“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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“Defy Depression!” Blog #219
Am I the sum total of all my experiences?
Do I admit I must learn from all past situations?
Can I say I am spiritually strong in the midst of my challenges?
Close to 70% of all Americans live paycheck to paycheck. Ironically, close to 70% of all
Americans are on prescription drugs right now. 62% of most Americans now claim to be
Christian. The average life span in the United States of America is 77.2 years old. Did you
know a recent study found people who regularly attend religious services live
approximately four years longer than the average person? Researchers built this study
from people who also go out and interact with other people, volunteer at their local
community and find ways to “stay active”. Depression cannot survive when I am trying
to help another person find joy. They also found there is a “unique benefit to going to
church” and church attendance which is hard to define. By being around a consistent
engagement of community of believers, this deepens our faith, enriches our soul and is
actually the real key to longevity.
Where am I going with these figures? Nothing gives me 100% assurance in my life that I
can live every day healthy, safe and financially secure. It is up to me to find a way to make
the best life I can. It is up to me to find a way out of any depression. It is up to me to find
my way to God, and to his son, Jesus Christ.
There is a myriad of band-aids out there for depression and anxiety and sadness. For the
most part, they are temporary. A pill must be replaced with another pill. An alcoholic drink
needs more. Relying on negative, codependent, “know it all” people is a means to an end.
Depression will lift when I am determined to lift my awareness to “higher self thinking”
right now. The spiritual steel armor of strength I am given is my belief in Jesus Christ
my Lord.
The following survey is fascinating. Researchers from Ohio State University studied 1500
newspaper obituaries first from Ohio and then from across the United States. They found
that people with documented religious affiliations lived up to 9.45 years longer than those
with no religious affiliation. This study also found that church goers have low rates of
alcohol and drug abuse” in addition. “Religious support and coping skills which help with
avoiding depression, are related to positive outcomes in mental health”
When and If I have time to sit around my home all day, think depressing thoughts, and give
in to my anxiety, I am fueling and feeding my own depression. I can defy depression with
the knowledge of all of the above. I am aware of how important it is to transfer the focus
away from my own depression and find a way to funnel light into the dark spectrum of
depressing thoughts. Then I go out and see who I can help!
By finding a church affiliation, I can find a community to relate to and go to on a weekly
basis. I am not meant to sit at home by myself and worry, fret and be depressed. It is my
responsibility to take care of myself in a healthy way. I have to admit I am the sum total of
my whole being - my mind, my body and my spirit. What feeds all three? Well, healthy
activities are an outcome of a healthy relationship with Jesus Christ who gives me the
answer, so then I am able to defy depression, one day at a time.
Can I defy my own depression with a new outlook on life today?
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“Can I Do It?” Blog #218
How CAN I turn my life into a positive channel?
Where do I instantly find a place to start at?
Why won’t doors open when I need fixing?
I look at my own life, where I am at right now. No matter what I shared with you in the past,
if I had one fact to share now - it is this - TODAY I START OVER AND I CAN DO IT. Nothing in
my past will prevent me from this because my past is only there to teach me. I believe
Jesus Christ came to earth to show me HE is God. The fact is Holy Week brings something
powerful to mind and must be shared.
My family is mine to learn powerful lessons from. I may love or hate my family around me.
This is my choice. However, Jesus left us many platitudes to learn how to live from. He
said, “Pray for those who persecute me” Love my enemies” and “Forgive them for they
know not what they do”. Look how powerful, freeing and enlightening these words are.
Hearing all this before, I always inserted the words “but…,” in there. “But no one understand
what this person did to me…..” Jesus knows exactly what I have been through. He stills
says, “Forgive and move on.” Years and years of holding onto anger, resentment and
bitterness does NOT create healthy internal growth. Jesus came to earth as “God in
person”. He showed us through all the years He was with his disciples and miracles he did
one after another. He lived the life and showed us how life and all the people around us,
can let us down! His disciples turned on him, a closer disciple denied him three times.
Then there was the disciple Judas who sold his soul for thirty pieces of silver, and at the
end, hung himself because he could not bare to live. Yet, at the end of his tortured life,
hanging on a cross, He spoke these words,
“FATHER FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.” This Easter, He asks us to
do the same thing. Can I do it? Can I forgive anyone who has hurt me, period? How can
I by myself give back to those around me and do something good?
There was a young man who walked away from a formal education. Yet this young man
had a dream about sharing his knowledge of Jesus Christ. He started at 18 years old and
founded an organization called Turning Point USA. This began with no money and no
connections, and grew into one of the largest conservative youth organizations in the
entire country. There are chapters on thousands of campuses and revenues approaching
100 million dollars. Now the organization has expanded into Turning Point Action and
Turning Point Faith. In the midst of all his work and travel and witnessing for our Lord, he
had written ten books. His last book is called, ”Stop in the Name of God (why honoring the
sabbath will transform your life)”. The president of the United States honored him with the
nations highest honor - The Medal of Freedom. His name is Charlie Kirk. Charlie loved to
go and speak and debate on college campuses. He spoke about God and truth and living
life at its fullest.
