The year 2010 is quickly coming to an end a the dawn of a new year is quickly upon us. As I look back over the year I am taken by how blessed I was. I was able to travel and work with military families, and troops all over the U.S. I was able to help wives, and children deal with the deployment of loved ones. I was able to wok with officers, and enlisted men who were on their way or just returning from Iraq and Afghaninstan. I was able to help them evaluate their spiritual condition with the assistance of the Military Chaplains. This work was mission work since I was away from family for 6 months in 2009 and 2010. Once I was on a military base in Louisiana that was hot and humid, then in the cold and snow of Wyoming. I must be honest and tell you I began to complain about the conditions, when the Holy Spirit reminded me that the troops were carrying 30 pounds back packs and their weapons in 120+ heat.
I have learned that no matter how bad it gets, there is someone somewhere that has it worst. I have learned to be thankful and appreciate the things that I have been blesses to receive. It was a year that many of my, family members and high school classmates passed on to the other side. I was happy to hear that many of them had accepted the Lord in their lives prior to their death.
It was a good year for me financially and I was able to practice "New Testament Giving", and bless others as the Lord had blessed me. I was blessed to co- teach a Tuesday bible study, Mt. Olive, in which we strive for wisdom through the study of God's Word! It was a year that an estranged family member returned, answering years of our prayers.
My goals for 2011 is to empty out the muddle and distractions ,of life, so there is plenty of space and opportunity for the Holy Spirit to operated. It is so difficult for the Holy Spirit to operate in a temple that is cluttered with pride, ego, anger, depression,jealousy. strife, negativity, impure thoughts, anxiety and so on. The scriptures tell us that we are to put these distractions to death daily and for some of us hourly.
I want more wisdom so that I can understand some of the mysteries mentioned in scriptures and the spiritual freedom they bring. I want to strengthen my personal relationship with the Lord in 2011. I plan on doing this by talking to him more and also spending time listening to Him talk to me. You know we are so busy talking and begging the Lord, that He doesn't have a chance to get a word into the conversation, or we talk over the Lord and miss the advice He is giving us.
I want to be a bright light and a living epistle so that others can see by my deeds and behavior as a representative of the Lord. I will strive not to be a hypocrite and teach one thing and do another. History of the Christian movement states that more people came to Christ by the behavior and deeds of the ancients than what they taught. We teach in two ways and these are precept and example!
I want to train my eyes, ears, and heart to be more spiritual so that I can exhibit the compassion of Christ. I want to be able to discern the needs of others so that I can be a blessing to them. I want to feel more comfortable in the type of sacrificial taught in the New Testament. These things only be accomplished when in the spirit and distant from self.
I will strive to be a better husband and friend to my wife Omie. At times I can be very insensitive when she doesn't do things the way I think they should be done. Often I am reminded, by the Lord, that I seldom live up to His expectations, yet he treats me with compassion and love. The real test of my Christian maturity is how I act when no one sees me. How I treat the people who are around me 24/7.
Lord I offer myself as a living sacrifice, please cleanse me and use me. Lord I ask for more wisdom so I might be a better person and a better representative of your kingdom. I will be mindful of you and with your help restrain from those actions, thoughts, emotions, that would separate me from thee. Amen!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTENS ME!
In Philippians 4:13 the Apostle Paul declares that we can do all things because we have the strength of Christ surrounding us. We often tell our friends that "I got your back", but Christ strength has us from top to bottom and side to side. This statement is confirmed in Ephesians 6:10-11 which says,"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. He goes further in his description of the armor in verses 11-17, and the appropriate usage of the armor.
Paul is telling Christians that we can overcome what ever problems and challenges that we face in the journey of life. Our great grandparents were able to overcome the inhumaness and trauma of slavery. Have you every really thought about what it must have been like being a slave, having someone controlling every aspect of your life. You were told when to get up, when to go to bed, who to marry, when and when not to have children. You were forbidden to learn, and any attempt at education could have ended in death. Your family could be torn apart and moved from plantation to plantation.
