Maverick1's Blog

I’m glad I have a mediator and that my life, by faith, is hid in Jesus’ life. There is now no more condemnation for those who live in Christ Jesus but rather there is plentiful bountiful never ending grace. No need to judge. No need to let guilt and shame eat away at our souls. Do your best today. Let yesterday go and don’t worry over tomorrow. Show compassion to everyone, be charitable to anyone. Our Father sees in secret and rewards openly. Be patient and don’t grow weary in well doing.

My devotion and testimony Monday, August 29, 2022

Nothing.

Out of nothing can come nothing. ~ Alan Watts

I’ve heard some say there is nothing beyond this world and beyond this life. You live. You die. There is nothing beyond this existence.

The apostle Paul said if I only have hope in the after life but there is nothing beyond this life then my unrealized hope will make me of all people, most miserable.

Hope and despair are inseperately linked. Two sides of the same coin.

I am persuaded to believe differently than the atheist. I respect the atheist but can’t go along with the atheist.

Paul also said if there is nothing beyond this life and this consciousness that we should eat, drink and be merry all of the time. Glutinous and self indulgent living are in order if there is nothing to live for after our short life here.

If nothingness is nothing then out of nothing can come nothing. ~ Alan Watts

But that’s not what we have is it?

This life is something and if it had come from nothing then there wouldn’t be something.

I may not understand life but it’s definitely something and I believe the something it came from is divine intelligence and divine love.

I believe in God. I can’t see God but in faith I feel God. Much like the wind that I cannot see, I don’t see the wind but I feel the wind. When the wind blows and I see the plants and trees react I know that there is something because I see the winds affects on the leaves, the branches and so forth.

I’ve seen a sick man who was terminally sick be healed. I’ve seen the homeless pick themselves up and become a success. I’ve seen the life long drunk become permanently sober. I’ve seen the abusive become kind. The Holy Spirit is the master alchemist and able to take what we call nothing and make something.

True submission in faith to the Christ has the potential to make what appears to be nothing into something.

My testimony today is that without Christ, I am nothing and only in Christ am I anything, which is something. To live is Christ and to die is gain.

So while I respect my atheist acquaintances, I cannot believe in nothing.

Do you fear anything? Then that is proof that there is something? If there was only nothing then there would be nothing to fear? Yet you inherently fear something.

By the way, once you fear God there is nothing remaining to fear. Fear God and keep His commandments and then whom or what shall I fear? Death where is thy sting and grave where is thy victory?

Existence is eternal and real. This body of mine will one day be sown corruptible and terrestrial but in Christ, will be raised incorruptible and as a celestial body.

The one true alchemist will take my body of dishonor, wood and stubble and transform it into a body of honor and one like pure gold tried in the fire.

Love lights the way and I love Jesus, precious Jesus. He isn’t just my something, He is my everything.

My ramblings and musings.

My testimony, Tuesday, August 2, 2022.

Someone hurting told me that they “tried the God thing and it didn’t work.”

Hummm..

You tried unconditional love, truth, and peace and it didn’t work?

It worked for me….He worked for me….Jesus worked for me…

As soon as I changed my view of God and fully trusted in His grace and love, my life changed for the better.

God is not an austere and hard man.
God is Spirit. The Spirit and positive energy of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, meekness, self control, and faith.

I am loving awareness. I love eveyone and everything that I am aware of.

Faith.

I want to do my part to redeem the time and spend my time sharing my testimony. I would say I’m ashamed of my past and want to make up for my past but in Christ, I don’t have a past. I’ve been set free and am free indeed.

If you’re ashamed of your past, engaging in self judgement, beating yourself up, etc…..

STOP

Only man wants to remind you of your past. God wants to help you have peace through grace in the present and to point you to your can’t lose amazing future.

Come go with me. We can forget our past and remember it no more while getting excited about the future.

To live is Christ and to die is gain.

My testimony, Friday, July 29, 2022

Deal with depression. Staying active. Starting each day with something that’s healthy while also causing a dopamine release helps so much.

Overindulging in food, drugs, alcohol, social media and other addictive pursuits that get out of balance in one’s life doesn’t make them a bad person. It makes them human. All of the above done consistently and repetitively cause a release of dopamine (feel good chemical released by the brain). The vices above cause that release and I became addicted to some of the above but there are unintended consequences that are a result of the above and other vices.

