I am about to go to Liberty University. I think its interesting that I have really had to push past a lot of different fears and labels people had placed on me to get to where I am today. 2 Timothy 1:6 says, "He has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind." I have had to push past many many different fears about going to Liberty. Also I have pushed past many labels people put on me. Some professionals in the medical field said I should go to a specialized university for handicapped peoples. Some said I wasn't ready for college and needed to rest. Many people today are bound up by fear and are unable to go forward in life because a medical professional or psychological professional pronounced some kind of negative diagnosis over their life.
I challenge you today to evaluate your own life. Are you walking in power? Are you walking in fear or weakness. Has somebody or a group of people told you something negative that has caused you to believe the lie that you can't overcome your circumstances?
Figure out what lies you are believing that keep you held back and come out of agreement with them.
Maybe you have no clue what it means to walk in the "power" that Christ gives His children. If this is you, I challenge you to email me before you do anything else.
In Romans 6:23, Paul said "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life."
Are you walking around with eternal life or are you walking under the weight of sin?
Romans 10:9 "That if you will believe in your heart and confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, You will be saved."
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Locked Up
For the longest time I felt locked up. I felt locked up in my emotions, feelings, relationships, and how I conducted my daily life. I say locked up because my person was literally locked up by fear, anger, bitterness, and isolation. YOu might ask yourself, "How does the fact that you were "locked up" have anything do do with "Climbing to the next level" or "Staying in your purpose"? I will tell you.
I was locked up because I was so angry a family member for letting us go on that ill-fated trip when we were in the car wreck when I nearly lost my life. I was bitter at many of the friends who had desserted me. I was angry/bitter at the family member who pulled out in front of the semi. I was locked up becausse I could not really flow in conversation with any of these people and thus it caused me to severely dishonor them. This negative effect caused me to have even more problems with isolation and irritability at school and with my other friends at church/school. I held on to this resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness for the longest time (probably two years). I made very few friends. I was lonely and miserable. I'm sure you have felt locked up before. Or, maybe you feel locked up now. Maybe you are like I was and can be in a room full of family members and friends, but yet you feel completely isolated, lonely, and miserable.
Well I held on to all of this resentment until I could handle it no longer. I knew I had to let it go. I prayed to God, my savior, and chose to forgive all those people I had unforgiveness to. I didn't go to therapy sessions. I forgave them, and by the power of the Holy Spirit of God I chose to release each of those individuals who had hurt me. I prayed out loud that I choose to forgive (the person's name). And then I had to fight the lies that satan tried to get me to believe. I had to fogive the persons in my family who had not met the needs that I Had always had as a boy, teenager, and young adult. I realized I could not strive to get those needs met through other people who were unsafe for me. I forgave.
Who do you need to forgive? Are you locked up? Do you flow in xonversation with all those close people in your life you consider to be family or your friends? Forgive.
I was locked up because I was so angry a family member for letting us go on that ill-fated trip when we were in the car wreck when I nearly lost my life. I was bitter at many of the friends who had desserted me. I was angry/bitter at the family member who pulled out in front of the semi. I was locked up becausse I could not really flow in conversation with any of these people and thus it caused me to severely dishonor them. This negative effect caused me to have even more problems with isolation and irritability at school and with my other friends at church/school. I held on to this resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness for the longest time (probably two years). I made very few friends. I was lonely and miserable. I'm sure you have felt locked up before. Or, maybe you feel locked up now. Maybe you are like I was and can be in a room full of family members and friends, but yet you feel completely isolated, lonely, and miserable.
Well I held on to all of this resentment until I could handle it no longer. I knew I had to let it go. I prayed to God, my savior, and chose to forgive all those people I had unforgiveness to. I didn't go to therapy sessions. I forgave them, and by the power of the Holy Spirit of God I chose to release each of those individuals who had hurt me. I prayed out loud that I choose to forgive (the person's name). And then I had to fight the lies that satan tried to get me to believe. I had to fogive the persons in my family who had not met the needs that I Had always had as a boy, teenager, and young adult. I realized I could not strive to get those needs met through other people who were unsafe for me. I forgave.
Who do you need to forgive? Are you locked up? Do you flow in xonversation with all those close people in your life you consider to be family or your friends? Forgive.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Face Your Fears
Eleanor Roosevelt, the great first lady and wife of the Powerful Franklin Deleanor Roosevelt said a powerful quote, "Do one thing Every day that scares you."
