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Brain Detox Wrap Up

So, I'm a little slow at posting, but I did finish the 21 day cycle...and I liked it well enough that I am onto Day 8 of the next cycle already.  Overall, I feel it is an excellent prayer time structure.  I was thinking this morning that it reminds me some of using the P.R.A.Y. acrostic.  It is simply a tool for focusing on connecting with our friend, the King!  I do love the Science aspect and feel there is much more there I could mine.  I have a terrible habit of multi-tasking--and probably not accomplishing all I could.  I will continue to use the process.  I'd love to hear if anyone else tried it.  Oh...and another take away, for whatever reason, this has prompted me to do more 'picture doodling' in my journals.  I am actually starting an entire free form journal with pics.  That is a fun addition to my prayer time.  Blessings to you!  Enjoy your journey with Jesus--and share it, won't you?

Brain Detox Days 11-15

Okay, my daily commitment to writing about the journey got lost in the week.   I did continue on with the process though and do feel it has merit.  It truly helps me take thoughts captive and focus.  I love multi-tasking…perhaps to the point of having trained my brain for distraction.  This has been a useful counter.  Let’s see if I can capture some of the week in a way that may be of use:

Thanksgiving, Praise & Worship  Thankful to be a child of the Key with continual access.  Laid my ‘need’ for an agenda at the altar.  Thanks for acceptance and laid down fear of rejection & condemnation.   Thanks for His creativity and variety—and quality of work (even me).  Laid down people pleasing. Thanks for His friendship and laid my planning desires at His feet. Thankful for the spirit (His and mine!) capacity, again laid down the spirit of rejection—not so much fear but awareness of allowing it to influence how I act!

Praise—Ladder to heaven.  Call to come.  Companionship of my friend.    Sat by His side and watched the activity of heaven J.  Wept at His feet.

Worship—Activity & accomplishments of God.  His love.  His generosity and goodness of gifts.  Confidence in His Wisdom, Power and Desire to Do Good.  Mercy.

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Gathering Thoughts  My gathering is typically a ‘to do’ list or concern for struggles of others…nothing of great insight here.  Day 15 was a general sense of unworthiness, ineptness & complexity of life.

Focused Reflection I am just a piece of the plan.  I don’t have to do it all nor do I have it all.  Breaking off unhealthy branches that tell me to do more than God tells me…unhealthy branches that judge me for failing to do things.  Criticism and condemnation often mask as good Christian words:  accountability & discernment.  Each must stand before judge—and I am not he.  Rejection is a wall builder that lies about being a protection.  It says it is safer to distance yourself from people than have them distance themselves from you.  Christ is the right refuge.

Journal  Nothing insightful here either…just little pics of what I’ve written..

Revisit/redesign Thoughts  Live wholly from the Spirit.  God alone has the answers to each problem; He will give me what He wants me to share.  Stay on task.  Alive in the moment for in Him I live and move and have my being!  He is my shelter, my mighty wall.

Active Reach – Little feet; “B”, small jug to remind me to be filled but remember God is filling other jugs too J  ‘belt’ ring:  I am not accepted by King; I am held by Him.

Around day 12, Leaf explained that the contrast between negative and healthy thoughts begins to become clearer.  Awareness is easier.

Brain Detox - Days 9 & 10

Very short today :).  Most of my notes are elsewhere, so we're relying on my memory.  May it inspire you to give it a try!

Thanksgiving, Praise & Worship  Thankful for ‘process’ and ‘journey’ vs. accomplishment.  My ‘lay at the altar’ conviction was pride on day 9.  Humble need is key to His presence.  And on Day 10, thankfulness for the tools God has given for this journey actually led to my ‘lay at the altar’ item.  Laying those tools at His feet and trust Him to give what I need at just the right time.

Praise—Beautiful time of gazing in the face of Jesus yesterday and just melting into His presence today.  Love this focus of enjoying His presence!    

Worship—The wisdom and love of God spoke volumes to me yesterday.  Today, His amazing creativity!  The designer of sunrises designs my life.  I surely cannot do better!

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Gathering Thoughts  Leaf is emphasizing focus on the dissolving branches of toxic thoughts these last few days.  Using the Mark 11:22-26 verses about casting mountains into the sea, she reminds that toxic thoughts are dissolving in a chemical soup!  WAHOO.  My tendency to be a fixer…or assuming responsibility to fix everything remains. 

Focused Reflection The Sabbath Rest is more graspable in light of yesterday’s “apple of His eye” reach.  How can I not rest in the love of the all-wise Father.  Today, I was again impressed with the need to let God set the pace and direction.  A child walking with their dad anticipates good and has to work hard to keep up with daddy.  I need to stop rushing off on my own; He will move me forward faster with submission.

Journal  Mountains…little feet..

Revisit/redesign Thoughts God allows only what will move me forward in the best way.  He allows that which will direct me to Him in deeper ways.

Active Reach – Little feet; “B”

Daily Disclaimer:  Welcome to my walk through Dr. Caroline Leaf’s 21-day Brain Detox.  This is a mini-glimpse (and filtered by my personal oddities) of her awesome research.  It is no where near a replacement for her program.  I hope you can enjoy the program personally. The program includes extensive explanations, videos and follow-up support.  I believe it is a good value for the $29.00.  The sign on site is here:  http://21daybraindetox.com/

Leaf Brain Detox Days 7 & 8

I am having so much joy in this!  Today, Day 8 was almost freaky J.  I ‘do’ the exercises before I ‘do’ the daily download.  Based on her scientific expectations, Dr. Leaf was spot on with what thoughts and insights I had jotted down!  Isn’t that cool?  At the same time as this, I am blessed to be taking a ‘healing through scripture’ course of study.  The tie-ins have been phenomenal, and they help me feel like I am gaining even more spiritual territory.  Again, it is not that any of this is brand new.  God has revealed most of these things (often repeatedly) over the years.  This process helps me focus with power—and retain the Truth I have in m y unconscious.  My prayer is that you will experience the same if/when you try this.

Cool science facts: 

• the unconscious mind is tremendously faster than the conscious mind.  Much stays hidden in that part of the mind until something triggers its action.  The Leaf program trains you to discipline the conscious mind while planting (and pruning) the unconscious. 
• Maybe I said this one, but it’s worth repeating 75-98% of all illnesses begin with wrong thinking.  The chemical soup generated whacks the body out of health.

