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Change Your Thinking, Change Your Future

How often do you think about the future?

I know that I think about the future quite frequently.

Sometimes the future is scary because I begin to plug in the variables.

I start thinking, “If I don’t change this area of my life, then this will be the result.” That’s when I get really wigged out.

Years ago, I caught a few episodes of a pretty cool show. Don’t go asking me the name of this show because I don’t remember and it wasn’t on the air long. Anyway, this health and nutrition team would show people what would happen if they didn’t change their diets. It was scary. They looked like Goodyear blimps. I’m not kidding, these people were huge! And all of this because they couldn’t give up Twinkies and Coke…

The cool thing about this show was that there was hope. This team of experts would reveal the inevitable, but then say, “Wait a minute! You can fix this!” Needless to say, a major change in diet and exercise would solve 95% of their problems.

Do you know that changing your thinking will alter your future?

Listen friends. My thinking is constantly being challenged. Just when I believe that I really understand something I find out that I don’t.

I could get mad, pitch a fit, and stay ignorant.

But why?

Why would I want to remain ignorant?

That is the most dangerous thing I can do because I will be held accountable by God for my knowledge and my ignorance! Now that’s a sobering thought.

I can hear God now.

“Audra, I’m so glad that you figured this one thing out, but what about this other area? Why did you refuse to learn? Why didn’t you listen?”

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be standing speechless because I refused to open my eyes.

If I can leave you with one thought it’s this:

What would happen if you made a few changes? If the course of action seems a bit extreme now, will the end results be worth it? 

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It’s Time for Robin Hood to Retire

I have a question.

Why is it up to the millionaires to “save America”?

This Robin Hood philosophy is great and all, but really?

I am all for helping those who are less fortunate and taking care of the widows and orphans. That’s a biblical principal that all Christians should follow.

However, I have a problem with blaming the rich for the world’s problems. Goodness. Sometimes I wonder if it would even matter who had the money because it seems that there’s never enough.

Will there ever be enough?

What makes you rich?

A house? A car? A kick butt 401(k)?

Is it surprising that the answer does not have to do with any of these things?

Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21,

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

In light of this scripture I have to ask the obvious question:

What is your treasure?

 Sadly, most would say fame and fortune.

I realize this is a bold statement, but if you look around this conclusion is not hard to reach.

May I point out that it’s easy to blame other people when you’re blindly pursuing your own passions?

Now, back to my question:

Why is it up to the millionaires to “save America”?

In my opinion, it’s not. Since when is it okay to pass the buck?

You know, when Nehemiah was instructed to rebuild the wall, everyone helped. It was necessary. They would have all died otherwise. If you don’t believe me go read about it for yourself.

Anyway, I believe that the same thing is true for America.

It’s time to stop passing the buck. If you’re going to bemoan the fate of the country, at least have the courage to say, “It’s my fault.”

This kind of thinking might be extreme, but then again, so is the situation we find ourselves in today. 

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I’m Tired of Singing the Blues

Here in the last couple of weeks I have reclaimed my time. That’s right. Every night I write out my to-do list and that has drastically changed my day.

Why?

I am taking the time to plan out my day. Seriously, that’s it. There’s no ten step program or book that I am reading on efficiency. I am simply writing down what I have to do and then doing it.

This is a revolutionary concept.

NOT!

What’s revolutionary is that I am taking responsibility for myself.

Can you picture a world where everyone takes responsibility for themselves? Would you even be able to recognize this generation?

It’s time to grow up!

Gee, I wonder why my house is so messy…oh look! Another episode of Friends is coming on for the fiftieth time! I’ll mop the floor after it goes off.

How stupid.

I’ve accomplished so much more by turning off the TV and getting off my butt. In fact, I can barely stand to watch TV anymore.

What’s there to watch? The news? That’s depressing. Reality TV? It’s all rigged anyway. Cop shows? You see one episode, you’ve figured out the plot of every show.

I want to really live my life. Not just watch other people on TV and wish I was them. That’s kind of lame, okay? I’m sick of feeling lame and silly and wondering why life is passing me by.

Jesus laid down his life for me, so I could sit on my butt and do nothing?

What’s wrong with this picture?

EVERYTHING!  

Now, do not start believing I am Miss Wonderful. I’m just waking up, okay?

I struggle every day.

I make mistakes, I feel guilty, and I lament over missed opportunities.

However, I don’t want to be singing the blues for the rest of my life either.

I’m rubbing the sleep out of my eyes and moving on. Will you do the same?  

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No U-Haul Required

 

This is a topic that I’ve been thinking about for a while: 

Materialism.

Another word for it is greed, selfishness, stinginess…all of these terms are synonymous with materialism with me.

What’s the deal with needing stuff?

Why do I need 57 pairs of shoes, every new gizmo and gadget that hits the market, and a new car?

I go through my stuff periodically. When I start purging this question runs through my mind: When was the last time I used this? If I cannot remember the last time I’ve used something I get rid of it. Here recently I have been selling things that I haven’t used in a while, and I am proud to say that I have made some nice money doing so.

Now here’s an obvious statement:

When you die, nothing goes with you.

This fact has really inspired me to become more introspective. Why am I hoarding?  If nothing can go with me anyway why do I want so much stuff? Someone tell me that I am not the only one who feels this way.

What if I put the same amount of energy into reaching out to others that I put into seeking wealth and possessions? 

Maybe this is an extreme viewpoint, but I am quite confident that the issue of materialism is really stunting the growth of Christians.  