Wow, this is a powerful thought! Can you imagine doing something everyday that terrified you? Once you mastered some of those fears, you would become a powerful person. I don't know about you, but I have many things that scare me! Wow I can only imagine how productive, effective of a person I could become if I focused each day, on doing those things that scared me.
Take a moment and imagine with me, just how powerful of a person you could become! Each fear you have would become almost meaningless! Maybe for you its talking to new people that you are scared of. I challenge you today to embrace each day and strive to talk to at least 1-2 new people (as long as they are safe) and slowly progress to talk with more people each day. Take this same approach with every fear you have. Be courageous and do things that you never thought you would see your self doing, as long as each activity is safe for you and others. I promise, you will improve as a person!
I know for me, it wasn't until I started facing my fears that I experienced any kind of real freedom and success in life.
I know for me, I am a born again Christian, and as a child of God I have nothing to truly fear because God protects me every day. 1 Timothy 2:6 says, "He has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." Once you have been plugged into the body of Christ, God puts the Holy Spirit directly into yours, and His Spirit of Power is with you everyday!
Do you have this same Spirit of Power in You. Are you Forgiven?
Wow, this is a powerful thought! Can you imagine doing something everyday that terrified you? Once you mastered some of those fears, you would become a powerful person. I don't know about you, but I have many things that scare me! Wow I can only imagine how productive, effective of a person I could become if I focused each day, on doing those things that scared me.
Take a moment and imagine with me, just how powerful of a person you could become! Each fear you have would become almost meaningless! Maybe for you its talking to new people that you are scared of. I challenge you today to embrace each day and strive to talk to at least 1-2 new people (as long as they are safe) and slowly progress to talk with more people each day. Take this same approach with every fear you have. Be courageous and do things that you never thought you would see your self doing, as long as each activity is safe for you and others. I promise, you will improve as a person!
I know for me, it wasn't until I started facing my fears that I experienced any kind of real freedom and success in life.
I know for me, I am a born again Christian, and as a child of God I have nothing to truly fear because God protects me every day. 1 Timothy 2:6 says, "He has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." Once you have been plugged into the body of Christ, God puts the Holy Spirit directly into yours, and His Spirit of Power is with you everyday!
Do you have this same Spirit of Power in You. Are you Forgiven?
Monday, January 2, 2012
Whats holding you back
Many things in our lives are holding us back. For some of us, fear of people is holding us back. For others, anger and unforgiveness towards someone is holding us back from having a flowing relationship with that person. For others, they may be terrified of interacting with groups of people or talking to people in general. I would say the two biggest issues that hold people back are fear and bitterness/unforgiveness towards others. I know for me, this was true for the longest time. I was terrified of talking to other people. I also was very angry at certain people in my life that had hurt me. I shut myself off from talking to people and I wouldn't really communicate with the people who had hurt me. Also, those who had hurt me, I was constantly offended by things they said. I would often argue with that person and have a short temper with them. As for my fear of others, and cutting myself off from talking to other people, I was not getting any better, but I got worse and more socially isolated.
IIf you allow fear and unforgiveness and anger to control your life, you will only hurt yourself and cause yourself more pain. Fear and Unforgiveness will rule your life and people will not want to be around you.
For me, when I kept letting myself be isolated and cut off from people and I kept on allowing unforgiveness and bitterness to rule my life and dictate my actions to others, my life only got worse. I couldn't function properly and I was not a joy to be around.
Once I finally let these people go and forgave them truly I flowed better in conversation with them and was able to connect to them genuinely, and fully. I then decided I was not going to allow fear to dictate my life any longer. I started doing everything I was terrified of and slowly I got better at speaking to groups of people and I was able to have meaningful relationships with others, even a girl.
Dont allow fear and unforgiveness to dictate your life. Forgive others as Christ has shown us the example and walk in freedom and forgiveness. Press against every fear you have, and no matter what the cost conquer those fears. Do what I did. Start taking small steps to overcome the smallest obstacles and then progress to greater fears, and before you know it, you will have conquered every fear you have!
REPETITION is vital to winning this war against fear.
IIf you allow fear and unforgiveness and anger to control your life, you will only hurt yourself and cause yourself more pain. Fear and Unforgiveness will rule your life and people will not want to be around you.
