Yesterday was my daughter's graduation from Cosmetology College. Once she takes the State license test she can begin working on her profession.
Christa is very creative, artistic and talented. Even since she was a little girl she loved to paint, draw and create. It was only natural that she would choose a career in that field.
About 17 years ago when Christa was about 3 years old we were driving somewhere and all of a sudden she asked: "Mommy is that Heaven or Hell?" As I turn my head somewhat surprised by her question, I noticed we had just past a cemetery. Her inquisitive young mind was already trying to understand the spiritual side of her, as we were cultivating it daily with bible stories, church, Sunday school and talks about our Lord.
My prayer for my kids was always first about their spiritual life and second about their career choices. Today I praise God because her choices have consistently been about her love for Jesus even when it cost her worldly prices. I have seen her wrestling with options that seemed right at the time but also knowing God had a better plan for her. Christa has been able to discern her own question about "Heaven and Hell" and has grown to trust her Savior to guide her. I am forever thankful to God for my little girl.
If anybody wonders what I responded to her cemetery question: "It's neither Heaven nor Hell, their bodies are there but their spirits are either with the Lord, or without Him."
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Christian Meditation
Joshua 1:6-9 (New International Version)
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Meditation on God's word yields the highest wisdom. On Psalm 119 there are several verses where the writer meditates on God's decrees, precepts and wonders.
Psalm 119:97-100 (New International Version)
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
Christian meditation is one of the better ways to receive insight of what God is trying to say in His word, making His followers wiser than their enemies. Meditation simply means focused thinking. I always say if we know how to worry we know how to meditate. But, the meditation needs to concentrate on His word, not the worries and cares of this world. I know when I spend time in His word I come out centered, understanding life more clearly. I feel a sense of peace and security that I lose as soon as I wonder off from Him. The pull from the world is very strong; God's voice is soft. I have to choose to be there listening to it, filling my heart with it.
Meditation is as ancient as cultures. Christian meditation is different from eastern meditation because Christian meditation focuses on God and His teachings; not on mantras. There is a part of us that receives better when we are in solitude, quiet, relaxed. Our spirit is uncluttered of the many competitors it has all day long. My peaceful mind is able to concentrate and internalize His precepts and decrees.
There are so many things to meditate about from the bible. We can meditate on His unfailing love:
Psalm 48:9 (New International Version)
9 Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love.
Or on His works,
Psalm 143:5 (New International Version)
5 I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
Or as mentioned above, on His decrees and precepts, on His word and His love for us.
There are many physical benefits from Christian meditation as well: it calms the racing mind, especially when there are compulsive thoughts taking over. It may help reduce blood pressure, and it calms anxiety by reducing cortisol and adrenaline release.
Proverbs 23:7 "For as he thinks within himself, so he is." We are what we think, self-talk is the most important conversation we have all day. I want to make those inner-talks about God and His love for me by meditating on His word.
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Meditation on God's word yields the highest wisdom. On Psalm 119 there are several verses where the writer meditates on God's decrees, precepts and wonders.
Psalm 119:97-100 (New International Version)
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
Christian meditation is one of the better ways to receive insight of what God is trying to say in His word, making His followers wiser than their enemies. Meditation simply means focused thinking. I always say if we know how to worry we know how to meditate. But, the meditation needs to concentrate on His word, not the worries and cares of this world. I know when I spend time in His word I come out centered, understanding life more clearly. I feel a sense of peace and security that I lose as soon as I wonder off from Him. The pull from the world is very strong; God's voice is soft. I have to choose to be there listening to it, filling my heart with it.
Meditation is as ancient as cultures. Christian meditation is different from eastern meditation because Christian meditation focuses on God and His teachings; not on mantras. There is a part of us that receives better when we are in solitude, quiet, relaxed. Our spirit is uncluttered of the many competitors it has all day long. My peaceful mind is able to concentrate and internalize His precepts and decrees.
There are so many things to meditate about from the bible. We can meditate on His unfailing love:
Psalm 48:9 (New International Version)
9 Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love.