Thanksgiving, Praise & Worship  Thanksgiving—Yesterday I was impressed being created for God and placed in the world.  I ‘left’ on the altar a bowl of distractions; they separate me from my divine purpose.  Today I asked for the root of my distractedness (that was one of those freaky things…the ‘lesson’ said Day 8 is the typical day for the Spirit to reveal the root).  It was hidden but when exposed, I see how I live out of this lie:   fear of failure.  I actually wrote:  “Fear that God will ask me to do something I cannot.” Now I know He wouldn’t and that I can do all things…but I don’t always live like I know that.  ANOTHER cool thing--at the end of the lesson, Leaf said:  “God will never give a thought you cannot carry out.”  Almost a verbatim assurance for what I had written.

Praise—Surrounded by the plans and purposes of God…the pillar and the fire of the OT is with me.  Then today, I saw the blessing of struggles (emotional or health); God designed my body and soul to experience struggles when I am away from Him! SO: He is within me and without me.    

Worship—Planner of all planners makes sure that everything points me to Him.  He is an all-consuming God.

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Gathering Thoughts  Distraction is destructive.  Need to let the Master Planner focus me on the next needful thing.  Today, I was impressed with being made in His image.  I am meant to be aligned with him and his purposes.  ALL that happens is part of that design.

Focused Reflection Placing all things in His hands for orchestration clears my path so I can move in the direction He desires.  I can trust His covering—I need not fear.  My active reach of yesterday kept reminding me, He is around me.  All that happens is to be seen as his guidance.   And today, that which is within is the same.   It doesn’t have to distract me, it is to focus me and move me toward Him..

Journal  Pillar of cloud, pillar of fire…around me and in me for good purposes.

Revisit/redesign Thoughts Toxic thinking blocks divine purpose.  Ecclesiastes 3:11.  God has EVERYTHING in view at all times.  Peace in being aware of that.  There is power and potential in that awareness.  AND today as I realized that fear of God’s unknowns was at the root of my doing (because I DO what I know I can), I saw how vital breaking those branches has been for the past 7 days.  I couldn’t even seen the root because the toxicity blocked it.  Today, I could hear the thoughts: Who do you think you are?  If you listen to God, you’ll put burdens on others.  You don’t deserve to enjoy this kind of blessing.  ALL LIES!  My mind is beginning to know what my Spirit has known all along J. 

Active Reach – Another bracelet; blood red stones.  I’m covered, encircled by the plans set before time.  Today…apple ear-rings because EACH of us is the apple of His eye.

Daily Disclaimer:  Welcome to my walk through Dr. Caroline Leaf’s 21-day Brain Detox.  This is a mini-glimpse (and filtered by my personal oddities) of her awesome research.  It is no where near a replacement for her program.  I hope you can enjoy the program personally. The program includes extensive explanations, videos and follow-up support.  I believe it is a good value for the $29.00.  The sign on site is here:  http://21daybraindetox.com/

Day 5 & 6 - Brain Detox with Dr. Leaf

Day s 5 & 6…sorry about that.  I forgot to write anything yesterday.  But I have my notes, so I’ll just combine both.  The unchanging process may make this too dull for writing daily J.  We shall see.  Here’s a different thought for me…Attitude IS State of Mind.  It makes sense but I never thought of it that way.  I think I’m more inclined to excuse a poor attitude than I am a state of mind, so the phrasing helps me be more accountable.  Other tid-bits Dr. Leaf has offered that impacted me are:  We are thinking beings.  The mind is incredibly powerful—creating impact on both soul and body.  She actually says the mind is second in power only to God. 

Thanksgiving, Praise & Worship  Thanksgiving—I love that I’m not left alone to do this life.  The general theme of what God wants me to release so I can feel His presence remains the same.  I think He is showing me branches from that root.  That overwhelming sense of responsibility generates fear that I’ll mess something up; it gets me stuck.  Today I saw that often my faith rests in me…in what I can do.  Fear about what I can’t do, cripples or depresses.  Praise—The surrounding love & protection of God pressed in on me yesterday.  Today it was the sweet image of my coming to God bringing joy to Jesus.  (He danced you know J).   Worship—Creator of the Universe.  Planner of eternity.  Personal Friend.  Wow. 

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Gathering Thoughts  My tendency is to multi-task…maybe as a ‘mask’ for unproductivity.  If I accomplish bits and pieces here and here, I have an excuse for what is not done.  (I need an excuse because that is how I find my value.)  Vicious cycle.  I wonder how many baby trees I have cluttering my head—almost like weeds—from multi-task thinking.  Strong trees have many branches; I need to focus on one thing at a time…in growing and producing.

Focused Reflection God puts a banner over me proclaiming “I love this one.”  He wants me to bring others to Him for their own banners, so we can reveal Him to the world!  Perfect love casts out all fear.  Letting Him plan, frees me to be draw into Jer 29:11 by truth & love.

Journal  My little stick figure has Jeremiah 29:11 as its core…and figures with banners of love abound. 

Revisit/redesign Thoughts God IS in charge.  Will I let Him be?  Will I keep in view the reality that He uses everything for good?  It’s my choice.  (Speaking of that, Leaf also reminds:  every thought produces a choice. To be in control of my mind (and the impacts it has), I must put the thought in the light of truth and choose whether that thought stays or goes.  Not to decide is to decide to let it stay and take up mental real estate, producing yuck.  Right choices tell the brain to produce proteins that in turn produce chemicals related to health and well-being.)

Active Reach – ‘Wordless book’ bracelet as a reminder of the Planner of Eternity J

Daily Disclaimer:  Welcome to my walk through Dr. Caroline Leaf’s 21-day Brain Detox.  This is a mini-glimpse (and filtered by my personal oddities) of her awesome research.  It is no where near a replacement for her program.  I hope you can enjoy the program personally. The program includes extensive explanations, videos and follow-up support.  I believe it is a good value for the $29.00.  The sign on site is here:  http://21daybraindetox.com/

Day 4 - Brain Detox with Dr. Leaf

Day 4!!  Honestly, I woke up rather flat and weary…my body whining and my mind already thinking there was more on the days list than I could manage.  BUT…I’ve been through my ‘process’ and my devotion time and am feeling much better!  The Science explanations from the video today said the chemical rush of change is subsiding.  That alone intrigues me…no wonder starting things is easy.  Now, physical changes are occurring in the brain that require protein and sap energy.  She shared a fun fact:  the human brain produces more electricity than all the cell phones in the US (I think—maybe world).  Brain work IS work!!