For me, when I kept letting myself be isolated and cut off from people and I kept on allowing unforgiveness and bitterness to rule my life and dictate my actions to others, my life only got worse. I couldn't function properly and I was not a joy to be around.
Once I finally let these people go and forgave them truly I flowed better in conversation with them and was able to connect to them genuinely, and fully. I then decided I was not going to allow fear to dictate my life any longer. I started doing everything I was terrified of and slowly I got better at speaking to groups of people and I was able to have meaningful relationships with others, even a girl.
Dont allow fear and unforgiveness to dictate your life. Forgive others as Christ has shown us the example and walk in freedom and forgiveness. Press against every fear you have, and no matter what the cost conquer those fears. Do what I did. Start taking small steps to overcome the smallest obstacles and then progress to greater fears, and before you know it, you will have conquered every fear you have!
REPETITION is vital to winning this war against fear.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
New Year's Resolution?
What would you say your new year's resolution is? Many people come out with all kinds of resolutions. I recently read in the New York Times website that some of the top New years resolutions are, "I'm going to lose weight", I'm going to stop smoking, I'm going to get physically fit"and "I'm going to stop drinking". What about coming up with a resolution that is completely different than anything you have ever thought of? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying all the resolutions are trivial and unimportant. I believe these are all great resolutions. However notice they all share one thing in common, "I'm". As humans, we have no pupose in this life outside of how we influence and impact others.
Just think about it; A life completely devoted to serving yourself. That would give no satisfaction whatsoever. We are relational beings, designed to relate to and serve others. This is why God created two people, not just one. We must give advice, and help to others in order for others to thrive and and likewise we must depend on others to gain this same fulfillment.
An old chinese proverb says, "If you want happiness for an hour -- take a nap. If you want happiness for a day -- go fishing. If you want happiness for a month -- get married. If you want happiness for a year -- inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime -- help someone else."
All these things listed give you only temporary satisfaction. Why not focus your efforts on how you can improve others' lives?
I know for me, only when I am pouring into others' lives just a little nugget of the hope I have in Jesus Christ do I really have any fulfillment.
I encourage you to find people you can impact in a positive way. More importantly, I challenge you to allow Jesus Christ to transform your life like He did mine.
Romans 10:9 says, "That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart the Lord Jesus, you will be saved." Then Romans 10:11 says, "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." It doesn't say you will be saved if you're a good enough person or if you have not committed a certain amount of sins. No the Bible says, "WHOEVER calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved"
Get this! Then once you have been accepted by Christ because you have placed your faith in Him and believed, Romans 8:1 says, "There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." You will live a life free of condemnation and shame, because Jesus Christ has transformed your life!
Just think about it; A life completely devoted to serving yourself. That would give no satisfaction whatsoever. We are relational beings, designed to relate to and serve others. This is why God created two people, not just one. We must give advice, and help to others in order for others to thrive and and likewise we must depend on others to gain this same fulfillment.
An old chinese proverb says, "If you want happiness for an hour -- take a nap. If you want happiness for a day -- go fishing. If you want happiness for a month -- get married. If you want happiness for a year -- inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime -- help someone else."
All these things listed give you only temporary satisfaction. Why not focus your efforts on how you can improve others' lives?
I know for me, only when I am pouring into others' lives just a little nugget of the hope I have in Jesus Christ do I really have any fulfillment.
I encourage you to find people you can impact in a positive way. More importantly, I challenge you to allow Jesus Christ to transform your life like He did mine.
Romans 10:9 says, "That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart the Lord Jesus, you will be saved." Then Romans 10:11 says, "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." It doesn't say you will be saved if you're a good enough person or if you have not committed a certain amount of sins. No the Bible says, "WHOEVER calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved"
Get this! Then once you have been accepted by Christ because you have placed your faith in Him and believed, Romans 8:1 says, "There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." You will live a life free of condemnation and shame, because Jesus Christ has transformed your life!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Be Careful What You Believe
Before I dive into the heart of the matter, let me explain a little of short story from my past.
When I was in the hospital and in the coma for 40 days there were many negative words spoken over me. Yet, however my family and friends would rush into the room right after these negative words were spoken and proclaim the Truth of what God said. (Remember, life and death are in the tongue)
After 40 days, despite what every doctor in the hospital said, I came out of the coma.
