I once heard a story about a man who was driving down a farm-road late at night and had a flat tire.  While searching for his tire-iron, in order to change that tire, he discovered it was missing.  Feeling helpless, he looked around and saw a single light in the distance...a farm-house.  He suddenly had a thought.  "Perhaps the farmer who lives in that house will have a tire-iron I could borrow."

He began to walk toward the house and as he did so his mind began to work.  "It sure is late...perhaps the farmer and his family are asleep and would not appreciate being awakened by a stranger seeking help.  After all, it's my own fault I don't have a tire-iron."

Walking further, his mind began to add even more thoughts.  "What if that farmer is really a 'mean old man,' and doesn't like people coming onto his property!  What if he thinks I'm so stupid for being out this late...without a tire-iron?  What if he becomes very angry with me and shouts insults at me...what then?"

Soon he was standing at the farmer's door.  He rang the bell and in a few minutes the porchlight came on.  An older gentleman opened the door...a quizzical look on his face.  Before the old farmer could say a word, the man with the flat yelled out, "I didn't want to borrow your stupid old tire-iron anyway... you mean old man!"  And walked off into the darkness.

How many times have we let our own thoughts get the best of us...causing us to act in self-defeating ways?  If you're human...and I assume you are, (he said grinning), then you can completely understand this story.

Let's face it, there are times in our lives when our thoughts get the best of us, leaving us distraught with painful and...in some cases...emotions that are out of control.  When our emotions get out of control...our actions are soon to follow, and the usual result is negative.

Have you ever wondered what goes through the mind of someone who commits suicide?  It begins with thoughts of complete failure...fear of facing more and more hurtful events...a feeling that life will never get better...and that it simply hurts too much to live.  In fact there is an old saying in Psychology that says: "Suicide is rarely about wanting to die...it's about hurting too much to live."  Sadly, statistics show that if these people could have received the proper help...with time, their desire to die would go away and their desire to live and prosper would return.  In short, suicide begins in the mind as self-defeating thoughts, long before it becomes a reality, ending life and leaving devastated people behind.

What I'm trying to say here is that our "emotions" are extremely powerful forces that can cause us to do extreme things.  The killer behind the Virginia Tech murders is a class example of this process to the extreme. 

These  "extreme and poweful emotions" are the result of destructive and self-defeating thoughts that haunt us like a ghost...and if we continually entertain them, can lead to actions that are hurtful to others and competely defeating to ourselves.

But how do we learn to "control our emotions?"  We first have to learn how to control our thoughts!  Although there are few things in this life we "can" control...we can control our thoughts.  I've often heard people say in counseling, "I can't help the way I feel."  I always tell them, "You can help the way you feel by helping the way you think."  They usually look at me...at first...like I'm an alien from the planet Weirdo. 

However, once I can convince them that the "way they feel," is the result of the "way they think," I begin to see them making progress.

The first step to overcoming self-defeating thoughts is to become very aware of a "negative thought," when it crosses our mind.  A negative thought will always portray itself by making you feel a sudden tinge of fear, hopelessness, anger, defeat, disgust, bitterness and the like...none of which are "feel good" emotions.

As soon as you identify this thought...STOP IT.  Don't allow it to grow like a nasty weed in your garden.  Refuse to embrace it.  Instead, use your mind to "solve the problem," instead of letting the problem at hand overwhelm you.  If you don't have the answer (or solution) at that moment, just say to yourself, "There's an answer to this problem...and I'll find it in my own time."  Believe it or not, your mind will respond by calming your emotions.  This buys you time to seek help for the problem from others or to find one yourself in your own time.  The real issue here is not "solving the problem," but "not allowing your mind to bring you into a state of painful emotional distress!"  This principal really works.

For example:  did you know you can watch a sad movie and your emotions will be sad, reflecting the thoughts that have been entertained in your mind.  Shortly after, you can watch a comedy and you'll notice that your emotions are no longer sad.  Our emotions follow our thinking.

I hope this series on the mind is helping someone.  I will continue this series in the weeks to come, hoping that many will grasp the truth of it, and put it to great use...and in the process, find that they are feeling better about themselves, their lives, and those around them.

I love you all,

Reydon

During my absence from the Internet, I was saddened to learn of the sudden death of a dear friend and a wonderful mentor...Dr. Harry Gray.

Harry was a powerful preacher, a funny man with a great sense of humor, and was a intellectual genious in the field of Psychology.  He pastored from the time he was 18 years old or so and passed away in his late 60's.  He lived a full life...had a wonderful family and touched countless lives, including mine.

