http://www.live2bfree.ca/index.cfm?i=15032&mid=25&blogid=8495 Radiant WebTools I have been learning a lot about JOY and brain science lately. Joy is a state of peace and happiness that comes from accomplishment of goals, life satisfaction, relationships, or recovery from a negative state. A lack of JOY in our lives not only affects our emotional state, but also the chemistry in our brains! The mind/emotion connection 'short circuits', leaving us with a habitual negative response whenever we face challenges. The good news is, that we can learn some simple brain skills that can 'rewire' our mind/emotion connection, so that we can RETURN TO JOY.If you are seeking JOY, please call or email to speak with Darrin, who can introduce you to the skills you need. I have been learning a lot about JOY and brain science lately. Joy is a state of peace and happiness that comes from accomplishment of goals, life satisfaction, relationships, or recovery from a negative state. A lack of JOY in our lives not only affects our emotional state, but also the chemistry in our brains! The mind/emotion connection 'short circuits', leaving us with a habitual negative response whenever we face challenges. The good news is, that we can learn some simple brain skills that can 'rewire' our mind/emotion connection, so that we can RETURN TO JOY.If you are seeking JOY, please call or email to speak with Darrin, who can introduce you to the skills you need. http://www.live2bfree.ca/index.cfm?i=15032&mid=25&blogid=8495&comments=49193 49193 Fri, 14 Nov 2014 10:23:00 +0000 Over and over, I hear from clients who ask for Faith Integration, that God isn't near them. He is absent in the present, and He was definitely not there when something bad was happening long ago. However, as we begin discussing it further--It is just not true.Hebrews 13 reminds us of an Old Testament promise: Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. This is a promise for all of God's people, from the Israelites, to the New Testament Church. God does not change His promises just because we lack the faith to believe them! The Deuteronomy 31 passage this refers to, is when Moses passes the baton of leadership over to Joshua. This was spoken to encourage Joshua to NOT BE AFRAID. Being afraid is most often when people can't see God around. Yet, He is there, preparing the way for you to take new land. He is preparing you to receive His promise.So if you are afraid, but want to understand God's presence in your situation--I can help. It doesn't matter if it is a struggle with your current circumstance, or if you can't get beyond a past hurt or trauma--God has not forgotten his promise of His presence. Learning this will change your faith forever. Over and over, I hear from clients who ask for Faith Integration, that God isn't near them. He is absent in the present, and He was definitely not there when something bad was happening long ago. However, as we begin discussing it further--It is just not true.Hebrews 13 reminds us of an Old Testament promise: Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. This is a promise for all of God's people, from the Israelites, to the New Testament Church. God does not change His promises just because we lack the faith to believe them! The Deuteronomy 31 passage this refers to, is when Moses passes the baton of leadership over to Joshua. This was spoken to encourage Joshua to NOT BE AFRAID. Being afraid is most often when people can't see God around. Yet, He is there, preparing the way for you to take new land. He is preparing you to receive His promise.So if you are afraid, but want to understand God's presence in your situation--I can help. It doesn't matter if it is a struggle with your current circumstance, or if you can't get beyond a past hurt or trauma--God has not forgotten his promise of His presence. Learning this will change your faith forever. http://www.live2bfree.ca/index.cfm?i=15032&mid=25&blogid=8495&comments=33821 33821 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:58:00 +0000 What defines you? For many it is your job, your family, your home, your car, etc. Anything that is a title or observable tends to be our defining quality. Is this how God defines you? I have been delving into Romans 12 a lot lately. Verse 2 states 'Don't copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think' (NLT). This really speaks a word of caution to those that have chosen to follow God. As a follower, we are to be transformed into someone new. This scares a lot of people, because becoming a new person suggests that we have to radically change. For some people, it may be a radical change of lifestyle, but not for everyone. As the passage says, no matter what lifestyle choices have to be made, we will all be challenged to change the way we think. We need to think how God thinks. Jesus was the perfect example of how we are to think how God thinks. He was in constant submission to do God's will, and to demonstrate God's message of salvation to the people. As a Christian, you are to try to do the same. However, Jesus had an advantage since he was not wrestling with a sin nature. Our 'natural' state is to think about ourself first. This is not God's way of thinking. God's way of thinking is to put others above ourselves. If we stay with natural thoughts, we will see all kinds of injustice or seek self pleasures. We will see others as hypocrites, liars, fools, etc and we will react by being defensive, angry, or be filled with selfish ambitions and self pleasures. The natural thought life copies the world. We need a transformation to get away from this. Being transformed is more difficult than one thinks. It is a