Sometimes we are our own enemy due to a condition called arrogance and stubborness. Whether this terrible condition is manifested in a passive or aggressive manner it impedes our ability to look inside and assess areas in our life that need modification and streghtening of the weaker areas. It is not until a storm is announced or at times we wait until its arrival to decide to start making changes. Do not wait for the annoucement of the storm to arrive, very likely at that time it's too late and then instead you are going to be counting loses and the next disease you are going to acquire guilt and regret. Just liberate yourself from the blinders of arrogance and stubborness, look inside and assess. As you are in this process allow for God to help you and instruct you. "Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from days of trouble..." (Psalm 94).
Dear Reader: Thank you for the opportunity of allowing me to engage in the journey of life with you. In know that many of us are cruising through difficult and at times confusing times. However regardless of our current circumstances, no matter how hard or how dark and hopeless, together we can add some light in the midst of the darkness.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
...Waiting during the Storm
At times we are confronted with that appear to be monumental and too big for us and our strength. Many times during the storm we do not even know what to do or just we cannot do anything, and it is required for us to stay still and wait. AWWWWW what a horrendous feeling, that is when we start developing the famous anxiety and panic attacks. Well given that there is so much you can do I there you to put your trust in the Lord and His faithful promises. Know that He will be with you and for you and like in 2 Chronicles 20, praise Him, worship Him, and believe. He will fight this battle for you. "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you."
BELIEVE.
BELIEVE.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Your Gifts
Many are waiting for doomsday. Those who are consciously or unconsciously
tired of life and those who are enduring significant pains and sorrows in life are
looking forward to this day. However, many do not verbalize it, but do think
about it. Well in the mean time as you
wait for doomsday and even those who are relentlessly doing preparations for
this day, do not forget about today.
Today is real and you cannot run away from it. And even if you are tired
of life and want to cease, if you look inside there are still gifts. Even if you consider those gifts to be insignificant,
they can make a difference today to make a contribution to make a better world,
in this world as we know it. If today
there was an apocalyptic event and you were standing before GOD and if He would
ask you how did you invest your time and your gifts what would you
answer????
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Fixing Others
We have the tendency to attempt to fix others. Normally this is well intentioned and comes from our perspective and vision. It comes from our ability to see what they cannot, we are positioned from our angle where we can see them at their full potential. We can see what they can become if they start making different choices, if they are courageous enough to start making changes, if they are dedicated enough to make efforts for a better good in their lives. However, when they don't engage in these efforts and when they can't see what you see many of you get frustrated, distressed, and even depressed. Then you start making efforts to even subconsciously force them to do things differently. This gives me a glimpse of how God sees us from His perspective. He sees all the potential that we can achieve, only if we desire to believe and start taking steps to fulfill the purpose for what He created us. The difference is that He respects our free will and He is waiting for us to walk on the path that He designed for us. Our individual paths is our responsibility. And I wonder what are you not doing in your path because you are engaged in fixing someone elses life. How much effort and energy are you investing into fixing others. Assess your life and start living it at its fullest, it is your responsibility. While you are assessing your life just think about the potential that God sees from His perspective and live it. Give to yourself, love yourself, invest on yourself, you are worth it. Then you will become an effective agent of transformation to others.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Challenge Yourself
Often people tell me about their dreams and goals, and shortly after they say some internal or external force shuts them them down. And again another possibility of growth and potential is extinguished, leading to mental "falls". It is like the opening or a crack that allows the entrance of unconscious feelings of low self-esteem, low self worth etc.... This allows our mind to start attending to things that are just so unimportant, yet making them important, stellar, and critical. Afterwards it turns into a vicious circle of confusion and repetitive self-defeating thoughts and behaviors. This can continue to the point that people might know that they are not living the life that they want to, but if you ask them they might not even know how to start making adjustment to get out of the dysfunciton. But guess what there is hope, only if we start taking one step at a time, and allowing the thoughts of possibilities in our minds. What is the worse thing that could happen if you try. Well you could retailor your dreams. By allowing a renewal process you could be in the good danger of allowing new and good things in your life.
Here are some bible verses that talk about the renewal of the mind.
Romans 12:2
Philippians 4:8
Romans 12:1-2
2 Corinthians 4:16
1 Peter 1:13
John 8:32
Ephesians 4:23
Colossians 3:16
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Philippians 4:6-7
Philinppians 2:5
Isaiah 42:1-8
Romans 12:1
Colossians 3:2
John 17:17
Joshua 1:8-9
John 3:16
1 Corinthians 2:16
Here are some bible verses that talk about the renewal of the mind.
