I haven't abandoned the blog community by any means, but I have been posting mostly on FB lately, and the response has been so great and immediate that I thought I would re-post some of the daily stuff I write there...
Regrets = a complete waste of time...whatever has happened 2 u & n u has happened...own & embrace all ur history, & ur unique, personal journey, regardless of where u r on it...Paul said, "By the grace of God I am what I am"...u could as easily say "By the grace of God it is what it is"...coming 2 terms with urself is making peace with ur past, refusing 2 fear ur future, & being happy 2 simply b n the moment...Stay focused on the big picture today...if you obsess over some stupid or hurtful thing that someone said to you, you may get distracted and miss a great blessing that's already trying to find its way into your lfie...sometimes you just have to blow it off and realize that in the grand scheme of things it simply doesn't matter...be the bigger person and you'll always win...
Here's the thing...feelings r important, but they don't necessarily reflect what u really believe about a situation...u may be on an emotional roller-coaster 2day...whatever...ur allowed...it's what u truly & deeply believe n ur heart of hearts that determines ur reality...let ur feelings feel what they need 2 feel 2day...ur heart's still established, & that's where the peace that transcends understanding thrives...
Every1 wants 2 feel important, loved...know that they r heard, valued...if some1 n ur life's working ur last nerve 2day, mayb u should just give them a break...pay them a little xtra attention, even if u don't want 2...may b all they really want/need from u...truth is we live n adult bodies, but nside we r all just kids who want the other kids 2 come out & play with us...if u need attention, ask 4 it...ur worth it...
I've taught on this subject a lot and have even written a book about it, but today I'm intentionally walking in it...you don't have control over what happens to you, but you do determine how the thing is going to play out by your reaction to it...you control what happens in you...respond positively today and turn a potentially negative situation around...
Last nite I taught Mt 11 where Jesus said John the Baptist lived alone n the desert so they said he was a demoniac, but He went 2 all the parties & they accused Him of being a drunk...bottom line, people r going 2 c u how they c u...stop worrying about it...not everyone is going 2 like u or get u...it's a waste of time 2 try 2 change that...love yourself & remember that God loves u just as u r, & let that b enough...
I know it's an over-used idiom, but I want to remind us all to see the glass half-full today......in a 'Tale of Two Cities' it was "the best of times AND the worst of times"...maybe you can relate...but today, whatever is just and pure and lovely and of a good report, think on these things...choose the better reality and embrace it...the darkness can't overtake or overpower the light...choose to walk in the light...
Remember who you are, and enjoy the fullness of that reality today...forgive yourself for whatever you said or did yesterday that was beneath you, or not worthy of you, and let it go...get back into a place of positive self-awareness...your are loved...you are unique...your are special...you are totally awesome...and, yes, I mean you!
"In Him we MOVE..."...just keep going...keep moving...put 1 foot n front of the other & transition into the next glory (phase) of your journey...the energy u need will b there 4 the next step when u decide 2 take it...u will run & not b weary...u will walk & not faint...change is always somewhat intimidating, but u know u can't sit still & exist solely n the safety of ur comfort zone...come on, let's go! Move it!
You're never going 2 figure people out, so stop trying...remember we're all looking @ the same world thru very different windows...no matter how empathetic u r, u still don't fully see what the next guy sees because his world-view was shaped differently, due 2 your different life-experinces...at least that's what I say when I'm taking the "We R the World" high-road...today I just feel like everyone else is crazy...
Through faith AND patience promises are inherited (Heb 6:12)...MLKjr said, “Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”...some things just take time, so settle down and pace yourself, declaring the end from the beginning...you'll get there, but remember that it's important to enjoy the journey...
No matter what's happening in ur life...seemingly crazy things currently manifesting n ur world...potential calamity u may dread...U CAN'T LIVE N FEAR!! God's given u a spirit of power, of love (& there's NO FEAR n love!), & of a SOUND MIND...that's where u find illogical peace transcending understanding...take a deep breath & relax already! God's still n charge of the universe, & love always wins, so PEACE, B STILL!
