Want A Positive Mindset?

In the grind of every day life it can be really easy to get caught up in the critical, negativity of what's not happening or what you don't have. Maybe you caught every red light on your way home or you finally saved enough to update the house, but your car broke down. So many things in life can throw a curve ball our way. It can be so easy to focus on what's going wrong. Then there's the Negative Nancy's that rub in the negativity ten times worse than where you were at. Yikes!

It's really been on my heart to keep a positive attitude no matter what. I believe that what ever posture your heart takes, whether negative or positive, will bleed an outlook in all areas of life. Kinda like the, "rose colored glasses" concept. The color of your glasses paint the tint you see in the world most.

Before I go further I wanted to state, I am not a fan of fake and fluffy. If something terrible happened I don't think pretending every thing is OK is the answer. How the terrible things effect our hearts posture is where I believe we have the choice to let negativity or positivity root into our souls. I believe agreeing with truth is the point where freedom takes place. I also believe that our expectations and agreements can have an influence on the outcomes of life.

Today I was inspired by the Lord to make a "Gratitude Board." A board designed just how I like it, with all the good things the Lord has done and all the blessings He's given me. That way I'll be able to see it every day and remember how good God has been to me. I love how God is creative and enjoys helping us in practical ways.

Now I'm super visual so this board is going to help me SEE the goodness, haha! You may be different, perhaps keeping a audio log would be better for you or writing about it down in a notebook. Every one is so unique there really isn't a limit as to HOW we can remember God's goodness.

This fun way to remember God's goodness is connected to the verse in Philippians 4:8

"Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."

Try it and see what happens!!

When Love Knocks Fear Fails

Lately I've had the privilege to get to know a very special person. He and I have gone through crazy things together. We've had high stress times and lots of fear buttons pushed. Along the way I have really noticed that fears really cause people to not act like themselves. In a matter of seconds the switch flips, BAM!! It's like this alarm inside goes off; people kick into survival mode, get aggressive or totally shut down hiding in their preverbial shell. Why do we as humans act like that?

More and more I see that a past experience, one of injury, certain belief or trauma, keep people stuck in their soul in that old place. This throws up a wall, this fortress of mistrust and defenses. The fear usually pops up once again, maybe a few days later, perhaps years down the road when similar situations come around again. I personally don't like that very much.

The acronym for fear is

False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

Fear is never true!! The only way fears can become true is if we agree with them and give them power.

One day, a friend of mine told me that when that same fear shoots up again inside, it can actually be an opportunity to grow past it. Now I've heard of overcoming fears before and have done crazy things in my life for the sake of "overcoming fear," however, he suggested that when we feel fear often it is Love Himself coming to fill our hearts. It's like this, when Love come around our hearts have a choice of how we respond. All the places that work great open up and enjoy! The places that are griped with defenses will react in what they are rooted in. I imagine these little soldiers in the fortress of "self defense" and "self preservation" yelling out, "IN COMING!!!!!! Man your stations!" Because the fortresses of fear are rooted in fear the reaction to the "invader," Love, is fear! At this moment we all have a choice to make. We can A) push Love back, keeping the fortress doors tightly shut OR we can choose B) open up to the truth of Love, experiencing healing.

Knowing this principles has really changed my life!! Now I know when fear blows up in my soul, I can let Love in. That means I don't run, harden, push back or react, but let Jesus (Perfect Love) know He can replace the fear with His love. Often times Love loves on me through that very special person who I've been walking out these crazy situations with. Sometimes all it takes is saying,"I'm afraid, because of ____ and ____, but I choose to believe the truth of Love. Help!" Simple, but effective!

Thanks for reading!

We Must Know THE Artist

I found a writing from March, 4th 2010. In reading it I find I am inspired unto peace once again...

"Sometimes I feel this pressure to figure everything out all at once about who God made me to be. This self-focus and self-evaluation sneaks up on me and drowns me in a whirlwind of analyzation. 