Our forefathers only had a simple knowledge of the Lord, that resulted in deep faith and trust that He would save them from their circumstances. They did not have EOC, NCAACP, Ubran League, Department of Justice, or hundred of hours of religious TV and radio programs, all they had was a faith in a God that saw them as His children. This God was the only person that had power and saw them a human beings. Over the years we have allowed affluence, education, and other material things to separate us from God. This separation has results in a spiritual powerlessness, the absence of the only authentic power source of the universe.
The scriptures tells us that all things are possible if we allow the strength(spirit) of Christ to lead us! The term "all" denotes every situation, or circumstance that can be imagined in our finite human mind. Paul did not say that I can do some things, he said all things. This means every problem, challenge, or situation can be handled by the strength of Christ. I must warn you that drawing on the strength of Christ may not always render you the most comfortable outcome. For example, you may face with a situation where the Christ like thing to do is to tell the truth, but the outcome of this decision may result in a perceived negative consequence on you. A simple example would be a situation in which you are struggling with finances and one day the clerk at the market gives you $50 too much in change. The $50 would certainly help out your $$$ situation. Some Christians would say, " oh what a blessing, and keep the money. However, the Christ behavior would be to return the money and believe that the Lord will provide.
Paul is telling us that, through Christ, we can get the job we need, get into college, complete high school, overcome past abuse, have a successful marriage, get out of debt, find the right mate, become free of alcohol, drugs, and any other issues you may face. There are no limits on what we can do through Christ which strengthens us!
Paul is telling Christians that we can overcome what ever problems and challenges that we face in the journey of life. Our great grandparents were able to overcome the inhumaness and trauma of slavery. Have you every really thought about what it must have been like being a slave, having someone controlling every aspect of your life. You were told when to get up, when to go to bed, who to marry, when and when not to have children. You were forbidden to learn, and any attempt at education could have ended in death. Your family could be torn apart and moved from plantation to plantation.
Our forefathers only had a simple knowledge of the Lord, that resulted in deep faith and trust that He would save them from their circumstances. They did not have EOC, NCAACP, Ubran League, Department of Justice, or hundred of hours of religious TV and radio programs, all they had was a faith in a God that saw them as His children. This God was the only person that had power and saw them a human beings. Over the years we have allowed affluence, education, and other material things to separate us from God. This separation has results in a spiritual powerlessness, the absence of the only authentic power source of the universe.
The scriptures tells us that all things are possible if we allow the strength(spirit) of Christ to lead us! The term "all" denotes every situation, or circumstance that can be imagined in our finite human mind. Paul did not say that I can do some things, he said all things. This means every problem, challenge, or situation can be handled by the strength of Christ. I must warn you that drawing on the strength of Christ may not always render you the most comfortable outcome. For example, you may face with a situation where the Christ like thing to do is to tell the truth, but the outcome of this decision may result in a perceived negative consequence on you. A simple example would be a situation in which you are struggling with finances and one day the clerk at the market gives you $50 too much in change. The $50 would certainly help out your $$$ situation. Some Christians would say, " oh what a blessing, and keep the money. However, the Christ behavior would be to return the money and believe that the Lord will provide.
Paul is telling us that, through Christ, we can get the job we need, get into college, complete high school, overcome past abuse, have a successful marriage, get out of debt, find the right mate, become free of alcohol, drugs, and any other issues you may face. There are no limits on what we can do through Christ which strengthens us!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Mate Selection
Some years ago I participated in a workshop, at the church, in which the issue of dating/courtship was discussed. The system of courtship is a practice that appears to be obsolete, except in rare cases, in the African-American community. Courtship was the practice of a young male and female, with parental permission, being involved in a non-sexual relationship in order to get to know each other. They would go out together and adhere to a set of norms that were part of the courtship process. If the courtship went well, then there was a period called engagement, them marriage. In the courtship process there appeared to be attention paid to mate selections and compatibility. There appeared to be , under courtship, a forward look at how the two would blend as a couple and succeed as a family unit. They sat and planned their lives, when they would have children, and how many, based on their financial situation.
