HEY YOU...THERE'S GREATNESS INSIDE!

HEY YOU…THERE’S GREATNESS INSIDE!

Traversing this journey called life, all of us run into occasional roadblocks or hurdles.  Sometimes we fail.  At other times, we manage to exceed our own expectations.  Each of these experiences is fundamentally necessary for our personal development. 

Now hear this!  Take a look INSIDE because, quite possibly, the primary terror weapon on this Earth is internal (not external) in nature. 

My sister, my brother, consider this: ARE YOU AFRAID OF YOURSELF?  Are you somehow terrified by your own possibilities?  Have you been gradually conditioned by your environment (or your associates) to believe that you could never break free from any restrictive chain that paralyzes you in place?  Or are you like the proverbial elephant, tethered since birth to a tiny tree – never realizing your power and potential to break free – because you are incarcerated in misinformation and memories of a distant past when you were so much less than your present self?

At the end of the day, it is the resolute power of your human will (augmented and assisted from Heaven above) that grants you the capacity to boldly declare, “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.” (Philippians 4:13)  Know this: YOU are infinitely MORE than any societal norms or human associates declare you to be!

Marianne Williamson writes in A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles:  “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Wow!

Start today…right now.  In your arena, be as fearless as David, because Goliath is no match for you.  Be as courageous as Mary, unafraid to embrace your God-ordained destiny, with full knowledge that some may fail to discern the origin or significance of “the holy thing” seeded within you. (Luke 1:35)

Hey you…there’s greatness inside!

“FEAR NOT!” It’s a profoundly powerful phrase, oft repeated in The Holy Writ.  It challenges us to transform dismal days into bright tomorrows.  It summons us to sojourn outside of ourselves to a higher plane of knowledge and being – into awesome appointed spaces where the perfect will of God resides.

Today, I feel the power.  I will not doubt.  I will not resist.  It is THE LIVING CHRIST, Who is resurrected and animated in my heart and spirit.  So I will BE.  I will BECOME.  I will STAND.  I will TRIUMPH!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THINK AND DO

THINK AND DO

King Solomon, the sage, penned these powerful words about the connection between one’s thoughts and one’s destiny: “As he THINKS in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)  It is the foundational truth undergirding one of his more memorable insights: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)  When we carefully reflect upon our lives, we recognize that every single thing (both good and bad) emerges from the generator of thinking.  Indeed, personal decisions spring from conscious thought processes, and the actions that follow are merely reflections and realizations of what we TRULY think.

It naturally follows that our thinking should be (and must be) judiciously regulated.  Nevertheless, how are we to accomplish this when our senses are overwhelmed daily by a tidal wave of worldly inputs via the prolific output of mass media and our constant interactions with others?

Firstly, we must adopt a HIGHER COMPASS by which to navigate and govern our lives.  King David’s prayer concerning this is key.  He petitioned God to “ORDER MY STEPS IN YOUR WORD, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.” (Psalm 119:133)  It is the logical and practical way for us to fully embrace Solomon’s advice to guard our hearts.  ONLY THE “WISE GOD” is consistently “able to keep you (and me) from falling.” (I Timothy 1:17 and Jude 1:24)

Why not ask GOD for help in filtering all of the background noise, the worldly distractions, the confusing voices and the media’s assault on our senses, so we will be able to think wisely and super-naturally?  This is absolutely essential since the Word declares that “the carnal mind [the natural or unredeemed mind] is enmity [an enemy] against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Romans 8:7)

Let’s resolve to embrace this scriptural solution:  “Do not be conformed to this world, but BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)  This may only be accomplished in the life of one who seeks to fully surrender to her/his Creator.  Thus David’s prayer: “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end.  Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law.  Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” (Psalm 119:33-34)

Paying attention to what we are THINKING first involves paying attention to what we are hearing, what we are reading, what we are watching and what we are ultimately internalizing.  Back in ‘The Stone Age’ – when I was an elementary school student – we had English grammar workbooks entitled “Think and Do.”  It was an effective way to learn the basic fundamentals of language.  Those practical workbooks taught us how to read and write proficiently.  In truth, all of us would be better positioned for life if we would adopt a similar model to navigate our time and space on the planet.  TODAY…AND EVERY DAY…THINK...AND DO!  As one of my dearest friends (and you know who you are) reminds me from time to time: “A mind is a terrible thing to waste!”  So let each of us use our thinking faculties wisely.  Let’s prayerfully reflect on the right things, and then follow the right path.  Our lives will be infinitely better for it.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

IF I WERE ONLY 'ME'

IF I WERE ONLY ‘ME’

Some time ago, I encountered a perfect stranger at the mall.  He walked up and enthusiastically greeted me as if we had been lifelong friends.  My first thought was “What is he selling?”  Nevertheless, because his candor and intellect intrigued me, and since I had no pressing engagements, we conversed for quite some time.  This young man, likely late-twenties in age,  rattled on and on, sharing personal insights and opinions on politics and religion, family and friends, failures and successes, a full menu of life experiences.

