“Flying Blind” Blog #239
Are there “Red Flags” in my life right now?
Can I find immediate courage to face all my darkness?
Why is it urgent to transform into my “Higher Self” NOW?
The other day I had a lengthy drive ahead of me so I turned on a talk show to keep my
interest. A lady had called in to speak with Dr. Laura regarding a problematic close
relationship. She stated her mother was no longer talking to her because the caller and
her family were Christians and the callers mother was an atheist. Dr. Laura listened and
then questioned how the children were currently being raised. “A Christian school,” said
the caller. She also informed Dr. Laura that she had told her mother not to tell her children
“God did not exist” and not to discuss anything spiritual if she came to visit. The woman’s
mother said, “In that case, I want nothing more to do with you, your husband and your
three children. You are filling the children’s minds with fabricated lies”. Interestingly
enough, the caller described her own childhood growing up. She said her parents had
become divorced while she was very young. She had been depressed a lot and not close
to any friends. A dark time in her life, caused her to seriously think about ending it all. Her
home life was quiet after the divorce, but constant fear ran through her being and it was
only a year or two into college when she met her husband, who was an active Methodist
Christian. The caller said she immediately began to go to his church and found more
purpose in life. Outside of her mother, the caller and her husband and children were
leading a very supportive, active and spiritually full life.
How many families lead busy, crazy, active lives now completely without Jesus in their
home? When we accept Jesus we fly with wings of eagles and never fly blind. What in the
world is so frightening about Jesus Christ? He healed the sick and did miracle after
miracle including making the blind see! Where is fear in this awareness? People who insist
on NO internal spiritual help are constantly “flying blind”. They go it alone. No wonder there
is so much sadness, so many souls alone, such heartache. Yes, darkness does exist but
just as surely as the light of God that is all protecting, all healing and all powerful over
darkness. Herein lies the secret to loneliness and guilt. Take off the “blinders” as one flies
through life. Put on the cross of Jesus and stay firm. There is a danger zone all of us go
into IF we are living life alone in a secular world insisting on “flying blind”. So I invite HIM into
my heart as Jesus holds my hand now.
“I admit Lord, I am powerless over my own life and thank you for guiding me daily”
Here is a perfect St. Michael Prayer of Protection that can be said daily:
“St. Michael the Arch Angel defend us in battle,
be our protection against the wickedness and the snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him we humbly pray;
And do thou O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God,
cast into hell Satan and all of the evil spirits who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls”. Amen
Can I take off the blinders and see the light of Christ in my life today?
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“Why Blame?” Blog #238
Do I start this day blaming myself for things gone wrong?
Have I blamed others for my own unhappiness?
Blame: “being solely responsible for something bad that has happened to me. He/She
really had only him/herself to blame”. If I choose to live this way, I LIVE IN THE PAST. This is
darkness. Now am I ready to do the hard things expected of me internally? CLOSE THE
DOOR TO YESTERDAY, OTHERS THAN LEARNING FROM IT. There are some people who have no
need to turn on a television set, or watch an uplifting movie in the evening. They would
rather go over and over all the sad misfortunes of yesteryear in their mind. Sit and
internally complain. Why me? Why DID life have to give me so much unfairness? The
blame will never stop if the door is not closed. Trying to figure out why this happened?
Why did my life have to go this way or that way is futile, indeed.
SHUTTING THE DOOR TO YESTERDAY STARTS WITH FORGIVENESS. WHATEVER HAPPENED IS
OVER AND MENTALLY SEE THE DOOR NOW LABELED “FORGAVE IT ALL”.
Going forward I see myself with a forgiving heart to all those around me - this removes
judgement, blame and anger. WHY must I have this attitude toward all others now? If I
want to attract goodness from the universe, I must hold no blame in any way.
A very long time ago the Pharisees (an ancient Jewish sect who held superiority over
Jewish law) and the Scribes (highly educated ancient record keepers) came to the
teacher Jesus and said, “Teacher, here we have a woman who was caught in the act of
adultery. The Law of Moses says we must stone her immediately, what do you say?” They
were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus
stooped down and kneeling on the ground he quietly wrote in the dirt with his finger. The
Pharisees and Scribes continued to be perturbed and angrily pressed him. “Moses says
we must stone her, what do you say?” Furious, they demanded an answer. Finally Jesus
stood up and looked at the crowd of people waiting.
“Alright”, he said, “However, let the one among you who has never sinned throw the
first stone.”
Then he stooped down, began writing in the dirt again. When the accusers heard what he
had said, beginning with the eldest, they sadly walked away, one by one. Jesus stood up
and spoke to the woman, “Where are all of your accusers now? Didn’t even one of them
accuse you?” “No Lord”, said the woman. Quietly Jesus said, “Neither do I accuse you. Go
and sin no more”.
This message is entirely about blame. Judgement and Blame are dark partners. So
starting today I do the hard things. LET GO AND GO FORWARD WITH A FORGIVING HEART. I
am healthier and now at peace. You see, a humble person can make a U-turn, change
NOW, no more blaming. Realizing a proud man or woman just can’t really have Christ
inside. It takes a humble person to feel the love of Jesus Christ at life’s U-turn; go away
from blame into bravery.
“Dear Lord, let me begin this day, seeing all others thru your eyes only.”'
Can I remove blame and bring in brave belief to my forgiving self now?”
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“My Enemy?” Blog # 237
The minute I wake up, do I pray for Jesus’ help today?
Does weakness eat away at my brand new day?
Can I turn my back on the enemy within, find discipline now?
As I read this, I see “twelve golden hours” ahead of me untouched. I can choose to make
these next twelve hours filled with disciplined choices, or DO NOTHING - NO PLAN OF
POSITIVE ACTION? I can stay connected to the “enemy within” turn days, months and years
into sadness, or choose POSITIVE RESULTS. The first thing I can do is put in place a DAILY
CALENDAR FOR THIS MONTH. I can make one from a plain piece of white paper. I have 30
days ahead of me.
Now I write down all the “amounts of time” spent each day on WHAT?
Sitting at my computer wasting hours surfing the internet? Playing mindless games?
Watching movies? However, I can seek out Job information and how to go forward finding
reliable sources to improve my life in every way starting with health.
I must understand this:
IF I DO SOMETHING POSITIVE WITH MY DAY - I SUCCEED IN EVERY WAY.
In 1939, Dorothy was in the movie “The Wizard of Oz”. The message was loud and clear
throughout the movie, Dorothy was traveling with three friends to see the Wizard of Oz. She
was with the cowardly lion. He wanted to be BRAVE and lose his fear so he was in search
of COURAGE. The Tin Man felt he had no HEART to discern the right thing to do! The
scarecrow was in search of a BRAIN. He wanted intelligence to make the right decisions!
So Dorothy and the cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow and the Tin Man, all travel to Emerald
City to find what each of them feels is missing in their life. Finally, they are going to
Emerald City where they can overcome their fear, and ask the The Wizard Oz to help them
do this. Yet the big surprise awaits them when Dorothy faces her fear and managed to
pull back the curtain of the great Wizard. (This is a great metaphor for the “Curtain of Life”
which is often so deceptive.) As Dorothy pulls back the curtain she finds a tiny, old man
who had appeared to be the frightening, fearful, dragon-like monster, The Wizard of Oz.
This was nothing more than a made up machine orchestrated by the little old man! The
entire showcase was a fear-based sensation to intimidate anyone crossing its path.
Nothing more to it than a made-up machine. How much of our fear in life is exactly like
that? Here lies the enemy within.
For it is our fear of NOT WANTING TO DO WHAT OUR HIGHER SELF EXPECTS INTERNALLY.
