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FaithSpotlight

Guard Your Eyes

by Lauren Koch
written by Lauren Koch

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matthew 6:22)

Guard your eyes from distraction

The health of our spirit is measured by the extent we are fixated on Jesus. Human desire, ambition, and distraction are three of the biggest culprits to letting darkness into our spirits, and ultimately our bodies. We are the light of the world, a city on a hill (Matthew 5:14). Our ability to carry out this call depends on how we fasten our eyes to Jesus. When we focus on only our own interests, instead of the business of heaven, we miss out on what God is doing in the earth today. Even more, we miss the joy of a life in relationship with the father. Stay enamored with Jesus’s love, words, and perspective by setting your sight on Him alone, guard your eyes from distractions of this world.

Staying focused

How do you let your daily life determine your focus? Do you allow inconveniences and emotions to dictate where your eyes stay looking? There is a greater place to look, from heaven. God looks from heaven and laughs (Psalm 2:4). You, too, are seated in heavenly places, able to respond with joy to the life in front of you.

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,  in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6-7)

From this place, God has much to show us.

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Faith

Come On In & Sit Awhile

by Corine Channell
written by Corine Channell

Tired. That word alone is a word we ALL can relate to. At one time or another (or every day), we are tired. The definition of tired is weary, exhausted, fatigued – being weary suggests a physical or mental condition in which our energy is just plain gone. That is the tired I want to talk about, the kind that requires is to sit awhile.

Psalms talks a lot about David’s weariness. I am so glad he opened his heart and shared that – in all its vulnerability and raw honesty – because the past couple of years, I have been weary. I have felt so tired that I felt almost dysfunctional. And NOT so much physically as much as mentally.

Sorrow

Psalm 119:28 says, “My soul is weary with sorrow…” AH. Well, there is ONE reason for mental exhaustion. Sorrow. Sorrow drains you right down to the pit of your soul. Has sorrow ever left you feeling too tired to even talk? Or to dream. To think. Or to plan. To wonder. Or to hope. To just live your life in general. It is that feeling of when too much is just, too much. You are done. You are like that overcooked thanksgiving turkey that was left in the oven too long, with nothing to offer at the thanksgiving table. Overcooked. Overdone. And overwhelmed. Just at the end. In a 21st century cultural phrase – you “got nothin’”.

THAT is a scary place to find yourself because you feel like you are too tired to even care that you are too tired to even care. Yes, that is how I meant to say it.

Rather than dwelling any further on the exhaustion of our soul, let’s instead find out what exactly fixes this! Please David of the Psalms – tell us how you got past your weary soul.

Psalm 23

Ah, the MOST familiar Psalm most everyone recognizes or knows, is Psalms 23. THERE lies the answer in all its simplicity and complexity. “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

The words that stand out to me personally are – He leads me beside still waters – and, refreshes my soul. What does this look like to me? Still waters are just that – they are still. They are NOT moving or consumed with motion. Our part is to go lay beside them. Sometimes I just need that so bad – just to feel the stillness and the peace OF that stillness. I ONLY find it in Jesus. I have searched other places and to no avail.

It is because Jesus offers a peace the world can NOT give, but also can NOT take away. BAM! He refreshes me with that infilling of peace and stillness – the breath comes back into my soul, the lights come back on, the sun rises, the birds start singing – HE RESTORES MY SOUL. Psalm 46:10 tells us what is OUR part in this – “Be still and KNOW that I am God.” Be still means to cease striving. Just stop. Just be. You’re too weary to do anything anyway, so just fall into the arms of Jesus. Like a freefall into a safe place that only bids you come. He says, “ I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” (Jeremiah 31:25)

Stop & Sit Awhile

In conclusion, it seems hard to stop when you are in full motion of this life journey – maybe the weary is kind of a sign from our soul, just letting us know we need to “stop and sit awhile”.

“But those who hope in the Lord will RENEW their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and NOT GROW WEARY; they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) We will grow weary because we are human, but we CAN get through to the other side as we find our strength in God. After the weariness passes (because it WILL) we will find ourselves stronger than ever IF we allowed God to be our rest and our safe place to recover. Finally, we WILL soar like eagles.

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FaithLifestyle

The Bloodhound Personality

by The Shulammite
written by The Shulammite

The Bloodhound

Perhaps most famous for its scent-tracking abilities, the bloodhound is also a loyal and caring companion. The bloodhound’s personality endears one to them because their stubborn and affectionate nature showcases their relentless desire to smother and be overwhelmed with love (or slobber).

