I'm a Sheep

    I was once struggling with a lot of unknowns. I didn’t know what would happen with my job, my coaching career, my friendships, my relationship, and many things in my life. I was becoming stressed with all the choices I had to make. So, one day I took a walk in the snow.

   I reflected on a podcast from The Porch I had heard earlier that week. It was talking about Psalm 23. That Psalm begins with saying “the Lord is my shepherd.” Now we’ve all pictured this before, at least if you are a Christian and you’ve heard the Psalm. It’s easy to see Jesus as a shepherd guiding us. But you know what that makes us? Sheep. And sheep are not the smartest creatures.

   The next verse says, “he makes me lie down in green pastures.” I don’t know about you, but I don’t really like to be forced to do anything. But here it says that God makes us lie down. Why would we need to be made to lie down? Perhaps it’s because God knows the temptation to keep busy is so strong for some of us. Oh sure, our reasons for trying to busy ourselves are different but we forget to rest. We forget to rest in God. And he doesn’t just make us rest in a horrible stinky place. He makes us rest in good places, in green pastures.

   Verse 4 takes a turn. It doesn’t seem like it is discussing sheep anymore. It talks about a dark valley. That doesn’t seem to apply to shepherds, but it does. Shepherds would take their sheep to mountains in the summer months. But to get to the mountains, the shepherd would have to take the sheep through valleys. There are many dangers in the valleys and shadows can become dangerous things in an instant. Yet, the good shepherd is there to protect his sheep. His rod and his staff protect and comfort us through that protection.

   As I was putting all this together, a thought hit me. Was I insisting on staying in the valley? Was I fighting my shepherd trying to stay in my comfort zone? Things were not going well at my job, but it was comfortable knowing what I was doing each day. But was I forsaking the good of the mountain that God was taking me to by choosing to stay in the valley?

   I don’t know the answers to those questions yet, but it was a good start. And I felt peace for the first time in a while.

   So, do you trust the good shepherd? How can you trust God as he leads you through valleys to the mountains?

https://youtu.be/2OwRgXLZXfc

Decorating Your Cell

    There are many times of the year where you enjoy decorating. During Christmas, during the Fourth of July, for spring, for fall, sometimes for Halloween, for almost any party, etc. People will decorate their homes, offices, cars, and much more to get the ambience just right for the celebration. It kind of puts you in a festive mood. It builds anticipation.

   Well, while all those decorations and the places you put them are fun, I’m willing to bet you probably have never thought of decorating one place: a jail cell. Woah! We just went from fun and fancy to dark and dreary. Why would I even bring up decorating a place like that? Isn’t that where criminals go?

   Now I don’t know if criminals do decorate their cells for real or not. But I’m talking about how some of us have a spiritual jail cell. Some of us choose to continue to live in sin. We all face temptations. Some of us choose to give in to those temptations. We choose to enter the cell of sin. I don’t know what temptations you have faced. I don’t know if you gave into them or not. What I do know is if we begin decorating our sin cell, we are in bad shape.

   See, usually, if someone is decorating a place, they are claiming ownership of it. They are planning on staying there for some time. Thus, they want it to be nice, homey, and a place they and others will feel comfortable in. Why in the world would we want to feel comfortable in sin? I realize that it may feel good for a bit but that source of dopamine, whatever it is, will wear off. And you will be back looking for your next fix sooner rather than later.

   People who are decorating their cells have admitted defeat. But you don’t have to. You can give up that sin. You can leave and decorate the home God has given you. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Even if you have given into temptation. Even if you feel like there’s no hope, there is! God provided us with a way of escape. He sent his Son to die for us, to be the perfect sacrifice, so we could have a way of escape. It’s our choice whether we stay in the cell or not.

   So, are you in a cell decorating away right now? How can you escape the cell if you are in one? How can you refuse to enter the cell when it is presented to you?

https://youtu.be/TcP_GBnoeS4

Thoughts

    You know, our bodies are amazing things. One of the most fascinating parts of our bodies is our brain. Scientists are still trying to figure out our brains. One area they just cannot seem to figure out is our thoughts. Sure, you can see reactions in the brain when we have a thought, but you cannot know exactly what that thought is. I think that’s one reason why thoughts are so powerful, only you can control them and only you know what your thoughts are.

   Whatever thoughts you think about, I am fairly certain that you sometimes have trouble controlling your thoughts. How do we do that? Can we do that? It seems even if you have the best intentions and wish you could stop thinking negative things, they just come back up. I have found that thoughts can be fit into a few categories.

   Surface level immediate thoughts: things you think about that don’t have much meaning. I mean, while I believe the thought, “I would really like a chocolate milkshake” is an incredible thought it doesn’t serve much in the long run (other than maybe getting a milkshake).