F. E. A. R. FALSE EVENTS APPEARING REAL. FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY
So the message from the movie, “The Wizard of Oz”, Use your BRAIN and care about
yourself enough to have compassion and courage and a kind heart to overcome the FEAR
WITHIN. Dorothy met the good witch and she killed the bad witch. That's enough for me to
remember every person has a GUARDIAN ANGEL TO HELP WITH THE DARKNESS. Say a
powerful prayer of Protection and courage, strength and tenacity is instant.
I keep remembering; 95% of everything I am afraid of, NEVER EVEN HAPPENS.
I UNDERSTAND SET-BACKS ARE UNAVOIDABLE, YET GIVING UP IS UNFORGIVABLE.
So today I prayerfully speak internally and ask, “Help me Jesus, show me the way”
“Can I rid myself of the enemy within and be not afraid?”
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“Real Help!” Blog #236
How does my day work, if it is filled with turmoil?
Is my life appearing harder and harder to handle?
When do I decide to bring in “Real Help” to deal with all my issues?
“Oh normal day, let me be aware of what a treasure you are”. This was the motto for the
day on my daily calendar the morning the bottom fell out from under me. I was not
prepared for the tragedy I was about to endure - few of us are. However, why does it often
take something extremely painful to deal with, to make us call out for HIS help?
Painful problems, life threatening illness and extreme sadness from the loss of of a loved
one can bring us to our knees - so to speak. It’s really hard to find faith right now when we
all live in such a secular society. Noise is everywhere and technology is at our fingertips.
Tempting us and tantalizing us into staying with the materialistic way of living life. It
doesn’t have to stay like that.
COMPLETE QUIET gets rid of turmoil and brings HIM into focus.
An amazing series is out now called “The Chosen”, absolutely fascinating. This series is
one of the first of its kind in showing what the life of the man, Jesus was like. Showing how
HE picked his disciples, all of which were relatively young. Many of them left behind family
and loved ones. Fishermen, tax collector, soldier and yet all of them had something in
common - they were chosen to be disciples for Jesus Christ. For more than three years
events cover HIS life with these twelve men. Why did Jesus choose the men he chose? He
wanted them to find their faith. It was fascinating to see the back-story of one amazing
man. Through the years of my own life, I never have given it a second thought about the
“young man Jesus”. I had no clue about the life of his disciples. More then anything else, it
became possible to relate how hard the painful choices must have been for each man to
make. I never knew, with the exception of John, each disciple was martyred at the end of
his life. Where can I find Real Help today? BELIEVE JESUS IS HERE TO HELP ME!
MOST IMPORTANTLY JESUS TOLD HIS DISCIPLES, “All of the miracles you have seen me do you
too can also do. You will heal the sick, make the blind see, bring the crippled back to
health.” He gave them anointing oil. They doubted at first, but then when they laid their
hands on a person who was sick - instant whole health.
So often we give in and we give up, before we are even aware of the healing taking
place inside of us. Simon walked on water until he looked down and almost drowned as
he took his eyes off Jesus, Simon sunk into the water yet. Jesus saved him when he was
barely breathing. What does it take for us? How often are we barely breathing, crying out
for help, alone and afraid, feeling abandoned, hopelessly lost? These feelings are real.
History is real. I have never understood how people can look back at history and believe
and accept Julius Caesar lived, and the Romans lived, and the relics of the Coliseums are
still being found. Yet not believe Jesus ever lived? There has been discovered, and exists
today, the recovered Shroud of Turin which is the blood stained burial cloth found in Jesus
tomb. His image still embedded deep within this garment! Jesus said it all when he spoke,
“To believe and have faith without the miracle of seeing me, this is true faith”, says
Jesus Christ. Do you want real help today? Turn your back on the materialistic world that
pulls in every direction - find a quiet moment and ask for HIS Real Help now!
Can I turn inward and find real help in my Lord now?
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“Life & Hope?” Blog #235
What helps me when daily struggles over come me?
Where is my determination to go on?
How can I keep focused and hope life gets better?
A while back I went to see a movie that left a strong impression on me about hope. The
movie, “The Boys in the Boat”, is a true story about eight young men who represented the
U.S.A. in the 1936 Olympics. They barely beat Italy, yet won the Gold Medal. The main
character was Joe. He was quite amazing. As the movie opened, you could see a
haggard young teenager living alone in an abandoned car. He was by himself, yet
somehow was earning his way to go to school in the midst of the depression. All he
wanted to do was go to The University of Washington and make the Rowing Team. If Joe
could make the team, the school would provide the rest. His mother was dead and his
father was a “throwaway drunk”. Joe was Jewish and this was also the time when Hitler
was coming into power and believed the Jewish people were disposable human beings.
One could say everything was really against Joe in almost every way. However, his spirit
and his hope in succeeding and belief in himself, changed the course of history. Joe saw
his setbacks, problems and pain as possibility to succeed and he did! With Hitler in the
stands watching the Olympics, Joe brought his team to the finish line and won the Gold
Medal for the U.SA. Joe proved to Hitler that a young Jewish athlete was absolutely NOT a
disposable human being!
Each of us has hope within us. The light of Jesus Christ ignites my spirit to go on. Go that
extra mile when all hope seems lost. The miraculous moment when truth seeps in as
clarity brings hope. This is not for later or tomorrow or whenever, it is right this moment. I
only have to see my life is now filled with hope, it’s in my heart. Here’s why … Mother
Theresa wrote,
“Dedicated to You”
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered,
forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives,
be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies,
succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you,
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight,
build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, people will be jealous,
be Happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will forget tomorrow,
do good anyway.
Give the world the Best you have, and it may never be enough,
still - give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see … in the final analysis - it’s between you and God -
It never was between you and them anyway.
________________
Can I pray for hope to heal my aching heart?
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“Timeless Teacher!” Blog #234
Have I complete confidence in a Higher Self approach?
Do I know WHO my Higher Self personality is?
Can I put in place incorporate tools of spiritual strength?
Every day I start a new. I must be fearless, strong enough and brave enough to NOT give in
to lower self behavior! All around me tantalizes a secular world of sensation. Time to
accept THIS reality, “things that bother me about other people are inadequacies within
myself”. Looking in the mirror, I see myself in others, yet hard to accept it! How to change
this….? I say to myself, “there but for the grace of God - go I”. Refusing to judge another
soul, rather I forgive 24/7. So many parts of my life are constantly intertwined with other
people. Without realizing, I often judge, condemn and criticize others. This is a great
setback to my own growth.
Once again I remind myself I am alive for two very Important reasons:
I am here to learn my OWN lessons and grow each and every day spiritually.
I am alive to help others grow spiritually IF they are open to learning.
When I am stuck this is where solitude, prayer and meditation bring balance
into my own thinking and show me the way to get back on my spiritual path.
I start with a powerful prayer:
“Today Lord, I thank you for giving me the helmet of higher self awareness.
Thank you Lord for insulating me in the spiritual steal armor of protection,
internally and externally throughout my being, from this moment on
I am protected inside and outside from ALL negative forces.“
I continue to believe I am in a Spiritual School of Learning as long as I am alive. Often the
universe will put me in complete opposition with a person who may be indifferent, cold
and argumentative. This is for MY benefit, for MY growth internally. I must ask for help,
Jesus will always give me tools and show me how to heal this situation. The lesson is NOT
about the other person, the lesson is in play for ME TO LEARN A LIFE LESSON NOW. THE
MORE I ACCEPT THE TEACHING MOMENT, THE MORE IT EVAPORATES, I GROW INTERNALLY. All at
once I am aware that a situation, another person, an event that appears to be “pushing
my buttons” is actually a “Spiritual Red Alert”. Knowing this, I prepare and deal with it on
the spot. No longer do I go into “self-defense, self guarded and ready to argue” mode.
