Complaining didn't change the fact that I failed in my attempt tp hike Mt. Kilimanjaro. One of the world's Seven Summits, Kili is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free standing mountain in the world. Rising above the African plains, Kili reaches 19,341 feet into the skies. I made it to about 17,300 feet before I was forced to turn back due to altitude sickness. My companions from Climbing For Christ made it to the top while I turned around and headed down the mountain feeling like a failure. 
          Many things went wrong for me on that trip. Some of them I was responsible for, but hydrating your body when you're sick with a stomach bug is next to impossible. Without proper hydration your body won't adapt to the change in  altitude. There were other things that went wrong during that trip, but they're not worth mentioning or complaining about. I've got way too much to be grateful about. The altitude did affect my body, but I don't have to let failure affect my attitude of gratitude.
          My failed attempt to reach the top of Kilimanjaro has helped me scale the mountain of gratitude. I've left the valley of complaining in the dust far below. Those smiling children in the picture above are a big part of my change in my life-habits. They lived in an orphanage called the Far and Wide Children's Home in Malawi.
          Each child has a different story of why they live in an orphanage. I won't give you all the reasons, but just imagine all the atrocities you've heard about in Africa and you'll know the reasons. Sometimes they share the reasons, but they didn't complain - they were in a better place. These youngsters were smiling because I paid attention to them. To make them smile, all I had to do was hold my camera up high and take a picture. I showed them the pictures and that made them happy. 
          These children had a lot to complain about if they wanted to. Maybe they did sometimes, but I never heard any complaints in the week I was there. These kids were grateful for what we gave them and the time we spent with them. We noticed the lady who cooked for us was eating our meager leftovers. We began to leave more leftovers. 
          Every morning the kids would gather around a large pile of corn. Their job was to take the de-kernel the corn. I sat down to help them and had blisters on my hands after about 40 minutes. It was tedious and hard work, but never did they complain. They were grateful to have help.
          Someday I hope to go back and finish reaching the top of Kilimanjaro. Even if that never happens, I won't complain. I'm doing my best to turn my failures and complaints into thoughts of gratitude. God can use all things to make us better people.

DAY 21 WORD

So we are convinced that every detail of our lives
is continually woven together
to fit into God’s perfect plan of
bringing good into our lives,
for we are his lovers who have been called
to fulfill his designed purpose.
Romans 8:28 TPT

“If you do this, then you will be true sons of your Father in heaven.
Your Father causes the sun to rise on good people and on bad people.
Your Father sends rain to those who do good and to those who do wrong.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:45‬ ‭ICB‬‬
​
“Fig trees may not grow figs.
There may be no grapes on the vines.
There may be no olives growing on the trees.
There may be no food growing in the fields.
There may be no sheep in the pens.
There may be no cattle in the barns.
But I will still be glad in the Lord.
I will rejoice in God my Savior.”
‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭3:17-18‬ ‭ICB‬‬    

DAY 21 PRAYER

Thank You God for giving us so much to be grateful about. Over the history of our lives, You've given us overwhelming joy. Each one of us has received Your breath and a heart that beats. Thank You for making us in Your image and likeness. Make our hearts beat with gratitude as soon as a complaint begins to form on our lips. Help us overcome failure by the power of gratitude in all You've done and continue to do.
In Jesus name.
Amen

DAY 21 DEEP THOUGHTS

Since there is no greater advice on complaining than the encouragement of God's Word, I'll let Him do the talking.

• Since each of you are part of God’s family never complain or grumble about each other so that judgment will not come on you, for the true Judge is near and very ready to appear! James 5:19 TPT
• When you talk, do not say harmful things. But say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will help those who listen to you. Ephesians 4:29 ICB
• Let joy be your continual feast. 

​Make your life a prayer. 
And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks,
for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.
 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