In today's society courtship has been replaced by recreational dating. In the dating process everything is based on satisfying immediate gratification and sexual desires. Many men see dating as a way of self gratification and avoid trying to get emotionally involved. Most women, on the other hand, become emotionally involved quickly in relationships, resulting in very painful breaks ups. Then there is the good girl bad boy syndrome. This is when a girl who has good grades with supportive family falls for a guy with sagging pants, no job and just released from his third stay in jail. I can see his attraction to her, but I can't see her attraction to him!
I was raised in a family where my mother and stepfather were married over 50 years and only death separated them. My parents had 7 males, and no females. In my family dating was not allowed after all we were too young to think about marriage. We were discouraged from dating, any that we did was in secret, but soon got back to our parents. My dad warned us of getting trapped by a female with pregnancy because she thought we had money. How anyone could think we had money was a surprise to me. All 7 of us got out of high school without having any children out of wedlock. If we had fathered a child our dad would have insisted that we stand up and be a responsible man, because that was the way he was. We had a famous biology teacher, Ms. Loise Pierce, who taught us life lessons daily in class. I think I received a D+ in biology, but a B+ in life lessons. She would say, " you should never date anyone you would not consider marrying."
The secret girlfriends I had in high school were all smarter than me and were college bound. I was really socially challenged when it came to the opposite sex. I think I was kinda serious about 2 girls my entire high school experience.
It is difficult to find the right person whom you would like to marry, have children and spend the rest of your life. I once saw a book, at Rite Aide, titled "I dated Dr. Jekyll but married Mr. Hyde." The author was referring to the gentile Dr. Jekyll who would turn into the evil Mr. Hyde. Where does one meet a prospective mate? Night clubs, college, health club, church, friends, or on-line? I remember having a conversation with a couple of my single children about possible places to meet someone. I told my daughter that just because the guy went to church and professed to be a Christian was not good enough in itself. When I talked to my son about the same issue I suggested that he had a very good chance of finding a good woman in the church. Why the different advice? From my observations, and research most men pray less, go to church less, and are less likely to live a life based upon the scriptures. If you don't believe this ask some of the single sisters who have dated brothers in the church. On the other hand women tend to pray more, go to church more, and try to live out their faith as stated in scriptures.
It seems that mate selection, among many of our people, is by the unplanned birth of a child, or on some co-dependent relationship needs. Many, including church people, feel more comfortable just living together rather than marrying. How does the Black Church approach this when a significant number of young people are having children, many of the older ones co-habitation, and men not taking care of their children.
The process of mate selection is a very serious one that has long term consequence on the couple and the children. When I use to do pre-marital counseling I would suggest that couples not have children during the first 2-3 years of a marriage. I would strongly suggest this when I felt that the foundation of the marriage was on sandy ground. Why you ask? Well why have a child go through the trauma of conflict and possible divorce. The woman and child, if there is not family support, will feel the financial ,emotional and psychological aftermaths of such an ordeal.
The bible, especially Proverbs, informs us that some times insects make better decisions than we do. I was recently reading an article about how female Penguins choose a mate? She decides whether the male is likely to be a devoted dad. After choosing a male the female lays two eggs and returns to the sea, leaving the male alone to tend the eggs until she returns to take over. The dad is the sole parent for the first 2 weeks. The female looks for a male with enough body fat, that it will not have to leave the child to go in search of food. Wow, there is much we can learn from the female Penguin. I am sure there are other such examples in the animal kingdom. I thought man was the one God endowed with a brain and the ability to think and make decisions! Instead of using our brains we allow emotions to dictate and drive our decision making.
There are women who are in their 30's who are single and are about to panic thinking that they will be alone for the rest of their lives. They are beginning to think that maybe they have set too high of a standard for mate selection. For these women it is so tempting to lower their standards, because they are worn out and tired of the entire process. You meet some one, they appear to be mature, stable, and moral , but after a couple of months their true colors surface. After a while it is easy to convince one's self that this is as good as it's going to get, so I might as well try to make this work. "Never buy groceries when you are hungry, you will always end up with junk in your cart." The End!
