Where to Start: Intervention no. 9

How to Become Healthy and Whole

Finding God in the Daily

 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.

Psalm 23:1-3  ESV

The only way a person can be authentic in their Christian walk is to be close to the Source of spiritual life. This is an on-going process that frees, heals, and rejuvenates the soul-side of living.

A HOLY SOUL-CHANGING INTERVENTION begins when we get alone with God, take spiritual inventory of everything in our past and present, and ask God what to do about it. Similar to a computer scan that  exposes viruses to get rid of them, the Holy Spirit reveals those areas that are damaging our inner selves that we might be free of their negative influences.

First, the mask must come off. People put their best foot forward. They strive to  project wholeness and capability. Christians may believe they have to act like they have it together spiritually. Troublesome areas may be hidden from view. Masks do well at masking the true nature of how it really is inside. This acts as a sort of charade or pretending that hides the true condition of their reality. Believers want to be accepted and respected so the pretense continues to play its empty tune.

When we fail to recognize the internal state of affairs, a falseness enters. There can be a lot of garbage that needs taking out. Uncovering secret sins, hurts, resentments, and then dealing with them in a spiritual manner, is a process that takes time, effort, and God's grace. But it is worth it in every way.

A pattern of healthy spiritual living is then established through spiritually motivated disciplines that take us further still and make us more like Christ.

God transforms as He renews the mind, reveals transgressions, and teaches us to yield to Him. This takes an honest look with no excuses, blame, or self-righteous attitudes. It is in the raw moment of truthfulness that the seed of a soul-changing intervention is sown that will unlock this inner cell where the real self is hidden. Thus begins a life of surrender to God and living life His way. God refreshes, heals, restores, as a transparent identity with God is established.

Whoever pursues a close relationship with God will seek change and change will come. God uses friends, family, and a host of circumstances to bring His children to a place of open talk with Him. This is always good. They, we, become Father with child and child with Father in a close, intimate, loving, connected relationship that brings much joy and inner peace.

Father God, How we need Thee. We need Thee every hour of every day. Amen

To God be the Glory

A Message of Life
Inspiration 47

The Spirit Life Rocks -- Inspiration 39

Make Your Life Count for the Good

  

So every good tree bears good fruit, 

but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

Matthew 7:17

People with a purpose live differently than those who meander along without one. Christians have a common purpose, to glorify God. How they do this involves living in the Spirit and developing a sensitivity to God's ways. This leads to fruitful living.

EVERY LIFE has potential. What an individual chooses to do with their life is up to them, barring outside manipulation, control, misfortune, or unwanted circumstances. Life can be lived for the better good. That happens when the person desires and determines to live in such a way. It is not as easy as it sounds. We can be our own worst enemy.

 Humans are born with a self-centered bent that requires managing. Scripture calls this the flesh. The flesh seeks its own and has lusts it wants to feed. Christians also have the spirit in them. The things of the flesh and the things of the spirit are oppositional in nature. Only one of these controls the person at any given time. The flesh is the default position. Even though the Spirit lives within the Christian, it is not given free access until the person aligns with it. This requires intentionality.

The Spirit dwells in the Christian. Their lives, with both flesh and spirit influences, means there is going to be spiritual conflict. Whichever one receives the focus will influence their thoughts and actions. Of course, anyone can do good and make their life count without being a Christian, that's a given. The person focused on Christ and open to the Spirit lives in a way that is becoming to their Lord. Their life becomes a reflection of Christ both inwardly and outwardly. 

The Spirit leads and guides in a multiplicity of ways. Christians can't help but bear good fruit when they're attached to things of God. You can know them by their deeds, conversation, and also, consequently, by their fruit. Often their fruit is produced behind the scenes and is not overtly visible unless you look for it, for they do their alms for God, not for human praise. So we could say, they are also known for their humbleness of spirit. 

Dear Father, Thank you for giving us the tools to live the life You've called us to. We couldn't do it without Your enabling. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Amen

To God be the Glory

God First -- Inspiration 24

When God Comes First

You can tell the authentic Christians from the pretenders by how they live and in the choices they make. It is apparent when God comes first in their lives. They don't have to say a word, but you know.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul 

and with all your mind and with all your strength.'