Later, when I was in therapy in inpatient rehab, my physical therapist told me as a sat in a wheel chair, "You will walk again, with time." This was a truth and I believed it, and I was able to walk. I then determined in my heart that I would walk out of Charlotte Rehab, without a cane. I told this to my therapist, and she said, "Ok, you can walk out of here without a cane, but it will take some work on your part." I heard this and thought, "Ok I am going to work as hard as I can, and I will walk out of here without a cane." I worked hard and walked out with no cane!
(Remember: life and death are in the power of the tongue).
I then got home and after a while I went to another physical therapist, and I told him that I wanted to run again on my cross country team. He then told me I would be able to run but it would take some hard, sometimes painful work on my part. I heard this and determined in my heart that I would do whatever it took to run again, and I was able to join the cross country team that fall.
You might be wondering why am I telling you this, but the point I'm trying to make is our words are powerful! Many of you hear a professional doctor, phsychologist, therapist, parent, or even a friend tell us something and we listen to that word and think,"Oh well, this is as far as I will ever go", or "Oh well I am going home to die in three months", but you never realize those are mere words. Listen, my famliy was told I would not make it through the night, but I sit typing this today, a young man who runs and is in college.
James 3:5-6 says, "Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest, a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature and is set on fire by hell."
What lies are you believing today that someone has told you that has caused you to lose hope? What bad report are you believing today that is causing you to live in depression,fear, and hopelessness?
Why not believe what God says. In Matthew 19:26 Jesus said, "With God, all things are possible."
Paul said, "You are healed by the blood of Jesus Christ."
You see, my family didn't listen to the negative reports of the doctors that I would die, because they knew that God said I could be healed if they would believe. Now if they had listened to what the doctors said and lost hope, I probably would have ended up much worse.
If I hadn't had therapists, pastors, and friends tell me I could walk again and then run again, I probably would still be in a wheelchair.
You might have heard somebody tell you something terrible and you have decided that is truth, and there's nothing you can do.
I have news for you! With God, all things are possible! Give him your life today in belief and repentance of your sins and believe you can cross every mountain and face every challenge you face with His strength.
Doctors don't have all the answers, but my Heavenly Father does.
When I was in the hospital and in the coma for 40 days there were many negative words spoken over me. Yet, however my family and friends would rush into the room right after these negative words were spoken and proclaim the Truth of what God said. (Remember, life and death are in the tongue)
After 40 days, despite what every doctor in the hospital said, I came out of the coma.
Later, when I was in therapy in inpatient rehab, my physical therapist told me as a sat in a wheel chair, "You will walk again, with time." This was a truth and I believed it, and I was able to walk. I then determined in my heart that I would walk out of Charlotte Rehab, without a cane. I told this to my therapist, and she said, "Ok, you can walk out of here without a cane, but it will take some work on your part." I heard this and thought, "Ok I am going to work as hard as I can, and I will walk out of here without a cane." I worked hard and walked out with no cane!
(Remember: life and death are in the power of the tongue).
I then got home and after a while I went to another physical therapist, and I told him that I wanted to run again on my cross country team. He then told me I would be able to run but it would take some hard, sometimes painful work on my part. I heard this and determined in my heart that I would do whatever it took to run again, and I was able to join the cross country team that fall.
You might be wondering why am I telling you this, but the point I'm trying to make is our words are powerful! Many of you hear a professional doctor, phsychologist, therapist, parent, or even a friend tell us something and we listen to that word and think,"Oh well, this is as far as I will ever go", or "Oh well I am going home to die in three months", but you never realize those are mere words. Listen, my famliy was told I would not make it through the night, but I sit typing this today, a young man who runs and is in college.
James 3:5-6 says, "Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest, a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature and is set on fire by hell."
What lies are you believing today that someone has told you that has caused you to lose hope? What bad report are you believing today that is causing you to live in depression,fear, and hopelessness?
Why not believe what God says. In Matthew 19:26 Jesus said, "With God, all things are possible."
Paul said, "You are healed by the blood of Jesus Christ."
You see, my family didn't listen to the negative reports of the doctors that I would die, because they knew that God said I could be healed if they would believe. Now if they had listened to what the doctors said and lost hope, I probably would have ended up much worse.