One will find themselves going back to these activities for that feel good high again and again. Like a drug though, eventually chasing that dopamine high will leave you crashed and feeling empty.

I’ve used things to deal with depression that caused even more depression. Temporal relief, yes. But the long term consequences weren’t worth the temporary relief received.

Personally, working on balance and trying to help others work on balance. There is nothing done in faith that is inherently bad but for me, when I become reliant on anything other than the grace of God for my sustenance I begin to suffer.

I’ve engaged in idolatry over and again by putting things between me and my God (relying on things other than God for my help) I’ve looked for love in all the wrong places…..until now…

Working on starting each day by connecting with the Lord and allowing my faith in Him to help me deal with lingering depression. He’s wiping it out. He will for you too. (Depression doesn’t mean you don’t feel blessed, don’t love your family, etc). It means you may have gotten out of balance in some areas of life and need to Re center. Redevelop positive view of the future.

As well, find healthy pursuits that give temporal relief but also allow for positive consequences.

This morning my dopamine hit came from connecting with the Holy Spirit and then heading to the academy to get choked, arm barred and whipped thoroughly. Jiu Jitsu gives me an amazing dopamine hit and I feel so good. Maybe I should say it “hurts so good”.

Let’s have a great week and if you’re feeling hopeless, the Shibboleth family is here to help you.

Don’t let anyone tell you you’re a bad person because you’re dealing with some vices. You’re human. You just need someone to remind you who you really are in the Lord’s eyes.

He is Grace and Truth. Man is a liar.

Take one day at a time and do your best in faith.

For love, support and connection join us at www.shibbolethlifestyle.com.

While we focus on overcoming food addiction, the principles we teach are universal and will help you overcome all types of addiction.

My testimony Monday, July 25, 2022

I can’t judge you for anything. After reading through the entire Bible this year, I find that I can find a law that forbids almost everything that a man and woman can think, do, say, or conceptualize.

So, if I’m judging you for something you do that I don’t do, I’m sure that I’m doing something forbidden that you aren’t doing, making me as guilty as you or anyone else on the face of the earth. I also read the penalty for all is the same.

So, I have come to some conclusions for myself. Not for my wife, not for my kids, not for my friends. For me.

We are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.

So,

Here is my conclusion.

Fear God as do my best.
When I fall short of the mark show myself grace.
When you feel you’ve fallen short of the mark, point you to grace.
Work hard to stay away from all judgement.
Believe, adore, and imitate Christ as best I can in this flesh.
Be a disciplined person by disciplining my body and try to discipline my mind.

Lastly, since it appears that I can find a law against everything but one thing, focus on that one thing because against such there is no law.

LOVE

There is no law against love.

Love God and love my neighbor as I love myself.

I’m grateful for another beautiful day!

My testimony, Thursday, July 14, 2022

Matthew 7:13~14 - Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

I know for sure, neither of these ways (Right, Left) are the narrow way. Not for me. I do very much respect those who are a part of either party.

The world offers choices as if those are the only choices. Sides are picked and battle lines drawn. Division flourishes.

I’m a man without a political home. I won’t support either party. Pharisees and Sadducees. Two sides of the same coin.

I’m happy to be in the political minority.

I had left my first love. Jesus.

I have returned to my first love. Jesus.

I’m too flawed an individual to try and do my life on my own. I tried that and it led to depression, addiction, and darkness.

We war not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places.

Any system that perpetuates judgment, control, regret, guilt, shame and division can’t be of God.

I’m learning and growing. I have much to learn and escaping the matrix of thought that was a stronghold in my life is giving me the opportunity to heal, to thrive, to love unconditionally, and to be more fearlessly honest.

Grace. The grace of God, His unconditional love is lifting me higher. Daily. I need His love and desire His tender mercies in my life. I pray that our political parties look beyond self-interest and also decide to draw nigh to the true God.

