What would Jesus do???

“WWJD” or “What would Jesus do?”  This simple phrase has become a common question to guide most Christians in making “right” decisions in today’s world of  secular, worldly living. Although I have heard this phrase and seen it engraved on bracelets, bookmarks, and other items at Christian book stores, I always responded to this popular phrase as the result of Christian pop culture to promote and sell religious “trinkets” promoting the slogan and  to be used as a tool to encourage spiritual growth. I really never gave it too much credence for serving as a moral compass. Instead, I try to live a life that is reflective of my Christian faith and love for God.

It wasn’t until a recent conversation with a Christian friend that I realized that  considering “what would Jesus do” could be a valuable tool in living a victorious Christian life, especially during those moments of indecision regarding one of the many moral issues that face us on a daily basis.  If we take this phrase literally and decide to frame the choices and decisions we make based on it, we can actually experience a more victorious Christian life. I believe the key point is not to just wonder what Jesus would do, but to also take the time to study Christ’s teachings and directions so that we “know” what Jesus would do.

What would Jesus do? In the most basic sense, He would do what is right (true, correct, authentic, perfect, exact). This begs the question, what is right according to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For years I have focused on what the writers of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, James, Peter and Paul) had to say regarding doing what is right in my Christian walk.  Their writing and direction has certainly framed my thinking, attitude, and actions, therefore impacting the choices and Christian lifestyle I live. However, as my friend and I began to think about this concept, we both agreed that there are times when we seek direction from the Bible only to come to a point where we are more confused than enlightened about what to do. As we talked about this, we began to think about the idea of using the “What would Jesus do” concept when mulling over a confusing issue. It was during this conversation, that this tool began to make a lot of sense. It also helped us both  realize that we need to study God’s word and Jesus’ teachings in particular to gain a better understanding of what our Savior would do in those difficult circumstances of life.

I asked Christ to come into my life and save me from my sins over forty years ago, yet, over all these years of my Christian walk, I had never really focused completely on what Jesus “said” and “taught” during his ministry. Yes, I have read the Bible and certainly have read the words of Christ, but I never really focused all of my mind and attention completely on His words, instruction and teachings. I also realized that although there are many books on various faith-based issues, the bible, and Christian growth, I had never come across a book that is written based entirely on what Jesus said while he was here. That realization motivated me to make a commitment to study the four gospels focusing on the words of Christ, His teachings and His references to the Torah and Old Testament scriptures.

As I begin to study Christ’s words, I plan to write down every word He spoke, compiling the “words of Christ,” in their entirety while focusing my mind and attention on our Saviors instruction to his followers and disciples. I hope to then organize his teaching into specific topics relating to specific issues and concerns. Finally, I hope to glean from His words, important and valuable lessons that can be applied to my Christian life.  I also believe that many of those unanswered questions I have had, may finally be answered.  I am confident that as I begin to study what our Savior instructed his early followers, I will begin to experience a new sense of direction, wisdom, and meaning regarding my own spiritual journey.

I will be using my blog, Haudcerto – Never Settle, to keep a journal of this journey and hope it will not only prove to be a very beneficial experience for myself, but also for those of you who faithfully read my blog.

Until next time…Haud Certo

Health care bill, micro-chips and the Beast

For the past month, I have seen a post via Banoosh News Source frequently showing up on Facebook declaring that Health Care Bills H.R. 2590 and H.R. 4872 is leading to the mark of the Beast (antichrist) being forced on American Citizens  (
http://banoosh.com/2013/02/07/micro-chip-implant-c
oming-march-23-2013/), via a micro-chip inserted on the top of their hand on March 23, 2013. There’s a lot of information as well as misinformation on the issue and I have been doing my own due diligence and research on this issue. I believe it is nothing more than a hoax. If you take the time to read  all of H.R. 3590 or the 2,310 pages of H.R. 4872, (both can be read online) which address health care, you will see that there is no mandate or law requiring American citizens to get a micro-chip implanted under their skin. The story has been deemed a hoax from reputable sites such as Snopes.Com, Factcheck. Org. Yahoo Answers, and Metabunk.Org who have all said it is. In addition, according to the Bible,  those who choose to wear the mark of the beast (according to Rev. 13) will make a conscious rejection of Jesus Christ and make a commitment to worship the Antichrist as God. At this time, the Antichrist has not been made known to the world. If I or my fellow Christians are here on earth when the Antichrist is revealed, we will have the right and power to refuse to submit to such a “chip” or mark of the beast – and to choose to profess Christ as our Lord and Savior. Although, I believe we will be raptured before this ever happens.

