Life and the Pursuit of Happiness

Change of Scenery

2011-03-18T00:04:00.000-04:00

Hey THERE! For all who happen to stop by and check out my blog, or are following me (subscribers) I want to first say THANK YOU SO MUCH for the support.

I have switched from using blogger to using word press. You can click on the link to follow My Blog. OR the address is below.

http://thoughtsofahumbleservant.wordpress.com/

Thank you so much once again for you support and I pray you stay connected as I move over to WordPress.

Morning Glory!

2011-03-02T10:43:00.000-05:00

When you wake up in the morning what is the first few things that run through your mind? (For some this may be after you have had a cup of coffee or rubbed away last nights crust from your eyes)

As I was driving to my 6:35am class (yes I have a class that early) I looked out over the horizon and it was beautiful. I begin to speak with God, thanking Him because I knew that the events that were set before me today would help me reach His destiny for my life.

Then I began to think. Is that how I live everyday? Do I really understand that everything I face God allows and only pushed me closer to fulfilling His purpose within my life.

SO I ask you.. Does your life have meaning? Do you wake up feeling ready to continue accomplishing your goals?

Most of the time we develop our own plans, and destiny. When is the last time that you truly found yourself giving God your life/plans/desires and trusting Him to guided you.

Psalms 37:23 says

"The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
when he delights in his way"

Are we delighting in God's way so that He can ordered our lives? Or are we praying that He lets us live life the way we want, absent of Him and His path, but still looking for His blessings?

Most people ask for prayer and direction yet do little to get to know the one they request it from. If you want to do more than just exist, waking up everyday not looking forward to its start. Or only holding on to events that come and go, rather finding life being worth it on its own then I suggest you change the reason why you live.

Living for Him puts everything into perspective and allows you to do more than just exist.

Love?

2011-02-15T13:02:00.000-05:00

It is very interesting how many people (whether they want to admit it or not) are addicted to "love". We want, desire it, are willing to endure pain to have a moment of its time. When we are without it we are bitter or sad, when we don't get enough we are angry, and some just deny it. Others down play it. No matter what we know it is there and thus are connected.

Can one be truly connected to love if they are absent from the Love of God?

What I mean is that if people are living in the light of God's love, can we express this emotion towards another. What most people don't realize is at the most shallow level's love is an emotion. In all reality Love is an action. Love is an expression of how one feels but that expression has to be intentional.

It seems that some people aren't willing to perform the necessary steps to have true love, but rather settle for the puddle of an emotion they have, wondering why "love fades".

God seems to demonstrate love in turns of a series of committed, intentional actions rather than over-fluffed emotional junk.

Here are a few things to think about...

Have you truly embraced the love of God?

Do you live in light of this love? (Intentional actions showing love)

If you realized you are loved by God, do you love yourself?

Do you try to intentional love someone else? (Love being an action not an emotional response

I see tons of people commenting on "love" yet very few willing to live it out in various aspects of their life.

I pray that you can experience the love of God, love yourself, and share this love with others. If you are "in love" I pray that love is a committed action that is intentional on building the other person up.

Passion?

2011-01-24T20:52:00.000-05:00

What is it that makes people GO? What is their motivation, their drive, their... PASSION!!!

Lately I have been talking to people, and I find myself thinking, why will people be apart of things that don't make them happy? I mean people seem to be in search of something, anything to give meaning to life, or fulfill them, but all roads lead to the same place.

This place is filled with disappointment as everything will fade away. SO what is it that drives people? What are you most passionate about?

For me it is people... If you knew me years ago your mind is probably blown right now, if you know me now it makes sense. I am passionate about people, seeing people fulfilled, growing, and in love with life.

For me to see people reach that level, I have to strive to obtain that in my own life. Through Christ I have. Not that I have reached it, or perfection, but it is my goal to live a fulfilled life through Him.

What you are passionate about? What are you willing to work with all your might to see come to fruition? What are you willing to sacrifice everything you have for?

Hopefully it isn't anything that in 5 years will be worth nothing, or in the end will fade away.