Intelligent and highly aware of their surroundings, these characteristics get thrown out the window once they pick up on a trail. Fine-tuned to track, all energy and devotion become dedicated to discovering new horizons.

Despite having solemn eyes and droopy faces, these independent, curious, and honorable canines exude determination, and their skillset is called upon by judges and the police force.

Engineered to find their target, the bloodhound’s history showcases that they remain unrivaled in their strong detective skills among the scent hounds.

They are deemed “reliable” because they get the job done.

“Whatever piques my interest, gets my devotion.”

The bloodhound reminds us that the future could sometimes disrupt the present if we go off on a tangent. For example:

Whenever a peculiar and interesting scent is picked up, the skin folds over the bloodhound’s eyes and its ears drop to the ground. The excitement neutralizes discernment.

In these instances, the bloodhound becomes vulnerable to any attack or unknowingly walks into it.

As such, during these times, it requires the firm hand of a master to bring them into alignment and back to reality.

Busy About Many Things

Let’s learn a lesson from Martha.

We read in Luke 10:40:

“But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.”

The word cumbered, perispaō, signifies mental distraction, being over-busy, or to be driven about mentally (or drawn away).  Martha was distracted and dragging around unnecessary baggage, so much so, that she even resorted to subtly calling Jesus’ attention.

Comparative to the bloodhound, this type of thinking doesn’t perceive it’s erroneous. It’s steadfast in having its way and desires that others, even those in authority, submit to its will.

Think of it this way: the bloodhound personality leads one to trek down paths that have no higher purpose than the immediate relief of anxiety or a small fraction of peace.

Ultimately, the trails are dead ends and only lead to disappointment because they aren’t vital to our walk with Christ.

A Moment of Reflection

At times, we can become so focused on the future (or present circumstances) that we entirely forfeit the Master’s joy (see Nehemiah 8:10), and in these moments, we require a gentle rebuke.

So, Jesus would reply, as He did to Martha, saying:

 “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things, but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Critically, we must note that we “choose” to go down dead ends when we shut out wisdom’s voice or neglect personal time with the Holy Spirit.

A Call to Focus

We must examine whether there are areas in our lives or thoughts leading us astray. Sometimes, the enemy twists the truth. If we aren’t vigilant, we consider the lie as Eve did in the garden of Eden (see Genesis 3:1-6).

Let’s ask ourselves:

  • What areas of my life require spring cleaning?
  • Have I covered my eyes and ears to instruction? 
  • Am I distracted?
  • Where do I need to focus?

Christ said to “ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Luke 10:9)

The question isn’t whether Jesus answers prayers. Instead, it’s if we’re listening or have unknowingly walked down a dead end. In such cases, a rebuke can save our lives.

Therefore, this week, let’s focus and ask ourselves:

Have I chosen what cannot be taken away?

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Articles

Seeking And Searching For The Hidden Files

by GOD TV
written by GOD TV

Seeking

Many, many years ago I began a journey of tracing my family tree. Like everyone else, I got only so far and then the trail dried-up! However, what I didn’t know what one of my cousins was already seeking and finding! Plundering his way through graveyard after graveyard, certificate after certificate, the past began to open up for him. Meanwhile, I continued my search. Asking other family members, listening to endless stories, even recording them on an old tape recorder, only to receive a list of dates that didn’t tally or names that didn’t exist. If only someone had written it all down.

Searching

The Bible is filled with genealogies of who begat who. Jesus Christ’s lineage is written down for us and it does go back to the House of David, as prophesied. If nothing else, within the first few years of ‘seeking’ I discovered how important writing, recording and properly saving/storing things are. Anyway, on with the story.

Eventually, after over 35 years I was able to get the contact information of my cousin (who I had never met). Btw I have a very large family on my late father’s side! I wrote to him and explained the situation. Around three weeks later I heard a very broad Northern Irish accent on a crackling phone line. It was my cousin. We talked at length and he said he would send me copies of everything that he had.

Seeking and Searching for the Hidden Files

What’s in a name?

He was good to his word and within a couple of months, I received a large package in the mail. It was filled with all my ancestors on my paternal side. It went back to the mid-1600s. ‘WOW,’ I thought. Then there was a paragraph about the ancient tribes of Ireland. Um, interesting. I began to research the information and origins of my last name McBride.

It turns out they were one of the first tribes in Ireland. The name McBride translated into old Gaelic was Mac Giolla Bhrighde – meaning ‘follower or servant of Saint Bridget’. As it was the ancestors went way back to 523 AD. Then I discovered they migrated north to Co. Donegal. Now one of the interesting things was the name John McBride.

