Maverick2's Blog

I talk to many people who lack confidence in themselves. I’ve dealt with low self confidence for most of my life. Self confidence isn’t something you can fabricate. It has to be earned.

Consider the SUN. We all have confidence that the sun will rise each morning. Why do we have this confidence.? We could say we have faith in the Lord and trust Him. True. However, a major part of you having confidence the sun will rise tomorrow is in your experience with the sun and your knowing that it has risen every day with consistency everyday of your life.

There are many reasons one lacks self confidence. One of the reasons that people lack confidence in themselves is because they break their word to themselves over and again or they don’t engage in good habits daily whether they feel like it or not.

It’s easy to build or rebuild your self confidence. If you make a promise to yourself that you will journal daily, attend weight loss class regularly, eat correctly daily, and avoid poor food choices daily as you promised yourself you would then do it without fail.

With consistency and persistence you will begin to believe in yourself again. You’ll know that no matter what comes your way you can count on yourself to do the right thing with consistency. Once you keep your word to yourself concerning your diet and losing weight long enough with consistent persistence your self confidence will soar and impact every area of your life in a positive way.

The Bible says if we abide in Christ we will have confidence in Christ. When you don’t have confidence or you’re off track, take the first step and the correct step of turning to the Lord first. When life overwhelms you and your personal confidence leaving you off track, you’re only a prayer closet and personal devotion away from righting and centering yourself.

So, attempt to be as consistent in your wellness behaviors as the sun is consistent in rising and setting without fail. When you get off track and lose your consistency, simply spend some time with the Son. Consistency. Persistence. With the passing of time your self confidence will rise and you’ll soon find yourself at your goal weight.

Let us help you develop self confidence while helping you reach your happy weight. We provide every imaginable help. Nutrition education. Lifestyle management. Behavior modification.
www.shibbolethlifestyle.com

My testimony, Tuesday, October 11, 2022.

Reasonable service.

The Bible says that I should present my body as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is my reasonable service.

The word reason -
Logical thinking or logical action.
The word service -
The action of helping or doing work for someone.

This passage goes on to tell me that I should not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind, that I may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

I find so much hope, love, drive, and purpose in these verses.

The Holy Spirit has done so much for me. Words can’t adequately describe what my wonderful counselor and mighty God has done in my life. It is logical that I have a heart to serve and be used of God in my own weak way.

I know, more often than not, I frustrate the grace of God with my lack of faith, my inaction, and my carnality but I take solace in the fact that His mercy endures forever and is patient. In fact, I suspect God is more patient with me than I am myself.

I find that my flesh and my spirit are often at war with one another, particularly on the days where I don’t renew my mind daily and present my entirety (Body, Soul, and Spirit) unto Him daily for His use. I am a free moral agent and at times I tend to be self-willed. Yet, on those days I begin and end with the Word and predetermine that I will be obedient to the still small voice within, I have amazing days filled with peace, love, and hope.

Today I present my body, my spirit, my soul unto the Master. I seek not money, not materials, not fame but only to decrease so that He will
Increase in my life. I seek the good of my neighbor. I expect good things to happen in my life because I have faith in the scripture verse that says my Lord and captain is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.

Like Solomon, today I don’t ask for prolonged days or wealth. Today I ask for wisdom. The wisdom that is from above and I shout “bless the name of the Lord, the living God, at all times!”

Thank you Lord, for saving my soul and bearing with me for Jesus' sake. Today I present all that I am and all those I love unto you. I ask that you give me the wisdom to do the same and renew my mind again tomorrow too if you grant me a tomorrow. I can’t keep myself for one day without your guidance. I’m a city without walls without you oh God as the primary and central force of and in my life.

This is my testimony, Wednesday, October 5, 2022

1 Cor 13:2 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.

If you want to be something, learn to love unconditionally.

Unconditional love is the chief cornerstone by which to build a life.

Love yourself unconditionally, even with flaws.
Then you can love your neighbor unconditionally.
Only then can you love God.

My Testimony, Monday, September 26, 2022.

I’m posting this for those who deal with fear, anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression. This is one of my favorite songs. It helps me recenter and calm myself.