Do you live life with passion or do you simply exist.

Through thick and thin

2010-09-07T13:59:00.000-04:00

You know people are quick to forsake you for various reasons. On my facebook page this was a status that I posted

"I've tried my hardest to connect with them, I have reached out with countless idea's expressing various ways of making it work filled with my deepest feelings. BUT because I could not be what they wanted me to be, I could not do as they wanted, I did not act as they thought I should have, they have forsaken me. When you don't jump the way people want, nor reach their expectation they are quick to let you go."

I can't disclose the situation, although I wish I could. I can tell you this, we loved each other. A people who got together for a common cause, carried for one another, and would be willing to do anything no matter the risk, because we believed God was directing our paths according to His will. We encouraged one another, we shared life.

Then some grew up, some moved on thinking that the love and connection would remain in our hearts until Christ returned. I remember asking the question, "if I was not here (physically in their presence, would that change our relationship?" I pleaded for us to stay in touch. I know things change we distance is between people, but this is different.

No calls, no letters, and when there was any brief communication some would try to make me feel guilty for going where God is leading me. Others would avoid me.

Side-note

It is funny how people delete you from Facebook or their social-networking pages as if to say now we really aren't friends anymore.

End Side-note

It is very interesting how people, people who claim what they claimed will choose to live. I would say choose to act but this is there lifestyle. So with all that has been said and done, I am left with this...

"I thank God for His strength, my life (which is blessed beyond measure) is for His glory, and I pray that He will continue to lead me according to His perfect will."

I am not sorry if I haven't been who you wanted me to be, that I didn't mold according to your will, or if I'm not doing what you thought was best for you/or me.

I am doing what God is requiring of me. I have trying my best to be faithful to His word, sensitive to His Spirit, and diligent in His calling. If your endeavors are the same then we can connect, if not then you are in my prayers. For years I have tried to become what people would like. Now I only try to please one Person and let Him open doors for me.

I pray that you remain faithful, I pray for your strength, I pray for your happiness.

God Bless and Stay Faithful friends.

Worshiping with all 5 senses... Can you Hear Him?

2010-07-07T10:11:00.001-04:00

Many people at one time or another mention how they are looking for direction in life. What exactly are we looking for? In Christian circles we often refer to waiting to hear God on any given issue in order for us to make our move. If we are playing a chess game (which can be extremely complicated if playing the right opponents), we are waiting for God to tell us our next best move, now we can just make a move if we are impatient but we will not be making the best choice. I once heard a professor say our view is connected to that of a young child watching a parade. They can only see what immediately in front of them, maybe a glance down the street. God, on the other hand is the blimp up top who has the whole view of the parade and can better see it. By way of illustration I hope those work for you.

Now how does one hear God? Many people make choices saying they prayed to God, but does that suggest that you've automatically heard from Him. Of course not, but what then, does put us at ease? Often times we are looking for the exact answer we want.

"OK GOD, I need you to do this for me, and do it just like this, I know what's best, therefore I'm asking for it, and I want it." No we wouldn't say that, we would say "Your will be done" meanwhile we are complaining when His will is being done.

Scripture tells us that that God is unlimited in His wisdom (Psa 147:5)(Rom 11:33)SO what's UP!.

Well I'm going to suggest that our ears are broken.... Not really broken and they aren't the only things that needs to be adjusted, but this is where we will start.

So again I ask how does one listen, or hear from GOD!!!!

First, I want to suggest that one must trust HIM. The scriptures given speak to His wisdom, but unless you trust in God, and truly believe He is who the scriptures say He is, you can never hear from Him, rather you won't except it.

Second, one must understand the importance in reading/trusting in His word. The bible tells us that it is the very words of God (2 Tim 3:16-17), well if this is God's word we need to be seeking it for answers.

Third, pray according to God's will for our lives (1 John 5:14-15). Now I know many things can be going through your head about now, "How do I know God's will, That's what I'm already praying for", calm down and take a deep breath. This can be frustrating especially when you feel you need and answer and have been doing what you believe/know is right. Might I suggest rereading steps 1 & 2 and working on that? I must be honest it took me time to understand the difference between head knowledge and my heart actually believing things. We often know things about God but live slightly different. If you trust in HIM, and trust HIS words well then, praying HIS words or seeking HIM out through HIS words becomes more doable. Remember the parade illustration, we don't want to think more of our perspective then we should.

