Christian

Take Your Life Back

/ Robert Bruton / Leave a comment

How can life continually kick you in the gut, yet you still get up and fight?

How can life jerk the rug right out from under you, and yet you still get up and fight?

How can nothing seem to go right most of the time, and you still get up and fight?

How can you feel abandoned by God and still get up and fight?

Are you the person that fights?

People quit because they do not have a fight left in them, so THEY think! Emotionally we are all stronger than we give ourselves credit for.

“Self-acknowledgment boosts your emotional and spiritual immunity, giving you the strength, you need to release the past and rise above fear, doubt, or resignation.”—Debbie Ford

Two years ago, I took life head-on. With no emotional place to go but up, it was time to take the hits, take the pain, take the sorrow, and say NO more.

When you want to change your life, achieve more than you ever have. You need to be ready to take whatever life can throw at you, breakthrough prepared for more. When I speak of achievement, this is not about work success, this is YOU success.

Nothing in this life will come to you if you are not prepared. Emotionally prepared to never allow life to overtake your self-worth.

No more pity parties, “I can’t take it, it is too hard!” Horsefeathers!

Let me give you a little secret I have learned along the way. When you begin to awaken the you that you want to be. The person that makes all your dreams come true. You also awaken the enemy who says, “Oh NO, you don’t, I had you in the pits of hell on earth and that is where you stay.” So, the battle begins!

Life, hope, happy

You will be tested; the enemy will fill your head with garbage. Keep you busy chasing your own tale. Kicking your own ass. This is when YOU SAY, “Oh Hell. No, this is my time.”

This will help you strengthen yourself:

  1. Pray. Find times every day to share your innermost thoughts with God. The good, the bad and the ugly. Get it out. All we ask for is wisdom to resolve!
  2. Meditation. Daily get yourself in a routine of reflection. This is where we go to see ourselves in that place of joy, happiness, and peace.
  3. Journal your day. Learn the difference between activity and productivity. Success comes about when productivity dominates our days. Set specific times to achieve tasks every day that lead to a tangible result. Set up your day hour-to-hour. At first, this will be a pain in the butt. Over time it becomes second nature.
  4. Breathe. As much as needed, take a moment to breathe. Slow yourself down when your head begins to muddle up with garbage. Box breathing is a beautiful way to calm down. Easy to do: Take a couple cleansing breaths in through the nose out through the mouth. Then on a slow 4 count breath in and hold 4, breathe out on a 4 count, begin the same rhythm again. Do this a couple of times; if relaxed your good. If not a couple more times.
  5. Remember a calm mind, is productive, creative, and happy. This is where you will draw your greatest strength.

Do not give up when things get tough. Misery loves company. Do not let the enemy put in your head you can not change, YES you can!

The reason I know change is possible:

  • Great athletes train, train, and train more. You do not pick up a golf club walk onto a tee box with Tiger Woods and expect to win a game. You do not get on a pair of skis and stand in a start house with Lindsey Vaughn and expect to win a gold medal.

Why you say, why can you not beat them? Simple! Practice they have trained themselves for years to compete at the level of achievement each has attained. You must train, train and train more to win—the same thing with your mind that has decades of garbage stuffed in your mind.

People can change because you do get better when you practice. When you get off your ass and try. Try until you think one more step is impossible and take action.

Nay Sayers can kiss my ass. Let this become your mantra!

Just because lazy asses tell you something is impossible. You do not have the right stuff. Remind them to sit on their ass and hold your beer. Get it done!

I wish I had a shortcut to share. Other than your resolve must be steadfast. When enough-is-enough, you will change. I am!

Finding God & Church choose Wisely

/ Robert Bruton / Leave a comment

Living in the Lord’s favor is NOT a direct result of the investment you make financially into these so-called prosperity preachers.

God will not say, “Wow, family, you were just $20 short in giving to receive a blessing!” Therefore, you lost everything. Do not listen to that hogwash to get into your pocket.

