Power filled Positive Thinking-chapter 16c- The Gravest Type II Error of Mankind

As we began this chapter, I spoke of the Power to reject the null hypotheses of life. We are not mere victims of whatever chance may bring. In Christ we have the power to reject the null hypotheses and find meaning, purpose, peace and joy in this world. We can have the power that can give us hope in the midst of our darkest trials—the power that can cause a bleeding broken heart to love again, and the power that lifts us out of our darkest moments of despair, causing us to sing with joy. The knowledge of who I am in Christ fills me with just that kind of power. It is not a power based on what I can do to make myself better. It is not based upon my “thinking myself” into being a better person. It is not a power based upon my own abilities to transform myself into someone worthy of God’s love or even man’s love. It is a power based upon the truth of the Gospel.

Artwork courtesy of Ronald Barba and is protected under copyright.  Copies may be purchased at:  http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/ronald+barba/all

The power that can bring true joy in the midst of trials can only be found in a relationship with God. That power was purchased by God’s grace and freely bestowed upon this broken vessel right where I am. It is His power in me that is my hope. It is knowing that He is Sovereign over my life.

The power to always rejoice in praise comes from knowing that I am His beloved, chosen, blessed, redeemed Child—heir of royalty. He will complete the work He began in me. My futile human efforts can never measure up; however, His mighty work in and through me cannot be thwarted by my stumbling and bumbling. Only a mighty, powerful God can take all my failures and turn them into His success story. That is amazing!! That is Grace!! That is the gospel!!

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Power-filled Positive Thinking-Chapter 16 B- Type I Error of Life

There has been a huge movement throughout the churches as well as the secular world regarding positive thinking. It is based upon the belief that through positive thinking, we as individuals can achieve great and mighty things. I can transform myself by focusing on only positive thoughts of who I want to be—I can become anyone I choose and become the world’s next rags to riches success if I only believe hard enough. I can face the mirror each morning and tell myself how young, beautiful, amazing, slender, successful, and wonderful I am. The idea being that the mind is a very powerful thing and by performing this type of ritual, I will become the person I have proclaimed myself to be.

The problem with the world’s positive thinking philosophy being, if I need to be continuously propping myself up by telling myself these things; that, in itself is an indicator that there is something broken inside me. I need a power greater than me to transform me and to be my hope.

Kenneth Lay, was considered one of the greatest rags to riches success stories. He was awarded the Horatio Alger’s Award by Norman Vincent Peale who was the reigning President of this prestigious club in 1998. The club was founded by Kenneth Beebe and bestows its honorary award and indictment into membership on those who despite adversity have rose to success—the rags to riches. Kenneth Lay, the founder and CEO of Enron fully believed in positive thinking and never allowing doubt to slow you down. Then Enron, which was built on one man’s optimism, was found to be no more than a “house of cards” which tumbled into bankruptcy taking with it the retirement funds of thousands of people who had been fooled into believing the same false positivism based on nothing but words and fictitious accounting.

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Power-filled Positive Living Chapter 17a- Power to reject the null hypotheses of Life

It was June, 1995. I was uncertain as to what the future might bring. My whole world seemed to have collapsed when Pete had died. My whole world had for so many years been wrapped around caring for and loving Pedro Barba Arroyo. Willingly I had used up all the resources in an attempt to help him get well. We had lost the practice, lost our home in Texas, and we had moved to Mexico with the hope that Pete would get well. He died on July 23, 1994 and I had spent the last year traveling between Pachuca, Hgo, Mexico and my hometown of Dexter, Mo. All that had been left of what had been to the world’s eyes a prosperous life was some land in Mexico which Pete had left the children and I. Now that was secured and I had made the final trip from Pachuca to Dexter by way of the “carreterra” (Mexican highways) to begin to pick up the pieces of my life to start again. My grief was overwhelming still—all my hope had been that God would heal Pete here on this earth. Yet, God chose not to; instead, God chose to take Him home. Pete had accepted Christ as His Savior only a few short months before his death. I did not question God’s Sovereign choice; yet, I also knew that there was a lot of brokenness left behind in me and in my children. Scars that would still need to be healed. Though I had looked for a job—none seemed available at first. So, I decided we would all go to Disney World. I flew Melissa in from California, invited my nephew Derek, loaded up my van and we went on a trip to Florida. I ignored the cost as I spent what I had on Disney World parks, Hard Rock Café, and Universal Studios. We stood on the beach at Daytona and then we returned home. I wanted to restore hope and joy into the hearts of my family. I was uncertain of what the journey would bring tomorrow; but, I did know that whatever it brought—God was at my side and would be through it all. Oh, by the way, as soon as I returned I had a job waiting for me—that vacation had been a leap of faith for me and a trip for all to remember.

Where is the power that can give a weary, broken soul hope? Can it be found in the recesses of a despairing soul by merely proclaiming that all is well? When everything is lost, where does one find the strength to stand again?

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Because I See thy Gift of Grace

By Effie Darlene Barba

A pilgrim’s journey through this land

Through meadow’s soft and desert sand

Beside the gentle bubbling streams

With flowers kissed by sunlit beams

Or rushing, roaring water falls

Whose beauty grasps and danger calls

Twinkling stars in the dark of the night

That guide my way and shed their light

The gentle breeze across my face

Whispering words of God’s sweet Grace

Creator Lord with all you do

What else on earth could I pursue

For all I have and all I am

Is due to you—Oh precious lamb

Who chose to die and pay my price

That I find in You, my paradise

And now I see through different eyes

This course on earth no more disguise

Its beauties shine, your glory clear

I feel the warmth your breath is cheer

To warm the chill within my soul

Like fireplace lit in winter’s snow

You blessed my life with love’s sweet kiss

That hope and joy arise amidst

The darkest trials I may face

Because I see thy Gift of Grace

© 2015 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Power-Filled Positive Thinking—Chapter 16C-

We have learned that God uniquely gave to us spiritual gifts of motivation that are to assist us as a body of believers and as a family to minister to those around us. Those gifts are divided in such a manner that we would need each other and not stand as an island. They very much are the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Those named are: exhortation, giving, teaching, leading (organization), prophecy (justice), serving, and mercy. Depending upon the specific gifts which one has as primary and as secondary, one’s approach and vision in a situation may differ from another’s approach. If we understand this truth and have gained an understanding of the importance of each gift; then, instead of discord arising, we would be able to harmoniously work together to stand firm in the faith while ministering to those in need. We need to discover, cultivate, and use our own unique gift for the ministry of Christ. The greater our knowledge of our gifts, the less chance that we will fall into the fleshly pitfalls that are inherent to our own gifts. Also, the greater our understanding of the gifts, the more we can recognize the value of those with different gifts from our own being like a check and balance for our own emotional journey.

As these are spiritual gifts they might necessarily be those which must be tempered by the Holy Spirit. For that reason we must utilize these gifts along with the fruits that would be the Spirit. Note that in I Corinthians 13 as Paul has just referred to the gifts in chapter 12, he now begins chapter 13 with a warning that if we utilize these gifts without the outpouring of love as our central motive—we become noisy, clamoring, obnoxious sounds.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (Agape like love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

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