On September 10th, 2025, thirty one year old Charlie Kirk was on an “America Comeback
Tour” and had just arrived at a college event at Utah Valley University to speak about truth
in every facet of our life. He was not afraid to face off about any subject of any kind. He
loved God and his wife and his two little children, and he was not afraid to die.
At 12:33 p.m. MT While answering audience questions, Charlie Kirk was struck with a single
gunshot bullet to the neck and slumped over, dead in front of three thousand college
students. This is a young man who lived his life to its very fullest.
Can I start today, accept all the lessons through peoples behavior and more than that
have been given to me, and forgive them? Can I do it?
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“Tough Teacher?” Blog #217
How do I learn any of my lessons now?
Why is it important to “learn lessons” as a person?
Aren’t I in charge of my life to learn whatever I want?
I believe the hardest part of living life is to accept the consequences of my poor choices
and decisions. I now accept, and take responsibility for me - I start today. No such thing
as blame in my life. I choose to learn and grow internally. Every single day I can start over,
Jesus is teaching me daily. Choosing wisely, looking at where I am, my life is guided now.
My past is teaching me…..that makes all the difference.
Relative people in my own family to learn lessons from; there is a “boatload of lessons”
here. My mother married an abusive alcoholic who never stopped destroying his life and
hers. She quit living in darkness when her life came to an abrupt end as she was killed by
the drug addict in her own family. My own brother witnessed horrible abuse, parents who
failed him in his darkness. My Mother, My father, my brother- all gave in to weakness,
alcohol and drugs. Nothing to make light of - lives ruined and gone because of
weakness.. How many of us try to fix family members? Then when we can’t, turn our back
and move on. Do we remove them from our lives? Where does all the hurt go anyway?
The best answer for me is this, I work on myself first. I will not judge anyone, anywhere,
anymore. I will not blame. I will not gossip. I will bless all my family members and leave
their life as they choose me to be in it. I will guard my words and teach myself to “see the
lessons I AM given to learn from” in my own family. I must LOOK AT MYSELF IF A FAMILY
MEMBER TURNS THEIR BACK ON ME. What is it about me that is abrasive? Sometimes it takes
a lifetime to learn these lessons, so I go easy on myself. My lessons are dealt to me first by
seeing others with forgiveness. “There but for the grace of God, Go I”. Another big lesson
to learn from is this, in MY childhood and beyond, I became a “caretaker”. This became
hard on me and took so much of myself away… just not possible to change other people
so, I decided to “be the change”. It’s tough teaching what’s right to oneself. I slowly am
learning how to become a “caregiver”. Interestingly enough, a “caretaker” is a person who
“takes charge of another persons life. A “caregiver” is a person who provides support and
spiritual care for another person’s life. The first one becomes messy, I choose the second
one, I want to be a “caregiver”. A persons will is very strong. If we each only knew how
strong our will is! We each have Free Will. I now use my Free Will to make healthy choices
for myself. I see the tough teacher inside me and want to learn from her. My will is to be
open to Jesus’ light shining throughout me. As light shines, cobwebs are removed.
GOD specifically said HE would NOT interfere with our own FREE WILL.
I use my Free Will to invite Jesus Christ into my heart and soul and mind today. So today I
wind down my blog in stating grief and sadness have no partiality when it comes to
money or fame or people. There is a world renowned woman who has definitely bore
quietly her share of tragedy. She has lost her father to murder, her mother to cancer and
her only brother and sister in law in a plane crash. Yet she is married and quietly living on
the east coast with her husband. She has had two daughters and one son. She is a
lawyer, politician, diplomat, author, wife and mother. Most recently over this past year
Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg was told her eldest daughter Tatiana had cancer, she died
before the end of the year. She left behind two little grandchildren for Caroline to
remember her with. Some people may say, when is “enough enough?” How much grief
can one family be given? And yet we look at Caroline Kennedy’s grandmother Rose. She
had nine children and was a good, religious woman. She lost her eldest son in a plane
crash, her next daughter was killed in a plane crash, and John F. Kennedy, our president,
was killed by an assassins bullet. Then her son, Robert Kennedy, was also assassinated
and left behind a grieving widow with ten children. Almost half of all Roses’ children gone
before her. Yet, she continued to be a devout Catholic until she died at 104 years old.
None of us know how or when we will leave this earth. I now know this, life is not good if I
am weak, alcoholic or drug addicted. My Life is filled with Jesus Christ energy. Jesus is my
only tough-love teacher.
Can I find courage to accept the tough teacher in my life today?
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“Know Myself?” Blog #216
What is my internal worth?
Where do I learn to see my limitations?
How can I believe in who I truly am?
So to start my day (after prayer, breakfast and deep breathing) I ask myself this, Today - is
my glass half full or half empty? (glass means positive thinking inside mind)
Often it is easy to wake up in the morning with worry, disappointment and fear in ones
mind. How I decide for positive thinking directly affects my outlook on life! It can easily
affect my health as well. Am I an optimist? Or, am I a pessimist? These personality traits
not only affect my health daily, but what I choose to do, where I choose to go and WHO I
want to be with! It’s okay to internally talk to myself and stream some healthy information
into my brain right away as I awake. Perhaps it is helpful to put something by my bed that
I can wake up to read.
This statement has shown amazing results in people who started to try it for 30 days in a
row, “Today I look forward to one of the best days I can remember”.
