The Scar Experiment...

(Story adapted by Louis Lapides from Still More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks, Wayne Rice, Zondervan Publishing House. Pg. 79.)

A scientific researcher assembled ten unsuspecting volunteers for a psychological study called the Scar Experiment. The participants were separated into ten different cubicles equipped without mirrors. The purpose of the study was to observe how people would respond to a stranger with a marred physical appearance, such as a facial scar. Using Hollywood makeup tricks, the scientist put bloody and gruesome scars on each volunteer's left cheek, and displayed the new "scar" to each participant using a small handheld mirror. After glancing at their marred image, the mirror was taken away. The researcher's final step was to inform each volunteer that some finishing powder needed to be placed on his/her scar to prevent it from smearing. In reality, the researcher used a tissue to wipe off the scar. But the volunteers still believed they had the awful scars on their faces.
Each individual was sent out into the waiting rooms of different medical offices with instructions to notice how strangers responded to their appearance. After the appointed time, the ten volunteers returned to the scientific researcher and all shared the same report. In their encounters they noticed that strangers were ruder to them, less kind and stared at their scar. Regardless of the removal of the false scars, their unhealthy perspective on themselves affected how they thought others saw them.
In contrast, the scars and pain we carry inside us are hardly ever obvious to everyone on the outside. We make them visible by our actions towards others. If we see ourselves as unlovable, worthless and defective, we will often respond towards individuals in an unloving, insecure and discouraging manner. Meaningful and trusting relationships become very difficult to form.
It is surprising to learn a positive self image does not come from how we look on the outside, but on how we feel on the inside. In order to have a lasting, healthy view of self, we must base our worth upon God's unconditional love and value of us. King David sings, "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-and how well I know it!" (Psalm 139:14) (NLT). Through a personal relationship with our Creator, we can find healing of those inner scars and deep wounds that hinder us from enjoying fulfilling relationships. There is no need to worry about what other people think of us when we know God has already placed His highest worth on our lives.

Big John

I don't know who wrote the story below, but I wanted to share it with you. You see, I can relate to the bus driver in this story. I won't say anything else. Read on. :)

One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops, a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well.
At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet eight, built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the driver and said, "Big John doesn't pay!" and sat down at the back. Did we mention that the driver was five feet three, thin, and basically meek? Well, he was. Naturally, he didn't argue with Big John, but he wasn't happy about it.
The next day the same thing happened--Big John got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the one after that, and so forth. This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was taking advantage of him.
Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff. By the end of his summer vacation, he had become quite strong; what's more, he felt really good about himself.
So on the next Monday, when Big John once again got on the bus and said, "Big John doesn't pay!" the driver stood up, glared back at the passenger, and screamed, "And why not?"
With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, "Big John has a bus pass."

Reign of the Brain!

Did you know that it takes approximately 17 years for a solid medical study to actually make its way to your average doctors office? Yeah. I was indignant when I discovered that little tidbit of information. I have to say, though...I'm beginning to relate to being behind the times instead of behind the eight ball. That's how I feel right now, anyway.

I knew the human brain was complex. So complex I didn't bother studying it as much as I would listen to other people tell me things like ... well, I'm not going to go there because I don't want you to focus on any particular issue. The point is, I oftentimes will buy into things without blinking twice. Hey, when a person speaks with confidence...it apparently doesn't matter what they say. Most of us "eat what we've been fed".

Over time I discovered I was wrong to believe everything so easily. But recently I've been realizing how much true scientific study has been done on the brain and it is fascinating. Go to Google and type in "Brain Patterning". You'll be amazed. Is everything accurate? I don't know. But I do know that enough things are repeated that it gives me a better picture of the serious role our brain plays in our everyday lives.

Have you ever heard of brain plasticity or neuroplasticity? The basic definition says that neuroplasticity is the lifelong ability of our brains to reorganize "neural pathways" based on new experiences. Very simply put; our brains respond to new information, images, concepts, etc. If that is true, then it stands to reason that since experiences actually physically alter our brains, they can also alter how we "see" the world. Hhmmm...interesting. I wonder if that is why some people say they feel like they've been "born" with homosexuality, for example. Also, interesting to note is that since the vast majority of our brain growth took place as we were growing up...well, it helps explain why so many people have a hard time getting "over" issues that were pertinent in their childhood.

The Reign of the Brain is nothing to take lightly.

A Bad Ending Can Signal a Good Beginning...

