Category Archives: self improvement

appreciation, Blogroll, choices, Enlightenment, Fellowship, Growing, Healing, journey, mindfulness, Nobility, positive, self help, self improvement, spiritual enlightenment, Spititual Development, Values, vision

The Lost Art Of Nobility!

I love watching movies about Kings, Queens, Knights and Explorers. The grand castles, elaborate feasts and adventure of running a kingdom has always been fascinating to me. Another reason that I love these movies is because they paint such a clear picture of good versus evil. A good and noble King or Queen know that they are serving God by serving people and do not take their special position of nobility lightly.

William Shakespeare has King Richard IV Part 2 in act 3, scene 1 speak the following words: “And in the visitation of the winds, who take the ruffian billows by the top, curling their monstrous heads and hanging them with deafening clamour in the slippery clouds, that, with the hurly, death itself awakes? Canst thou, O partial sleep, give thy repose To the wet sea-boy in an hour so rude, And in the calmest and most stillest night,
with all appliances and means to boot, deny it to a king? Then happy low, lie down! Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”

The sad reality is that most of us have lost this idea of nobility, of being grateful for our blessings and using our blessings to be a blessing to others. We have allowed ourselves to get caught up in a “dog eat dog” world, where we believe that the ends justify the means, even if the means goes against everything we believe in. And the greatest tragedy in all of this is that people are not happier or more fulfilled and certainly not satisfied.

We have become so full of ourselves that we have become empty of anything meaningful. We have allowed the enemy to convince us that we are competing against one another for blessing and this is simply just not true. There is plenty of blessing for everyone of us and the way to blessing is not to get it all for yourself, but to take what you have been blessed with and be a blessing to others.

Jesus put it this way in Matthew 5:1-12 “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

These “Beatitudes” are the attitudes that will help us to live the life we were created for, so that we might experience the flow of blessing into and through our life and living. The only person that you need to try and be better than is the person you were yesterday! Put this into practice and you will discover that life is a gift that keeps on giving and begin to understand that not all who wander are lost…

Blogroll, choices, Enlightenment, faith, God, Gratitude, Growing, Healing, Nature, outside, peace, self improvement, spiritual enlightenment, Spititual Development

Outside Benefits!

Most mornings after my “walk and talk”, you can find me right here in this spot enjoying my morning beverage (Coffee, Tea or Breakfast Shake), soaking up nature and thinking about whatever things God has put on my mind.

Getting outside and beginning my day in nature with my Creator is one of the not so secret secrets to my life of blessing. It allows me to clear my mind, exercise my body and align my Spirit with the things that really matter.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” -Romans 8:28

Here are a few benefits to getting outside…

1.) Outside Makes Life Better! Simply getting outside for 20 – 30 minutes make a tremendous difference in you physical, mental and spiritual life. Studies show that you don’t even have to do anything, but that just by getting outside, you experience life benefits.

2.) Soaking Up Some Sun Is Healing! The best source of vitamin D comes from the sun and as much as 40% of people today actually have a vitamin D deficiency. Soaking up a little of the sun will actually make you much healthier physically and mentally…

3.) It’s One Of The Best Remedies For Anxiety, Depression And Stress! Studies actually show that taking the time to casually walk outside in green and growing spaces lowers the stress hormone cortisol, which is in high levels leads to a plethora of health issues.

There are probably thousands of benefits that we can discover from being outside, but we want discover them in the house on the couch, so make and take some time today and everyday to get outside and enjoy your Creator’s Creation, which you are a vital part of…

Remember: Not everyone who wanders is lost!

Church, Discipleship, God, grace, Gratitude, personal growth, self improvement, spiritual enlightenment

Be Anxious For Nothing!

When I was planning our worship service at Eureka Baptist Church for this first Sunday in June, I certainly did not think that I would be spending it laid up in the hospital ICU. Proverbs 16:9 says: “A man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” I believe this to be true and I am certain of it from personal experience. Last week as I was planning the service, the Spirit of God drew me to Philippians 4:6-8 which says “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

My plans were for us to read this verse together as a Pastor and Congregation and to follow up it’s reading with a celebration of worship with that good ole classic hymn: Peace Like A River! The song says: “I’ve got peace like a river.” ‘I’ve got love like an ocean.” ‘I’ve got joy like a fountain.” Followed by all three together: “I’ve got peace love and joy like a river!’ I was not able to be there to lead us in this sweet time of remembering God’s faithfulness, but I believe it more than ever and look forward to getting back with my spiritual family as soon as possible, so we can celebrate God’s goodness to let us plan, but still have Him taking care of our steps.

One of my favorite songs and an always great reminder of my dependence upon God is: “I Can’t Even Walk!” https://youtu.be/Z4JFCHcbqEE

In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 the great Apostle Paul talked about his thorn in the flesh. I have often thought of my flesh as one great big thorn! 😉 But it takes Flesh and Spirit to serve God and I am grateful that God has taken care of both of mine. I am not quiet out of the woods yet, but I feel like I am at least through the woods and believe that God is going to use even this for our blessing and His glory.

I love all of my family and friends, more than words can say. I truly look forward to every time we are together and even more so, after this little challenge. And you know that this just fires me up for all that God has in store for us that much more… 🙏🏻