In today's society courtship has been replaced by recreational dating. In the dating process everything is based on satisfying immediate gratification and sexual desires. Many men see dating as a way of self gratification and avoid trying to get emotionally involved. Most women, on the other hand, become emotionally involved quickly in relationships, resulting in very painful breaks ups. Then there is the good girl bad boy syndrome. This is when a girl who has good grades with supportive family falls for a guy with sagging pants, no job and just released from his third stay in jail. I can see his attraction to her, but I can't see her attraction to him!
I was raised in a family where my mother and stepfather were married over 50 years and only death separated them. My parents had 7 males, and no females. In my family dating was not allowed after all we were too young to think about marriage. We were discouraged from dating, any that we did was in secret, but soon got back to our parents. My dad warned us of getting trapped by a female with pregnancy because she thought we had money. How anyone could think we had money was a surprise to me. All 7 of us got out of high school without having any children out of wedlock. If we had fathered a child our dad would have insisted that we stand up and be a responsible man, because that was the way he was. We had a famous biology teacher, Ms. Loise Pierce, who taught us life lessons daily in class. I think I received a D+ in biology, but a B+ in life lessons. She would say, " you should never date anyone you would not consider marrying."
The secret girlfriends I had in high school were all smarter than me and were college bound. I was really socially challenged when it came to the opposite sex. I think I was kinda serious about 2 girls my entire high school experience.
It is difficult to find the right person whom you would like to marry, have children and spend the rest of your life. I once saw a book, at Rite Aide, titled "I dated Dr. Jekyll but married Mr. Hyde." The author was referring to the gentile Dr. Jekyll who would turn into the evil Mr. Hyde. Where does one meet a prospective mate? Night clubs, college, health club, church, friends, or on-line? I remember having a conversation with a couple of my single children about possible places to meet someone. I told my daughter that just because the guy went to church and professed to be a Christian was not good enough in itself. When I talked to my son about the same issue I suggested that he had a very good chance of finding a good woman in the church. Why the different advice? From my observations, and research most men pray less, go to church less, and are less likely to live a life based upon the scriptures. If you don't believe this ask some of the single sisters who have dated brothers in the church. On the other hand women tend to pray more, go to church more, and try to live out their faith as stated in scriptures.
It seems that mate selection, among many of our people, is by the unplanned birth of a child, or on some co-dependent relationship needs. Many, including church people, feel more comfortable just living together rather than marrying. How does the Black Church approach this when a significant number of young people are having children, many of the older ones co-habitation, and men not taking care of their children.
The process of mate selection is a very serious one that has long term consequence on the couple and the children. When I use to do pre-marital counseling I would suggest that couples not have children during the first 2-3 years of a marriage. I would strongly suggest this when I felt that the foundation of the marriage was on sandy ground. Why you ask? Well why have a child go through the trauma of conflict and possible divorce. The woman and child, if there is not family support, will feel the financial ,emotional and psychological aftermaths of such an ordeal.
The bible, especially Proverbs, informs us that some times insects make better decisions than we do. I was recently reading an article about how female Penguins choose a mate? She decides whether the male is likely to be a devoted dad. After choosing a male the female lays two eggs and returns to the sea, leaving the male alone to tend the eggs until she returns to take over. The dad is the sole parent for the first 2 weeks. The female looks for a male with enough body fat, that it will not have to leave the child to go in search of food. Wow, there is much we can learn from the female Penguin. I am sure there are other such examples in the animal kingdom. I thought man was the one God endowed with a brain and the ability to think and make decisions! Instead of using our brains we allow emotions to dictate and drive our decision making.
There are women who are in their 30's who are single and are about to panic thinking that they will be alone for the rest of their lives. They are beginning to think that maybe they have set too high of a standard for mate selection. For these women it is so tempting to lower their standards, because they are worn out and tired of the entire process. You meet some one, they appear to be mature, stable, and moral , but after a couple of months their true colors surface. After a while it is easy to convince one's self that this is as good as it's going to get, so I might as well try to make this work. "Never buy groceries when you are hungry, you will always end up with junk in your cart." The End!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
THE TRUE REASON FOR THE SEASON!