When you live in fear, want to please people, and fear losing them if you let them down, you’ll lie, you’ll deceive, and you’ll manipulate. You’ll do anything to maintain that perfect image that you think they’ve cultivated of you.

My message to you. You’re human. Allow yourself human error and forget those who will judge you or condemn you because you didn’t hold to their unrealistic standards for your life. By the way, most that hold you to unrealistic standards don’t hold themselves to any standard.

Stop seeking the approval of people. You’ll never get it. It’s a dead end road. Fear only God. Love people but don’t fear them or their judgement. It’s only then that you can begin to live a life that’s authentic and free of judgement.

I found this song a few years back and it’s really helped me. I hope it helps someone else I too.

Jesus said,

John 14:1 ~ Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Jesus was 100% man and 100% God. To me, Jesus was saying here that if we believe in God we should believe in ourselves. Believe in Jesus, yes. I believe but if I truly believe in God and Jesus, I must believe in His handiwork. ME. YOU.

Let go of the fear. To think own self be true, hoist the main sail and let her drive. It’s time to set yourself free.

Depression be gone.
Fear be gone.
Judgement be gone.

My testimony, Thursday, September 22, 2022

#blessthenameofthelord

👉https://bit.ly/3xK6Ro4

Corinthians 13:13 ~ And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Charity - Helping people that can’t help you back. It’s a beautiful thing. Giving to people that can never repay you.

This is what the Lord has done for me. I was a poor wayfaring stranger with nothing to offer. Jesus has been giving to me my entire life and there is nothing I can do to repay Him. All I can do is have an attitude of gratitude. Repayment for so great a gift isn’t possible.

Know your worth in Christ. You were bought at a heavy price. You are worth more than all the gold in the world. Be humble, but walk in faith.

Loving and living in that knowledge today.

Forever changed, Travis

My testimony ~ Tuesday, September 13, 2022

I’ve had fun watching various types of mushrooms grow. Lion’s Mane mushrooms are like “miracle grow” for the brain. They taste like a scallop or even maybe crab when sautéed in MCT oil and seasoned. Growing them, even with a grow kit, still was a little difficult for a beginner like me. I’ll get better at it! Edible non-psychoactive mushrooms like Lion’s Mane and Reishi mushrooms are a category 2 on the Shibboleth program.

The many benefits of mushrooms for brain health, reducing inflammation, and boosting the immune system are being studied and the findings are incredible. I love drinking my Four Sigmatic mushroom-based coffee every day! As well, as it relates to psychoactive mushrooms, studies are being conducted on their life-changing effects on those with PTSD and depression. It’s sad that so many natural plants and plant medicines have been made illegal and in my estimation, more to protect big pharma and their cronies. Plant medicines, particularly mushrooms, are amazing. I’ve read several books now and done a deep dive on non-psychoactive plant medicines and psychoactive plant medicines and it’s hard to believe the amount of information about their benefits that has been suppressed.

If you are a religious person, be careful about vilifying those who use psychoactive plant medicines or plant medicines of any type for depression or pain management. Example: I know many religious people who judge people who use cannabis for depression and pain management but they themselves are on pharmaceutical anti-depressants. I have no issue with someone being on anti-depressants to help their anxiety and depression.

I was diagnosed and prescribed them too. I chose not to take them because I felt the side effects were potentially worse than the benefits. I'm excited about the future and exploring non-synthetic powerful plant medicines. We’ve all been lied to about so much. The love of money truly is the root of all evil.

In the future, we will all hear more about all kinds of amazing plant medicines that when used responsibly will make for a healthier, gentler, and happier world.

If you’d like to follow my journey as I continue to overcome clinical depression with the Lord’s help, prayer, meditation, and powerful foods and teas shoot me a message and tell me why you’d like to follow? (I want to limit people’s involvement who are simply busy bodies and gossipers so there are some hurdles and disclaimers to get through to ensure I’m providing a safe place for those who really are focused on self-improvement and healing.). Are you dealing with depression, physical pain, and or hopelessness?

I’m starting a support group for those of us who refuse to make excuses and give in to mental illness or who have daily feelings of hopelessness.

