Tag Archives: perspective

Finding Life in a Graveyard

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Perspective: (noun) a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view. Have you ever thought about what influences your perspective on events in life? Situations and challenges we encounter are filtered by our gender, age, culture, ethnicity, and most of all, our outlook and experiences!

This Sunday, it was an honor and privilege to share at Freedom International Church about rewiring our perspective to line up with God’s!

How exciting it is to know that because we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we have the mind of Christ! However, we need to purposefully pursue His heart and His ways on a daily basis.

In the video, I talk about Neural pathways. Below, I’ve linked a video that shows Neural pathways being formed (note: Use of this video does not indicate support of the website cited at the end of the video). If you are interested in more information about changing behavior patterns, you can read more about the “Neuroscience of Behavior Change” here: https://healthtransformer.co/the-neuroscience-of-behavior-change-bcb567fa83c1

I hope you enjoy this teaching about developing Neural pathways that form a habit of seeking the Supernatural Perspective in every area of our lives! It was a blessing to share and I hope that you are blessed and encouraged as well! (You may need to turn up your volume.)

https://youtu.be/TWkS2-zZ7oI

Here are the highlights of ways to develop a connection to our Father’s Perspective!

Trust in His goodness! His good plans for you and for those around you! 

Proverbs 3:5-6: Passion translation

Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions.
With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go. tPt

Romans 8:28:  So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose. tPt

Trust in His plan! Tap into His presence consistently and pursue His heart, Jeremiah 33:3: Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know

Psalm 25:14: There’s a private place reserved for the lovers of God,
where they sit near him and receive the revelation-secrets of his promises.[d]

He will speak to us! Not necessarily His plans, or His timeline, or His purpose, but His heart!

Trust in His process! Be transform, or renew, our thinking patterns by aligning them with His

Romans 12:2: Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you,[a] but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes. tPt

I Corinthians 2:16: “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”[a] But we have the mind of Christ.” Because we are filled with the Holy Spirit NIV

Trust in His timing! Isaiah 40:31– but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Differently translations say: wait, trust, & hope in the Lord!  He will cause us to soar and our vision will be aligned with His!

Psalm 37:7  Quiet your heart in his presence and pray; keep hope alive as you long for God to come through for you. And don’t think for a moment that the wicked in their prosperity are better off than you. tPt

Live Loved!



P.S. If this encouraged you, please share on social media and comment below!

On the Other Side of the Storm

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Storms, like most natural phenomena, carry their fair share of beauty… the dancing breezes, showers of raindrops, brilliant displays of flashing light, and commanding rumbles of thunder.  In Florida, our summers are known for daily doses of thunderstorms.  Most of the time, it’s a manageable inconvenience that we weather our way through (pun intended!) knowing the sunshine will chase away the remnants of the storm soon enough.  But sometimes those storms are not inconsequential and are not quickly followed by the sunshine.  

If you have lived more than a decade or two, you are well aware that life carries storms much like the Florida skies.  Some storms are intense yet brief and are quickly followed by smooth sailing. Other storms leave us feeling marooned on an island of pain and confusion, wondering if we will ever feel soul-healing sunshine again. 

As I look back on my journey, there are several distinct times that I remember feeling very storm-ravaged by life’s circumstances.  During those times, I felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me and I was flat on my back wondering where it had all gone wrong.  If that’s where you are today, I want to encourage you!  There is a clear horizon on the other side of the storm!  Keep moving forward, moment by moment, day by day, knowing that you WILL come through this storm and you will have a story to tell!

In Mark 4, we read the account of Jesus and His disciples taking a boat trip.  When they were in the middle of the lake a violent storm whipped the boat around and the disciples were sure that death was upon them so they ran to wake Jesus.  “Teacher, Teacher, wake up! Don’t you care that we are going to die?”  Jesus brought perfect calm in the midst of the storm,  then turned to His disciples and asked, “Why are you so afraid? Haven’t you learned to trust yet?”1 They were awe-struck!

