Does it Matter?

John 21:20-22 (NKJV)
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”
21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?  You follow Me.”
 
Peter asked Jesus how the apostle John would die.  Jesus replied that Peter shouldn’t concern himself with that by comparing himself with John.  Many times we have a tendency to compare our lives to others, sometimes to rationalize our own level of devotion to Christ or even to question God’s justice.  But whatever the case, Jesus responds to us as he did to Peter: “What is that to you?  You follow Me.”

Don’t worry about what everybody else is doing.  Instead, focus on what God has called you to do.  The phrase, “You follow Me,” includes doing what God has called you to do instead of judging, criticizing, or comparing what everybody else is doing.  Doing what God has called you to do is a success principle in the Kingdom of God.

Because we are "...fearfully and wonderfully made..." Psalm 139:141, there is a uniqueness to each of us. The only concern we should have is what God wants from us! Are we fulfilling our potential from God? Is the track we are on ours?

If we focus on us, we can improve our lives. Doing this would free us from a lot of stress! Go ahead, focus on you for a change!

Blessings,
Dr. Tim

STEPPING OUT!

Living your life to the fullest begins when you step outside your comfort zone. It can be quite tempting to stay in your comfortable place where things are predictable and safe. But your growth comes when you dare to shed the comfortable surroundings and venture out. You can do this by setting new and more demanding goals, making new friends, or by reading new books that stretch your visions. When you venture out you will meet new and exciting people who are exploring just like you. You will soon discover that the reasons you were afraid to venture out were not as bad as you thought they were. In fact you will wish you had done it sooner. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead; venture out, get uncomfortable with being comfortable and grow a little. The rewards of new growth will do you good!

Venture outside your comfort zone. The rewards are worth it. – Rapunzel, Tangled

Blessings,
Dr. Tim

DOLLHOUSE DREAMS AND G.I. JOE ADVENTURES!

As a kid, one of my favorite toys was a G.I. Joe action figure. I didn't have any sisters, but I did have several cousins that were girls. Their favorite toys were their dolls. Sometimes when we were all together, those dolls and action figures came alive! We would play for hours telling each other what was happening and what would happen next.

A few weeks ago, I heard a lady say that she wished she could live her "Dollhouse Dreams". She seemed to be unhappy with her present state of affairs and asked me if I had any suggestions. I said, "Yes I do." I then began to share with her how she could live those Dollhouse Dreams.

There are four things that we did as kids that we should do today in order for us to have the success we want.
1. We saw ourselves as what we wanted to be! Whether it was a Hero that came to the rescue in the nick of time or a Princess that ruled in an enchanted kingdom. How do we see ourselves today? However we see ourselves determines the course of action we take for our lives.
2. We created the story! It was all based on the choices we made. Whatever we wanted to accomplish, wherever we wanted to go, whatever we wanted to see, it was all up to us! What story are we creating for our lives today? What choices are we making?
3. We acted out what we created! It did not stay as only a dream. We acted on it. We became the very person our action figures or dolls were supposed to be. Truth is, we are today acting out the story we have created. For some, it is not nearly as exciting as it was then.
4. We controlled the ending! Through the danger, excitement, and all of the suspenseful unknowns, we decided how it would end. Today, we still decide how it will end.

It is not too late nor are we too old to have the life we desired as a kid. All we have to do is apply these four principles right now. Don't wait. Decide today that we are the action figures and dolls. Make it happen!
Reflecting back on those days, I can now see that those days were really a rehearsal for our lives.

Blessed,
Dr. Tim