I'm finding that this discovery is a process to be ENJOYED, not filled with drudgery or pressure. I'm finding that the process is more simple than I imagined... know God and you will know yourself...

We cannot know who we are unless we know who GOD is. He is our Father and gives is identity... only He truly knows who we are. We have filters and blinders from wounds, accusations, people's opinions, our own concepts etc... God sees deeper...

Actually, He sees so deeply because He hand crafted us in the womb... He really knows us. Just like an artist knows their work, He knows us and put elements of Himself in us. He invested Himself in us... ideas, dreams, expressions of His nature, who HE is, is who WE ARE... we bare the image of our Creator. 

People's ideas of who we are changes... our own idea of who we are changes too... man looks on the OUTSIDE, but God looks at the HEART. It's the heart that lasts and stays with us. It's the heart, the core of who we are that holds the passions and life we express and live.

Lastly, we are not bound by the boxes of what was or has been, in society, history, and in our minds. No two people are alike and therefor we've already been set-up to do something new, fresh, unique, and full of the LIFE/PASSION in us. Only you can show the world the love of Jesus as you... no one else can do that... no one else can be you!!! We all have so much value. We can just BE. 

What elements of the Artist do you express?"

Invitation VS Pressurization - Quick Quote

The Holy Spirit INVITES us to love and follow Jesus, it's a religious spirit that PRESSURES/FORCES us to do so... same external appearance - WAY different internal heart experience. 

- Christ in Rachel May

Unexpected Kindness

This is not the man whom I met; Google image.

A few weeks back I was in grouchiest of moods. The experience I am about to share showed me how amazingly powerful love and kindness are and how both can come from unexpected places.

It all began one afternoon when I went to the gym to run off some steam. So many fears, frustrations, and ugly emotions were peaking out of me all at once the last 24 hours and I needed an outlet. My mom and I have been walking together at the gym to make sure the cold northern winter doesn't turn us into hibernating bear lard. She recommended a walk was definitely in order on my grouchy day.

I could tell I wore a, "don't mess with me," face and sent out that, "don't look at me, talk to me, or touch me," vibe as we walked into the gym. I've been upset before, but this day was over the top. Ever have one of those days?

We entered the track and all I could think was, "relax, chill, everything is going to be OK, just run it off." I couldn't shake it, I could feel myself sinking into this black hole of negativity. As my "walk" began I found myself running, and at an unusually fast pace. Haha. All of a sudden I had a fuel to really ruuuun!

I generally notice people wherever I go. It's a natural thing I do pretty much everywhere. What can I say, I like people. On this particular day, some mentally handicap people were using the track as well. I didn't pay too much attention though and just tried to stick to my running.

After a few rounds, I couldn't help notice this guy who began to stare at me. I had passed him before, but for some reason this time he couldn't stop staring. I broke down and rummaged up the best "hi" I could to him. I could tell my smile was beyond noticeably fake. To my surprise, he responded back with a beautiful smile and boisterous "hiiiiiii!!!" As simple as this was, a sense of love filled my heart and tears filled my eyes. Rather than treating me how I was feeling, he was loving and kind.

All my walls came tumbling down from this guy, who the world says is mentally handicapped.

I watched him go around the track. He was utterly happy and FULL of joy. He would gradually pick up his pace, throw his hands up in the air (you know, like the pros when they cross the finish line), and bust out a peace sign in the right hand.

I knew the Lord had sent this amazing person my way. In a time when I didn't deserve love, He chooses to give love anyway. He uses those who are willing to share love with anyone, even if that anyone is at their lower point.

I learned two things that day...

1) God loves me, a lot, and knows how to get to my heart. He's not scared of my mess. Amazing feeling.

and

2) This mentally handicapped guy may not posses the capacity to be a civil engineer, scientist, or be a business analyst, but he posses more genuine love than I have seen in most. That love is worth more than any position, title, or amount of money. As the Visa/MasterCard commercial would say, "priceless." I am grateful to him for being willing to share so freely with me his love and kindness. He has my respect and honor.