Thanksgiving, Praise & Worship

Thanksgiving—He never gets tired of us coming to Him, asking what is keeping me from You, from all I can be.  Wow, long-suffering.  He must really like us J.

Praise—Just basking in His desire for my company.

Worship—WHO He is, how He loves. 

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Gathering Thoughts  Instructions included reflecting back on Active Reaches of yesterday.  Reminder to allow no thoughts to enter w/o checking them in the Light of the Word.  This is powerful for me.  My physical body aches this morning; I’m weary.  Riesa has added a new job—which impacts my schedule and highlights my failure to get her on the ‘license’ path sooner.  That sense of failure, whiny marytrdom and inability was hovering.  But in the light of the power and mercy and grace of God…none of it can drown me! 

Focused Reflection His Word says as my days are my strength shall be.  Where sin (which also includes my failures and missing the mark) abounds, grace abounds more.  Instructions encouraged picturing freedom and used a verse from Genesis that says nothing imagined is impossible.

Journal  Picturing freedom…dropping weights that are not mine to carry.  Able to address what God wants done!  Wahoo!!

Revisit/redesign Thoughts Created for work that He designates.  He will provide; He will use the weights to re-direct and re-shape.

Active Reach

The “B” reach from a couple days ago makes sense to me.  I will symbolically clench and unclench my hands before tracing the ‘B’ to remind me to let go of what is not God-assigned. 

I continue to be drawn to the Science part of this.  Continued discipline is hard.  God gave me a persistent personality that has amassed quantities of knowledge to draw on but this focused attention seems like a potentially more efficient process.  What is happening in your soul and spirit?

Daily Disclaimer:  Welcome to my walk through Dr. Caroline Leaf’s 21-day Brain Detox.  This is a mini-glimpse (and filtered by my personal oddities) of her awesome research.  It is no where near a replacement for her program.  I hope you can enjoy the program personally. The program includes extensive explanations, videos and follow-up support.  I believe it is a good value for the $29.00.  The sign on site is here:  http://21daybraindetox.com/

Day 3 - Brain Detox with Dr. Leaf

So Day 3, Dr. Leaf cautions against a ‘blah’ feeling of no progress.  Perhaps because I was so blah the first day, I’m feeling good about this today.  It intrigues me that none of this is ‘new’—God has pointed out the same things countless times before.  I’ve known these ‘idols’ and known the ‘Truth’ for years.  It’s moving that head knowing to the heart!

A twinge of hope says patterns of distractedness—notice, forget, notice forget—are a common spiritual truth that can be changed!  Wouldn’t it be neat if 21 days of focus on the Christian living roadblocks that have cropped up for decades will actually destroy them?! 

Thanksgiving, Praise & Worship

Sweet thanks for the ever-present power and presence of God  He’s always loving me…even when I don’t ‘feel’ loveable.  God showed me the link between ‘people-pleasing’ and ‘doing’ that robs Him of thanks—and me of joy.  More on that later.

Praise.  Hard one for me today as the Spirit put in mind Jesus’ words to Peter…if I don’t wash your feet, you have no part of me. I dumped my ‘doing’ on His feet when I placed it at the throne; I wanted to clean it off but He said, no.   I like to do and not receive but His presence was in ministering to me today.  How gracious, persistent and sweet He is!

Worship:  King of Kings, Lord of Lords….my friend.  How can it be???  WOW. 

Gathering Thoughts  Those Five Senses ARE a filter.  Dr. Leaf reminds daily that NO THOUGHT should enter our mind, unchecked.  There is great power in that!  I noticed the gray sky & thought of the different activities/needs of the day.  That we go different directions on Sunday now…that I cannot help my loved ones feel Jesus…things I don’t ‘like.’  The colors, the thoughts were weighty but I would not have acknowledged them w/o this endeavor.  Even worse, I’d have ‘survived’ but not put them in the Light of the World, JESUS.  He just lifted that weight.    He’s got this!

Focused Reflection I realized God is showing me, I am one of His.  He is not expecting me to solve things on my own.    Just like we feed the birds at the window, I am one of his ‘birds.’  He puts feeders down and enjoys seeing me enjoy them.  He doesn’t need me to orchestrate things; He needs me to come to Him and receive from Him.

Journal  I saw the world as full of the creativity and love of God…and I am just one of those dots of love and creativity.  What a bounty to enjoy.  I drew a picture of our window feeder and a bird sitting upon it…and a picture of feet reminding me I need Him to help me daily.

Revisit/redesign Thoughts Serving others, working is how I ‘feel’ accepted/acceptable.  I want to be of use, valuable to others.  I find my value in what they value…and it is a cycle that I cannot sustain.  I think of seniors isolated in a nursing home…I don’t want to spend my last decade or however long worrying that I am of no use.  I want to KNOW that He is able to use me no matter what…I believe it for others.  I want to believe it for me! 

Active Reach

I’m still visiting my first two.  But today my birds remind me:  God loves every sparrow and me!  He knows the hair on my head.  ALL those sparrows are His (not mine). 

And I’m grabbing a pin of ‘feet’ that I have…a pin reminding of the value of unborn babies but a pin that will serve to remind me, I am His baby who needs His care.

So:  How is it going with you?

Daily Disclaimer:  Welcome to my walk through Dr. Caroline Leaf’s 21-day Brain Detox.  This is a mini-glimpse (and filtered by my personal oddities) of her awesome research.  It is no where near a replacement for her program.  I hope you can enjoy the program personally. The program includes extensive explanations, videos and follow-up support.  I believe it is a good value for the $29.00.  The sign on site is here:  http://21daybraindetox.com/

Day 2 - Brain Detox with Dr. Leaf

So, officially this is Day Two, so you’ll be getting a combined glimpse in this post.  I didn’t do very well with Day One J.  It was a chaotic, out-of-schedule day.  Today feels better so far—but it’s early yet.  I also find it hard to enforce the time discipline she encourages.  I see the power and potential in 7-10 minutes and will be working on that aspect.  Also, the program provides downloads that help me…but you can easily create your own.  Have a place to jot your journal stuff…and keep a Toxic Thought/Active Reach log.  All of which will make more sense as we go on!