U think u know what's up wi someone, but really u have no idea...we're 2 quick 2 judge...2 form opinions...2 get n2 other people's business...inquiring minds want 2 know..."he who answers a matter b4 he hears it, 2 him it is foolishness"...just love unconditionally, allow them 2 work out their own salvation, don't obsess over the splinter n their eye with a 2X4 in urs, & let God b the sole judge of us all...
"Give us THIS DAY our daily bread"...that's not just part of a prayer, it's the blueprint for a lifestyle...you really have to take everything one day at a time to be able to enjoy your life...let yesterday's disappointment go and stop worrying about tomorrow...the word 'Manna' literally means "What is it?", so be happy with today's bread, and don't try to figure it all out, or store it up...just enjoy...
Don't overanalyze everything...don't overthink your life...just go with the flow and embrace the power of contentment...go where the day takes you today...it's great (and important) to have a plan, but don't get locked into anything..."the wind blows where it wills", so let go and let God...write your goals in pencil, because there may be something bigger and better that's happening...
Stop worrying about it...whatever "it" is!!! The thing you're fretting over probably isn't even a real issue, and even if it is, you'll deal with it when you deal with it. Don't be sabotaged by your own thoughts...you've been through stuff before...you'll know what to do when the time comes. In the meantime, it's a beautiful day...go enjoy it...you're missing all the good stuff...let not your heart be troubled!
“Self-forgiveness is that regular maintenance that keeps us on the road. The self-forgiving person is not – as many believe, or at least fear – a selfish person. It is the person who remains stuck in self-doubt and self-condemnation who will lead the more selfish, less productive life.” - Thom Rutledge
"We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"I shall never be a heretic; I may err in dispute, but I do not wish to decide anything finally; on the other hand, I am not bound by the opinions of men."
- Martin Luther
"Never say anything about yourself you do not want to come true."
- Brian Tracy
"No one can make you feel inferior without your permission."
- Eleanor Roosevelt
Carpe diem! Seize the day...today is all you have, so make it count...enjoy it for what it is...see it for what it can be...live in the now...no regrets about yesterday (or last night)...let yesterday go...no fear about tomorrow...no excuses...this days is yours, so own it...be in it...you're awesome, so you have every right to have an awesome day...you have the power to make it awesome...just do it...
"The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn, the bird waits in the egg, and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities." - James Allen
The Book of Eli...cool...original...unique...disturbing...thought-provoking...never seen such a strange combination of non-stop, graphic violence and holy reverence for and exaltation of the Bible and prayer...Denzel is awesome, as always...a killing machine who is the sole harbinger of holy writ...still processing it...don't take the kids...
I've been watching the reality show with the Jacksons on A&E...it's interesting to me that, even though Tito has always been the brunt of jokes about the J5, he actually comes across on the show as the coolest and most centered of the brothers...almost like the father figure for them...things in real life are rarely as they appear...
Just remember that sometimes things have to get worse (or at least have to appear worse) before they get better...you know, the "darkest before dawn" thing...I perceive that, as ol' Jerry Lee would say, there's a whole lotta shakin' goin' right now...don't panic...stay steady...you'll come through the fire, purged, but without the smell of smoke on your clothes...
Invictus is a very good movie about leadership, race relations, and the power of being proactive...Matt Damon delivers a credible performance as a South African, and seeing Morgan Freeman play Mandella is deeply satisfying...maybe he'll win a second Oscar for this one...much better than the last Freeman/Clint Eastwood (director) collaboration...
Worry is a complete waste of your time, so why do it? Focus instead on what you have to look forward to, and be grateful for what you have in your hand RIGHT NOW. Don't dread anything...think of all the things you've already come through with flying colors and dare to be fearless...you're stronger than you think you are...