Thanks for reading...  

The Body Effect of Emotions and Healing

Today I'm going to talk briefly on the effects of negative emotions and being healed of them on our
physical body.

Don't think you have any toxic emotions? Check out some of the effects of stress has on our bodies:

Back Pain
Headaches
Chronic Fatigue
Colitis
High Blood Pressure and stroke
IBS
Peptic ulcers
Diminished sexual desire
Rosacea
Eczema
Psoriasis
Low immune system, prone to sickness/disease

Mentally speaking, I know of several people (including myself at times) that often have anxiety attacks or racing heart beats. Emotions such as anger, fear, bitterness, guilt, shame, hurt, etc... cause our body to release chemicals that effect the body negatively. In the brain we actually form patterns of negative thinking... the cells to these paths look like sickly trees. Here's a picture of a normal brain cell.

"Research has found that permanent memories are stored when nerve cells in the brain reorganize and strengthen the connections with one another." (Single Brain Cell/Memory)

How often do we get upset about something, encounter a negative emotion and go on with our busy day? Even though we are now consciously thinking about our job or task at hand those negative effects do not go away naturally.

"Negative emotions don't die. We bury them alive!" 
                    - Dennis and Dr. Jennifer Clark 
(Book - Touching God: How to Heal Your Deepest Hurts and How To Connect with God 24/7)

Before you may think, "I have so many things that could be effecting me from this week alone, not to mention my whole life," there is a surprisingly quick and easy way to have peace fill those places and let healing take place. Now to the good part...

What Dennis and Dr. Jennifer Clark have discovered was that forgiveness is the resolution to these toxic emotions. Not the kind of forgiveness where we talk ourselves into it mentally, or even cry over it, but actually letting Christ Jesus the person, inside of us, do the forgiving for us. After all, it is now Christ that lives in us, we no longer live (Gal. 2:20), right?

In the same way, we were instantly forgiven of ALL our sin (past, present, and future), Jesus Christ, the person, can instantly cleanse us instantly through forgiveness.

I'll admit it sounded kinda too good to be true, but each night before bed I am asking the Holy Spirit to come and show me places where I have not forgiven or places of irritation, fear, or anger that I may still be holding onto under everything. Each time I have let Christ the Forgiver come in and through my emotions I have felt so much peace. One other thing you can do, which has been a big one for me is to receive forgiveness from the Lord for holding onto those emotions (knowingly or unknowingly). You would be surprised how amazing it feels to have forgiveness yourself.

To bring it around full circle, once you feel peace and joy... through forgiveness... neuropeptides fill the body and oxytocin is released (Most know oxytocin being related to sex or giving birth) and your body allows neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity, allows the brain to be moldable, giving the ability of unlearning and learning. Say good bye to those sickly brain cells and hello to a whole new way of thinking. Christ minded thinking!!

I've spit out some brief information on what the Clarks have to say. If you're wanting more information I would encourage you to visit their website at: Full Stature Ministries

Hope you enjoyed this segment of emotional/physical health!! More to come on creativity, rest, and just thoughts about Jesus as a person!

Healing From Within

I've recently studying the healing of the heart. When I say heart, I don't mean the one that is located on the left side of a human chest. I don't even mean the one that is represented at Valentine's Day. I'm talking about the part of a human that holds our emotional memories of good and bad life events. It's actually located in our belly. Sounds crazy, but if you close your eyes and take a deep breath you can actually feel things in your gut. Biblically referenced by Jesus, it's the "Out of your belly will flow forth living waters." Our spirit man resides in our belly and we it was made to FLOW! How many times have you gotten hurt so deeply it felt as if you had been, "punched in the gut?"

I realized by some events over the years and encounters with some disappointments that I've felt pretty stagnant. . . dull. . . board. . . blah. . . even numb.