I don’t have a solid plan for sharing in a way that may offer benefit, but I’m trusting the Spirit of God to use the effort (you’ll see that fits well with Toxic Thought One).   I will begin by putting this in her format and giving you a glimpse of what that looked like in my mind.  I would love your input and questions!

Thanksgiving, Praise & Worship

I love the distinctions she offered in this spot.  Thankfulness that God cares about the stuff of life is HUGE.  Enjoying the reality that He didn’t leave me here alone to solve everything is sweet.  In Thanksgiving, we seek to know what Toxic Thought the Spirit wants us to work on.  Yesterday for me, it was taking on all things as my responsibility. 

Dr. Leaf speaks of the toxic thoughts as mountains we need to have removed (cool scripture picture there).  Casting that destructive thought aside is exciting.  Visualizing leaving that thought at the throne of God and thanking Jesus for that privilege is cool.

Praise is enjoying the very presence of God.  Phew!  It’s very hard for me to rest on the work of someone else…to receive comfort.  So, in my mind, I enjoyed reaching up for His hand to conquer a mountain and sitting next to Jesus and leaning on Him like John at the Last Supper.  SWEET!

Worship:  the One who made the world in all its beauty, the One who created the Universe…awe at who He is…and how He loves is cool.  (By the way, this is the piece that Leaf reminded us yesterday engages ALL the brain.  It is what releases all those good chemicals that change our entire body…and our soul!)

Gathering Thoughts

Tuning in to the Five Senses is cool!  Quiet focus is not common for me.  How about you?  I tend to receive and react without noticing.  As I did this the last couple days, the noise of a busy home was forefront.  Some physical discomfort wormed its way in…and the weight of a packed schedule plopped itself in my mind too.

Acknowledging the reality of the thoughts has an interesting power. It helps me realize I don’t have to be moved by it.  Leaf says 4-7 thoughts in this brief time period are typical…and that the majority of them will not be ‘heath-ful’ is also typical.  BUT she also says this begins the process of breaking down the wrong thinking.  COOL.

Focused Reflection

We can’t deal with every wrong thought, but the Spirit will elevate one to focus on.  The thoughts we gathered produce ‘feelings’ we need to acknowledge…asking what impact I feel in my body and mind increases awareness.

Yesterday (as I shared early on), mine was an excessive burden for the activities and happiness of others.  Today, the Spirit zeroed in on distracted thinking. That clearly is a branch from yesterday:  assuming others problems means I have multiple things I’m trying to accomplish at one time.  Yesterday, my focus was ‘problem ownership.’  Today, my focus will be on the next most needful thing!

Journal

Now this is supposed to be a 1-2 minute piece on what God is showing in the earlier pieces.  HUGE challenge for me especially as I know in the back of my mind, I’m trying to capture the process to share.  Definitely an extra mountain J.  Because I am wordy, I plan to try to draw what I feel here.  I’m not an artist at all, so this will help me focus. 

Revisit/redesign Thoughts

Leaf explains this piece uses the soul realm to change the body realm.  Our physical brain is designed to obey our mind (remember the soul is mind (thoughts), emotions and will).  Allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our spirit, powers our soul properly.  Cool stuff.

The personal aspect of this piece is kind of being woven throughout the blog post I think.  Becoming aware of thoughts is the step to seeing where they don’t line up to Scriptures we know.  The Truth is our plumb-line and only the Word can show us where we need to be in our thoughts. 

Yesterday, I recognized that Jeremiah 29:11 is true for all…but it is not my responsibility to bring everyone’s good plans about J. 

Today, this part helped me focus on the reality of things that are needful.  Life does require action BUT my value is in my connection to the Lord.  Being not doing is most needful…then, the actions will flow.

Active Reach

This is the tangible activity (mind or body) to reinforce right-thinking.  The goal is to implement this at least 7 times during the day.  I only managed 3 or 4 yesterday.  My active reach for yesterday was conscious thought that each of us must seek God’s purposes.  No one can do that for another.  I intended to look for God in those situations that stressed me, but I didn’t do that so well.  Today is a new day!

Today I am going to focus on ‘Being.’  I intend to visualize a “B” to remind me and/or trace a “B” on my palm with my finger when I need the reminder.  The next most needful thing will get done J.  Be blessed.  I’d love to hear your progress.  19 days to go!

Daily Disclaimer:  Welcome to my walk through Dr. Caroline Leaf’s 21-day Brain Detox.  This is a mini-glimpse (and filtered by my personal oddities) of her awesome research.  It is no where near a replacement for her program.  I hope you can enjoy the program personally. The program includes extensive explanations, videos and follow-up support.  I believe it is a good value for the $29.00.  The sign on site is here:  http://21daybraindetox.com/

Overview of the 21-day Plan

Daily Disclaimer:  Welcome to my walk through Dr. Caroline Leaf’s 21-day Brain Detox.  This is a mini-glimpse (and filtered by my personal oddities) of her awesome research.  It is no where near a replacement for her program.  I hope you can enjoy the program personally. The program includes extensive explanations, videos and follow-up support.  I believe it is a good value for the $29.00.  The sign on site is here:  http://21daybraindetox.com/

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This first blog will just give you the overview.  I will begin the personal aspects tomorrow. 

The program is based on scientific research about how the brain works.  Dr. Leaf has 25-years of personal experience in the arena of brain research.  The foundational concept is “what we think about grows.”  The program is set for 21 days based on the time needed for establishing habits—but it is a repeatable, life-process to employ.  The goal is to tear down ‘wrong thinking,’ establish proper replacement thoughts, and work those thoughts out. Half-hearted, stop and go practice will not produce results.  The science of the process documents physical changes in the brain…but it is based on how the brain works and requires 21-day commitment.

The program presents a 5-step process to practice daily.  It is a thinking strategy (ask/answer/discuss) program with deliberate action.  Participants will practice conscious awareness of the presence of God.  It is not a “New Age” emptying of the mind of positive affirmation process.    In her personal account, she explains that she does this to start the day and during any stressful moment. 

