Monday, March 24, 2014

Spirit led Endorphins


Endorphins and the Holy Spirit



Dr. Denis Waitley a former Blue Angel pilot who worked as a performance psychologist with the Apollo Astronauts and Olympic athletes, states that endorphins are two-hundred times more powerful than morphine.[1]

He explains that released endorphin levels increase to a certain degree with increased optimism and confidence. The endorphins enable athletes to increase their pain threshold.

Optimism and confidence produce increased endorphins, enabling a higher pain threshold and increase the likelihood of higher levels of performance and achievements.

As an athlete, I can attest to the positive effects of optimism and confidence on the increased release of endorphins along with the resulting enhancement of performance, regardless of whether endorphins are in fact two-hundred times more powerful than morphine.

The same principle of endorphins applies to enhancing the ability to endure emotional pain of hardships and rejection in business.

 Two aspects of endorphins apply to this study:

First, obedient communication with the Spirit produces optimism and confidence, which increases released endorphins.

 Second, Charles Gibbs suggested that when we walk in the Spirit, He prompts the release of endorphins yielding increased pain threshold along with “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (1 Thess 5:16–18; Gal 5:16–22).”

While scientific instruments could measure endorphin release, humanity lacks the ability to measure the Holy Spirit. Consequently, a scientific correlation remains presently unattainable.

(Dr. Lanier Burns, who holds a Ph.D. in both Theology and Neuroscience, served as first reader of this paper.) 



[1] Denis Waitley, Psychology of Winning, Charlotte, NC: Internet Services Corporation, 1988.
 Excerpt from The Holy Spirit's Guidance in Max International, P. 39-40, Meyer, Rick E., Dec 2013




See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.










Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Why the obsession with Leadership?

Seemingly, perhaps literally, every bookstore's shelves contain books with Leader or Leadership in their title. Blogs with similar titles receive regular publication.


These books and blogs do occasionally attempt to emphasize serving, yet Serving or Servant rarely, if ever, appear in their titles. Even those discussing Serving, do so in the context of Leadership.


What is the obsession with Leadership?


Ulysses S. Grant wrote in his memoirs that those who seek leadership should not be leaders. None of the great "Leaders" in the Bible sought Leadership roles, rather responded as a Servant to God and His people.
Jeremiah begged release from his role of serving as a prophet. Because he understood the difficulty and earthly consequences. Jonah tried everything he knew to avoid serving Nineveh by delivering God's message of redemption. God also hand picked David.


Jesus failed to declare himself a “Leader.” In fact, the Lord Jesus Christ certainly lacked enthusiasm for completing his final role as a Servant. In fact, he asked for the removal of His final responsibility, if possible (Mk 14:36; Lk 22:42). Despite His anxiety, He continued as a Servant to God the Father and us His people.


The Apostle Paul served as a Leader with the Pharisees in persecuting Christians, including executing Stephen (Acts 8:1-3). As Ulysses S. Grant illustrates, those volunteering for Leadership often, perhaps always, possess wrong motives.
Paul Served God, only upon God's seeking Paul (Acts 9:1-19).


Additionally, when we may contain proper motives, we fail to recognize the responsibility of and persecution from Leadership.


During conversation with Dr. Lanier Burns, Senior Professor of Theology, regarding my Applied Research Project at Seminary, he shared that the desire to seek Leadership arises from our ego and pride. I fully agree. Do you?


Moreover, the desire for seeking Leadership roles in today's society originates in our desire for significance. We seek popularity or exposure and / or to "make a difference." This truth also resides our family and organizations.
Individuals composing organizations also have egos and pride. Egos and pride, like all sin, remain perpetually empty. Organizations, including academia, seek greater significance through their graduates serving as Leaders instead of Servants. Egos, pride and significance lead government agencies and donors who supply grants, scholarships and donations to these organizations.


Conversely, the greatest path to significance and "making a difference" resides in seeking to serve others in every situation of every moment of our life. We should care only about our obedience to God and fulfilling His will (Mt 7:21), regardless if any human knows or recognizes us.
God will provide significance in His own time and method. He will contact and direct you according to His will.
"Rick, God knows your name and address, He knows how and where to get ahold of you." ~ DTS Chaplain Bill Bryan


Kent Frieling, President of Feather Petroleum, states, "I never consider myself as a Leader, rather as having responsibility to serve God by serving our customers and employees."


In seeking first God and His Kingdom (Mt. 6:33), our strongest desire rests in loving God and His people (Mt. 22:37-39).


Charles Gibbs epitomizes this in declaring, "My only reputation is with the Holy Spirit." (1 Co 4:4-5)
 
When we possess a favorable reputation with the Holy Spirit,  we also please the remainder of the Trinity--Three Persons, One God. Consequently, our reputation with God trumps the thoughts of any and all men and women.


