The Doctors Office

I am sitting at the doctor’s office waiting to see my Doctor for what seems one too many visits this year. It got me thinking that the Doctor is one of the people in our world that really wants to do us good but whom we may not want to see. So I am sitting here wondering if there are any other parallels like this in our lives. Things that really do us good but are sometimes a pill we would rather not swallow. Things like discipline, correction or wisdom, things that are right and true that we don’t want to or refuse to hear or apply to our lives. What about playing it safe rather than exercising faith. Thinking more about what we perceive to be our personal rights, desires, wants or demands, with no consideration of the needs of others or the common good of all. Jesus said to Peter, at the moment you predominantly do as YOU please, but the day will come when others will lead you where you don’t want to go. When you’ll be prepared to do what others want you to do. And after this he said follow me. That’s a huge call in most people’s lives follow me where you are not prepared to go. Chuck Palahniuk a writer in 1962 said, “Don’t do what you want. Do what you don’t want. Do what your trained or taught to do. Do the things that scare you the most”. Living our best Life always demands more of us than we’d like to give sometimes. But it’s important to realise that things we DON’T like are sometimes really good for us and something’s that we really DO like are not always the best for us. Ahhh just been in to the doctor, off to South Africa for 10 days. He just gave me Hep A Booster shot. Really bad headache and a little dizzy, think I’ll lie down for a minute. I’m sure this is doing me good!!

Dreams are built.

Staying invested in your dream is the only road to achieving it.
Dreams are built they rarely come by chance.

Even though your dreams may seem far away, never stop attempting to take hold of them!

Hope for Change

Hope for change is the new worship album being recorded right now in the studio. Worship is the great privilege of the relationship we enjoy with heaven. By it we can enter into the actual presence of God. There is nothing more important than the pursuit of intimacy with our God. Harvest Church has always taken this journey into the courts of God though praise seriously. It has been our great joy over the years to write songs that reflect that relationship with heaven. Nothing is better than to stand in a crowded church auditorium or on an outdoor stage and watch people enter into a God moment by being in an atmosphere of worship. Hope for change reflects that passion for God the heart of the church recorded in 11 songs. Our Hope is it becomes a blessing to all who experience it.

The beginning of anxiety....part 2

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. George E. Muelle

So true - but someone recently reminded me that unless you have gone through extreme panic and anxiety disorder, faith doesn't seem to even begin to cover it! Those who suffer anxiety disorder and other struggles such as deep depression etc, truly face a battle many of us could not even begin to imagine.

I was recently sent these insightful comments in response to this Blog entry... so well said I wanted to share it with you.....


I just have to tell you that I reeeaalllly like your recent blog. I read statements like the one you opened with and instantly feel a sense of condemnation as I am one of those silent sufferers you speak of. I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder 2 years ago, and honestly it was a relief to shine a light on it... understanding brings power to change your circumstances. Obviously, for a long time I've lived with symptoms of anxiety, and believing comments like that statement, and therefore feeling a little more defeated every time which ultimately led me to depression. Now, I know that its not my lack of faith, or that I'm not a good enough christian, but have a genetic disposition towards feeling symptoms of stress - migranes, panic attacks, constriction, the feeling of not being able to relax, and constantly tired because of the adrenaline always running thru my system. It was a relief to know that I can change things, get help, understanding, and take the pressure off trying to force myself to stop having these feelings! As you can see, for the most part, for me I don't believe its a spiritual anxiety, and therefore I can 'feel' anxiety but still be living in a state of spiritual faith. I understand that my faith is also a critical element to overcoming, but I think that in my situation, it will be my 'good fight' and something I will be dealing with throughout my life.

I actually feel that its been good to have gone thru the experiences and dealing with this issue, because its something that a lot of people struggle with yet, its not truly understood unless you've walked thru it. Its not based on circumstances, and often you struggle with guilt for feeling bad when life couldn't be better... I know I can relate to people others can't, but I just wanted to let you know that you have hit the mark! And by doing so, the very people you are trying to reach and speak too, will open up and come out, rather that be pushed back into the darkness of the torment and guilt of not being able to be so 'black and white'.

Faith and Anxiety - Spiritual opposites to some - to others a physical and spiritual condition that can be experienced at the same time. The flesh and the spirit are always struggling for control, its a matter of understanding which you feed, and not beating yourself up in the process.

Hope I've shed a little light on my little world, and encouraged you in the process...

End Comment

I hope this is encouraging for those who are facing this difficult battle of faith... Your not alone we stand with you.

I would encourage others to share their testimonies here as well by adding a comment below.

We fight the fight of faith together. Please, be encouraged not to face fear and uncertainty alone.

Revolutionaries not resolutionaries!

We are revolutionaries not resolutionaries - we are here to change the world - not just negotiate a better deal for a world suffering the crisis of Sin.

The Begining of anxiety.

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. George E. Muelle

So true - but someone recently reminded me that unless you have gone through extreme panic and anxiety disorder, faith doesn't seem to even begin to cover it! Those who suffer anxiety disorder and other struggles such as deep depression etc, truly face a battle many of us could not even begin to imagine. I have discussed this with those who have had unimaginable suffering with anxiety. Unfortunately there are those who still face ongoing heartache, enduring it sometimes in silence for fear others would not understand. In my discussions with people like this, Faith can be among other strategies, something that has sustained them when hope seemed a just a distant memory. The struggle with anxiety disorder and the like is a real prison for those who can not break free. 2 Tim 7, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Faith is sometimes a fight we wage over the course of our lives. For those who carry ongoing burdens, we pray the support of those around them will be evident and real. Make certain the faith within you becomes a bridge upon which others suffering around you will be able to find safe passage to a secure foothold on hope and a renewed scene of peace. We fight the fight of faith together and we must never face fear and uncertainty alone.

The love we keep...

These three things will always remain, Faith, Hope, and Love, but the greatest of these is Love or Charity - Greek word ophelimos - to help or serve, to advantage or to advance the profit of others. This is will always remain high on God's priority list.

Love grows by giving. The love we give away is the only love we keep. The only way to retain love is to give it away.
Elbert Hubbard

Gal 3 : 14 - 15 above all put on charity (love), which is the perfect bond. And the peace of God will rule in your hearts