One memorable remark caught my attention.  He casually referred to himself as “Chameleon Man.”  When I asked why, he responded “I have the uncanny ability to change myself completely, to totally adapt to any situation.  In fact, I can BE anybody…so I AM everybody!”

I paused to reflect and then countered, “That’s an interesting point of view.  However, since you change so significantly and so often, do YOU ever get lost in the sauce – carried away by your own extensive repertoire of emotional disguises?”  He laughed loudly.  “That’s clever!” he replied with much more volume that our environment warranted.  “Come to think of it,” he continued, “yes, there are times when I’m not sure WHO I am.”  We talked a while longer; I prayed with him and invited him to church.

During my drive home, I contemplated our wide-ranging discourse and came to the realization that there are multiplied millions who could honestly self-identify as “Chameleon Man,” or “Chameleon Woman” as the gender case may be.  Indeed, most of us try a bit too hard to fit in neatly with the masses.  Let’s be clear.  I’m not advocating for anyone to adopt a rebellious or contentious spirit.  But it’s apparent that so many do not embrace our God-created distinctives due to some vague notion or need for conformity and the societal pressure to FIT IN.

This mindset is synonymous with FEAR.  It deprives us of uniqueness, erodes self-esteem and produces a herd-mentality, i.e. what I call “GROUP THINK.”

GOD FORMED YOU FOR HIS PLEASURE AND THEN THREW AWAY THE MOLD.  During my twenties, I worked for a financial service company that had this marketing slogan: “There’s nobody else exactly like you!” I like the sound of that, do you?  Consider this.  Fashion marketing seeks to dictate conformity to this season’s colors, fabrics and styles.  YOU are infinitely much more than that, so stay out of the imitative and superficial lane when it comes down to identifying and actualizing your God-ordained reasons for being alive and engaged in your time and space.

Hey YOU…show up!  HUMAN LIFE, from Heaven’s perspective, is a CHAMELEON-FREE ZONE!

Why?  Firstly, GOD custom designed YOU, and ironically, GOD is glorified by YOU.  Secondly, while sitting on your rocker in the twilight of your earthly years, you would never want to languish in regret, looking back and thinking “IF I WERE ONLY ME”…

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

NEVER LOSE HEART

NEVER LOSE HEART

No matter what happens in or around your life, endeavor to maintain faith, balance and perspective.  During your crisis moments, consider the story of the shipwrecked survivor who was the only one person left alive on a remote Pacific island.  He prayed fervently every day, asking God to send someone along for rescue.  Day by day, he looked for God’s help, but he simply could not find it.  Growing weary of waiting, he decided to construct a crude and meager shelter in order to protect himself and his few possessions.  But then one evening, after foraging the island for food, he returned and found his shelter completely consumed by fire.  Everything he owned was now burned up.

The castaway sailor was totally confused and terribly angry with God.  In despair, he shouted at God: “WHY?  Why did You do this to me?”  Then he fell into a deep sleep on the sandy shore.  Before dawn, he heard the sound of a boat rapidly approaching the island.  At long last, his rescuers had arrived!  He asked them how they knew he was on the island.  The rescuers said they saw the huge fire and smoke signals he had made the night before. 

Often our apparent accidents and incidents are divine providence in disguise.  It is so easy to feel angry, confused or hopeless whenever things seem to go wrong.  But we should never lose heart, because GOD IS ALWAYS UP TO SOMETHING BEHIND THE SCENES.  So remember…the next time your HOUSE IS ON FIRE, it just might be a SMOKE SIGNAL that God has orchestrated for your personal deliverance.  As the Apostle Paul stated so eloquently, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Finally, we must reflect prayerfully on the example of JESUS, and draw inspiration from it.  He suffered the agony and humiliation of public crucifixion.  Yet, while “despising the shame,” HE “endured the cross” and won ultimate victory for humankind.  So during your darkest moments, “Consider HIM who endured such opposition from sinners, so that YOU will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3, NIV)

In closing, we are constantly comforted and sustained by the promises, plans and purposes of God.  His Word is our beacon, our bounty, our rescue and our reward.  “For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

There are times in life when we feel that we have given our all.  More often than not, this is simply a feeling, not necessarily a reality.  Consider the following inspirational story about two young siblings from California, which, quite literally, has motivated me to reassess my own giving.

Many years ago, when I worked as a transfusion volunteer at Stanford Hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liza who was suffering from a dreaded disease and needed blood from her five-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.  The doctor explained this situation to her little brother, and asked the young lad if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.  I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, “Yes, I’ll do it, if it will save Liza.”

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks.  Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.  He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away?”

Being very young, the boy had misunderstood the doctor and thought his sister needed ALL of his blood.

What a love!  This true story stirs deeper reflection on the vicarious sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  On Calvary (and even before the foundation of this world), Jesus became willing and ready to GIVE HIS ALL to redeem us from the twin scourges of sin and death.  In His own words, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man would lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

The question is begged, “How much of ourselves are WE willing to give?”  The world in which we live places such heavy demands on our time and energy that sometimes we find it difficult to attend to the most mundane of matters that would bring a smile to the faces of our loved ones.  Think about it.  Husbands, are you too busy, too tired, or just too important to rise up from your chair and carry a glass of water to your thirsty wife?  Or is that just “women’s work?”  Wives, are you too preoccupied with the demands of your day to speak a word of encouragement or correction to your children?

