Post #76(b) - Being Transparent with God

God sees all and He knows all. There's nothing we can hide from Him. Nothing we can stow away and keep secret. 

So, why don't we tell and give Him everything? Why do we hold on to our lives and all the things that keep us bound? Will it hurt us to let it go? 

Do you think there's something you are going to tell God that He doesn't already know? Do you think your secrets are going to take Him by surprise? What will you have to lose? 

Nothing. God knows all.

He knows, but He still wants us to be open and honest with Him. To be transparent.

He wants us to give Him our pains, our disgraces, our confusion. In fact, God will not attempt to correct our problems if we don't bring them to Him. He will not force Himself on us or make us turn to Him. 

But, He does offer us His help. He offers us comfort and rest when we bring our burdens to Him. He lightens our burdens and makes them easier to carry.

But, we've got to seek His help. We've got to humble ourselves and admit that we are sinners. We've got to give him our loads of sin and disobedience. We've got to give Him our skeletons and let Him heal them and forgive us for them. 

This requires honesty and transparency. God knows when you are not being honest. And He will remain silent until you are.

When we come to Him in honesty and humility, desiring change and to be more like Him, He will answer us. The bible says that if we ask for wisdom, God will generously give it to us without finding fault (James 1:5). He wants to forgive us, free us, and bless us. But, we have to go to Him and ask.

We have to petition Him with honesty and transparency, with frankness and thankfulness, knowing He is faithful to perform and will give us what we've asked. 

He says He will have compassion on us. He will forgive us, wipe out all our sins, and throw them into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19). But, how can He do this if we are too proud and shameful to confess them?

Humble yourself. Be open and transparent with God. Give Him your sins and secrets. 

You don't need them anymore. 

Post #76(a) - D-I-S-C-I-P-L-I-N-E!!

Discipline was our mantra in bootcamp. With everything we did, from picking the lint out of the scrub brush to adjusting into our favorite sleeping position, we had to spell out the word discipline while we did it. This drilled discipline into our minds and made it a habit.

Discipline proved to be important throughout my time in the military and has proven to be as important in my life today. 

When I've found myself lacking in discipline, I also found myself in situations I didn't want to be in. When I lacked the discipline to pay my bills on time, I found myself scrambling to pay the bill so that nothing got disconnected. And I had to pay a hefty late fee.

When I lacked the discipline to eat right and exercise, I found myself gaining weight and unhealthy habits. I'm still struggling to lose those. 

Discipline can potentially help us in many areas. Discipline can keep us accountable and accomplished. But, we have to apply it.

Discipline takes self control. But, a lot of us fail to do what we need to do when we need to do it. This is called laziness and procrastination. We reject self control and let our excuses take over.

I've been guilty of this. I've struggled with it. Discipline has tried to escape me. Procrastination has tried to push me off track. 

But, I have to stay focused!! 

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 that we must be as disciplined as an athlete. "All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So, I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing."

Paul tells us that we have to discipline our bodies like an athlete, "training it to do what it should." This is my goal. For I fear as Paul feared, that "otherwise... after preaching to others, I myself might be disqualified."

So, I wake up each morning, fighting for the discipline to get up and do as I should. I fight to maintain discipline and focus throughout the day. To continue to concentrate on and do the things that need to be done, marking them as accomplished. And, I fight every night not to condemn myself for the tasks that didn't get done. To put the work away and wind down so that I can get rest and recharge for the next day.

And I must have compassion for myself. Understanding that I am not perfect and I'm not a robot. I get tired, I forget, I hit road blocks, I fall short. 

This is life.... And I shouldn't beat myself up for it. 

But, I should strive for perfection. I should work to maintain discipline and bring my body and mind under subjection.

If God wakes me up in the morning, I must get up and work for Him. Realizing that I was gifted another day because I have purpose. I have a charge to keep and a God to glorify!

If God blesses me to live throughout the day, I must work. I must travail to complete the tasks given to me by God. Because when night comes, no man can work (John 9:4).

But, even Jesus had to rest. And I must rest, too. Putting down my pencil and pad and bidding God goodnight. 

But, I must look back over the work I've done and KNOW that I have made progress. I must know that I have accomplished the day's mission. I have taken another step towards purpose.