          Missing fathers wreak havoc on generations of young boys and girls. Children in fatherless homes are more likely to engage in at-risk behaviors. Many guys join gangs, use drugs and alcohol, get girls pregnant and then go to jail. Girls look for the love of a father and end up getting sex from a fatherless guy. Young men especially are ingrained with a disrespect for authority. They grew up without a legitimate authority figure or respected role model.
          Guys who go to prison have to learn how to survive in the prison culture. Most of the guys in prison haven't had an active father in their lives. To gain respect you have to be hard, silent and strong. Anger and resentment are  buried until they're needed as weapons to survive. The authority in prison is meant to restrain you.
          When guys get out of prison it's tough to let go of the "hard, silent and strong" mindset. Women and children bear the brunt of the buried anger and resentment. Women want strong men who use their strength to protect them. Men have shut themselves up and built emotional walls to protect themselves. Men lacking emotional attachment to their wives and children create an open wound. Inadequate communication breaks down relationships and causes frustration.
          Most guys who've grown up without dads don't even know what's missing. There's a gnawing emptiness deep in their souls, but they don't know what it is. It's hard to understand something you've never had. Pride is a stronghold on our hearts and minds. Your mind has a memory and an imagination. Without the memory of a father it's difficult to imagine what a father is.
          Surrender is not something you will learn in prison other than the forced submission to prison guards. Not all prisoners will end up in a solitary confinement cell, but most will lock up their emotions. Men and women have been hiding themselves since Adam and Eve put on fig leaves to cover up their shamefulness.
          It's time to set pride aside, take a risk and become vulnerable with God and each other. Some people will abandon you, that's life. Your circle of folks you can really trust will always be small. Give your abandonments and rejections to God. His promises have always proven to be true. The generational plague of fatherlessness can be broken by the promises of God. He said He would never leave you or forsake you. 
          There are answers to stopping the plague of fatherless men blindly leading fatherless men. We don't have to sit back and accept disappearing dads as the inevitable life-path for young people. It's time to Man-Up and attack this plague full force. We've written some answers below. Turning to Father God for advice on how to be men of valor should take first place in our hierarchy of actions. 
          
DAY 20 WORD

Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!”
Hebrews 13:5 AMP
In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders.
And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another,
for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
1 Peter 5:5

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4 AMP

DAY 20 PRAYER

Thank You God for being our supreme authority. You gave us Your Word and You always keep Your Word. Help us to be as committed as You are - never abandoning us or giving up on us. You have shown us the type of father that we should be. You've shown us how to respect women and be responsible for our children. Guide us now as we turn from our neglectful ways. 
In Jesus name.
Amen. 


DAY 20 DEEP THOUGHTS

          Mentoring programs that teach men how to be transparent, vulnerable and accountable is one answer to stop the plague. Here are some ideas that have been successful.

• Reach young people before they join gangs.
• Teach youth in schools and after school programs how to respect each other.
• Expect purity in relationships.
• It's never too late to reach out to children and be a father.
• Help inmates and former inmates learn about the responsibilities of godly men.
• ​Mandatory programs that teach responsible manhood in juvenile detention centers, homeless shelters, parole and probation programs.
• If you're a guy in need of a mentor, ask a man with whom you have a relationship with. Study other men who you respect. Look for authentic manhood programs. Join a men's program at a Bible teaching church.

          In about 30 hours from now, I'll be settling myself down in front of a big screen TV in anticipation of excitement. The Buffalo Bills football team will be playing the Kansas City Chiefs in the Conference Championship Game. The winner will go to the Super Bowl. I'M EXCITED! GO BILLS! I'm also excited about God. My most favorite thing in the world to do is  to praise and worship Him in spirit and in truth.
          There is a difference between praise and worship. Most churches begin with a time of praise songs before they move into a deeper and more worshipful set. Praise is upbeat, joyful, energetic and full of powerful punctuations of gratitude for who God is and what He has done for us. When you read Psalm 100:4, picture a parade marching into a courtyard with shouts of joy.
"Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name."
          Worship is a form of adoration. In humbleness we surrender to God. We give Him space to speak to us. While praise declares our gratitude, worship displays our devotion. Making room for God to speak to us. We can praise other people or things, worship is reserved only for God. In Luke 4:8 we read, "For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Only one is worthy of your adoration. You will worship before the Lord your God and love him supremely."
          Praise can be exciting as evidenced by dancing, shouting and loud, boisterous music. The word "blessed" in Greek is translated as "eulogeō" and pronounced, yü-lo-ge'-o. It is used to mean, 

• to praise, celebrate with praises
• to invoke blessings
• to consecrate a thing with solemn prayers
• to ask God's blessing on a thing
• pray God to bless it to one's use
• pronounce a consecratory blessing on
• of God
• to cause to prosper, to make happy, to bestow blessings on
• favoured of God, blessed 
• Blue Letter Bible Strong's Concordance Outline of Biblical Usage 