Just learning to replace my glass that was “half empty” with “half full” positive thought
process, works. Once again I quote researchers who show the benefits of Positive Thinking
with the following outcome…
increased life span - lower rates of depression - lower levels of distress and pain -
much greater resistance to illness - better cardiovascular health - reduced risk of
health from stroke - respiratory conditions - cancer - and very important -
BETTER COPING SKILLS DURING HARDSHIP IN TIMES OF STRESS
No one person can know me better than I know myself ! If I have a tightness in my chest,
if I’m biting my lip, biting at my fingernails, headachy, shallow breath, my body feels the
tension and this is not good! Just sitting still with ten or more deep breaths, quiets myself
to know myself - I pray internally, “Thank you for helping me to know myself, Jesus”. An
ironic thought is this, smoking, drinking, junk food, overuse of internet, no exercise,
negative people around me = will poison my thought process.
It is up to me to start learning about me - quietly and consistently - Do I know myself?
Now I start the internal cleansing to dig out the dirt, see the damage and heal myself.
Two words come to mind = PRIDE and HUMILITY
Am I humble? Am I prideful? Here’s how to check PRIDE. Pride is a condition of the heart
where a person becomes self-righteous, superior to their own spiritual walk, above others.
Do I have a desire to be independent of God?
Humility - Spiritual Humility “A fundamental virtue in Christianity. Humility is characterized
by a recognition of ones own weaknesses and dependence on God. A modest view of
ones importance and a willingness to submit to Gods Will. HUMILITY is actually the secret
sauce to make me more loving, aware and see others “through Jesus eyes”. I pray daily
for this. WANTING TO HELP OTHERS. HUMILITY IS NOT THINKING LESS OF MYSELF - HUMILITY IS
THINKING ABOUT MYSELF LESS.
MOTHER TERESA was an Albanian, Indian Catholic nun who lived and worked with the Leper
Colonies in India. In 1979 she was given the Nobel Peace Prize for all she did for the sick, the
homeless and the poor. She was being interviewed by a reporter and he asked her, “What
do you say when you pray to God?” Mother Teresa smiled and turned knowingly to the
Reporter, “When you pray, you don’t have to say much - just listen. Then try to help one
person at a time”.
Can I sit quietly now and listen for the words to help me know myself?
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“Falling Fast?” Blog #215
What gives me strength to get up and start my day?
With all the news media blitz, friend and foe - what do I fall for?
Where is stability I garnish to invisibly hold me in place?
I read somewhere a while back, that a dream of falling can indicate the dreamer feels
unstable, overwhelmed, fearful and/or insecure about something in their life. It may also
indicate an anxiety disorder or unresolved trauma. A dream of flying may mean there is
an out of control situation going on in my life that I don’t know how to solve. Falling or
flying in dreams, I get to at least wake up from! Yet, in the day to day struggle of figuring
things out, what AM I falling for really? There is my phone I can search, internet ads
spewing info, more garbage, and WHAT HAVE I FALLEN FOR?
Did you know 500 years ago a man named Michael DeMontaigne said, “my life has been
filled with terrible misfortune, most of which never happened!” There is actually a study
that proves this! The study looked into “how many of our imagined calamities that we fall
for mentally, never materialized”? Within this study participants were asked to write down
their worries over an extended period of time. They then were asked to identify which of
their “worries” never actually happened. The study on worries came back showing 85%
never happened! There are also multiple of studies showing 97% of all the worries flying
around in my head, are nothing more that a FEARFUL MIND FALLING FOR EXAGGERATIONS
AND MISCONCEPTIONS. I do have to stop and think about how different my life would be if I
did not fall for all the things I obsessively worried about over time. Over the years, I
eventually spent time trying to unlearn superstitions, fearful comments and “falling” for
other peoples convincing arguments of “doom and gloom”. My life would have been so
much more open to new positive possibilities, had I also only applied the faith I have now
in Jesus Christ.
There was another study that took place at Penn State University. Researchers asked
people who had a “generalized anxiety disorder” to write down “everything they worried
about” for one whole month. After all the outcomes were written down and turned in, at
the end of the month, researchers found 91% of all participants worries did NOT come true.
How much relief in hearing this does one feel?
Here’s another Important point, Falling for our anxiety ridden defeat thoughts and being
able to change, IS possible to heal from! Participants were told this, “not only did your
worries not come true, but after presented with the outcome, evidence and results,
researchers found these “worries were largely unfounded.” So many of the participants in
the study experienced immediate improvement in their anxiety symptoms over all. A win-
win for not falling for the illusion of exactly what it is - FALLING FAST with fearful worrying.
So now comes the good part. All of the above is a choice I make, every single day. I can
fall for worrying and fear of the unknown and let anxiety grab hold quickly, OR, I can speak
to myself as an old friend would, telling myself I have a weapon of spiritual steel growing
inside me now. What is it? Christ centered courage and my fail-safe protector. HE
keeps me from falling into worrisome patterns invading a safe place in my mind. I
visualize myself surrounded by an envelope of crystal clear white light of protection. No
more worrisome fear of falling fast for what is NOT there!
My inner dialogue with me is self love. I see myself encased in this envelope of loving light.
