Our Private Lives ~ Henri Nouwen

We like to make a distinction between our private and public lives and say, "Whatever I do in my private life is nobody else's business." But anyone trying to live a spiritual life will soon discover that the most personal is the most universal, the most hidden is the most public, and the most solitary is the most communal. What we live in the most intimate places of our beings is not just for us but for all people. That is why our inner lives are lives for others. That is why our solitude is a gift to our community, and that is why our most secret thoughts affect our common life.

Jesus says, "No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house" (Matthew 5:14-15). The most inner light is a light for the world. Let's not have "double lives"; let us allow what we live in private to be known in public.

**artist credit Ine Veen     Henri Nouwen.org

Healing

Healing Affirmation for Today

Divine love heals and restores me. I am alive, alert, and enthusiastic about life. As I enter into a quiet time in the silence, all"worry thoughts" slip away. I give thanks that divine love created me and is continually healing me.

As I relax into God's loving presence, any physical or emotional pain is replaced with an encompassing sense of joy that surpasses all understanding. I take a moment to focus on each part of my body, feeling all tension evaporating, knowing that complete restoration is taking place. Slowly, gently coming back to an awareness of my surroundings, I feel both relaxed and refreshed. I understand that God is enfolding me in unconditional love and acceptance. I affirm what I know is true:

Divine love heals and restores me.

I am alive, alert, and enthusiastic about life.

"He grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised."--Romans 4:20-21

How Big is Your Bucket?

God has many blessings in store for you! He has favor in your future like you've never imagined. He wants to take you places you've never even dreamed of. But in order for us to partake of all these blessings, we have to increase our capacity to receive.

Think about this: if you have a one-gallon bucket, and someone has fifty gallons to give you, the problem is not with the supply. The problem is that you don’t have the capacity to receive the fifty gallons. But, if you get rid of that small

container and get something larger, then you will be able to receive more. It’s the same way with God. If we think we’ve reached our limits, the problem isn’t that God doesn’t have the resources or the ability.

The problem is that our container is too small. We have to enlarge our vision and make room for the new things God has for us. Our attitude should be, “Yes, the economy is down, but I know God is still on the throne. I know wherever I go His goodness and mercy follow me.” When you have that kind of attitude, you’re increasing your capacity to receive so that you can live the abundant life He has in store for you.

Father in Heaven,

Thank you for loving Me. 

Today 

I choose to increase my capacity to receive from You. I let go of limited thinking and old mindsets, and I open myself to everything You have 

in store for me.

In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The Greatness and Power of God ~ In Us.

Do we really know that we have greatness inside of us? The Holy Spirit actually dwells within us. We have all the power and authority in heaven and earth living on the inside of us!

All throughout life, God gives us opportunities to discover that greatness on the inside of us. When we overcome obstacles, we are tapping into that strength and greatness within. One thing I've learned is that Heavenly Father doesn't allow big challenges to face small people. He never allows any challenge to be greater than what we can handle. Sometimes it feels that way.

You may be facing something big today. It may seem like it's over your head, but that is a sure sign you’re a big person with a big destiny. You may feel small, you may not see how it's going to work out, but you've got to remember who you are; a child of The Most High God. You have been created in His image. You're wearing your crown of favor, and you are carrying His greatness on the inside of you. Have the attitude that says, "This may be extraordinary, but I know I'm an extraordinary person serving an extraordinary God." Stand in faith knowing that you have the victory because you have His greatness living on the inside of you!

Heavenly Father, I thank thee for Thy Greatness on the inside of me. I choose to stand in faith today knowing that with Thee, I will overcome every challenge and every obstacle. I bless Thy holy Name.

In the Name of Jesus Christ who hath made it possible for me to return to Thee.

Amen.

Remember...

Mastery is not measured by the number of terrible

things you eliminate from your life, but by the number of times you eliminate calling them terrible.

 

Today...

I believe God wants us to know, each of us, individually...

....that you are loved on this day for all the wonder that

you bring to your world with the gift of being you.