If I hadn't had therapists, pastors, and friends tell me I could walk again and then run again, I probably would still be in a wheelchair.
You might have heard somebody tell you something terrible and you have decided that is truth, and there's nothing you can do.
I have news for you! With God, all things are possible! Give him your life today in belief and repentance of your sins and believe you can cross every mountain and face every challenge you face with His strength.
Doctors don't have all the answers, but my Heavenly Father does.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Experiences and Passion
I would say three of the most important things for just about anybody and more so for a tbi survivor, stroke survivor, or any kind of a survivor of any traumatic event, is number 1 focus on staying passionate and doing the things one is passionate about. Number two, is make sure you are venturing out and coming across new experiences. Number three, probably my favorite, is always treat others in the correct way and always handle the problems which might arise from what others nmight do, in the appropriate way.
As individuals, each of us need something we are passionate about. This will give excitement, fulfillment, and a sense of being accomplished, to our lives. Not to mention this will promote brain activity and help us to fight depression. We were created to be passionate people, not boring, humorless people who do nothing to benefit others and ourselves.
Always treat others with respect and acceptance, no matter what. When others do things that might hurt you or make you feel criticized, don't hold that hurt inside your heart. You must get it out by talking it through with somebody and forgiving that person who hurt/offended you. I guarantee you that that initial pain of that hurt you felt from that person will fester and will only get worse and cause you to have problems with other people in your life. Numerous clinical studies have proven this, including those done by author and Counselor Henry Cloud and numerous others.
Always seek to diversify your life with new experiences which will give you joy and add excitement to your life. This is truly one of the best therapies for anybody. This helps get your focus off your present circumstance and unto something more joyful and pleasant. Successful people never did the same thing day in and day out. New experiences gives you the opportunity to meet new people and interact with new people, establish new relationships and have so much more to talk about.
For me, I have found my passion to be helping others and spreading the message of what God has done in my life. My passions are Jesus Christ and also running, working out, meeting new people, and nutrition. I will tell you my greatest passion is Christ and what He has done in my life, there is nothing like an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ, the creator of this universe who has redeemed me and set me free from a life of sin and hopelessness. I challenge you to email me about the Savior who has transformed my life and will change your life forever! williamb374@msn.com.
The others I interact with are my friends, church members, family members, professors, and all the people I travel around and speak to. The most important Other person in my life is Jesus Christ. Who are your others?
Do you know Jesus?
I love new experiences. I always strive to diversify my life with new experiences by going to new places and meeting new people. It's one of my Passions. What are some of your new experiences? I challenge you to diversify your life with new experiences>
As individuals, each of us need something we are passionate about. This will give excitement, fulfillment, and a sense of being accomplished, to our lives. Not to mention this will promote brain activity and help us to fight depression. We were created to be passionate people, not boring, humorless people who do nothing to benefit others and ourselves.
Always treat others with respect and acceptance, no matter what. When others do things that might hurt you or make you feel criticized, don't hold that hurt inside your heart. You must get it out by talking it through with somebody and forgiving that person who hurt/offended you. I guarantee you that that initial pain of that hurt you felt from that person will fester and will only get worse and cause you to have problems with other people in your life. Numerous clinical studies have proven this, including those done by author and Counselor Henry Cloud and numerous others.
Always seek to diversify your life with new experiences which will give you joy and add excitement to your life. This is truly one of the best therapies for anybody. This helps get your focus off your present circumstance and unto something more joyful and pleasant. Successful people never did the same thing day in and day out. New experiences gives you the opportunity to meet new people and interact with new people, establish new relationships and have so much more to talk about.
For me, I have found my passion to be helping others and spreading the message of what God has done in my life. My passions are Jesus Christ and also running, working out, meeting new people, and nutrition. I will tell you my greatest passion is Christ and what He has done in my life, there is nothing like an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ, the creator of this universe who has redeemed me and set me free from a life of sin and hopelessness. I challenge you to email me about the Savior who has transformed my life and will change your life forever! williamb374@msn.com.
The others I interact with are my friends, church members, family members, professors, and all the people I travel around and speak to. The most important Other person in my life is Jesus Christ. Who are your others?
Do you know Jesus?
I love new experiences. I always strive to diversify my life with new experiences by going to new places and meeting new people. It's one of my Passions. What are some of your new experiences? I challenge you to diversify your life with new experiences>
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