This emotional darkness is all part of my old lower self behavior. The more spiritual open I
stay, the more receptive to the lesson that is coming to me. Motivated, I remain in a
‘TEACHABLE MODE’. THIS IMMEDIATELY HUMBLES ME, AND CLEARS THE FEAR FROM THE
INTERNAL ROADWAY TO MY HIGHER SELF ENERGY READY TO FLOW. Closing my eyes, I see
powerful spiritual knowledge. My Lord stands at the helm of MY ship and I accept, only
HE “sets my sail”. Here is a powerful poem from a book by: Jeremy Torcher, “A Gift of
Peace”.
The poem is entitled: “HEALING’
“PEACE must come to those who choose to heal and not to judge. The decision to heal
and to be healed, is the first step to recognizing what you truly want. Every attack is a
step away from peace. Every healing thought brings peace closer. Healing will flash
across your open mind, as peace and truth arise. Peace takes the place of war and vain
imaginings. No one can ask another person to be healed. However, he can let HIMSELF
be healed. Thus he can offer another person what he has received. Who can bestow on
another person what he does not have? Who can share what he denies himself? Those
whom you heal, bear witness to your healing, for in their wholeness, you will see your
own. Our function is to let our mind be healed. This lets us carry healing to the world,
exchanging curse for blessing, pain for joy and separation for the Peace of God.”
______________
Can I be open to the teachings of Jesus to find my Higher Self awareness?
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“Find Myself?” Blog #233
Is there a choice to make me feel better right now?
Does my “action” connect to my “want”?
What am I putting off knowing today is calling?
Right this exact moment I have a fresh, clean slate of a brand new day. Every single thing I
choose to do is my choice alone. There is one clear truth I need to start my day: I DO NOT
NEED TO FIND ANY ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY. YESTERDAY IS GONE AND FINISHED.
Today I bring in a simpler way of living my life with crystal clear clarity. I now understand in
order to incorporate complete truth to my every day awareness, i begin to reason with
“myself” now. TODAY I WILL START GETTING IN TOUCH WITH MY HIGHER SELF. This is the way
to find myself with beautiful, brave, balance now. What am I saying? I am saying I
matter to Jesus Christ and that is all that matters. HE wants me to see the true purpose of
my life and it is to be in harmony with HIM. So here is a simple equation. I wake up and
ask Jesus to be with me all thru my day. Whatever problem persists, wherever people try
to create a situation of disharmony, I will not only survive - I NOW THRIVE. I NOW BEGIN TO
SEE THE SECULAR WORLD AROUND ME THROUGH A TELEVISION SET - I CAN TURN IT OFF
INSTANTLY. These are not idle words, this is spiritual truth that must replace and remove
my lower self being in order to bring about my “higher self awareness”.
Fact of life: there will always be situations that happen around me that I am incapable of
of fixing. I continue to say: “Jesus Help Me Now”. Now I accept this fact; I can FIND
myself by asking for HIS help.
“When the student is ready - the teacher appears!”
So, If there is ANY situation currently plaguing me, bothering me, upsetting me, I now give
myself options on how to deal with this going forward.
Ignore it completely and hope it just goes away.
Leave it alone for tomorrow. (thinking of ways to solve it later)
Resolve it Here and Now. Always the best approach If I choose the here and now. I must remember if this situation has to do with another person - every person has “Free Will”. No one can interfere with another persons free will. I can only pray for a peaceful outcome. (Unless It is my doing and I need to apologize.). Then I am always given the option of writing to this other person as well. Finally, I resolve to “let go what I cannot fix”. Accepting this, I see my own frailty, my own fragility, my own faith. BELIEVING ALL PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED IN JESUS TIME. This is a free feeling of acceptance, awareness and calm.
Finally, CALM.. What can make me feel calm? Especially when there are between 50,000 to 70,000 thoughts going through my brain in an average day. That includes close to 60 thoughts racing through my mind every minute. The next thought after asking Jesus for help is to allow myself to focus on the moment. This is actually called “Mindfulness” - the practice of anchoring my awareness to the present moment intentionally and without judgment".
So by doing this I do not re-hash the past or worry about my future. I AM NOW. My best friend is Jesus Christ. HE is with me now and heals every part of myself. Any worry, concern or stress, I just gave HIM. Taking away my lower self, Jesus instilled instant faith. Finding my higher self into place, frees me forever more.
I ask: Jesus will you keep me in the shelter of your healing light?
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“Need Courage?” Blog #232
Where DOES my confidence come from?
What makes me WANT to do the right thing?
How do I find the right tools to feel good about myself?
For most of my life, everything around me in my secular world told “do it alone”. Find
strength, do it alone, take on challenges, this convinces me I made it….right? I can’t
describe what an empty feeling it is inside, facing everything in my life - a l o n e. Let’s look
at it backwards for a minute. It does NOT take any courage to walk into a grocery story
and buy all kinds of comfort food including ice cream, sweets and pastries. It does not
take any courage to sleep late into the day and lay around with a sad feeling and a “poor
me” attitude. It does not take courage to plan my day, just for me, and justify all the
reasons I need NOT think of helping or being there or doing something for someone else!
What does take courage it to “feel the fear and do it anyway”. Overlook a mean,
thoughtless, cruel comment from someone I care about and send them love anyway.
What? What does take courage? Deciding to make a conscience act of doing good in
spite of being slighted, feeling afraid to do it.
There WAS one woman who suddenly decided enough was enough. She refused to give
up her seat on a bus just because she was black. This woman was Rosa Parks. She helped
bring freedom to the black people, by bringing this to the public attention. Look at what
courage it took for this one small woman to make this defiant decision.
We need to be the change, each of us wish to see in the world”, Ghandi.
Once I make up my mind I am not afraid to stand up with courage and be who I know God
made me to be. I can free myself from the heavy bonds of fear weighing me down.
I now choose to believe in Miracles, believe in Jesus Christ and believe the Holy Spirit
lives within me. Because of my belief, this is called Courageous Christian Faith.
When one has this type of courage, there is no failing. There is no fear of falling, falling
for things that do not hold the strength of Christian Conviction. I have said before, It takes
courage to just do the right thing. Courage to get up in the morning, make my bed, put on
some nice clothes, “let go of yesterday” and find a way to help someone today. Why?
Because it takes courage to care about something other than myself. When I feel a
peace come over me with a decision I have made, it is the right one!
There is a beautiful book written by Lynn Valentine, “Angels all Around Us”. Inside the book
is a short story called “In the Blink of an Eye”. Arlene Cahill shares a true story about her son
who was deathly sick and had a very high fever. She was afraid her son would die. Yet,
she prayed continuously, watching and comforting him with cool wash clothes to his
forehead. Praying the fever would break, she decided to light the special Baptismal
Candle she was saving downstairs from his Baptism. While getting the candle, she bowed
her head and thanked God for sending healing rays to her son. She ventured back up the
stairs. As she got closer to her son’s bedroom, she felt something unbelievable in the air. It
was as if the atmosphere around her was charged with the most powerful electrical
energy. “The hairs on my arms and on the back of my neck, began to stand on end”, she
stated. Not really knowing what to make of this, she hurried to her son’s room and opened
the door. Then she saw a miracle. Above her son was a glowing being hovering over her
son’s bed. It seemed to be made completely of light and reminded her only of an angel.