          When the Pharisees heard the people shouting praises they demanded Jesus to tell them to stop. He refused and told them even the rocks would cry out. As soon as He was approaching [Jerusalem], near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the entire multitude of the disciples [all those who were or claimed to be His followers] began praising God [adoring Him enthusiastically and] joyfully with loud voices for all the miracles and works of power that they had seen, 
shouting,
“Blessed (celebrated, praised) is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory (majesty, splendor) in the highest [heaven]!”
Some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples
for shouting these Messianic praises].”
Jesus replied, “I tell you, if these [people] keep silent, the stones will cry out [in praise]!”
Did you read the part about enthusiastically and joyfully with loud voices?
          Worship moves us into a quieter place of almost being still and knowing He is God. Praise and worship can be blended together, but worship is always the deeper of the two. The Greek word for worship is, "proskyneō" and pronounced, "pros-kü-ne'-o." The Outline of Biblical Usage gives worship the meanings of,  1.    to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence 
2.    among the Orientals, esp. the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence 
3.    in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication​
4. used of homage shown to men and beings of superior rank 
5. to the Jewish high priests, to God, to Christ, to heavenly beings, to demons  Outline of Biblical Usage

DAY 19 WORD

Praise him with drums and dancing!
Praise him with the loud, resounding clash of cymbals!
Praise him with every instrument you can find!
Psalm 150:4 TPT        

It’s time to sing and shout for joy!
Go ahead, all you redeemed ones, do it!
Praise him with all you have,
for praise looks lovely on the lips of God’s lovers.
​Psalm 33:1

My heart is confident in you, O God;
    no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!
Wake up, lyre and harp!
    I will wake the dawn with my song.
I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
    I will sing your praises among the nations
Psalm 108:1-3 NLT

But a time is coming and is already here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit [from the heart, the inner self] and in truth; for the Father seeks such people to be His worshipers.
John 4:23 AMP

Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
Tremble [in submissive wonder] before Him, all the earth.
Psalm 96:9 AMP

Come, let’s bow down and worship him.
    Let’s kneel before the Lord who made us
​Psalm 95:6 ICB

DAY 19 PRAYER

Thank You Father God for causing us to praise you in thanksgiving and worship you in surrender. The more of ourselves we give up to You the greater works You do through us. We surrender all and we praise You for all You've created in us and for us. We worship You in spirit and in truth.
In Jesus name.
Amen

DAY 19 DEEP THOUGHTS

• Praise is a celebration of thanksgiving.
  
• Worship is a surrender and listening.
• Praise opens up the heavenlies within us.
• Worship creates space within us for God's Presence.
• Praise speaks loudly.
• Worship listens for His still small voice.

          Has anyone ever spit on you? It makes you feel dirty and ashamed. You never deserve to be treated that way, even if you are guilty and deserve punishment. Jesus was "spat upon" with guilty spittle. He didn't deserve to be treated shamefully, but He was - so that our shame could be removed.
          Shame is often wielded as a weapon to induce submission. People do shameful things because something dirty happened to them. Unable to remove the shame, they wrongly think they deserve to be treated shamefully and worthless. No one should be made to feel unworthy of love.
          This is heavy stuff that brings tears to my eyes even thinking about shame. So many young people grow in generational shame. Poverty can breed shameful behaviors that become normalized. Prostitution, stealing, drug dealing, murder and mayhem are accepted in impoverished cultures. The only shame for a gangster sent to kill someone is if he doesn't finish the job. Young girls and boys are indoctrinated into shameful behaviors as they're expected to carry on the family traditions.
          Deep down inside they know what they're doing is wrong, but they hide the shame even deeper in their hearts. Jesus really is the only answer, but how will they know if we don't reach out and tell them? God has helped me to write some songs over the years that reach young people in a language they understand. The song you will read in Deep Thoughts below is about Jesus being our Garbage Man. The point of the song being that He's already removed all of our guilt and shame. 
          Shame entered the world through Adam and Eve. They disobeyed God and tried to hide their shame under fig leaves. God sees all of our shame and made a way for us to remove shame. Know that you are loved. Know that you are worthy. Know that Jesus took all of your shame to the cross. He loves you with an everlasting love. He was willing to die in shame so that we don't have to. Ask Jesus to remove your shame and He will.

DAY 18 WORD

I prayed, 
“My God, I am too ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to you.
I am in disgrace because our sins are so many they are higher than our heads.
Our sins even reach up to the sky.
Ezra 9:6 ICB


He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness; and like One from Whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him.
​Isaiah 53:3 AMPC

Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 AMPC

For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].
2 Corinthians 5:21 AMPC

DAY 18 PRAYER

Thank You God for sending Your Son to take our shame of sin away. Jesus, You endured our shame and guilt in a horrible way. We don't have to spend another day wallowing in shame and self pity. You've freed us from all shame. Help us now to embrace tat freedom and share with others the good news about living a shame free life.
Amen.

