Mole Hills

With words, I am worn out.
Just get the job finished.
I forgot what it's about.
Try to escape unblemished.

We talk in circles
and argue the topic,
Creating more squables,
approaching an epic.

The mole hill is growing
into a silly mountain.
It is now shadowing
the original lesson.

Will the mountain destroy
or just serve to annoy?

7 Mindsets: Everything is Possible (Dream Big) by focusing on God

From The 7 Mindsets - rewritten to focus on ultimate joy in God. 

Mindset #1 – Everything is Possible

-          Envision a wonderful life

-          Expect greatness

-          Make your dreams come true

Dream Big

“Raising the expectations you have for your life.”

“When you do this, your future becomes infinitely bigger and brighter.”

Mindset #1 tells us that everything is possible and to dream big.  Then your future becomes bigger and brighter. 

To make this ultimately true based on our God design, we first need to focus on who is our future.  “For God alone my soul waits in silence and quietly submits to Him, for my hope is from Him,” Psalm 62:5 If we will first wait and submit to God, then Philippians 4:13 can be true: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Please remember that when Paul wrote these words, he was sitting jail writing a letter about joy!

In order to truly focus, the first part of Matthew 6:33 and Psalm 37:4 must be our goal: “Seek first the kingdom of God,” and “Delight yourself in the Lord.”  When we follow these commands, the promise in the second half will ultimately come true: “All these things will be added to you,” and “He will give you the desires of your heart.” 

When our focus is right on God, then 1 Peter 4:2 is possible which tells us to “live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” Following God’s will brings us the hope and joy of Proverbs 10:28 which says it this way: “The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.”  When we follow God’s will for our lives and when we want what He wants for us, the ultimate end result will be our joy as we bring God joy.  Everything else will perish. 

Jeremiah 29:11 and Proverbs 23:18 are then set in the correct context which contrasts what the world will think success should be or look like.  According to Jeremiah 29:11, God has great plans for us already; and the writer of Proverbs agrees that these is a great future and a hope already. 

Remember that even from jail, Paul desired Isaiah 26:8 that God’s name would be made great because Paul had the hope of the righteous and the joy along with it spoken of in Proverbs 10:28. 

What this means for Mindset #1 and Dreaming Big is that our dreams must first be focused on God.  He already has a great future in mind for us that really is possible when we want what He wants for us.  He designed and made us with a plan in mind.  Our fullest joy comes when we agree to that plan.

Hero's Journey of the Bible

I just can't help myself!  I love this story the best!  Can I use an exclamation mark on everything? I am an English teacher, and I get to evaluate a lot of literature.  I don't shirk away from a story because it isn't explicitly Christian.  Instead I compare everything to the greatest story ever written: The Bible.

An important plot line is known as the Hero’s Journey which was given recognition and made popular by Joseph Campbell in recent years (www.thewritersjourney.com/hero’s _journey.htm).  However, the basic plot line has been around since the beginning of time.  This basic plot line is demonstrated in the major plot and multiple subplots throughout the Bible.  Recognition of this major plot through the Bible is a valuable foundational tool of truth and of a standard by which all other stories may be measured and understood. 

            The Hero’s Journey is described by different people in various forms, but similar elements are present in each.  The hero begins in his home when he encounters a problem that he must solve.  Although the hero may not initially want to go, the hero will choose to cross over into a new world in order to accomplish a mission.  On the journey to complete this mission, the hero and his allies will encounter trials and challenges caused by enemies.  One challenge will be deep enough to relate the hero’s darkest fears.  After overcoming this monumental challenge, the hero will learn or gain something valuable and accomplish his task.  Finally, the hero will return home. 

            The biblical version of this journey is first and best seen in the story of Jesus Christ.  Jesus begins His journey in the Ordinary World with the Father in Heaven.  John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  His Call to Adventure is found in the beginning also – the beginning of humanity.  Genesis 1:31 tells that God “saw all that He had made, and behold it was very good.”  Unfortunately, Genesis 3 also tells us that Adam and Eve sinned against God for the very first time.  Sadly, all people sin as made clear in Romans.  Romans 3:23 says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Additionally, Romans 6:23 agrees that, “the wages of sin is death.”  The sin separated Man from God.  This injustice is the very thing that sends Jesus on his journey to Earth in order to rectify the relationship between God and Man. 

            The next step in the journey for most human stories is a possible Refusal of the Call.  The Bible never tells us that Christ did not want to come.  However, there is a moment later in the story where Christ expresses His understanding of the difficulty of the task and his desire to find another way.  Matthew 26:39 says, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” 

            The next step in most outlines of the Hero’s Journey is Crossing the Threshold or accepting the mission which will take the hero to a new and different world.  Jesus was born as a human into this world.  Luke 2:7 says, “She gave birth to her first born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  John 1:14 also says, “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” 

            As Jesus begins His ministry, He gathers allies or Apostles and disciples around him.  John the Baptist came before Jesus making the announcement of His arrival.  Most importantly, Jesus continued to spend time with the Father.  Matthew 14:23 indicates that by saying, “after He had sent the multitudes away, He went up to the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.” 