There was no sound made, yet the being did seem to notice her. Then in a blink of an
eye, it was gone. The very next morning Arlene’s son was in perfect health! He had no
recollection of what transpired the night before. Yet, Arlene has never forgotten. She will
always remember. She witnessed a miracle happen right before her eyes. Arlene believes
the visitation of her sons’ Guardian Angel was sent in reply to her prayer. Do I have
courage to believe in this true story? I absolutely do. When I give kind words to another
soul in need, I am sending “spiritual medicine” of strength. Its time for me to embrace this
truth. Anyone can do the easy stuff. It takes courage to step outside my lower self, into a
higher realm of awareness.
Can I let Jesus show me the way to find courage today?
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“Do Not Give In!” Blog #231
Does life just seem unreasonable today?
Where am I going with negative thoughts inside?
Am I searching for a way out and ready to give in?
Sometimes a true story sends a greater message than all kinds of suggestions, ideas and
platitudes. This is a story that has struck my heart and has shown me how a person can
do anything when one puts their mind to doing it.
There was a little boy, seven years old, who witnessed his mother dying and was
devastated by her loss. He was left alone with his father and sister. An extremely poor
family, they suffered for want of everything. The little boys father felt it important he find
good work and a kind mother for his two children. Because this story took place in the
1800’s, it was common place, but dangerous, to leave the two children alone in the woods
in a one room log cabin in Kentucky. Yet, their father felt it best and was gone for many
months. Somehow the brother and sister survived off the land and trappings of animals to
eat. When the father came back with a mother for the children, she was a very kind
stepmother. She brought a small library of books into the family home. Along with the
stepmother, the young boy taught himself to read by the firelight at the end of his long
work days on the farm. The first book he learned to read was the Bible. He believed in
God and believed in living an honest, truth-filled, good life. Once he learned to read the
Bible he went on to read Aesops Fables, Robinson Crusoe and all of Shakespeare’s Plays.
He especially loved to read the life of George Washington. After helping his father for
many years on the farm, the young boy was now 22 years old. It was time for him to set
out on his own. Over the next few years he lived in the state of Illinois. Trying many odd
jobs, he became a boatsman, a surveyor, a store clerk and a militia soldier. Eventually he
felt confident in his learning and opened a law office and began a career as a lawyer. He
seldom lost a single case he took. Everything about this young man was kind, humble and
filled with the desire to keep learning and never give in! He stood for what was right. He
proved to people wrong cannot survive. He ran for office, becoming the 16th President of
the United States of America. While in office, our country went into Civil War. He carefully
constructed the Gettysburg Address. This man believed in freeing all the slaves, thereby
writing the Emancipation Proclamation. While doing all this, he was married and he and
his wife had four sons. Three of his sons died. Still he never gave up or gave in. He was
elected President of the United States two times and was responsible for ending the Civil
War, only to be shot five days later in Ford’s Theater. Abraham Lincoln was just 56 years
old when he was assassinated on April 1st, 1865 in Washington D. C.
This self-taught humble man would do anything for his fellow man. He believed in his
country and all through the Civil War, he had to bring his country together. For the South
(eleven states) had left the nation and formed the Confederate States of the South. They
believed slavery was right. The 23 Northern states were in the Union and believed slavery
was wrong. One man - Abraham Lincoln was responsible for bringing our country
together. So on the eve of this Bicentennial Anniversary of our U. S. A., it is imperative we
remember just how costly freedom is. Just how much one person did to influence, change
and help heal a country. In the end, because of all our brave soldiers and Abraham
Lincoln, Freedom Won. However, our freedom was very costly and by the end of the Battle
at Gettysburg, over 50,000 men were lost and killed! Unfortunately, this was just one battle.
There wound up being over 230 Battles during the War between the North and the South.
Sadly, over 620,000 soldiers died from combat, starvation and disease during the Civil War.
President Lincoln almost died himself on the battle fields going out to give confidence and
support to his men. He and his wife visited hospitals of the lame, dying and wounded.
Soldiers cried when they saw this President in person. These words stand out and ring
clear on this anniversary date of our Founding Fathers;
“Our Fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and
dedicated to the proposition that ALL men are created equal”. Abraham Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln also believed strongly in the power of God. “One nation under God,
with Liberty and justice for all.”
This was a man convinced he would and could and did do, as much as humanly possibly
to help his fellow man each and every day. He did not believe in giving in. Every day I
must not give in, or give up or give away any of my power! I will give it my best from this
day forward. After all, there is no one else on earth like me. I remember this, with Jesus
Christ by my side, I have the spiritual strength of steel.
Can I pray and give today my best, and not give in to doubt?
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“Real Miracle? Blog #230
What causes me to be so doubtful and frightened?
Am I worried and constantly anxious today?
Have I got any belief in unseen miracles?
Oftentimes I have woken up and wondered what in the world am I doing here? There isn’t
a person alive who hasn’t doubted something about themself one day or another. Yet life
goes on and I try hard to find meaning in everything I do each day. Amidst everything that
happens, confidence can be shaken. Amidst every confrontation, therein lies a
consequence. Amidst every decision a road is chosen. Faith can follow me, help me and
guide me only if I choose for this to happen. I have said before I believe in Jesus Christ. It
took so much pain and heartache for me to get where I am. So much has happened to
me to form my deep-faith belief. I hope to help others with my Blog and the information I
openly share here. After all, who doesn’t want to believe in a miracle? Who doesn’t want
to find “absolute faith in God? Who doesn’t want to believe a prayer goes out and CAN be
answered?
Today I talk about a coincidence leading to my deep faith without ever knowing this could
happen. During our honeymoon, my husband and I decided to do some touring in the
quaint old Santa Fe village where we were staying. One of the first places catching my
attention was the Loretta Chapel. Not just for the healings, which had taken place over the
years, but for what transpired within. One mystery cannot be answered to this day and
remains a Miracle of Belief. This is what happened within the Loretta Chapel in 1878 in
Santa Fe. The nuns were very pleased with the chapel that had just been constructed and
completed for their use. However, once it was completed the architect had died and there
were no plans to have a staircase built to the choir loft at the back of the chapel. Many
carpenters were called in, but they all came to the same conclusion, the chapel was just
too small for a staircase to be built. It would take up the entire inside of the small chapel
and would not allow for any other seating. The choir loft was twenty two feet above the
floor and to put a ladder in and ask the nuns in their long habits to climb this daily was too
dangerous and prohibited doing so. Therefore, the Sisters of the Loretta Chapel made a
nine day Novena Prayer to St. Joseph. He is the Patron Saint of Carpenters. On the ninth
and final day of the prayer, a stranger appeared at the Chapel with a donkey and a
toolbox, looking for work. He told the sisters it would take some months to construct and he
must not be bothered while he was at work. Every day over the months, the Sisters
watched to see if the donkey was still there outside of the chapel. When they no longer
saw the donkey, they went into the chapel and were in awe of what they saw. They
searched for the carpenter who had completed this miracle entirely on his own, but to no
avail. The circular staircase stands today and has been called an architectural marvel.
The staircase makes two complete revolutions and has no middle support. The first step
appears to be floating entirely and has fascinated visitors and woodworkers from all over
the world for over a century. The entire weight of the staircase is supported entirely by the
bottom step with a connection to the choir loft. Most of all, the staircase is constructed
with wooden pegs instead of nails or any metal hardware. The wood that was used
appears to be of one continuous piece and is not native to any of the wood found in Santa
Fe or New Mexico. The carpenter, when he appeared, was carrying an open toolbox with a
hammer and a saw. This magnificent staircase appears to be floating on its own and
has exactly thirty three steps. This is the exact age of Jesus Christ when he died. The
Nuns believed the carpenter finished his work, completely on his own and vanished without
asking for any payment or leaving his name. Many believed that the carpenter was St.
