Is this how you want to feel? This is short video excerpt taken from Quarterback Tom Brady after wining his 3th superbowl ring. "There has got to be more than this?"
Watch Video Click Here
There is an answer Tom!
This is my story of how Jesus continues to rescue me from myself. I am learning to put Him first. If you have found this blog, we are some how connected and it is my prayer it points you to Him. Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
Showing posts with label ego. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ego. Show all posts
Friday, September 11, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Giving Myself Up
Man its tough to give up myself!
BH at 10:09am May 18
that carpal tunnel syndrome will not heal otherwise.
TR at 11:52am May 18
Hmmm....How so, MP?
ME at 12:51pm May 18
have you ever examined your day/thoughts and tallied up just how big a pigs we can be?? Yea maybe do something nice for someone but ultimately some sort of instinctual survival and self gratification shoulder sitting voice tortures our attention back to us solely!
TR at 1:10pm May 18
Oh -- have I!! I so know what you're saying! It's disturbing! Even LOVE! Why do human beings "fall in love"? Because of how it makes us feel! We feel happy and giddy. At the core level, it's all about "ME". Or, like you said -- we do something nice for someone...is it coincidence that doing so makes us feel good about ourSELVES? We get to believe "I'm such a good person". I was going to say maybe my kids are an exception, but I don't think so, because I feel good (happy) when they're happy. So I'm motivated to keep trying to "make them happy". (Very simply put). I've struggled too, but see no way around it....again not in this life. .....Didn't mean that to sound quite so harshbelieve "I'm such a good person". I was going to say maybe my kids are an exception, but I don't think so, because I feel good (happy) when they're happy. So I'm motivated to keep trying to "make them happy". (Very simply put). I've struggled too, but see no way around it....again not in this life. .....Didn't mean that to sound quite so harsh.
ME at 1:27pm May 18
harsh NO! the truth absolutely!
FF at 10:20pm May 18
The awareness of our self-centeredness is a blessing and a curse....but denial is no longer a pleasant possibility!
AS at 10:22pm May 18
There are selfless people in the world but I'm not sure I know any of them, and I know I'm surely not one of them, try as I might. I find the most disappointment in the work environment -- toxic levels of self involvement.
ME at 10:30pm May 18
like(no love) this! Thanks for sharing I needed it. Just a great example of helping each other wrestle with life. Oh btw, I did fast from lunch today so I could read to my son's 2nd grade class!!How unselfish of me!LOL But they did make me laugh and feel good! HMMM maybe I did it for me not them!! Their you go again thinking about me!! :)
FF at 2:48pm May 19
If I am in denial about something, please leave the cozy blanket in place and don't go ripping it off:-)
BH at 10:09am May 18
that carpal tunnel syndrome will not heal otherwise.
TR at 11:52am May 18
Hmmm....How so, MP?
ME at 12:51pm May 18
have you ever examined your day/thoughts and tallied up just how big a pigs we can be?? Yea maybe do something nice for someone but ultimately some sort of instinctual survival and self gratification shoulder sitting voice tortures our attention back to us solely!
TR at 1:10pm May 18
Oh -- have I!! I so know what you're saying! It's disturbing! Even LOVE! Why do human beings "fall in love"? Because of how it makes us feel! We feel happy and giddy. At the core level, it's all about "ME". Or, like you said -- we do something nice for someone...is it coincidence that doing so makes us feel good about ourSELVES? We get to believe "I'm such a good person". I was going to say maybe my kids are an exception, but I don't think so, because I feel good (happy) when they're happy. So I'm motivated to keep trying to "make them happy". (Very simply put). I've struggled too, but see no way around it....again not in this life. .....Didn't mean that to sound quite so harshbelieve "I'm such a good person". I was going to say maybe my kids are an exception, but I don't think so, because I feel good (happy) when they're happy. So I'm motivated to keep trying to "make them happy". (Very simply put). I've struggled too, but see no way around it....again not in this life. .....Didn't mean that to sound quite so harsh.
ME at 1:27pm May 18
harsh NO! the truth absolutely!