DAY 18 DEEP THOUGHTS

A song called: "Jesus Is My Garbage Man"
Jesus is my garbage man.
Taken' my garbage like only He can.
All my wrongs He takes away.
Jesus gave me a brand new day.
On His Cross He took my shame.
In His hands He took my blame.
Jesus is my garbage man!
Taken' my garbage like only He can!
Jesus......All my pleas in His ears.
Jesus.....Wipes away all of my tears.
Jesus.....Loves away all of my fears.
Jesus.....A new life for all of my years.
Sometimes I'm weak and I do wrong!
He lifts me up and makes me strong!
When good times fade and I get mad!
I know I'm saved and I feel glad!
Jesus is my garbage man!
Taken' garbage like only He can!
I'm tellin' the world; I got good news!
Love in my words and love in my shoes!
Runnin' with Jesus on the soles of my feet!
Tellin' His Word to all the souls that I meet!
Jesus is my garbage man!
Taken' my garbage like only He can! 

Ask Jesus to take away the garbage of shame from your life.

          It's hard to imagine God, whose power is unlimited experiencing pain. Truth be told (as it always should be,) I don't believe God feels pain. He knows our pains, Jesus carried our hurtful (sinful) ways on the cross of correction. There is only one way to correct sin and that's to follow the way of the cross. Correction is part of the chastening process of God. Discipline from God is a correction with a value added feature of personal righteousness (morally right living.)
          Correcting bad habits can be painful. God will break off relationships between people if they don't put Him in the middle. He will cause a business to fail to move us in a new direction. I'm personally familiar with both of those chastening's. There is more profit in being right with God than any successful business plan.
          Our vending business had been lucrative for several years affording my family a decent living. Business started to slide downward for a couple of reasons that aren't worth talking about. The important remembrance of that whole season in my life is that God had let me know it was time to let go and sell the business.
          Folks looking to buy a business are interested in the bottom line, how much money are you making. I reasoned (by myself without God's thoughts) that if I increased my yearly gross, the business would be more valuable and sell for a greater price. I went out and secured new locations for vending machines to make more money. The only problem was that I lost two locations for every one new location I secured. I believe God was teaching me a lesson about not mixing my own reasoning with God's direction.
          There was another local vendor who just happened to live in my home town. That's an odd coincidence because there aren't that many vendors in the area. He approached me about buying the business. We agreed on a price and signed the papers over breakfast in a local restaurant. I wasn't happy about selling a business that had fallen on hard times. My family had built the business from scratch and worked countless long hours to become successful. From our highpoint of success, we plunged into the valley of despair and financial loss.
          You cannot fight God when He wants to correct or instruct you. Chastening is used by God to correct our mistakes, curb our passions and instruct us in a way that will increase our virtue or good character. There is no avoiding chastening in life. The closer we get to God, the more our imperfections are revealed.
          Chastening can make us bitter or help us enter into greater prosperity by receiving greater blessings from God. When good times roll, give thanks to God and be generous. When hard times hit, ask God what you need to learn. Accept His chastening with gratitude. You are valuable in His eyes. His plan is to give you immeasurable grace, greater joy, limitless love and inexhaustible prosperity.

DAY 17 WORD

​“Behold, how happy and fortunate is the man whom God reproves,
So do not despise or reject the discipline of the Almighty [subjecting you to trial and suffering]
Job 5:17 AMP

“So, what a blessing when God steps in and corrects you!
    Mind you, don’t despise the discipline of Almighty God!
True, he wounds, but he also dresses the wound;
    the same hand that hurts you, heals you.
From one disaster after another he delivers you;
    no matter what the calamity, the evil can’t touch you.
​Job 5:17-19 MSG

For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].
​Hebrews 12:11 AMP

DAY 17 PRAYER

God we praise You for correcting and instructing us. Pain from You is worthy of humble acceptance on our part. You have a greater purpose for our future. Take our present and transform us into more righteous people. We want to be holy in You no matter how much chastening in takes. The gospel is a prosperity message of valuable chastening. We confess our sins to You, forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness.
In Jesus name.
Amen.

