Remember That You Become What You Practice Most

Repeated practice is one of the most basic principles of most spiritual and meditation paths. In other wards, whatever you practice most is what you become. Not only In spiritual or meditation but everything in your life. If you are in the habit of being uptight whenever life isn’t going right, repeatedly reacting to criticism by defending yourself, insisting on being right, allowing your thinking to snowball In respond to adversity, or acting like life is an emergency, then unfortunately your life will be a reflection of this type of practice. You will be frustrated because, in a sense you have practiced being frustrated.

However, you can choose to bring forth in yourself qualities of compassion, patience, kindness, humility, and peace again through practice. I guess it’s safe to say that practice makes perfect. Be careful of what you practice.

It not to say that you make your entire life into a great big project where the goal is to be constantly improving yourself. Only that it’s immensely helpful to become conscious of your own habits, both internal and external. Where is your attention? How do you spend your time? Are you practicing habits that are helpful to your stated goals? Is what you say you want in life consistent with what your life really stand for? Simply asking yourself these questions, and answering them honestly, helps to determine which strategies will be most useful for you. Have you ever said to yourself I’d like to spend more time by myself or I’ve always wanted to learn to meditate, yet somehow you’ve never found the time?

Many people sadly spend more time washing their car or watching reruns on television shows they don’t even enjoy than they do than making time for aspects of life that nurture their hearts. When you will remember that what you practice you become, you may begin choosing different types of practice.

Big John Coal Miner Statue

Big John is a towering coal miner entirely covered in glossy black paint made in 1964 This statue is in Helper Utah.

When Life Seems Unfair

Have you ever felt like life is unfair? I’m sure we all have. It’s easy to get frustrated when people who don’t follow Jesus or care about Him seem to do well in life. A business person who cheats to get a big contract, the people who party all the time who is robust and healthy while you or your love one’s struggle with finances or medical issues. It make us feel cheated, like maybe we’ve been good for nothing by following Jesus in his will and ways.

If you’ve ever felt this way, your in good company.

In Psalm 73 David writes a whole list of how the wicked prosper then, he says, “surely in vain I have kept my heart pure.” But the tide of his thoughts turns when he recalls him time in God’s presence. “Then he understood their final destiny in Psalm 17.

When we spend time with God and see things from His point of view, it changes our perspective completely. We may be jealous of non-believers now, but we won’t be at Judgement time. As the saying goes, what difference does it make if you win the battle but lose the war.

Let’s praise God’s for his presence in this life and His promise of the life to come

Psalm 73: 25-28

He is all you need, even when life seems unfair.

Song By Ryan Stevenson- The Gospel

A restless generation. We’re turning over every stone. Hoping to find salvation. In a Worlds that’s left us cold.

Can we get back to the Gospel? Bactto the arms of our first love, there’s only one way to the Father and He’s calling out to us.

To the captive, it looks life freedom. To the orphan, it feels like home. To the skeptics, it might sound crazy to believe in God who loves. In a world, where hearts are breaking and we’re lost in the mess we’ve made. Like a blinding light, in the dead of night. It’s the Gospel

The Gospel that makes a way. It’s the Gospel that makes a way.

It’s the cure for our condition. It’s the good news for us all. It’s greater that religion. It’s the Power of the Cross.

The amazing news of the Gospel. Is not that we can receive Jesus into our lives. But that He’s already received us into His.

In my own life, it means forgiveness. When I know I deserve to fall. It called me out of darkness and carried me to cross. In a moment, my heart was changed. Like a blinding light, in the dead of night. It’s the Gospel.

This song it so true. I was at the point where, I went to a doctor and he said “I don’t know why you haven’t killed yourself yet? I was in a very dark place. It was what that Doctor said that actually got me thinking. Why haven’t I killed myself yet? I had fought to live my entire life when I wanted to die.

It was God who kept me alive, Did He really have a purpose for my life. I believe he did. I didn’t know then what it was. He is using my story to help others find hope. Yes, It’s that simple.

Garbage In Garbage Out

We need to treat our bodies well so that God can work to His full extent.

You would pour water into your gas tank into a vehicle and expect it to run. That would be ridiculous. But what about your body, it will only take so much punishment. Scientists have been warning us about the use of tobacco and alcohol, nervous tension, obesity. And yet we chose to press our luck.

In Genesis 1: 29 and 2: 16, God gave Adam and Eve every herb and tree that yielded seed. The diet God gave his people in the beginning was fruits, grains, nut and vegetables. After the flood of Noah he could eat every moving thing that eats, but to not eat the blood. Some people argue that God gave Noah permission to eat things like snakes and cockroaches. But in Genesis 7: 2 it shows us the Noah knew the difference between clean and unclean animals.