FF at 10:20pm May 18
The awareness of our self-centeredness is a blessing and a curse....but denial is no longer a pleasant possibility!
AS at 10:22pm May 18
There are selfless people in the world but I'm not sure I know any of them, and I know I'm surely not one of them, try as I might. I find the most disappointment in the work environment -- toxic levels of self involvement.
ME at 10:30pm May 18
like(no love) this! Thanks for sharing I needed it. Just a great example of helping each other wrestle with life. Oh btw, I did fast from lunch today so I could read to my son's 2nd grade class!!How unselfish of me!LOL But they did make me laugh and feel good! HMMM maybe I did it for me not them!! Their you go again thinking about me!! :)
FF at 2:48pm May 19
If I am in denial about something, please leave the cozy blanket in place and don't go ripping it off:-)
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Loneliness Through Success
Under the veneer of success(ego) lurks in us all a loneliness, a loss of true connection not to whom but to something?
FF at 5:11pm May 9
The longings or desires in all our hearts lead us to temporary relief via possessions and accomplishments. But, in the end all that we are left with is love and God.
FF at 5:11pm May 9
The longings or desires in all our hearts lead us to temporary relief via possessions and accomplishments. But, in the end all that we are left with is love and God.
Friday, December 05, 2008
Pain
Why is there so much similarity in the pain of pure joy the one that brings us to tears and the pains of failure, losing a loved one, and those wounds of our heart that our closet loved one’s inflict. Love is at the foundation of this pain for our brokenness which is really our failures and loses that having led us away from God. However God uses these to change and move our hearts close to how God wants us to be. Joy is having found God’s Grace in the midst of this painful life for we were made for something greater and we know that deep within ourselves, we were made to be hero’s and lovers. Take a close look at the joy you experience I will bet it wasn’t about any material thing but about an experience where we found our true selves in loving someone else and/or loving ourselves not in an ego self centric way just that feeling I like who I am for that moment.
We find it difficult to love our closest friends and family because this is where we get most of our pain. However we still love them and it is this love contrast of joy and painful wounds that allows us to understand that love is so painful. Why do some of us strive for the middle ground that place of numbness where there are no highs or lows, no tears of joy, no wounds to be had? I would say most of us strive to cut out the bottoms the place where we are wounded. We avoid situations where there is risk of failure or rejection of our true self. But in reality those wounds and rejections just happen even those we avoid them at all cost. This cost is that numbness or middle ground. This is where we find ourselves most of our lives numb, busy and terribly unconnected to our hearts. If we slow down, get quiet and pear into our own hearts we discover the lack of Joy and there is so much pain in that because like I said above we were made for much more, we know it. We need to take the time ask God to give us the eyes and the ears to experience the real contrast of His Kingdom. For God’s is in all the pain. Blessed are those that get to experience the complete pain in the tears of joy and also see God’s redemption in the most painful failures and loses. God knows that if there was no pain that we would not notice Him. So he uses pain for our good. It’s the way he shapes us to His purpose. Pain is necessary and no one is able to avoid it in their lives.
Pain moves us to action. Yes sometimes it moves us to the middle ground but that is good. This is God’s way of protecting us from too much or better put he give us the middle ground as a release valve. He does not want us to stay there but soon after the pains and wounds we usually get a choice to experience joy and redemption this is God’s way of filling us up and making us whole. This where we say “God is Good”.
Let’s get back to Joy and why it hurts. Joy hurts because we know it is fleeting, so temporary for most of us that the middle ground feels like joy to us. Wounds are different those last. They lie under the surface and stay there sometimes for a life time. We bury them in the numbness because we have not let God have them. This numbness and burying is the work of the devil. He uses this as a form to keep us under his reign. This is one of the devil’s main strategies just to keep us numb and lifeless. He knows his kingdom will increase just by shear accumulation of wounds.
However, when we abide in God’s grace we have more opportunities for joy but make no mistake there will be plenty of pain. All pain forces us to change to let go of something for God’s purpose. He uses it to change our hearts. Jesus was very clear about this when he said “Take up your cross and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). What he meant was die to your ego self live for something else. This takes the pain off of us and gives to God. No longer do we bear all the burden of our pain. God is the pain. He wants us to experience with Him. Look for God in the Joy and the wounds. He is there!