DAY 17 DEEP THOUGHTS

• Our earthly fathers discipline us for the things we do wrong that they know about. Think about all of our hidden sins, mistakes and bad decisions. God sees all things. Nothing is hidden. It's best to voluntarily bring our darkness into His light sooner rather than later.
• Jesus endured the cross of chastening and correction on our behalf. If it wasn't for our sin, there would be no need for chastisement. 
• I hurt when I know my life isn't sharing love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control with other people. God may not hurt, but I do thinking about falling short of the desires of God's heart.

          Freedom is a beautiful word that conjures up images of independence and the ability to make decisions freely. Bondage released and freedom gained is exemplified by freed slaves, nations liberated from tyranny, freedom from addiction. freedom from sexually trafficking, freedom from an abusive relationship and many more. Are we ever truly free from anything that can bind us?
           The painting above was beautifully painted by a visionary artist named Amelia Caballero. I've never spoken to her about the painting so I don't have any insight into her thoughts as she brushed the canvas. I let the eyes of my spirit (prayerfully) admire and soak in the painting, let me share with you some heart-thoughts from that experience.

• Freedom released and bondage remains.   
• Relief drains and tension rises.
• Camouflage collaborates with honesty revealed.
• Memories remain a yoke or chain.
• An encaptivating door remains open and inviting bondage to return.
• "I know where I've been. I know where I can go, but I'm scared."
• The Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
• Imperfection - accepted, yet still a restraint.
• Maturity slowly moving against bad memories.
• An announcement of new understanding.
• A demure (reserved) celebration.  
• Boldness restrained.

          In invite you to prayerfully examine the painting and your own heart. Are you truly free? The only true freedom I've found is in becoming a bondservant of Christ. Desiring things in this world have no value in heaven. Desiring to be the bondservant of Christ means to long for His attributes of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 
          Freedom from self is only found when we give God a greater place in our hearts. It's not enough to want just the attributes of Christ, we have to want Him. Freedom is found in knowing Christ through a personal relationship. Sin happens when we chase our own selfish desires and separate ourselves from God. If you haven't had the life changing experience of becoming free in Christ, today would be a good day to know Him.

DAY 16 WORD

Stay where you were when God called your name. Were you a slave? Slavery is no roadblock to obeying and believing. I don’t mean you’re stuck and can’t leave. If you have a chance at freedom, go ahead and take it. I’m simply trying to point out that under your new Master you’re going to experience a marvelous freedom you would never have dreamed of. On the other hand, if you were free when Christ called you, you’ll experience a delightful “enslavement to God” you would never have dreamed of.
​1 Corinthians 7:20-22 MSG

But now, as God’s loving servants, you live in joyous freedom from the power of sin. So consider the benefits you now enjoy—you are brought deeper into the experience of true holiness that ends with eternal life!
Romans 6:22 TPT

DAY 16 PRAYER

Thank You God for our freedom in Christ. Sometimes it seems like the world has cast us in to a lions den. We're captive and threatened by those who don't believe in You. The world removes Your ancient boundary lines and removes Your commandments. Help us to stay strong and free in You as the world tries to enslave us. We praise you for Your compassion, grace and mercy.
In Jesus name.
Amen 

DAY 16 DEEP THOUGHTS

REPENT, RESTORE & REPEAT

• Repent means to realize your sinful separation from God while initiating a life-change. Change your mind and change your habits. "Peter replied, “Repent and return to God, and each one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus, the Anointed One, to have your sins removed. Then you may take hold of the gift of the Holy Spirit." ​Acts 2:38 TPT

• Jesus came to Restore our right relationship with God. "For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life." ​​John 3:16 AMP
• Repeat your commitment to Christ everyday. That's a good battle plan against sin. It's not enough to say your a friend of God today and forget about Him or never speak to Him any other day. "For God still has ordained a day for us to enter into called “Today.” For it was long afterwards that God repeated it in David’s words, “If only today you would listen to his voice and do not harden your hearts!”​ Hebrews 4:7 TPT

          What if the car breaks down? What if my boss fires me? What if they really don't love me? What if they leave me? The list of "What-ifs?" is endless. Worry and fear are the roots of the "What-if?" disease, and it truly is a disease of the devil. Is it possible to stop worrying?
          In the picture above, a young boy in Buffalo, NY is standing on a street corner with a "Worry-Removal Sign." When you read the sign he's holding, you might think I'm daft, but read between the lines. He's inviting you to have some free food and prayer. He's offering kindness and a listening heart. Most folks will feel worry empty from their hearts as their stomachs and souls get filled.
          If you stand on a street corner and ask a passerby, "Can I pray for you?" most folks will say yes. They've got nothing to lose, so even if they don't believe in God, they take a risk. What if we took a risk and prayed on more street corners in America?
          The word worry is rooted in the concept of being strangled. Picture a dog or wolf grabbing the throat of its victim. The purpose of strangling was usually to end a life and devour the victim. The word evolved into our modern understanding to mean, distress, mental anguish or anxiety caused by trouble. https://www.etymonline.com/word/worry   
          Learning to let go of the "What-Ifs?" is a process that begins with a deep breath. It's not easy to just "Let-Go." When you exhale deeply, the movement of release begins. It's also a sign of surrender, you can't conquer worry and anxiety on your own. 
          If you were to consciously concentrate on your breathing, you'd have a three stage process, exhale, pause, and inhale. Try and look at each breath as a prayer that means