Or on His works,
Psalm 143:5 (New International Version)
5 I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
Or as mentioned above, on His decrees and precepts, on His word and His love for us.
There are many physical benefits from Christian meditation as well: it calms the racing mind, especially when there are compulsive thoughts taking over. It may help reduce blood pressure, and it calms anxiety by reducing cortisol and adrenaline release.
Proverbs 23:7 "For as he thinks within himself, so he is." We are what we think, self-talk is the most important conversation we have all day. I want to make those inner-talks about God and His love for me by meditating on His word.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
To Think or Not to Think...
When I think good, healthy thoughts, my brain creates new neuro-path ways instead of trailing the old well known road to negativity. Science tells me that, I teach it, I use it in my own life. This is true for all of us. However, it isn't that simple. It requires a complete, radical transformation of who I am at my core. It challenges my beliefs from birth and requires lots of work. And like anything worth pursuing, the payoffs are great.
I wish I could have a "delete" button and -voila'- I start fresh. Decades of negative thoughts, stress and anxiety, depression, self-doubt, self-criticism, perfectionism, victim/ worrier thinking, and more makes these thoughts familiar and comfortable. I don't fight the habit because it is what I know. One lady said: "I don't want to get out of Hell, I know the names of all the streets."
God even gives us Scriptures to dwell on that will help change the neuro- paths to where they need to be:
Philippians 4:6-8 (New King James Version)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Then why is it so hard to do? Why do I dwell on the bad thoughts instead of renewing my mind?
Partly because it is a default setting, I go there automatically; my sin nature takes me there with ease. To transform and renew my mind I need to make a conscious effort that requires diligence, will and work. It could be compared to working my muscles when I exercise. It takes work, for the most part it is not enjoyable, but once I begin noticing the rewards of my hard work, I find motivation and a desire to continue.
The good news is that I begin to create these new neuro- paths that help me bring my thoughts into captivity much faster that before. Dwelling on "What ifs" that most likely will never happen is not God's plan for my life. Trusting God means giving up trying to control everything, yet being good stewards of what is within my responsibility to manage. There's a big difference.
As I sit here contemplating life, I begin to recount Jesus' life. He had many reasons to feel sorry for Himself, but I doubt very much He did. I am sure He didn't go through life thinking how unfair His lot was. I wonder if He ever felt self-conscious when teaching, say, the sermon on the Mountain or the Parables. Did He ever worry Himself sick with feelings of inadequacy, or self-doubt, or drive Himself crazy with perfectionism or self-criticism? Did He ever feel like telling somebody off? How about road rage pushing other donkeys out of His way? He didn't even own a donkey, He walked everywhere he went and I am sure His cholesterol was fine; after all He got plenty of exercise and ate lots of fish. He spent time with the Father in regular basis, plus He loved people and had compassion for them. Even those who hated Him, falsely accused Him, even those who crucified and killed Him.
I am told to be more like Jesus as I walk the walk. What does that mean? I wonder what life would be if I got up in the morning and made a list of things I were to accomplish that had nothing to do with my own gain. What if my to do list was: 1. Go to Kaiser and visit three terminally ill patients, 2. Bring a meal to a sick friend, 3. Go Christmas shopping for homeless children, 4. Love your family regardless, 4. Expect nothing, 5. Love some more. Could I ever do this and not think about me, me, me, and my needs, and my wants, and my fitness, and my need for vacation, and the list goes on.
If -and that's the operative word- I was able to do that, would I be happier? Could it be that I am extremely self-preoccupied, self-absorbed, self-ish? It is a well known fact that in third world countries people have almost nothing yet they are happier. Need produces a bonding experience that removes "the have to have this to be happy" deception. I many times wonder if it would even be possible to ever experience His life to the fullest. Is suffering what helps me to become closer to my King?
As I write this blog, I am surrounded by sad situation after sad situation that is happening to Christians around me. Is it becoming an epidemic? Where does one go to not catch it? There is nowhere but back to Him. Is that what it will take to bring us back to Him?