            Every hero encounters enemies along his journey as well.  Jesus certainly came across them as well.  Matthew 13:53 indicates, “His hometown questioned Him.”  Also verse 58 continues by saying, “He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.”  Matthew Chapter 4 explains the biggest enemy which Jesus refers to as Satan in verse 10.  Satan tempts Jesus three times in the wilderness to give up Himself and His mission on earth.  According to Matthew 11, Jesus came to fulfill the prophecies of Isaiah 35 to give sight to the blind, Isaiah 61 to preach the gospel to the poor, and Matthew 26:26 – 28 to be the sacrifice that would be our forgiveness for sins.  Satan was trying to stop Jesus from accomplishing the mission of the journey. 

            The most difficult part of the journey is labeled as the Ordeal or the Abyss.  Jesus faces moments without His heavenly Father in Matthew 27:46 when he says, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”  Also in verse 50 Jesus gave up his spirit and died. 

            Fortunately, there are rewards for surviving such a crushing experience as well as his entire time on earth.  John 4:39 says, “Many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman.”  Luke 24:47 tells that repentance and forgiveness will be proclaimed to everyone.  Acts 2:41 says, “Those who heard had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls,” as a result of the preaching at Pentecost. 

            Following the rewards of the journey is the Return to the Ordinary World.  Christ returned to God.  Acts 1:9 says, “after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”  Interestingly, Christ will also return to earth one day according to Matthew 24 and Revelation 1. 

            Some outlines of the Hero’s Journey say that the hero will be purified by a sacrifice and he will return with the elixir of life (Campbell).  In the Biblical journey, Christ is both the sacrifice and the elixir of life at the same time.  He came to pay the ultimate price for humanity’s sins and also provides the way of salvation. 

            This prime example of a plot resolving a conflict and a hero accomplishing a mission for redemption is the story by which every other story should be measured.  This example is truth.  All other examples are penultimate. 

            Understanding of the prime example is paramount so that readers may discern what truth is obtainable or omitted from other sources of literature.  There are hundreds, possibly thousands conservatively, of stories that mimic elements of the natural plot line and the Hero’s Journey.  Readers need to be familiar with these elements in literature and how they are first demonstrated in the Bible before moving on to other classic and contemporary literature as well as pagan mythologies from other cultures that hide partial truths or reflections of truth.  

Now take this knowledge and find a good book.  A good book draws you in.  A good book tells a story that is relevant in multiple settings and to different generations.  Sometimes the story is retold in a different setting like Romeo and Juliet compared to Twilight.  Compare the truth that you know to what the books represent.  Books are a reflection of the culture and times in which they are written.  What can we learn from books?  What truth is there?  What truth might be missing that we can find in Jesus Christ?  

10 Ways to FEEL GOOD Redone

It is really hard to blog, or wash dishes, or laundry, or study, or even love on my kids when they are throwing fits like they are right now.  One wants to wear what the other has on while the second wants to play a game that the first does not.  This list of 10 Ways to FEEL GOOD from Lynda Field just isn't cutting it with me.  It sounds good.  She may be a very nice lady.  However, her entire list is about you.  This life is not just about you.  Sorry, sweetie.  It isn't about me either.

Here is my list of 10 Ways to FEEL GOOD Redone: 

If someone wants to doodle and make this look cute like her list, have at it!  

1. Follow God.  

I Corinthians 11:1 says, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."  Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has plans for us.  His plans for us are better than our dreams unless our dreams are inline with His plans.  Whatever God has is way better than whatever I have in mind.  

2. Trust God (because my gut is usually full of gas.)

II Corinthians 3:4 - 6 says that we are not sufficient on our own but to trust God.  Psalm 91:2 tells us that God is our refuge and rest. 

3. Focus on God.  

I John 2:15 says, "Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."  Additionally, Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."  Our focus and perspective must be on God before we view other things. 

4. Follow opportunities from God. 

Galations 6:10 says, "As we have opportunities, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."  Galations 5:13 tells us to serve one another humbly in love.  II Timothy 4:2 reminds us to always be prepared for the opportunity to share.  These are the opportunities that we must follow.  

5. You can do it!  

Of course you can do what God wills for you to do.  You can't just do anything.  Philippians 4:13 reminds us, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."  Don't forget that the verses surrounding this talk about Paul's suffering.  Paul wasn't talking about the ability to just anything but the ability to endure trials for the sake of Christ. 

6. Give it to God. 

Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."  I've heard stories from many parents about doing this very thing with tough kids.  I don't doubt that I will be going back to this verse in dealing with my own kids.  It isn't just about letting go and moving on.  It is about dealing with things in the right way. 

7. Be kind.  

Ephesians 4:32 gives us the command to, "Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."  We are to be kind to others.  It is amazing how it makes us feel when we treat other people in the right way.  

8. God is the Creator. 

Colossians 1:16 tells that, "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities -- all things have been created through Him and for Him."  Better yet, out of everything that God created, He said that we are His favorite!  Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are God's masterpiece; He created us anew in Christ Jesus so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."  How does that make you feel now?  

9. Pay attention to how you act. 

This verse is always ringing in my ears: Micah 6:8, "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"  It sounds simple, but after trying, I know it isn't.  Still, I can't give up.  I mess up and just have to try again.

10. Watch your attitude.

Philippians 2:3 - 8 says, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interest, but also for the interests of others.  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality  with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  Being found in appearances as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."  Wow.  So we need to be humble.  Scripture has mentioned that several times.  We need to be obedient.  Lots of that in Scripture.  Our attitude should be humble service.