Maverick2's Blog

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 JULYTaking 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 terrestial 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

Few people, including myself for far too long, fail to realize that no one purposely sets out to screw their life up (perceptively). Judgement abounds when our brothers and sisters make a misstep.

I think the world would be better off to simply remind hurting people that may have made bad choices, that Jesus said “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” Rather than scold with a gazillion shall nots.

Their guilt and shame that comes from blame doesn’t remedy the past or help them avoid future missteps. On the contrary, guilt, blame and judgement perpetuate the missteps.

I’m glad in Christ that I don’t have a past. I only have this present and a hope in the future of gain.

To live is Christ and to die is gain.

If you’re hurting and feel you have made mistakes in the past, I’m your brother and friend in spirit. I’ve made those same mistakes. The devil accuses me night and day and he uses people and comparison to accuse me. He usually uses church people to do it too.

People may remind you daily of your past but the Holy Spirit will not and asks that you live one day at a time and in grace. Free indeed.

I believe that.

Many people see things much different when it hits their home, their kids, or their grandkids. I’ve seen many hard, stern religious people change their tune when it’s their own child who has made mistakes or fall victim to the cold tempting world we live in and rightly so. What matters to me, even in the last moments of life, no matter how one has lived, is that one finds grace by faith in Jesus.

My purpose for this testimony is only to remind the reader that Jesus said….

Father forgive them, they know not what they do.

Or

We would have done better.

Let’s do better now.

I am loving awareness. I love everyone and everything I am aware of and that includes myself.

At least that’s the goal I established in my heart on August 21, 2021.

I’m gonna just keep Faithn it until I make it.

My testimony Earth date in Euharlee, Ga June 27, 2022

Not purposely mind you, but I think I’ve often made God in my image and likeness rather than knowing God created me in His image and likeness.

My mind creates personified visions of an old and wise Father figure who is hard and austere. I have to prove myself to Him daily. At times the pressure I put on myself to be perfect crushes me and I give up. I felt it was pointless to try. After a season or few I’d try try again to prove myself to Him. After all, I was a miserable wretch of a person who needed to make up for lost time.

I don’t see God that way anymore. God is a Spirit.
I read where the heart of a child that doesn’t judge inherits the Kingdom of Heaven. I read that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, meekness, self control and faith. I read that true worshippers must learn to worship God in Spirit and in Truth.

Perhaps my entire life I have had it wrong. Maybe true wisdom lay in the heart of an incorruptible child who plays, has a sense of humor, dances, sings and forgives. Easily entreated. Loves without prejudice? Maybe God has the infinite wisdom that an eternal Father figure would have but has the playfulness and heart of a child? What if God really is only disappointed in me that I don’t accept myself and infinite grace? Maybe God is really only disappointed that I don’t come out and play more?

What if I have been hiding from God because of my man made vision and label of God when really He wants me to come out and play. Maybe He wants me to love, dance, sing and make joyful noise without fear of repercussion or judgement?

I’ll think about it while getting my vitamin D3 and exercise in for a bit.

A testimony, Monday, June 20, 2022

What is the point in indulgence and pleasure if you’re just going to feel guilty about it later? Regret. Self judgement. Shame.

The latter guilt is the fly in the ointment.

Enjoy life. Work hard. Play hard. Have a sense of humor. Simply don’t become enslaved by anything except love, life and the truth.

Laugh at yourself. Laugh at your predicament
.
Demonstrate grace, love and mercy to all. Including yourself.

This uncertain life is a terrific gift. Even pain, as much as we try to avoid it is a great gift.

Don’t believe me? Imagine, truly imagine, floating through outer space in silence. No pain. No pleasure. Just floating in nothingness for evermore. Not for a few hours but for all eternity. I think the Bible calls this the abyss and even the devils didn’t want any part of the abyss. They had rather have been cast into the unclean swine than to be cast into the abyss.

As hard as our temporary pains are to bear here, even these temporary painful valleys are better than nothingness.

As well, how would one enjoy or know pleasure without pain?

Food…

We indulge in it because it’s a pleasure to do so. Especially here in our culture and country. Yet, we indulge so frequently and out of compulsion for so long that this pleasure is reduced to nothing but habit that comes with a side item of pain. As well as regret, guilt and shame. The fly in the ointment.

Isn’t life better enjoying everything in moderation? Work hard so you can play hard.

A little pain so you can enjoy pleasure again.

The pain of daily self discipline weighs an ounce while the pain of regret weighs a ton.

The very thing that was killing me, food and then later alcohol, became a compulsion. I became enslaved and those things I once enjoyed no longer gave me pleasure but immense pain.

I love our work hard, play hard philosophy at Shibboleth. Perfect days. Holidays. Enslavement to Christ; love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance and faith. Striving to end judgement, guilt, regret and shame.

There’s so many things in life to enjoy instead of life being tedious and tasteless.

Isn’t it time to remove the fly from the ointment? It is for me. At least I’m working on it.

My faith and trust are in Jesus and grace. Redeeming the time. Jesus alone is my compass, guide and friend.

My testimony, Saturday, June 18, 2022