1. Let Go - Surrender, Yield, Hand Over, Relinquish.
2. Be Still - Pause, Motionless, Calm, Empty, Noiselessness.
3. Be Filled, Promise, Potential, Protection, Provision.

          Our minds can focus on worry or find reassurance in God's promises. Think about your mind for a moment. What's bigger, the memories of your past or the immeasurable potential of your future? Think about how much God has already done for you. You've survived a lot of heartache, brokenness and bad decision making. You're still alive with an imagination and capability. What if you were to let go and seek God with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength?     

DAY 15 WORD

Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 AMP

Surrender your anxiety!
Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God.
I am the God above all the nations,
and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth.
Psalm 46:10 TPT

As a result of this, he has given you magnificent promises that are beyond all price, so that through the power of these tremendous promises you can experience partnership with the divine nature, by which you have escaped the corrupt desires that are of the world.
​2 Peter 1:4 TPT

For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11


“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. Accept my work and learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29 ICB

But the one who always listens to me
will live undisturbed in a heavenly peace.
Free from fear, confident and courageous,
you will rest unafraid and sheltered from the storms of life.
Proverbs 1:33 TPT

DAY 15 PRAYER

TODAY GOD,
Help me to pray In Your Spirit,
And set my own desires aside.
Help me to pray for Your will to be done,
And not my own.
Your perfect plan is better than any purpose I devise.
Your ways are higher than my ways.
Your thoughts are greater than my thoughts.
Your will is more excellent than my will.
Let thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
In Jesus name.
Amen.

DAY 15 DEEP THOUGHTS

• Life has seasons of growth.
• Seeds are sown in dark places.
• Trees let go of their leaves.
• Crops don't grown in the stillness of frozen ground.
• "Let me make this clear: A single grain of wheat will never be more than a single grain of wheat unless it drops into the ground and dies. Because then it sprouts and produces a great harvest of wheat—all because one grain died." John 12:24 TPT
• Give up the seed of your life and let your self die in Christ. Give all your worries to God and He will produce a great harvest from the seed of your life.
  

          A large group of us had just arrived in Estes Park, Colorado located in the Rocky Mountain National Park. We were there for a training to become emcees for a national youth ministry opportunity called Group Workcamps. I was listening to a women telling her story about struggling with anxiety attacks. In my arrogance, I disrespected the woman in my thoughts by saying, "What's the big deal, just give your anxiety and panic attacks to God!" My haughtiness opened the door for God's correction.
          The next day the lady with whom I drove in a rental car from the airport decided to cruise the mountains. We had some free time from our training and wanted to enjoy the spectacular surroundings.  Our sightseeing excursion took us up Trail Ridge Road and the Continental Divide. The road rises over 4,000' and hits a high elevation of over 12,000'. The scenery was unbelievable until we reached a section of road without guardrails.
          I was driving and my knuckles were turning white from squeezing the steering wheel. I hugged the double yellow line in the middle of the road. We were driving along a steep cliff on the that someone had told us was over two miles straight down. The lady with me smiled as she pointed to the mountains in the distance. "Look Bob, those mountains are spectacular! What a view!" I couldn't look, my brain was screaming, "Shut up! I'm not looking at anything but this road" Then it dawned on me, I was having an anxiety attack.
          We made it down safely, but I was shaken. I knew that God had used that scary drive to teach me a lesson. He gave me that anxiety attack to drain some haughtiness out of my male ego.I knew I had to apologize to the woman whose anxiety condition I had judged.
          For two days I looked for her to no avail. The camp was big, the dorms were separate and we all had different positions. On the last night when I had just about given up hope, I ran into a friend of hers. I told her about a vision I had of her friend who struggled with anxiety. She said that her friend needed to hear about that vision. She suggested I wait in the lobby as she knew her friend would soon come through.
           Taking her advice, I waited and about ten minutes later, the woman to whom I needed to apologize came through. She smiled when I asked if I could speak to her for a minute and cheerfully said yes. I humbly apologized. I say humbly not because I was exhibiting a godly character trait, but because God had humbled me big time. It wasn't anything I did on my own.
          She smiled again and said she understood. Then I told her about the vision I had of her and jesus. God had given it to me the night before. I saw Jesus with outstretched arms. He appeared like He was still on the cross only freed from it. He was in white and the whole scene was dazzlingly bright. The lady was kneeling in front of Him. There were no words, but there was an intimate knowledge being passed between the two of them. Jesus was saying, I've got you. You're not going to slip any further. I'm holding you and lifting you."
          After I told her the vision, she cried and we hugged. I could almost feel anxiety drain out of her body as relief flooded her spirit. I felt better, but shame at my arrogance left a taint on my soul. That's not a bad thing, maybe it will keep me from judging any other folks struggling with anxiety.      
          Anxiety is like a bird looking for an opportunity to land and make a nest. All human beings will experience some type of anxiety, nervousness, panic or stress. We need to develop an "eagle eye" for identifying triggers or anxiety inducing situations. Being steeped in God's Word will help calm our nerves when driving near steep cliffs.

