The cortisol protocol

I know when I am stressed about a situation that medically, cortisol and adrenaline are released.  There are exercises in learning to control the body's natural reactions to those hormones and the most effective one for me is a type of meditation.  My wife and I had the pleasure of attending the Outcry concert over the weekend and when Jesus Culture played "I exalt thee", I was lost in the thousands of people singing.  Especially when everyone repeated "I exalt thee" over and over.  It was a meditative, serene, calming, and powerful moment.  To me, it was a glimpse of what I can imagine heaven to be like.

A kick in the pants

I have a mission to make my way to heaven and not just by the skin of my teeth.  When life is tough and I am clawing tooth and nail to make my way to my goal and the devil is breathing down my neck telling me to give up, it's at that moment when knowing that all I have to do is say the name Jesus to claw the next inch in the dirt to get closer to "home" gives me the strength to kick the devil to the curb. 

I sometimes have to be reminded that the devil has no control over me. That weasel has no future, yet mine is eternally joyful. 

An empty me

When it comes to compassion and helping others there is part of the population that does so many good things to help others in need.  From my perspective I'm one of those people.  The desire to do good for those that are down on their luck fills me with a sense of joy and purpose.  Not because it gives me any sense of doing better in life.  

What it does for me is empties the "me" mentality that can keep my focus on what I want out of the world and places me in the service of God by serving others.  Admittedly, when I'm tired and at times, frustrated with the world, I am reminded that this life is not permanent and what waits for me on the other side is my true home.

His call is gentle

When the world seems to be swirling around in my head, there always seems to be some spot in the midst of the commotion where I hear His gentle call.  It is at that time that I find my thoughts becoming quieter as my heart and soul are filled with peace.  I long to live in that harmony constantly and I am thankful that Jesus' soft voice calls me home to Him.

In the wind

We have dreams and often we lose sight of them while in the midst of living life and trying to just keep our heads above water.  I have found that my dreams have changed over time and I think for the better.  My dreams were once about fame and fortune, but I've achieved neither of those in secular terms.

What I have for dreams now is to just be helpful.  Yes, to some it may seem that dream is low level.  That's okay.  My dream is from my heart and it truly is what drives me.  I often pray that God puts people in my path that need a kind word, a prayer, maybe even a sandwich.  God never fails me in that prayer.  So my dream comes true quite often and I can keep dreaming the same dream because I know it will always come true.