Why do I get so upset when I think something has come to an end? I do. I cry. I mourn the loss of something I saw as a good thing...and I hate it. But, how many times does the end of something simply signal the beginning of something new? Does that happen? Well...

War ends and a new culture emerges. A caterpillars life ends but a butterfly takes wing. A good book ends...but the resulting inspiration leaves you feeling good. Wasn't a good book? Good thing it came to an end. There are many examples of how an end can be a good thing. When I've got on my negative cap,though, I forget that the "end" might result in something good.

True, there are tons of times when ends aren't at all welcome. Sometimes they are a real bummer, to say the least. The end of a good job comes to mind. How can that be a good thing? The end of my ability to wear small clothes. Uh, I'm not liking that either. The end of a favorite pets life? The end of a persons life who you really loved. How can those be good things?

My answer. The end of something good isn't always a good thing. That's why I, as a Christian, love the verse "For God causes all things to work together for good...for those who love Him and are called according to His Purpose". Romans 8:28 It's the verse I hold onto when things are looking bad.

With God at the helm, even ...

A bad ending can signal a good beginning.

The Warrior... Part 1

Where are you in this story? Are you God's friend or Satan's friend? Where do you want to be? People can flip sides all the time! Is it time for you to change your path and listen to the God who loves you?

The Warrior-Part One

Are You Convinced...or Excited???

Wow. Earlier, I was talking to my daughter, Cari, and she told me something that I thought was so insightful that I asked her if I could share it with you. Being who she is, she gave me the green light.

You know how you hear things sometimes that are, like... whatever. Other times you hear something that really rings true and "resonates" with you? This was one of those times for me.

Well, it's like this. I've been walking with the Lord for almost 34 years. Why so long? Because I was convinced that Christianity was true. I'll tell you more about that another time, but for now I want to relay a story.

"Katy" told "Suzanne" about a product she was excited about. After listening to Katy for a period of time, Suzanne eventually told Katy that she was convinced that the product was a good one. She probably thought Katy would be pleased with her answer... but instead, Katy said "What? I don't want you to be convinced... I want you to be excited!"

That's an excellent distinction that Katy made. When Cari relayed that message to me, it hit me like a ton on bricks. Wow! In regards to my Christianity, I have been someone who is absolutely convinced that it is true. I'm so convinced that I'm willing to be rejected over it. And that, for me, is huge. Seriously, huge. So... I am convinced. But am I excited? I'll ask you the same question:

Are You Convinced...or Excited?

DO WE DARE SHARE?

Yesterday, I said that I understood why people embrace the "Preach the Gospel...use words when necessary" idea...to a point. But more and more, I am seeing the other side of the equation. Oh, how the pendulum swings, eh? We either have people "living the gospel...but not speaking out" or "speaking out...but not living the way God intended." The "balanced" approach doesn't mean we should sit on the fence. Reminds me of the proverb...He who walks down the middle of the road can be run down by traffic from both sides." I want to take a stand in that regard, but for me it is difficult. But, I know it is not impossible to live a loving life that is a reflection of God and share God's Word...with words. What an idea.

Do I sound harsh when I suggest that we don't "speak out" enough? Hey, it's hard for me to hear as well. But I am willing to look at the possibility that perhaps we have gone too far with our "Preach without Speech" philosophy. I mean, how many people today even know what the gospel is? If you are already a true, believing Christian...that question is a no-brainer. But is it so easily grasped outside your Christian circle? Outside my Christian circle? Or am I too busy trying to be a nice person that I use that as an excuse to refrain from sharing God's Word? "Don't want to offend anybody." "Don't want people to think I am an unloving person." "Don't want to be rejected."
Sigh...yeah, that's me. Typically.

What I am saying is simply that we take the "Preach without Speech" thing too far. That's all. We use it as an excuse to ignore at least 513 commands in the bible that I am aware of that tell us to...preach. Share the Good News of Christ with words.
Now the question is...

Do we DARE SHARE?

Preach Without Speech...

I've heard it said in many ways by people of various persuations, that it is important to "Preach without Speech". You've undoubtedly heard the "Preach the gospel...use words when necessary" phrase or concept. I certainly understand that thinking and have embraced it myself, thinking I was being very broad minded and mature when I so easily espoused that point of view.

A few weeks ago, somebody challenged my thinking in that area. At first it made me angry, but slowly I began to see the point that the person in question was trying to make. Frankly, so many times people have preached the gospel without living it in their everyday lives that the gospel to some people almost became a synonym for "religious hypocrisy". That's because people were equating the gospel with religion and religious people. People who obviously had not yet learned how to truly apply God' words to their everyday lives. Not as big a deal as we make it out to be. I mean...do we expect physical babies, for example, to act like mature adults?. No. Apparently, however, the world has that expectation of us. And to a point, I understand what they are saying.

