Modern-Day “Humility”

Humility is “the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people : the quality or state of being humble” http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humility

This was revealed during the 2014 NBA Championship between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. The media spotlight was clearly on the Miami Heat, with their proclaimed “Dream Team” trio of Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James. A “three-peat” was easily predicted for them to win. 

However, everyone seemed to snooze on the quiet resilience and power of the San Antonio Spurs and their power players Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and players Danny Green and 23-year-old Kawhi Leonard. The team showed great class and humility by letting their skill on the floor “do the talking.”

They refused to be considered a “three-man Dream team” by elevating every player on the court. They not only won the Championship by a 4-1 sweep of the series, they rejoiced in Leonard being named 2014 NBA Finals MVP, the youngest since Magic Johnson in 1982.

However, what was so amazing was Coach Popovich’s refusal to be on stage or even interviewed when the Championship trophy was awarded, choosing to stand in the background and uplift his team. He truly exemplified Harry S. Truman’s quote: “It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.”

The Bible says:

Philippians 2:4 (NKJV): Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

James 4:10 (NKJV): Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Proverbs 11:2 (NKJV): When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

Luke 14:11 (NKJV): For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Powerful Quotes:

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.” – C.S. Lewis

“Pride is concerned with who is right; Humility is concerned with what is right.” – Ezra T. Benson

“True humility is staying teachable, no matter how much you know.”

Exercising humility is something that may appear small in the world’s eyes, but is profound in the eyes of the Lord…

“Freedom of Speech?”

This seems to be the primary theme of our society these days. From the American comedy movie The Interview, based on the premise of assassinating North Korea's leader to the satirical cartoons in the French newspaper Charlie Hebdo, the exercise of the freedom of speech can lead to devastating consequences, when used irresponsibly.

I decided to further explore it. To truly understand "freedom of speech, we first must understand the meaning of “freedom.”

Freedom is “the quality or state of being free; the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action; http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freedom

Therefore:

Freedom of Speech is defined as “the right to express facts and opinions subject only to reasonable limitations (as the power of the government to protect itself from a clear and present danger) guaranteed by the 1st and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution and similar provisions of some state constitutions” http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freedom%20of%20speech

Freedom of speech is perhaps one of the most abused freedoms we have. From profanity to nudity these moral destroyers are acceptable and protected,… While freedom of speech gives us the right to verbally express how we feel, it does not give us the right to curse and abuse other people. Some things require self-control and respect. But unfortunately there will always be those who will pontificate that they have a right to do whatever they please. http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/grogan/051129

Our society today has become extreme in stating this as a justification for inappropriate behavior. However, this seems to be done by misinterpretation of this freedom.

Freedom of Speech is NOT freedom to:

• Be Rude.
• Disrespectful.
• Use Profanity.
• Be Hurtful.
• Assassinate someone else’s character or reputation.
• Find humor at someone else’s expense.
• Bully anyone.
• Post anything to or about someone on Social Media.

In an article titled, “Freedom of Speech Comes With Responsibility,” writer Cynthia Collins states:

"For those who get carried away thinking that free speech means anything goes, there are types of speech that are not protected. Slander (verbal defamation) and libel (written defamation), threats, treason, copyright infringements, trade secrets, and promoting unlawful acts are some of the areas where free speech does not apply. Stating an opinion is one thing but spreading malicious gossip with the intent to harm someone’s reputation, business or threaten national security."  http://guardianlv.com/2014/06/freedom-of-speech-comes-with-responsibility/

The Bible even advises in:

James 1:19 (KJV): Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV): Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Psalm 19:14 (NKJV): Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Psalm 37:30 (NKJV): The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice.

Memorable Quotes:

“You are free to choose, but you are not free from the consequences of that choice.”

“People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.”  - Soren Kierkegaard

“It is easy to believe in freedom of speech for those with whom we agree.” -Leo McKern

“Most people do not really want others to have freedom of speech, they just want others to be given the freedom to say want they want to hear.” ― Mokokoma Mokhonoana

“I can’t curse those who don't believe as I do. I can’t express hate or disdain for those who criticize what I hold dear. I can’t outshout, bully, or taunt them. I can’t exercise the liberty of free speech because I answer to a higher law. I answer to the Word of God.” ― Lori Hatcher

We all should exercise this use of our freedom of speech carefully and in a manner that is pleasing to God…

“Adjusting Our Expectations”

I have often heard myself and other people say:

“He should have known better.”

“She ought to know not to do that”

Expectation is “a belief that something will happen or is likely to happen; a feeling or belief about how successful, good, etc., someone or something will be; the act or state of expecting :  anticipation; something expected” http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expectation

Many of us have extremely high expectations of others and of life. In many instances, they are so high that we can’t even reach them ourselves.

