There's a quote that has helped me in dealing with fear.
"For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control." 2 Timothy 1.7
I remind myself as often as needed, which is sometimes quite frequently, that the Spirit of God lives in me and it is God's power, love, and self-control that moves me. When I am in agreement with God's Spirit then I am moving in step with God and have nothing to fear, no reason to be timid, no reason to feel shame or guilt... which motivates me to live fully in God's grace provided by Jesus in his victory on the cross.
Praying you can walk with God's Spirit, move beyond your fears, and into power, love, and self-control. And if a 5 second tool helps, then so be it. Define your fears and walk through them in power.
A TED talk that gives a tool for defining fears and moves you to embrace life.
A YouTube song by Matthew West singing about the above quote.
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Wealth Distribution!?
Who gets to decide how much money the wealthiest people should have? Who decides about CEO salaries compared with the average worker?
Jordan Peterson says there will always be inequality because it is a law of nature. The Pareto Principle (edit: better to say Perato Distribution) applies to stars, cities, and salaries. You can't get away from it. The distribution of wealth will be terribly uneven.
But you can change the culture and therefore change expectations of the wealthy and society as a whole. LeBron James has started a school and given away millions in scholarships to change the lives of the at risk kids in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
What if all the wealthy athletes, owners, CEOs, and anyone else with loads of money started a school? What if the wealthy had a kingdom model that inspired them to be generous, blessing others, and bringing about the shalom of God?
Jesus said you will always have the poor with you. He also said those that have will get more and those that don't have will lose even the little they have. Does this mean we are locked into a society that is terribly unjust? Or could it mean we have to constantly recalibrate society towards a kingdom mindset?
Let's focus on you and me and changing the culture around us. How can you be generous? Maybe you won't start a school, but could you volunteer at a school? Maybe you won't offer scholarships, but could you help with tutoring or housing? How can you be rich towards others?
Jordan Peterson says there will always be inequality because it is a law of nature. The Pareto Principle (edit: better to say Perato Distribution) applies to stars, cities, and salaries. You can't get away from it. The distribution of wealth will be terribly uneven.
But you can change the culture and therefore change expectations of the wealthy and society as a whole. LeBron James has started a school and given away millions in scholarships to change the lives of the at risk kids in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
What if all the wealthy athletes, owners, CEOs, and anyone else with loads of money started a school? What if the wealthy had a kingdom model that inspired them to be generous, blessing others, and bringing about the shalom of God?
Jesus said you will always have the poor with you. He also said those that have will get more and those that don't have will lose even the little they have. Does this mean we are locked into a society that is terribly unjust? Or could it mean we have to constantly recalibrate society towards a kingdom mindset?
Let's focus on you and me and changing the culture around us. How can you be generous? Maybe you won't start a school, but could you volunteer at a school? Maybe you won't offer scholarships, but could you help with tutoring or housing? How can you be rich towards others?
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
A Different 5 Second Rule
I have used this rule many times... most of all to write papers for my MDiv, to exercise, and to break out of a negative mental cycle.
What is it you have been putting off, but just need to get started doing?
What is God calling you to do, but you just haven't had the courage?
What is one thing in your immediate presence that you need to do, but have been struggling with?
Maybe there's a phone call you need to make. A book you need to read. Something you need to put down. Exercise you need to begin. Or a bit of cleaning you need to do?
Let's start now. Decide what you will do that will only take 5 minutes. Get yourself ready and count down 5 seconds and immediately take some action. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... and go.
I'm publishing this blog.
Safe written explanation: https://melrobbins.com/blog/five-elements-5-second-rule/
Slightly awkward (uses some language) video: https://www.ted.com/talks/mel_robbins_how_to_stop_screwing_yourself_over
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Second-Rule-Transform-Confidence-Everyday/dp/1682612384
What is it you have been putting off, but just need to get started doing?
What is God calling you to do, but you just haven't had the courage?
What is one thing in your immediate presence that you need to do, but have been struggling with?
Maybe there's a phone call you need to make. A book you need to read. Something you need to put down. Exercise you need to begin. Or a bit of cleaning you need to do?
Let's start now. Decide what you will do that will only take 5 minutes. Get yourself ready and count down 5 seconds and immediately take some action. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... and go.
I'm publishing this blog.