Step One:         Thanksgiving, Praise & Worship – distinctly different things.

                        Thanksgiving, opens phone line

·        Ask God what he wants you to work on:  kneel at Throne of GRACE – put it down and thank God He is listening, that He died, that He cares, that He knows the way out and will listen to you.

Praise, feel His presence

·        He inhabits our praises, hold His hand, receive His hug or sit on His lap…

Worship, He acts

·        Focus on His worth ship.  Total God-focus.  Bless Him.

GOAL:  Get eyes off self.  God wired us for worship.  When we worship, our entire brain ‘lights’ up; it releases ‘our inner self—our God-designed self/our spirit’ to be free..

Step Two:        Gathering Thoughts:  become aware of what is happening in the head; use the five senses to determine input (God gave us a body for a reason J ) and know what is on your mind.

Put thoughts in the light of truth.  See self in the hands of God; know the wrong thought process cannot stay in the presence of God.  This begins the literal process of breaking wrong thinking down. 

Step Three:       Focused Reflection

This step requires deep intellectual asking, answering and discussion…talk with self and Spirit.  How do the thoughts make you feel in your mind and your body?

Step Four:        Minimal Journaling – A written ‘picture’ of first 3 steps.  (2-3 minutes)

Step Five:         Revisit/redesign Thoughts – specific plan for destroying toxic thoughts

Ask the Spirit to reveal to you the patterns or meanings of what you’ve discovered.  Ask the Spirit what He desires for you—the healthy thought you need to build.  This takes General Thoughts to specific ones.  The root of visible behaviors becomes clearer.

ACTIVE REACH:  Implement the decision (whether words or actions) from previous steps.  Aim for 7 implementations per day.

I'm excited...I think it may be more challenging to write about than I had thought.  My prayer is that all of us will become more like Christ in the next three weeks!  What do you think?  Questions, comments, fears?

Growing together by Changing our thoughts

It has been a very long time since I've added to this blog.  As the years have progressed, my writing typically has a specific focus, and I place articles accordingly.  This blogspot began as a place 'to ramble and grow' with others.  I have decided to do a little 'brain journey' for the next 21 days and want to blog about it with others.  So, here am I to invite you--and warn you of incoming posts :).

If you have never heard of Dr. Caroline Leaf, you are in for a treat. Dr. Leaf is a Christian first and a brain doctor (real and legitimate practice for years) second.  She has some amazing research that weaves the depths of Scriptures into our minds.  She has a 21-day program to take folks on a journey to faith-based thinking.  She teaches that there are only two paths in our minds:  faith or fear.  As she explains, God wired us for faith.  Anytime we chose a fear pathway, our bodies react negatively.  Research indicates 80-90% of all physical illness relates to unhealthy thought patterns.  That 21-day program is what I will be enjoying and blogging about--and hope you might want to do the same.

Read more about her program here:  http://21daybraindetox.com/  and http://drleaf.com/blog/finally-the-online-21-day-brain-detoxtm-is-here/

My plan is this:  I will follow the program, blog about and hope others will do the program as well and/or comment.  Let's grow together.  Are you in?

Christ Central Ministries

Hey, friends.  Just wanting to share the story of the ministry many of you have already heard about from me.  It is my joy here in the south.  I hope you will enjoy the story and keep the ministry in prayer.  The name says it all:  Christ Central Ministries.  Keeping Christ the center of all its work, Christ Central Ministries (CCM) produces earthly and eternal profit in communities across the Carolinas.

 

God launched this work in Columbia, SC by offering work to a homeless man and a businessman; both accepted.  Jimmy Jones sat inside the four walls of Elmwood Church the day God had it pelted with rocks by a hungry drunk.  Those rocks captured the attention of the preacher, who sent Jimmy outside to resolve the issue.  Responding with common Christian charity, the businessman invited the homeless man inside and prepared a care package.  The food box was rejected.  “I don’t have a refrigerator, a stove or a can opener.  This is useless to me.”  

 

His blatant honesty opened the business man's eyes to the work of God offered him.  His willingness to step outside the church launched Christ Central Ministries; so began a work of Community Enrichment designed by God.  Earthly and eternal profits rest solely in the work of God, and CCM delights in the opportunity to demonstrate how focus on the call of God enriches individual lives and communities.   

By definition, Community Enrichment will not produce a drain on the communities it serves.   Primarily funded and operated by Christians with a desire to ‘be the Church’ instead of just being inside the church, CCM demonstrates the reality that Christ-centered living enriches all.  Less than two decades after its start, CCM is a business that contributes millions to the economy of South Carolina.  The City of Columbia saves thousands by having CCM manage its homeless services. CCM GED testing programs generate thousands for the state while moving individuals toward a good goal.  Free post-secondary education through the Institute trains missions-minded individuals in Community Enrichment ministries.  Career education, food, clothing, car repairs and more affect thousands of others across the CCM service area.  Clearly, individuals and communities experience tangible profit from Christ-centered Community Enrichment.

God employed a rock-throwing homeless man to initiate His business of community enrichment—and CCM continues to exemplify creativity.  That first encounter led Jimmy to prepare a meal for some homeless guys.  It eventually moved him far outside his comfort zone, into the homeless community and finally into a new career: Pastor!  The expansion continues as  CCM mission posts pop up across the Carolinas. 

 

CCM continues to emulate the original design:  meeting needs by embracing honest relationships, investing oneself and focusing on Christ.  A mission of enriching communities as God leads stimulates diverse endeavors.  CCM workers build boats, repair cars, tutor children and adults, offer career education, provide medical care, operate a farm, shelter the homeless, counsel the addicted and much more!  Community enrichment happens as God shares His burdens with receptive hearts who invest their lives in others!  Community enrichment as CCM sees it is a passion driven mission—and the source of that passion is the love of God, which enriches all. 

Still serving the Columbia area, CCM also extends itself to the support and operation of forty independent mission stations across the Carolinas.  CCM assets include over ninety buildings—and thousands of relationships centered on faith in Jesus Christ.  Volunteers carry out the work of God through CCM...from the Executive Director to the pantry worker; salaries never drive the work!  Christ Central relies on God to rise up servants and funding by placing burdens upon receptive hearts.  The ministry avoids any path that might inhibit relying upon the call and provision of God. Community-based, Christ-driven services rooted in prayer are the tools of community enrichment employed by CCM.  In less than twenty years, Christ-centered services have brought transformation and enrichment to thousands in the southeast of America.  To God be all glory!