Give yourself a break...so what if you blew it today in something you said or did? Make it right if you can, otherwise, forgive yourself and let it go...move on...stop beating yourself up...most people probably didn't even notice it, so end the drama in your head...all have sinned and come short of the glory of God...you're OK...it's not the end of the world...
Will blog this later, but...NO REGRETS...love ur life as it is NOW...don't 2nd guess anything...no "crisis"/only "process"...ur gate 2 God's City's made from 1 PEARL (Rev. 21:21)...what causes the oyster pain is the very thing that makes it valuable ("I prayed 3 times that it would be removed, but...")...when u embrace it, ur streets (path of experience) will b paved with (transparent) gold, tried n the fire..."In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." - Albert Camus
Sitting in front of the fire place watching SpongeBob SquarePants with my little granddaughter, Sofia...grateful for warmth...glad to be home...good times...
Seems like I've been on this theme all day today, but I'm going to say it again...don't ever let anyone make you feel inferior or "less than"...the second commandment is like unto the first...love your neighbor AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF...know who you are! You're valuable...you're special...you're fearfully (awesomely) and wonderfully made...in a word YOU ROCK! Period. Embrace it...
17 comments:
Interesting...earlier today I happened upon an October comment I saved regarding FB and the blog. Looking forward to reading/seeing what's happening there.
Wordver: "adepa". No, wordver, Johnny Depp is in a lot of things, but I don't think he's been here yet :)
Just wanted to say that You(r) GITN Matthew chapter 12 verses 31 and 32 is beautiful. Perfectly worded I Know that this truly has been revealed to You by the Spirit. Peace. Love.
Wow, so many ideas.
“Remember who you are” stands out most to me. That is what I was thinking in the Praise & Worship tonight. “Come forth, Erik, is what I enjoyed. And I did. The Peace of harmonizing with God was so worth it, I am glad Bishop continued the Praise & Worship to bring us all in.
I remembered who I am. Enjoyed the Peace. Every distraction submits to the authority of God, Amen. I enjoy the reality of knowing that which is beneath me is washed away. My self awareness reigns over my distractions.
James Allen has always been a favorite, especially “ As a a man thinketh’ which has been such an influence to me. – Dreams, the seedlings of reality – Yayyyy. … ‘and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs’. This is what drives me, to awaken the stirred angel within me. I know myself in so many ways and enjoy the times The Peace, as in tonight, stirs that angel and calls me forth, remembering who I am.
Then, I am at peace, embracing The Joy and relishing The Righteousness. Sounds really good, and Knowing it is different than how it sounds. We need each other to fully express this. I am glad I have CITN, and the individuals in my life in or out of CITN to manifest it.
Does it all make natural sense- I do not know. Does it make spiritual sense – absolutely.
It is logical to me that the immediacy of FB responses would appeal to a NOW spirit...
It makes spiritual sense to me that the daily bread broken and fed to FB family and their extended family who eat and respond in written and non-visible ways would register positively with a NOW sensibility...
It makes positive sense to me that any relevant, effective channel of creativity would capture the imagination of a NOW soul...
...and, to everything there is a season...
Kimberly Wilson said...
I love that you are posting more on Facebook!
Bishop, you are so on time for me it is great and God is great! I am going through so much strive at work i so needed to read this before work today and will reread. Can't wait to share this with my co-worker. Thank you for last night, I so needed that prayer time!
Cindy Moore Gallagher said...
I loved the post on regrets. so true and too often do i take that path of "woulda, shoulda, coulda" far too often. need to yield to peasceful surrender. do you mind if i repost that one under notes w/your name?
Karen Renee said...
I always enjoy your inspiring words : )
Beverly McKee siad...
wow....now that was good word....thank you !!
Beverly McKee siad...
wow....now that was good word....thank you !!
"We need each other to fully express this." -- Amen, Erik, amen.
Cool, Amalia..."Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled" came to mind when I read your post.
"Today I just feel like everyone else is crazy." I wondered what day that was posted...whichever, it's as perfect as the sentences that preceded it.