I came across some DVDs and books from Dennis and Dr. Jennifer Clark ( Full Stature Ministries ). They have some amazing insights on the brain/heart connections. They mention that Psychotherapists, and Psychologist, even Christian counselors, have been trying to get people's minds to control their emotions in order for them to be healed or at peace within, however, they have discovered that there is an easier way to release people into healing and it is completely opposite of what's been taught. Now there is a lot that goes into what I'm about to say, so feel free to check their website out (listed above) because I'm only going to mention a snippet. . .

Many times we try to control our emotions by changing our self talk, our thoughts... we grind our mind to think certain things, we force our thoughts to change, however, as I have personally experienced we do not really and truly get a break through until that desperation point. The desperation point causes us to... let go... surrender... give-up so to speak and in that moment is when we actually open up our heart and release. . . Can you relate?

What the Clarks have said is that we can start at the point of release by simply going to our emotions first rather than thoughts. Now, one important aspect is that once we find the emotion, say it's frustration.. we find the thought... say, trouble at work... at that point we ask Jesus to come into that emotion and bring peace to us. Since Jesus is already Spirit it is easy access for the Lord to meet you there. He can come and release peace into the place of frustration. You can then think about the trouble at work with a peaceful feeling, rather than the frustration felt before.

This is amazing to me because I've found that in my personal journey of peace and joy I found it the easiest to believe the truth when my emotional state was open to it. I've tried and tried to think positively, but I found myself becoming fake and not really honest. The Clarks talk about how our belly/heart is the place God designed us to operate in power and authority. I found this to be true!!! As hard as I tried to believe the truth about being forgiven or even forgiving others, the reality of the truth was not really functional until a genuine, lasting peace or joy was in place in my heart.

I am so thankful that Jesus did not make things complicated or heavy! When we invite Jesus into those places of negative emotions, HE carries it away... all we do is receive... (sigh) too easy huh?

N e x t . . .  I'll write a little bit about the physiological effects that this heart healing has on us. It's pretty amazing!!  



   

Rest !

. . . Rest . . .

"We need to change our paradigm by giving more value to the sacredness of rest. If we begin by seeing it as a part of our design, apart of our spiritual DNA, we will feel more permission to enter into it and cease running." 
              - Kim Thomas (Author of "Even God Rested") 


What I'm finding is that rest is truly an art and not simply the absence of doing work. So much of rest is heavily weighed on our emotional responses to life, which is heavily steered by our thoughts and personality. Rest is apart of our spiritual DNA and is a worth while the investment for our spirits.

It's funny how things like doing dishes, jogging in the brisk cold air, watching the birds squabble at each other or even editing photos are therapy for me. The act in and of itself doesn't seem outwardly like therapy, but the way my spirit reacts to doing these things gives me so much life inside and even peace. With that said I no longer believe that rest always looks like that vacation to the beach (although the beach is definitely a favorite of mine). Different things in life speak to different people.

My dad, for instance, finds driving his car VERY fast, stress relieving. My brother enjoys watching the WHOLE season of Scrubs, watching a few before bed each night. These things by no means relax me at all or speak peace to my inner self.

We are all so different and so unique why would we all find rest the same? The last year or so I have been on a journey to find these things that refresh and reignite life in me and I'm finding that even though I am a people person I really do enjoy the quietness of a still empty house. As hard as it is for me to sit still, the stillness rejuvenates my spirit like a cool breeze and I can actually feel whats going on inside. Peace. If you feel ADD most of the time, stillness may be your best friend.

One last thought, a lot of true rest I believe, includes letting go of all the clutter in our minds/souls. The worries and fears that nag, or the To Do's that push, or people who pull on you... I'm learning to let them go. My best friend, Jesus, takes it all for me and reminds me of what is needed for each day. Giving things to the Lord in verbal prayer has been quite a release.

"You take off my heavy boots and You wear them for me." 
                     - Chloe Leavers  (Singer/Song Writer - "Heavy Boots")

More to come on rest...

News flash!
A new 2013 challenge is to post 1 blog entry each week! I'm excited to try this out and see what becomes of it. I welcome you to view and comment along the way!!