I realize that it is wise to consider the views of those on the opposite side of the aisle and would encourage those concerned about this info to read the following article by Republican Mary Ready, who substantiates my research. As with much we find on the internet, what we read isn’t always necessarily so. In the case of the Antichrist using the health care bill as a way to put microchips in us, I believe this story to be false and nothing more than a scare tactic and effort to create divisiveness, fear and confusion. I just thought it was worth sharing!!

MARY READY: On taking the microchip of the beast: 
http://www.thedestinlog.com/news/mary-ready-on-taking-the-microchip-of-the-beast-1.54221

13 Steps to detoxing your mind

Like most of you, I started my new year with several personal goals I hope to achieve. The first is to lose an additional 85 pounds in the next year, which will bring me closer to my goal weight of what I weighed on my wedding day almost 35 years ago. I also have decided to make a conscious effort to live a more healthy life, by detoxing my brain from negative thoughts  and becoming even more positive and wiser in how I live and think. I have just finished taking a four-day workshop with Dr. Caroline Leaf, PhD.

Dr. Caroline Leaf is an author and lecturer on the human brain. She received her training in Communication Pathology (BSC Logopaedics) at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Dr Leaf also holds a Master’s degree and PhD in Communication Pathology from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Since 1981, Dr. Caroline Leaf has researched the human brain with particular emphasis on unlocking its vast, untapped potential. She as specifically focused on the cognitive neuroscientific aspects of TBI/CHI (Traumatic brain injury/Closed head Injury) and the science of thought as it relates to thinking, learning and renewing the mind, gifting and potential. She has been received all over the world by a variety of audiences, due to her unique ability to link the scientific principles of the brain to intellectual and emotional issues in simple and practical ways.  Through years of research, she developed the Geodesic Learning™ theory (brain-compatible learning), which is a scientifically and statistically proven approach to thinking, teaching, and learning.  She is the author of the book, God’s Plan for Achieving Emotional Wholeness.

I found her teaching to be absolutely empowering and very informative. By understanding how our brain works and how toxic negative and healthy positive thoughts affect us physically, mentally and spiritually, I feel I have been given some extremely valuable tools in which I can apply in my personal life.

For now, I would like to share what Dr. Leaf has to say about Detoxing your mind.

13 Steps to Detoxing your Mind

1. Control your thought life. Thoughts create your moods and your attitude. I choose to be a faith-based thinker – not a fear based thinker.
2. Frame your world with your words. It’s not what you think that holds you back, it’s what you think you are not.” Live a life of “POSTIVE” self-talk!
3. Express those repressed emotions. Acknowledge your feelings, face them, deal with them in a positive way, and then move on.
4. Take responsibility and take control
5. Dream On: Physiologically, your dream state allows the psychosomatic network to retune itself and get ready for your waking life. Write down your dreams this will help you detox. Catching your dreams can enlighten you.
6. Think Forgiveness: Forgiveness is a choice, an act of your free will. It releases those toxic thoughts of anger, resentment, bitterness, shame, grief, regret, guilt, hate, etc. Research has proven that forgiveness makes you healthy.
7. Love – Tune into your heart: Studies show clear changes in the patterns of activity of the autonomic nervous system, immune system, hormonal system, brain and heart when you experience emotions such as love, caring, and compassion.
8. Monkey Hug Therapy: Touch releases the endorphins and enhephalines to break toxic strongholds. Love, hugging, touching and caring heals. Hug those you love every day!
9. Play and laugh A LOT! Play reduces aggression, fear and grief; improves thinking skills and flexibility of thought and connects us to others, turning our focus outward, away from ourselves.
10. Exercise: You need to get your heart pumping in order to increase the blood flow to nourish and cleanse your brain and all your organs!!
11. Diet: What you feed your brain – you feed your body. Your brain’s primary need is for oxygen – the secondary is for protein.  Eat correctly (healthy) 80 percent of the time.
12. Grow Spiritually: We are God’s children and spiritual beings. Any healing of the body or mind will not happen unless our spirituality is addressed!
13. RELAX: Relaxing is necessary to keep the autonomic nervous system healthy. Make a conscious decision to balance your work and rest before it is too late! Learn how to “chill out.”