Romans 12:2
Philippians 4:8
Romans 12:1-2
2 Corinthians 4:16
1 Peter 1:13
John 8:32
Ephesians 4:23
Colossians 3:16
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Philippians 4:6-7
Philinppians 2:5
Isaiah 42:1-8
Romans 12:1
Colossians 3:2
John 17:17
Joshua 1:8-9
John 3:16
1 Corinthians 2:16
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Procrastination And Friends. Winning The Battle.
When you day dream about the things that you
would like to accomplish in your life, your so called dreams and don't act on it,
I compare it to a device (e.g. car, calculator) that is not being used
according to its potential. The interesting thing is that when we talk about
our dreams, or merely things that we would like to do with our lives, we are
talking about vision. Many have talked about this topic from various angles,
some from the metaphysical, others from a combination of metaphysical and
quantum physics, others from a religious (e.g. Chrisitian) perspective. Simply
the topic can be reduced to “living at your own and specific maximum potential”,
“your potential DNA”. You see, God created you with a specific set of talents
that make you unique and different from others, and you know it. He created you
for a purpose and vision. You have seen those people that consciously or
unconsciously we tend to admire, those people that kind of walk with the swag
of living according to their potential. But the problem with this is that as
you continue to admire them you might compare yourself and start feeling with a
lower self-esteem if you are not doing what you are meant to do in life and
with your life. This is because of procrastination,
because of the lack of commitment and consistency in your life and with your
life. You most people at one level or
another deal and struggle with procrastination, but the difference lies in who
wins that internal battle. And when you
see those around you that you admire because of their accomplishments is because
they win one battle at a time. They live
according to that fire that they have in their heart. As they continue
mastering this, the ability to dominate over procrastination becomes more
implicit; and it becomes more natural to them.
Then instead of day dreaming about what life could be, they day dream
about how to continue expanding on the life that they are living.
Procrastination does not only intervene with the
initial attempt, it also attacks after you have started something, and it comes
disguised in your mind as thoughts of doubts about potential success, and/or
your historical inability to be consistent with and for you. And then, it
happens, again procrastination wins another round, leaving you with a subtle
feeling of poor self-efficacy, and poor self-esteem. Then in many cases the
pity party, "poor me", nothing works for me "ever" in life.
You know God says in his word: "Be strong and corageous. Do not be
afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever
you go" (Joshua 1:9 NIV). You see is not that He or anyone will do it
for you. You need to master yourself, and dominate over your thoughts. So I encourage
you to apply the formula below to any of your goals as you move forward with
them, and even have it with you at all times, like in a little piece of paper.
So whenever the thoughts of doubts and discouragement come with the purpose of
knocking you down you can attack them. Remember these thoughts are always going
to come the difference is how you master them.
Formula:
God + Action + Commitment + Consistency =
Accomplished Goals/Success.
G+A+Cm+Cn= AG/S
Apply this formula, or modify it and personalize
it for your specific needs. This formula will help you get up when your
thoughts or the way you process the comments others. Apply this formula when you feel that your
case is hopeless, when you are confronted with any obstacle, will help you to
focus your attention, etc. Only you can
do this, no one can walk the path for you. Take responsibility for your life.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Relational Benefits
You see when you are well acquainted with a person, is when you get to know
the nature of a person. By having
intimate relationships with them, you will know on whom you can rely on in
moments of crisis. Even then in those difficult times you will be able to see
more of their true colors as these intensify in times of need, and at times
people will disappoint you, that is human nature. Do you remember a blog that I
posted days ago about the nature of God?