 

Hard to believe, isn't it, that you are that special in the

eyes of Heavenly Father? Yet you are--and not because of what

you have done, but because of who you are. You are

God's own creation, an expression of Divinity in human

form.

 

The fastest way to experience this is to be the vehicle

through which others sees it in themselves. Each person

is walking his or her path and doing his or her best. God

knows this and that is just one reason why He loves us all.

The Power of Silence

Vast and Potent is Silence...

All sounds, from a whisper to a classical symphony, arise out of silence and disappear into silence. But silence is always there beneath sound and is the space where sound can exist. We tend to think of silence as the absence of sound, but silence has its own weight and quality. When you listen to silence, you can perceive its intense depth and power. Taking the time to experience silence calms the mind and rejuvenates the body. Silence is the void where we can hear the many sounds that we often ignore – the voice of our intuition telling us the truth, the sound of the breeze blowing, the hum of the radiator, and the noises we make just because we are alive. 

One way to experience silence is to wake up before the rest of the world has come alive. Try not to move into activity, and leave off the lights, radio, and television. Sit still and simply listen. You may hear your heartbeat or your breath, but keep your attention tuned to the silence that surrounds you. Stay this way for as long as you can, and allow the sound of silence to penetrate your body until it moves into your core. Feel the gentle, pulsing waves of silence and allow it to cleanse you. Five minutes of communing with silence can leave you feeling vibrant and connected to Our Heavenly Father, and the universe. 

At night, choose a moment after everyone around you has retired and tune in to silence. You can also experience silence throughout the day. Even in the midst of activity, moments of silence are always present. Usually we ignore or feel nervous around silence and try to fill these moments with sound. Yet silence is always there – vast, potent, and available for us to step into any time we choose.

He Lifts Us Up!

Funny, how we falter at the smallest things...Thank goodness for repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

As I have written before, I am also a NASCAR writer. I found that one of my biggest faults is putting more time into NASCAR than I do The Gospel. I think more about NASCAR than I do Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, at times. The main purpose of starting this blog, was to commit to Heavenly Father to always put Him first in my life. No excuses. Once again...I have not kept that promise, as shown by the lack of posting here.

We are all counselled to pray, read our scriptures daily and put the Lord first. How many times have I heard, and found true in my own life, that when I read my scriptures every day, my day runs smooth and I feel and see the Lord working in my life. When I don't drop to my knees the first thing every day...well, you know what happens. I am frazzled, overwhelmed and cannot focus. I run around trying to accomplish things, all the while accomplishing nothing...except my NASCAR writing. I certainly find time for that now don't I? 

It's not like I am not praying on those days, and I know He hears and listens to me. It's the action of kneeling and focusing completely on Him that makes the difference. I will think, as I am rushing to get things done, "Oh! I forgot to kneel!" and then I will tell Heavenly Father I am sorry and think in my head immediately after, I will do that in a minute. By that time I am rushing around, probably running late for something, or late on a deadline. So the Lord gets procrastinated. My special time with Him gets procrastinated. Who loses out there? I do. He does. He wants to spend time with me. He loves me. Am I reciprocating that love back? Do I treat Heavenly Father like a neglected child at times? Yes... I do.

Same goes with scripture time. When I don't read my scriptures, again...the day does not go as smoothly. Do you know how much reading I have to do to keep up with my NASCAR and Racing World? A lot. Hours are spent on the Internet, reading, noting, Twitting...I receive hundreds of emails a day that I have to sort through. Can I not put at least a chapter or two of the Scriptures in there first? Yes, I can. Do I? Not always.

I have had a lot of changes in my life the past 6 months. I used to have a set and solid routine of prayer and scripture time every morning...first thing. My life was blessed for that. I felt it. I lived it. With changes have came changes in my routine. I am recommitting to Heavenly Father, that I will pray first, read my scriptures first and write here first...before NASCAR. I may have to get up a little earlier to do it, but He is certainly worth it. 

I sent out emails to some of my ward members about this blog. Explained to my Home Teacher's my reasoning and commitment, so that I also have others to hold me accountable and give me a nudge when I need it. 