This is the season to be grateful and full of joy that God sent Jesus to be born of the virgin Mary so that we could be free of our sin nature. However, this blessed event , has been replaced by the idol of commercialism and greed. When we should be in the spirit of appreciation, and thankfulness, we are filled with stress and anxiety.
This is the season that many mental health professionals call the time of "Holiday Blues." There are many people who find the holidays as a very lonely and painful time in their lives. They may have loss a love one to death, divorce, or estrangement. Then there are those who spend money they don't have for Christmas gifts, large dinners and parties. It's all about our small circle of family and friends. We often forget about the poor, the homeless, the widows, and the elderly. This group have nothing but memories of when times were better. They seem to be invisible and forgotten thus resulting in depression and hopelessness.
This is the season to look outside of ourselves and think about others. God set this example when he decided to give his son to save our selfish and self centered selves. It is the custom of our family to pull names for Christmas. So part of the name process to share a wish list for gifts. My oldest son Jacques sent a e-mail asking that who ever had his name should used the money to help a needy person/family, and to forgive some one who you consider unforgivable. God went outside of His immediate family and showed care for the entire world.
This is the season to use wisdom instead of traditions. As my daughter Dr. Ife Cormier- Latunde, would say, it makes more sense to start your child a 529 College Fund than to spend $100 on a pair of sneakers or a toy that will be discarded within a year or less. Would it hurt to purchase one less gift for your immediate circle and help a family in need?
We as Christians are to be the "light, a living epistle", we are to set the standards for compassion, love, and unselfishness.
This is the season that many mental health professionals call the time of "Holiday Blues." There are many people who find the holidays as a very lonely and painful time in their lives. They may have loss a love one to death, divorce, or estrangement. Then there are those who spend money they don't have for Christmas gifts, large dinners and parties. It's all about our small circle of family and friends. We often forget about the poor, the homeless, the widows, and the elderly. This group have nothing but memories of when times were better. They seem to be invisible and forgotten thus resulting in depression and hopelessness.
This is the season to look outside of ourselves and think about others. God set this example when he decided to give his son to save our selfish and self centered selves. It is the custom of our family to pull names for Christmas. So part of the name process to share a wish list for gifts. My oldest son Jacques sent a e-mail asking that who ever had his name should used the money to help a needy person/family, and to forgive some one who you consider unforgivable. God went outside of His immediate family and showed care for the entire world.
This is the season to use wisdom instead of traditions. As my daughter Dr. Ife Cormier- Latunde, would say, it makes more sense to start your child a 529 College Fund than to spend $100 on a pair of sneakers or a toy that will be discarded within a year or less. Would it hurt to purchase one less gift for your immediate circle and help a family in need?
We as Christians are to be the "light, a living epistle", we are to set the standards for compassion, love, and unselfishness.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The Holiday Blues
This is the time of year that most counselors/psychologist are concerned about depression. It is the holidays and all the implications that it brings to people. For some, it is a time of loniness and isolation from love ones. This separation may be cause by conflict, divorce, being a way from home, and/or the anniversary of the death of a love one. It is also the time of year that many people get themselves in deep finacial trouble by over using their credit cards, and purching items that they can't afford.
Why do we get in debt and depressed, during the holiday season, when this is a time to be thankful and celebrate the birth of Christ? What has happened to us to that turns a time of joy into a time of depression, anxiety, and debt. How can we turn this crazy deviation from the true meaning of the holidays around? It will take a brave move and a strong ego to go against the current established holiday trend. Even I struggle with breaking the current tradition and expectaions of my family and friends. I intellectually know that it would be much wiser to put money in a college plan than the buy them a toy that will last only several months. I intellectually know that a gift that cost $25 prior to Christmas will probably cost only $10 on January the 1st. However, emotionally I feel that the children and others would be disappointed in my actions.
