If you don't like something, change it,
If you can't change it, change your attitude.
Don't complain.
-Maya Angelou
Why? Because complaining accomplishes absolutely nothing. It simply states and restates the problem with no solution. But why do we do it? Because it just feels good to gripe, and murmur and look sour, unhappy and miserable. Pity parties are fun especially when you get to be the center of attention. Complaining is a self-centered endeavor that guarantees an unhappy outcome. It positions us to look at and focus on the problem and WHAT YOU FOCUS ON EXPANDS. And there are times when we do not want a solution. We just want to linger awhile in our condition of unhappiness and familiarity and comfort, albeit it negative comfort.
In the gospel story (John 5), the ill (perhaps crippled) man at the pool of Bethesda is asked by Jesus if he wants to be made whole.
The man answers,"I have no one to help me into the water. Every time the water is stirred and I'm about to get in, someone steps down ahead of me."
Notice how he focuses on his problem and never once answers Jesus' question.
Finally Jesus just bypasses the man's pity party and tells him to get up, pick up the mat he was lying on and walk.
Could God be asking us the same thing?
What do you want? Do you want to be made whole?
Do you want to be restored?
Do you want health in your mind, your body and your soul?
Do you want to change?
Or will you sit there and complain and tell God what He already knows about your situation or will you answer, "Yes, Lord, I am ready to change my circumstances or my attitude."
He sees and He knows and He cares. The majority of the time God is waiting for us to make a decision!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
When...
When all the trees have been cut down,
When all the animals have been hunted,
When all the waters are polluted,
When all the air is unsafe to breathe,
Only then will you discover you cannot eat money.
-Cree Prophecy
Sound familiar?
When all the animals have been hunted,
When all the waters are polluted,
When all the air is unsafe to breathe,
Only then will you discover you cannot eat money.
-Cree Prophecy
Sound familiar?
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Think on these things
What is the opposite of Love?
Believe it or not,it is not Hate, but Control.
The opposite of love is control.
And when I take a moment to think about this, I do believe it is true. Love allows you to be you, to choose the way that you want to go. Love is kind and patient and always looks out for your best interest. Love allows you space to explore, to grow, to become. Love wants you to live life abundantly.
While control, on the other hand, insists on having its way. Control is restrictive and limiting and just feels tight. Control is always about keeping its interests and desires number one. Control is selfish.
The scripture says, God is love. God does not coerce us into anything. We have the ability to choose our course of action, concerning our lives. Love looks out for you and promises to direct your path, leading you in the way that you should go. Love promises to never leave you nor forsake you. Love says, "cast your cares upon Me because I care for you." God is Love and Love is good.
Believe it or not,it is not Hate, but Control.
The opposite of love is control.
And when I take a moment to think about this, I do believe it is true. Love allows you to be you, to choose the way that you want to go. Love is kind and patient and always looks out for your best interest. Love allows you space to explore, to grow, to become. Love wants you to live life abundantly.
While control, on the other hand, insists on having its way. Control is restrictive and limiting and just feels tight. Control is always about keeping its interests and desires number one. Control is selfish.
The scripture says, God is love. God does not coerce us into anything. We have the ability to choose our course of action, concerning our lives. Love looks out for you and promises to direct your path, leading you in the way that you should go. Love promises to never leave you nor forsake you. Love says, "cast your cares upon Me because I care for you." God is Love and Love is good.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Guard Your Heart
Proverbs 4:23- Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
The year was 2002 and I was in the throes of ministry with my Pastor in West Africa. On day two, I was introduced to a prophet who amongst other things, told me very pointedly, "to guard my heart."
I had no idea what he meant. I believed myself to be in the company of God's best servants, people who would look out for me and have my best interest in mind. I thought that we were all on the same team, with the same goals-winning souls for Christ. Boy, did I have a lot to learn!
"Guard your heart," the scripture says. I was totally clueless as to what that meant because I was in the habit of easily dismissing myself (dreams, aspirations, goals, even joy). I came of age in a church environment where you were taught to die to the self. Pretty much all interests, dreams, and desires that did not coincide with the pastor's vision of ministry were dismissed and counted as a waste of time. From this teaching, I became very good at silencing my inner voice (myself).