We find it difficult to love our closest friends and family because this is where we get most of our pain. However we still love them and it is this love contrast of joy and painful wounds that allows us to understand that love is so painful. Why do some of us strive for the middle ground that place of numbness where there are no highs or lows, no tears of joy, no wounds to be had? I would say most of us strive to cut out the bottoms the place where we are wounded. We avoid situations where there is risk of failure or rejection of our true self. But in reality those wounds and rejections just happen even those we avoid them at all cost. This cost is that numbness or middle ground. This is where we find ourselves most of our lives numb, busy and terribly unconnected to our hearts. If we slow down, get quiet and pear into our own hearts we discover the lack of Joy and there is so much pain in that because like I said above we were made for much more, we know it. We need to take the time ask God to give us the eyes and the ears to experience the real contrast of His Kingdom. For God’s is in all the pain. Blessed are those that get to experience the complete pain in the tears of joy and also see God’s redemption in the most painful failures and loses. God knows that if there was no pain that we would not notice Him. So he uses pain for our good. It’s the way he shapes us to His purpose. Pain is necessary and no one is able to avoid it in their lives.
Pain moves us to action. Yes sometimes it moves us to the middle ground but that is good. This is God’s way of protecting us from too much or better put he give us the middle ground as a release valve. He does not want us to stay there but soon after the pains and wounds we usually get a choice to experience joy and redemption this is God’s way of filling us up and making us whole. This where we say “God is Good”.
Let’s get back to Joy and why it hurts. Joy hurts because we know it is fleeting, so temporary for most of us that the middle ground feels like joy to us. Wounds are different those last. They lie under the surface and stay there sometimes for a life time. We bury them in the numbness because we have not let God have them. This numbness and burying is the work of the devil. He uses this as a form to keep us under his reign. This is one of the devil’s main strategies just to keep us numb and lifeless. He knows his kingdom will increase just by shear accumulation of wounds.
However, when we abide in God’s grace we have more opportunities for joy but make no mistake there will be plenty of pain. All pain forces us to change to let go of something for God’s purpose. He uses it to change our hearts. Jesus was very clear about this when he said “Take up your cross and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). What he meant was die to your ego self live for something else. This takes the pain off of us and gives to God. No longer do we bear all the burden of our pain. God is the pain. He wants us to experience with Him. Look for God in the Joy and the wounds. He is there!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Communication Break Thru
Once upon a time I awoke or better put opened my eyes, my mind, and my heart then did I hear God say to me “Mike my son I will Father you . I will show you your purpose. I will shine your gifts upon the world. You are mine and I need you build My Kingdom. Your prior attempts to fill your life with material things, and the pursuit of getting ahead, of financial freedom for yourself, career success, money and the useless pursuit of your ego. Those things of the self will no longer any part of you. I am the only thing that can fill you up and if you attain any of those things then it only happen through building My Kingdom.”
This simple summary is the story of how my life has changed dramatically. It’s not about some intellectual battle or revelation of my mind or something in particular I read or heard spoke but an overall communication from God. His deliver methods ranged from everyday experiences; conversations with friends and family, a movie or two, a bunch of great books including the Bible, and some awesome sermons in person and through podcasts. I must admit I laid everything heard and seen against the cold hard truth of my past life experiences. God’s communication to my human mind is somewhat like a puzzle. But once I understand how to arrange the puzzle pieces like organizing the straight edges first and so on does then God’s messages become much easier for me to understand. My only regret looking back is often he did communicate with me, I just did not listen or was unable for some reason receive his posts, probably because no one every taught me. It’s an amazing conversation now. Hey if want I will let you listen in!