The Holy Spirit has declared to me who the unknown God is that I was so ignorantly worshipping via tradition. The Holy Spirit calls me to true worship in spirit and in truth. The Holy Spirit is unconditional love and charity. Love God, love your neighbor, and love yourself. I can come just as I am. I can lay my lies down and come naked before His mercy seat. Let us reason together, oh Lord.

We can do this. One day at a time.

I love you, Jesus. My savior forever.

I ask for more healing. Body. Mind. Soul. Spirit. In Jesus' name.

My testimony, Wednesday, July 6, 2022

HAPPY 4th of JULY
Taking the day off! Gonna enjoy some vitamin D3.

I hope everyone has a Happy 4th of July.

I have an attitude of gratitude. God has blessed me and continues to bless me for no reason other than my faith in Jesus Christ. I don’t have much faith but it’s enough. Even a mustard seed’s worth of faith can flourish and expand a person. I see many people post about their disgruntlement with many aspects of their lives and the things going on around them. Hang in there. There’s always a bright side somewhere. Don’t just look at what’s wrong with the world around you. Take time to also look at all that is right around you. Focus on the good and I believe more good will begin to manifest itself around you.

I’m working on centering daily with exercising an attitude of gratitude. It works.

I am loving awareness. I love everything and everyone around me. That’s the goal. Everyday.

A testimony, Monday, July 4, 2022

Don’t forget the Top Gun weight loss challenge. It’s a two week challenge where you can lose up to 15 pounds in 14 days. I’ll love ya and support you. Everything you need for the challenge is online. Email info@myshibboleth.com for the rules

My body hurts today.
My back.
My sciatica.
My ankle.
Hard to get around.

HOWEVER, I don’t have to suffer. I am not my body. My body is just my Spirit’s temporal home. My temporary vehicle. Inside of my temporary vehicle is my spirit and my soul.

I lived 50 years thinking I was a body with a soul and spirit.

I no longer believe that. I believe I am a soul and spirit with a terrestrial body.

Sometimes I want to shout thinking fearlessly about death. Notice I said fearlessly. I get anxiety about death until a few minutes spent Re-centering. Then I have no fear of it. I can shout knowing I'm more than what the natural mirror says I am. I will

Inherit a celestial body. No different than the cloud disappearing because it turned into rain. Energy transforms. I am energy.

The Bible says that death is better than birth. To live is Christ and to die is gain.
I’m enjoying my life and emotional suffering deteriorating as I realize this mortal terrestrial body will soon give way to an eternal celestial body.
Life is a lie. All of man's lies begin at birth and do not cease until death. The judge inside your head will not cease to judge until you transform. I’m learning to silence the internal judge. It was never my true voice.
Real truth is only known in death. We can die a type of death here and experience a rebirth here while amongst the living. I did. My transformation began on August 21, 2021. I shall ner forget the day.

I’m in no hurry to check out. I feel I have more to do, but in this spiritual moment, while absent from my body, I am in the presence of the Lord.

With a shout, I defy my enemies this day.

Death where is thy sting and oh grave where is thy victory?

My testimony Friday, July 1, 2022

I’m not trying to make the world a better place. Jesus did that with a life of surrender and on Ressurection morning.

I just want to spend the rest of my days reminding those within my circle of influence of that fact. It’s the least I can do. I consider it my reasonable service.

Victory has already been won.

Love won the war.

It’s ok to make mistakes and ok to allow others room to make mistakes too.

Let The Holy Spirit move your soul. Put all of that worry out of your mind. You are enough.

My testimony Thursday, June 30, 2022.

I was asked, “Brother, what should my goal be?”
Context: Weight loss

My answer these days.

Be a man after God’s own heart.

Accomplish that and all of your goals will be achieved. Not just weight loss.

He will give you your heart's desires.

One might ask, ”How do I become a man after God’s own heart? Be a good man? A strong man? A rich man? An empathetic man? A manly man?”

No.

The only way to be a man after God’s own heart is to have FAITH in Him and His grace. His many benefits and blessings regardless of your stature or goodness.

It’s impossible to please God without FAITH. The more the unwavering FAITH you have in God, yourself and your purpose the closer to God you’ll draw. Our God is a God of many benefits.

I love you all and this is 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮.

Unwavering today. I shall not be moved.
The substance of what I hope for and the evidence of things not seen is alive and well in my heart