Secondly, guarding my heart didn't make sense to me because of the teaching that says, the heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt and severely sick (Jeremiah 17:9). So, needless to say, I automatically applied this to myself as the church was very thorough at reminding its congregants of their sins. Amazing,while we are taught that we are forgiven by God, there still remains that teaching that has to remind people that no matter what, they are still sinners. So then, what's the point of being a new creature in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17)? Yet, I was taught that I could not trust myself, listen to myself or to the roaring of my own heart. The roaring inside was not that of a lion seeking to devour and destroy me. It was the gentle sound of my own voice moving me toward my destiny, God's purposes and plans for me.
"Guard your heart for out of it flows the springs of LIFE. The heart is that place where God speaks to us. Remember hearing this phrase?-"follow your heart, follow your gut." The way a thing feels inside us matters. But we oftentimes fail to hear God because our hearts are cluttered with so many other things. If we are being told to guard it, that means there are things that need not gain entrance. I think it's safe to say that what is in a person's heart is what eventually manifests. Talk is cheap; who a person truly is, will show itself. So the heart can harbor both good and evil. This scripture, however is speaking of the heart as a well of life.
We can have a cluttered heart by listening too intently to the voices of other people. Their opinions about us often outweigh our opinions about ourselves. I used to hang onto every word my pastor uttered,even when his words didn't feel right in my spirit. I always deferred to him because I believed his connection to God was better and more accurate than mine.
If out of the heart flows the springs of life then I would assume that listening to your heart will not steer you wrong. But if you are in the habit of looking for answers outside of yourself, you will never come to trust yourself.
Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you"(Luke 17:21).
Guard your heart- it is God's dwelling place. Keep it safe and free of distractions, go there often for it is there that He awaits you!
Peace
The year was 2002 and I was in the throes of ministry with my Pastor in West Africa. On day two, I was introduced to a prophet who amongst other things, told me very pointedly, "to guard my heart."
I had no idea what he meant. I believed myself to be in the company of God's best servants, people who would look out for me and have my best interest in mind. I thought that we were all on the same team, with the same goals-winning souls for Christ. Boy, did I have a lot to learn!
"Guard your heart," the scripture says. I was totally clueless as to what that meant because I was in the habit of easily dismissing myself (dreams, aspirations, goals, even joy). I came of age in a church environment where you were taught to die to the self. Pretty much all interests, dreams, and desires that did not coincide with the pastor's vision of ministry were dismissed and counted as a waste of time. From this teaching, I became very good at silencing my inner voice (myself).
Secondly, guarding my heart didn't make sense to me because of the teaching that says, the heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt and severely sick (Jeremiah 17:9). So, needless to say, I automatically applied this to myself as the church was very thorough at reminding its congregants of their sins. Amazing,while we are taught that we are forgiven by God, there still remains that teaching that has to remind people that no matter what, they are still sinners. So then, what's the point of being a new creature in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17)? Yet, I was taught that I could not trust myself, listen to myself or to the roaring of my own heart. The roaring inside was not that of a lion seeking to devour and destroy me. It was the gentle sound of my own voice moving me toward my destiny, God's purposes and plans for me.
"Guard your heart for out of it flows the springs of LIFE. The heart is that place where God speaks to us. Remember hearing this phrase?-"follow your heart, follow your gut." The way a thing feels inside us matters. But we oftentimes fail to hear God because our hearts are cluttered with so many other things. If we are being told to guard it, that means there are things that need not gain entrance. I think it's safe to say that what is in a person's heart is what eventually manifests. Talk is cheap; who a person truly is, will show itself. So the heart can harbor both good and evil. This scripture, however is speaking of the heart as a well of life.
We can have a cluttered heart by listening too intently to the voices of other people. Their opinions about us often outweigh our opinions about ourselves. I used to hang onto every word my pastor uttered,even when his words didn't feel right in my spirit. I always deferred to him because I believed his connection to God was better and more accurate than mine.
If out of the heart flows the springs of life then I would assume that listening to your heart will not steer you wrong. But if you are in the habit of looking for answers outside of yourself, you will never come to trust yourself.
Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you"(Luke 17:21).
Guard your heart- it is God's dwelling place. Keep it safe and free of distractions, go there often for it is there that He awaits you!
Peace
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