Blog http://www.myvofm.orgWed, 23 May 2012 03:45:14 GMTFri, 17 Jun 2011 01:30:29 GMTLife: Now with Better-Tasting Approvalhttp://www.myvofm.org/life-now-with-better-tasting-approvalThu, 16 Jun 2011 05:00:00 GMTJoiWe are all guilty of it. We seek approval from strangers. We seek approval from family members. We seek approval from close friends. Whether we realize or are willing to admit it or not, We all have sought approval in at least one area of our life. But what is it about approval that makes it so addictive? What additives and chemicals are funneled into approval that can make one so discombobulated without it? Approval can be watered down to simply this: do you approve of what I am doing. Do I approve of my choice of clothing, the person I date, the way I wear my hair? Do you approve of my life? If so, nod your head. Give me a wink, a high-five, two thumbs-up. Give me something. Give me validation for my very existence. I have likened approval to the chemicals and perservatives added to food. They make whatever they come in contact with taste better, last longer, appear newer and shinier. So much so that without those additives things don't look quite the same. We in turn consume so much of what isn't needed that we become addicts to it, seeking nutrition from false sources. Without those pseudo-nutrients i.e. approval we are sick; mind, body and soul go through withdrawal. This isn't a post with a moral to it; simply a question. 

Why do we seek approval so much?

]]>http://www.myvofm.org/life-now-with-better-tasting-approvalWorry Withdrawalshttp://www.myvofm.org/worry-withdrawalsFri, 03 Jun 2011 05:00:00 GMTJoiThe last part of my work day was a bit of an annoyingly stressful one. And by "bit" I mean by 4:00 I wanted to take my brain out and sit it across the cube from me. At times like this I used to worry heavily. Worry I won't finish something in time. Worry something might fall apart. Worry the world will come to its very end if I don't get done what needs to get done. As I drove home, hand on my temple still sorting my thoughts I realized something: the world is still moving. The sky hasn't cracked. Mankind has not ceased to exist because I'm frazzled and worried. So why should I continue to put myself through this. At night when I pray with my daughter I tell God I trust Him. I trust His way, I trust His guidance, I trust His principles. I trust Him in and with everything. It's taken me years to get to this point of blind trust. Give thanks for the small miracles.

In the time-frame of making these statements I've noticed I don't wig out as much as I used to, swayed by neither small nor large detail. My body used to go in survival mode due to the stress my worrying would put on it. As I drove down Brook Rd I realized how relaxed I was in the midst of chaos. All I could do was smile and remember how far I've come in this area. As a reflex my body wanted to feel the pain of worry; it seemed to be about that time for that reaction to kick in. But instead I placed it in God's hands and thanked Him for the struggle. Worry won't solve it nor add a minute or second to give you time to fix it. "Don't worry, be happy" Be happy and have joy. Even when the day, situation or even person doesn't call for it.

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]]>http://www.myvofm.org/worry-withdrawalsDaily Well-Being Checklisthttp://www.myvofm.org/daily-well-being-checklistThu, 02 Jun 2011 05:00:00 GMTJoiSimilar to a to-do list, I believe making time for each task every day will help you put your daily routine in perspective. Even better, It may help you re-assess what's more important and what you can do without.

Have you....

  1. Prayed for at least five minutes today? Got in some Devo time to study and Hear from God?
  2. Told God thank You for the things in front of you (literally and figuratively)?
  3. Told God thank You for the things around and behind you (literally and figuratively)
  4. Looked someone in the eyes and smiled as they walked by?
  5. Not taken part in the office/workplace gossip?
  6. Said something positive and actively negated the negative?
  7. Did something nice without a motive, without seeking recognition or posterity?
  8. Told your children/spouse/sister/friend you loved them just because of who they are?
  9. Been honest with yourself? Acknowledging past mishaps while looking in the mirror with acceptance of who you are?
  10. Taken wonder of your surroundings? i.e. looked at nature; breathed in the outside air; felt the wind on your skin; took the time out to walk in God's beauty and admire His craftsmanship?

I could go on and on with this list but I wanted to keep it short and simple. Take one today and begin making it a habit. Then add on from there. Your life will be more fulfilled once you take inventory of what matters vs. what's just taking up space.

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]]>http://www.myvofm.org/daily-well-being-checklistHurry Up & Waithttp://www.myvofm.org/hurry-up-waitWed, 25 May 2011 05:00:00 GMTMichael JonesExpectancy. Acceptance. Waiting patiently. Some of the things that embody the moments after you pray about something. But oftentimes we leave our knees, open our eyes and expect to see what we prayed for to be waiting for us across the room. Sitting there with its arms crossed irritated that you took so long. But instead we open our eyes to nothing. Or so we think.

Ever try to find Waldo only to feel silly when you discover he's been in your face the whole time? That's how God operates. He's an expert vision manipulator, often hiding things in plain sight. On the flip side, He also uses time and less-than-sunny circumstances to test our fortitude to see past what's in our line of natural sight. Our vision works differently; we react by what we do or do not see. And when we don’t see what we've been praying for taking place, we tend to lose heart and give up on it altogether. Here's a challenge for you: don’t give up this time. Wait it out. Do the opposite of what you're used to doing just to see what happens. Try something new and actually finish. God is waiting to unveil what you've been asking for.