"Success is pleasing God." ~ Dr. Stan Toussaint
Most parents, including those confessing themselves as Christians, despise hearing their children define success simply as serving God, achieving His will for their life (Mt 7:21). Parents also suffer from ego, pride and significance when wanting their children to serve as Leaders instead of Servants.
Fortunately, some parents do understand through their spiritual maturity. For example, I fondly and permanently recall my dad's final advice, "Always Trust God. Remember that son. Trust God, Always."


This will provide you with true, eternal significance!


While seeking to please and serve God, consider pondering other daily inquiries of Charles Gibbs: Charles Gibbs’ Approach
“God, what is your Dream / Vision for me?”


“How may I serve you today?”


“What may I learn and how may I mature in you today?”


“God, do I glorify you in promoting this product or service to myself and others?”  


Forget about seeking Leadership, rather release your ego, pride and your desire for greatness among men and women. Seek greatness in Christ by only Serving (Mt. 20:26, 23:11; Mk 9:35; Lk 22:26; Mk 10:35-45).
While serving as National President of my collegiate social fraternity, the National board and I reminded active members--those in college--that the purpose of their receiving a college education existed in them using their education to serve God. This service included their future business employees or employer, customers, vendors, home community, their church and anywhere else that God directed them to serve.
As President, the board and I strongly desired for our members to mature as servants of God, pursuing His will.


Additional reading on Serving Christ and His people.


Seek Inner Peace for Decisions – Kent Frieling


Treat People like the Holy Spirit brought them to you


How will You Serve Christ and His People today?


See Christ, Believe Christ and Achieve with Christ by Serving for and with Christ.


Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickEmeyer.com



Thursday, March 13, 2014

Ask + Seek + Knock

After graduating from college, I moved to Kearney, NE to work as a crop consultant. I quickly met Lyle Claussen, the head cross country and track coach at University of Nebraska--Kearney (UNK); along with several runners including Bryan Danburg, Joe Schumm and Jim Ballinger.


In the fall, I trained with the UNK cross country team which proved one of the best men's teams in the nation. I ran with the team members as well as Coach Claussen, learning much about running while touring the country roads surrounding Kearney.


My fitness level greatly increased over the next six months as I logged up to eighty miles per week. During a mid-February Sunday afternoon run, I announced my plans to run 100-miles this week. Lyle, in his gentle nature, strongly suggested that I remain consistent at seventy weekly miles.


In an effort to epitomize stupidity, I ignored the advice of a future Hall of Fame coach who also ran over twenty marathons in the 2:20s, including a personal best of 2:20:11, along with a 29:40 10K on hilly course. I ran the 100-miles, complete with a fast Friday interval session on the Kearney High School track. I felt terrific! "What does this guy know!?"


Sunday afternoon, a group of us exchanged stories and laughs during a 12 or 14-mile run. Suddenly, lacking any warning, a tendon flared-up on the top of my right foot.


Upon mentioning this to Coach Claussen, he calmly responded, "Well, that happens sometimes when we try to over do it in training."


Because I ignored the advice and wisdom of a proven coach, telling him how I desired to train instead of asking, I became injured. This cycle repeated itself several times over the next three years. Yes, I am a slow learner!


When I began to listen and respond to his wisdom and advice, my running performances escalated.


My above foolishness remains embarrassing all these years later. Yet, how many of us engage in a similar relationship with God? Have or do you believe our desires for your life exceed God's desires for your life? I have! This carries greater stupidity because He is God who created everything, including you and me.


However, the "Prosperity Gospel" preachers, their disciples and those of us who simply fail to know any better, often recite Mt 7:21, with strong, if not directly, implications that if/when you and I simply ask, seek and knock, God will quickly provide our stated desires.


This passage mandates you knowing/seeking Christ (Jn 10:25-30) and engaging with the indwelling Holy Spirit (Ro 8:5-9; 8:16). We then desire the will of the Father (Mt 7:21), as Christ instructs for us to prayer and practices himself (Mt 6:8-15; 26:36-39; 26:40-42).


To knock and have the door opened, we must know where to knock. Knocking on the doors of idols, opens only the doors of idols.


Who among us believes to have equal or greater wisdom than God? When in communal relations with God, we recognize His eternal wisdom and our grossly finite thoughts. We then instantly ask, seek and knock for His will, His desires fulfilled in our lives, instead of our own.

Are you asking, seeking and knocking in relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit? Ro 5:1-5; Ro 8:26-28 provides insight and hope on asking and seeking God's wisdom and will (Heb 2:4).

When you do and obediently listen and respond to Christ's commands, your life will escalate. Challenges will remain, yet you will prosper spiritually, emotionally, relationally and perhaps in other areas as well.

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.