The Holidays should be a time of joy, reflection, and appreciation for what the Lord has done for us. Many may feel that they had a terrible year, they may be unemployed, divorced, homeless
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Prayer of a "Old Man."
When you reach the age of 65 you really appreciate each day that the Lord allows you to continue to walk this earth. I start each day with the words, "Oh Lord Praise Your mighty name. Lord forgive me for my sins of omission as well as those of commission. Thank you for saving a wretch like me and adopting me into the body of believers. Lord guide and direct me through this day. I ask your blessing and protection for my neighborhood, my family,my church, my Pastor, my friends,the troops in war, and the government of the USA. Father help me control my natural instincts which include my pride and my ego. Fill me with wisdom, long suffering,empathy, compassion, and forgiveness. Lord allow others to see You in my attitudes and behaviors. Lord I try to be a light, a living Epistle, and a spiritual representative of your kingdom. Amen!
Friday, October 29, 2010
The Daily Challenge of Being a Mature Christian
The concept of maturity has less to do with chronological age than with wisdom and the ability to make well thought out decisions in life. Likewise the time one has been in church, or a Christan does not always make that person a mature Christan. A mature Christian is one who takes the information and directions of the scriptures and actually applies them to the everyday challenges of their lives.
The greatest challenge I find as a Christian is to deny my natural impulses and inclinations in any specific situation. In Colossians 3:5 we are told to put to death, therefore, whats ever belongs to your earthly nature, sexual immorality, impurity,lust, evil desire and greed, which is idolatry. The Apostle Paul shares with us in Romans 7:15-24 how difficult it was for him to deal with his fleshly desires or a daily bases. The more we read and internalize God's Word we will gradually be able to resist some of the urges of our flesh. Of course we all know the pleasure urges are the most difficult to suppress. Christians have real problems with adultery and fornication which becomes the "Elephant in The Living Room", at many churches. Paul had the same problem at the Church at Corinth. The scriptures in 1 Corinthians tell of a man in the church who was having sex with his step mother. He must have been a big tither, or a VIP, because the church said nothing and did nothing. Paul, because of this situation, said something that is startling to most Christians. He says in 1 Corinthians 5:10 that you don't have to dissociate yourselves from unbelievers, because you need to evangelize them. However, you should distance yourself from those who profess to be Christians and openly indulge in behaviors forbidden by the scriptures. I didn't say this Paul said it!
I have found that over the years, the more I study, those fleshly desires have diminished and some have disappeared. None of us are perfect, we are all a work in progress. But a measurable sign of spiritual growth is the time it takes me to recovery from a lapse into the flesh. The time it takes me, after my sin, to confess and repent is a sign of maturity. For many of us there is lots of confession and little repentance.
Jesus does not want us to have to suffer the natural consequences of immorality and impurity. In our community the number of children born out of marriage, and broken families have lead to generations of poverty, abuse, HIV/AIDS and incarceration. We become our own worst enemy and a slave to our desires. All the federal aid, welfare, special programs will not fix these problems, only a change of heart and spirit will!
The greatest challenge I find as a Christian is to deny my natural impulses and inclinations in any specific situation. In Colossians 3:5 we are told to put to death, therefore, whats ever belongs to your earthly nature, sexual immorality, impurity,lust, evil desire and greed, which is idolatry. The Apostle Paul shares with us in Romans 7:15-24 how difficult it was for him to deal with his fleshly desires or a daily bases. The more we read and internalize God's Word we will gradually be able to resist some of the urges of our flesh. Of course we all know the pleasure urges are the most difficult to suppress. Christians have real problems with adultery and fornication which becomes the "Elephant in The Living Room", at many churches. Paul had the same problem at the Church at Corinth. The scriptures in 1 Corinthians tell of a man in the church who was having sex with his step mother. He must have been a big tither, or a VIP, because the church said nothing and did nothing. Paul, because of this situation, said something that is startling to most Christians. He says in 1 Corinthians 5:10 that you don't have to dissociate yourselves from unbelievers, because you need to evangelize them. However, you should distance yourself from those who profess to be Christians and openly indulge in behaviors forbidden by the scriptures. I didn't say this Paul said it!