“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”  Proverbs 23:7

“…out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 23:7

To learn more about Dr. Leaf you can check out her website at
http://www.switchonyourbrain.com
.

2012 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 2,700 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 5 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.

Do you have a personal Mission Statement?

Several years ago, I participated in Leadership Greater Galesburg. This organization brings together emerging, highly motivated leaders who represent the diversity of the Knox County area. The program structures a system for participants to learn from and communicate with current leaders from all sectors of the community. The result? Participants acquire a broad understanding of the complex issues and tasks facing them as leaders, sharpen their leadership skills, and build the relationships necessary to resolve the challenges ahead. Leadership Greater Galesburg produces colleagues who can and will help each other get things done. It was in this class that I met my dear friend Diane Bruening. She and many others in this group of leadership trainees, became close friends and we still remain in contact with each other. This program also helped me to learn about the various styles of leadership individuals possess. I was most impressed by and drawn to the servant leadership style of Gandhi, Mother Theresa and Jesus.

One of the biggest highlights for me was to study the philosophy of the late Dr. Steven Covey, author of the book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. This book is a life changer – at least it was for me. It is written in a way that it ignores trends and pop psychology for proven principles of fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity. One of Dr. Covey’s chapters discusses the importance of developing your own personal mission statement. What a challenging, yet amazing assignment. This exercise truly helped me to focus on what was most important in my life, and how I wanted to live my life. I was able to create a mission statement that focused on my faith, family, friends, career goals, and finances. I also created my personal vision and values. I keep my personal mission statement in a frame above my desk and it reminds me to stay focused and on the path I have committed to follow. Having a personal mission statement is something I would encourage all my friends to write and follow. It really helps keep you focused and grounded. Here is my mission statement:

My Personal Mission Statement

I will live a life that reflects my faith in God and will strive to emulate a life that is spirit filled and Christlike.

I will seek to balance career and family as best I can.

My home will be a place where my family, friends, and guests will find joy, comfort, peace and happiness.

I will love, honor, and respect my husband and partner for life.

I will teach my children to love, to learn, and to laugh – and to work to develop their unique talents and abilities.

I will demonstrate ambition, initiative, and drive in accomplishing my life goals. I will keep myself free from addictive and destructive habits.

My money will be my servant, not my master. I will seek financial independence over time. My wants will be subject to my needs and my means. Except for long-term home and car loans, I will seek to keep myself free from consumer debt. I will spend less than I earn and regularly save or invest part of my income. I will commit to tithe ten-percent of my income to my church to help promote and establish the Kingdom of Heaven.

I will use what God-given talents I possess to make life more enjoyable for others through service and charitable giving.

My Personal Vision: To be a loving and caring  wife and mother and achieve success in my career and personal goals.

My Personal Values: I value faith in God, the institution of marriage, my children and family, financial security and career success.

Whenever I am sitting at my desk, I reflect on my personal mission statement and feel as it serves as a sort of compass to direct my life. I encourage you to read the book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and to consider writing your own personal mission statement. It is a great way to create a sense of purpose and direction in your life.

Until next time,

Haud Certo

Thirty-four weeks and still going strong! Cumulative weight loss – 110 pounds!