HOPE for when we feel we have failed...

Greetings!  This particular writing is part of course I am taking.  But discouragement is so common, I thought perhaps one of you might be blessed by this or have a friend you would like to share it with.  That 'silly' saying of 'If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it' conveys a not so silly truth; we disappoint ourselves but He always loves us perfectly!

 

 

Dear friend,

My heart aches with your pain and discouragement.  It does devastate us to feel we have disappointed the One we love so very much.  Can you see your heartache as the very sign that speaks to your love?  The Spirit searches the heart; He knows your sincere sorrow and repentance.  Are you remembering that Jesus died for us while we were yet actively rebelling—totally ignoring and rejecting Him?  That same love envelopes us even when we fail Him after salvation.  I know you know all the facts, walk with me, though, through their beauty and let His words be a balm to your soul.

 God loved—and loves—us too much to leave us on our own; He did not entrust our deliverance to personal effort.  He knows we’re made of dust and we fail in our flesh.  He loves us anyway.  When you trusted Christ for salvation, you accepted God’s preferred destination for you: eternally, irrevocably positioned in Jesus Christ.  He has never seen you anywhere else but IN Christ…covered by the blood with sins forgiven. 

No one is without hope because God is the God of Hope—not before salvation, nor after.  He has promised never to leave or forsake us, even when we fall into sin.  He does not despise a wounded heart.  Your sin has pierced your own heart and now that sin is your opportunity to humbly let it remind you of His unbelievable grace and mercy.  The same grace & mercy that saved you will sustain you.

Remember Romans.  Paul gave us wonderful, deep instruction on this on-going battle in EVERY Christian.  None of us is immune— in this life— from the possibility of falling.  The very fact that you are distressed is evidence of His work within you.  And His Work is the only Hope of Glory for any.  We are justified by faith in His Work and we must live in faith of His Work.  Your heartbreak is real and though saddened the Father, He knew all about it before Christ went to the Cross.  Now you must allow that love to fill you to overflowing and take that message to others.  Do not allow the gift to be in vain.  Live the truth, honey, so others will know they can too.  THAT is the hope we all need.

One of my favorite verses is found deep in the Old Testament where God promises Israel He will restore the years of blight.  When we understand the depths of His goodness and power, we begin to walk with greater confidence and faith.  Deny the enemy the victory in this sin.  Allow God to love you—and then tell everyone you see how great is our God! 

Loving and praying (with the Spirit and Jesus) for His Light to heal and guide,

Your sister IN Christ, Billie Jo

Changing patterns!

Battling weight issues has taught me much over the years.  It has helped me learn to focus on the purposes of God, dig through emotional responses and lately, identify hidden processes that affect my health.  The truth is, though, I find the spiritual analogies far more interesting than the physical world realities.  Recently I discovered some hidden processes that relate to diabetes and the job of insulin.  It fascinated me to consider the ways my body responds to habitual behaviors—and I began to explore the concept.  If you happen to be diabetic and want those tidbits, just email me.  But for the greater truths I found inside the struggle, come along!

Discovering the hidden processes excites me because that is the first step to understanding them.  Understanding paves the way to individual growth.  We are not at the mercy of our habits, our family inheritances or our culture.  As Christians privileged to have the very Spirit of God dwelling in the center of our being, we can exercise dominion over all that!  Our spirits are meant to reign—not our physical bodies, lusts, habits or even generational curses.

 Heartaches, anger, and earthly battles seek to direct our thoughts, emotions and even actions.  Those feelings and actions become habits that can dig trenches of pain into our souls.  Just as repeated times of elevated insulin convince our bodies this is the ‘new normal,’ poor habitual responses to trouble eat at our souls.  Efforts to escape the pain without treating underlying issues bring more destruction.  A change of diet and activity reverses negative trends but long-standing patterns often necessitate a multi-faceted approach.  

The Spirit, aided by tools such as the Word, other Christians, and circumstances, shines the Light of God into our troubles to show the way through them.  As we walk in the ways of the Word (in faith of His goodness), we become reflectors of His light instead of reactors to the world.  We enjoy the peace of His presence and the victory of faith.  His Light begins a healing process in our dark places.  It may not change the actual circumstances but the pain eases as Christ enters the suffering with us.  The love we absorb from Him then flows into our world bringing healing to others. 

Fun for you. Hope for others.

Summer schedules open up wide for possibilities of fun.  From simple days at the park or pool to extravagant luxury on exotic beaches, the hope of relaxation and enjoyment permeates summer plans. 

Hope--an expected outcome of good as Wikipedia says--sweetens even the most blessed  life.  Can you pause with me for a moment, though, and consider the the impact when hope shines into a life bleak with despair?  We all know those lives abound; sometimes we choose to turn away in our own despair of making any difference.  Will you spare a few minutes to consider putting a party with purpose into your summer plans?

BUT...did you know our accessories can provide for others' necessities?

Trades of Hope is a missional-business providing a market for hand-made items from around the world.  The Trades of Hope organization connects with mission partners in such countries as Guatemala, Bangladesh, Uganda and America to identify tangible ways to offer hope in lives darkened with despair.  The situations are all different.  In Cambodia, the life may have been devastated by an acid attack.  In Bangladesh, sexual slavery may have eclipsed hope.  AIDS, prostitution, disabilities, intense poverty...crippling challenges that we can impact simply by caring action!

Organized in a manner most American women are familiar with, Trades of Hope uses home parties to bring these hand-made items into your world.  Offering an income source to desperate individuals, hope beams into their world.  Basic necessities, health care and education for their children suddenly become possibilities simply because individuals in America have a party.  That opportunity to give hope is a blessing not to be missed!  The team of 'Compassion Entrepreneurs' who bring these parties to homes are passionate about their work. 

In fact, it is that passion that prompted this blog entry.  My friend, Tina Crandall, is offering chances to win a beautiful hand-made silk scarf as a prize to those who will simply take the time to learn more about this incredible opportunity.  Check out these details below--and know that this scarf is far more lovely than the picture shows!