Fourth and this is not exhaustive in any way, "BE PATIENT". If you are looking to hear from God, and truly hear His answer, then you have to wait for it. Taking matters into your own hands doesn't make things better. Getting upset when you don't hear what you want to hear from God doesn't help either. John 10:14, 27 suggest that if you belong to Christ then you will know when He speaks.

Each of the five senses are deeply connected to each other, so use the God given abilities that you have wisely. If you are truly seeking His voice, seek it with a sincere heart, as you search through the scriptures letting the Holy Spirit guide you.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20

Blessings, Stay Faithful Friends

Emotional Endurance

2010-05-13T00:21:00.004-04:00

The heart is able to endure the worst of circumstances. Our emotions can find themselves on a roller-coaster ride in which we are not in control. Or are we? When do we get off? When do we decide that the up & down motions has made our hearts so sick that each valve is being chocked with unhappiness. Its like ever part of your body cries out for relief and doesn't find it. What do people do in this state? What do you do in this state?

Church - Is it really necessary? (Intro)

2010-02-08T21:03:00.003-05:00

So my brother in Christ put up an interesting status on his Facebook account and it got me thinking about how serious of an issue this is. This post had many comments and seemed to express many of the concerns I have heard from other people. Here is the status as written on his Facebook page:

"Question! This is to all my friends out there, who are so anti-church, can you give me your reasons why you despise church. This goes for the atheists, agnostics, those who profess to be christians, but say things like " I JUST DON'T GO TO CHURCH"....please enlighten me."

So this got me thinking... Why is it that people are against church? What is that people are against God? I would love to explore these questions and the various issues they bring up.

Let me know your thoughts and we will take time to chat about them.

Blessings to all.

Does God speak to your heart?

2009-07-05T23:28:00.002-04:00

When facing a tough circumstance as Christians we find ourselves praying. Looking toward God for the answer that will lead us in the direction of His perfect will. The Bible tells us to ("Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5). This in itself is already a tough task but those truly seeking after God and His righteousness find themselves striving for it.

My question however is simple.... Do people hear God when it comes to matters of the Heart? On the other hand, even better do they just make it up because they "like" someone so they say they heard from God?

Several people have told me to seek God with issues concerning my heart and I will just know. For me that doesn't cut it... Because too many times I thought, I knew. Was I not hearing from God? Did I foolish follow my emotions? When do we as people know the difference between what our heart wants and what God wants?

Often times we miss out on or mess up relationships because of this common mistake. Therefore, what's the answer...? How does it work when pertaining to matters of the Heart, especially dealing with loved ones...?

I'm not sure in the slightest way, but I do know that the Bible says in John Chapter 10 that the sheep know the voice of the GOOD Shepherd and a stranger they do not follow. So God will clearly sound different from our emotions, and if you know His voice you shouldn't get confused.

However, often times we do, or we pass off what our heart says, as the voice of the Lord. Let’s not be mistaking, God will lead us the right way; we have to simply listen and follow.

My heart struggles each and every day. I am praying that He will speak to it soon.

Thank you for reading again, please asks questions and leave comments. We will grow together in the Lord.

Fulfillment: Is it really obtainable? (Part 3)

2009-06-13T04:03:00.003-04:00

Due to technical difficulties (not having a Laptop) I had to take some time away from our series. But God has blessed and a new Laptop is upon us. So we will try jumping back into things. If you are just joining for the first time WELCOME, and feel free to read Part 1 & 2 so you can catch up.

Continuing with our three major questions, as Part 2 covered the first one. We will now tackle the second one and below they are listed for a reminder:

1) What does it matter that I am fulfilled? (or Why)
2) How does one become fulfilled?
3) Is that a realistic goal, to be fulfilled?

