Fairy Tales

Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a woman in a shoe. The elf under the bridge. The pot of gold near the stream. Wow, many may be wondering if they're at the correct blog site. What in the world is all this about? Why does this blog start off with fairy tale notions. Well, it's quite simple, many people know that we're nearing the Christmas time. And, unfortunately, fairy tales seem to dominate this season as well.

We hear stories about some fat bearded man in a red and white fleece by the name of Santa. Or, we hear about his red-nosed raindeer and flying sled. Maybe, that's not your home and the focus is more on Ebenezer Scrooge or the Grinch who stole Christamas. Regardless, the focus is not FULLY where it should be and that's on the birth of Jesus. But, much more important than His birth is His death. And, even more important than His death is His rising from the dead.

Therefore, we can have access to a new life in God free from the bondage of sin. We can now live a life destined for heaven. Destined for greatness. Destined for true life. Or, we can ignore all of that and go back to focusing on the fairy tales and commercialized distractions of buy this and go broke for that. My prayer is that we would eventually get to the point where we make the main thing the main thing, and that's the sacrifice of Jesus!

Seven: Marveled Moods

In the last installation of "Overlooking the 7" series, I thought that it would only be fitting to discuss the moods of Christians. A Christian is unlike any other individual in that they are infused with the presence of God as well as person of Jesus. Therefore, they shouldn't be moody. Christians shouldn't be unpredictable wherein they're up today and down tomorrow. Christians should have some resilency as well as positive consistency within their moods.

Christians are also infused with the power of the Holy Spirit which enables them to walk in the LOVE OF CHRIST. Unfortunately, many Christians don't realize that enough. What if this was realized in Christian marriages? The divorce rate in the church wouldn't be half as high as what it is. What if this was realized at places of employment? Christians wouldn't get so angry at a supervisior or fellow employee and become critical. What if this was realized in our churches? Then Christian churches wouldn't be so divided on trivial issues, pious biases, and cultural preferences. We would choose to be joyful no matter what, at least most of the time. Bottom line, we all need to check our attitudes at the door plus look at problems and pressures from a Godly perspective.

Then we will be able to allow problems to roll off us like water on a duck's back---remaining focused for God rather than full of our feelings.

Six: On The Move

Yes, here is the dreaded ploy of exercise! During this upcoming year, many will make their New Year's resolution geared towards weight loss. You know; those pounds that were put on from the gluttony of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Now, before you all get alarmed, this blog post is not one that's necessarily about exercise or self-control with one's eating habits. It's not even one in reference to losing weight. This post specifically focuses on being "ON THE MOVE." In other words, just get off the couch and do something constructive. Better yet, get out of the car and walk sometimes. Take the bus a week out of the month. Go through the park with a brisk job, catching in the scenery. Take some dancing lessons or window shop through the outlet mall in your city. Basically, just do something that requires movement.

The health affects from these types of activities are endless. Studies have shown that people with active lifestyles (not stressed and overworked lifestyles) tend to live considerably longer and in better health than individuals who are none active. Moreover, they have less chronic pain, diseases, and health-related conditions. Not to mention, with more activity in your life you'll look better as well as feel better. But, one must get into the habit of being more active. Unfortunately, at most jobs today, people are sitting behind a desk in front of a computer. At most schools, children are sitting down for hours in classrooms with little to no activity, just book work and assignments. At most homes, even babies are being catered to too much. They may need a diaper change and we're more eager to place a bottle in their mouths. Or, they may desire to be played with and we would rather put them back into their crib, for lack of interest. Regardless, we need to find ways to become more active. Our hobbies shouldn't just be watching television, going to sleep, or reading books. We have to get on the move!

Five: Tickled Toes

Oh yes, I know some might remember those baby days when your parents or loved ones would scratch at the bottom of your feet just to see those dimples. You would grin from ear to ear. If you don't believe me, just check out those album pictures that your parents put together years ago. Laughing indeed is good medicine and many of us need to do it more often. It is one of the biggest cures for stress and tension. According to Genesis 21:5-7, a promised nation from God was born being named "laughter." Abraham and Sarah received youthful joy from having a child in their old age---Isaac (which means laughter). Isaac birthed Jacob and God changed Jacob's name to Israel. Thus, the making of the nation of Israel. All of it was born out of laughter. In addition, Psalm 2:4 states God even laughs and scoffs at the wicked. Yes, that's right, even God laughs from time to time!

Proverbs 17:22 informs us that "laughter is like GOOD MEDICINE."

Ecclesiastes 3:4 lets us know that "there is A TIME to laugh."

Nehemiah 8:10 indicates that "the JOY of the Lord is your strength."

When one laughs over 50 distinct muscles are being utilized in the body releasing joyful feeling endorphines, making you feel youthful, energetic, and strong. But, when one pouts the reverse effect happens making you feel lethargic, EASILY irritable, and weak. A laughing matter is maybe more important than you first thought. Now, I do want to add, you should have clean or wholesome laughter. Laughing at a viral joke or vulgar behavior may not be the BEST things to be gaining your humor. Moreover, when someone trips and is badly injured that's not a healthy laughing matter either. I'm not saying we should live life rigid, stiff and over-serious all the time. But, what I am saying is that our laughter should not just be a response to something funny but it should have some tactfulness with it as well. So, let's LIGHTEN UP a bit more; it'll do a whole lot more good for us than we could ever imagine!

