Let God love on You

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Our Filters Determine Our Reality

Who sees the world truly as it is?  I would dare to say no one!   

Reality is not really reality at all... because we all see it through our own filters. 

One situation can have as many realities as people that view it. 

This has never been so apparent to me as now in our current social/political climate. 

If you watch multiple news outlets.. it will appear that our country is actually not one country but two separate countries!

Being aware of the above phenomenon will help you navigate through your day to day interactions with those around you.

It will allow you to not be so quick to judge and argue.  It might even allow you to question your own judgments and viewpoints. 

So... how does this dynamic work out in a modern society.  Well... what do you think?  The Book of Judges tells the stories of Israel's tumultuous existence in the Promised Land.  Judges 17:6 seems to sum up that time period in their history.  "... but every man did that which was right in his own eyes."   Hmmmm... I wonder how that worked out for them?  You can probably figure it out or you could read their story in Judges. 

My purpose in sharing this post is to give some clarity to our current climate.  Since no one truly sees pure reality for reality's sake... that means we all will experience this life as we see it through our own filters.  Filters are really nothing more than our way of thinking about a situation.  Most of these thoughts happen right inside of our minds without us even being aware of it.  These filters/thoughts are the culmination of past thoughts and attitudes.  They are formulated by words, attitudes and thoughts from others around us and through our own processing....  we make them our own.   Again...  most of this happens without us even being aware that it is taking place.  

I must say that in my years on this earth.. I have seen these filters make life absolutely miserable for myself and others at times and if not challenged can bring people to absolute ruin.  So....  how are we to make these filters work for our good?  It is a simple process in theory but much more difficult to put into practice.  First, we have to decide what kind of life we want to have.  After we determine that.. we must begin to look for the truth that will help us move towards that kind of life.  Second... we have to begin to root out and challenge those attitudes that move us away from our destination.  

In closing.. let me say this... from my many trips around the sun.. There are so many filters to choose from out there.   I have found out that the more I try to align my filters (thoughts, attitudes and viewpoints) with the Word of God and how God thinks of me.... the closer I find myself walking in a life that is not only fulfilling.. but a life that I frequently experience peace regardless of what is going on around me.   Conversely.. the farther my filters (thoughts, attitudes and viewpoints) are from the Word of God.. the more I find myself walking in turmoil, unrest, and discontent.  

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now CHOOSE LIFE!   Deuteronomy 30:19

I Want To Always Be Needy

The Storm From Nowhere

1 / 1 / 19
As I become more sensitive the inner moving's deep inside me I am aware of the frequent changes of the inner atmosphere.
I notice these sudden changes
In my inner atmosphere... Where fro nowhere a sense of anxiety will rise up inside of me. . I have heard of people talk of these kind of things.. But i didn't think I had experienced it.. But i can see... That yes.. I do experience it.  And I always have just taken that as a change in my emotional state.. Or that something spiritual had taken place..   Or a fear that a depression was coming on.. Now.. Just like I have counseled people who have had these anxiety attacks... Now.. I can counsel myself to not be so freaked out when these storms rise up all of a sudden inside of me... I need to recognize them quickly.  Not be afraid of any damage that might be brought on.  Any damage, would be the result of damage done by a riot that is stirred up in trhhing to flee an otherwise small skirmish. So many times in the past what was only a small skirmish.. Because of my over reaction.. I have created so much damage.  Perhaps the beginnings of a grudge.  Or a fit of silence towards someone who I took offence at.  Perhaps I treated the unrest in me with things that were more damaging than the storm itself... Eating.. Drink... Laying in bed that might lead to further deeper depression..   Putting off doing important duties.

Well... Now that I am staring to recognize those tiny skirmishes for what they are.. I will choose to not react.  But to allow the storm to pass.  To relax and know who can and will calm the storm. And that I, as a believer in Christ can weather any storm with my hand in His.

The Kingdom of God is not a welfare state. We are colaborers with Christ.

12;11/18

I have been thinking about what God has done in my life. And that I have had to co labor with him. Here is a blog. 12 / 11 / 18

The Kingdom of God is not a welfare state.  We are colaborers with Christ.

For we are labourers together with God 1st Corinthians 3:9

God definitely is the majority partner in this relationship. I have found that when I ever I put in a little effort, God adds his touch and so much more is done than I could ever accomplish on my own.

My Flesh would like to just sit back and not do anything and watch God accomplish things. But that is not the way it works. God has, from the beginning, required of us to be a partner with him in this life.

One of my favorite sayings lately is, "Faith takes the first step, strength comes in the second.'   That encourage me to go ahead and start a project in faith knowing that along the journey, usually sooner than later, the Holy Spirit joins in and the effort becomes intermingled between my faith and strength in God's abilities.

If we aren't seeing God move in our lives, perhaps we are sitting back and just expecting God to do it all. Take the first step. Maybe even a second. Keep taking steps until you sinc that the abilities of God are joining in with your abilities. If after a. Of time God does not seem to join in with your effort, then perhaps question if you need to be involved in that project.

This is my Son in Whom I am well pleased!

This is my Son in Whom I am well pleased! The Father to Jesus

Jesus did not seem surprised at this proclamation from the Father. I don't think it was the first time He had heard it. 

Our Father is an affirming Father... but.... we have to be listening. If you have not heard His affirmative lately... quiet yourself... and listen. You will hear it. 

If you have ever experienced happiness... you have the ingredients within to experience it again (read on)

1. If you boil it down... happiness is a feeling caused by a chemical reaction in our brains that effect the way we feel. 

2. If you have experienced it at least  one time, that means you have the potential and ability to experience again

3. Most people do not realize that they  can release those chemicals, at will, in their brains in order to experience those feelings of happiness. Most leave it to chance. 

4. There are many practices that you can utilize to release those chemicals. Recalling/ reliving happy moments, meditation, worship, prayer, gratefulness, living in the moment, physical activity are broad ideas of how to release those chemicals in your brain. 

5. It takes intentional practice of these modalities to get better and better and manipulating at will these chemicals in your brain. 

6. You could use the short cut of the abuse of alcohol, food, drugs and numerous other vices to achieve a counterfeit happiness but that road forks rather quickly and you find yourself on a path... even farther from your destination and goal of a happy fulfilled life. 

Please feel free to discuss with comments here or on messenger with me. This is an area i am greatly interested in. 

Thanks for reading