Safe written explanation: https://melrobbins.com/blog/five-elements-5-second-rule/
Slightly awkward (uses some language) video: https://www.ted.com/talks/mel_robbins_how_to_stop_screwing_yourself_over
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Second-Rule-Transform-Confidence-Everyday/dp/1682612384
Thursday, July 26, 2018
Perspective
Have you considered that maybe your perspective is off?
Many times I have understood something entirely wrong, simply because I had a perspective problem. I was looking at the issue from my perspective and not the perspective of a child, a friend, or a stranger.
We can see this in church, when we think our church is friendly but in reality we only greet one another, never making room for the outsider.
We can see this in international relations when we give a perfectly appropriate gift for our culture, but one that means something else entirely in the culture of our international friend.
We can see this perspective problem when priorities are different among colleagues. Someone values the relationship with the customer more than the business and the other values the business more than the relationship.
This painting was meant for kneeling in prayer, not to hang in a gallery. So the art critics were always saying the perspective was off, until one of them knelt down in front of it to pray.
(Picture from: http://turn-the-page.co.uk/proper-perspective)
Many times I have understood something entirely wrong, simply because I had a perspective problem. I was looking at the issue from my perspective and not the perspective of a child, a friend, or a stranger.
We can see this in church, when we think our church is friendly but in reality we only greet one another, never making room for the outsider.
We can see this in international relations when we give a perfectly appropriate gift for our culture, but one that means something else entirely in the culture of our international friend.
We can see this perspective problem when priorities are different among colleagues. Someone values the relationship with the customer more than the business and the other values the business more than the relationship.
This painting was meant for kneeling in prayer, not to hang in a gallery. So the art critics were always saying the perspective was off, until one of them knelt down in front of it to pray.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
A.S.K.
Do you ask the universe or God to provide you with something you are desperate for? What is the thing you have wanted most in life? What are your regular asks of the universe or God?
When I think about the joy of receiving a gift... and a gift I really want, I know that there are few people who know what I really want and need. But the bigger issue for me is, do I know what I really want and need?
I often revert back to this passage in Luke 11:9-13, which highlights for me the greatest gift, connection to God. I am desperate for the Holy Spirit. Are you?
Jesus taught this...
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
When I think about the joy of receiving a gift... and a gift I really want, I know that there are few people who know what I really want and need. But the bigger issue for me is, do I know what I really want and need?
I often revert back to this passage in Luke 11:9-13, which highlights for me the greatest gift, connection to God. I am desperate for the Holy Spirit. Are you?
Jesus taught this...
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
I'm back.
I'm going to start writing again.
A few minutes each day.
Poetry, prose, insights to life.
Sometimes random, sometimes connected.
Let's see if it is anything worthwhile?
A few minutes each day.
Poetry, prose, insights to life.
Sometimes random, sometimes connected.
Let's see if it is anything worthwhile?
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Motivational
39 years old.
With a sweet, spunky two year old daughter.
And I've finally realized that I truly need others to get most anything serious done.
Does that make me some sort of codependent type or does it mean I just do well in community?
What are your thoughts?
With a sweet, spunky two year old daughter.
And I've finally realized that I truly need others to get most anything serious done.
Does that make me some sort of codependent type or does it mean I just do well in community?
So, how can my life be more productive? Should I have "work parties" more often? The goal of said "work parties" would be to accomplish a certain task through getting like minded people together. For instance, I saw on a blog about how Fiero loving people work together to fix a kid's car and in that story it talks about another kid with cancer:
He's seen it before, with guys like Tyler Shipman. A few years ago, the 18-year-old Fiero owner was diagnosed with cancer. The disease wasn't responding to treatment, and he posted on the Fiero forum, asking for parts to get his car working "before I'm gone." Three weeks later, dozens of Fiero fans from around the country descended on his Minnesota town, CNN affiliate KARE reported. They got the car working during a one-day auto-repair binge. They painted it yellow -- Tyler's choice.
Tyler died about in February, 2010, four months after his diagnosis. He left the car to his kid brother, and another one for his little sister. Now, there's an annual car show in his memory. Kathryn and her family don't know the Shipmans, but they plan to be there next year. The hood badge on her finished car will be in memory of Tyler, a teen who didn't get enough time with his Fiero.I'm not like those two, I'm not a kid, and I don't have cancer. But they have a Fiero Forum. What if I just use some sort of Life Forum? I'll ask all my friends to connect me with their friends who have the skills for the project I need and we'll do it all together. Oh, wait, this sounds like Facebook. I don't use FB in that way. Maybe I should?