“You can't judge others by their actions and judge yourself by your intentions.” – Grant Taylor in movie Facing The Giants

We may need to adjust our expectations so they are more realistic. A few ways include:

      

RAISE expectations for children and adults.

Case in Point

I clearly recall in kindergarten my teacher asked our class what we wanted to be when we grew up. I remember telling my teacher, “All I know is that Mommy & Daddy say we are going to be in the Top Ten of our HS Senior Class and that we are going to college. I am not sure what that means…”

My sisters and I ranked #6, 7 & 8 in our Senior Class, and we all have our Bachelor’s and Masters Degrees.

“Children will rise to the expectations you set for them.” – Janette McGowen

“Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be and he will become as he can and should be.” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

LOWER expectations for others to think like you think or behave as you behave.

I now have less stress by doing this. Before, I would get stressed out when people did not live up to my expectations.  Now, when people do, that’s great! When they don’t, I am disappointed, but not devastated. I am shocked, but not surprised.

“Don’t blame people for disappointing you, blame yourself for expecting too much from them.”

“If you expect nothing from anybody, you’re never disappointed.”  ― Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

The best plan is to make sure our expectations are less aligned with the world’s and more aligned with God’s.

The Bible discusses expectations:

Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV):  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Matthew 24:35 (NIV): Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Philippians 4:19 (NIV): And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:28 (NIV):  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV):  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Powerful Quotes:

 “I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations and you’re not in this world to live up to mine.” – Bruce Lee

“Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” ― Gautama Buddha

“An attitude of positive expectation is the mark of the superior personality.” ― Brian Tracy

“I hope you do not let anyone else's expectations direct the course of your life.” ― Julianne Donaldson, Edenbrooke

 “Set the standard! Stop expecting others to show you love, acceptance, commitment, & respect when you don't even show that to yourself.” ― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience

“Expectations are dangerous when they are both too high and unformed.” ― Lionel Shriver, We Need to Talk About Kevin

“Expect Nothing.  Appreciate everything.”

Expectations can be very evil and can also be very good.  I hope you will continue to expect great things from God, especially everlasting life in Heaven and to be in the presence of Jesus for all of eternity! http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/what-does-the-bible-say-about-expectations-a-christian-study/

“Understand Your Adversary”

Adversary is defined as “one's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute; synonyms include: opponent, rival, enemy, combatant, challenger, contender, competitor, opposer;” https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=adversary+definition

Basically, adversaries are your “enemies,” wish you no good and attempt to sabotage you at every turn. How can we defeat them if we don’t understand them?

Cases in Point:

Politically: I am of the opinion that this may be a weakness of our nation, when confronting foreign threats. The United States went to war in Iraq; Afghanistan and continue to face threats from Al Quada, ISIS and Boko Haram. One of the primary objectives of these terrorists is religion. If we don’t understand that their religion praises self-sacrifice for their god, i.e., suicide bombings, and find it honorable to do this, we will not be as effective in defeating them

Professionally: I have discovered adversaries in bosses, associates, colleagues and the company philosophy…period. With a background in Sales, we knew we had competitors and who they generally were. I don’t think we ever did a good job in “understanding” them. The times that we did, I felt more equipped to either embrace or walk away from business that didn’t serve us or the client well.

Health-wise: I was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS in 2012. I must take the time to study it, understand it and respect it so that I am better equipped to defeat it. What is ironic is that MS is an auto-immune disease that is characterized by one’s own immune system turning against itself. I am reminded of the saying, “We’ve met the enemy, and it is us.”

I have also noticed that many adhere to whatever their doctor tells them, without question. I don’t necessarily believe that doctors are “overt” adversaries, but many are at the mercy of top pharmaceutical companies who don’t make money if you are healthy. You’ve got to know your body. If what you are being told seems questionable, seek a 2^nd, 3^rd, or even 4^th opinion until you can find an advocate.

Spiritually: The greatest enemy of human kind is Satan. The Bible refers to this in 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV): “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

Also, in Ephesians 6:11-12 (NKJV):  11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Satan KNOWS who God is.  He does everything in his power to make sure we don’t. We must understand that he is clever and cunning. He will do whatever he can to keep us from the One who loves us.

Powerful Quotes:

“Fighting fire with fire” is not effective.  The Fire Department uses water.

“An eye for an eye leaves us both blind.”