So the only conversation taking the place of worry is conversation with Christ. Even if it’s for
5 minutes first day. It’s okay. I can add more time each day. This helps eliminate
worrisome thoughts. If I think, “Oh I am so stupid for doing that”, immediately telling myself,
“That thought was part of the old me”. I now say, “I am smart, I am disciplined, I am
loving”. Therefore I believe I am Loved. I see myself in Christ Light. I listen to God.
Can I find my faith and turn my back on falling fast for worry?
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“Wasted Time?” Blog #214
Where do I spend most of my time all day long?
Do I have a sense of what my priorities are now?
Why do my choices of what I spend time on matter?
Here is a sobering thought, I can build up material possessions and own all the treasures
of the world. I can make a decision to travel here and there. But with my last breath. I will
be required to make a decision on how I spent my life. It will be shockingly evident then,
how I spent my time each and every day, my whole life long. Then, it’s too late, knowing
there are many days of own life where I felt and saw, so much wasted time. Self-willed
energy on silly, useless, mundane things. Better still, what are my habits and where do
they take me day in and day out?
Looking back at my own life, there was once a time years ago when my life had a sense of
meaninglessness. So much wasted time on mundane useless things caused me to take
on a belief, at whatever level, it wasn’t possible I could do anything to create value or
leave a lasting impact with what I could contribute in my life. I had not searched for a
relationship with my creator. Therefore, these feelings did not contribute to my well being.
These are “LOST FEELINGS OF HOPELESSNESS”. If not checked, they grow fast and furious. We
have all been there at one time or another. Because I can partner with my Lord Jesus
Christ, who brings in balance so desperately needed at times of sad thoughts and
depression. Again I strongly say, “Help Me Jesus” and I feel HIM now.
Did you know that any person can write a book about their life? one page at a time, one
day at a time? At the end of a year, 365 days make up a great book to read. Here is a
healthy place to spend time - learning about myself - Write a journal now.
Here are biggest Habits of Wasting Time on a Daily Basis:
Neglecting an obvious Obligation ( been putting it off and off)
Procrastination - Avoidance in doing a task, much needed to do.
Excessive Social Media Usage throughout the day - nothing to show for it.
Unnecessary phone calls to people with only Gossip intended.
Text messaging to and for unnecessary reasons.
Sitting and day dreaming for hours at a time.
The average person loses 26 days each year to wasted time”. John Anderer/London
John Anderer goes on to say that “the average adult finds themself with nothing to do at
least three (3) times a day”! This is due primarily to a. lack of motivation, or routine Another
fact to keep in mind, “wasting time” contributes to depression! Because wasting time
increases the risk of depression by blocking direct communication and lowering social
interactions. This reduces the available time to engage in physical activities that help to
prevent and treat depression to begin with. If I have nothing at all to do, I get up, go
outside, take in countless amounts of deep breaths and walk and walk and walk! Starting
small I learn to anchor my day with “must haves” 3 morning habits. Drink water, make my
bed, Stretch & pray. Then Identify 3 CORE TASKS DAILY: LISTS TO DO. LUNCH A MUST,
PERSONAL CARE INCLUSIONS. Under personal care: work out, reading, exercise, cooking,
movie, journaling.
This famous actor starred in more movies than I care to count. Yet when he wasn’t making
movies he was daily wasting time, doing drugs throughout his day. This was Hollywood’s
“Golden Boy” who saw a vision of his own death. He saw a white light, then had his own
encounter with God. All this happened after he had starred in so many movies including,
The Parent Trap, Midway, Reagan, Top Gun and many more. But wasting time on drugs all
day was teaching him this: “Drugs are fun, then they are fun with problems, then they are
just problems”. All the while, Dennis Quaid thought having Hollywood success meant
leaving God behind. Now Quaid has stopped doing drugs, stopped wasting precious time
and produces faith based movies like “I Can Only Imagine”. He went on to tell a
newscaster, “What we are all looking for is just the joy in life”. From nearly losing everything
to staying at the pinnacle of success, Dennis now states, “It’s all and only about our
relationship with God in the end”.
So I look at my own life today, simply put, I can take the time and pencil in ten minutes
more a day to find my own relationship with Jesus. This shows me I find more joy in my life
now. Nothing positive comes from spending time doing things that contribute to my being
depressed. So I end the Blog today on this note from Crosby, Stills & Nash,
“So much time to make up everywhere we turn, time we have wasted on the way….”
Rather than waste the moment, can I take the time to learn and pray?
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“Panic or Purpose?" Blog #213
What can I do to stop these racing thoughts inside me?
How can I find courage to face my inner self differently?
Is there a way to turn on the light inside me and find purpose?
This defines panic attack, “a sudden feeling of unwelcome, disabling, and disrupting
anxiety”. Then on to define “anxiety”, a feeling of worry, nervousness and unease. Panic
attacks are more prevalent than we realize. Every year thousands upon thousands of
people in the U.S. experience panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden intense feelings of
fear that cause fast breathing, racing heart and sweating. No one really knows why
people get them, yet we do know this, no person has ever died from a panic attack.
