“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?