The first time I met Harry Gray I was drawn to him for his "no-non-sense" approach to people.  He believed every word of the Bible, but he also realized that mankind is much more than just a spirit...that he is also flesh and mind. 

Too often, ministry is focused solely upon the spirit...leaving the mind and body out of the mix...except to blame it for all our sins.  Unfortuately, this leaves many people struggling with issues that are not addressed in Church or Bible-studies...for lack of "spiritual significance," or for simple lack of understanding the "whole man," all of which are important to God.

A good example of this is human sexuality.  For too long the Church has steered completely clear of teaching healthy sexuality to it's members...leaving them with the impression that Satan created sex, rather than God.  This short-coming on the part of the Church to teach the beauty of love between a husband and wife, and the affects of hormones upon the mind, has left many Christians feeling guilty for having thoughts or emotions that are clearly designed by God...not Satan.  On an issue as powerful as this...a lack of teaching leaves the door wide open for Satan to distort and abuse people emotionally and mentally.  I know...I counsel them regularly.

It was Harry Gray who sparked my interest in the study of the human mind and how our thoughts affect everything...from our day to day lives to our belief system and the importance of developing a healthy mind if we are to develop a healthy spirituality.

That interest has led me to years of study upon the issues of the human mind and how it affects us almost every second of our day.  I have used that knowledge to help many people by "clearing up their thinking," where they could move forward with their lives in God and in peace.  I have God and Harry Gray to thank for that.

Over all my years of research I have found that the majority of the problems that affect us...even as Christians...are issues that originate within our minds.  It is with our minds that we "perceive what is true or false," and thus determines our believe system.  How important is this?  It's as important as eternal life.  Remember it is faith that saves us...and faith is decided in the mind, before being transferred into the heart. 

"That whosoever BELIEVES in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  That's how important the mind is.  It is with the mind that we either choose to believe in Christ...or reject Him as fantasy or religious propaganda.  It is within our minds that we "decide" what we believe and those beliefs then filter into our hearts becoming solid.

Not too long ago, I had some negative things said about me...due to the judgments and perceptions developed in someone's mind.  They began to spread their negative judgments of me onto others and it was a very difficult time for me personally. 

Once these people allowed their perceptions of me to become belief...no amount of trying to defend myself would have changed their minds.  These perceptions were wrong...yet they ended these relationships to my great sadness and dismay.  Once a person develops a negative perception of someone or something...it becomes nearly impossible to change that perception.  All of this is because of the mind...not the spirit...not demons or angels...but the mind.  While it's true that Satan can plant thoughts into our minds...only we can entertain those thoughts...give them credibility and then choose to believe them. 

My only consolation is that someday...maybe in Heaven...maybe here on Earth, God will reveal the truth and these negative perceptions will be revealed as totally false.  Until then, I cannot be responsible for what others think.

What I have discovered is that most of our problems are a result of poor thinking...or unhealthy thinking.  Sadly, once we think something...we tend to believe it as true...whether or not there is a single shred of evidence to prove it.

Let me give you another example of this:  I once knew a guy named Scotty Richards.  Scotty was a wonderfully talented guitarist and we crossed paths many times at various concerts where both his band and mine were performing.  For many years he truly believed me to be one of the most arrogant people he had ever met.  Years later we became good friends and he discovered that my "stand-offishness" was due to my severe shyness...not arrogance.  It took him years to realize that his perception of me...which he believed strongly to be true...was completely wrong. 

How often have we met someone and formed an opinion within our minds without having enough evidence to prove our belief?  I've done it countless times.  I usually find out I was totally wrong.

My prayer is that the Church and Christians will begin to learn how the human mind operates and how to "bring it under subjection to the thoughts of Christ," before it destroys us or others.

This particular article is the first of several dealing with the mind that I hope will shed light on how our minds operate...and how we can use them for good...rather than evil.

I love you all,

Reydon

The Bible tells us that God is "No Respector of Persons."  It also tells us that as Believer's we are "Joint-Heirs with Jesus Christ."  In John 3:16, Jesus opens the promise of eternal life to "Whosoever will."

These references are biblical proof that God views us all equally.  There is no favoritism in God's heart...He loves us all the same...as any good Father should with His children.

Sadly, we currently live in a world that is anything but...equal.  We are torn into social classes, races, financial status, intellect and knowledge, opposing religions and so forth.  We have the "have's and have-not's" and we have those who virtually work themselves to death simply trying to have a meal and a bed.  It doesn't take anyone long to realize this current life is not fair and equality  for all is a fairytale.