Do not buy into; send $50 bucks and get a cloth or other premium. Do you honestly believe God will bless you after you receive a towel? Or, does your heart tell you that if I am the right person, I put others before myself, I am obedient to God’s word that some towel is going to turbocharge your blessings???

Turbocharge your blessing through faith! God knows and he does not need to see you waiving a towel.

“The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, ‘O God, forgive me,’ or ‘Help me.”–Billy Graham

For years for this very example, I would not darken-the-door of any church. Made fun of those that did.

Here is the skinny:

  1. Yes, you should give what you can to the Church of your choice. Those that tithe should provide about 10% of your income. If your family is able, then let the Lord guide you.
  2. God is going to judge us by our good works. For example, if you cannot give financially, can you give of your time?
  3. If you are sick, STAY WITH YOUR DOCTOR! Pray as a family for God’s healing! If these healing preachers can truly heal. Why are they not touring hospitals to do just that? God does perform miracles! Let your doctor, however, tell you the miracle saved you. Not some dude in a $10,000 suit with a Rolex tells you.bible, God, Church

This article is not me telling you how to believe. It is me telling you to be careful who you believe, God is your first choice EVERY TIME. Too many charlatans out there speaking for God. Telling you God told them to buy a specific airplane; are you kidding me???

The scary part is we do not have a way to challenge a claim someone makes coming from God. You do, however, can say, “Come on now God has been shopping for you a new airplane?”  I do not begrudge a successful person the riches of life. However, I do have a problem with poor folks sending money to support the cost of an executive jet.

How many Church parishioners have flown with the Pastor? How many Church members that needed to be transported for Cancer treatment or other malady enjoyed riding on the Gulfstream 550 the pastor goes on vacation with. If the Church is paying for it, ask yourself, why is it not being used for these purposes?

(A conservative estimate it costs around $2100 per hour in fuel “402 gallons per hour” to operate a Large Corporate Jet. That number is before crew and maintenance)

If the Jet is being paid for with “For Profit” proceeds, that to me is totally fine. Just do not use poor folks’ money to ride first class, that at its core is disgusting.

I get why high-level executives fly around privately, heck if I made enough money from my book sales, absolutely I would love to have my own plane. Again, if I am taking money from poor people to do that, NO!

So many preachers out telling you to send money and receive some sort of premium. In my reading the bible, I only recall Jesus GIVING never taking. Or offering some incentive to gain his favor. The Bible teaches us good works, living as God instructs. Never does it say send in to get an anointed towel for $50 and God will bless you.

God does instruct us to give. I believe God wants us to give back to our Church, where we are fed his word. That part I can get my head around. I also think that by our good works, helping others, we will also receive God’s grace.

Some dude sending me an outline of his foot, I do the same and send $37 back will get me some sort of blessing.

Want to catch God’s eye. Give your life to him!

Do the work God puts forth in the Bible. Follow it to the letter. I promise you will receive everything the Bible promises. Give to the local Church that inspires you. My Church I want to support because I am fed the word of God. I do not have to buy a premium to receive God’s grace!

As I grow Spiritually, my thoughts have been turned to Preachers I one time admired to saying, Wow, God never said that! It talks about in the Bible false prophets.

I do have a magnificent Church I attend. The Pastor teaches straight from the Bible and offers a transparent approach to the sermon. Believe what God says in the Bible!

We all in desperate times would do just about anything to have peace, save our child from Cancer, save ourselves from Cancer, or the like. God does and can perform miracles in our life. Just make sure it is HIM the Lord you are speaking too! I promise you while on your knees praying, he won’t be asking, “How much money “seed-faith” can you give to save your child from cancer?

In this life, none of us utterly understand why a child suffers from Cancer or another horrible disease. Or how we as adults may suffer. The answer waits for us in Heaven. When it’s time to go home, it’s just time to go home. No amount of seed faith, prayer clothes, oil, or other premium is going to stop God’s will. No matter how much we do not understand or hate it, it’s only our time to go.