I gave you known characteristics of His nature. However, different from us humans, He will
not disappoint us if we really give Him a chance. Careful with manipulation,
sometimes we confuse manipulation (and this occurs in human relationships as
well) and subtle passive coercion with unreliability. You see at times we get confused and labeled someone
as one as mean or unreliable when they don’t respond to our demands, and not allowing
others to give us what they have according to their will, not ours. This unconscious process also influences our
perspective of God. Among the many people I have the privileged to meet and
talk to on a daily basis, I met a woman that prior to what I call "the
fall" (based on the book from Albert Camus) she had a very intimate
relationship with God. And this
relationship increased her reserve of resilience for what she was going to
confront later in life. She was diagnosed
with an aggressive form of bone marrow cancer among significant financial
crises. But due to her understanding of
the loving nature of God, after her diagnosis and other issues, she has been able
to welcome the loving healing nature of God into her life, her healing, and
provision. I also have been able to
witness people fall apart while enduring temporary and light crises in their
lives. Unfortunately in this world we
are exposed to difficulties. Jesus said These things I have spoken unto you, that in
me ye might have peace. In the world ye
shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John
16:33 KJV). Take advantage of the
time of peace in your life for you don’t know when you might need to tap into
the reserve of resilience that comes from a close and intimate relationship
with the God of love, for God is love, and desires to be with you always.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
..."Commitments"
One of the many definitions of the word "commit", which is a word so commonly used, according to the Webster's dictionary is to "pledge or obligate one's own self". It is basically the force that drives us to start the process, the power of putting an idea/thought into action. But most times we are about to start a new process, a new quest in life, is when we tap into our commitment reserve to start. Some may say tat the most difficult thing to do in life is to give the first step to start something. But after we start anything, is our character, doubts, inconsistencies, personal history etc., that play a role into our ability to persevere, to remain, to endure, and continue engaging in the process until full completion. There, while in the journey is when we start stumbling with factors that threaten the completion of our goals, is when we need to increase our commitment reserve. And this is what we need to complete all those life changes that we so eagerly desire. Remember, "commitment" is your motor and precursor needed to make everything happen.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
The NEW
"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No they pour new wine into the new wineskins, and both are preserved." (Mathew 9:16-17)
While in the process of searching and establishing the NEW in our lives we need to understand the importance of renewing ourselves to be able to welcome, host, and preserve the new in our lives. At times it requires a process of mutation/change, and this can be painful. Whatever our old patterns are beneficial and adaptive or maladaptive, we are so used to them that we prefer to just stay there instead of embarking in the process of change. Change requires a courageous decision not intent. You can do it, one step at a time. I assure you that God will be giving you strength every step of the way, no matter the size of your steps, just be consistent.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Nature of God
In case you are having some difficulty with the exercise of thinking and meditating about the loving nature of God let me help you a little.
El Shaddai - Lord God Almighty
El Elyon - The Most High God
Jehovah Nissi - The Lord My Banner
Jehovah-Raah - The Lord My Shepherd
Jehovah Rapha -The Lord That Heals
Jehovah Shammah - The Lord Is There
Jehovah Tsidkenu - The Lord Our Righteousness
Jehovah Mekoddishkem -The Lord Who Sanctifies You
El Olam -The Everlasting God
Qanna -Jealous
Jehovah Jireh - The Lord Will Provide
Jehovah Shalom - The Lord Is Peace
ABOVE ALL GOD IS LOVE
Add your own. The Lord of the new beginnings; My Provider; My Strength; My Oxygen
And now meditate and allow the loving nature of love bathe you with its warmth.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Our First Relationship
God created man kind to its likeness, and at the beginning, when everything including man were created there was a relationship a between man and God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis chapters 1-3). Unfortunately nowadays we have significant difficulty grasping the concept of close relationship, romance, and communion with God in such a demanding and entertaining world. You see we perceive God through religion and its ritualistic practices. But in essence God only desires to have a loving relationship with you. Despite the separation that occurred after Adam and Eve ate from the fruit of the forbidden tree, Jesus came to restitute the close communion and relationship that God initially intended with us. So at the moment we appreciate and accept Jesus’ sacrifice in the Cross we can have access to that special relationship. So in order to start this journey of restructuring life I invite you to just say to God: Jesus I accept your love and sacrifice, I repent from my sins, and I invite you Lord to come into my life, and help me to have a close relationship with you, and walk with you. How is that so difficult.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Just One Little Break
I know that many of you are under the attack duress and
distress of life. For some life
challenges might have come gradually and might have intensified throughout
time, for others it has come unexpectedly and suddenly. For others it might be that life is just empty
and meaningless, and while meditating, the thought about not existing seems so
delightful and peaceful. This does not
necessarily mean that you are going to act upon those thoughts. But many are just so tired, and the idea of
living another day seems so excruciating and monumental. I am not offering radical miracles. I know that many have heard about God. Many have the idea of God attached to the
image and perception of churches and systems asking for money. Others have the idea of God through the
interactions of others such a very close family members who have hurt them
deeply (e.g. parents). Others might have
had a painful or disappointing experience with a religious leader that might
have a very painful, disappointing, and/or doubtful. This might have possibly impacted the
perception and idea of God, and your relationship or the potential of having a
relationship with Him. In your current
situation and circumstances allow yourself a moment, a minute, five minutes,
you decide. I know that many may be
overwhelmed by many intrusive thoughts and worries of circumstances that at
this moment you feel powerless to fix right now. But be kind with yourself, and allow your
mind a short mental break. And just for
a moment allow yourself to contemplate the possible IDEA of a loving God, a
kind creator, that would love and desire to have a relationship with you. That would love to have an “organic”
relationship with you. Do you have
anything to lose? And now during the week I am inviting you to take a short
break on a daily basis to think about this about the possibility of having a
close and personal relationship with a kind and loving God. Just five minutes a day. I know that you are tired and very likely
overwhelmed, but let’s just take it from here, one day at a time.
Friday, July 6, 2012
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