I have received an incredible job offer, in the NASCAR world, which involves touring, radio, TV and and raising funds for the second part of the job, a Non-Profit  which will help support the old drivers from the 40" 50's 60's and 70's who are now getting up there in age. They had no 401k's. The didn't make huge amounts of money like the driver's of today do. They might have won $5000.00 in a race, but it cost them fifteen thousand to get to the race with a running car. They didn't have the safety features we have now. There were a lot more deaths' and serious injuries. These men and their families are now well up in age. Many do not even have much of a Social Security pension, as it didn't exist then, or they were not required to pay into it as we are now. They, being up in age need help, and part of this job will be raising money for those Legend's of NASCAR. I need a clear head, heart and mind to make this decision as to whether I take it or not. It would require me being across the country. I did not seek this job out. It was an out of the blue offer. It is a huge decision and I want to be sure I am making the correct one as I sort this out. Right now, my mind goes from being clear and at total peace about it, to befuddled.

I ran across this, in an email this morning:

"I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair…He set my feet on solid ground…He has given me a new song to sing…" (Psalm 40:1-3, NLT).

That scripture is what the Lord has done in my life the past year and continues to do every day. I just need to remember... He lifted me and gave me a new song. I am so grateful. I need to show my gratitude in a deeper way to Him. He took me out of a pit that felt like a pit of Hell. 

It was a pit of Hell. He delivered me from an abusive relationship that was not going to

change.

He knew it.

Did you ever wonder why The Book of Mormon has the word "Remember" in it so many times?

I just need to remember...to remember!

Why do we forget so easily?

I want you all to know that I have a Testimony of Jesus Christ. I know that He loves us beyond comprehension. I know He inspires our leaders with incredible precision at times. He inspires each of us. My prayer for all of us is that we hear and act on that inspiration and nudge from The Comforter. May we truly have an understanding of The Atonement of Jesus Christ. 

I say and ask this in the name of Jesus Christ...Amen

Have you ever felt like you were in a pit of despair? Just like Heavenly Father lifted David out, He is going to lift you out. Where you are right now is not where you’re going to stay. There are brighter days up ahead for you filled with favor, promotion, and increase. As you walk uprightly before Him, no good thing will He withhold from you. 

Notice that He gives us a new song. We have to do our part to sing that song. That means you don’t go around talking about your problems, how bad things are, or how you’re never going to make it. No, you have a song of victory! If somebody asks you how you’re doing, your attitude should be, "I’m too blessed to be stressed! I’m moving forward in strength and power." Remember, praise precedes the victory, and the scriptures tells us that God is enthroned on our praises. As you magnify and lift Him up, He will lift you up out of your despair. He’ll set your feet on solid ground, and you’ll move forward in joy and victory in every area of your life. 

I am so grateful for His love and that he has lifted me up in victory. Paul compared living The Gospel to a race...to press forward. Our LDS pioneers who went through so much for The Lord, to live the Gospel of Jesus Chris. Pressed on...Pressed on....

Let's all press on today.

May you all so Blessed Be...

Happy New Year! On this day of our lives...

On this day of our lives, I believe God wants us to know...that every day is a New Beginning because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

 

A new cycle begins this day, yet a new cycle begins every day. Indeed, every moment. So if you recognize anything on this day, recognize what it symbolizes: 

The miracle of the endlessly continuing Cycle of Life.

 

What a grand day! What a time for celebration! We begin again today! We turn the page! And so, let go of all that you do not wish to carry with you any further.

Any fear, any sadness, any anger, any resentment, any disappointment, any lament...let it all go. And now, using the specialness of this day as a springboard, 

Let's get on with Life! 

Thank Heavenly Father for the Miracles he brings us daily. For in each day, there is a Miracle. The Miracle that we have been bought and paid for. Atoned for...

Atonement = At-One-Ment.

Ponder on this:

I am in Him, as He is in Me and We are One Together.

I challenge you all to read John 14 today.

Blessed Be!