My husband Bill and I have now lost a cumulative total of 110 pounds since we started our commitment to weight loss and healthy living thirty-four weeks ago. Bill has lost thirty-five pounds and I have now lost seventy-five. We both are very excited to see the results of our efforts. We feel much better, have so much more energy, and have discovered that our eating habits have dramatically changed compared to our “old” diets. We used to eat out all of the time and our menu choices left a lot to be considered. Now we eat out less often and when we do, we choose delicious, yet healthier choices. For example if we go to a “burger” restaurant, we will pick a sandwich but pass on french fries and ask for fruit or a tossed salad instead. Fortunately, we are finding that more and more restaurants are offering lower calorie selections and healthier menu items. We continue to choose a low carb, high protein diet and since adding raspberry ketones to my diet, the fat seems to be melting off much faster.

The most exciting and rewarding thing for me has been to see my body start to finally begin shrinking. When I started this commitment to lose weight on January 1, I weighed a staggering 405 pounds and wore a size 36 pants and 5X top. I am finally down to a size 28 pants and wear a 3X top. This is the first time in many years I can actually pick out a pair of pants from Wal-Mart and not have to purchase my clothing from a Plus Size fashion store.

My next goal is to have 40 pounds off by Christmas. That will mean I will have lost a total of 115 pounds in one year. Hopefully, I will also drop another pant and top size as well. As I start the new year, I will need to lose another 166 pounds to reach my goal weight of 165 pounds (which is what I weighed the day I married Bill).

My faith in God and desire to please him has been the motivation behind my desire to achieve results and I continue to keep the scripture from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 in my heart and mind: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” This journey is far from over, but I am confident that I will finally reach my goal.

Until next time,

Haud Certo

Welcome to Heaven, the Angels did Sing…

Tomorrow my husband and I will be traveling to Illinois to spend the next few days in our hometown, Galesburg. We aren’t going for a vacation or pleasure trip, we are going to say goodbye to someone who means the world to us. Our dearest friend Diane, is resting in a health care facility, on comfort care only, slowly passing on from this life to a spiritual life in heaven. This shocking turn of events has been very difficult and sad for everyone who knows Diane. Her two courageous sons, their families, and the rest of Diane’s family and friends are all grieving as they deal with the realization that God has decided to soon bring her home.

I had last spoken to Diane on the Fourth of July. She had been visiting friends and family in Galesburg for the past five weeks. Her main reason for returning home for a visit was to bond with her newest Grandchild, Owen Walter Bruening. She was fortunate to see his birth and watch the joy his arrival brought to his Mom and Dad. On this particular day she was extremely enthusiastic and I could picture the smile on her face as she chuckled while she shared a humorous story with me. She planned to spend some time with her son, daughter-in-law and baby Owen later in the day. She shared that earlier in the week she had been thrilled to be able to babysit her new bundle of joy and hold him as he slept in her arms.We visited for at least a half an hour and I was so happy to sense the joy she was feeling from this latest trip. I never dreamed that this would be my last conversation with her and I am so thankful that we have always ended our conversations saying, “I love you.” It would be the last time I would hear her tell me that and that I would get a chance to tell her how much I loved her.

The following day Diane suffered from a massive stroke affecting her speech and ability to swallow. Within days, her situation grew worse to the point where she had suffered paralysis on her right side and severe damage to her brain. Her prognosis was grim and eventually, after much prayer and thought, her family decided to proceed with comfort care only. We now are waiting for her body to release her spirit, so she can be reunited with her husband Walt in heaven. Death is difficult for those of us who remain behind as we deal with great loss in our life. Diane was more than a friend, she was like a big sister to me. My mind accepts the fact that she must go, but my heart wants to hold on.

Diane and I became friends eight years ago while participating in Leadership Greater Galesburg. This one-year program provided many opportunities for us to experience one-on-one time  to  together and we soon discovered that we shared many similar life experiences. There were those unusual coincidences, like we both share the same middle name and our first names are spelled differently on our birth certificates from how we actually spell our names. Then there are those life experiences that  contain strange similarities with each other. She and I  are both mothers of two children and they are all about the same age. Even our careers have similarities – Diane was the Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau and I was  the Marketing and Communications Director for the economic development organization in Galesburg.  We both have very strong faith in God and our religion has played a major role in our lives. It is that faith that has helped us both endure many adversities and disappointments in life.