If I lack discipline and focus, if I get and remain distracted, I can effectively accomplish nothing. And I am of no use to God.

But, I AM highly disciplined. I am FOREVER focused on God and His commands. I am proving myself suitable and appropriate. 

I am disciplined to do what I have been called to do. 

No one can do it but me.

Post #75(a) - Suggestions, anyone?

I took on a big job when I challenged myself to write this blog for 365 days straight. I haven't exactly stayed on track with it. Though, I have tried my best.

Obstacles jumped in the way that made it difficult to post sometimes. Like when I got sick, or when I had internet issues. 

This is a different obstacle. 

It's difficult coming up with something to write about every day. Especially something that I think would interest you.

My goal is to talk about topics that can edify, uplift, and possibly even give you a different perspective. 

Too many of us have closed minds. And we cannot fully understand, trust, and follow

God if our minds are permanently closed. God is not traditional or safe. His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. 

In able to understand God, we've got to put away our old way of thinking and pick up His way.

We've got to forget about what we've been taught, what society says, and trust that God's word is best. That His way of doing life trumps all others.

This is what I attempt to share with you. 

I want to possibly open someone's eyes, change someone's mind, possibly change someone's life...

The problem is, it's been more and more difficult to think up topics to write about. Probably because I haven't been in the right creative posture. I've been finding myself distracted and lacking focus lately. I'm working on changing this.

So, what I need are suggestions. 

I'm hoping that while I'm fighting with my creative lock down, you can give me some topics to write about. What would you like to hear or discuss? What would you like to know more about? What would enlighten you or entertain you?

The road to the pursuit of our goals is not always a straight and perfect one. We may hit some potholes and speed bumps. We may even run into some ditches. All that matters is that we keep on going. 

That's what I would like to do. I want to continue this challenge to its completion. But, I need your help. 

I'm sure my creative juices will be back up and running soon. Until then, tell me what you want to read about, what you want to hear, and I will try to oblige. 

I hope to hear from you!! 

Until then, click here to read some of the other posts in this blog. 

Post #74(b) - Quoting Possibilities

"Look beyond your adversities and never stop loving your life. Open the door of your mind to embrace positivity and then push forward with faith. Once there is life and the presence of God, there will always be endless possibilities. " - Edmond Mbiaka

"Every morning the sun rises with endless possibilities that give you endless opportunities to begin again and to create a brand new life. " -Debasish Mridha

"It's not only moving that creates new starting points. Sometimes all it takes is a subtle shift in perspective, an opening of the mind, an intentional pause and reset, or a new route to start to see new options and new possibilities." -Kristin Armstrong 

"The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act and not react." 

-George Bernard Shaw

"The only limits on the possibilities in your life tomorrow are the buts you use today.

It takes someone with a vision of the possibilities to attain new levels of experience. Someone with the courage to live his dreams." 

- Les Brown

"Hope is the magic carpet that transports us from the present moment into the realm of infinite possibilities."

- H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

"Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning."

- Gloria Steinem

"You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination. 

Concern yourself more with accepting responsibility than with assigning blame. Let the possibilities inspire you more than the obstacles discourage you.

If you so choose, even the unexpected setbacks can bring new and positive possibilities. If you so choose, you can find value and fulfillment in every circumstance.

Take your mind off the problems for a moment, and focus on the positive possibilities. Consider how very much you are able to do."

- Ralph Marston

"We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. They do not exist."

- Queen Victoria 

"Problems are the outward signs of unused inner possibilities." - Rollo May

"...if you have a goal that is very, very far out, and you approach it in little steps, you start to get there faster. Your mind opens up to the possibilities. " - Mae Jemison

"With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." - Matthew 19:26

Quotes courtesy of brainyquote.com, goodreads.com, and the Holy Bible

Post #74(a) - A New Year for Possibilities

I know this is a bit late, but I wanted to make sure I sent out some well wishes for 2020.

I want to remind you that it's possible. 

Whatever it is. 

Whatever the thing is that you are running away from or are too afraid to do... it's possible. 

No matter how big it seems or what obstacles you might feel are in the way... it's possible. 

You might feel like you don't have enough money or you're too old, or your kids are still young... it's still possible. 

It doesn't matter what family you come from or what your mother or father did or didn't do. It's possible. 