I sound like Solomon in Ecclesiastes! I guess I am mourning with those who are mourning today.
As Jesus was a "man of many sorrows," so are we. Yet He promised "not to leave us nor forsake us." As I go through the valley of death He is walking along side with me. As I, in the physical realm, believe and internalize His many promises, and dwell on them, I begin to create new hopeful neuro- pathways in my brain that will help to bring together my body, mind and Spirit to be of one accord.
I wish I could have a "delete" button and -voila'- I start fresh. Decades of negative thoughts, stress and anxiety, depression, self-doubt, self-criticism, perfectionism, victim/ worrier thinking, and more makes these thoughts familiar and comfortable. I don't fight the habit because it is what I know. One lady said: "I don't want to get out of Hell, I know the names of all the streets."
God even gives us Scriptures to dwell on that will help change the neuro- paths to where they need to be:
Philippians 4:6-8 (New King James Version)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Then why is it so hard to do? Why do I dwell on the bad thoughts instead of renewing my mind?
Partly because it is a default setting, I go there automatically; my sin nature takes me there with ease. To transform and renew my mind I need to make a conscious effort that requires diligence, will and work. It could be compared to working my muscles when I exercise. It takes work, for the most part it is not enjoyable, but once I begin noticing the rewards of my hard work, I find motivation and a desire to continue.
The good news is that I begin to create these new neuro- paths that help me bring my thoughts into captivity much faster that before. Dwelling on "What ifs" that most likely will never happen is not God's plan for my life. Trusting God means giving up trying to control everything, yet being good stewards of what is within my responsibility to manage. There's a big difference.
As I sit here contemplating life, I begin to recount Jesus' life. He had many reasons to feel sorry for Himself, but I doubt very much He did. I am sure He didn't go through life thinking how unfair His lot was. I wonder if He ever felt self-conscious when teaching, say, the sermon on the Mountain or the Parables. Did He ever worry Himself sick with feelings of inadequacy, or self-doubt, or drive Himself crazy with perfectionism or self-criticism? Did He ever feel like telling somebody off? How about road rage pushing other donkeys out of His way? He didn't even own a donkey, He walked everywhere he went and I am sure His cholesterol was fine; after all He got plenty of exercise and ate lots of fish. He spent time with the Father in regular basis, plus He loved people and had compassion for them. Even those who hated Him, falsely accused Him, even those who crucified and killed Him.
I am told to be more like Jesus as I walk the walk. What does that mean? I wonder what life would be if I got up in the morning and made a list of things I were to accomplish that had nothing to do with my own gain. What if my to do list was: 1. Go to Kaiser and visit three terminally ill patients, 2. Bring a meal to a sick friend, 3. Go Christmas shopping for homeless children, 4. Love your family regardless, 4. Expect nothing, 5. Love some more. Could I ever do this and not think about me, me, me, and my needs, and my wants, and my fitness, and my need for vacation, and the list goes on.
If -and that's the operative word- I was able to do that, would I be happier? Could it be that I am extremely self-preoccupied, self-absorbed, self-ish? It is a well known fact that in third world countries people have almost nothing yet they are happier. Need produces a bonding experience that removes "the have to have this to be happy" deception. I many times wonder if it would even be possible to ever experience His life to the fullest. Is suffering what helps me to become closer to my King?
As I write this blog, I am surrounded by sad situation after sad situation that is happening to Christians around me. Is it becoming an epidemic? Where does one go to not catch it? There is nowhere but back to Him. Is that what it will take to bring us back to Him?
I sound like Solomon in Ecclesiastes! I guess I am mourning with those who are mourning today.
As Jesus was a "man of many sorrows," so are we. Yet He promised "not to leave us nor forsake us." As I go through the valley of death He is walking along side with me. As I, in the physical realm, believe and internalize His many promises, and dwell on them, I begin to create new hopeful neuro- pathways in my brain that will help to bring together my body, mind and Spirit to be of one accord.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Old Friend Reconnection.
This past week-end has been a roller-coaster of feelings and emotions triggered by sad and happy things taking place.