So our question today is:
HOW DOES ONE BECOME FULFILLED?

This question as many of the things spoken about in these blogs is subject to look different as people vary. However there are a series of steps that each individual can take that will allow them to travel down the road and journey into the world of discovering how they can be fulfilled.

In part one I talked about the "Big Four" or the Pre-fulfillment check list which included

1)Understanding ones foundation/beliefs
2)Understanding one's strengths/potential
3)Understanding one's weaknesses/limitations
4)Understanding one's purpose/drive (not as big as perceived)

With the Big Four here listed you see that from the ground up this is the framework of essentially who you are:

So let’s get a little more in depth with these four step, because when we can work towards understanding these aspects of our lives we can start purposing a lifestyle that will make us happier and ultimately more fulfilled.

First up is the ability to understand ones personal beliefs and develop a solid foundation. Most people however have been taught the answers of what they believe without really knowing the "why" aspect of them. So truly understanding in depth why do you believe what you do is going to be instrumental in this beginning process. This may take researching concepts, or even changing a way you think/practice something. You cannot take a bias stance (which may be hard) when trying to reason and wrestle through beliefs. Remember a belief and a foundational mental/moral structure will determine how you think about every from Religion and Politics to raising children and dietary issues. Now I'm not saying you need to have every aspect of your life completely figured out but you do need to understand the foundation of your beliefs. This will help you when faced with tough issues whether they be morally demanding or just require some logic. Your foundation is key to growth in life.
Never be afraid of change as it is a necessary part of life.

Next we have understanding ones strengths and weaknesses. This will take some time but be well worth it. Once you can have a grasp on your mental state you can begin to develop the areas in your life that you find are your strongest. Looking at Strengths/Potential will be first and the best way to begin to figure those out is simply paying attention to things you may be good at and enjoy. Try to stay away from things your good at but may not like, that won't help you in being fulfilled because you have to love what you’re doing. I am confident there are things in which you are good at, or even aspect of your life in which you just are naturally gifted. With that in mind develop these gifts/skills as they will be stronger and stronger plus you'll enjoy doing it.

Now as far as your weaknesses and limitations go we need to be very careful about how we manage these. Your weakness can be something you just find a struggle to do, may not be gifted in or even find to constantly turn out a "disaster" Your limitations may be something that you truly dislike to do, no matter if good or not, if you can’t stand doing it you probably should be involved with something else.

I would say the goal shouldn't be to apply all your energy towards your weaknesses so that they become while denying your strengths and the things in which you have the most potential. This leads to you become any average person who's (once) weaknesses are now average and your strengths (which have been neglected) are on that level as well). Rather you may want to increase the effectiveness of your strengths (making them stronger) so that you perfect your strengths and maintain the level of your limitations (not letting them get any weaker).

The last of the big four is how one understands their purpose/driving force in Life. I will personally say that this to me will be extreme important as you need to realize the reason for what you do. Excluding God and the design He has from this process will be dangerous as we then search for our own personal motives, nonetheless for most people to even be willing to examine the purpose of their lives on this deep of a level is amazing. Now this isn't as scary as it may seem although it will cause you to truly examine what you do and why you do it. Purpose is like the mission statement of a company, as it continues to remind you why you are heading in the direction you are heading in. If you find you’re unhappy on your journey then you may want to revisit the purpose of what you do. Understanding what drives you will save you from the everyday (self coaching session) one must perform in order to get through the day. Once you know and understand why you do what you’re doing and have the motivation to do it, you will succeed.

Please remember this is a rough draft of Ideas that I pray can bless you as you read them. I have found tremendous success and happiness by just realigning the way I thought and how I focused my energy in my personal development.

Feel free to leave a comment or ask questions if they should arrive. May God's will be carried out in your lives and His blessing flow upon you.

Break from Normal Program

2008-12-22T03:42:00.004-05:00

So sense I am writing a series about fulfilment "Fulfillment: Is it really obtainable?" and while that is still going I will also be looking at the Book of Genesis and trying to shed a little light on "The Original Design". All these are to be tools if for no one else at least for me. That I may have something to work through day in and day out to reach my full potential in life.