It's easy to think that with hard work and some luck anyone can aspire to greatness and wealth.  That is hardly the case.  As you know some people are born at a severe disadvantage and life becomes a day to day battle to survive...without much hope of getting ahead.  For example: my grandfather had to quit school at an early age...leave home and find work for one dollar a day...just to survive.  It's hard to get ahead...pay college tuition and so forth on one dollar per day.

I too had such a desire to go to college.  I would have loved to become a Christian Psychologist, open a practice and help loads of people.  I have studied for years...on my own in this field.  I have been able to help many, many people with this knowledge...but without a degree...I must do it all for free.  It's hard to get ahead financially...when you do it for free.  (He said grinning).

Don't get me wrong...I'm not complaining at all...I wouldn't trade the world for what I've done for hurting people...I'm just using this as an example.  The problem was...because of being born into and raised in poverty...college was out of the question.  I had to go to work for minimum wage instead.  I'm sure most of you can relate.

We also live in a world that is dominated by the principle of "pecking order," where the strong survive and the weak either support the strong or die.  Even the childhood story of Robin Hood exposes the plight of the poor, where the government lives wealthily upon the backs of the poorest people or the common man.

Thankfully...this type of suffering will not endure forever.  We serve a God who has promised us a bright future where no-one will lack.  Why?  Because our Father owns the "Cattle on a Thousand Hills," as the Bible says and is prepared to give all He has as an inheritance to His Children...divided equally with Christ.  Our Father is so wealthy that He paves His streets with pure gold.

How do we obtain this wealth from God?  Work for it?  NO!  Beg for it?  NO!  It is a free gift to those who will believe and allow Him to adopt us into His family.

I long for the day when worry will no longer be a part of the Christian life.  Although the Bible tells us not to worry...it's hard to break away from that part of our humanity.  Research papers are full of stories that relate most major illnesses to prolonged stress and worry.  My precious friends...a day is coming when all that will end with a simple sounding of a trumpet.

I must admit there are times when I grow weary thinking of how many people in our congregation and in this world suffer from lack and the worry that accompanies it.  I wish I could help them all. 

My prayer for you today is that God will fill you with a sense of love, belonging, equality (at least in His Kingdom), and peace...knowing that our suffering is temporary and there is a day coming when you'll think you've won the biggest lottery of all time...entrance into God's unthinkable Kingdom.

I love you all,

Reydon

Well...as you can tell, the website is finally back online.  I was able to place the web domain-name along with the site which should really help in keeping the same thing from happening again. I actually feels like I've been reunited with an old friend.

Since last we talked, I've been very busy with the Church...teaching, preaching and counseling.  I continue to see God's love changing lives almost everyday and it never ceases to amaze me. 

Sadly, I hear reports that many Churches are experiencing smaller crowds, offerings and overall participation.  I've noticed this myself in our congregation and I'm a bit amazed...especially in light of the problems facing the World today...and by extention...all of us.  In light of a struggling economy I can understand falling offerings as people have to cut corners somewhere and oftentimes their Church is one of the victims.  However, I am a bit bum-fuzzled over the lower attendance since we are obviously living in perilous times...times when people should be running to Church rather than staying away.

I am amazed when I read about the number of Tornadoes that have swept America in the last few months from Los Angeles to the East Coast.  A tornado in Los Angeles???  Sounds like a movie rather than reality.  How crazy is that?  We also see Earthquakes causing massive death and destruction in places like China.  Add that to the fact that the World is deeply divided and War and animosity seem to be rampant and it makes one wonder if Jesus is about to come back.  We have the President of Iran promising to "wipe Israel off the map,"  and Israel and America promising that will not happen...even if it means Nuclear War.  We also find our own Country deeply divided as the Presidential race seems to spotlight.

These and other events and news make me wonder why Churches are not completely full of Believer's praying for our World, our families, Christianity, and the Lord's return.

Now you guys (and gals) know that I try to never be negative or fearful in this journal, but I must tell you that it concerns me that many believer's seem to be completely unaware of the dangerous times in which we live.

My prayer is that the Christians of the Earth will feel a new sense of urgency about our times...and for those who are lost without any knowledge of the precious salvation of Christ or the coming destruction upon the Earth.

My precious friends...we have such a wonderful message of love, salvation, forgiveness and eternal life.  This old World offers nothing but more death, more war, more hatred, more killing.  I wish it wasn't so...but the Bible tells us it is...and the fruit proves it.

My prayer is that our Congregations will become powerful places of love and acceptance, where we drop all the religious emptinesses in favor of real rescue missions. Not with arrogance but with compassion and grace...with the message of life...real life, without fear, death, pain, poverty and continued sorrow.

Please join me in prayer for these heartfelt thoughts.

I love you all...and have missed you tons.

Reydon