The truth, plain and simple, is that LIFE GOES BY VERY QUICKLY.  A close friend and colleague from Ohio, Reverend Willie Templeton, is often heard saying “MAKE IT COUNT!”  Such a timely and emotionally present attitude is imperative since, according to James (the brother of Jesus), our lives may be likened to a vapor that appears for one fleeting moment, then swiftly fades away. (James 4:14)  Therefore, we must resolve TODAY to perform purposeful and random acts of kindness for our families, friends, and yes, even strangers that we encounter.  The Word admonishes us that “thereby some have entertained angels unaware.” (Hebrew 13:2)  Agape love manifests itself through loving sacrifice.  Why not give it a try?  It will surely cast a beam of radiant light into many dark and empty places.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

WISE FRIENDS

WISE FRIENDS

King Solomon penned sage advice for all to live by.  In his memorable words, “He who walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20)  Today’s key question to ponder is simple: DO YOUR CLOSEST ASSOCIATES BRING HELP OR HARM INTO YOUR LIFE?  Consider the story of the powerful king who unwisely chose a monkey as his dearest companion and friend.

In a distant land, there was a king who had a monkey that was not only his pet; he was indeed his best friend.  The king loved that monkey very much, so he fed him with scrumptious fruits from the royal orchards and dressed him in the finest garments in the land.

In fact, this king trusted his monkey friend so much that he decided to make him his personal guard.  That way, he would have his good friend alongside him at all times.  Once this decision was made, the king took his monkey friend everywhere, from the battleground to the court, and on every royal journey throughout the kingdom.

The monkey apparently loved the king with the same intensity and was most delighted and proud to have been appointed as his personal guard.  He resolved to carry out his duties with utmost devotion.  While the king slept, it was his monkey friend’s job to guard the royal bed chambers.  He would faithfully see to it that no one or nothing would disturb the king from getting his much needed rest.  He even fanned the king to maximize his comfort, while he slept.

Daily, the royal bed chambers were bedecked with a variety of gorgeous and fragrant flowers.  Attracted by the alluring aroma of these flowers, a rather determined bee buzzed in through an open window while the king was taking his royal nap.  As was his custom, the monkey sat by the king’s bed, protecting and fanning him.  Once the diligent monkey spotted the intrusive bee, he tried to chase it away by using his fan.  But the bee lingered tenaciously, buzzing dangerously close to the king’s face.

After continuous efforts to discharge the bee, the monkey became rather angry.  At that moment, the bee settled itself on the king’s forehead.  By now, the monkey was totally outraged.  Caught up in his devoted zeal to protect the king, the monkey drew the king’s sword that lay on a nearby table.  He hoisted the sword high in the air to strike down the bee that now rested on the king’s forehead.  Alas, this appointed protector and unwise friend split the royal head in two, bringing about the king’s untimely demise.

Think about it.  We are not only known by the company that we keep, our eternal destiny is directly impacted (for better or worse) by those with whom we closely associate.  What does your selection of friends reveal about your wisdom and character, or lack of the same?  And how will those choices ultimately affect your God-ordained purpose, dreams and destiny?  Could there be a dangerous ‘monkey’ in your chamber?

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

INPUT DETERMINES OUTPUT

INTAKE DETERMINES OUTPUT

One cold winter evening, a Cherokee Chief was sitting at the fireplace sharing a lifetime of sound judgment and wisdom.  “Every person experiences a life-or-death struggle,” he admonished, “a terrible fight between two powerful wolves.  One wolf is evil: it brings fear, anger, envy, greed, self-pity, resentment, selfishness, dishonesty and arrogance.  The other wolf is good: it brings truth, serenity, sincerity, confidence, generosity, gentleness, joy, compassion and humility.”

His young grandchild queried nervously, “Grandpa, which wolf wins?”

The elder sage looked the little boy straight in the eye and said firmly: “THE ONE YOU FEED.”

In life, we have definitive options.  We can choose either evil or good.  Moreover, the overall results we achieve are actually products of a LIFE DECISION TREE, which is comprised of a host of smaller and seemingly ordinary choices we make along the way.  How we spend our time is a choice.  The company we keep is a choice.  The spouses we choose, the books we read, the music we embrace, the television programs we follow, the events we attend, the church families we join – all are monumental choices that impact our thinking, and thus our short- and long-term decision making.

So make up your mind about the direction, meaning and quality of your life.  Just like Joshua challenged the wilderness-weary Israelites: “CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YE WILL SERVE…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

Choose well.  Guard your heart. (Proverbs 4:23)  The leaves, branches and fruit on your LIFE-TREE are the product of what you purposefully ingest along the way.  Intake determines output.  Since you are what you eat, you must dine healthily, sumptuously and faithfully…on THE WORD.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!