Our walk with God is with him!

prayer, church

A true Spiritual leader will teach you the path you need to walk with God. They will not tell you that God needs your financial investment to love you. God loves you with an everlasting love and always will. Seek him!

Choose who you wish to learn the word of God carefully. Make sure the Church and pastor truly align with the word of God. Do this and you will find life beyond anything you ever imagined!

God bless.

 

Life Try’s to Throw a Punch

/ Robert Bruton / Leave a comment

Cleaning up the wreckage of the past. Mop bucket after mop bucket of old muck. It is enough to wear anyone out.

“I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter.”–Walt Disney

This holds true for me as I clean up old messes. What is more, it brings you right back to the place you left so long ago. Past garbage must be picked up even though you may have long since moved on.

Today was one of those days for me. The rug gets jerked right out, and bam, you hit the floor, saying, “what the hell was that?” At this stage, you can either get up, or you can wallow in the mire of despair.

It is hard but chooses to get up. Swift kicks to the gut hurt for a moment, but you can breathe again. Overnight, I was able to find my hope still. Messes can be cleaned up and moved past. Not allowing myself to fall into a pit of self-induced hell was an achievement!

Today these are steps I took to bring myself out of what could have been debilitating fear:

  1. Give it to God. I simply told God I did not understand why, but I was not going to lose faith in him.
  2. Took time to just breathe for a minute. Fear will stifle any hope. Sighing and taking a minute to say, “the world is not coming to an end, how do we fix this?”
  3. Keep telling myself repeatedly, “all is well, God has this!”
  4. Reminding myself that when all this began, I am a hell of a lot further today than I was when this all started. All for the better!
  5. Hope always exists, and for me, when I can feel hope in my heart. I know everything will be okay.

We all get life kicking us in the gut when we least expect or need it to happen. Rolling with it and having the expectation all will be well. Easier said than done, however, over time as we practice our faith. Moving with life becomes more natural.

Spiritual, Christian Life, hope

Feeling stronger as faith grows is something that happens. It took a long time for me to believe that my inner strength could be called upon to pull me through the toughest of times. Why, because I am not alone. God will stay with me through my tough times.

With all things, we must practice, practice, practice. Over and over, I say, “God has me.” As I write this, it occurs to me that I have been reading the bible and other Christian books more so than average. Perhaps I have stirred the enemy to throw his life stone at me to see if I will falter. Fall apart and lose what I have. Not this time!!!

Two years ago, I made a commitment that I would no longer lose in life. For once in my life, I intend unequivocally to not miss!

Questions or comments:

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Proverbs Great Place to Begin

/ Robert Bruton / Leave a comment

Proverbs 1 King James Version (KJV)

1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel.

2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding.

3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity.

4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation, the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Bible, Proverbs, Christian

When I learned about Proverbs for the first time and then began to study this book of the Bible. Everything in our lives that needs understanding can be found in the book of Proverbs.

Reading self-help books, all the information in these books can be found in Proverbs. When you read the book, you will correlate much of what you learn to books you have already read.

Reading the book of Proverbs will amaze you when your first read this book. Many versus you will have heard in some shape or form that you did not realize was a part of this fabulous book.

King Solomon wrote this as an amazing man. It’s been said that in today’s terms, he would be hundreds of times wealthier than today’s billionaires. The money let’s be clear Solomon always prayed for wisdom. Hence the book.

With knowledge comes power. Responsibly used and King Solomon even to this day is unmatched. He was a good man and a good King.

If you find yourself as I did a novice at understanding the Bible. Reading Proverbs opens a world that is filled with hope. When we understand life, we have the wisdom to progress our lives. Bounties begin to manifest in your life.

This was Solomon’s key to success in every aspect of life. Wisdom! Knowledge is power, this statement rings so true.

When you have the wisdom to withstand life adversity. You will plow through anything life throws at you. Understanding that challenges are seasons of learning, “this to shall pass.” We’ve all heard this saying.