I shift gears for a moment to bring in something important here, “grounding”. What does
this mean? If you say someone is “grounded”, this means a person is sensible, reasonable,
and understands the importance of ordinary things in their life.” We live in a world that
idolizes the extraordinary. Yet, it is easy to overlook the beauty and the significance of one
ordinary life. Too often we try to do too much, outside of who we are. Sometimes we have
a “physical situation” happen In our life to bring clarity to “who we really are.”
I believe in panic attacks because I used to have them. They were frightening. Yet, I found
a way to deal with them and they never ever came back again. PRAYER. I faced my
demons head on. Breathing out anxiety, I prayed. “Help me Jesus”. My shallow fast,
fearful breathing slowed way down. Amazingly, after slow, deliberate, deep breaths. I was
able to hear these beautiful soft words, “You are loved”. Somebody might say I was
imagining this. Someone else could say those were your words. Yet I heard those words
loud and clear! “You are loved.”
There’s a famous singer out there who went through years of depression and heart ache.
One day she sat by her bed and was ready to end it all. Just as she was about to open the
drawer next to her bed and do something so horrific and regrettable, a miracle happened
right then! Her little dog came bounding up the stairs and jumped into her lap at that
exact moment. Fate? Coincidence? Perhaps. Dolly Parton believes it was the hand of
God who saved her life that night. And to this day she does not start her morning without
Jesus by her side.
Why does it take times of crisis to turn our hearts and minds to God? Because we are all
alike in one fact. So often we think we can handle things on our own. Of course, this is
where God promised every person has “Free Will” and because of this, God will never
meddle in our lives unless we want him to. So what happens when we do not know HOW
to handle anxiety, and fear of the unknown? Fear takes over our mind with a panic attack!!
No one person has the key to life regardless of who they are or what they achieve. At the
end of the day, it takes one word to over come panic, anxiety, and fear. That word is FAITH.
I have faith in Jesus Christ who is with me regardless of what I go through. I have heard
him speak to me, I have been witness to a miracle and I know there is no other way on
earth to live. Some people could say, “well, if I just had enough money to take care of all
my problems, I would be okay”. It’s not about the money, and we all know that.
Thousands of celebrities, including famous singers, actors, country stars, and talk show
hosts have all had deep, dark depression. Coupled with anxiety and panic attacks, they
confess heart wrenching stories of turning to Christianity. I know I had a life that seemed
idyllic once, everything in place until the unexpected tragedy hit. No one person really
knows how to go forward when depression, anxiety and panic comes. And no one is
prepared for the unexpected. Panic attacks come from internal fear, a feeling of
desperate aloneness and not being grounded. This is internal chaos. This is extremely
dangerous. This is living inside an empty vessel.
The heaviness in my heart is ONLY lifted with HIM. Most of us run daily just as fast as we
can trying to keep up with “the daily minutia”. Deep down inside, I knew now it was time to
“help myself heal from anxious panic”. It was finally time I embrace the light of Jesus to
grow, heal and ground me internally.
Can I let go of the illusion of panic and embrace my higher purpose now?
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“Absolute Silence” Blog #212
What do I personally know about total silence?
How do I go about seeking my inner healing in silent peace?
Is there a way to quiet my thoughts, feeling silent healing now?
Silence is defined as “the complete absence of sound. Nothing is penetrating it. Absolute,
total void of noise. No sound can be heard anywhere”. Interesting to note, The Hoh Rain
Forest of the Olympic National Park is the quietest place in the United States. “The One
Square Inch of Silence’’ within the forest in an independent research project aiming to
preserve and protect this space from human noise intrusion.” Wow travel.me. Then we
have the worlds quietest room, located at Orfield Laboratories in Minnesota. The room was
measured at 24.9 decibels and tests conducted on Nov. 19, 2021. The room is quiet enough
to hear ones’ blood flowing! The silence is so maddening it can cause hallucinations and
the longest anyone has been able to bear the room was 45 minutes. It was then noted,
“It’s quite amazing how badly humans deal with absolute silence.”
As I have shared before, each and every one of us has talent and creativity and worth
buried deep with in. Jesus Christ is MY Saving Grace. HE waits for me to speak. HE waits in
the complete silence of my heart. HE brings complete awareness of “What” is my gift to
give back? IF only I trust and let him quietly into the silence of my hurting heart.
After waiting and waiting, on June 27th, a beautiful little girl was born to Captain Arthur and
Kate Keller. She was born perfectly healthy, yet at the tender age of nineteen months old
she suffered a severe illness. They did the best to cope with her as the illness left this poor
stricken little girl blind and completely deaf. She could not hear and she could not see
anything. At six years old. she was introduced to a miraculous teacher. Anne Mansfield
Sullivan worked daily with the little girl. She soon learned the Fingertip Alphabet and how to
write! This half-wild, blind and deaf child was seen as a child of God by Anne, who believed
in her. Within just six short months, Helen learned 625 words. By age ten, she had
mastered the Braille as well as the Manuel alphabet. At sixteen years old this girl was able
to go to prep School, and in 1904 Helen Keller graduated Cum Laude from the prestigious
Radcliff College later known as Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.
Helen Keller has become one of history's’ most remarkable women. Her teacher, Ann
Sullivan has had a movie made about her amazing work done with Helen. The movie, “The
Miracle Worker”, starring Patty Duke, won many awards at the 35th Academy Awards.
