Category Archives: spiritual enlightenment

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… 🙏🏻

bible, Blogroll, Discipleship, Expectation, faith, journey, personal growth, self improvement, spiritual enlightenment, Spititual Development, vision

No Limits!

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You are capable of so much more! The only limits that you have to live by are the limits that you put on yourself and the great tragedy for most of us, is that we allow way to many limits to get in the way of our true potential.

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” -Luke 1:37

You are a special creation of the Most High God. You are created in the image of your Creator and made of the stuff of your Creator. You have incredible power, unlimited potential and overwhelming priviledge. It is time to wake up to the giftedness that you have been blessed with. It is time to utilize the power you have been given and live the special life of blessing you were created for. It is time to tap into your potential and start enjoying this everyday adventure that we call life. It’s time to start living up to your God-given potential, so that others can be encouraged, inspired and motivated to their best life as they get to witness you living yours…

To become the “no limit” people we were created to be, we are going to need to use some of the tools you have been blessed with, that we sometimes tend to neglect. Today, I want to draw our attention to three very special tools, that make a big difference in my life and living: My Church, My Bible and My Framily!

My Church – Everyone needs a congregation to be a part of. Men, women, boys and girls that we can do life with. People that we can bless and be blessed by. A good church is not just about what you get, but also, it is just as much about what you give. It is the give and take of blessings that created an incredible flow into and through our lives that grows us in ways that nothing else can.

My Bible – It’s been called a lot of things: A love letter, instruction guide, wisdom, God’s Word, Holy Scriptures and the list could go on and on and on. What is important is that each one of us have been given a book that has exactly what we need for exactly when we need it. The tragedy is that many of us never ever take the time to open it up, read it and take nourishment from it’s pages. Just start to read it. One verse a day is better than no verses a day. You will be amazed at how opening up your Bible will open you up to the blessings and growth of God.

My Framily – Framily is really two words put together: Family and Friends. Each one of us have people around us that we are supposed to bless, grow and encourage. We have people around us that are supposed to bless, grow and encourage us, but we have to be open to giving and taking. Look for the folks that God has given you and give yourself to them in the special ways that only you can. You will be amazed at the difference this makes in your life and living.

You are capable of so much more, now start living by claiming what is rightfully yours!

Blogroll, Growing, Healing, journey, life, mindfulness, personal growth, purpose, spiritual enlightenment

Seven Steps To Living A Life Of Resilience!

One of my favorite series of movies is ROCKY. I love everyone of the movies and have passed that love to the rest of my family and especially my daughters. “Eye Of The Tiger – Girls – Eye OF The Tiger!” I think one of the reasons that so many of us love the Rocky movies is because it is the story of resilience, the ability to get knocked down, get back up and keep on going, no matter what.

Live your life long enough and you are going to get knocked down, but you can’t stay down, because that would not be much of a life would it? As I look back on my life, I have to admit, I have been down many times, but I never stay down, because some how, some where inside of me, my Creator placed a beautiful gift called resilience.

Resilience is about adapting, improvising and learning to overcome. Challenge is a natural part of life that becomes a problem for us, when we resist it. Rather than resisting challenge, we need to learn to embrace it. When we embrace challenge, we learn and grow from it.

At the end of the day, there are only a few things that really matter. Are you thriving or surviving, because God created us to thrive? Are you allowing the love to flow by receiving and sharing love? Are you learning and growing, because this life is all about getting ready for eternity? Are you laughing and enjoying the journey, because life really is a precious gift? We need to get it right, because we all have family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and even strangers that are looking to us for blessing, direction and hope.

Here Are Seven Steps To Living A Life Of Resilience:

1. RELAX! We really do need to learn to chill. I’m not saying that we should not take life seriously, but we don’t need to take ourselves too seriously. Chill out! Take a moment to breathe in, hold it, now breathe out! See, it’s not a big deal after all. I’ve got some very encouraging news for you: The success or failure of this world is not dependent upon you!

2. CHECK YOUR THINKING! There are so many different things that impact our thinking and if we are not careful, we will allow the wrong things, which will lead to stinking thinking. We need to continually check our thinking, where it’s coming from and where it’s going. If our thinking if not right, then we need to fix it.

3. LEARN FROM MISTAKES AND FAILURES! I’ve got some really good news for you. No one expects you to be perfect and if anyone does expect you to be perfect, then they are revealing their imperfection with such an unrealistic expectation. I have always said that if we will learn from a mistake, sin or failure, then it wasn’t a waste, it was an education and people pay big money for an education.

4. REMEMBER YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHOOSE! You cannot choose for anyone else and no one else can choose for you, but you do have this amazing ability to choose for yourself, what you are going to believe and how you are going to react. Choose wisely!

5. PRACTICE FLEXIBILITY! There is a Japanese Proverb that says: “The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists.” We have to be flexible in this human experience if our Spirit is going to grow us into what we are called and created to be.

6. SET GOALS! Everyday is an opportunity to experience new and amazing things, but most of us miss the divine, because we allow ourselves to be distracted by stuff that really does not matter in the grand scheme of life. Take a look at your spiritual, mental and physical life and focus on becoming all that you were created to be.

7. GROW YOURSELF! Stop worrying about fixing everybody and everything else and make sure that you are the very best you that you can be, because at the end of the day, if we can get this right, then the promise is that God will take care of the rest.