I have found that over the years, the more I study, those fleshly desires have diminished and some have disappeared. None of us are perfect, we are all a work in progress. But a measurable sign of spiritual growth is the time it takes me to recovery from a lapse into the flesh. The time it takes me, after my sin, to confess and repent is a sign of maturity. For many of us there is lots of confession and little repentance.
Jesus does not want us to have to suffer the natural consequences of immorality and impurity. In our community the number of children born out of marriage, and broken families have lead to generations of poverty, abuse, HIV/AIDS and incarceration. We become our own worst enemy and a slave to our desires. All the federal aid, welfare, special programs will not fix these problems, only a change of heart and spirit will!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The Practical Applications of the Scriptures
For many years I was a practicing psychotherapist who had many Christians as patients/clients. I would always start my sessions off with this question: What's going on? How long has this been going on? What have you done to deal with this situation? I would then ask them if they were spiritual, and what role had their spirituality played in dealing with their presenting problem. I was surprised to learn that they were unaware of the practicality of God's word, and the counsel that He offers all through the scriptures.
Many Christians are not aware of how they compartmentalize their faith. What I mean by compartmentalization is that they do not allow their faith/spirituality to enter into all aspects of their lives. They are Christians on Sunday, but they do not allow their spirituality to surface at work, social functions, and around certain family and friends. It is like they live a double life. We all have a public self, what we show the public, and a private self , that secret part of our lives.
The scriptures are powerful; they are sociology, psychology, history, anthropology, mathematics and biology. I am most interested in the psychological and sociological aspects of the scriptures for they give prescriptions on how to handle anger, depression, worry, guilt, shame, relationships, money, dealing with conflict, and much more.
In my new capacity as a Christian Life Coach, I use the scripture as an theological approach to dealing with issues of daily life. Our lives are like a play that has several chapters that corresponds with the psychosocial developmental stages of our lives. If we are blesses we may be able to reach the final chapter when we are in our 60's-80's years of age. How well we handle the early chapters of life, the better the later chapters will be. If I make good decisions in the prime of my life, there is a good chance that later life will be peaceful and comfortable. There is peace and comfort in the Scriptures if you know where to find it. It does not help to have cognitive spirituality that just stays in your head and is never put to use. God Bless
Many Christians are not aware of how they compartmentalize their faith. What I mean by compartmentalization is that they do not allow their faith/spirituality to enter into all aspects of their lives. They are Christians on Sunday, but they do not allow their spirituality to surface at work, social functions, and around certain family and friends. It is like they live a double life. We all have a public self, what we show the public, and a private self , that secret part of our lives.
The scriptures are powerful; they are sociology, psychology, history, anthropology, mathematics and biology. I am most interested in the psychological and sociological aspects of the scriptures for they give prescriptions on how to handle anger, depression, worry, guilt, shame, relationships, money, dealing with conflict, and much more.
In my new capacity as a Christian Life Coach, I use the scripture as an theological approach to dealing with issues of daily life. Our lives are like a play that has several chapters that corresponds with the psychosocial developmental stages of our lives. If we are blesses we may be able to reach the final chapter when we are in our 60's-80's years of age. How well we handle the early chapters of life, the better the later chapters will be. If I make good decisions in the prime of my life, there is a good chance that later life will be peaceful and comfortable. There is peace and comfort in the Scriptures if you know where to find it. It does not help to have cognitive spirituality that just stays in your head and is never put to use. God Bless
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Where Have My Dreams Gone?