DAY 14 WORD

‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.
Exodus 19:4 ICB

Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so he spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on his pinions.​
Deuteronomy 32:11

“Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up And makes his nest on high [in an inaccessible place]?
Job 39:27 AMP

He satisfies me with good things. He makes me young again, like the eagle.
Psalm 103:5 ICB

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him]
Will gain new strength and renew their power;
They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun];
They will run and not become weary,
They will walk and not grow tired.
​Isaiah 40:31 AMP

DAY 14 PRAYER

Thank You God for disciplining us when we get arrogant. You know that our pride makes us fall. Thank You for the opportunities to make things right and learn more about you in the process. WE love the way you humble us and use all things to bring us closer to You. Amen

DAY 14 DEEP THOUGHTS

• Deep soaking in God's Word will push anxiety to a shallow place.
• Getting rid of anxiety is a process that may take time.

"The Lord himself will go before you. He will be with you. He will not leave you or forget you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t worry.”
Deuteronomy 31:8

          God does take care of the birds, but we feed them anyway. It brings us pleasure and helps us form relationships with God's creatures. When you put extra effort into a relationship, you'll build greater trust. Developing a habit of going the extra mile will affect everything you do and all of your relationships whether they're with people or critters.
          Many years ago a group of young people willingly gave up part of their summer vacation to go on a mission trip. They paid to go and help neighbors they didn't know and probably would never see again after they left. One of their work projects was replacing gutters and the rotten wood underneath. In one of the gutters over a third story window they found a nest of crying baby birds.
          The young man carefully came down the ladder cradling the nest against his chest. The whole work crew of youngsters gathered around him as he stepped down onto the ground. The birds were nervously chirping in hopes that mama would soon show up with some food. The excitement lasted a few minutes and then was replaced by a worried discussion about what to do with the little chicks.
          Putting them in a tree and hoping the mother bird would find them was not a good idea. There were several hawks in the area and the baby birds would most likely become a meal instead of being fed. We found a phone number for an animal rescue organization and called them. They said it was unfortunate, but there wasn't much they could do. Baby birds need the special juices from their mother's regurgitated food to survive. It was very hard to try and duplicate the natural juices of the mother. They said they would try if we could get the birds to them.
          Even if there wasn't much hope, I had to let the kids know I would go the extra mile for those birds. It was kind of like an action that said, "I will never leave them or forsake them." In an old pickup truck, with the windows down and music off, I drove 17 miles with my chirping companions on the seat beside me. Yes, I did talk to them and try to encourage them on the way.
          The birds were handed over to the animal rescue specialists and that's all we'll ever know. Some things you don't need to know. Just go the extra mile and let God handle the rest. His sovereign will is better than our best desires. When I got back to camp, I let the young people know I was proud of them. They faced a challenge, did the best they could and went the extra mile. The rest is up to God. 
          We need to become "Extra Mile People." Mediocrity is a measure of being barely adequate. Average people do what's expected of them and nothing more. We don't discover new things by staying in our routines. We never discover greater ways to show love by loving the same way everyday. If you had a surprise birthday party everyday, the surprise would become commonplace and no longer be a surprise. Your birthday would become loathsome and repulsive. Relationships do not flourish and grow without effort. Organizations do not survive if they're not striving to keep pace with a constantly changing world. Do what you need to and then some. Extra Mile People love in more excellent ways, on all of their days in as many ways as possible.