This simple summary is the story of how my life has changed dramatically. It’s not about some intellectual battle or revelation of my mind or something in particular I read or heard spoke but an overall communication from God. His deliver methods ranged from everyday experiences; conversations with friends and family, a movie or two, a bunch of great books including the Bible, and some awesome sermons in person and through podcasts. I must admit I laid everything heard and seen against the cold hard truth of my past life experiences. God’s communication to my human mind is somewhat like a puzzle. But once I understand how to arrange the puzzle pieces like organizing the straight edges first and so on does then God’s messages become much easier for me to understand. My only regret looking back is often he did communicate with me, I just did not listen or was unable for some reason receive his posts, probably because no one every taught me. It’s an amazing conversation now. Hey if want I will let you listen in!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Moving My Heart
Intimacy
Connecting to someone on a deep level. Sharing with them my heart, my passions, my dreams, my fears. To let this person find me out even at times when I don't know myself. To let the ego go and reveal to her who God wants me to be. The need to bring my heart to a even deeper and deeper knowing. God knows my depth already, the challenge is sharing this story with others and this sharing which is so not respected or taught in our culture.
Beauty
I see God threw the mountains, a sunset, the feminine and mother nature. As a man I view God in very masculine ways, most of which God created to move a me to action. A beautiful women, a mountain to climb, a sunset to chase, a river to fish, a new road or trial to ride my bike.
Adventure
I need like the little boy I have always been to be outside exploring new places, conquering physical feats, getting lost in God's Kingdom. I need to discover new things about myself and others. Not knowing whats going to happen next adds to the adventure. Does she really want to join me and can she take the risk?
Action
God calls me act on each of these areas of my heart with absolute truth. This call to action is so ingrained in me that I can only describe like an innate instinct bred into from birth. Intimacy brings the feeling of "I want to see inside of you to see what makes you tick." Beauty brings the feeling of I want to acquire, feel, touch, to soak in the beauty of Gods work he has done in you or in the world around me. Adventure brings the feeling of "let me discover something new, let me get lost, let me see something I have never seen before."
Connecting to someone on a deep level. Sharing with them my heart, my passions, my dreams, my fears. To let this person find me out even at times when I don't know myself. To let the ego go and reveal to her who God wants me to be. The need to bring my heart to a even deeper and deeper knowing. God knows my depth already, the challenge is sharing this story with others and this sharing which is so not respected or taught in our culture.
Beauty
I see God threw the mountains, a sunset, the feminine and mother nature. As a man I view God in very masculine ways, most of which God created to move a me to action. A beautiful women, a mountain to climb, a sunset to chase, a river to fish, a new road or trial to ride my bike.
Adventure
I need like the little boy I have always been to be outside exploring new places, conquering physical feats, getting lost in God's Kingdom. I need to discover new things about myself and others. Not knowing whats going to happen next adds to the adventure. Does she really want to join me and can she take the risk?
Action
God calls me act on each of these areas of my heart with absolute truth. This call to action is so ingrained in me that I can only describe like an innate instinct bred into from birth. Intimacy brings the feeling of "I want to see inside of you to see what makes you tick." Beauty brings the feeling of I want to acquire, feel, touch, to soak in the beauty of Gods work he has done in you or in the world around me. Adventure brings the feeling of "let me discover something new, let me get lost, let me see something I have never seen before."
EGO
Ego is not an assistant to getting what you want/need or to who you really are deep down inside. Your God given talents are who your heart/soul really is about or what it quests for! Stop flexing, bragging, lying, being deceitful, manipulating because in a very short time you will be found out for what you really are! Look, Look, and look at who you really are. Have you lost touch with your heart? That true self.
Definition of PRIDE: a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.
Antonyms 1. humility
I will bet that pride has something to do with this disconnect. This pride driven system that our ego relies on to protect it's false self causes many of personal issues and failures which lead to deep wounds. I can trace issues of financial stress, divorce, and struggles with friends over this pride issue. I would venture to say most of my friends do not think I am at all egotistical. I would hate to be so full of pride as a true egomaniac. We all battle with pride to some degree. Looking down on anyone or anything is an indication of ego/pride.
We cannot love someone or even ourselves if we look down upon threw the veil of pride. I aim to be humble, God will you help with this?
Definition of PRIDE: a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.
