The Brain: What an Incredible Creation!

Yesterday we had a workshop at the Legacy Equipping Center using a DVD series offered through James Robison's ministry, Life Today! The series is called Your Body, God's Temple. We watched the first 4 sessions by Caroline Leaf, PhD, author of Who Switched Off My Brain? I highly recommend this series and her book. I've linked the title of this post to the order form for this series.

Did you know that there is a place in your brain where scientists actually believe our free will is housed? When a thought comes into your mind, you have a choice. Will you reject it or accept it? Thoughts don't become a stronghold (good or bad) until you decide to accept it, meditate on it and act on it. I also learned that 87% of illness is attributed to our thought life and 13% is attributed to genetics and environment. Wow! That certainly motivates me to have a positive attitude and watch what I let my mind dwell upon.

Once a negative memory is implanted in the brain, it stays. However, God can heal us by giving us His transforming truth to cover that negative memory. Before the healing takes place, one can think about a memory and experience a great deal of pain. After God heals the individual, he can think about the memory but will experience peace and joy instead of pain.

I learned a great deal about stress from these DVDs. When we are stressed, the chemicals released in our brain that are needed in small amounts begin to be released in greater unhealthy quantities. That is why when you are stressed, you are more susceptible to colds, headaches, digestive problems, etc. Continued stress causes attacks on the heart and arteries, followed by the immune system and finally the brain. Stress in children has an even more negative affect than on adults. Dr. Leaf said that allowing your child to continue to be in stress for an extended period of time is a form of abuse. Think about our community and how much is expected out of our children. The homework level I've seen put on my daughters is at times extremely overwhelming, with levels of learning that I don't remember ever even learning when I was their age. Besides that, children have so many extra-curricular activities that are pulling them in so many different directions. And with half the marriages ending in divorce and the stress of parents in financial strains because of the economy, you know that has to add to the stress level in our children.

I am thankful that God's Word lets us know that we can have peace that passes understanding and joy unspeakable and full of glory! We need to heed to that and teach our children to trust in the Prince of Peace. The answer to stress is allowing our thoughts to stay on God. We have to model for our children times when we pull away from the business of life and get alone with Him.

Isaiah 26:3 NKJ
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Are You Sure You're Willing?

I had the privilege of attending 3 of the 4 nights of Bruce Wilkinson's conference on his new book, You Were Born For This! this past week at Operation Mobilization in Tyrone, GA. He will be back Monday through Thursday night this week, too. I highly recommend attending to those of you who are anywhere close to Tyrone! It is 6:15-9:00!

One of the things he pointed out was that God is not looking for willingness and availability; He's looking for action! His message was that you can be willing to your grave and still not do much for God. When Isaiah saw the Lord (Isaiah 6) he was changed. When God said, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?", Isaiah responded, "Here am I! Send me!" Notice he did not say, "I'm willing." He said, "Send me!" When you do that, expect God appointments!

I challenge you to pray each morning this week for God to send you. Keep a tally. See how many people God sends your way to show His love, peace, joy and freedom. When you do, your awe of God will be multiplied! You may just become addicted and ask God every morning! Come back and leave a comment. I'd love to know!

Willing Heart

"Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the Lord's offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments. They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart,..." Exodus 35:21-22

This is another verse that seemed to jump out of the page to me on my journey through the Bible. What would happen if all Christians would pray for a willing heart? No longer would it be 20% of the people doing 80% of the work in churches. A slow economy would not affect the ministries when people willingly give time, money and prayers. There would be a revival of lost souls coming to know the Lord!

A willing heart leads to deep inner healing in one who trades a hard heart for a soft heart. Not only that, but others will also be drawn to God as they witness the difference God is allowed to make in the person's life. I long for a willing heart to hear God's voice and do what He calls me to do. Lord, please soften our hearts!

Anointed Workmanship

I have decided that this is the year I will not only start reading the Bible straight through, but this time I will actually complete it! Even though I am behind in my schedule, I'm not giving up! This morning I read something that goes along with the desire God has given me to encourage Christians that they are in ministry whether they are officially in the "clergy" or not.

"And Moses said to the children of Israel,

'See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship,to design artistic works, to work in gold and silver and bronze,in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of artistic workmanship. And He has put in his heart the ability to teach, in him and Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen, and of the weaver--those who do every work and those who design artistic works.' " Exodus 35:30-35

See how God gave special grace and anointing for Bezalel to be an artist? Imagine that...an anointing on designing, engraving, tapestry making and even an anointint on teaching all that! What is an anointing? It is when you do what God has gifted you to do at the time He calls you to do it. Remember that whatever you are called to do, God can give special blessing for you to get it done with joy, without frustration, and yet all for His special purposes! Then you can step back and say, "Lord, only You could have helped me accomplish that for Your glory. Thank you for the gift!"

Snow in Georgia!

A little break from the "serious" blogging...

Can you believe it? It snowed about 4 inches or more at our house today! It's already melted, but the kids had a blast! They made a "gorilla" snowman and sledded down the hill in our yard. They're even more excited now, because since it's going to get in the 20's and refreeze all the slush, school is closed tomorrow! I'm so glad...more for Bill, my teacher husband. He needs a break!

It's nice to have one afternoon of a winter wonderland post-card view in our own yard! All this happened on March 1, no less! It's supposed to be in the 70's in a few days. Go figure!