and trust in Him. Perfect peace is what everyone strives for on earth, yet it’s impossible when we focus on earthly things. It’s possible when we set our minds on the things above.

Being thankful to God may not come easily in all situations in life. Yet we need to be keenly aware of every good thing that comes from God. We are all deserving of His wrath for our rebellion against Him, for violating His laws and departing from what is true and right. However, through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, He made salvation.

We should set our eyes, hearts, and mind on the things above, and run the race set before that leads to victory.

Two Big Reasons People Reject God

Many people reject God, but have you ever wondered why? The two biggest reasons are,

Religious Hypocrisy

Imagine growing up in a home where your parents forced you to attend Church services but never talked about Jesus throughout the week. They always complained about society as if they were perfect saints trapped in a world of sinners. They never read the Scriptures and they never prayed before meals. They talked openly of the sins of others but never confessed their own.

For millions of people, this is not a life imagined but a description of the life they’ve already lived. I remember a neighbor of ours who did this, and every year, the man of the house would come and steal vegetables and fruit out of my father’s garden. And not just a little, all of it. I remember thinking, that my parents weren’t perfect, but at least they didn’t steal food from the neighbors. It just always bothered me, how people would talk about not sinning and then do it themselves.

No matter what form hypocrisy takes, it’s offensive to God, and to others. Brennan Manning famously said, “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today as Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle.” While it’s impossible to know for sure that hypocrisy is the greatest single cause of atheism, it’s certainly ranks towards the top. Jesus Himself rejected Rejected Religious Hypocrisy.

People who reject Jesus, are really rejecting the hypocrisy of others. The people who are spreading the hypocrisy are giving Jesus a bad name. Which causes people to reject the real Jesus. Jesus doesn’t claim religious hypocrites, so they who say they are religious will hear, “Depart from me I never knew you, just as the non-believers will.

Pride

People want to run their own lives, they don’t want anyone -especially God to interfere with the way they are living. They want to be in control of everything they do, and they know that if they were to believe in God, they would have to change their lifestyle. Instead of living by their own list of what’s right and wrong, they would have to take seriously God’s moral standards.

Life without God, is to live without hope -hope for His presence, hope for eternity. Instead of knowing that God has put us here for a purpose, they end up living without any ultimate meaning in life. No wonder Psalm 14:1 says, The fool says in his heart, there is no God.

The First Time I Ever Felt Like A Grown Up

When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?

I felt like a grown up at age 12. It was when I drank my first beer. It was then I realized that no one actually cared for me, I remember thinking, “my mom was a monster. My father became an alcoholic when my brother’s died.” I knew I had no one but myself.

From that point on I started making my own decisions. Coming and leaving the house when I wanted to. And basically fending for myself.

I grew up hard and fast. I roamed the streets of town until everything stopped, to cars were around except the police.

I often think if this had happened in today’s modern society, what would have happened to me.

Don’t Claim Sickness

Has anyone ever asked you what you drive? Your answer usually goes like this, “I have a blue Chevy Canyon.” I have, I have signifies you possess something that belongs to you. You claimed the car that you own. Now if you were driving your sister’s car that you narrowed that day, you might reply, “I am driving my sister’s orange Jeep Renegade.” You are agreeing you are driving the car for the day, but deny that it belongs to you. Sickness is an energy that might attract itself to you, but Do Not Claim It or accept it as yours.

When you say, “I have horrible headaches,” you are acknowledging that it belongs to you. “I have arthritis,” does it belong to you” is it yours? You are what you say you are. When you say it, you are telling your brain to process it.

It is just like when we say we’re tired all the time, and we can actually feel ourselves getting more tired.

Instead, say something like, “I am currently experiencing these symptoms.” It describes what is happening, but does not establish ownership.

These are better ways to say what needs to be said, and should only be said when it’s necessary. Rather than continually repeating these words and focus on them focus on the end result, whether health comes miraculously, through doctors, medicine, or holistic treatments, or change of diet; it does make a difference – there is power in our words.

“For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body” – James 3:2-3 (NKJV)

If I had a million dollars

If you had a million dollars to give away, who would you give it to?

If I had a million dollars, I would open a dog sanctuary. With so many animals being given to Animal shelters during these tough times. I would take the dogs who were having been left in shelters for a long time.

I would also help feed starving children. With as much money that goes around in the world it is inexcusable that there are children starving .

We have many rich people getting greedier by the day. And the poor people getting poorer.