DAY 13 WORD

And should people in authority take advantage of you, do more than what they demand.
Matthew 5:41 TPT

And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two [miles].
Matthew 5:41 AMPC

I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this glorious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you and will put his finishing touches to it until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!
​Philippians 1:6 TPT
And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
Philippians 1:6 AMPC

The Cure for Anxiety (A bird story!)“Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor gather [the crops] into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by worrying can add one hour to [the length of] his life?
Matthew 6:25-27 AMP



DAY 13 PRAYER

Thank you God for never giving up on us. Everyday You create circumstances for us to go the extra mile. You help us continue the process of Your good work in us until someday we'll be complete in You. That's a glorious reason to keep going the extra mile no matter what happens to us. You never give up on us.Help us to never give up on each other. In Jesus name. Amen.

DAY 13 DEEP THOUGHTS

The Beatitudes are great examples of what happens when we go the extra mile - we get blessed!

                    The Sermon on the Mount;
                            The Beatitudes
​
          When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him. Then He began to teach them, saying,

• “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
• “Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].“Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.
• “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.
• “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
• “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.
• “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.
• “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for [c]doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
• “Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. 

​          Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:1-12 AMP

           My Christmas present was beautifully wrapped in paper and tissue. I had been invited to the home of some girls who were like family to me. Their brother's name had been on my Father's Day card. He wasn't there on Christmas as he'd been murdered execution style in a gang retaliation. His name was Christian. This was a family who'd experienced more than their fair share of brokenness. 
​         Slowly unwrapping my Christmas present, I could feel the outlines of a statue. I tore off the final pieces of paper tossing them at my feet and I beheld a beautiful statue of Jesus. I smiled through tears. Tears are reforming now as I write this from a tender memory of that day. My heart was moved.
          Their mother noticed it first and expressed her disappointment. The hands of Jesus were broken off. The broken hands of Jesus were lying in the discarded wrapping paper that had fallen to the floor. I smiled through my tears as I picked up the broken hands of Jesus. I held them up  and said, "It's okay, I can glue them back on."  I was sitting in the midst of a family who'd been broken, holding Jesus with broken hands. That was many years ago. I was never moved to glue the broken hands of Jesus back on. Somehow it seemed inappropriate.         
          Brokenness comes at us through waves of anguish when we experience a loss of peace. Brokenness invades us mentally, emotionally, physically or spiritually causing heartache and grief. Looking at the statue of Jesus and the broken hands, I thought of His brokenness. I found beauty in the brokenness of Christ.
"But he was pierced for our rebellion, 
crushed for our sins. 
He was beaten so we could be whole. 
He was whipped so we could be healed."
Isaiah 53:5 NLT
          Broken marriages, broken bodies, broken businesses, broken dreams, broken families and a broken Savior. The broken things of the world are deemed unworthy and discarded like useless trash. Jesus takes our brokenness in Him and restores our wholeness. He takes our sinful condition and heals our broken relationship with God. 
          You are worthy of restoration. You are destined for redemption. Brokenness redeemed is the tapestry of a new life in Christ. The beauty of your surrendered brokenness is in the eye of your Beholder - the One who knew you before you were born. God saw the path of your life before you even took a step. Wisdom, insight and knowledge is a beautiful mosaic created from your fractured life as you hand it all over to Him. Give your all to Him. He will write your name in His Book of Life. Begin a new life now.
 
DAY 12 WORD

   And He Who is seated on the throne said, See! I make all things new. Also He said, Record this, for these sayings are faithful (accurate, incorruptible, and trustworthy) and true (genuine).
​Revelation 21:5 AMPC     

Sin’s Power Is Broken

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 

For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 

And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin.

But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life.

So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law.
Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
Romans 6:1-14 NLT

DAY 12 PRAYER

Thank You God for removing our shame and guilt. We are done blaming others for our failures. We forgive others when they ignored Your more excellent Way and didn't know what they were doing. Help us to take up our cross daily and follow You. Jesus took our punishment to allow us to have Your perfect peace. Thank You. We want our brokenness to become beautiful bridges to eternal life in You. Amen.

DAY 12 DEEP THOUGHTS

• Broken hands, broken feet, broken hearts, broken thoughts, broken wills - they all become a harvest of holiness when planted in humility. 
• There's always somebody in a broken state. God can provide restoration to wholeness through you.
• Brokenness given to God is more valuable than the original creation.