Before Helen Keller died of natural causes at 87 years old, she had gone on to write 14
books., given hundreds of speeches on topics ranging from womens suffrage, labor rights,
world peace and disabilities. Her autobiography; “The Story of my Life” went on to
contribute to the film “The Miracle Worker”, Anne Sullivan only saw the brilliance and talent
and light within Helen Keller. She lovingly worked with her. Once again - One person with
overwhelming odds, up against the world, yet able to rise above, go beyond and grow in
ways none of us could ever have imagined. Then went on to contribute so much more to
humanity. If I can believe in who I am,. Jesus will do the rest.. It matters not what my
problem is. He knows what to do.
Ash Wednesday was this week and Lent has now begun for 40 days and 40 nights. I can
use this time to heal myself. I can fast from the things that are disparaging. I can let go of
all the harmful, dismay and darkness trying to creep into my world. Forty days and forty
nights is a perfect time to assess all my issues, regroup and finally quiet myself to hear
Jesus helping me now.
Can I take my problems in prayer, asking Jesus to help me right now?
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“Impossible Life?” Blog #211
Just how can I humble myself in the midst of all my pain?
Can I find a way to empty out my pride and start there?
In the daily drama of my life, where is a place of peace?
Years ago a famous mother of assassinated President John F. Kennedy was asked, “does
the dark, empty hole in your heart ever go away”? Rose Kennedy sighed and then said this,
“when tragedy hits us, we have to grow larger inside ourself and the largeness grows
internally, this makes the hole grow smaller each and every day”.
There is no healing recipe in the words darkness, drugs, or dis-ease attached to us. These
are not the words of strength and perseverance and humility. Therefore,
THIS IS MY MANTRA EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE AND THESE WORDS ARE POWERFULLY HEALING.
“I AM CHRIST CENTERED COURAGE. I AM THE LIGHT OF JESUS. I AM LOVED BY JESUS.”
As we look back on our lives, a lot of us could say; “after going through all that, I don’t know
if I would want to be alive anymore”. No one wants to face the death of a loved one close
to them. None of us want to be caught up in misery, sadness and despair daily. Yet, it is in
the darkness of my night, I painfully find a way to let go of my pride and humble myself
enough to say, “I CANNOT DO THIS ALONE, GOD HELP ME”.
One of the worlds most famous singers of all time found Jesus in a strange way. He had
just finished doing a concert and was ready to leave the stage. Someone threw a silver
cross up on the stage and he bent down, picked it up and put it in his pocket. He brought
it with him to the next town in Arizona and was feeling pretty low. His own songs had
become strangers to him and he had lost connection to any kind of inspiration. “There
was a hollow stinging in his heart", he states, and he could not wait to stop performing.
Only halfway through a national music tour, he was filled with emotional burnout, extreme
exhaustion and complete despair. It was here in a dark hotel room, he was now all alone.
The turning point in Bob Dylan’s life came late that night when Dylan states, “I received a
vision… a feeling, and a visit from Jesus Christ himself…”
Bob Dylan said his Christian Faith has provided a profound, transformative and “life saving”
escape from severe burnout, exhaustive emptiness and creative stagnation. It was unreal
how fast it happened. “I felt an immediate spiritual conversion that brought me peace,
discipline and a renewed purpose in my life”, he quietly stated.
Suddenly his artistic purpose changed from turmoil to gospel-infused song writing.
Interestingly enough, Bob Dyan has read and believes in the Bible. He has released 40
albums and written more than 600 songs and sold over 125 million records globally. He has
performed for over sixty years at more than 100 concerts. Bob Dylan is the most covered
musician in history. At 84 years old today, more than anything else Bob Dylan believes this,
“Age is not the main factor in my life. In the media, I never watch anything foul smelling or
evil. Nothing disgusting, nothing dog-ass. I am a religious person. I read the scriptures a
lot. I meditate and pray and light candles in church. I believe in damnation and salvation.
I believe in The five Books of Moses, the Epistles and all the Saints…. all of it”.
Today Bob Dylan says Sacred music and church music are his favorite. Ironically Bob
Dylan had a Jewish upbringing, yet his private conversion to Christianity was between him
and his Lord. But wait…
If we forget all the rest of my blog today, its important to remember in the midst of Bob
Dylan’s personal crisis, his deepest darkness, total despair - Jesus came to him.
Folding my hands with complete trust, can I ASK JESUS FOR WHAT I NEED NOW?
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“My Powerful Pain” Blog #210
Why do I need to suffer and go through such sadness?
What can change my thoughts today and make me strong?
How can I possibly let go of painful things that consume me?
WHAT IF I could believe all the painful parts to my life are where I grew the most. I
accept I am only alive to learn my lessons, help other people and let go of my past. It’s not
important to any one else what I go through - except me. Others will attempt to listen and
try to be there, yet at the end….. I must figure out my own life. If I insist on going it alone -
its going to be a long, arduous, hard journey. So today I share this urgent observation:
Every person and every situation teaches me all the lessons I need to learn now.
Someone is rude and unkind, so how do I reply? Today appears to be going all wrong, how
do I regroup? A person close to me pushes all my buttons - what do I learn about me?
Have I removed people from my life who are cruel, unkind, and not honest? What around
me is stunting my internal growth?
