Random Thoughts @trevordrinen

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An Unforeseen Future. -An Inspirational Short Story

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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Processing MY emotional reality through Proverbs

“Discontentment and hate stir up trouble; contentment and grace overlook the wrongs that others do.” (Proverbs 10:12 CEV)

I find myself needing to define some terms:

Hatred (or hate) is a deep and emotional extreme dislike that can be directed against individuals, entities, objects, or ideas. Hatred is often associated with feelings of anger, extreme discontentment, and/or a disposition towards hostility. Commonly held moral rules, such as the Golden Rule, oppose universal hatred towards another.

Discontent is the lack of contentment; dissatisfaction with one's circumstances. A person who is dissatisfied, typically with the prevailing situations.

How does being hateful / discontentment stir up trouble?

Personally... ...they both cloud my judgement, fog my perception, and are often outwardly mis-perceived.

Hatred takes me to a bad place emotionally, physically, and mentally.

While, discontentment often brings me to a place of questioning. Questions press me towards clarification and a place of decision.

In the midst discontentment I understand how I can processes things differently.

Contentment is 'acknowledgement and satisfaction of reaching personal capacity.' The level of capacity reached may be sought after, expected, desired, or simply predetermined.

Grace has been defined as "the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it". It is understood by Christians to be a spontaneous gift from God to man - generous, free and totally unexpected and undeserved and without any strings or requirements attached.

If discontentment and hate stir up trouble while contentment and grace overlook the wrongs that others do.

I find myself needing to ask a few questions so that I can apply this verse into my life. What two things would I like others to show me? What two things would I like to prevail in my life towards others?

Hatred would be out.

However, for my personality I need a minor spice of discontentment mixed with grace and love.

Why?

Often when I am content I get stuck...if i become overly content I lean towards the point of laziness. However, if my life is has a degree of discontentment mixed with grace and love I'm open minded, continue to learn verses obtain tunnel vision and become close minded.

It's here I am reminded that I need to freely extend to others all that Jesus extended and continues to extend to me -- even in the midst of me not fully understanding..

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Thursday, June 20, 2013

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE & NEVER STOP DREAMING: The Power Of YOUR Story

We all have a personal story – a story of how our lives have changed.

But are we ready to share that story with others?

Sharing your past and experiences is often an easy way to start a conversation that could lead to new friendship and a life time of adventures.

Writing out your story makes sharing less stressful and more comfortable when the opportunity arises.

Here are a few steps to assist you when writing your story.

Step 1: Share what your life was like growing up. Did you experience a lack of peace, purpose and significance? Was life fulfilling? What filled you? What drained you? What adventures did you have? What struggles did you face? How did you feel honored?

Step 2: Share how you came to where your at today. Describe the circumstances that led you to where you are. What dream did you chase to get where your at? Or what dream did you give up?

Step 3: Share your future hopes and dreams. What do you currently dream of? What inspires you? What are you living for and hoping to achieve?

Final Tips

Be patient as you sit down to write or verbal record your story.
Make your story sound conversational. Keep the wording light and use action words.
Keep your story short, simple and up-to-date as you journey through your life.
Be authentic, encouraging and inspiring to those that your story will be shared with.

Be the change you want to see; while, never stoping to dream!

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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

A Grandfather's Wisdom. -An Inspirational Short Story

Today, my grandpa keeps and old, candid photo on his nightstand of my grandma and him laughing together at some party in the 1960’s. My grandma passed away from cancer in 1999 when I was 7.

This evening when I was at his house, my grandpa caught me staring at the photo. He walked up, hugged me from behind and said, “Remember, just because something doesn’t last forever, doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth your while.” -Anonymous

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Thursday, June 13, 2013

Perseverance & Endurance Have Often Overlooked Rewards. -An Inspirational Short Story

Today, I’m a mother of two and a grandmother of four.

At 17 I got pregnant with twins.

When my boyfriend and friends found out I wasn’t going to abort them, they turned a cold shoulder to me.

But I pressed forward, worked full-time while attending school, graduated high school and college, and met a guy in one of my classes who has loved my children like his own for the last 50 years. -Anonymous

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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

In·i·ti·a·tive . -An Inspirational Short Story

In·i·ti·a·tive . -An Inspirational Short Story

Today, my 12-year-old son, Sean, and I stopped by the nursing home together for the first time in several months. Usually I come alone see my mother who’s suffering from Alzheimer’s. When we walked into the lobby, the nurse said, “Hi, Sean!” and then buzzed us in. “How does she know your name?” I asked. “Oh, I swing by here on my walk home from school all the time to say hi to Grandma,” Sean said. I had no idea. -Anonymous

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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

#Reality: Shattered Then Restored - A Short Devotional Journal Entry

#Reality: Shattered Then Restored - A Short Devotional Journal Entry

“God, you have rejected us shattered us. You’ve been so angry. Now restore us! You’ve made the ground quake, splitting it open. Now repair its cracks because is’t shaking apart! You’ve made your people suffer hardship; you’ve given us wine and we stagger.... you have rejected us, God, haven’t you? With God we will triumph; he’s the one who will trample our adversaries.” -Psalm 60:1-3 / 10 & 12

Something internally resinates, as I find my head nodding in agreement with the psalmist words. I can relate to David’s feelings as he expresses himself in Psalm 60 saying, “God, you have rejected us shattered us. You’ve been so angry. Now restore us!” I’ve wondered where God is! I’ve felt abandoned, isolated, and alone - distance from God. I’ve also been angry, frustrated, and like David bust out with angry verbally demanding that God make things right - “Now restore us!”

And in the midst of my frustration, anger, uncertainty, and feeling abandon - like the writer of this Psalm David my eyes have been open to the hurt, turmoil, and destruction around me - You’ve made the ground quake, splitting it open. Now repair its cracks because is’t shaking apart! You’ve made your people suffer hardship; you’ve given us wine and we stagger.... .... which honestly leaves me questioning and yelling the same words David did.... “you have rejected us, God, haven’t you?”

It’s here as I pause.... be still... and needing to remind myself that my relationship with God is similar my relationships with family and friends. I also find myself needing to follow Jesus’ example when encountering like life circumstances. I need to step back from being immersed, submerged, or feeling overwhelmed by both my emotions and circumstances - I need to find a place where my mind and emotions can be calmed and attempt to connect with God.

Why?

Because as David transparently portrays both this emotions and the reality in which he was living.... God allows us to experience hardships to the point of feeling, “rejected us shattered us. You’ve been so angry.” Yet, if that is true we must also hold fast to another true characteristic of God - God is a restorer.... .... .... in time.... through hard work.... He is a restorer....

“With God we will triumph; he’s the one who will trample our adversaries.” - Psalm 60:12

Prayer

You’re God and I am not. I am saved by Your extension of grace and unmerited favor. If you’ve saved me from something my hope and trust is that you’ve also saved me for something. Since grace is not something I can attain or possess - I wrestle with questions, reality, and fully trusting in you.... but that’s where genuine interactive faith happens most for me.... in other words - thank you God for not being a religious idol or silent intently - thank you for desiring interaction. Please help me today to listen, interact, and act. Once again I acknowledge your ways are higher than mine and the need to remain a learner at you feet by daily coming to you. For I’ve / we’ve received grace through God’s accomplishments - through the actions carried out in Jesus Christ and God has created me / us to do good things as I / we daily live our lives out! -Trevor

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trevord@nhww.org
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