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]]>http://www.myvofm.org/hurry-up-waitThe Notes Stuck in Our BiblesTue, 17 May 2011 05:00:00 GMTJoiRemember pen and paper? Those archaic tools we used to take notes with? Sitting next to the person that looks like they’re texting more than anything, we have apps to take down points at a moments’ notice from a sermon or conversation. But here’s my query: what do we do with the notes after we’ve taken them on Sunday mornings? How often do we revert back to the messages we’ve written down?

I admire the person with the huge Bible inside the zippered carrier, packed full with old photos and scraps of paper with scriptures and notes scribbled on them. They seem to always speak from memory about sermons and bits of wisdom they’ve heard, whether they were recent or years ago. Their favorite phrases are “during my devotional this morning…..” or “I was reading my notes yesterday….” These people have become disciplined in the fine art of reverting back to move forward. Time is taken out each day to review and refresh. Can we be like those who make a habit of flipping through old notebooks and finding that passage that speaks to what they are currently going through? Of course we can. Only, are we willing to do it?

]]>All Of The Lightshttp://www.myvofm.org/all-of-the-lightsWed, 04 May 2011 05:00:00 GMTJoiThe bright lights flashing under Michael Jackson’s feet in the Billie Jean video do the same job as the ones strung along the vanity mirror: they illuminate the one to be focused on. I’m beginning to understand the role light plays in our lives. Street lights, hallway lights, traffic lights and candles.

Street Lights
The ones we had to abide by when we were little represent the people God has appointed to look over us. The mother, father, big sister and brother figures that shine their lights above us. That warm sometimes fuzzy light that allows clear vision to move forward safely. They stand tall and reliable, illuminating the sky until day breaks. Only then can we walk without them at the appointed time.

Hallway lights
These lights symbolize the people who remain beside us to assist along the way. Sometimes we have to knock around in the dark to find them but once found, they shed some light on the road ahead. They have been down it before and they know each bump and curve. It is wise listen to them, taking their hand from time to time as we continue along our journey.

Traffic Lights
These are the testing lights. The ones that often cause the bruises, the scrapes, accidents and headaches. As annoying as they may be, they are needed. Some are cautionary; many direct you toward the safest way to proceed. But there are a few positioned to stop you right in your tracks. At least in theory they should. We still tend to run past them even when we know we shouldn’t, in haste to get to where we want to go. And we usually don’t get the message until we get the medical and/or repair bill. They bring the most pain but the deepest lessons.

The Candles
The candles are the lights we internally possess. These are the lights that brighten even the darkest room. It’s the fire that’s present in us to fight the good fight of faith. To give the devil a hard time and bring a big, proud grin to God’s face. It exists as a result of our trials. Even when our moans and sighs of frustration and struggle cause it to flicker, it remains lit. Our job daily is to protect and nurture it; keep it from being snuffed out. Either by our own actions or the actions of others.

These four lights ignite our passion to serve and honor God, stir up our intercession for others, teach us how not to extinguish the light within and help us strike the paths God has deemed us to walk down. 

So tell me: are you letting your lights shine?

]]>http://www.myvofm.org/all-of-the-lightsBut are you living for Him?http://www.myvofm.org/but-are-you-living-for-himFri, 15 Apr 2011 05:00:00 GMTJoiLetting go and not rationalizing everything gives way to freedom.  A coworker of mine who has been going through a hard time lately said something that struck a chord with me personally. I asked him how he was feeling and he responded with a quick and pained "horrible". A close friend of mine who is also a fellow coworker is an Elder at his church. He was clearly affected by our coworker's demeanor so in an effort to lift his spirits he tries to get him to see his life is better than he believes it is. Me seeing the conversation quickly going south exhibited by rolled eyes and exasperated sighs I exited stage-left back to my cube. A few cases and an email later, my close friend comes over to reveal to me that our coworker has "lost it". "Curse God", he says.  "He hasn't done anything I've prayed for Him to do". My senses go off immediately. Even though his words hurt to hear, I couldn't help but relate to his frustration. After a few words volleyed back and forth my friend asked this question: "Are you living for Him though? You can't expect to receive from God when you refuse to live to Him. You can pray all day but what's the point if you're not going to listen?"

"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him". We all have gone through afflictions, some of us more than others. Some on physical tips, others on emotional and mental. I sat back at my desk and thought about all the myred mess I've been through, and remembered very vividly the victim mentality I cloaked myself in. Generally the human side of us likes to kick its feet up at the pity party, casually going back to the relive-it-all buffet for heaping seconds. But when we choose to only focus on the past, the negative and what God has not done, we miss out on the life we should be living.  True we don't always get what we want and at times we ask where is God when I need Him if not for anything else but simple clarification. However, at the end of the day never take God's silence as a cold shoulder. It simply means He trusts us enough to let us move on our own.]]>http://www.myvofm.org/but-are-you-living-for-himBe Who You Arehttp://www.myvofm.org/be-who-you-areWed, 23 Mar 2011 05:00:00 GMTJoi DonaldsonI've spent the last two weeks figuring out what I was going to write for my first blog. I've been working to make my first two blogs "happen". Attempting to make them perfect so everyone will say "this is great". But in my cubicle on Wednesday March 23rd I realized my main roadblock: me. I was trying too hard to be what I already am: a great writer. In the midst of that I realized we approach God the same way. We try so hard to be His straight-A, never-get-it-wrong kids that we miss out on just being in His presence. We get caught up in the "do" and never learn how to relax in what we will "be" and what we already "are". So I challenge you: be who you are and stop doing what you think you have to do to be that. I promise you, God will thank you for it.

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