HOWEVER this is what I call a break from the normal program, a commercial if you will......

Disclaimer Listed Below

*This is a free write. All thoughts expressed are simply swirling around the mind and freely expressed here. There is spell or grammar check, there is no looking for clarity for the reader, but rather an attempt to allow the reader to enter into the world/mind of Thomas Anderson Jr. Reader Discretion is advised.

The changes that will take place in the new year of my life are so amazing. Yet there is little room to rejoice. What if a different choice was made? What if along this path I would have carried a little less or a little more. Is it wrong to wonder the what if? If I deemed that happiness can be magnified elsewhere am I wrong for wanting to pursue that avenue? Its still is along with the same endeavors it doesn't change the plan maybe just the players.... Is that kind of thing even allowed?

He knows he needs to get clean, so many options though. He can take a bath or a shower, he can even wash-up at the sink hitting just the important parts. But instead of making this more complicated that it needs to be he chooses the same and goes for the shower. As he steps in he realizes his feet hurt from the constant travel along the wrong. Rewarding it is, challenging no doubt but now his feet are bruised. So he makes the call as the water runs to switch to a bath instead.

Relaxing himself in a way unknown this makes the new challenges much worth it. As he lays in the tub feeling so calm, he hasn't notice the high level that the water had reached. Doesn't bother him as life has been worse and he closes his eyes to sleep. Its been days since real rest and this sleep is so divine that it seems to be just what he needed. Yet the sleep is strong and deep in form so his body begins to decline. Now head under water you think he'd be alarmed but no just sleeping away. His body doesn't respond the choice has been made that this path would be his bed.

Let not the deeds you do and the life you live be your down fall. We all have the God given gift to choose, please choose wisely.

Things to come - Original Design

2008-12-16T17:30:00.007-05:00

The Original Design is simply the beginning of a study on how life was pre-fall of man. When looking at the beginning of mankind we see several aspects of life that we may or may not have now. Well for one what is different about life then and now? Is there anything that we can do to get back to or fairly close to this original design in which God rested from saying it was good?

So we will be looking at The book of Genesis and discovering the SIX elements or commands of God to man and women. These are all pre-fall of man and hopefully in post to come you can see how different life would have been.

The purpose of this study is a continuous look at our lives today and how we can live to the fullest. Being able to look in the past can help shape our future and there is no better place to begin... than the beginning.

If there are any comments, questions or even topics that you would like to share or discuss please let me know.

Bless God in all that you do, and God bless all you do...

Fulfillment: Is it really obtainable? (Part 2)

2008-11-28T01:51:00.007-05:00

Well hoping that you have read Part 1 to this blog on fulfillment I want to start by thanking you for returning to read part 2. I do not claim to be an expert in this matter. I only claim to live a fulfilled life by way of the ideas expressed in this series of post's. So thanks again and let us begin Fulfillment: Is it really obtainable? (Part 2)

I want to start looking at the those three questions on fulfillment in the next few post
1) What does it matter that I am fulfilled? (or Why)
2)How does one become fulfilled?
3)Is that a realistic goal, to be fulfilled?

More specifically the very first question will be addressed here.
What does it matter that I am fulfilled?

I am sure many people that have begun to think through the idea of fulfillment, or have wrestled with being unsatisfied with any aspect of your life and may have asked this question in some shape or form. So what and why does fulfillment/satisfaction really matter.

I would say that most people live a life where regret is a reoccurring feeling. When you really think about it, there are decisions that we wish we would have made, or wouldn't have made. There are opportunities we wish we didn't miss and roads we wish we didn't go down.

However what if there was a chance that you could have a optimistic view on life and it not be forced because you want to keep from being angry or depressed and it isn't necessarily dependent on circumstance. I am speaking of a genuine feeling that the things you are apart of (organizations, church ministries, groups even your job) give you that sense of satisfaction. To me its a undeniable feeling, no matter the pay grade, no matter the stress level, no matter the initial outcome, you love what you do in spite of it all.