"Guided each by a private chart" - RWEmerson. Bishop, the "no FB" walk of obedience I've been on has taught me a lot...not the least of which is the reminder that God is in the business of making things easy for us, but not the easy way...and He Loves us...oh how He Loves us...[each of us]...oh.
And, the obedience thing? Well, that's important to Him too. And, right now, that's all I have to say about that. Especially since this has taken me two hours to compose. Sheesh.
I have thought about this before, but Wed night prompted me to think on this more. Regarding King David, there have been hundreds of millions that include this chemically imbalanced psychopath in their worship and daily meditations.
He is a criminal who would easily be executed for his intentional murder, mafia style, using others to carry out his organized crime in a mafia method. The RICO act clearly applies to David.
His art has been widely purchased and disseminated by several outlets that should all have their assets confiscated by all governments, as criminal profits. Ala John Wayne Gasey.
Adding to that, we worship a criminal, Jesus, who was indeed executed legally by the government. Governments, as ours does, correctly determines who should be executed and why. The Roman government was extremely efficient and effective government as they had so many to govern.
So, we incorporate the poems and songs of a clear criminal without any mitigation. In regard to Jesus, we worship one who was clearly a criminal, in the eyes of the government. Laws are laws, the government always knows what laws to enforce, right ?
The remainder of the rabble cited in The Bible are outcasts, criminals, terrorists, and generally social problems.
It is difficult to find any examples of upstanding citizens in The Bible. In essence, our faith is exemplified by people who none of us want to be associated with. None of them would we want to befriend our children, wives, husbands, parents.
America, The True Country of the world, really needs to purify and cleanse The Bible of the problem people and recondition it with much better examples. It is time to rewrite The Bible to correct the examples of it.
It is time for a new council to replace such problem people and provide our future generations, and save the children from such horrors as Moses, Adam, Paul, Peter, David, Jesus, Solomon, Rehab, Joséa, Rachel, and the rest that really go against our family values.
History books, The Bible, Encyclopedias need to be corrected and cleansed. Our worship needs to be purified. I am sure everyone agrees. Yes ?
:)
Hi, I forgot one thing. Judas was an unprotected whistle blower. Thank you Glenn Beck for clarity.
My life is...
Simple...
Organic...
Authentic...
Effortless...
Erik...like Bishop said, its easy to consider the totality of a person's life and find and see the REAL them when we have God's eye view.
Anon @ 7:24am...cool, succinct confession. Am assuming I have permission to adopt it...
It is no longer I that live…but Christ IN ME!
Who do you see when you look in the mirror? Do you see HIM in your reflection? He LIVES IN US! Together We are the VOICE OF GOD, together We are the EYES OF GOD, together We are the Hands and Feet of GOD!
Do you like what you see in the mirror? Today I am changing my perception…today I am seeing the way that God sees, I am listening the way that God listens, I am doing all that God does. He LIVES IN US!
Do we need a change in perception? Do we need to come together as ONE and WORSHIP HIM? YES! Come let us reason together…when we speak together, God flows and great Revelation comes. Let’s come together as THE ONE and let the Revelation FLOW!
What do you see when you look in the mirror? Be good to yourself and others today for you are most definitely worth it and ARE Always entertaining angels…Be aware! Be Joyous! See your TRUE reflection today and RELEASE HIS Word to work for you…BECOME the Manifested Son today!
Come forth...indeed!
Today I WILL LIVE IN THE NOW! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
I love what Amalia said and completely agree with it. I also like the like button. No one can misinterpret the like response. Well perhaps those who are stretching to find something offensive can but then they are more quickly identified according to their motive. You are a blessing to all who know you and it is great to see your creativity in a place where it can be shared with so many so quickly. Look forward to sharing the Spirit with you today.
Johnny B
Thanks for the post...found some things here today that have really helped me. God bless you.
Service yesterday was excellent, loved worshiping with everyone, and it was nice to see all the kids from Indiana that Linda Curtis brought!
Post a Comment