Every generation going back in time had a John McBride in it. My grandfather, I had an uncle, etc etc you get the picture. Well, it turns out that in Donegal all the John McBride’s where either bishops or erenaghs (overseers of the land belonging to the church). There was another suggestion in the history books that John was named after John the Baptist. I couldn’t believe how close to the church they were, my inheritance was in farming I thought!

The hidden files

Researching can take many years. Patience and persistence are must-have qualities and I have to confess it’s taken me the good part of the 35 years to develop these effectively! Ha! This last while has been a season of restoration – not just spiritually but in the natural too. Many things that I thought were lost I have been finding again.

Seeking and Searching for the Hidden Files

St Malachy’s Wall, Bangor Abbey

Recently, I had thought I had deleted some files that consisted of years of work and acknowledgment of others’ ministries, groups and testimonies. As I searched the computer I discovered more hidden files. Precious publications once thought lost, all restored. Hallelujah! So it was while re-publishing one of these e-zines about St Patrick, I came across the phrase Valley of the Angels on the Internet. It also mentioned Bangor Ireland. Well, many years ago I used to live in Bangor. The piece was written and researched by a lady called Kathie Walters. She wrote of St Comgall:

“When St. Patrick went to Bangor valley in Ireland, he prophesied that the valley would be filled with light and he saw the whole valley filled with angels. Bangor Monastery under the Abbott Comgall had about 4000 students, much like our Bible colleges. They reached Ireland and then into Europe with signs and wonders. They also had a High Choir who praised and prayed for at least 150 years, 24-hours-a-day.”

Well, my home was literally on the cusp of the valley of the angels. Within walking distance of the abbey that had been a sort of IHOP for hundreds of years. So, all the years I had lived there, I didn’t even know…

My lesson from all of this? Well, we spend a lot of time in the natural searching in the obvious places. However, sometimes things are hidden from view. They are there – you just can’t see them. You have got to look for the hidden files. After this experience, I truly believe God’s message is that He wants you to seek and find your spiritual hidden files. He wants you to go deep within your heart. He wants to reveal to you so much more than what you know or could ever imagine… Be blessed.

“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”  (Jeremiah 29:13)
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Faith

Trading Anxiety For Peace

by Corine Channell
written by Corine Channell

Anxiety.

That word comes with so much misconception, and pain. If you have experienced it you already know its damaging effects and how it deadens any hope of peace.

(I first want to clarify as in any mental health issue, there are extreme cases that may require therapy or counseling or medicine, and way more than just a small encouraging blog).

On a scale of 1-100, where do you find yourself IF you are someone who battles anxiety? I think I was at a bit of a normal level (if there is a norm) of feeling anxious in my life – raising 6 kids (before and after their dad passed away from cancer). I would venture to say the first bouts of anxiety were more regular stresses of a life with many children; worried about them, and money, and the future – worried if I’d get it right! After their dad died the worries tripled times 10 – or more. I tried to hold it all together and looking at me, sure – it seemed to be so.

Explosion of Anxiety

I think anxiety has been growing inside of me for a very long time; I simply did not truly understand it. I thought I was a very faith driven, positive, glass half full kind of person! Part of my anxiety (ironically) was trying to maintain being THAT person!

People needed me to be strong, to be happy, to cheer THEM on, to provide for them, to serve them, to love them with every ounce of my being. How I really felt got shoved way down, deep inside, and out of sight.

There can come a time when you just hit rock bottom, no matter how optimistic you are. Rock bottom despite all of its danger and fear and hopelessness, is indeed the place where Jesus becomes the solid ROCK of the bottom!

I fell apart on one particular day, due to an extremely painful situation in my life that pretty much leveled me flat. My faith in God was intact, but my soul was too shocked to remember how to apply all the faith principles I knew (I learned it’s okay to admit you’re NOT okay). At the time however, I still was not ready for that admission. In our frail brokenness God Himself is always holding us; even when we may or may not realize it at the moment of our hellish descent.

Rooted in Fear

So, anxiety. What is it basically? It is fear. We are worried or concerned about uncertain outcomes. It turns into agitation, tension, stress, foreboding, uneasiness (multiplied without number), and an overall sense of having lost our bearings. It sends you spiraling out of control – sometimes slowly, but other times it feels like you were shoved off a cliff into midair – flailing for your life all the while just falling – falling – falling.

The opposite of anxiety is so beautiful. Yes (shout, Amen!) there IS an opposite. It is PEACE. And it IS possible to find even in the midst of life’s worst moments. It is a journey, and it will probably be a solo journey. It is YOUR fight to find it. I love that pop song – “The Fight Song” by Rachel Platten. Part of the lyrics are: “…’Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me.” When you get down to the bottom, there is this instinct that kicks in that says, THIS can’t be where it all ends!