What are your thoughts?
Friday, May 6, 2011
Dottie's Mother's Day Post
FRIDAY, MAY 06, 2011
Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise (Ephesians 6:2).
Mother's Day for Missionary Moms is a difficult day. The sermon for the assembly of the gathered saints is focused on Moms and Grandmothers and Great Grandmothers. Often moms are asked to stand and be recognized by the congregation. After corporate worship children take their moms out to eat, but not you. Your children and grandchildren seem a million miles away. Oh, if they know it is Mother's Day in the States, they will call you or Skype you if they can. They may have already sent an email and email card, but you dread the inevitability of the day. It's another tough reminder that your children are missionaries - not that a day goes by that you don't remember.
Mother's Day is the day children are to spoil their mothers. Images of breakfast in bed or the gift of flowers and chocolates play across tv screens. It is subtley intimated that the number of gifts and cards a mom receives, equals how much she is loved. If you are also taken out to eat, you are really loved.
Mother's Day could become a miserable day for you. I don't know if this will help you or not, but this is a way I cope with special days I can no longer celebrate. My anniversary comes up every year, but I am a widow. My son's birthday, like clock work shows up every February, but he has been with the Lord longer than he lived. What do I do with those days? I celebrate them. I invite a friend out for dinner and I pay the bill. On those days, I even order dessert. Those days are very special days and instead of mourning, I rejoice that I was married for 43 years to a wonderful guy who loved me back and that I was allowed to be the Mom to a special son for 21 years. On Father's Day I will see that my son-in-laws get special cards and I will celebrate. My suggestion is that you celebrate this Mother's Day and rejoice that you are a Mom. Invite another Mom who will be alone also and go out to lunch together. Wear a special dress. Give yourself permission to have fun. Look for the people in your congregation who will be alone and be sure you hug everyone of them. Choose not to mope. Look and list things you are thankful for and remember, on the last day, someone may come up and hug you because your son or daughter lived Jesus before them and so they listened to their words about Him. They will thank you for your sacrifice.
It is far better to know that you will spend eternity with your missionary son or daughter than to have them home for Mother's Day this year.
Mother's Day for Missionary Moms is a difficult day. The sermon for the assembly of the gathered saints is focused on Moms and Grandmothers and Great Grandmothers. Often moms are asked to stand and be recognized by the congregation. After corporate worship children take their moms out to eat, but not you. Your children and grandchildren seem a million miles away. Oh, if they know it is Mother's Day in the States, they will call you or Skype you if they can. They may have already sent an email and email card, but you dread the inevitability of the day. It's another tough reminder that your children are missionaries - not that a day goes by that you don't remember.
Mother's Day is the day children are to spoil their mothers. Images of breakfast in bed or the gift of flowers and chocolates play across tv screens. It is subtley intimated that the number of gifts and cards a mom receives, equals how much she is loved. If you are also taken out to eat, you are really loved.
Mother's Day could become a miserable day for you. I don't know if this will help you or not, but this is a way I cope with special days I can no longer celebrate. My anniversary comes up every year, but I am a widow. My son's birthday, like clock work shows up every February, but he has been with the Lord longer than he lived. What do I do with those days? I celebrate them. I invite a friend out for dinner and I pay the bill. On those days, I even order dessert. Those days are very special days and instead of mourning, I rejoice that I was married for 43 years to a wonderful guy who loved me back and that I was allowed to be the Mom to a special son for 21 years. On Father's Day I will see that my son-in-laws get special cards and I will celebrate. My suggestion is that you celebrate this Mother's Day and rejoice that you are a Mom. Invite another Mom who will be alone also and go out to lunch together. Wear a special dress. Give yourself permission to have fun. Look for the people in your congregation who will be alone and be sure you hug everyone of them. Choose not to mope. Look and list things you are thankful for and remember, on the last day, someone may come up and hug you because your son or daughter lived Jesus before them and so they listened to their words about Him. They will thank you for your sacrifice.
It is far better to know that you will spend eternity with your missionary son or daughter than to have them home for Mother's Day this year.
From Dottie's blog: http://missionarysmissionary.blogspot.com/
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