Joseph, himself, having come in answer to the Sisters’ prayers. Regardless of any one
else’s beliefs, it is pretty hard to deny this miracle especially when it still resides today! This
truly is an example of an answer to prayer in 1878. If any one cares to go to Santa Fe, New
Mexico. There it stands. A real Miracle. One can see this incredible construction within the
Loretta Chapel, so be prepared to accept this miracle on the spot. There is an old saying
that goes like this, “If I say a prayer for my highest good and the highest good of those
concerned, my prayer is heard and answered”.
Can I take this moment and thank God for answering my prayer?
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“Chaotic Courage? Blog #229
Where does super human strength came from?
How do I get through my day, it looks overwhelming?
When will I accept I cannot find strength alone?
A few months back I was visiting someone who very strongly shared with me reasons of
why this person did not believe in Jesus Christ. They would not be raising their family to
know Jesus either. Instantly, I felt the need to say so many things, yet I remained quiet.
Rather, I decided I would plan my course of action and find many good reasons to write a
long letter of perfectly valid points to believe in Jesus Christ.
Contrary to what I just said, it is not easy to convince a die-hard agnostic or angry atheist
to convert immediately to Christianity. Why? Most of all because faith in Jesus Christ is
very personal. Blind Faith in the unseen takes “leaps of chaotic courage”. Prayers are not
always immediately answered. Life does not always work exactly the way in which we
want. People disappoint us, the unexpected happens, life lets us down.
It is human nature to want to justify, rationalize, turn my head in the only direction I want to
see. Fortunately, for those who have followed my Blog, I can tell you, I have been full circle.
I have believed, not believed and finally fully believed again. I know this, life without Jesus
Christ is emptier, duller, darker. There is no justifying why, it just truly is not completely
satisfying. Then there are the many stories of unexplainable acts of courage that no one
has answers to. Every day there are examples of super-human strength in people who
have not the faintest idea how they were able to do this.
One example lies in a man named Bob Renning. Bob stopped his car on a Minnesota
highway and saw a complete stranger, Mike Johannnis, trapped in a burning SUV that was
engulfed in flames. Without thinking, Bob was able to bend the car door open with his
bare hands! He was able to open it, remove the man trapped inside without anyone
burned, hurt or damaged in any way. Bob Renning was given super-human strength.
Afterward, Bob questioned how he was able to accomplish this feat.
Another story of super-human strength took place in 1982. Angela Cavallo of
Lawrenceville, Georgia, heard a loud crash outside her kitchen window. She ran outside to
see the car in which her son was working on, had collapsed with him underneath! She
knew her son, Tony, would die if she did not do something quickly. Angela was able to lift
the car weighing 3,730 pounds. She lifted it up and off of her son, Tony! Grabbing the rear
of the car, Angela hoisted over thirty seven hundred pounds up high enough for shocked
neighbors to slide jacks underneath and pull Tony out safely. Tony only suffered a few
bruises and went home from the hospital after two days! No one could physically explain
how Angela was able to perform such a courageous act of sheer determination. This
woman showed chaotic courage and as some called it, “hysterical strength”. A profound
miracle turned a driveway disaster into one of history’s most cited super fantastic feats. I
for one, know who gave her the strength to do the impossible. It was Jesus Christ.
Then there was the man named Tiny who was able to save his good buddy from Vietnam.
Steve was a helicopter pilot who had crashed nearby upside down in a pond. Steve was
trapped inside and being crushed by the helicopter. All at once Tiny was able to Lift the
helicopter long enough for others to pull Steve to safety. This insane feat of heroism was
all caught on tape by a reporter who was filming nearby. No one could explain this
extraordinary act of courage.
I could go on but while these deeds seem unbelievable, they all did happen. Plus there
are so many more unexplainable super-human stories of chaotic courage and
astounding strength. Today it is not hard to search the internet and find them. However,
therein lies the rub. One minute the story captivates an audience and the next second a
person is ready to justify, reason and rationalize why people can do the amazing things
they do. How did these hysterical stories of strength really occur? I for one am a believer,
so I believe all these events took place because miracles are all around us. Jesus is here.
HE wants us to call him, ask for him, believe in him. There is something so very
comforting in knowing confidently of an unseen presence around me. HE is guiding me,
here with me, protecting me. I see the most important part of my faith. I don’t have to do
it all alone anymore. In all of the above amazing rescues, faith is present in the unseen.
Faith goes a lot deeper than one sees. This is often the way faith is ignited. In an
unexpected bolt and twist of a second, a life is changed forever.
Can I trust in the unseen energy of Jesus to give me courage now?
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“Fix My Life!” Blog #228
If others hurt me, how do I talk to them?
Am I choosing drama to get through my life daily?
Why should I be the one to set things straight?
For most people, it is hard to understand that forgiveness is LOVE at it highest form. When
a person is a child, the naughty things that take place are forgiven right away. However
we act, whatever we say and whatever we do, as little people we are usually talked to,
disciplined and forgiven. After all, tiny people, children, are looking for answers in those
who care for them. Parents do not usually hold grudges. They carefully find a way to
teach their child the truth. We are ALL children of God. We need help daily.
I AM A CHILD OF GOD. GOD is waiting for me to learn my lessons daily.
Sometimes we wake up daily and the things we deal with seem even harder. Why is that?
When I can finally accept the “school of life” I go to is every day lessons that are given to
me to learn from. Whether it be my family, my friends, or any situation I encounter that
brings difficulty, this is because I AM THE ONE TO BE LEARNING. Where ever I am in life right
now, whoever I am living with right now, I have major lessons to learn. Perhaps there is a
family member who is emotionally abusive, perhaps there is a friend who has said hurtful
comments, perhaps there is a spouse who stands apart in darkness. These are the lessons
each of us is given with choices we have initially made. It is imperative I see my role in
learning my own daily lessons with a forgiving heart. When there is gossip, anger, hatred,
this is powerful stuff. Consequences come with every word I speak, every action I do and
every decision I make. There will always be people in life who refuse to to let go of the past.
People who refuse to grow and thrive on the daily drama of life.
I, for one, make a decision to let go of this unhealthy way of living. I seek healthy
relationships. My own life puts me in a giant classroom with prayer to start and guide my
day. I go forward and decide to judge no one because I am filling my heart with
forgiveness. Therefore I let go of all anger today.
I wrote a poem that fits this moment precisely.
“ANGER”
Anger swells in the heart of thee, buried inside a big Black Sea,
Dismal dark voices, rich with menace give few choices where anger is endless.
On goes Anger in a deadly spin, Mr. Anger assures a wicked win -
takes over with rampant rage. brings in bruising blame, demanding center stage.
Never ready to depart, destroying all goodness in a loving peaceful heart.
Hiding out is quiet, forgiving self, sitting high on a dusty shelf.
At once is felt a timeless prayer, always waiting patiently there.
Suddenly sweeping in comes Jesus Angelic Diadem
crushing Angers deadly sin, a forlorn face did not give in!
This powerful force now gives chase, self love and forgiveness are back,
Destroying all anger in its track. Gone in a puff of smoke, this soul is now set free
Angels bravely sing to Thee, Herein lies the light of Christ’s Humility.
by: Bridget’s Mom
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“Never Give Up!” Blog #227
What inner gift do I wake up to this morning?
How can I saddle my thoughts into strength of purpose?
Where do I find super energy that pushes me forward?
Once in a while something happens that leaves an indelible mark on the way a life
chooses to live. Do I believe in miracles? Absolutely. Do I believe I have a Guardian Angel?
Absolutely. Do I believe Jesus hears every one of my prayers? Most certainly! Physical
pain, fear of what to do next and crippling set backs are three of the most dire reasons for
finding ones faith. Why is this? God wants our attention. HE is watching me. HE is
watching from a distance.