HOW TO GO FORWARD WITH JESUS AT MY SIDE
There is no person alive who can avoid pain. Pain is inevitable. All through my life I
continued to have set backs in my life until I knew HOW TO USE MY PAIN FOR PURPOSE.
TURNING MY PAIN INTO PURPOSE WITH JESUS AT MY SIDE IS POWERFUL BEYOND WORDS.
When a young boy named John O’Leary was nine years old, he was playing with fire and
gasoline in his garage and there was an explosion. Johns house was burned to the
ground and John was burned 100% of his body. Almost 87% of his burns were third degree
and he wasn’t suppose to live through the night. He spent five months in the hospital and
years in rehabilitation just learning how to walk again. Yet, his life isn’t just about surviving,
it is about a triumph over unbelievable odds of overcoming his pain with purpose when his
life seemed to be nearly impossible. It is staggering to imagine the pain this nine year old
boy had to go through. But John chose “Life”. He wanted to live through all his pain, more
than anything else. After the explosion Johns father told him, “I love you and there’s
nothing you can do about it. You can’t choose the path you walk, but you can choose the
way you walk it”.
Above all, each of us must choose each day the way we want to live. Do we want to fight
hard for purpose or do we give in to pain with out understanding why? John says the fire
that disfigured so much of his body is a reminder of what transformed him into such a
strong believer in Jesus Christ. The suffering that should have destroyed John is the very
place where God’s grace took hold. Again, its how we choose to respond to pain that
makes the difference.
John O’Leary had a remarkable recovery. The many twists and turns his life took turned his
pain into purpose. His scars and struggles gave him his mission and brought clarity to his
life. Instead of dwelling on what he lost, he focused on what he could create. John went
on to write a book and do a movie called “Soul on Fire”. Against unbelievable odds, John
has brought powerful purpose into his life and now others. Right this minute I can say to
myself I am strong, I am purposeful I have power.
Can I take this day and with Jesus by side feel new empowerment?
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“What’s inside Me? Blog # 209
Is my internal battery low, do I recharge it with light?
Where does energy come from when I feel depleted and drained?
How accessible is the love of God waiting inside my being?
An amazing power awaits me IF I am ready to tap into it now. A while back Marianne
Williamson wrote a book, “A Return to Love”. This is a powerful book about finding the
“power” within each of us. She states in her book, “me playing small does not serve the
world. Shrinking myself to fit into societies expectations is not what I am here to do.” Can I
understand this?
She states exactly “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is
that we are powerful beyond measure. For it is our light and NOT our darkness that
most frightens us. We ask ourself, who am I to be brilliant, talented and fabulous? Who
are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightening about shrinking so other people won’t feel insecure around
you. You were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in
some of us, it’s in everyone. As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other
people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence
automatically liberates others”. Marianne Williamson
There now lives a woman who is the youngest of nine children. Because there were
complications at her birth she was born with mild brain damage and bullied terribly at
school. Regardless of her afflictions, set backs and trouble, she loved to sing. After she lost
her mother and father she lived alone with her cat, Pebbles. Yet, she never lost the dream
inside of her. At 47 years old, one day she took a bus and got lost and wound up taking six
buses. Eventually this empowered woman on her very own found her way to the show
Britains Got Talent. It is here that Susan Boyle sang in front of a packed audience and
judges gave her resounding applause when she sang out the famous lyrics to a song, “I
have a Dream”. That was in 2009 and to this day the original video has been watched
millions and millions of times. Susan Magdalane Boyle went on to sell ten million copies
worldwide and her album was the best selling album in 2009. By 2011 Susan made Britain’s
music history by becoming the first female artist to achieve three successive albums at
number one with in two years. In 2009 at 47 years old Susan was taking the bus to sing for
Britains Got Talent, because she had very little money. As of May 2025 Susan Magdalane.
Boyle had a net worth of 29 million dollars.
Every person alive needs to “feel alive” inside and connect to the higher self waiting.
All it takes is prayer, self love and faith.
I know I need inspiration. Each of us can now see how being empowered is a radical
change from indifference, sadness and fear. So today I ask myself this,
Can I tap into Jesus” light inside me and feel transformed now?
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“My Miracle” Blog #208
What does it take to change my thinking today?
In the twists and turns of every day life, what impacts me?
Do I even believe in miracles or think they are made up stories?
Over the years there have been times when I wondered, “why am I even alive?” Coming
from one senseless tragedy to another, I have questioned the real life proof of angels,
Jesus and miracles. That is until a miracle happened to me.
I will humbly share what happened on that long ago Arizona evening when my two aunts
insisted I go to a prayer service being held across town. A very controversial priest who
had broken away from the Catholic Church was conducting a “healing service for those in
need”. My aunts wanted to go because each of them suffered from a host of illnesses and
wanted to see if this service could help them. At any rate this was a short time after I had
lost my mother in a horrific crime and I still felt extremely fragile to say the least. I had not
been sleeping well ever since the tragedy and I was also drinking a lot of wine to try to
relax. That night my aunt, who managed to control most things, was talking very firmly.
She stated, “We will get there and it will be crowded but I want you just to focus on helping
your other aunt and hold her hand while I support her other side. We will all walk down to
the front of the church together.” I remember this.