We must take the time to understand our adversaries so that we will be better equipped to win…

A “Poke” from God

Poke is “to push your finger or something thin or pointed into or at someone or something; to make (a hole) in something by pushing something sharp or pointed through or into it; to stick out so that a part can be seen.” http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poke

My earliest recognition of being “poked” is from my childhood by classmates who were annoying or trying to get my attention.

Facebook has a virtual “poking” option. “People poke their friends or friends of friends on Facebook for a lot of reasons (ex: just saying hello, getting their attention). When you poke someone, they'll get a notification and will then be able to poke you back.” https://www.facebook.com/help/451424538215150/

God has a way of “poking” us every day…in an attempt to get our attention. He often does this in small ways:

• A beautiful sunrise
• The soothing feeling of sunlight; gentle rain; snow or a cool breeze
• The changing colors of tree leaves
• The penetrating eyes of a cat
• The laughter of a baby

I am reminded of the song “God is Trying to Tell You Something” in the epic movie The Color Purple. Some of the lyrics are:

“If I were you I would say yes, Speak Lord, Speak to me

Well you can't sleep at night, And you sure wonder why

Well maybe God is trying to tell you something

You cry all night long, Something has gone wrong

Well maybe God is trying to tell you something

God is trying to tell you something, God is trying to tell you something

Maybe God is trying to tell you something right now”

http://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/mississippi_mass_choir/maybe_god_is_trying_to_tell_you_something-lyrics-224487.html

In an article titled “10 Ways God Gets Our Attention” it noted He may do this in these ways :

1. By disrupting our ordinary routines.
2. By making us restless.
3. Through the voice of the voiceless.
4. Through an unusual blessing.
5. By saying "No" to our prayers.
6. By using disappointment.
7. By using bizarre or extreme circumstances.
8. Through defeat.
9. Through your financial troubles.
10. Tragedies, sickness and affliction   http://www.examiner.com/article/10-ways-god-gets-our-attention

The Bible says:

Jeremiah 29:11(NIV): 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Proverbs 20:30 (GNT): 30 Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.

Psalm 119:71 (GNT): 71 My punishment was good for me, because it made me learn your commands.

Psalms 46:10 (NKJV): Be still, and know that I am God;

Memorable Quotes:

“We want big directional signs from God. God just wants us to pay attention.”

“People see God every day, they just don’t recognize.”

“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say thank you?”

God is constantly “poking” us trying to get our attention. Have you noticed?

"Fit" for Service?

Our society is obsessed with the notion of fitness. This is usually evident by completing marathons, body-building and gym work-outs.

It is so amazing how we are obsessed with preserving this physical body to please ourselves and others, yet we don’t spend the same amount of focus on our spiritual selves. Yes…it is exhilarating to cross that finish line and have that awards medal across your neck. 

But, it leads to question: How many people were blessed because of your accomplishment?  Who else did your accomplishment benefit other than yourself?

If you drop dead today and face God, He is not going to ask you how many 5K runs, ½ marathon, marathons or strong-man triathlons did you complete. He won't be concerned how many times you worked out. He won’t ask how fit you were physically. He will be more concerned with how fit you were “spiritually.” Did you allow God to use you and your accomplishments to draw people closer to Him? Or was it all about you?

I was once someone with the "fitness" mindset. Managing unexpected health challenges has made me aware that I may have focused more on being physically fit than I did on being fit for service...for heaven...for God...

The Bible says:

1 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV): For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

Hebrews 12:1(NKJV): Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV): But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV): Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Memorable Quotes:

“People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did, but People will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?” - Martin Luther King Jr.

“Only a life lived for others is a life worth living.”  — Albert Einstein.

“Never underestimate your ability to make someone else's life better - Even if you never know it.” – Greg Louganis

“There are so many people in need whom we could be thinking about other than ourselves…There are so many ways we could be serving. We have no time to be absorbed in ourselves.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

It is my prayer that we will focus less on ourselves and more on service to others…

“Farther Along…”

 A hymn we sing in worship is titled Farther Along by W.B. Stevens. The chorus lyrics are:

“Farther Along, we’ll

Know all about it.

Farther Along, we’ll

Understand why.

Cheer up, my brother;

Live in the sunshine.

We’ll understand it;

All by and by.”

I often refer to this when things in life don’t make sense to me. Instances such as:

• When a friend that you trusted for years betrays you…
• The shootings in Paris…
• The disappearance of the Malaysian and now AirAsia planes….
• The total and utter disrespect given to President Barack Obama that has never been given to any other president…
• When evil people seem to prosper and good people suffer or die too soon...
• When people reveal their “true colors”…
• When people that you esteemed highly prove not to be who you thought they were…
• America’s desire for greed at the expense of human life…
• How the wealthy can have so little compassion for the poor…

The Bible highlights this:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV): 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct[a] your paths.