Tomorrow, we can check out this idea a bit more...

Pricey but Priceless.

I'll tell you right now. I don't like pain. At all. A couple of days ago, my right knee started hurting non-stop. No, I'm not going to talk about it and complain...but it did remind me of something. Well, first of all I was bummed to have to deal with another "pain". Gettin pretty darn tired of the ole "pain pattern" that seems to be encroaching into my life with steady veracity. Reminds me of a birthday card my brother-in-law gave my husband. The card is hilarious. "Worf" from Star Something, is on the front of the card. He says: "Old Age is Approaching" on the front of the card. Then you open it and he continues: "Apparently you have not chosen to fight".

I love that card.

So what does that have to do with anything? Well, since pain seems to be the order of the day of late, I've been thinking about it a lot. Yeah...I do that pretty frequently. Think. Analyse. (You have to be careful, though...it could make you dizzy). Anyway, I have reminded myself of the good aspect of pain. We all know it can be pricey. Don't think anybody needs any reminders about that. But sometimes we forget why pain exists in the first place. We seem to think of it as something that needs to be banished from our lives as soon as possible.

Well, I love pain relief...but I need to remind myself that aches and pains are there for a reason. They are trying to tell us something. Will we listen to those "maladies" or shut them up without a trial?

Too many times we have a knee-jerk reaction to pain. Instead of asking ourselves what that pain could be trying to tell us...we want to quickly rid ourselves of it. After all, it hurts. Now, I realize I'm not a doctor...though it is my personal opinion that they are highly overrated. A good doctor, however, will identify the reason for the pain and attempt to deal with that issue. He or she will also welcome your input and will not be put off by your questions. They will see the value in listening to you. Doctors like that are hard to find, but not impossible. However, don't sell yourself short. You know your body better than anyone. For example, the only reason I knew that the pain in my knee was possibly due to excess pressure due to quick weight gain...is because it has happened to me before. The point is,there is a reason behind things that we sometimes neglect to see...and pain serves as a very helpful reminder to us of the importance of...whatever. I tell you what. Whenever I start to reach for a piece of bread or something that I know is not "helpful"... I feel the pain in my knee and am immediately reminded of the importance of loosing some unwanted weight. All the sudden, that cookie doesn't look as inviting. Pain leads us to healing in the sense that it helps us identify the problem. True, pain is...

Pricey but Priceless

Turn Your Life Down... It's Too Loud!

How can a persons life be too loud? You probably have some ideas of your own and I would love to hear it, after all... "there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors". But as for me - what do I think of when I think of a life that is so loud it needs to be turned down? Hhmmm...let me think.

Tick, tock, tick,tock...

Okay, I'm back. The word that keeps popping into my head is "distractions". A loud life doesn't necessarily equal the volume control on your music station. Distractions take countless forms. I'll tell you what my distractions are. You can comment on yours. I'm thinking that whatever takes your mind off God is a distraction. Are all distractions bad? No, I sure don't think so. Hey... I gotta eat, and I rather enjoy it I might add. It certainly is not a negative experience- unless of course, you are a kid whose mother is forcing you to eat beets that you can't stand the smell of. But for the most part, eating is a good thing. Lots of things are good. However, when you have so much on your plate that you can't keep your priorities straight or you have so much to do that you don't even have time for a quick breakfast...it's time to do some re-evaluating.

But I digress. I was going to tell you at least one distraction that I am aware of in my life. It is so loud I can't hear God's voice. Nobody can see, therefore it is unlikely they would guess it was a problem.

So, what is it? I lie. Not to others. I'm squeaky clean when it comes to telling the truth to people other than "yours truly". My problem is that I lie to myself all the time. Quietly, so nobody can disagree with me. I tell myself things like, "I'm worthless. If I were to die today, nobody would even care...as a matter of fact, they would be better off. I'm ugly. The job I have doesn't pay much because I am worth so little. I'll never amount to anything". The list of lies I listen to on a daily basis is loud. Very loud...and I need to turn it down. For that matter, I need to turn it off completely. Aahh... so much easier said than done.

Some things need to be turned off, other things simply need to be turned down. When we recognize that and quiet our lives, we will have the opportunity to hear God better. The Bible says, "Be still and know that I am God".

Ask yourself...

Is It Time to Turn My Life Down...Could It Be Too Loud?