There is a man who once was an amazing Olympic runner and then decided to go into the
Air Force. Sometime during WWII he was a bombardier, and while on a mission, had his
plane blow up in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Although this man was wrapped in a
hundred chords, he somehow broke free and was able to be afloat on a life raft on the
ocean drifting out at sea for 47 days and nights. While at sea there was a great white
shark and many other sharks that were circling his raft. During this time at sea he survived
by eating part of a four foot shark that he killed with his own hands. After making it to an
island he was rescued only to be imprisoned by the Japanese. Tortured and interrogated,
he tried to find a way just to survive. The Japanese knew that this man was an Olympic
Runner and because of this they chose to be even more cruel and beat him daily. Most
times this would leave him unconscious. He lost close to one hundred pounds but never
gave up. Louis Zamperini was an amazing man who went on to live to be 97 years old.
There is a movie made about his life called “Unbroken”. This true story not only shows
Louie’s courage, conviction but his unbelievable faith. When interviewed, Louie said, “there
was a time when I was tormented by my torturer, “The Bird”. It was so difficult to let go of
the darkness and the fear and the anger inside of me. So my depression and my
alcoholism just took over.”
Louie said the post-war nightmares caused his life to crumble. It got so bad his wife
wanted to divorce him. Louis’ wife invited Louis to listen to Billy Graham and then go see
him. This is when Louie, himself, had a confrontation with Christ. It was at that point he
remembered being on the raft in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and crying out, “God,
spare my life through the war, and I will seek You and serve You”. Then suddenly Louie felt
the need to forgive all the Japanese guards and the cruel torturing Guard “Bird” who had
inflicted so much pain on him. Writing this man a letter of forgiveness came next. He
swore he would hold no hatred within him for any one. he would never give up or give in,
but rather gave his life to Jesus Christ in 1949. Louis Zamperini said, “I grew up always
wanting to get even, now I have committed my life to Christ, feeling fulfilled I will never give
up”.
This is a true story of a man who remarkably lived a life of incredible challenge and set
back, no matter what happened to him. He never gave up. Jesus wants to know my
heart. HE knows who I am now. For HE always loves me. So, today, there is no reason to
give up on what I am trying to accomplish, no matter how far down the road I have to go.
The timing is not in my hands. Every day of my life is a process of evolving into what I am
willing to accept, God wants me to do now. Awakened, I no longer say “It doesn’t
matter” because I matter and therefore I will never give up!
Can I find Jesus in my heart today and never give up trying?
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“Sheer Willpower” Blog #226
Is it hard to find joy because I’m still angry about yesterday?
Can I avoid temptation even when I know its not any good?
How do I find a new way to stop habits that negatively consume me?
My greatest temptation is ME. I am in control of what I think, what I see, what I eat and who
I associate with twenty four hours a day. Only me, myself and I am the boss of me. So
completely in charge of who I am, am I. I must try to see that the primary structure in
shaping my human behavior is my own “AGENCY”. In simple terms, “Agency is the
capacity of an individual to act independently and to make one’s own free choices”. I
must want to learn to love myself.
There is a man out there that almost every person around knows who he is. Because I do
not choose to get into a political discussion, I leave his name out of this. For this only has
to do with a choice he made for himself and his family and children many years ago. This
man decided he would not indulge in three life choices, for as long as he is to be alive. He
has turned his back on cigarettes, drugs and liquor. He told his children as long as they
are alive and want his support, he would ONLY support their lifestyles knowing they also
turn their back on cigarettes, drugs, and liquor. Now forty years into his children’s children
becoming adults, not a single person in this mans family or extended family has any use
for alcohol, drugs or cigarettes. This man watched in horror as his favorite brother died at
a young age riddled with alcoholism. My own father died at the ripe old age of 52
consumed with drinking and died riddled with cancer. Therefore, negative choices do not
dictate to me any longer. I will look for a way into good health, it’s my decision. So,
Agency - gives me permission to do it MY OWN WAY.
Something that is very important, and goes hand in hand with AGENCY, is STRUCTURE. This
structure is a pattern that influences or limits my choices daily. I still must continue to
learn to love myself unconditionally. Here is an important question for myself today:
How do I structure my daily life?
There is a wonderful man who is alive today and has outlived most of his lifetime friends.
At 69 he was given months to live because of colon cancer eating up his body. He
changed totally. Twenty seven years later we see a different person. In 2018, Mike Fremont
said, “the reason I continue to race canoes and run long distances at age 96 is because I
can!” Mike is convinced the diet he eats which is basically plant based and vegan, has
given him so many more healthy years of living. Lots of fresh vegetables has helped him
find a reason to keep going. A healthy man with an active lifestyle. Mike has continued
over the years to have structure and will power to do the right thing for his body day in and
day out. My clock is ticking…. what am I doing with this hour? Here’s Mike Fremont still very
active and living with his wife Marilyn. Want to know what Mikes age is now? Mike is 104
years young today. You can look him up on the internet and see with your own eyes.
Change can take place for me this minute. Believing in his own strong will power, he
continues to eat healthy and live peacefully. He also stated because of his determined
mindset, he wants to help others. Kindness is an important factor of my longevity he
states. “Yet, the most important thing in my life though, is love. I try to remember that-
so turn off the TV and the computer and exercise your mind with a good book, you will
be just fine”.
So my takeaway from all this is “I will be courageous and believe God is helping me.” I can
do what I put my mind to do. I must be brave today as I see myself structuring this new
day with higher self thought, good healthy food and a new book! Always I rely on a close
relationship with my creator; Jesus Christ my Lord.
With sheer will power, can I begin to heal my body to its highest health?
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“Impossible: My Mission?” Blog #225
Does my life throw me impossible curve balls, too hard to catch?
Am I searching for daily satisfaction with what kind of reward?
Has routine filled each hour of my day with what IS possible?
WHAT IF…..before I got to earth, I knew my mission. “Your Mission, should you choose to
accept it: IS to see everything you are to go through while on earth. and ACCEPT that
mission” . I truly wonder how many of us would jump right in and say, “Yes, I am ready”.
However, there is ONE person who did exactly that. HE knew what was ahead of him
before he ever got here. HE knew who would betray Him, who would lie to him and who
would deceive Him and yet, HE STILL jumped right in. The pain and suffering each of us go
through in our darkest nights does bring the brightest light of spiritual wisdom into full view.
I believe each of us continue to have a mission to fulfill the entire time we are alive on this
earth. Each day, if I ask for discipline, detachment and discernment, I am given a chance
to see my mission - one day at a time. Sometimes it is is that family member who can
really challenge me. Sometime it is in a person I hardly know. Other times it can be a
situation that is suddenly created in a daily obstacle that can make me come unglued.
There is ONE person who was given a Mission Impossible and HE completely fulfilled it.
“He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant teen age girl. He grew up in
another village where he worked as a carpenter until he was thirty. Then for three years he
was an itinerant preacher. He never got married or owned a home. He never held a job, or
paid taxes. He never set foot inside a metropolis. He never traveled two hundred miles
from the place where he was born. He never wrote a book, or held office. He did none of
the things that accompany greatness in life. He received no award, no medals, no prizes
from his peers. While he was still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against
Him. His friends deserted him, He was turned over to His enemies and went through the
mockery of a trial. He had no lawyers, no friendly juries, no fair hearing. He was nailed to a
cross between two thieves. While he was dying, His executioners gambled for the only
piece of property He had, his cloak. After He died, He was taken down and laid in a
borrowed grave. Those who stood watch could not ever explain His disappearance, AND
yet two thousand years have come and gone, and today HE is still the central figure for
most of the human race. All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed
and all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put them all
together, and they have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as this
“One Solitary Life”. The short lived life of HE who truly loved his fellow man unconditionally,
Jesus Christ (by Jim Bishop) For it was HE who achieved Mission Impossible and is still
with each of us today. He left us each with the Holy Spirit internally to help in time of
weakness.