My dad shared this verse with me:

Luke 12: 15:

“And [Jesus] said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness,” for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

So Jesus says that your self-worth is not tangled up in what you own…that’s awesome! That’s freedom! That’s the gospel! And I love it!

I want my life to be filled with sharing the gospel, raising a family, you know? Things that actually matter.

The floor is now opened for discussion. What do you think about materialism? Share your thoughts, Bible verses, etc. I want to hear from you! 

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The Biggest Impact: Part II

When I met my dad, it was like finding the missing pieces of a puzzle. I was able to fill in the gaps on so many of the mysteries surrounding my life.

I found out that we are freakishly (and I say this in a loving way) similar; not just in appearance but in personality as well. That was something I had always wondered about because my whole life I acted so differently from the rest of my family.

I gained two grandmothers, Grandma Susana and Nana; four siblings, Sofia, Savanna, Caleb, and Selah; and last but not least a beautiful stepmother, Celina or Mama Ce.

What a blessing!

Also, he and my stepmom are really challenging my thinking in a lot of ways. I’m just going to list them in order to save some time because each area would require its own explanation: Faith, family, ministry, food, hobbies….those are just some general categories.

The cool thing is that I am walking through these things with my parents. In many ways these things are all new to each of us, so it’s a learning curb for us all.

I guess the best way to answer part two of my dad’s question is to refer back to part one (see last post).

I would say that the answer is just as simple: his presence in my life has only made me stronger and more secure.

This post is not about boosting my dad’s ego. 

The Lord designed marriage and family to be a representation of his love for the church.

Fathers are the protectors, providers, and spiritual leaders of the family. If you are a father and are not doing the above things, you are acting outside of the will of God.

My dad will be the first to tell you that he was a coward for leaving me in the first place. In fact, that was the first thing he ever said to me when we started talking via Facebook.

However, he asked my forgiveness and immediately began seeking ways to fulfill his role as my father. That makes him a hero in my book. 

My life has not been the same since that moment, and I would not want it to be because God turned my heart toward my father. Not many girls can say the same. 

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The Biggest Impact…

My dad asked me to share about the impact of his absence in my life.

He told me to be brutally honest. To not hold anything back in order to spare his feelings.

Well, here’s the truth, the biggest impact: Simply not knowing him.

This sounds really stupid but it’s the truth.

I have a lot of friends, so I’ve heard all kinds of stories about their dads. Some girls sing praises, others tell horror stories.

Here’s the thing: at least they knew their fathers.

I am not the only person who grew up without a dad but not knowing him made me think.

What’s his favorite color? Movie? Band? Do I look like him? Is he funny? Smart? Is he a Christian? Atheist?

When I was older I learned that he was a missionary and that he had a family. This added a whole new smattering of questions.

Doesn’t he care about my salvation? Does his wife know? How many kids does he have? Is he a good dad to them? He hasn’t been to me…

My dad was a shadowy figure, a ghost, who haunted my dreams. I just wanted to meet him; To sit in a room and ask him a few questions. After all, he was my father, so half of my DNA came from him.

Whatever anyone tells you here’s the truth about abandonment: Kids want to know their parents.

That’s God’s design.

Me?

I wanted to know my parents so bad because I needed to understand who I was. And, I wanted to hear the whole story.

Was it true my dad’s parents hated me? Why did my parents split up? Why, dad, wherever you are, did you not want me? What did I do? I was a baby.

My mom was a drug addict, scarred by her past. My dad was a ghost. I carried my questions around with me because they could not be answered by anyone but my parents, so why burden anyone else?

Plus, I didn’t really have any friends who understood either. There were a few but not many. I grew up watching other kids interact with their parents and thinking to myself:

Unloading the dishwasher, putting my clothes away, and cleaning my room would not be that bad if my mom or dad asked me. I would do just about anything if I could spend some time with them.

Don’t get me wrong, my Me-maw is awesome. She did a great job raising me. However, we both understood that her love and care could never replace the desire I had for my parents.

Thankfully, God gave me so much more than I could have ever dreamed of.

God gave me an awesome grandmother; a supportive extended family that made sure I had what I needed and wanted; and, most importantly, God lavished me with love and protected my spirit.

I’m so glad God gave me those things to help me better accept the bitter truths of my childhood.

***I just couldn’t end this blog negatively.***

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Help Wanted: The Best Employment Agency Around

I just had a really funny thought.

What if praying about the future looked like a job interview.

Picture it:

“You see, Lord, I have a 4.0 GPA, I was ambassador president my senior year, and I have two years of blogging experience.”

(The Lord is sitting at his desk and begins reviewing the immaculate resume you just handed him.)

“Audra, I do believe that your qualifications will be just right for the job.”

(He goes to his computer and after a few mouse clicks begins printing off some information for your new job.)

Here’s the cool thing:

I do not believe that this scenario is far from the truth. The Father knows each and every one of his children very intimately.

Oh! Don’t forget that He is omnipotent and omnipresent as well.

When you are living in the center of God’s will, He is already moving on your behalf.

Who better to help you get a job?

I realize that there are a lot of people who are unemployed right now. In fact, this sounds all well and good IF you’re the one who has so many opportunities available and not the one sitting at home wondering how the bills will be paid. The last statement expresses how the majority of the world views faith—this includes Christians too.

I cannot speak for anyone but myself; however, I have heard many a testimony about how the Lord has opened up employment opportunities for his children. I want to trust that I am a part of God’s economy—not the world’s—and that means that all of my needs will be met.

To be honest, I have no idea what I will be doing this fall. All I know is that I am listening to my Father and walking in the direction he is leading me.

I hope that you are doing the same.