There are a lot of people that don't live with this. They work because they have to, they chase other people dreams or live in a false reality where they chase a dream that isn't there own and therefore will bring no real joy. When we live in a society where a dream from people that have "made it" is constantly shown to us, or rather we hear stories or those who started with less than nothing and now own it all, we begin to adopt the "that can be me" or "I want that" mentality. Please be careful for this is not a true product of you but a product of the propaganda seen and the lifestyle lived.

We each are created with gift and talents that when used properly we find ourselves doing what not only we love but what we are good at. God has uniquely designed everyone differently so that we may all assist one another, however when we try to pursue an endeavor that is not from our own heart we find that we can misuse those gifts and are not satisfied by our efforts.

So for some people it wont matter if they are fullfiled by what they do. They will try and fill that void with materialist things. Searching continuously for something to put their hearts at rest. For others they understand that the heart can lead you towards a vast amount of riches that money cant provide.

Now I'm not saying that I believe money doesn't have its importance as anyone who knows me understand I enjoy having it. I am saying that I don't believe people who want to be rich just for the fun of it really have a clue.

To close I will be honest and say that without knowing Christ as our personal Lord and Savior I don't believe that you can achieve TRUE personal fullfilment as Christ came to give us life and more of it.

Thanks for taking time to read another post and may God continue to guide your life.

Fulfillment: Is it really obtainable? (Part 1)

2008-11-18T20:34:00.003-05:00

Many times we have heard the word "fulfilled" but how many of us know what that truly means. Dictionary.com says that the word means "To measure up to; satisfy". So if we take that meaning and go with it, there may be a series of questions that can follow.

1) What does it matter that I am fulfilled?
2)How does one become fulfilled?
3)Is that a realistic goal, to be fulfilled?

Well first off I would say that before these questions can be answered the most important step and even most beneficial one would be, achieving self awareness. Now you may not see how this plays a part in this process but travel with me on this journey for a few and we will get there. In fact I would probably say that there are SEVERAL steps involved to becoming fulfilled and without them well you just may be living a life in where you falsely believe your happy but deep inside there is no real depth.

So back to this Pre-fulfillment check list as I will call it. It is very important that you keep in mind all this information needs to be filtered through your own culture. This process although similar in many ways but will ultimately look different for each person.

So following in order will be our Pre-fulfillment check list:
In order to be Self-Aware which helps lead to fulfillment you should :

1)Understand ones foundation/beliefs
2)Understand one's strengths/potential
3)Understands one's weaknesses/limitations
4)Understanding one's purpose/drive (not as big as perceived)

With the Big Four here listed you see that from the ground up this is the framework of essentially who you are.

Most people however have been taught the answers of what they believe without really knowing the why aspect of them. So truly understanding in depth why do you believe what you do is going to be instrumental in this beginning process. This may take researching concepts, or even changing a way you think/practice something. Never be afraid of change as it is a necessary part of life.

The same goes for realizing ones strength's and weaknesses. This will take some time but be well worth it. I would say the goal wouldn't be to make your weakness stronger so that you become average but rather perfecting your strengths and maintaining the level of your limitations (not letting them get any weaker).

The last of the big four is understanding ones purpose/driving force in Life. I will personally say that this to me will be extreme important as you need to realize the reason for what you do. Excluding God and the design He has from this process will be dangerous as we then search for our own personal motives, nonetheless for most people to even be willing to examine the purpose of their lives on this deep of a level is amazing.

So there is a brief description of some things that can lead you down the path of Self-awarenesses which when there you can begin to look back at those three questions involving fulfillment.

1) What does it matter that I am fulfilled?
2)How does one become fulfilled?
3)Is that a realistic goal, to be fulfilled?

There will be a part two to this post, so don't think just because we haven't touched on the first three questions we never will. Patience is key in all that we do in our lives. We need to have a good grasp of how one should start the process keeping in mind where we are going. So we start here so that one day we end up answering Fulfillment: Is it really obtainable?

Now each idea expressed here can be a full length blog in itself, so if there are any questions or concerns please comment here or email me.
Thank You and may God continue to bless you.