That fight? That will to survive? That is God in you. Do NOT ever ignore it or make light of it. That will be the exact moment you will be able to look up (even just a glance upwards is enough) from the bottom of your anxiety, and hope will be ushered in – right from the depths of your OWN soul.

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast [THROW] all your anxiety on HIM – because He cares for YOU.” Memorize this; it’s short and sweet and TRUE, and it really is possible. I have lived through some hellish situations that looking back, I wonder how I am still here – how I still can be a glass half full person.

He Brings Peace

The reason is I threw it ALL on Jesus! HERE! You take it, and do what You want with it – I can’t take it anymore. There is something that transcends human understanding that happens when you really surrender the worries and pain and anxieties to God. It is a trade. HE takes it from me, and then HE gives me back something in its place. He brings peace, which is stronger and more powerful that anxiety.

Anxiety is laced with the poison of lies from the pits of hell, meant to suffocate us, diabilitate us, and ultimately destroy us. PEACE is the real deal, truth that brings strength and hope right in the middle of a situation that has not yet changed. Yes. THIS is true.

Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest…you will find rest for your souls.”

Visualize it as you take ALL your worries and hand them over to Jesus, however that looks to you if you were painting it as a picture. For me, it would look like broken, shattered pieces of glass with jagged edges. As I try to scoop them up the glass cuts my hands and begins to bleed. It hurts just handing it all over to Him. But I don’t want it anymore. I can’t! I can’t do it! I can’t handle it! It has sent me to rock bottom.

Then from the deep darkness of the bottom of rock bottom, from the depths of my broken shattered soul, comes the sweet exchange. I take my anxiety and fear and pain to the ONLY place where true relief can be found.

Call the bluff on the enemy of your soul. Let the fight song of your own life rise up! In that split second that you release the worry from your soul, God is there in that moment. Significant moments are tiny pockets where change is born.

Life still has all the elements of a tragic opera plot line. The change may not be in the outward circumstances, but the change will be inside of YOU. And this truly changes everything. “This is my fight song, take back my life song – my power’s turned on, starting right now I’ll be strong.”

The power is Jesus. The fight starts with US and the victory to win ends with HIS strength given to us as we surrender the worry. “Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; I will fear no evil for Thou art with me.” (Psalm 23:4) This is my go to – take a deep breath and press on – scripture. I am not alone. You are not alone. We are held.

It is a win-win. Slowly, but surely you will rise from the ashes. Fear will not hold you for ransom anymore. YOUR fight song is blasting in the background as you go from fight to flight!

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Faith

Fighting Off The Enemy’s Attacks

by Corine Channell
written by Corine Channell

An octopus. The immediate visual gives me the creeps – I picture a gigantic squid glaring at me with its one massive eye and swirling its eight legs with all those slurping suckers in my direction, perhaps to eat me (whew – glad that was just a nightmare).

This morning I read this simple, but powerful Facebook post from a friend named Carla Pleasants. It hit me hard right between the eyes (pun intended.) “DON’T feed the octopus that has it’s tentacles wrapped around your heart, making the heart dark. It will unwrap them or die, if there’s no food.” Don’t feed the octopus and don’t be food for it!  Either…or.

Octopuses are the stuff nightmares are made of, and there’s a pretty high chance you will NEVER lock eyes (or EYE) with one. However, in our lives we face battles that greatly resemble an encounter with an octopus.

The Octopus

First of all, let’s just run through a few interesting facts about our friend (umm, too much too soon?) the octopus. An octopus has 3 hearts and 9 brains. You can tell just from that sentence alone that THIS is a very intelligent creature. And let us not forget the 8 arms. Most moms would agree in asking God exactly why did He NOT give US the 8 arms? An octopus avoids its enemies (sharks, dolphins, eels) by releasing a cloud of black ink which hides it and keeps it hidden. Wow. So many angles in our lives could be examined just from these fun facts alone. I personally love to scope out things from outside the box and find angles not so visible.

What I want to hit upon is the nature of the octopus.   They are hunters, and they attack/tackle their prey with ALL 8 arms. This is a interesting fact (think of the tactics of the enemy of our soul) – octopuses cleverly first tap their prey on the shoulder before attacking. Hmmm. It’s like they first startle the object of their target and then go in for the kill when they have gotten that startle reaction. It is an indirect method for a greater purpose – precisely capturing your full attention right before they attack you (the object of their “affection”). Tap someone on the shoulder and see what the response is. It’s sort of like your social media notifications beeping at you from your phone. Hey, pay attention to me – I am right here. Or BOO! GOTCHA!