Mark 12:30

LIFE CHANGES dramatically when God comes first. The only way God can be first is when He is on the throne in a person's life. The only way God can be on the throne of a life is if the person surrenders their all to Him. To surrender their all to Him requires giving up doing everything their own way to do it God's way. An act of the will takes mind, body, and soul awakened in living relationship with God. First, a person much be saved from their sins by salvation of their soul. Second, they must live in close relationship with God by active seeking God through prayer and reading of God's Word. Confession and repentance are components in prayer. Loving God helps make it possible to put God first in daily living. When God comes first the choices to the good are easy to figure out, but they don't come easily. God does not demand obedience of His followers, but it is the expectation. Holiness is God-inspired living. God is holy, just, and righteous. He is also loving. Christ lives in the heart of a true Christian. Christians will be a reflection of God to the world. They listen for the Holy Spirit's leading and are able thusly to discern of God's ways. 

Dear Father in heaven, We can be so small in how we think of You. We're sorry for when we fail You and are self-centered. Please help us to see Your way and know Your truth. Amen.

To God be the Glory

The New Year Starts Well

2019

What's New, 2019

My word for last year was "structure."  2018 ended up being anything but structured. I had high hopes of finishing my various writing projects. Nada. I did get a couple new manuscripts completed though not fully edited. But I did learn something. I learned to go with the flow.

This year? Not so sure. I'm considering a couple of words but not settled on either one. I have one New Year's Resolution, though.  I will keep it to myself for the time being. It's a spiritual discipline, which I intend to be vigilant in keeping regardless of circumstances, Lord willing.

I want to enjoy 2019. I choose to be on the happy side. I 'will' myself to be positive in spirit. The rest will take care of itself. With a cheerful attitude and a 'giving' mindset, and with God's intervention and enabling, it's going to be a good year. 

 

2018, Year in Review

One big positive happened in 2018. I lost 20# last year. I am going for another 20# in 2019. Starting to wear some of the clothing I wore as a teacher back in 2012. Becoming less active physically as a writer was not good for me. I was ignoring my overall physical health.

Changes were needed. Health improvement and its maintenance are becoming a priority with me. It feels pretty nice to be losing weight instead of gaining it.

We also lost Mom. She is with her heavenly family now. I especially missed her during the holidays. I was sensitive to her missing presence as I cooked and prepared the dishes and decor. My mother was at her happiest when entertaining family. I'm glad she is now at peace. Rest In Peace, dear Mama.

Northern California's fires made for suffering and loss. I drove in the dark cloud of ash that day. It was scary around here. In 2018, national crises were playing out as they did, which also caused pain and unpleasantness. The good that came in response was from people helping each other, 'The Helpers' as Mr. Rogers liked to call them. Kind and resilent, we overcame and went forth.

 

And Now What?

I like fresh starts and new beginnings. The beginning of a new year is all that. These days I'm helping my dad a fair amount. I call myself Dad's Personal Assistant. This role keeps me in balance and not so self-focused.

In addition, my friends and I drink a lot of coffee while having one-on-one conversations at one of our homes, or New Earth Market, Starbucks, Maple Garden. I'm thankful they want to meet with me. Our conversations are meaty. Sharing our hearts with each other brings out the best in us.

 

Life is Good. 

You all are wonderful. Thanks for reading my blog. I hope you are well. I can't complain. Now, on to more to be discovered. I'm ready.

How about you?

Prayer in the Daily Occurrences of Life

We could pray 24/7.

Praying throughout the day is a beautiful thing. Suffering and struggle are everywhere. Hope and healing are also everywhere, but you must intentionally look for them in order to see their effects. Praying throughout every day becomes a lifestyle practice, an on-going conversation with our Heavenly Father. It is also a mind-set of doing good for others.

I pray as I drive, as I shop, as I sit in a coffee shop, as I view a natural wonder. As I see them, I pray for them. I pray for the homeless, for the elderly, for the children and their parents, for the disabled, for the person who looks sad, for the person in line at the clinic or pharmacy, for the friend or relative in need of a touch from God. Life is hard and everyone needs prayer. While in the hospital E-R, I pray for the newborns every time the music on the intercom announces a baby's arrival. I pray for their life and that they will someday know God and his love. Yes, it is a privilege to pray. Prayer is a blessing we give to the world.

Daily I visit an acute rehab facility where a family member is receiving assistance. Some residents have amputated limbs. Some suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Some have head traumas that limit their capbilities. Some are alert and some are not. There is a cheeriness in the place due to a friendly, caring staff. It's a different world, though. Some there get forgotten by the outside world.

An old friend of mine sings hymns with the residents on Sunday afternoons. It is a gift from his heart to theirs. When he asked me to pray in the middle of the service, it caught me off guard. I didn't know these people or their spiritual path. Yet God's grace was in that room with us. The peace of God enveloped me and them as I prayed and thanked God for being in the room with us. It was a beautiful moment. One of the residents who suffers with Alzheimer's was singing the words of a hymn. That surprised me. I had silently prayed for her the day before because she was confused and behaving erratically. I asked God to calm her and to reach her. It was amazing the difference in the moment.