Remember when you were a young child and you thought about your future and what you wanted to achieve in life. Some of you could envision yourselves as teacher, nurses, doctors, lawyers, husbands, wives and successful members of the community. Somewhere along the way you got sidetracked and did not reach your goal. You are living life frozen in time and looking through a rear view mirror. You find yourself unmotivated, going from one dead end job to another and just surviving. If you are not careful you will get down on yourself and fill your inner being with "stinking thinking." The mind is very important and powerful tool that can build you up or tear you down. Romans 12:2 tells us that we should not conform to this world: but be ye transform by the renewing of our mind, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The scriptures motivates us and gives us the resources needed to rekindle those dreams, and aspirations of our youth. Reading/studying scriptures introduces our minds, souls, and psyche to entirely different way of looking at ourselves, and how we relate to the world. It is beyond me to understand how people say that they are Christians and remained bogged down, unmotivated, and unable to see beyond the here and now.
It was my introduction to the principal of faith that motivated me to apply for graduate school. By all secular, and academic standards I did not fit the profile of a successful graduate student. The way I understood faith was that if I could perceive it I could achieve it. Here lies the problem for many people, they unable to perceive themselves in any other space than their current condition.
I entered graduate school with a low GPA and low GRE score, but graduate with a 3.5 GPA, and passed my licensing examination on the first attempt. I relied on the principals of faith laid out in the scriptures. These principals systematically replaced my old thinking of self-doubt and feeling on inferiority. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! Come on get off your backside and allow the Lord to work in your life.
The scriptures motivates us and gives us the resources needed to rekindle those dreams, and aspirations of our youth. Reading/studying scriptures introduces our minds, souls, and psyche to entirely different way of looking at ourselves, and how we relate to the world. It is beyond me to understand how people say that they are Christians and remained bogged down, unmotivated, and unable to see beyond the here and now.
It was my introduction to the principal of faith that motivated me to apply for graduate school. By all secular, and academic standards I did not fit the profile of a successful graduate student. The way I understood faith was that if I could perceive it I could achieve it. Here lies the problem for many people, they unable to perceive themselves in any other space than their current condition.
I entered graduate school with a low GPA and low GRE score, but graduate with a 3.5 GPA, and passed my licensing examination on the first attempt. I relied on the principals of faith laid out in the scriptures. These principals systematically replaced my old thinking of self-doubt and feeling on inferiority. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! Come on get off your backside and allow the Lord to work in your life.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Overcome Fear With Faith
It is times such as these that we need to depend upon our faith and the covenant that we have with the Lord. It seems that our country controls it people by the use of fear tactics. We see it work in politics with things like, "death panels", said to be in the president health reform. The fear that homosexuals will destroy the American family, while not considering the 50% divorce rate among the Christan population. Many of the conservatives who voice that they are the moral standards, that they are the true Christians have been found to be adulterous, fornicators, and homosexuals themselves. These individuals are not only an offense to the family, but to Christianity.
Then there are those who who are worried about loosing their jobs, their homes, and the life styles that they are accustomed too. There are many of us who have no insurance and need medical care. With all these problems facing us, it is not surprising that we can become overwhelmed by our circumstances and become disconnected from our power source, which is our Faith in the Lord.
Romans 8:15 Paul reminds us " that we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but we have received the Spirit of adoption... In times like these we need to have faith in what Jesus has personally promised us in the scriptures. We cannot be distracted by what we read, hear, see, or feel, but focus on what say it the Lord. When you find yourself loosing focus and drifting off into fear, sadness, or depression immediately begin a conversation with the Lord. Be honest with the Lord and tell Him what you are thinking, feeling, and concerned about. Romans 8:26 says," Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered."
Then there are those who who are worried about loosing their jobs, their homes, and the life styles that they are accustomed too. There are many of us who have no insurance and need medical care. With all these problems facing us, it is not surprising that we can become overwhelmed by our circumstances and become disconnected from our power source, which is our Faith in the Lord.
Romans 8:15 Paul reminds us " that we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but we have received the Spirit of adoption... In times like these we need to have faith in what Jesus has personally promised us in the scriptures. We cannot be distracted by what we read, hear, see, or feel, but focus on what say it the Lord. When you find yourself loosing focus and drifting off into fear, sadness, or depression immediately begin a conversation with the Lord. Be honest with the Lord and tell Him what you are thinking, feeling, and concerned about. Romans 8:26 says," Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered."
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