Can I Help show others HIS truth and share HIS message of love?
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“Young at Heart” Blog #224
Do I somehow get my heart broken too easily?
Are thoughts racing down a track with no way back?
Can my heart be at peace and accept me?
Did you know that Albert Einstein did not speak at all for the first three years of his life?
Finally in school he could speak. Even though he got good grades, his teachers thought
him to be lazy, uncaring, shiftless. Albert Einstein was always distracted by abstract
concepts. It was hard for him to be accepted, the teachers at school did not believe in
him. Many adults around his learning world of education did not show any confidence in
who he could become. However this is quite astounding, Albert Einstein rose over and
above all the negativity around him to develop the Theory of Relativity. Who would ever
believe this was true? Albert Einstein is often called the “Father of Modern Physics”. One
might ask, “What is the theory of relativity? In simple words, the theory of relativity
transformed our understanding of space, time and gravity! Just a couple of additional
pointers, he discovered the speed of light in a vacuum is constant.
Albert Einstein published The Theory of Relativity in 1915. This wise man used his thinking
processes to come up with “thought experiments”, such as imagining an observer free
falling in an elevator, to help develop his theory.
Albert Einsteins theories provided a deep understanding of the fundamental nature of the
universe. This is a man who won the Nobel Prize for Physics. He was also deeply religious
and knew in his heart, unconditionally, who made this world and everything in it. HIs legacy
has inspired and challenged scientists for over a hundred years. Imagine IF he had
listened to any of those teachers who thought him to be “lazy, shiftless and uncaring? At
the end of Albert Einstens'‘ life he was a believer. He believed that God is a comprehensible
mystery. He had nothing but awe when he observed Gods’ world of nature and the laws of
nature. Albert said, “there cannot be laws without a lawgiver”. Then he states” religion
is necessary for science to exist. A person’s intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the
rational mind is a faithful servant of God”. He accepted Jesus of Nazareth was a real
person. He ended his life believing this, “no one can read the Gospels without actually
feeling the presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in HIS every word”.
Isn’t it fascinating how everything that goes around, comes around? Even Albert Einstein
who started his life believing in God and then challenged his own beliefs, came full circle to
see and believe there can be no science with out God. He said, “I searched for an escape
from my seemingly hopeless and demoralizing chase after ones desires, indeed I found
within myself a deep religiosity, a religious paradise”.
One morning I woke up and was filled with sadness, despair and worry for a family
member who I had no way of physically helping. I tried to let it go as I prayed and then I
became acutely aware that “God helps those who help themself”. This family member
was stuck beyond any measure of understanding. So what did I still do? I prayed. I prayed
and prayed again. Then I turned on the radio and this song I share today.
Can I believe my heart is healing, regardless of what I go through?
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“Unreal Strength” Blog #223
How do I face today with so little strength inside of me?
When am I able to let my body, mind and spirit fill with truth?
Where can I find energy today to be strong right now?
Once in a while something happens that we can’t really explain the why or the reason or
the purpose, we just know inside that something unexplainable is happening to help shift
gears. We have power so strong, that nothing can disturb our peace of mind. What ever
do I mean by that statement?
A long time ago there was a little girl born Into a very poor family in London. They were so
poor, the mother and the father had no way to feed or care for their family. The little girl
was not yet ten and took care of her three youngest siblings, as best as as she could. Yet,
the parents being so destitute and also a bit deranged, decided to do the unthinkable.
They abandoned all four children and left them alone, locked away in their home. When
the authorities finally came a few days later, the emaciated little children were sent off to
different families. The little girl, never saw her siblings again. A dark shadow descended on
her and she was filled with sadness and overpowering anger at what her parents had
done. Through her teen years, this girl earned a living on the streets and even spent a time
in the work house. Somehow, in the midst of all her anger, fear and weakness, she
managed to listen to her inner higher self guidance and turn overwhelming anger into
super spiritual strength. For this is the true story of Joan Rhodes. Joan had a 22 inch waist
line, long flowing blonde hair, petite and quiet, she looked like Marilyn Monroe. Joan
Rhodes found her way into stardom, notoriety and even an audience with the Queen of
England and Prince Phillip at Windsor Castle, all because of her Super Unreal Strength. She
conquered fear and made intense anger work for her in the strangest way. She became
very strong. Leaving audiences speechless, she was able to bend a steel bar with her
teeth, rip large phone books into quarters and lift huge men two or three at a time. Joan
managed to find a super unreal strength that she forged out of a desperation just to
survive. People who met her could not explain how she was able to do the feats she
accomplished. Famous celebrities from all over the world came to know of Joan’s
strength. When looking at this lovely, slim woman, so beautiful, so kind, Joan Rhodes
became the “Iron Girl in a velvet glove” ** ( her book also by this title) Everyone,
everywhere were astounded by this kind of strength. “Joan believed she could, and she
did.” Her life took a powerful turn and she never, ever looked back. She lived to be almost
ninety.
I know what it’s like to keep plugging along, day in and day out, in complete sorrow. Trying
to make the same old routine work over and over. The past trying to sneak in, fill me with
rage and trip me up. But then it happens, a prayer is heard, immediately I feel heard. I
sense HIS presence. So what keeps me internally connected? I look back at my own life
and as God as my witness, I do not lie. Had anyone told me I would be witness to such
horrific loss, such upheaval, such pain, there’s no way I think I could survive. Yet, here I am.
I keep on keeping on, and ironically, have come to feel a spiritual strength inside me,
growing strong as steel. Inside and outside I am different now. “I AM in this world, BUT
not of this world”. Jesus Christ walks with me every day, holding my hand. Kind of like
looking at the world through a television set. I can change the channel, I can look at
whatever I want. Better still - I can turn it off, and turn to HIM. Really quite profound how
amazing to be able to sleep soundly now, tune out all the background noise and just be at
peace. Reaffirming internally whatever happens, I will find a way forward. There will never
be a better choice. Others around me are exactly where they should be, it is not up to me
to control any one else’s path. Keep working on “me” is my goal, finding unreal strength of
spiritual steel.
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“Secular or What?” Blog #222
Do I live in a secular world and not know what it is?
Are there choices between the secular world and spirit world?
Why should it matter when I have gone this far already?
It’s important to define Secular World: “not subject to religious rule, trending over a long
period of time…no religious or spiritual basis”.
The difference between living in a secular world versus a spiritual world lies in the focus of
what is important to a person and what are their activities? Living in a secular world
means being focused on whats in the world around me. Living in a spiritual world means
to be in search with ultimate meaning, purpose and personal growth in ones’ life. This also
means to believe in a higher power (Jesus/God) and have a specific religious practice.
There have. been study after study on findings for depression, anxiety and fear. One of the
latest research studies found that the power of spiritual practice on a person’s well-being;
therefore, decreases anxiety, depression and controls their impulses for addictive
behaviors.
I find this fascinating when looking at the opposite secular world belief system.
Interestingly enough, it takes tremendous mind control to practice mindfulness and yoga
and various calming chants. Not to say, this can be helpful for a person to find the means
to slow the thinking processes down and unwind and relax. However, therein lies the rub -
we are a people world. The majority of most people like to be around other people. When
I am alone, I tend to focus on my failings and what I didn’t do right and on and on. This is
only normal. However, loneliness is a big contributor to depression, anxiety and sadness.
