The Rational Rabbit Hole no. 8

“For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service].”

Romans 12:3 AMP Embrace the Within.

I tend to fall into the category of feeling better than those around me. Why not feel better when you are putting in the work? Why not feel better when you are doing what others choose to not do? And I think the idea of humility is important to face. Everyone has their level of responsibility to themselves in doing what they need to find the Kingdom BUT it doesn’t mean that I need to feel disdain for those that are doing the best they can with what they have. To not think more highly of myself that I wouldn’t help those around me is the problem with this haughty nature.

And I do my best to keep a humble attitude despite where I am today because I am still connected to my roots. I remember the times that I had nothing. I grew up through the economic instability of America in the ‘80s. I struggled to get myself through college and pay off those student loans. There were times when I ate some of the cheapest meals and relied on the charity of others to make it through. There were times when I had very little BUT I still survived. And I will never forget those times and obstacles that led me to where I am today.

Maybe that isn’t your life. Maybe you never struggled. Maybe life has been easy. I somehow doubt that even if outwardly others see your life that way. I think a lot of people see my life outwardly as that as well. We all have our own obstacles and struggles in life that give us a chance to reflect on where we were and where we can go. We need to remain connected, I need to remain connected and grounded on that fact. That no matter what I achieve, no matter how easy my life may look, I am only this far because of God’s grace and mercy.

Right now my service is studying and writing about those applications to my life BUT I don’t see that calling as anything special. I don’t look upon my position as more important in the work of God than any other. We all have our role in this discipleship. We all have our role in this ministry. We all have our part. Have you found your part?

Bless your body, mind, and spirit. Have the day you want. I hope you find whatever you’re looking for.

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoGodsNoMasters #MyBodyMyChoice #MakeYourselfGreatAgain #EmbracetheWithin

The Rational Rabbit Hole no. 7

“And the Lord shall be king over all the earth; in that day the Lord shall be the only one [worshiped], and His name the only one.”

Zechariah 14:9 AMP

Embrace the Within.

I take a lot of time to read and study the things that I find important. My research is, as the research of must researchers, me-search. I am always looking for answers. And those answers are to questions I have. If my research and study and reading can help you in any way, then I am thankful for that. BUT I would also not recommend taking my word for anything. I would recommend that you go out and do the research. If you are like most folks, then you start out with the question, “Okay, how do I research something?” Well, let me assure you that research is not done by simply hitting your favorite search engine and reading the first article that agrees with what you already believed. Research has some more complexity and rigor than just finding the echo chamber and saying, “Guess I was right all along”. Research takes a lot more study and understanding. Research is a process that really never ends because I am quite never certain of any of my answers done on me-search. I just have the best answer I can get right now.

So, for those of you that want to know the process, here is what I have taught for years to my students about what to do when doing research.

1. Identify the issue or problem and narrow your focus to one question.

2. Then, generate some sub-questions that relate to that one main question. Those sub-questions should be parts that make up the main question.

3. Go out and find all the information you can. No evaluation of the information. Just get as much stuff together about the question as possible.

4. Read, evaluate, interpret, and conclude what each piece of information says about the main question or the sub-questions. Keep a running list of conclusions for the question and sub-questions.

5. Finally, take all those conclusions and determine what all the evidence you read, evaluated, and interpreted says about your question and sub-questions. Take those conclusions and develop a statement of belief about your main question based on those conclusions.

And once you have done your own me-search, maybe you will begin to trust yourself to make your own decisions. I think a lot of folks are uncertain about their own ability to make choices and would rather trust the opinions of others. Primarily this is so we have someone to blame if the opinion is incorrect. If we are responsible for making those choices based on our own research, then we get worried that we will only have ourselves to blame. BUT, I think it is time to move beyond blaming ourselves. It is time to move beyond shaming ourselves for what we do. It is time to move into claiming our life as our own. It is time that you and I stand up for ourselves and do what is right and do what we decide. Let’s stop letting other folks make those choices for us? Let’s start doing our own me-search? Let’s starting owning and claiming our lives?

Bless your body, mind, and spirit. Have the day you want. I hope you find whatever you’re looking for.

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoGodsNoMasters #MyBodyMyChoice #MakeYourselfGreatAgain #EmbracetheWithin