Biggest Loser: Losing the Noise - Final in Series

Phone calls....commitments....kids' activities....text messages....updating Facebook....laundry....household duties....doctor's appointments....work....meetings....stalled traffic....kids....spouse...the more there are on your list, the louder life becomes and the more likely other things will get drowned out. 

There is a lot of noise in life, so where do we find God?  Maybe God is found in some of those different noises (and I'll bet you could find Him in many of them if you just listened).  However, it is possible that all those noises, and possible stressors are drowning out your focus to even find God in your life or those situations. 

Yesterday, we looked at finding God and losing noise to pick out where He may be.  We looked at a situation in I Kings 19, in which Elijah has run from another human.  He has come to a cave and God tells him to go to the mouth of the cave.  There comes a great wind - God was not found in the wind.  There comes an earthquake - God was not found in the earthquake.  There comes fire - God was not found in the fire.  There comes a whisper or thin silence - God is found in the whisper. 

Sometimes when someone speaks softly, they gather more attention and it can be more effective.  However, there must be focus to hear the whisper.  Maybe God used the first three to get Elijah's attention.  Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

1. Be Aware of the Noises ~ Nothing is ever made better when denial is overpowering reality.  Take some time and think about what all is going on in your life to see if things are noisier than others and see if there are noises which you need to lose in order to live a healthier life.
2. Look for God in the Noise ~ Sometimes I've been in situations where I've spent a few hours being distracted before I realized that I hadn't looked for a time where God may have been in this situation. Try to see how God is in the noise or what God is wanting you to do or see in the situation you're in...you may be surprised.
3. Fog Ahead ~ Occasionally you may experience a "fog" in your life that screens the real possibility.  This fog may not allow you to see the end point, but it is well within reach.  These fogs are distractions, just like noise.  Keep going, through the fog, so that you may be able to reach a destination God is desiring for you.
4. Listen for the Whispers ~ God sometimes comes loudly and sometimes comes softly.  He spoke to Elijah in a whisper.  Become closer with God to be able to discern when is God coming loudly or when He is coming to you in a whisper. 

Noises can soothe, penetrate, and pierce.  They come in all tones, from low to high.  Each has a purpose but when they come mixed together or in extremes they can form an upleasant sound. 

Don't be afraid to lose some noise so that you will be a more healthy person and even a bit lighter.

How's your quest to becoming a "biggest 'spiritual' loser" so that you can have a healthier life?




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Starting Fresh in the Fall

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of attending the Colby High School's "Freshman Retreat". I participated in helping the Regional Prevention Center do their Jeopardy-like game to educate kids on drugs and alcohol. It was very enjoyable to see the kids come through before they begin another venture along life's path.

The very first thing on the agenda was a "welcome". Colby High's principal, Don Krebs, was one of the ones giving an introduction. His was also met with a charge to these new students. One of the things that he said stuck out. It was something that mayl come across logical and, possibly, kind of elementary. He said that the word freshman was a good name, because it meant that you get to have a fresh start as you begin this next chapter in your life.

High school is memorable for almost everyone. Something significant happens to almost everyone in those four years. I could write many stories on my ventures in high school. Some of these significant events are highs, where others are lows.

Though January is a time when resolutions are made (and dropped), this time of year is also good time to give yourself a fresh start. There is something psychological about the fall. It marks going back to school, fall sports, people getting together, and the temperatures start to cool down.

For a lot of students going back to school is a time they anticipate. They've had fun in the summer, but now they are ready to see their friends, get their new clothes, get their new school supplies, meet their teachers, and just get back into the swing of things. Each student begins the year with straight A's, regardless of how they finished out last year.

Whether or not last year's seasons were successful, this year's can be. A new start for every sports program out there. This is a good time of the year to start 'fresh'!

What about you? What are some things that have been dragging you down? What has been stressing you, lately? How can you use the fall to 'start fresh' again?

You may not be able to erase any situations, but this 'starting fresh' could be as simple as getting a new attitude about something or giving it another chance.

September is National Back to Church month. Have you been away for awhile? Maybe the reason you quit going was one of several. Everyone has their reasons why they may stop attending. Maybe it is because religious people are just 'hypocrites'. Maybe it is because you took a job. Maybe it is because you no longer believe in God. Maybe it is because there were not enough kids for yours to be around. Maybe it is because the preacher, or someone else, offended you by something they did or did not say. The list could go on and on.

Why not use the fall to make a fresh start? Not only are kids returning back to school, but maybe this is the time to return back to church.

It may not only be good for you, spiritually, but it may be a good idea to return to church from a physical standpoint, too. According to WebMD website that I checked out last week Harold G. Koenig, M.D., of Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, did a study consisting of 4,000 64-101 year olds and found that even after dissecting the group down in age, race, current illnesses and other health and social factors, "there was still a 28 percent reduction in mortality." (http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/spirituality-may-help-people-live-longer)

Which means that part of one being totally healthy, you not only need to exercise and eat right, but another factor is to be apart of a church!

So who's with me? Let's go to church and get a fresh start in the fall!!!