I think this goes for every area of our lives. For example if you watch horror movies it can change your mood. It can make you angry. I used to love horror movies, but after watching them I became angry and just plain mean to everyone around me. That’s not how I wanted to life my life. Some people say things like that don’t change who you are. I disagree. How about watching pornography? Or hanging out with friend that steal?

1 Corinthians 15: 33 says “Do not be deceived: Bad company ruin good morals.

What words come out of your mouth? Is it Good or Bad? What you are saying out load affects the energy and people around you.

When my son entered the Service one of the first things they taught him was Garbage in Garbage out. He had never heard that before. And didn’t understand what it meant at supper that night he learned. He told me they have great food, even a dessert table, ice cream, pudding, cake and so on. Being a dessert lover my son enjoyed himself. About an hour after supper they were called to do a ten mile run. His Sergeant said to them “garbage in garbage out.” If garbage goes in it has to come out. He never had dessert again after that. For some reason his story has taken a tole on me.

It’s the same with what you put into your mind. When your constantly putting garbage in what do you expect will come out. Garbage right. It’s not like you wonder why is this happening to me. Or I don’t know why this is happening. Take a look at what you’ve been watching, doing, reading eating. You will probably find your answer.

At some point, what we see and hear moves from being in our heads to being in our heart

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God has made it clear that living a blame life life takes determination to follow his ways. In psalm 101:3 we are given the instruction to be careful, watchful and aware. When we see evil, in any for, we are to put it to silence and cut it off.

We must constantly look upon what is good set God’s Word before us everyday. We must look to Him whose walk is blameless. What ever is true, noble, right, pure, what ever is lovely, admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.

Erase the evil- embrace the good. We want places of peace and harmony and filled with love. Is that what you invite in?

What we bring into our homes invades our minds and eventually our hearts. And what is in our hearts will come out of our mouths and dictate our actions.

Luke 6: 45 says: The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart his mouth speaks.

We all have a Guilty Pleasures, What’s yours? Mine is having friend time and enjoying a couple of beers on Friday nights. Sometimes it can feel God wants to ruin our fun but when we know God’s character and how He is good and knows what’s best. I would be just as happy having friend time and drink a soda, or water.

Make Peace With Imperfection

I’ve yet to meet an perfections whose life was filled with inner peace. The need for perfection and the desire for inner tranquility conflict with each other. Whenever we are attached to having something a certain way, better than it already is we are almost engaged in a losing battle.

Rather than being content and grateful for what we have, we are focused on what’s wrong with something and our need to fix it. When we are zeroed in on what’s wrong it says we are dissatisfied, discontent.

Whether it’s related to ourselves or a disorganized closet, a scratch on our car, a few pounds we would like to lose-or someone else’s imperfections- the way some else behaves, or lives their life. The very act focusing on imperfection pulls us away from our goals of being kind and gentle.

This has nothing to do with ceasing todo your very best but with being overly attached and focused on what’s wrong with your life. It’s about realizing that there’s always a better way to do something, this doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy and appreciate, the way things already are.

The solution may be to catch yourself when you fall into your habit of insisting that things should be other than they are. Remind your self that life is okay the way it is right now. That in the absence of your judgement, everything would’ve fine.

This was a hard lesson for me to learn. It took me awhile to realize that everything would turn out fine without me poking my nose into everything that was going on. One day I thought to myself I’m stopping what I’m doing. I’m not going to sweat it. It gave me so much peace when I learned to simply walk away and let things be.

As you begin to eliminate your need for perfection in all areas of your life, you’ll begin to discover the perfection in life itself.

The only thing we can be perfect at is love.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfect in love.

1 John 4: 18

Why Are You Waiting?

We are doing quite a bit of waiting at this moment. It’s never easy because you want to get to the other side of whatever you’re facing.

We are all facing the same storm, but we are all certainly not in the same boat.

Steve Furtlick

There are some of the same concerns for all people right now, but some are facing different challenges on top our universal concerns.

While we stumble through the wilderness looking for a way out, don’t lose hope. Faith is the most important thing you can have right now.

The other side of the storm is your promised land. When you get there, don’t be afraid to enter it.

This may sound like common sense, but some may hesitate. Why? You get stuck in the storms of life for so long sometimes it can be hard to believe when the waves have calmed down and the wind has stopped.

Everything you are facing right now will pass. You will get through it. Never stop believing God’s promises for your life.

When the storm has passed, take possession of the life God has planned for you. Make your test your testimony to His goodness.

What promises of God have to held onto in your storms?

How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord has given you?

Joshua 18:3

There is a song I like to listen you when I get discouraged when going through a storm.

Holy Ground

For when we have a need He is still the answer Reach out and claim it for we are standing on Holy Ground.