What brings balance?
Recently, I spoke with good friends who had just finished traveling all over the world. They
came home not just tired but filled with “nothingness” as my one friend would say, “and a
sort of sad emptiness”. I questioned her further to hear this remark, “When your travels
take you everywhere looking for something special to bring you peace inside and you
don’t find it anywhere…..what is left?” I was sad to hear this. Knowing she and her family for
years, somehow we had never bridged the conversation about Christianity. I asked her at
this point if she believed in Jesus Christ? She answered with this, “whatever for?”
I started thinking about the secular world versus the spiritual world and the difference is
night and day. To be IN the world, but not OF the world - is my true purpose in life. I am a
spiritual being with a strong Christian faith. My life has come full circle. The spiritual piece
is what I live for and everything else is just “part of the daily dressing”.
Not believe in Jesus Christ? Not have a spiritual network to reside in? Not being a
Christian? This is like carefully preparing the best Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe your
Grandma had passed down to you, and then putting them in the oven, only to realize you
forgot the sugar! We live in a world with all the trappings, all the materials wants a person
could have, but it will never be enough to satisfy a “Hungry Soul”
Can I leave behind the secular world and embrace the spiritual world with Jesus?
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“Angel Unexpected” Blog #221
Do I believe in Angels?
Has my life been tested to show me they exist?
Are there many angel stories out there to believe in?
Immediately on thinking about this, I started doing my own research and came up with
some amazing information. Graham Tomlin is the Editor in Chief of Seen and Unseen and
the former Bishop of Kennsington. He wrote about deciding to talk about angels and how
many people had shared their true stories with him. He shared a remarkable story about
a soldier friend of his in the Army. The soldier was on a steep climbing expedition in Mount
Kenya. One of his team members had fallen to his death from a sheer rock face. Now, he
himself, was stuck on the ledge, unable to move up or down. He became paralyzed with
fear and frustration. He was in an inaccessible part of the world where they had seen no
one for days. His friend had been on this mountain where he and his friend were the only
group present. Then suddenly a climber appeared out of nowhere. The climber moved
onto the ledge where his friend was standing. Then the climber tied a rope tightly, into his
friends harness, lowering him down the rock face very slowly, finally they reached the
bottom safely. Instantly his friend looked over and the climber had literally disappeared
up the face of the mountain, never to be seen again. Over 70% of all the people in the U.S.
believe in Angels. Many of these people have shared some unbelievable stories.
I believe “seeing” an angel, gives a person a change of heart. Now they have the chance
to “see for themself” the unseen world that really DOES exist. Angels turn up when there is
something URGENT to be aware of. What would be really important to be aware of? That
angels are life-changing. A being becomes changed from disenchanted, unbelieving,
unaccepting to completely awakened in a breath! An angel experience is extraordinary,
out of this world, and never to be forgotten.
Perfect timing to reflect back on something I have always believed in. I am convinced
every one of us has a Guardian Angel. We were given our Guardian Angel when we were
born and they stay right with us to help watch over us all through our life. If a person
wants to know the name of their own Guardian Angel, they have only to sit quietly with
closed eyes and ask internally, “what is my Guardian Angels name?” Very quietly the
name will be presented. Years ago I was going through a lot of pain fear and heartache.
I will say there were a lot of times I just plain felt sorry for myself. One day a friend of mine
wanted to give me a little gift and got me tickets to see a powerful and renowned
speaker who had come to town. I went early because I knew there would be thousands of
people attending. Even so, I was hardly able to find a seat. When it came time for
intermission, I decided I would just leave because my own schedule was packed with
appointments. Before I left, I happened to come face to face with a complete stranger.
Yet, he reached his hand out and smiled stating, “I hope you are enjoying yourself tonight
as much as I am.” I felt immediately torn and because I hesitated in answering him, he
went on. “You know, life comes and goes and we encounter so many life lessons along
the way. I for one, lost my wife and four daughters in our house fire. Yet, as much as I
miss them, I am so thankful for the lessons I have been given to learn from what
happened. Now you have a nice evening.”
“WHAT?” I thought. How could this gentle man come out of a crowd and talk to me so
randomly about dealing with grief, he did not know what happened tome. Yet, in an
instant his words were powerful. I felt a calm settle over me in such an angelic way! His
attitude and confidence and words were instantly healing. I wished he would have stayed
and kept talking, but he disappeared into the crowd, never to be seen again. Angel?
Happenstance? Whatever?……. What matters is how I felt and how I changed and how I
incorporated what he shared with me so quickly into my own life,. This encounter made
me heal inside.
Can I sit quietly in prayer and ask who my Guardian Angel is?
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“Do I Like Me?” Blog #220
Do my actions and my thoughts push God away?
Am I just putting up with the life I now live?
How hard is it for me to have a good day?
The statement, “I am the sum total of all I think, act and do today”, is very true. So here’s
where it gets tricky. The life I currently live has all kinds of separate challenges. I must look
at this because here is where so much of my growth can take place. Family members
who are still here, family members who are deceased, incidents in the family I continue to
ignore. (What would JESUS do?) We are born into one family to learn major lessons of
forgiveness, growth and understanding. Then when we marry and have children, we bring
in a whole new bucket of lessons to learn from. Why? Because spiritual growth never
stops! I put myself into such a dilemma when I INSIST ON GOING LIFE ALONE.
WITH JESUS IN MY HEART, HE LEADS ME, GUIDES ME AND SHOWS ME THE WAY TODAY.
it is with my own actions I choose to either bring HIM in or push HIM away. I ask myself
today….. “Do I like me, the one I see in the mirror?”
There is a beautiful tribute written by a Christian Chaplain during World War II. He states:
“There are no atheists laying in wait in the foxholes of war”. If today were to be the last day
I am alive, my priorities quickly change. I must heal my heart of all anger.
Luke Tillmamn is a 5 year old pastor who went viral for baptizing his stuffed animals. He
has been on the Jennifer Hudson Show four separate times. How could a five year old
know what to say, let alone have confidence in himself to speak words so very healing to
the world? People from all over the world have been moved by Luke’s confidence in who
he is. He likes who he is because he knows he is a child of God. His enthusiastic spirit has
managed to literally turn people’s lives around. Known on line as the the “kid pastor”, he
was not only a pastor at five years old, but was named Motivational Speaker of the Year in
2024!
Then we go on go see fifteen year old Millie who was the Minehead Winner of the Premier
Unbelievable Youth Preaching Prize at the Spring Harvest last year. Millie spoke to an
overflowing crowd of people gathered to hear her inspiring words on “Who Am I” and
forgiveness. She came out on the stage speaking these words to a hushed audience,
“In order to be awed and awakened by God, we need to put ourselves in situations where
we will encounter God and be present and BE with Him. For its in the busyness of my life
that I distract myself and create a barrier between me and God. Do I really need to spend
another hour of doom scrolling on social media? Or is time better spent turning away
from screens and towards God? Whatever can I do to learn to “Like me” more? I can listen
to Christian Music, take a walk in Gods nature and hear JESUS tell me how much I am liked
and loved. These are the gateways to Godliness.
All the barriers are broken when I SEE Its all in my head. These barriers are bricks. Bricks
upon bricks of “Whatifs”, deflecting WHO I really am. How can I hear the truth-filled words
“Yes, I LIKE me”, until I quiet the noise within. As I breathe in, Jesus changes the voice of
unbelief and suddenly I hear,
I AM strong, I AM brave, I AM enough”. Millie goes on to say, “forgiving myself for all my
anger is a deliberate choice to let it all go - like dropping a heavy bag - and now
walking in peace..”
Can I take the first step to liking me and let Jesus do the rest?
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