Antonyms 1. humility
I will bet that pride has something to do with this disconnect. This pride driven system that our ego relies on to protect it's false self causes many of personal issues and failures which lead to deep wounds. I can trace issues of financial stress, divorce, and struggles with friends over this pride issue. I would venture to say most of my friends do not think I am at all egotistical. I would hate to be so full of pride as a true egomaniac. We all battle with pride to some degree. Looking down on anyone or anything is an indication of ego/pride.
We cannot love someone or even ourselves if we look down upon threw the veil of pride. I aim to be humble, God will you help with this?
Friday, January 04, 2008
Confessions - What's gotten in the way.
I must admit the things that have gotten between me and God in the past. Watch this video first before you judge me and watch it unil the end its worth it I promise. How about you tell me what has kept you from knowing Him!
Materialism
My Ego
Greed
Anger
Liquor in excess
white lies and blat ten lies dishonesty
the pursuit of women
perfectionist
trying to fit in
self fulfillment
not going to church
believing/thinking I don't need anyone I got it under control.
Sorry, this is part of my story. A great story I promise to tell you.
Materialism
My Ego
Greed
Anger
Liquor in excess
white lies and blat ten lies dishonesty
the pursuit of women
perfectionist
trying to fit in
self fulfillment
not going to church
believing/thinking I don't need anyone I got it under control.
Sorry, this is part of my story. A great story I promise to tell you.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Remodeling Success
I so struggle with the need to be successful although I am feeling less and less compelled to it as I am releasing culture’s pressure to be that way. My kids don’t care they ask for nothing beyond our means and I love them for that beyond what I can show them at their age. When I use the term success to mean doing better than my peers. Making more money have more stuff. As I peel those layers away I very aware of how my needs have changed.
What really matters is I pay my debts for my past materialistic behaviors. Those are debts I have promised to pay and I will make good on them. It would be a scary edgy feeling if I was debt free, owned my own home and car outright what I might be able to do instead I chance more money to repay those debtors. Do I so every regret my past arrogance and belief that I am so good that I can repay that debt anytime. What a burden it has put on me for so many years. It caused so much stress on me that I sometimes kick the cat so to speak.
My father was such a great role model who saved his money and is retired without a financial worry at 60 years old. He is so tight that his flare jeans he received as a gift in the 70’s are still like new in the closet and now are back in style.
Maybe my issue is thinking that I am at this center of this world and everything I do I have control over. When in reality I control nothing. This thin flimsy belief in my abilities is so wrong and so stressful I could just blow up at times and I did when things weren’t perfect. Now I realize my gifts, my God given talents are not about control or money or status or what I own or posses it’s about giving my gifts to others.
I have also realized that giving my gifts is both rewarding and also flat out scary. My success now is about giving my gifts to everyone I meet. I know some will not like the gift but that is not my responsibility. If I give you something it is because I had too. The longer we go without giving our gift the farther from joy we stray.
What really matters is I pay my debts for my past materialistic behaviors. Those are debts I have promised to pay and I will make good on them. It would be a scary edgy feeling if I was debt free, owned my own home and car outright what I might be able to do instead I chance more money to repay those debtors. Do I so every regret my past arrogance and belief that I am so good that I can repay that debt anytime. What a burden it has put on me for so many years. It caused so much stress on me that I sometimes kick the cat so to speak.
My father was such a great role model who saved his money and is retired without a financial worry at 60 years old. He is so tight that his flare jeans he received as a gift in the 70’s are still like new in the closet and now are back in style.
Maybe my issue is thinking that I am at this center of this world and everything I do I have control over. When in reality I control nothing. This thin flimsy belief in my abilities is so wrong and so stressful I could just blow up at times and I did when things weren’t perfect. Now I realize my gifts, my God given talents are not about control or money or status or what I own or posses it’s about giving my gifts to others.
I have also realized that giving my gifts is both rewarding and also flat out scary. My success now is about giving my gifts to everyone I meet. I know some will not like the gift but that is not my responsibility. If I give you something it is because I had too. The longer we go without giving our gift the farther from joy we stray.
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