In the midst of this storm, the disciples got a revelation!  They encountered the truth that this Jesus was no ordinary man. He wielded power over the wind and waves!  When they crossed over to the other side, their minds were eager to see more evidence of who this amazing Teacher was.  AND they had a story to tell!  Two chapters later, we see Jesus sending them out to preach and to demonstrate the power that they had seen in action.

What does this storm story bring to your stormy situation?  Be encouraged!  Your storm isn’t worthless.  God can take any difficult situation, even ones caused by our own choices, and bring good out of it!  Here are some proven “Storm Tips:”

Rest: Jesus, the son of man slept; but Jesus, the Son of God, never sleeps!  He is always available to you!  While He may not change your circumstances, He will calm the raging seas of confusion and doubt in your heart.  He will bring supernatural peace in the midst of chaos allowing you to rest in Him.  He is trustworthy!

Revelation: In the storm, Jesus revealed His power to the disciples up close and personal!  Storms are perfect places to encounter Jesus!  He will reveal Himself to you in new and tangible ways during the difficult times.  The best thing is, no one can take that revelation away from you!  Your new understanding of who He is becomes part of your firm foundation enabling you to stand in the midst of any storm owning your faith.

Readiness:  No storm lasts forever!  Your skies will clear and you will get to the other side of this situation.  As you embrace the process of dealing with the debris your storm has left behind (healing, forgiving, rebuilding), you will find yourself ready to go to another level of understanding and victory.  You will have a story to tell about the Storm-Stabilizer!   

Remember I mentioned those times that I had felt very storm-ravaged by life’s circumstances?  As I allowed my mind to look back and mull over those difficult times, I realized a few things that are encouraging:

  • My pain has faded as a result of forgiveness, time, and healing.
  • My understanding of the Lord as Father, Healer, Friend, and Lover of my soul is so much deeper.
  • Experience and increased faith allow me to encourage others in their storms.
  • I have stories to tell!  He has seen me through every storm to the other side!  Let’s meet for coffee some time and I’ll share one!

There is no wasted pain when we submit it to the Father!  There’s beauty… even in the midst of the storm… when you realize you’re with the Storm-Stabilizer!

On the other side of the storm, someone needs to hear your story.  Be alert and ready to be used by the Lord to help someone else weather their storm!

Live Loved,

P.S. Please comment and share if this encouraged you! Blessings!

1Mark 4:40 The Passion Translation

The Power of Perspective

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But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. Psalm 34:10

It’s developing a habit, really…  Choosing to look at circumstances from all sides as if you were inspecting a possible purchase.  What looks awful from one side may look beautiful from another.  I’ve been accused of looking at life through rose-colored glasses.  I’m not offended by that… in fact, I think everyone should have a pair!

You and I can view life through the lens of trials or through the lens of opportunities.  It’s all in our perspective, really…  consider Mary and Martha.  I’d venture to say that both women loved Jesus and both were most likely hard workers.  Yet in the scenario in Luke 10:38-42, we find them at odds with one another.  Why?  They had differing perspectives of Jesus’ visit!  Martha saw the problem; Mary saw the Provider.  Martha saw the duties; Mary saw the Deliverer.  Martha saw the situation; Mary saw the Savior!  Martha wanted Jesus to feel comfortable; Mary took comfort in the presence of Jesus.  Jesus knew what Mary and Martha needed… Himself!  Martha just hadn’t figured it out yet (I’d like to think she caught on soon!).

Consider the scenarios in your life.  How easy it is to focus on the problems and needs!  But, oh!  When we lift our vision higher, we focus on the Provider, the Comforter, the Divine Orchestrator whose very presence fills our lives!  We can sit at His feet, leave our burdens there, and find the comfort that only He can offer.  Yes, there is still work to be done! No, we cannot abdicate our responsibilities.  But, we can keep our eyes on the One who knows what we need, opens the door of access to the Throne room, and whispers His perspective into our spirits!

Sure, sometimes circumstances drain the pep from my step, but if I am purposeful to readjust my focus, I get a peek of the Son shining through life’s clouds! Slip on those rose-colored glasses and lift your vision higher!  There’s life to be found in every situation!

Dig deeper: James 1:2-6, Psalm 34:8-18, Philippians 4:6-8

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Live Loved,