challenge that takes a lifetime to achieve. However, your life may have troubles that are a result of divisive or selfish thinking. Your marriage may be struggling, you may be seeking self pleasures (sex, money, stuff), or you may be having constant difficulties with co-workers, friends, or family. Transformation takes a serious look at ourself, to determine whether our thoughts, words, or actions are what God desires for us--without justifications! It is very difficult to sort out our thoughts and emotions, especially when hurt is involved. Holding onto hurts takes us away from our true identity. God knows who we are. He planned our identity before we were even born. His desire is for us to not only discover what that is, but then to live our life as He intended. When we are walking in His will for our lives, we learn to resolve some of the difficulties. It is not automatic! It takes a lot of work to overcome the results of our natural mind. But with God, anything is possible. His definition for who you are is perfect. If you need help discovering your true identity, and getting on track with restoring relationships that are impacted by your natural mind, please call or email via the contact page. What defines you? For many it is your job, your family, your home, your car, etc. Anything that is a title or observable tends to be our defining quality. Is this how God defines you? I have been delving into Romans 12 a lot lately. Verse 2 states 'Don't copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think' (NLT). This really speaks a word of caution to those that have chosen to follow God. As a follower, we are to be transformed into someone new. This scares a lot of people, because becoming a new person suggests that we have to radically change. For some people, it may be a radical change of lifestyle, but not for everyone. As the passage says, no matter what lifestyle choices have to be made, we will all be challenged to change the way we think. We need to think how God thinks. Jesus was the perfect example of how we are to think how God thinks. He was in constant submission to do God's will, and to demonstrate God's message of salvation to the people. As a Christian, you are to try to do the same. However, Jesus had an advantage since he was not wrestling with a sin nature. Our 'natural' state is to think about ourself first. This is not God's way of thinking. God's way of thinking is to put others above ourselves. If we stay with natural thoughts, we will see all kinds of injustice or seek self pleasures. We will see others as hypocrites, liars, fools, etc and we will react by being defensive, angry, or be filled with selfish ambitions and self pleasures. The natural thought life copies the world. We need a transformation to get away from this. Being transformed is more difficult than one thinks. It is a challenge that takes a lifetime to achieve. However, your life may have troubles that are a result of divisive or selfish thinking. Your marriage may be struggling, you may be seeking self pleasures (sex, money, stuff), or you may be having constant difficulties with co-workers, friends, or family. Transformation takes a serious look at ourself, to determine whether our thoughts, words, or actions are what God desires for us--without justifications! It is very difficult to sort out our thoughts and emotions, especially when hurt is involved. Holding onto hurts takes us away from our true identity. God knows who we are. He planned our identity before we were even born. His desire is for us to not only discover what that is, but then to live our life as He intended. When we are walking in His will for our lives, we learn to resolve some of the difficulties. It is not automatic! It takes a lot of work to overcome the results of our natural mind. But with God, anything is possible. His definition for who you are is perfect. If you need help discovering your true identity, and getting on track with restoring relationships that are impacted by your natural mind, please call or email via the contact page. http://www.live2bfree.ca/index.cfm?i=15032&mid=25&blogid=8495&comments=32925 32925 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 15:41:00 +0000 Many (but not all) clients I see ask to have Christian faith values included within their time of counselling. In times of trouble, faith is often something to work on. Leaning on God somehow helps us not feel alone during difficult times. God fulfills his promise of 'never leaving us', but we often walk through our struggles ignoring His presence. God has encouragement for those who seek it. This encouragement can be found in the Word, from other people, or from the Holy Spirit within. Choosing to seek these three sources regularly will naturally lead to encouragement. 'Seek, and you will find' is the promise, and we need to do our part to receive it. Many (but not all) clients I see ask to have Christian faith values included within their time of counselling. In times of trouble, faith is often something to work on. Leaning on God somehow helps us not feel alone during difficult times. God fulfills his promise of 'never leaving us', but we often walk through our struggles ignoring His presence. God has encouragement for those who seek it. This encouragement can be found in the Word, from other people, or from the Holy Spirit within. Choosing to seek these three sources regularly will naturally lead to encouragement. 'Seek, and you will find' is the promise, and we need to do our part to receive it. http://www.live2bfree.ca/index.cfm?i=15032&mid=25&blogid=8495&comments=30246 30246 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:51:00 +0000