You might be penniless, jobless, homeless... it's still possible. 

You may have made mistakes, fell short, and sinned so badly that you think God will never forgive you. God wants you to know that He loves you and it's possible. 

No matter your circumstances, your background, or your current situation, with God all things are possible! And He has made it possible for you! For us! 

So, let's go into and through 2020 remembering that IT'S POSSIBLE. And because it's possible, nothing can stop us from pursuing our dreams, meeting our goals, and reaching a higher level this year!

We may not reach the very top, but we're on our way. And we will not quit because we know that it's possible. 

Post #73(b) - First Fix Yourself

Why do we try so hard to fix each other but refuse to fix ourselves?

We always point out other people's flaws, faults, and mistakes but we don't consider and take responsibility for our own.

Why is this?? 

Why do you see the speck in someone else's eye, but don't notice the log on your own eye? You can't take the splinter out of your brother's eye when you have a plank in your own. It doesn't work like that. In doing this, Jesus Himself calls you a hypocrite (Matthew 7:1-5).

The more you try to fix someone else's issues, the more you will be reminded of your own. And you will not be satisfied with, happy with, or understand anyone else until you fix yourself. Until you finally admit your own shortcomings and commit to working on YOU. 

As long as we focus on someone else's sins, flaws, and mistakes, we will be continually unhappy with ourselves. Continually comparing ourselves with others. 

Usually, the things that we point out in other people are the main issues we are struggling with ourselves. Pointing them out in others makes us feel better about ourselves and our own shortcomings. Makes us feel that we are not alone. Misery loves company!

The change we are looking for in each other, should first take place in ourselves. It is not our job to judge anyone and try to change them. It's impossible! 

Only God can do the changing!

The bible says that when a brother or sister is caught in a fault, we as children of God, we who are supposed to be spiritual, should restore them with meekness (Galatians 6:1).

We are not told to judge, talk about, criticize, put down, demean, gossip about, turn our backs on, push away, or condemn. We are told to love, encourage, support, and restore. 

When we can do this, we are displaying our level of faith and spiritual maturity. On the other hand, when we judge and negatively criticize others, we show our lack of faith and maturity. We show our contempt for God and for His word. 

So, we've got to stop judging and picking at the flaws and sins of others. We are all sinners and need God's grace. We are all imperfect and have fallen short of God's standards. 

None of us have the right or the room to judge anyone else. 

We should be concentrating on fixing ourselves first!

Post #73(a) - Take Time to Think

Thinking is a form of meditation that I have found to be incredibly helpful. Some of the most innovative people in the world have thought up their greatest ideas by taking out time to just sit and think. 

There's not much to it. Just sit in a quiet place with a pad and pen or the notes app open on your smart phone... and think.

Set a timer or alarm designating a certain amount of time and just let your mind go. 

You can start by asking yourself a question or putting a topic in mind that you want ideas or direction for. Like with meditation, if your mind begins to wander, gently being it back under your control. Be patient with your mind and understand that thinking different and random thoughts is its job! 

If you don't have anything in particular to think about in mind, just allow your mind to go on its own. Pay attention to the things you think. Write them down - all of them. You can weed out the gibberish later.

Taking the time to think, making it a deliberate activity, can help your thoughts be clearer and more profound. You can hone in on exactly what you are seeking answers or ideas for, rather than waiting for something random.

I schedule a think session for myself once a week. I set a timer with a soothing tone and start it just before I begin to think. I usually start my session by asking a question and going into thought expecting an amazing and innovative answer. 

I let my mind go and I write down EVERY profound thought I think. 

I have had some real 'a-ha' moments while thinking. I have thought up so many useful ideas. Some I have implemented. Others I still have to work on. 

Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, one of the largest companies in the US, says that he has spent approximately 80% of his career reading and thinking. And Microsoft's founder, Bill Gates, takes two weeks off a year just to think and reflect (Empact, 2016).

These businessmen, and many others, attest that taking time out to think can be beneficial in both business and in life. I haven't reached their status yet, but I can affirm that thinking has been very beneficial for me. And I intend to continue to think myself higher.

All I have to do now is put all of these amazing ideas to work!!

Resource: Empact. (2016). Why Successful People Spend 10 Hours a Week Just Thinking.