Four: Good Eats

Many people like to eat good; I mean real good. Not only that, some people are addicted to food. They don't just eat to live, they just live to eat. Here, in America, food is almost like a past-time. When you turn on the television, usually, the first thing you see within a 30 seconds slot is a food commercial. Or, try turning on a sports game (during the weekend) and you're sure to find some scenes of individuals pigging out at a tailgating party. This list can go on and on. Bottom line, we live in a society inundated with food.

Now, there's nothing wrong with food. You NEED food to live. But, there are certain perimeters one much take in dealing with the food. It's all about what foods you choose to eat and how often you choose to eat them. Or, what foods you choose not to eat and how often you fail to eat them. I'm not a nutritionist by any means but here are a few nutritional sites that can direct you on those perimeters:

http://www.mypyramid.gov/

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/nutrition/15-ways-to-eat-healthy

http://www.amenclinics.com/blog/2577/10-steps-to-healthy-eating-for-the-poor/

One may ask, "What does any of this have to do with living for God?" Oh my, it has so much to do with living out a godly life. If you're lethargic, diseased, or bloated from unhealthy eating then your abilities to serve God will be extremely limited. Not to mention, your physical life may be in even more extremely jeopardy. I heard an individual state that, "In subsaharan Africa many people are starving to death from a lack of food, and in America many of us are eating ourselves to death from intaking too much food." When we read the Bible it is clear on its stance against gluttony and its support of FASTING. Furthermore, Jesus operated in peak health, as He ministered, utilizing the Levitical diet. So, "What am I really saying? Should we all just go COLD TURKEY on any food deemed unhealthy. Should we all never again pick up an item from the grocery store that is questionable to nutritionists. Should we all never even again order from the desert menu at a restaurant. Of course, this is not what I'm saying or even implying. But, I'm emphasizing the fact that we should all consider finding ways in where we can eat a lot healthier---as a lifestyle and not just a diet.

Three: Relational Comradery

I do realize that, "Everyone needs somebody sometimes." We're not an island to ourselves and we're actually built for each other. Lonliness is a devastating feeling. The famed, 30 million copies sold, bestselling book The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren highlights how much Jesus & the Bible emphasized relationships. He said that, "The most important thing in life are our relationships---First, our relationship with God, next our relationships with one another." Also, another fact is the scriptural focus on the concept of the "One Anothers" theme...Love one another, do good to one another, pray for one another, be devoted to one another, etc. So, according to God, we vitally need each other to function effectively on this earth. Most Christians may believe that the only one they need is God! But, God begs to differ! Well, God prefers mostly to show Himself strong through others. The Bible is adamant about God showing up a lot through touching the lives of men and women by using other men and women. Also, He uses them to help establish relationships.

Really, "Where would you be without______________________(fill in the blank with a person)?

Who helped you make it this far that you may need to thank?

How would life feel without your loving spouse, caring children, grandparents, good friends, etc.?

Belive it or not, it's so important to have good friends, Godly influences, and impactful relationships. God knows that and that's the reason why he allowed so many beautiful, wonderful people to cross your path and come into your life. We truly do need each other! The Bible says "we ought to love each other just like we love ourselves." That means that we should value relatioships the same way we value ourselves---NO LESS! Let's do that as much as possible and have such a great relational comradery where "if you hurt I hurt" and vice versa. Moreover, "when I rejoice you should rejoice" realizing that we're all in this thing together. Remember, no one is an island to themselves we still do need each other!

Two: Structured Stress

I know many people have been stressed out before, and some are even feeling intense stress now. But, what is more dishardening is the fact that many people have little to no idea how to deal with the stress. So many are stressed on their jobs, stressed at school, stressed at home, and even feeling some stress at church. I know that may surprise some of you but the church can become a stressful place.

Church volunteers and employees have to finish this deadline, attend that meeting, fulfill those roles, etc. all on a massive scale. All to elite perfection. All done in an impressive manner and on a grandiose scale. We have to impress God, impress the pastor, and impress others taking on more and more stress.

Well, truth be told, we really DON'T have to impress anyone. God already knows ALL of your abilities based on the fact that He's the one who gave them to you. Also, He's fully aware of what you can and can't do. He understands that you're not a machine but loaded with many human limitations. Therefore, ladies you can take off the wonder woman cape and gentlemen you can remove that 'S' from your chest.

Actually, Matthew 11:28-30 and 1 Peter 5:6-7 gives us good Biblical reasoning why we should not be so stressed and instead take on Jesus's stress. See, His yoke is easy and His burdens are light to carry. He gives us what I call, "structured stress." This is the type of stress that says, "I'll do what I can do and leave what I can't do to God. I'm not going to worry about the small things nor the big ones. I'm going to choose to relax knowing that God has everything in His control!" This is the type of stress that I'm talking about. Let's entirely give over to God everything that we think we have to carry and intentionally live out a life of structured stress!