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV): 11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

Romans 8:28 (NKJV): 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV): “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NKJV):  That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.

Memorable Quotes:

“I don’t know what my future holds, but I know who holds my future.”  - Tim Tebow

 “Every experience God gives us, every person he puts into our lives is the perfect preparation for only a future He sees.” – Corrie ten Boom

“Be okay with not knowing for sure what might come next, but know that whatever it is…you will be okay.”

“Faith is a place of mystery where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our sense of uncertainty.” – Brene’ Brown

“If you live in fear of the future because of what happened in your past, you'll end up losing what you have in the present.”

“I need to learn how to be content with simple not knowing and be at peace with the notion that everything does not need an explanation.”

“Accept what is, Let go of what was, and Have faith in what will be.”

We must strive to enjoy today and know that one day,” farther along, we’ll understand  why"…

“You Knew I Was A Snake…”

Many of us have heard this story:

A man started to climb a high, steep mountain when a snake asked the man to carry him along. "But you're a snake," the man said. The snake smiled. "Don't worry. I won't bite you." After days of arduous climbing, the man reached the mountain summit, whereupon the poisonous snake bit him. As he lay dying, the man cried out, "You said you wouldn't bite me!" His reptilian hitchhiker looked at him and said, "Ha! You knew I was a snake when you picked me up." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV2AYZ6Y3ds

The Farmer and the Viper is one of Aesop's Fables. It has the moral that kindness to the evil will be met by betrayal. The singer Al Wilson introduced a variant telling of the fable in his song "The Snake" (1968).

There it is a 'tender woman' who finds a dying, half-frozen snake on the side of the road and takes it home to revive it. The snake later bites her, then says as she is dying in disbelief, "Silly woman, you knew I was a snake before you brought me in!"

[11] This version is repeated in the film Natural Born Killers (1994). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Farmer_and_the_Viper

Modern day applications of this include:

• If you fall in love with a man who is cheating on his wife to be with you, while he did the same thing to his 3 previous wives…
• George Zimmerman, who was acquitted for murdering Travon Martin, can be used as an example of consistency of character. He had a past record of domestic abuse, narcissism and law breaches. He has had three arrests since his acquittal in 2013. http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/10/us/george-zimmerman-arrested/
• On her TV show, “Fix My Life,” Iyanla Vanzant interviewed a man that had fathered 34 children, yet had not committed to any of them. Shouldn’t any woman who becomes involved with him consider this? http://www.oprah.com/own-iyanla-fix-my-life/Why-a-Father-of-34-Children-Never-Considered-a-Vasectomy-Video

When you reflect on these things, this quote comes to mind:  “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” - Albert Einstein

The Bible says:

1 Corinthians 15:33-34 (NIV): 33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God…

Matthew 10:16 (NKJV):  “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

Romans 12:21 (NKJV): Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Memorable Quotes:

“When people show you who they are, believe them the first time,” – Dr. Maya Angelou

“If you did what you always did, you will get what you have always gotten.”- Henry Ford

“God did not create evil. Just as darkness is the absence of light, evil is the absence of God.” ― Albert Einstein

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein

“And this is the forbidden truth, the unspeakable taboo - that evil is not always repellent but frequently attractive; that it has the power to make of us not simply victims, as nature and accident do, but active accomplices.” ― Joyce Carol Oates

“To see evil and call it good, mocks God. Worse, it makes goodness meaningless. “ ― Stephen R. Lawhead, Arthur

“And I must believe that man has the power to know the right, to choose between good and evil and know that his choice has made a difference...” ― Marion Zimmer Bradley, The Mists of Avalon

Moral of the story:  Evil is Evil. Good is Good. We can have less drama and more peace in our lives if we see, accept and understand  people and things as they are and not how we want them to be…

Your Spiritual “Pat Down”…

Pat Down is defined as “an act of searching a person for concealed items such as weapons or illegal drugs, made by passing the hands over their clothing.”  https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=pat+down

Most of us are aware of the security regulations when traveling by airplane. We are aware of the items you can carry onto the plane and what you cannot.  

When the Security Agents require more assurance of you not being a threat or choose to select people randomly, you will be required to be “waned down” or submit to a “pat down.”  They have to be very clear and confident that you are not taking anything prohibited on the flight.

However many of us need to see this in a spiritual perspective.

Here are a few items that will not be allowed:

• Hate
• Anger
• Bad Thoughts, Words or Deeds
• Resentment
• Grudges
• Lack of love for each other
• Lack of Forgiveness
• Attitudes

How do we think we can enter Heaven and eternity with God, while holding anger, grudges, judgment of others, hatred, discrimination, greed, love of wordly things or even unkindness in our hearts?