   Surface level future thoughts: this is when you think about things you need to do. Like get groceries or get some things done for that project at work.

   Intelligent intellectual thoughts: this is my way of saying deep thinking. Most of the time, I feel, our brains don’t go into deep thinking unless we are in school, in a thought-provoking conversation, reading a book, etc. (could even borderline throw overthinking in here). An important note, this type of thinking can be considered both good and bad depending on what you are thinking about.

   Negative woe is me thoughts: when it is a rainy day and all thoughts you have are just bad. Like, can things get much worse thoughts? Not very healthy thoughts.

   Godly grateful thoughts: Not that things are always going to be amazing in our lives but there is always something to be grateful for.

   While there may be some other areas of thought, many of them could probably fit into these categories. Looking at these categories, ask yourself which ones tend to go through your brain the most? I’m not saying that there is any wrong category to be in the most. It’s okay if you have all these kinds of thoughts. But I’m saying you should not be stuck in just one of these areas of thought. Well, not stuck in all but one.

   Godly grateful thoughts should be where we land most of the time. It would be amazing if we were stuck (not in a bad way) in that area of thought. But I’m thinking that much of the time that’s not where your thoughts land. I’m the same way. How then do we change our thinking so we can have more Godly grateful thoughts?

   First off, I want to remind you that it is possible to change our way of thinking lest you be tempted to say, it’s impossible (which you should not say as nothing is impossible with God). 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” See, Satan has this horrid habit of trying to get into our brains. He likes to tell us lies. He likes to deceive. He likes to detain us. I think that’s why Paul told the Corinthians that they can take their thoughts captive. We have the power, through Christ, to tell Satan to get out!

   Now how do we change our thinking? We think about “whatever.” What do you mean “whatever?!” I already think about whatever I want daily and that hasn’t helped me! I mean we think of the whatever verse. Philippians 4:8 says “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” These are the things our thoughts should be focused on. Focused on Christ-like thoughts. Focused on His word so we can refute the lies of the liar. Focused on the truth about how God feels about us. Focused on reflecting God’s glory in all we think, say, and do. Because, while we may not be able to see and know your thoughts, there is someone who does.

   So, do you have a problem with thinking too many surface level or negative thoughts? What will you do to change your way of thinking? I encourage you to make an action plan today to help you change your way of thinking.

https://youtu.be/6y_r8RY26s8

The Past and Future Struggle is Real

   Have you ever thought about how much you reflect on things? Some reflection can be good. It’s not too bad to look back at where you were to see how far you have come. It’s not bad to look back and see if there is anything you can change to reflect God’s glory more. But looking back and dwelling on it about how good it was or how bad it was, can be a problem.

   Have you ever thought about how much you think about the future? Some thinking and preparing for the future can be good. It’s not bad to study for a test. It’s not bad to be prepared for a project or for the next day. It’s not bad to think about where God is taking your life. But worrying about the future or overthinking it can be a problem.

   Yes, thinking about the past or the future can be dangerous if one dwells on it for too long. Instead, it is best if we focus on the here and now. How can we do that, though? It’s so hard to not look back with longing at good times and contempt at bad ones. It’s so hard to not think about the future. It’s hard to not wish for different times.

   The answer? We trust in God. Psalm 9:10 says, “And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” God doesn’t leave us, ever. He’s always with us. He cares for us and loves us. He wants us to grow in him, to reflect on how far we’ve come, and to be prepared for the future. But if that’s all we focus on we are missing the point of life. Now is the present. It is a present. It’s where we can wake up each new day and say, “I’m going to do my best to reflect God’s glory today.” It’s saying, “I trust you God, even if I can’t see the future, even if I’m longing for a past time.”

   So, are you dwelling too much on the past or on the future? How can you trust in God and his plan?

https://youtu.be/s17olRd8CdU

Easter Isn't Easy

    Have you ever thought about how Jesus came to earth? It was in a very unexpected way. Most people assumed the Messiah would come like a powerful king or a mighty military man. But that’s not what happened. And, when you think about it, Jesus came in a way that wasn’t easy.

   Wouldn’t it have been a lot easier to come in the way people expected him to come? To swoop down like a hero, wipe out the enemies of Israel, and rule? But if he did that, he would not be true to one of his characteristics. He came down as a baby, as a human, to show his love for us. He chose the hard path.

   Why do I say that? He could’ve taken the easy path and showed his power to all. He could have taken the easy path and just destroyed all of us when we sinned. He could have taken the easy path and just chose to ignore us because we chose to disobey him. But he chose to become one of us so he could know what it was like to be one of us.