Contest ends July 15th--so don't delay!!



 

 

For one chance to win, simply visit her website (www.mytradesofhope.com/tinacrandall).

Share her website on your facebook, twitter, and/or blog for another entry.

Purchase from her website for another two chances to win!

Host a catalog party for two more entries (book before July 15).

Join her team for FIVE extra chances and bring the joy of hope to lives as your business!
 
Post a note back here about how you will act to bring hope...let's spur one another on for good works!

 

Contests are fun.  Parties are fun.  Giving hope is what we are called to do!

 

 

 

 

Relationships

All week long God seems to have been showing me pieces relating to relationships and unity.  There is not reason in particular that I am aware of, but it has been fascinating.  My prayer is this will bless someone.  This is a rather broad treatment of a very complex topic.  It is not an exhaustive treatment of the concept or the passages referenced (primarily Matthew 18).  I encourage comments, thoughts or direct emails.  Let's delve into it deeper and learn together!  presented with love, Billie Jo

 

Conflicts are common to life.  That Christ left us with a ministry of reconciliation testifies to a competing truth:  Our God is all about relationships.  Christians seeking to understand how to respond when in conflict often find themselves contemplating the process outlined in Matthew.  Make a personal contact, progress to witnesses including the church, if necessary and finally, if restoration of the relationship still eludes you, treat the offending brother as a heathen.  While that process is powerful, it is not the primary focus of this piece.  Our focus will be how the passages surrounding the reconciliation instructions fit with it and provide us a beautiful picture of God’s design for relationships.  Our triune God exhibits diversity in unity--and He wants us to do the same.

Prior to the reconciliation passage, we find Christ delivering the parable of the lost sheep.  Emphasizing God’s passion for every single lost soul, Christ follows up with the process for restoring relationships.  He then moves into teaching how relationships bring the heavenly economy to bear on earth with the power of unity.  Very appropriately following those teachings are Peter’s questions on forgiveness and the parable of the unmerciful servant.  Relationships are challenging, but unity is inherent to God.  He wants us to value it as well.  In this context, the concept of Christ’s passion for lost souls expands into the deeper purpose of unity in our relationships.

In the reconciliation process,“treat as a heathen” is not a hands-off, you live your life, I’ll live mine approach.  It is a living, breathing testimony of heaven’s economy!  Throughout the Old Testament, the chosen people of God bore the responsibility of being a witness for God; we still bear that responsibility.  It flows into verses seldom brought into the context.  While 'wherever two or more are gathered in my name' is typically used as a 'success formula in prayer,' it is more appropriately considered to be teaching on the powerful testimony of unity.  Agreement on God's will is powerfully unifying.  ‘Binding and loosing on heaven/earth’ relates to bringing God's determinations on what is to be bound and loosed to bear in our lives.  It is living out the will of God on earth as it is in heaven—just as Christ taught His disciples to pray.  In the context of this passage of reconciliation, living as God designed is revealed as the key to wholeness in relationship!

All that adds an entirely new dimension to relationship struggles for me, and I hope for you as well.  With reconciliations as a tool for pointing others to the glory of God, the cost pales in contrast to the value.  The amazing love of Christ that took Him to the Cross, while I was still actively opposed to Him, provides me with powerful purpose in every relationship.  Reconciling with others is an obedience that brings eternity into view for all.  . 

Reason for the Dark

I enjoy using different translations of the scriptures for reading.  The alternate phrasings help me pay attention to the ‘old’ stories; sometimes differing words prod me to dig a bit deeper.  My mind has been drawn to the purpose of suffering lately, and a thought from my Spurgeon devotion took me to the Creation story.

 
Genesis 1:2 The earth was barren, with no form of life; it was under a roaring ocean covered with darkness. But the Spirit of God was moving over the water.

Verses four and five go on saying, “God separated between the light and darkness.  And God called the light, Day. And He called the darkness, Night.” God chose to include night in this world.  He could have banished the darkness but here we see He allowed it to remain. 

God entered the dark, roaring emptiness and spoke light into it.  He did not eliminate the dark; He illuminated the dark and called it day.  He enjoys doing that same creative work in our lives every day—if we let Him! 

One day there will be no darkness remaining, but for now, it is part of the earthly experience.  We can rejoice because we know He does all things perfectly.  Our human sight helps us glimpse some beauty in darkness.  Shadows create depth in scenery; dark lines bring things into clearer focus.  Truly, darkness delineates God’s grandeur in a way nothing else could.  For another exciting perspective on darkness, consider these ‘bizarre’ words from Paul:

 
Philippians 3:10 and 11:   All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, so that somehow I also may be raised to life.

Paul was not seeking suffering.  He simply was saying that the encounter with suffering and death allows us to enter into the power and life Christ exhibited. 

We don’t need to seek out problems; this life simply includes them.  When we do hit the dark spots, the valley of the shadow of death, there need be no fear.  That valley pops up in more ways than physical concerns.  Sometimes the death we fear is the death of our hopes and dreams.  We reach the limits of those things in which we have trusted and suddenly realize there is no life in them.  And that is the purpose of darkness--to move us toward seeking the light.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  In Him there is no shadow or darkness, He is Light. 

If you are in a valley today or facing a dark time, it really is okay.  It does not mean you are failing in your Christian walk.  It does not mean God is not with you, loving you.  In fact, it means there is a new dimension of Christ ready for you to explore.  One of my favorite verses is in the book of Nahum, and it says “clouds are the dust of His feet.”  In the dark, Jesus is incredibly near!  Accept the dark as the entry point of God’s creative work in your life—and watch with awe!

The fellowship of suffering is a path to know Him more. Be honest in your pain, but take your grief to Him.  Let Him show you how He truly meets every need.  He will give you the Light you need to take the next step.  As you walk in that Light, you can know that God is surrounding you with His power and life.  With Him working in your life, you will bring life to others on the pathway and never even realize it.  There is a reason for the dark.  Trust Him and let Him use it for your good, for the good of those around you and for His glory!