If I could recommend any place to start in the Bible. My first choice would be Proverbs. The Bible is an excellent read.

A couple of suggestions, I enjoy the Message Bible and The Passion translation. For me, much easier to read than say the King James Version. Written more in today’s language, I was able to not have to stop and look up words while reading.

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Time to Take Out the Garbage

/ Robert Bruton / Leave a comment

Over our lifetimes, we can accumulate a landfill of garbage in our heads. This is garbage that has taken a lifetime to gather. However, it is now time to empty the trash, let’s go learn how!

Let me share the same advice with you that my mother bestowed upon me. “It took you a lifetime to break your life, have the patience to allow change to occur.”

Christian, Faith, Self Improvement

She is right; it has taken a lifetime to accumulate so much trash, it may take a garbage bag or a hundred to empty out our noodle. The good news is a lot of the garbage can be taken out never to return simply because you are ready for change. You are right?

What exactly are we talking about, garbage?

  • Negativity
  • Fear
  • Hopelessness
  • Self-Loathing
  • Depression
  • Addiction

You get the idea!

Let’s plot out an action plan for change:

  1. Make the decision you want to change your life. Whatever it is you feel you need to change, decide that today forward no more. The new you is at hand.
  2. Organize your life so that you can feel like you are achieving something every day.
  3. Learn how to quiet your mind. This will take some practice but will be the most fantastic thing you can do for yourself. Use headphones, find some relaxing meditation music, sounds, rain, etc. Turn off anything that will disturb you and on get somewhere no interruptions! Cannot stress that enough. Learn to relax and quiet your mind. This will open your mind and allow you to just relax.
  4. Let God know what you desire and ask for the wisdom to find what you seek.
  5. Get healthy. Walk to relieve tension in your body. When you’re healthy, you will be less fatigued. Your body will respond better to change.
  6. Find something that is NOT about you. Volunteer and help others. Doing something that benefits others has an incredible cathartic result.
  7. Learn to be thankful right where you are. Let God know every day you love what you have. When you are okay where you are. God will see that you can have more than you are ready for more in your life. Gratitude is a wonderfully blissful peace in your mind.

Don’t overload yourself. Pick a couple of things and do them consistently. We stop change because we overwhelm our brains. Believing we must do all this stuff to get a replacement now. Slow down, and change will come more quickly.

Someone shared with me, “the state of my house is in direct correlation with the state of my mind.” Look around for clutter. Get the clutter out of your life. No, it’s not organized its confusion. Desk, car, home, or office. Organize!

When deciding what your life should look like take the following OUT of the equation:

  • Don’t have the money.
  • Don’t have the time.
  • Don’t have the resources.
  • Don’t have enough education.
  • Too old or too young.

When framing a new life. Do it from the world is your oyster. You have NO obstacles in the way. I can hear some of you, I don’t have money, I don’t have time!

Learn quickly that in life, you can throw up an obstacle to stifle yourself. If you believe in something enough, PUT FORTH THE WORK TO ATTAIN IT. What you need will come to you someway somehow, even when you see NO idea at all.

Give this to God. Let him see you working diligently, stay in faith. You don’t know how, but you know God will make a way.

Hebrews 11:1-6 King James Version (KJV)

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Do everything you can to make your dreams come true. Cannot sit on your duff and expect God to just Miracle a million dollars in your bank. That is called the lottery!

You must condition yourself to release negative thoughts as they enter your mind. This is a pass you need to fumble. Drop the ball, let it go, don’t even try to catch the negative thoughts. Easier said than done, I get it. However, you can acknowledge the idea with a resounding “Delete.”

happy, woman, life

Meditation helps with this. See yourself happy, loved, and doing the life you want. The big difference in having the experience you wish to versus having a life you are stuck with. None of us are stuck, oh, you might think you are, but you are not! That much I am 100% on.

Question or help:

Robert Bruton Author of Ten Christian Self Improvement Books available at Amazon