Living For A Purpose

One of the key elements of a flourishing life is a since of purpose that allows us to find our passions, pursue important goals and ultimately live lives of authentic happiness . Most of us go about our lives without actively thinking about what purpose we are trying to accomplish. However, there are steps we can take to develop a more deliberate awareness of our goals and achieve lives of meaning.

Psalms 138: 8 says: The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord endures for ever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Be clear about your purpose and intentions: Who do you want to be? How do you want to live? What do you want to do? How are you going to do it?

Then explore the roads that lead to your goals and the obstacles that are in your way. Ofer, these obstacles will become opportunities for growth and change.

Purpose is about intention, having goals that help build the framework For your plans and fulfillment in life. If you want to eat more healthy, you’ll want to buy more fruits and vegetables. If you want to have a positive effect on the environment, learn more about the issues and join like minded people so you can get your cause out there.

Look At The Big Picture

Then fill in the details. From the time you are small, those around you- from your parents to the society you grew up in influence you, tell you what is important and how they expect you to live. While these influences can be helpful, it is important to find your own meaning and purposes. The easiest way is to look at the big picture and then work out the small details.

I recently met a man the came from a troubled childhood, he grew up in a single parent household. He mother worked to jobs to provide for him and his siblings. He has a very good job and wanted to do something to help in the community he thought paying back was just writing check. yes, money will always help but it’s not really about money, it about purpose. Helping people through your experiences, what you e been trough in life. Helping them learn through your life and what you had to go through to get where you are. There’s a plan to give back three categories, money, hands, and heart. You can give back with your money, hands and your heart. I personally like giving back with my hands and my heart. I have met some great people and experienced so many blessings in this way. And it can lead to the fulfillment of your purpose.

Look At Your Morals and Values

If you want to live with purpose, you need to understand and explore what you value most. If you value teaching children you can focus on that area. If you value creating beauty, you can focus on growing a beautiful garden or express yourself through music. If you value helping others, find a area which you can. My community has areas that help in drug and alcohol addiction, helping others with depression, suicide, church’s that help with yard work for the elderly, organizations the help Veteran’s in our area. If you want to help others you will have to find out what’s in your community.

Use Your Strengths To Build Up Your Weakness

Often we need the weaker parts of ourselves in order to accomplish what we desire. If you feel stuck in an unsatisfactory job because you are adverse to risk-taking, work on building up your courage. If you struggle with time management and don’t have time to add volunteer responsibilities you’re interested in, work on your organization skills and start small with just every other week. I volunteer at a thrift store that all it’s profit goes to helping people go to rehab for addictions. I can only work 3-4 hours a week. But if you don’t have much time. Every little thing helps.

Think About Your Legacy

Imagine what kind of legacy you would like to leave. Think about you past and what you are satisfied with and what you regret. What messages do you want to leave behind. Who you are and what is important to you. This will help shape your purpose and goals.

The Importance Of Self Disipline

I was thinking about self-discipline. Most of the failures in my life have come as a result of my own weakness.

It was said Procrastination is the easy way to quitting.

The possession of self-discipline enables to you choose, and then persevere with action, thoughts and behavior. Which leads to Improvement and success. It also gives you power and inner strength.

This skill gives you the power to stick to your decisions and follow them through, without changing your mind.

I admittedly don’t have self-discipline when it comes to eating. I love to eat that is my down fall. I cannot say no to food. I have tried a thousand diets seen many Weight loss doctors. But all of them I have failed at. Just because I cannot say no to food. I know I need self-discipline to do it. I will never give up on losing weight. No one perfect but don’t give up on something just because it’s difficult.

This skill also manifests as inner strength, assisting you in a stronger will power. When this is well-developed it becomes to overcome overeating, procrastination and laziness.

Understanding A Few Things

Self-discipline means self-control, the ability to avoid unhealthy excess or anything that could have negative consequences.

The ability to reject instant gratification and pleasure, In favor of some greater gain, which requires spending effort and time to get it.

It means perseverance and not giving up.

It is the strength no to give in to negative feelings.

It means overcoming one’s weaknesses.

It is the ability to pursue ones plans despite temptations to abandon them.

A disciplined person is more punctual invests more time and effort in what they do, and is more likely to take control and responsibility for their life. They can set goals and take steps to achieve them.

.self-discipline is one of the most important ingredients of success. It expresses itself in a few ways.

The ability not to give up, despite failure and setbacks. The ability to resist distractions or temptations. Trying. Over and over again until you accomplish what you set out to do.

Life puts challenges and problems on our path and in order to rise above them, we have to act with perseverance and persistence. The paths in our lives require discipline.

Having this skill leads to self-esteem and confidence, to happiness and satisfaction.

But the lack or self- discipline can lead to failure, loss, spoiling of relationships, health problems and obesity.