Unashamed Christian dedicated to self-improvement; love, joy, and peace.

Sasha got me this beautiful new Thompson Chain Bible, KJV, for my 52nd birthday. She sent me flowers and got me some other cool things called Air Tags to help me keep up with my stuff. I’m a scatterbrain and am always losing my phone, keys and wallet. (If you enjoy your own custom study and enjoy chaining subjects and thoughts together yourself with help of the Holy Spirit and without the help of man, I recommend a Thompson Chain. It makes you work for it.)

I have a few Bibles, some KJV and a few other translations. I prefer to read and study out of the KJV. I do like NKJV when on my iPad. I also like the parallel Bible I have.

She’s always thoughtful and always good to me. I post these things publicly because I want her to know what’s in my heart. She sacrifices a lot to be with me but she doesn’t seem to mind it. I’m proud of her and I want her to know privately and publicly. Everyday with her is a blessing.

I’ve been reading and studying the Bible daily since August 21, 2021. Something amazing happened to me that day. Grace? Salvation? Sanctification? Re-dedication? A type of resurrection? Just reinvention? I don’t know.
I just know I had a broken heart and a contrite spirit. I gave things to the Lord that day that I had never given before. I had given my light to Him. I did that back in 1989 on the quad at Jacksonville State University. I had held back part of the price that one has to pay for peace though. I kept it to myself.

What did I keep to myself and what did I not give to the Lord back in the Fall of 99? I had held back the things I was ashamed of. I had held back the parts of me that I didn’t accept. I held back my darkness.

August 21, 2021, the Holy Spirit showed up as I approached that beautiful heavenly mercy seat for help. I was prepared to Re dedicate my light to Him again but that day He required more. He required my darkness.

To my surprise, as I shared my self-hate and shame, a beautiful voice spoke to me in the deepest darkest places of my mind and said to me in Spirit, “Your darkness is beautiful. I love and want all of you.”

My words here will fall short in explaining what happened to me that day and how all of my world philosophies and religious philosophies were turned upside down on that day. I was wrong. Wrong about it all and hiding my darkness, weakness, and shame was the thing I was most wrong about.

I know God put Sasha in my life as His surrogate, proxy or angel to help me because she and God alone knows my darkness and my weakness. She loves me despite the darkness. While she may love me despite it, God loves me because of it.

The things we hide and reject about ourselves, cause us to run from God. All alone, God just wants all of us, as we are and with that can begin helping us with what we can be.

As long as one lives with untruths, It says to God, that His love is not limitless and not unconditional.
I’ve found that God’s love is limitless and without condition. What the world looks at in me and rejects God loves and embraces.
He will do the same for you. You may feel rejected by the world if you give yourself completely to your beautiful bridegroom, the lover of your soul, and live for Him. Even many church members may reject you once you truly give your life over to the Lord. However, God will see you through. You’ll experience many rewards and blessings along the way.

When you begin to do your best with your imitation of Christ, you’ll find your story parallels the life of Joseph. Joseph was a type of Christ in the Old Testament. He was faithful. Once rejected by His own brothers, He never lost His faith. If you and I will come now and reason with God and give God our light, our darkness, and obedience we will enjoy peace, joy and love.

Forgiveness.
Love.
Joy.
Peace.
Patience.
Goodness.
Meekness.
Self-control.
Faith.
He is all of these to me. Jesus embodies all of these character attributes.

I’m a work in progress.

Proverbs 24:16 ~ for a just man falleth seven times and riseth up again, but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

I don’t care how many times you tried and failed. God applauds your effort and embraces your weakness, loves your weakness because as a human, your weakness is your glory. It’s not an excuse, it’s your glory.

Christ is strong. Immovable. There is no variableness with God. Let Him be your strong shelter and tower.

Whatever you’re hurting over or beating yourself up over, let it go. Get back up. Move forward. One day at a time in Christ Jesus. Don’t listen to those who bring up your past failings. Look forward like a bride walking down the altar towards her smiling groom. Have tunnel vision. Let your eye be single and it will be full of light as you gaze upon beautiful Jesus, the Christ. You’re always dressed in white in Christ.

My testimony, Friday, September 2, 2022.

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