We went to Arizona for Thanksgiving to visit Everett's parents and on our way up we stopped to visit Sarai. We were not able to see her, but I visited with her mom for a short while. She is devastated to say the least, but has accepted the brutal reality of what it is soon to come. I am glad I saw her and very, very sad for what is happening.
In Arizona we had a great time; Everett's parents are the best cooks in the world and it was a great family time.
When we came back I reconnected with a friend whom I haven't heard of or seen for about 20 years. It took me right back to my youth and to the old group of friends that used to hang out together at the time. It took me to see what each one of them is doing today, some doing well, others not so well. Time is a weird thing. So it's our brain.
As I am writing this I am preparing for my Addiction and Recovery certification and just yesterday re-visited the difference between explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory is the ability to recall some fact, information, or episode of life, in which you are aware that you are deliberately recalling the fact, information or episode. Implicit memories starts at birth (sometimes in-utero) and are the recorded feelings, sensations, and emotional experience associated with an event which are recalled automatically. It bypasses our pre-frontal cortex and goes straight to our limbic system, which is the "right now"part of the brain.
Certain memories, smells, feelings take us right back to being "there." When someone suffers from past trauma, one of the therapies applied is to help them recall the experience through the pre-frontal cortex having the person narrate the experience using the "thinking" part of the brain. This way it becomes a part of their life story, instead of being "felt" and re-lived and instantly being sent back to the experiential sensations of the limbic system. The hippocampus allows a memory to go from implicit to explicit.
All this to say that this weekend I went back to my past -triggered by an old friend- and it took me directly to the past bypassing my pre-frontal cortex. The memories don't have to be traumatic, but it is the traumatic ones that people need help overcoming. In a split second someone could be sent back to their horrible experience, whatever that may be, induced by a sound or scent. This is common with our soldiers suffering from PTSD.
We have all been transported to our past, so you know what I am talking about. Now you know what is going on with your brain as well. I find it fascinating.
My friend is doing great, married for 20 years, has two more kids and living in Costa Rica with his family.
We went to Arizona for Thanksgiving to visit Everett's parents and on our way up we stopped to visit Sarai. We were not able to see her, but I visited with her mom for a short while. She is devastated to say the least, but has accepted the brutal reality of what it is soon to come. I am glad I saw her and very, very sad for what is happening.
In Arizona we had a great time; Everett's parents are the best cooks in the world and it was a great family time.
When we came back I reconnected with a friend whom I haven't heard of or seen for about 20 years. It took me right back to my youth and to the old group of friends that used to hang out together at the time. It took me to see what each one of them is doing today, some doing well, others not so well. Time is a weird thing. So it's our brain.
As I am writing this I am preparing for my Addiction and Recovery certification and just yesterday re-visited the difference between explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory is the ability to recall some fact, information, or episode of life, in which you are aware that you are deliberately recalling the fact, information or episode. Implicit memories starts at birth (sometimes in-utero) and are the recorded feelings, sensations, and emotional experience associated with an event which are recalled automatically. It bypasses our pre-frontal cortex and goes straight to our limbic system, which is the "right now"part of the brain.
Certain memories, smells, feelings take us right back to being "there." When someone suffers from past trauma, one of the therapies applied is to help them recall the experience through the pre-frontal cortex having the person narrate the experience using the "thinking" part of the brain. This way it becomes a part of their life story, instead of being "felt" and re-lived and instantly being sent back to the experiential sensations of the limbic system. The hippocampus allows a memory to go from implicit to explicit.
All this to say that this weekend I went back to my past -triggered by an old friend- and it took me directly to the past bypassing my pre-frontal cortex. The memories don't have to be traumatic, but it is the traumatic ones that people need help overcoming. In a split second someone could be sent back to their horrible experience, whatever that may be, induced by a sound or scent. This is common with our soldiers suffering from PTSD.
We have all been transported to our past, so you know what I am talking about. Now you know what is going on with your brain as well. I find it fascinating.
My friend is doing great, married for 20 years, has two more kids and living in Costa Rica with his family.
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