We pray for those struggling in difficult marriages. We pray for those with anxiety and depression. We pray for those who need a relationship with Christ. We pray for the many needs, and we ask God to intervene. We pray prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of praise, and prayers that honor God and for his blessings to us. We meditate, contemplate, and speak words of gratefulness.

Prayer enriches our lives and the lives of others. What a joy it is to pray. Prayer changes things. Prayer changes us. We soften in the center of our being when we pray. Our attitude towards others also soften as we make prayer a light that glows in the daily. Prayer is God's work. He uses us. Our prayers effect eternity. That is praise-worthy.

Revitalize your day by speaking blessings as you encounter people, places and things. Stressed? Send a prayer up. God is awake. Happy? Give thanks to God. Sad? Know you are heard. Thankful? Send up a praise to God. Discouraged? He understands. Be blessed.

The need is great. God calls us to pray without ceasing

"Father God, I pray blessing on each person who reads this. May you surround them with your love and grace. Amen"

WHAT ROCKS? A Spiritual Awakening

 Spiritual life has the power to rock your world.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. ---John 10:10

Deeper Spiritual Life is the Abundant Life

 

I didn't tap into the deeper spiritual life until I was in my late forties. It rocked my world.

How do we get to where our spirituality becomes real, deep, life-giving and free? The process is one of going from "doing" religiously to one of "being" authentically.

When troubles come, we can be decimated by the events. But, but . . . but what does that say about our spirituality? You and I can live through events on two levels, human vs spiritual, but it is best when they are blended together as one.

Our spiritual journey begins with a decision to believe, accept, and acknowledge belief in God, Christ, and salvation. This is a "by faith" transaction, choosing to believe by faith in the gospel, and accept the salvation offered to us -- whereby we receive redemption for our soul. Our soul awakens.

A baby is born ready to be shaped, loved, and nurtured. They grow and become within the context of human stepping stones on their way to becoming a functioning adult.

Spiritual life has its own stepping stones to mature spirituality. The place of worship, study of scripture and doctrine, dedication of heart and mind to truth, obedience to the Savior, Father God, and Holy Spirit--are all part of the spiritual path.

The issue is this. All those good endeavors may miss the point--and they have made many a Pharisee--when they may miss the mark of what it is to be enlivened spiritually. What is missing is a pursuit of God in a living and breathing relationship with him, formed within the context of becoming Christ-like.

We are "becoming" Christ-like through a constant growing relationship with the Divine. When we are connected through the heart with the Savior, we begin living in him, not living intellectually in him--although we are intellectually stimulated by this holy alliance.

Here is the secret. Christ's life awakening in us changes us into living, authentic spiritual beings.

Here's how it's done. To get there takes stripping away all our arguments and biases to look fully on the Savior. We open our mind, heart, and soul to God. We let him teach us and reveal his love and kindness, truth, and character to us, day after day.

His life will rock you. Get alone with God and use this time to focus your thoughts on him, his word, and his truth. Let his being ripple in you. Do this without preconceived conventions and barriers. This will awaken your soul into the deeper spiritual life--where one lives and thrives, where one experiences the greater love and being.

The problem is, it is easier to live our spiritual lives in our own strength, with its limited parameters and rigid beliefs. Christ came to free us from that way of thinking and living. He is the way, the truth, and the life.

This spiritual life is known by its life-giving qualities. Spirituality that is centered in Christ is known by its love, humility, purity, and strength. This kind of spiritual life is liberally living within a sense of "being" through an interactive walk with God.

Here's the deal. The joy, peace, love, and spirituality that I mentioned in last week's writing is not automatic for any of us, but it is possible for all of us. It is the greatest thing that could ever happen to you.

True spirituality is commiserate with an interactive relationship with the Father, Son, and Spirit through praying, listening, and pursuing living relationship. I find it easiest to do in the silences, in nature, in a room by myself, alone with my own thoughts, centered and focused on the Divine. Prayer, scripture, and meditation facilitate this process.

Our anchor in life is in the One who is the Anchor. The deeper our relationship, the more assurance we have during all our moments, even those with adverse circumstances.

 Spiritual life when lived well is peace-giving, strong, loving, and kind. I no longer worry if I'm living my spiritual life in a right way. The living relationship with God is life-giving and real. He ministers to me and teaches me. In the process, I am becoming more fully his. He is my light and life-giver. I am blessed. This is a beautiful way to live every day.

This is my wish for you.

Any questions?