We can’t…

This even includes the three major categories of sin:

Sin of omission:  by the Scripture found in James 4:17, ”Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

Sin of commission, or perpetration: When one commits this type of sin, they are going into it with full intent and eyes wide open, knowing full well it is against all standards of the Word of God.

There is another description of sin, simply.....” The transgression of the law.“ It takes into play our experience in the everyday work of life. Wherever we are at, whatever we are doing the loving law of God must be observed.  http://www.christianhusbands.org/writings/sin.html

The Bible explains:

1 John 2:1-2 (NIV): My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 3:4 (NIV): 4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

Matthew 15:19(NKJV):  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV): 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV): 12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

1 Peter 4:8 (NIV): 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 John 1:9 (NKJV): 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Memorable Quotes:

“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” – unknown

"Sin is what you do when your heart is not satisfied with God." - John Piper

“Worst sin you can commit is a sin you think you can get away with.” -  David. A. Bednar

“The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.” – inknown

“It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but what we do not do.”

We must be about the business of ridding our minds and hearts of sin so that if God requires you to have a spiritual “pat down,” you will be cleared to enter the gates of Heaven…

 “You’ve Actually Got To Fly the Plane…”

I experienced a flare up of my MS. (Got diagnosed in April 2012) It resulted in a 5-day hospital stay and a 10-day inpatient aggressive rehab stay for occupational and physical therapy. I received 3 hours of therapy per day.

I have been blessed to NEVER have been ill before, in 48 out of my 50 years of life. All of this continues to be a new, yet very humbling experience for me.

One day, as I was working with my Occupational Therapist (Lewis), I shared with him what I resented most about this MS.  Before this diagnosis, I could go about life as I pleased. Now…I have to be very strategic, detailed and logistical about EVERY thing I do.

Case in Point:  “I am going to the grocery store.”

•         How many steps to my car?
•         Which one has the easiest access and mobility carts?
•         Which has the best customer service? (will bring my bags to the car and return  cart to the store)
•        How many bags can I manage when I arrive home?

His response to me was profound: He said:

“Most of us live our lives in “auto pilot”. You are now at a stage in life that “you have to actually fly the plane.”

I now realize that so many people do not pay attention at all to what they are thinking, saying, eating or doing.

It is amazing, when you actually have to grab the steering levers, monitor the control panel and manually & consciously navigate your life.

An article on the blog Tiny Buddha  titled  “ How to Be Fully Awake Instead of Living on Autopilot”  by Loran Hills shares a few tips:

Waking up in the morning and taking off in a flurry of activity after a cup of coffee is not equivalent to being completely awake. It takes practice to calm down, slow down, and become more aware. As creatures of habit, we all tend to move through the day on automatic, sticking to a schedule and a plan. Have you ever arrived at work without quite knowing how you got there? Have you eaten your lunch at your desk and not even tasted it?

What kinds of things can you practice to become more fully alive, more open, and calmer?

1. Sit in stillness.

2. Go outside and feel the wind on your face, smell the fresh air, and connect with nature.

3. Connect with another person, smile, and make eye contact.

4. If you have pets, connect with them through touch.

5. Tune in to your body, let it move, and feed it well.

6. Breathe deeply. .

7. Write, draw, paint, journal, or listen to music.

8. Take pictures with your phone or camera.

9. Give love to yourself and others.

10. Accept things the way they are.

You have to be willing to change before you can take action. If you are willing to fly out of the nest rather than be thrown out, you will be embracing spaciousness. You will experience freedom. http://tinybuddha.com/blog/how-to-be-fully-awake-instead-of-living-on-autopilot/

The Bible says:

James 2:17 (NKJV): Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Matthew 5:10  (NKJV): Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV):  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Memorable Quotes:

 “A pattern of behavior can become so habitual that one barely notices anymore what it prompts one to do. One feels automatically, thinks automatically and acts automatically.” - ~ Martine Batchelor

“Don’t complain about the results you are not getting by the work you are not doing.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to experience life.” ― Lailah Gifty Akita

“Very often, human beings are living like on autopilot, reacting automatically with what happens. What interests me about the life of an explorer is you are in the unknown; you are out of your habits.” - Bertrand Piccard

"We can’t become what we need to be by remaining who we are.” – Oprah Winfrey

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” – Charles Darwin

So, as challenging as this MS is, it has actually been a blessing. It has forced me to be still; wake up; pay attention; be empathetic; be present and to fully rely on God…

Are you living on “autopilot” or are you actually “flying the plane” of your life?