I love that I can always make Diane laugh. Anytime we get together we end up laughing and giggling like little girls. We  do all the “girlfriend” stuff together: pedicures and manicures; shopping; and day-trips to area attractions. Eventually my husband came to know Diane and soon we became the three amigos, always planning a fun get-away, dinner out, or other event.

When Diane moved to Alabama about three years ago, we realized we weren’t just missing our friend, we were missing our sister. Bill had wanted to eventually retire in the south, and now with Diane living in the South, we had a great excuse to check out the Huntsville area. Six months later, we were moving to Huntsville as well. Our home is just six doors down from Diane’s and we have enjoyed being able to continue doing things together. One of the benefits of living down here with Diane has been being able to get to know her son Jason, his wife Nikki and their two adorable daughters. We have been thrilled to spend the holidays with the Bruening clan and be included in many of their family events. Last August, after the three of us had spent the entire summer visiting several area churches, we finally discovered our Church family. The next three weeks, were spent attending Whitesburg Baptist Church orientation together and then finally walking together to the front of the sanctuary to officially join our new church.  Whitesburg provided the opportunity for all three of us to get into shape at the Recreation Center, make new friends, and attend numerous inspiring programs and events. Alabama has provided us opportunities to experience great food, diverse cultures, and fantastic events. I think we have enjoyed meals at practically every unique restaurant in the Huntsville area, taken numerous road trips to neighboring states and even one crazy twelve-hour round trip to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The three of us just click with each other and we have spent many fun and memorable moments together.

Diane had recently purchased the book, “Unlocking the Heavens,” by Ruth Shinness for me. “I thought you might like this book,” she said to me the day she handed it to me. “You are always so positive and this book is filled with verses to bring you God’s blessings.” I remember the day she gave me the book and thinking to myself, “God is already blessing my life, I am not sure I’ll really need this book.”  Yet, over the past few days, I have found myself drawn to this book, yearning for God to give me wisdom, comfort and peace during this most difficult and sad time. I have read and reread verses on death, loss, struggles and sadness. I think that right now my prayer to God is to please take the pain and sadness that not only I am feeling, but Diane’s family and  friends as we must now accept the fact that we are losing a dear relative and friend. Only God can give us the comfort and peace we desire right now.

I had been praying this evening and this verse caught my attention: “For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are — high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean — nothing will ever separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us. (Romans 8:38-39).  For my dear friend Diane, nothing will separate her from the love of God – not even death. And for me and those who remain behind, God’s love will give us the strength to endure this great loss.

Over the years, Diane, Bill and I took many road trips together and one of our favorite things to do was sing to Christian songs as we traveled along. Diane’s son Jason had prepared a CD of songs about heaven which quickly became our listening favorite. One of the songs that Diane and I loved to sing along with was a song by Christian music artist Kirk Talley called Serenaded By Angels. Diane loved it because it brought her comfort when she was thinking about Walt, and I loved it because it reminded me of my heavenly home. That song has gone through my mind these past few days and I can’t help but think of Diane as she prepares to make her journey home.

Serenaded By Angels by Kirk Talley

She went to sleep one night
Never to awake again
But everything was all right
Between her and Him
She awoke in Heaven’s courtyard
Free from pain within
The angels gathered around her
And took her by the hand

Serenaded by angels, up to the throne
Serenaded by angels, finally at home
Surrounded by praises, to the King
Welcome to Heaven, the angels did sing

Now I close my eyes at night
And try to imagine
That city of brilliant light
Waiting for me
But my mind cannot conceive
So I’ll continue to dream
Till I’m transported there
Then I will be

Serenaded by angels, up to the throne
Serenaded by angels, finally at home
Surrounded by praises, to the King
Welcome to Heaven, the angels did sing