My faith in anything spiritual was on a back burner. I was mad at God for what had
happened in my life and I was only in Arizona for a short visit. Tonight I came to appease
both my aunts and leave for home in the morning. When we arrived at the church, there
must have been a thousand people there! Young, middle age, sick, children and people
everywhere. Definitely people in distress and hurting. We sat down and immediately a tall,
nice looking man with a deep blue sweater began to speak. “Please come down the aisle,
no need for talking, the Holy Spirit knows your need.” With that I watched for the next hour
transfixed on this man.
I knew my aunt, the younger one, hoped for a healing for her sister who had very bad
emphysema. At last it was our turn, we walked slowly down the long aisle and I expected
this priest to lay his hand on either one of my aunts, and give them a blessing. NONE OF
THIS HAPPENED! When we stood face to face with this amazing man of the cloth, he looked
deep into my eyes. He put the sign of the cross on MY FOREHEAD and I immediately fell
over backwards! One might think, My God, did I get hurt? How could this happen? It
happened so quickly. I remember laying on my back, staring up at the ceiling and the first
thought coming to my mind.“ Jesus would have to come down from the cross every day
in order for people to believe in him. Because no one would believe this with their own
eyes unless they saw it!
The priest bent over slowly and he smiled down at me. Quietly he said: “the Holy Spirit has
just gone through you, you are whole now.” WHAT, What did he say? I thought it was for
my two aunts, not me! When we left there that night, neither of them ever said a single
word about what had happened. There was to be no discussion. Yet, I knew I was now a
changed soul. I had no desire to abuse my body with drinking ever again. My stress levels
eased and I was now seeing my life with “eyes wide open”. Something very mysterious,
heartfelt and miraculous had happened to me. There was no doubt in my mind. I
remember it like yesterday. A true miracle and that was only the beginning of a new
wonderful chapter of my life. That evening rearranged my life. No more fear of the
unknown.
My life is filled with faith, truth and forgiveness. JESUS is my solid rock to lean on when I
have any issues to deal with. HIS truth keeps me alive.
Can I find time before days end to be open and thankful in prayer?
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“Recipe to Live” Blog #207
Where is MY inner Report Card on how I live each day?
How do I handle extra daily drama thrown my way?
Can I purge dark energy from negative situations I encounter?
Right out the gate, the blog today gets a bit heavy with personal, direct, important
questions I must address. Remembering above all, I must be utilizing Moral Tools of
Forgiveness, Truth and Discernment - no one lives my life, but me. Easy to become
comfortable with a lifestyle with no demands to be met. Too easy to sit back watching the
internet, television and my phone 24/7. Some days I find myself anxiously attached to
things that don’t even matter when I look back at them. This is where my mind swings in
so many directions, with no specific plan to take care of ME. What “plan” am I even talking
about?
Before I get out of bed: DAILY PRAYER START as I awake = this balances my day.
Someone once asked me: “I don’t know how to pray, what should I say? The easiest is this
prayer: Thank you Jesus for all you have given me. Show me the way today.
Now here are areas of life where I DISCIPLINE my DAY.
My Recipe for Living -
My Health: Three times a day - I must eat healthy food and drink lots of water. My body is
always overhearing what my mind is thinking. (Packaged, sugary, processed food only
makes me more hyper and craving the wrong food to put into my body.
My Relationships: When someone controls another human being, he or she only controls
the time it takes to destroy the relationship forever. I choose healthy, happy honest people
to be in my life.
My Discipline: To have discipline, is to help myself grow internally. To recognize my
weakness is to love myself unconditionally. To apply discipline to my life daily is to give
myself the utmost self respect. I design my day with “Building Blocks of Disciplines”.
My Forgiveness: When I learn to forgive who has hurt me, I then know I automatically am
forgiven by Jesus Christ unconditionally.
My Family: I was born into the family I was given so I can learn valuable lessons shaping
my life as long as I am alive. I choose to live in light energy 24/7.
My Spirituality: most important part of my life is my relationship with Jesus Christ. For
HE is my rock. HE is my support. HE is the reason I never feel alone. I know and understand
learning my lessons on earth replaces all my mistakes.
My Rules for living: I can only work on and help myself, I can never change another
person. Whenever a sad, angry, depressed thought enters my mind, I say powerful
affirmations. Positive Affirmations help me, for they strengthen my mind and balance my
thinking. Above all, little by little they increase my self confidence. Please Note: Whenever I
use the words “I AM“ These words are sacred and MUST have positive words put with
them: “I am alignment, I am balanced, I am brave….”. etc. Go through the alphabet and
see if I can do 8-10 for each letter of the alphabet.
My recipe for retraining MY brain into positivity, starts with Positive Affirmations Daily.
All the lessons I have been given to learn from are in my life now. It is my responsibility to
give today my best. My soul came to this earth with a specific purpose. It is my job to
discover what it is.
Every act of forgiveness I send out, disciplines, strengthens and heals my own soul.
Finally, I must believe MY BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF GOD. SO I NURTURE MYSELF DAILY.
ALL PAIN I’VE HAD IN MY LIFE HELPED ME GROW, ONE HEALING DAY TO THE NEXT.
Can I take this recipe for Living and start growing internally now ?
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