A recent study done by Science magazine revealed some interesting facts about Americans (though, its implications are worldwide), one of which is that we crave stimulation. The subjects in this study were given two choices. One, they could sit quietly with their thoughts for six to 15 minutes; or two, if not, they could give themselves a small electrical shock. Guess what option the majority chose? Door number two.
In this day and age of computers, smart phones, multiple channeled TVs and notepads, people have become addicted to external stimulation. We stare at our smart phones looking for more buttons to push or apps to open even after we’ve accomplished what we pick it up for in the first place.
This fact has damaging results for believers. We crave more stimuli without giving ourselves the time to process that stimulus through our biblical filters. This can lead to bad decisions as we tend to react to rather than reason through life’s situations. We’re not taking the time to weigh the consequences, good or bad, of each choice.
Our brain stores all the data it receives. If not processed out that data leads to behavioral choices. What goes in does come out. Are you taking the time to filter out the bad data or simply taking in more and more? This takes slowing down the flow of electronic stimuli into your life: shutting the radio off for a few minutes while driving, turning off the phone for certain periods of the day when you’re at home, getting on Facebook once (okay twice) per day, leaving off your background TV noise, etc. Use this “extra time” to ponder what you’ve already received, to filter out and shut down all data and voices that are contrary to Scripture (read yesterday’s blog on the need for memorization and meditation), and then to choose to listen to and follow Jesus with the data He leaves in your head. This is how good choices are made. This is where the lasting feel good comes from.
Science has indeed caught up with Scripture again. Psalm 46:10 states, “Be still and know that I am God” Kind of gives new meaning to this verse, doesn’t it?
Se“T” Free Nowww

I once read, “We know more about the ways of the world than a man who dreams about the will of God. The call of the world is much easier to hear.” This had a huge ring of truth as I read it.
We daily receive information emanating from a system dictated and controlled by one person – our adversary. This only makes it harder to hear and follow the One voice we need to hear, Jesus’.
This fact necessitates that we pick up two very important biblical tools – the tools of memorization and meditation – to keep focused on the will of God. As we listen to Jesus in His Word, He’ll give us truth(s) to ponder throughout our day. James 1:23 reveals that we can quickly forget these truths the moment we close the book, if we don’t memorize and meditate on them.
Memorizing sticks that truth solidly into our brain. Meditation means to, forgive the analogy, to continually burp those truths to counteract the lies we’re hearing from the world and then to think about how to live them out during our day. This allows us to be near Jesus, the source of lasting living.
Yes, it is much easier to focus on what we see and hear rather than Jesus. An anti-God voice is shouting all day long at us. Filter out that screaming by putting the truths the Spirit gives you into your memory system. Then you’ll have the ability to have some healthy burps, which allow you to draw nearer to the only Voice that you really need to hear.
S“E”t Free Nowww

My family and I had a great time on vacation to the Mammoth Lakes area of California. This year, though, we saw a tremendous amount of signs around town – bumper stickers, road signs, store windows, etc. – “Don’t Feed Our Bears!”
We learned the reason why at a Visitor Center in Yosemite National Park. Bears need to gain enough weight to survive their winter hibernation. They do this by finding food, some of which can move away from them! Gaining weight takes both time and effort for bears. It’s simply hard work. (Why does gaining weight come so easily for me? That’s food for another day.)
Then you get the Yogi the Bear cartoon where all Yogi can think about is getting picnic baskets. It’s funny in a cartoon, but not in real life. Picnic baskets are easy food, which a bear might think is a blessing. But in fact, picnic baskets are not always plentiful or healthy enough to prepare a bear for winter. Once a bear tastes human food, they don’t want to keep searching for bear food. This makes them more aggressive, which means the Park Rangers end up having to hunt and eliminate the bear. Easy food is not a blessing to the bear.
An easy life is not always a blessing to humans either. We often equate the blessings of God with an easy life. This simply is a lie! The Bible repeatedly states that those who walk with Jesus will not have it easy. We live in enemy territory. What makes us think our enemy wants us to have it easy, unless that easy life is a distraction from walking with Jesus? Surrender is difficult. Walking takes effort. Getting to know someone takes time. Following takes trust. Exercising the truth adds up to less than an easy life.
The “good life” is not always easy, but there is tremendous blessing in getting to know and love Jesus more and more throughout our lives. Don’t confuse the two.
Set Fre“E” Nowww

The web definition of “majestic” is “majestic in manner or bearing, superior to mundane matters, having or displaying great dignity or nobility, or imperial: belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler.”
Right now, I simply want you to stop what you’re doing, take a deep breath, and think about something other than your current circumstances and Someone other than yourself. At times we get so entangled in daily life that we lose site of the bigger picture. And in doing so, our stress levels dramatically go up because all we can see is what we see.
The Psalmist tells us to stop and praise the LORD. He is great. He is majestic. He is superior to life’s daily grind. He is the supreme ruler who can help us do life’s mundane tasks. Jesus is a perfect picture of rising above any situation. Re-read the story of His last days – His trial, His conviction and His hanging on the stake. How did He handle it? He was calm, dignified and noble in His bearing and attitude to the point of forgiving those who put Him there. The task at hand didn’t dictate His attitude. He dictated the tasks, right down to the spear in His side.
So take a second right now and thank Him. He is above; and yet, is deeply involved with your life. The Supreme Ruler of the Universe, the Lion of Judah, is with you. Will you recognize and then praise Him in the midst of your daily life? Your attitude will improve tremendously when you do.
S“E”t Free Nowww

My family likes to hike together, especially when we’re in the Eastern Sierras. There are so many hikes to choose from each year. This year we decided to take an oldie but goodie – the Sherwin Lake trail, which ends up at Sherwin Lake (go figure, right?). It’s about six miles round trip.
On this particular hike, we decided to simply enjoy the hike, not conquer it. This meant allowing someone other than myself to set the pace at which we’d ascend the hill. This strategy allowed us all to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way up, when we got there and on the way down. What a wonderfully relaxing day it was too!
Life is not about conquering, but about being and becoming. It’s not a race to see who can get to the top, but about enjoying it with those we love. We can get so caught up in conquering our days that we forget who we’re walking with, Jesus. We can get so focused on getting to the top of the heap that we don’t enjoy the one we love, Jesus.
You can conquer life without becoming like Jesus. But as you become like Jesus, you will conquer life. Let Him, not you or others, set the pace for the day. As you do, each day can be very enjoyable and fulfilling.
Se“T” Free Nowww