   He chose the hard path of growing up, hitting puberty, learning a trade, facing temptations, and having hard emotions. He chose the hard path of not truly revealing who he was till he was 30. He chose the hard path of explaining hard topics to others, he went against the religious leaders of that day, and walking away from his family to show love to all. He chose the hard path of submitting to the Father, being falsely accused, being beaten, and dying on a cross for all our sins.

   Yes friends, Easter was far from easy. But, because Jesus chose the hard path, he made a way for us. Jesus took the hard part from us. He took our sins and became the perfect sacrifice for us. Then he made it easy for us to choose him. We just need to accept him as our savior, believe he is God, and confess our sins to him. Now, that’s not to say our life suddenly gets easier. But we do get to walk through life with the one who loves us. With the one who knows our pain. With the one who loved us enough to die for us.

   So, have you thanked God lately for what he has done for you? When life gets hard, how can you remember to lean on God?

https://youtu.be/jEbLTSCDN1E

Who Are You Exalting?

   Have you ever thought about the gifts that God has given you? Everything you have from where you live to your talents was given to you by God. God is such a good father that he gives us these things. We have a choice in what we do with these things. We can choose to use them for ourselves or for God.

   We can choose to use our humor to be vulgar and crass, or we can make others laugh and share the gospel (God created laughter and has a sense of humor, look at the platypus). We can choose to use the car we have to transport only ourselves, or we can serve others by giving them a ride if they need it. We can use our gift of cooking to exalt ourselves and flaunt our talent, or we can make food for others less fortunate than us. We can use our bodies to be provocative and serve our desires, or we can glorify God with them by using them to serve others.

   1 Peter 4:10 says, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." He says WHATEVER gift. That doesn't just mean we use what we have as extra. It means we sacrifice. We show the love of Christ who gave the greatest gift through his sacrifice by sacrificing as well. We take action to praise God for what he's given us and not ourselves. We take pride in who our God is by pointing to him through our actions.

   So, who are you exalting? Are you showing God's love daily by using the gifts he's given you to reflect his glory?

https://youtu.be/SZTIZmH-3lw?si=qRHiycbtFOgyo5jC

A Distorted View

   Have you ever looked through a camera, window, telescope, glasses, or binoculars and the view wasn't what you were expecting? Maybe it was dirty, foggy, or maybe you couldn't see at all. You think it would be better if you just didn't use the thing that was supposed to help you see better or capture that memory. Well, unfortunately, some people's views of the world is distorted anyhow even without using that dirty enhancer.

PEACE

   The world's definition: calm, quiet, no war, no arguing, etc.

   God's definition: John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

   Peace isn't no war or problems. Peace is being in the middle of those problems, battles, storms, etc. And knowing you will be okay. You are okay because God is with you in those problems. He's already won the war so what can those problems do to you?

HAPPINESS

   The world's definition: anything that gives you pleasure. (Food, sex, drugs, movies, etc.)

   God's definition: James 1:2-4 "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

   Joy, or happiness, isn't found in the things of this world. We can try to fill the hole in our hearts with the things of this world, but they only bring temporary happiness. True joy is found in God. When we choose him and follow him, we will still have problems, but we will know that our joy doesn't need to change because God is with us.

SUCCESS

   The world's definition: having lots of money, cars, a big house, a high paying job, lots of material things, being famous/popular, knowing you are the GOAT, etc.

   God's definition: Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." 

   What is the point of being successful according to the world? The point is that you have a good job, a lot of money, you have things that are thought of as bringing happiness. It is thought to bring you comfort. That definition of success brings happiness for a time. But not eternal joy. The point of us being on earth is for us to know Christ, to show his love to others, and to lead others to him. All of which, is reflecting his glory. That's not saying that if we lead someone to Christ, we should have pride and think we are the best. No! Rather, we should rejoice that another soul was saved. Another person was brought into the kingdom.

LOVE

   The world's definition: something that gives you butterflies. When that feeling of butterflies leaves, you fall out of love. Something that can be used to make you have happiness, success, or peace. 

   God's definition: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

   Love isn't a tool to be used to get what you want. Love isn't just a feeling. Love is action. Love is respect. Love is sacrifice. It takes sacrifice to do all these things in 1 Corinthians 13. We sacrifice time when we are patient. We sacrifice our needs/desires when we don't envy, don't boast, and are not proud. We sacrifice our feelings/rights when we hold back anger and forgive when we are wronged. God is love. And we are to follow Jesus' example and love God and others.

   So, is your view distorted of any of these things? How can you remember the true definitions of these things and put them into action?

https://youtu.be/Xshp12GQegw