So how does an octopus catch its food? First it hunts its unsuspecting prey. Then it creeps toward its prey, pounces, securely grabs hold with its sucking tentacles. Those suckers on the tentacles tightly hold the prey the octopus drags it off to be it’s lunch.

The Enemy of Our Souls

Maybe you can guess where I am going with this. Of course the enemy of our soul is even more intelligent and clever than an octopus, or he at least thinks he is. A lot of his power comes from us giving him that power; it’s like blowing up a deflated balloon to record size. The things that seek to destroy us will generally not announce their arrival or come with fanfare and parades and noisemakers. More than likely it will be a subtle tap on the shoulder. Long before we are prey to the enemy, we need to know his tactics and beware his subtlety.

Pay NO attention to the taps on your shoulder!

If you do, it will be MUCH more difficult to get out of the tight squeeze of those 8 crushing arms. Anything that is out to ruin you or destroy you, comes with a plan of attack. It generally is a sneak attack. You must be prepared and strong enough in your soul to recognize the sneak attacks of the enemy. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion (or hungry octopus) looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Know your own weaknesses and own them. THIS right here? THIS truth? It could save your life. Pride will always take us down if we think WE could NEVER do THAT , or WE would NEVER think THAT. The enemy of your soul seeks whom it may devour. Remember that.  “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is NOT against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:10-18)

If you find yourself already tangled up, it’s time to untangle. And yes, it IS possible. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be NOT entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1) Bottom line, Jesus can rescue us from the tight clutches of wrong decisions/ toxic relationships/ and anything that’s sole purpose is to destroy us. Jesus is bigger than any enemy that can ever try to take us out.

Don’t make friends with octopuses in your life. They do not have your best interest at heart – actually, they just WANT your heart.

#KeepYourEyesOffTheEye

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Articles

When You’re Facing A Giant Called Distraction

by Brian Taylor
written by Brian Taylor

Every day, no matter who or where we are, we face giants. The giant called Distraction is probably one of the most annoying and disruptive of all. Even as you’re reading this, there are probably many things that are distracting you. It could be the ping of your Twitter or Facebook apps, or your cell phone notifying you of an appointment you have to keep in a few minutes. It could be the driver of a car outside slamming on the brakes as they’re distracted by a child crossing the street, who may have been distracted by someone who was watching a plane fly overhead. Distractions come and go all day. The key is not to allow the Giant to get us so off task that we lose sight of the bigger picture.

I was reminded of that very thing while in a service, listening to Bishop B Courtney McBath give a convicting message about not allowing ourselves to become distracted. In his message he drew from the text in Luke 10:38-42. This is the passage where Martha is complaining to Jesus about how upset she is over the fact that Mary is not helping her prepare and serve the meal like she has chosen to do. He points out how it isn’t wrong for Martha to be doing what she is doing; in fact it is what she is good at and what she is called for. The problem was that in her frustration over being alone in it, she was asking Jesus to demand and command Mary to stop worshiping at His feet which was the more desirable thing.

So often we can miss the more desirable thing in our tasks, and even in things we actually believe we have been called to do. Just recently my wife was telling me about some people she encountered who were working in what many Christians would consider the ideal place for a Christian. Yet they exuded such frustration and discontent, because they were distracted by the fact that they had lost sight of their work being a form of worship.

Work and worship are indeed inextricably tied to one another.

When we allow attitudes of others, specific tasks, and problems that come up, or unforeseen situations arise to take our eyes off of who it is that we’re here for, we position ourselves to be brought down by the giant rather than taking the giant down ourselves. Like Peter allowing his surroundings to cause him to lose sight of Jesus when he called Him out onto the water, we start to sink rather than walk in whatever He called us to. We’re called to take territory for His Kingdom and to reclaim everything that was lost.

Whatever you’re facing, be it sickness or disease, loss of income or employment, a strained relationship or any number of things that can be deemed a distraction; give those things over to Jesus in prayer. If those things are a distraction to your ability to pray, like anxious little children, remember that even Jesus got himself away from others for a time so that he could put off distractions. There are times when we have to disconnect and unplug from the things of this world in order to get reconnected to the real world from whence we came. We are children of God, spiritual beings having a human experience. When we connect to our Heavenly Father, just as Mary sat at the foot of Jesus, He looks at us with pleasing eyes saying that, “We have chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from us.” 

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