Archive for the ‘Books’ Category

5
Jan

Renewing of the Mind

   Posted by: Wayne Armstrong

Stinking Thinking

One of the things I believe traps people from moving into their full potential is “stinking thinking.” For me, that is thought patterns that have kept people in bondage to self-limiting beliefs and patterns of behavior that don’t allow them the freedom to grow and experience growth. We need to take time to renew our thinking. We need to analyze our thoughts to see where they are incongruous with who we are designed to be.

I am familiar with mine and as a Christian, my relationship with God allows me to discover more and more beliefs that are limiting. Some of them have been culturally appropriated, some have been developed through lies I have believed about myself or others and some have been developed through religious influences.

At the end of last year my heavenly Father started talking to me about growing my Faith. He said it would require me to go beyond logic and into trusting His word.

I want to make it clear that I am following what He reveals during my meditation time and through all day conversations. While I don’t expect people who don’t have a relationship with him to understand it will simply look and sound foolish. Honestly, I understand how crazy it may seem but He does talk to his children and loves to have a relationship with them. The more you grow in your relationship with Him the clearer his voice becomes. You see it is easy to recognize love. and the peace that comes when He is present.

The Mind

The “Mind” tries to figure things out but our Heart and Spirit knows what it wants. Our mind essentially fights our heart and spirit in order to find clarity. Needing to be clear is a mind thing, sometimes we need to just walk the journey letting Spirit lead and not mind.

Faith requires us to go beyond our mind and take a step of faith. It is important to remember that our mind is connected to external events and takes its primary input from there. When we become a Christian our Spirit connects directly to the Godhead via Holy Spirit who is living within and around us. In the Old Testament, Holy Spirit came upon you for a season and left. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit lives within us as well as around us.

The more room we give Him and allow him to expose any areas where lies empower darkness in our lives, the more we gradually become like Jesus. This not only requires faith, that He will do what He said He will do, it requires you to take control of the thoughts that fight against faith. Those are the thoughts that are empowered by “logical” fear-based ideas. In the book of Romans, Paul exhorts us to renew our mind.

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 HCSB

Renew

I am excited as one of the books I have wanted to get has come on sale for the next few days. It is Renew by Julie Winter. I first heard about this book from Kris Vallotton. He went through a battle of depression and anxiety. Jackie walked him through the healing process allowing Holy Spirit to build him back to wholeness.

As the book description states…

“Through easy-to read, powerful chapters, you will learn to:

  • Break agreement with toxic thinking by learning how to take your thoughts captive and surrender them to Christ
  • Understanding the three “trees of your mind” and protect yourself from poisonous trees of unbelief and unforgiveness
  • Receive healing by releasing forgiveness
  • Keep your thought life healthy, nourished, and destiny-focused
  • Sustain joy through a correct view of your identity in Christ
  • Wear the Armor of God and use each item to dismantle lies aimed at your destiny
  • Activate the power of declaring Scripture, remembering testimonies, and releasing thanksgiving
  • Break free from shame, guilt and other strongholds that the enemy uses to keep you in bondage

A renewed mind is your weapon against the enemy’s lies and the key to walking in Supernatural joy!

So if you are looking for a way to move towards wholeness and healing then take advantage of this weekend special and get the Kindle version for $1.99 otherwise get the Hardback for $24.99. Paperback is currently $12.50

 

 

In an effort to provide for my family I have become an Amazon Associate. Essentially this means I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

11
Mar

Are We Destined To Win?

   Posted by: Wayne Armstrong

Are We Destined To Win?

What is your passion? Are you significant? Do you have a destiny or is your life a random set of circumstances? How do you view your identity and does it affect your choices? Is it even important that you have an identity and destiny? These are all really hard questions to answer and typically people spend lifetimes trying to discover the answers. I am no exception.

On this journey of life I am always looking for inspiration and clarity, as such I am currently reading through Destined To Win: How to Embrace Your God-Given Identity and Realize Your Kingdom Purpose by Kris Vallotton a leader and pastor out of Redding California.

It was one of the books I have recently been eyeing for a while as I always find Kris’s insights enlightening.

As a disclaimer I will say upfront that I did receive a copy of the book from the author for review purposes and will do my best to provide some of the insights I get and an honest reflection of my thoughts. #destinedtowinbook

I was initially drawn to his book because one of my great joys is helping people find their passion and calling that people commonly refer to as destiny. I believe this book is a great practical resource in helping you clarify what moves you.

So here is just a quick taste of some of my noted quotes from chapter two.

Dealing with the soul.

Why are so many people looking at the modern church and just seeing hypocrites and not authentic believers? Why am I hypocritical in some areas and afraid of living authentically?
Kris points out a potential reason through asking a great question. “Why do we pretend? I think it’s because we are all born with an intense need to feel significant, loved, valued, and accepted; yet we fear that we are not worthy of these things.”

If you have grown up in a religious atmosphere in any way either consciously or unconsciously we have held that developing our spirit as more essential and valuable than looking after our soul and body. Sometimes this is fueled by a deficient understanding of scripture.

At times when a person is experiencing the favor of God and succeeding in an area outside of what is deemed non spiritual then phrases such as, “They are so walking by the flesh and not the spirit.” are thrown in their direction.

Kris breaks down and expounds his points further scripturally and for the richness of that you would need to get a copy of the book.

One final quote for today.

Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually. 3 John 2
“Did you notice that prosperity and health are directly related to your soul and not your spirit?…It’s imperative that we first acknowledge and then manage the needs of our souls. Otherwise, we will find ourselves drowning in the sea of humanity, starving for love, affection, acceptance, significance, attention, and approval.” (p.12)