8/20/2012

pics on the bike ride

I always love the views when out bike riding. Always lots of beautiful changes , random views and cool sites along the way. Thought I'd post a few.
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8/15/2012

Expectation Realization

     Lately in my job Ive been talking with many people about expectations. Why we have them, what they are for, realistic ones and unrealistic ones, etc. In many of the conversations it comes to expecations they have of others or for themselves and how they struggle with that daily. Its interesting at the same time in my personal life how Ive found actually that many good expectations Ive had people I know including close friends, and Christians evidently have been set too high. Ive found that what Ive expected of them or thought should be expected of them was not the case..
      Dont get me wrong Im not saying Ive perfectly met peoples expectations of me. I can say that there are several times when I didnt meet others expectations for me or Ive even had for myself.  I however know our ultimate goal as Christians is to be more like Christ. In that light we all should have high expectations to reach that goals and expect that of others. Rudness, disrespect, selfish gain, falsely accusing , critical remarks, negativity, pride and ignorance  are not good characteristics  you would expect from others. Especially Christians. Neither is the unwillingness to reach out even in awkward situations and take the time to talk to someone you might not want to for the sake of reaching out, prayer or gaining a new perspective of their personal story. Im sad to say I may have been there too but know others who are in that place now.
 
I am thankful for those people in my life who meet expectations and go above and beyon daily. For those people in my life I thank you. You are a blessing.

I love this verse in Matthew 5 from the Beatitudes in the sermon on the mount...

"You are blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. Thats when you discover who you really are and your place in Gods family."

That says it all. We are expected by God in all circumstances to always look for the most Godly way to handle things and be peacemakers. That is pretty simple. We are also asked to love those who continually look for ways to harm us. That part is not so easy but that is something Im doing and have set as an expectation of myself.

Expect something new in your life, try setting some higher expectations of yourself.

8/06/2012

Anxiety= faithless

I heard a speaker recently say that anxiety is the abscence of faith.

Thats a pretty big statement to swallow.

I have always been a person of faith. It has grown deeply over the years and more each day. However I have also had some major anxiety as I often worry through some days not knowing how Ill make it through. Especially when this world continues every day to get me down with its negative attacks. (yes,that includes people too).

Gods in control tho.  Keep it in mind and hold on to it tight.

That statement above is a deep one but honestly I am beginning to really believe its completely true.

So here are my thoughts from my own experience. Were not always full of faith and as strong as we think we are and anxiety can be pretty overpowering.

However faith itself, even if hard to hold on to, is definitely better than freaking out and going crazy.

Dont let anxiety get the best of you..... have a littlfe faith. Learn how to let it grow and dont stop.

8/05/2012

Stay Near The Water


   There's a really unique view along 169 in Arizona where I travel often that I love to see each time I drive through. This road is about 17 miles long and goes through a very barren "middle of nowhere" part of the mountains which is hilly but nothing more than a lot of dirt, rocks and some small trees for miles and miles. In the middle of this vast amount of open land is a small string of trees coming down from the hill towards the road in a zig zag line with the brightest glowing green leaves you've ever seen. In the picture above you can see part of the landscape. They stand out in the background of dirt brown and rocks surrounding this area.  Its obvious why they are there and why they flourish in that location. They are following a stream of water that is flowing down the mountains.

     There are many places in the state like that where you can see where the trees are green and flourishing as they grow along the water flow from the highest places of Arizona down into the deserts. Camp Verde is based along a river like this and has an amazing view of green and beautiful tree lines that you can see anywhere from the mountains in that area.

      As we know water is the lifeline not only nature but humans as well. We cant live without it. It keeps us alive. We are composed of it. Try not replenishing your body with water and see how that works out for you. Water even makes up a mass majority of our bodies themselves.

I was reminded of this verse by seeing these trees out in the middle of this barren openness.... It says...

Blessed are those who do not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
but who delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on his law day and night.
They are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither whatever they do prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3

If we want to grow, thrive and prosper in all we do we need to stay connected to the living water given to us through the Holy Spirit. Pray, read, meditate, connect, plug in, reach out, plant some roots in a relationship with Jesus. Thats where true life is found. Don't ever try steering away from that lifeline. No matter where you are or what part of life you're in.
If you want to continue to grow and be blessed and never run dry..... stay near the water....

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