I love pictures that capture beautiful moments in time.  The cozy warmth of lights pouring forth from a home surrounded by snow draws my heart inside it.  The sweetness of babies sleeping whispers reminders of trust and contentment.  Elderly couples portrayed in quiet communion, rocking on the porch or helping one another walk slowly along, declares commitment.  Lovely as they are, those pictures are not the whole reality.  They transport us in spirit to a place that fills the longing of our hearts.   Partial realities in pictures bring some joy; partial realities in daily life are deceptions that destroy hope.  Considering the deeper truths of pictures helps inspire us to live with whole-ness that will not disappoint ourselves--or others.  If you have ever been discouraged by life's deceptions, come, walk with me.

The occupants of snow-covered havens braved the brutal elements before resting inside.  The parents of the sweetly sleeping babies sacrificed their own sleep to meet the infants’ needs.  The ravages of aging powered the necessity of rest and assisting one another.  Sweet moments in time develop from investing ourselves.  Our comfortable, 21^st century culture tempts us to think that all of life should be the ‘good stuff.’ We mistakenly believe that the mountain top beauties of life are where we are to live.  Casual Christianity is one of the deadliest imitations.  Social, situational Christianity intent on seeking the blessings of Christ without the reality of Christ is hypocrisy.   It does not deliver what it promises; it disillusions those who practice it and those who observe it.  Surface Christianity kills.

That is not the example Jesus set.  The sweet moments are to be treasured but they are not to be our vision.  Christ alone effectively powers lives of purpose and beauty.  The One who left the glories of heaven to love rebellious, murderous sinners must be the vision we pursue.  There is no disillusionment when looking to Him, and His glory is the light this world so desperately needs.   Unlike photos that depict only one dimension of life, Christ reveals deeper and deeper depths of beauty.  Allowing His light to penetrate into the depths of our being gives us an integrity that captivates those around us. 

The Light of Christ pierces dark realities.  He chose to leave the glories of heaven.  He chose to endure rejection and suffering ‘for the joy set before Him.’  Because of His choice, we can choose to live lives that bring eternal joy to others.  Just as Christ came to serve this world, we are in the world to serve others--not ourselves, not temporary delights that satisfy ourselves.  Gazing at Christ teaches us to choose wise goals for our lives--to endure difficulties with confidence in the One we follow.  Truly, what we do with the gift of life in this world becomes the gift we return to the Father.  My prayer is for hearts that rejoice in the ‘picture-perfect’ moments because they are gifts of our good and glorious God…and allow the harsher realities to sweetly strengthen their love for the One who braved the path of darkness for us.

 

 

Love Pours Out

Hello, friends.  It has been some time since a post.  I am having a wonderful time writing but for others and do not have the option of posting those pieces--or the time to write more.  I will be considering what to do with my blogs but wanted to share this with Easter Greetings.  May you have a wonderful time rejoicing in the Victory of Easter.  with love, Billie Jo

The human body sometimes reacts to great stress with a defensive redirecting of the blood that is known as vasospasm.  In these times, blood vessels in the extremities shut down stopping the flow of blood to those areas.  Blood-less, life-less cold spreads quickly into the areas affected. 

Spiritually we sometimes see a similar phenomenon.  Hurts in life cause us to withdraw from the pain.  We turn inward and restrict the flow of the Spirit from the outward stresses.  Both are human reactions.  Both withdraw life.  Christ shows us another way.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ faced horrendous distress.  He understood the darkness of sin and separation from the Father that was soon to weigh upon Him.  Yet in that garden—before any physically struck Him, Christ’s blood flowed out to a dying world.  God’s Word tells us great drops of blood dripped as He prayed.  Christ sacrificially lived before He died as the Sacrificial Lamb.  He looked outward and upward, not inward.  His life followed His gaze.

We, as Christians, live because He loved enough to refuse self-focused living.  Forsaken by his closest friends, sold-out by a close associate, hated by His Father’s chosen people, Christ had every reason to ‘self-protect.’  Yet He pursued the Father’s purpose and brought life to all who would believe.  We can choose to let that same life flow in us and by-pass ‘human reactions.’  Although Christ became human, He did not allow humanity to dictate His life.  We must not either.

When a vasospasm incident passes, blood flows back into the afflicted regions with stinging pain.  That pain brings life.  In our spiritual lives, the pain of conviction brings healing through repentance.  Restored to Life, we become vessels of life for others.  Let us follow the example of our Savior who, though God, learned obedience through suffering.  Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly—let us embrace His purposes!

Changes. Endings. Beginnings!

Change is a constant earthly reality.  Beginnings and endings, hellos and good-byes dot the landscape of every life.  The essence of every promise of God stands in stark contrast.  His promises blossom from the root of eternal, unchanging goodness!

Every act of good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom is no change or shadow of turning.

(James 1:17)

As the printing of the Baptist Voice ceases, our hearts can rejoice that the work done through it over the years continues.  That same truth echoes from every life lived in the will of God…in lives redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.  Earthly transitions are shadows cast from eternal realities.  Just as the Tabernacle in the desert offered deep spiritual revelation of the Lord Himself, lives lived in the design of God portray divine beauty.  Neither earthly error nor sin eradicates the work of the Eternal One.

Paul, in First Corinthians, quoted the prophet Isaiah.  “No eye has seen, no mind conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.”  The promise of good from our perfect, loving Father gives unceasing hope to those enduring change.  Loved ones whose earthly journeys end, treasured relationships marred by distance and works of service concluded are shadows created as the Lord moves throughout world.  Like the Israelites crossing the Red Sea or the Jordan at flood stage, Christians must march boldly on toward the eternal reality of Christ’s completed work.
For this final column, I invite you to join with in prayerful, thankful rejoicing as we march into a new year. 

Heavenly Father, Giver of all good and perfect gifts, we humbly praise you.  Our hearts grieve over the losses change brings but not with the grief of those who have no hope.  Though we are tempted to fear change and hold tight to what is seen, we choose to trust in Your perfect will.  Fill our minds with understanding of the power, perfection and passionate love You continually pour into our lives.  Grow our faith in You that our lives will ever proclaim the victory of Christ.  May every change that casts a shadow in our life be pushed aside by the Holy Spirit to reveal more of Your Glory.  We praise you that change and loss simply allow our hearts to have more room for You.  May thy will and thy kingdom come.  We wait in praise-filled joy for the final change that ushers in Your unending Kingdom. 

In Christ’s Holy name we pray, Amen.