The Choices We Make

Gary Orlando Mason

     John 8:47- ⁴⁷ He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."

     That is some hot scripture.  When I read it yesterday I knew I was going to expound on it.  Right after I read it I understood why a lot of people aren't Christians, why they don't like Christians and why they won't follow Jesus Christ.

     Loving Jesus and following and obeying His Word have been the most life-giving, rewarding actions I could ever do.  It wasn't easy to do at first because I didn't want to surrender my life and the way I was living it, over to Him.  I didn't know him and I didn't trust him.  I also thought I could bring happiness to myself through my own actions.  But I found out that I could do nothing worthwhile for myself.  Not only that, but I couldn't do anything for anyone else either.  I was living a miserable existence as I tried to find happiness in drugs and women and false friends and money and material items.  Woe to me, my life as I knew it was slowly but surely coming to an end.


     As I look back I see where I was headed which was certain death with an unfulfilled, meaningless life.  People that know me, know of some of the struggles I went through such as drug addiction.  They've heard me say how I was able to overcome that bondage which was through Jesus Christ.  They hear me talk and they see my joy and happiness yet they don't want to accept that I achieved it through Jesus Christ.  Not only that, but they don't believe they can have peace, joy and success in life by giving up their life to God.  They see me moving forward in an extraordinary way, they hear me give praise consistently to God for all I have, yet they won't make the connection as to how I have success and am able to get through crisis with strength and love.


     How sad it is to hold on to misery with both hands and believe that is all there is for you.  Fear is not a part of God's plan for any of us and to live in it is to not know God.  Worrying about anything, but especially things you can't control, will not add one day to you life but will definitely subtract some.


     Come on people.  Get it together.  Realize how far you go in life without God and discover how far you can go with Him!

Growing up slowly but surely

     So, my last week of school break is coming to an end as is the community service I've been doing while I was on vacation(some vacation).  Anyways, I've managed to stay busy during these two weeks.  I celebrated my first year of recovery, I've cracked open a couple of my upcoming books, I filmed and edited another segment to my Recovery in Jesus series, community service(40 hours),  attended a couple of CA meetings, co-led a substance abuse class(twice), attended church, debated with a Muslim about Christianity vs. Muslim and had several revelations of which I will share one here.

     As my one year anniversary of sobriety went by, I reflected on my life over the last twenty years and I came to the conclusion that I am maturing.  Ya, I know, I should've already matured as I am long in the tooth and forty-two summers past.  Hey, it takes some of us longer than others and still some never get there, so calm down.  Be happy that I'm making progress.

     Anyways, I had a revelation about sobriety and that was, as I continue to lead a drug-free life, I've started growing again in areas that I had stopped due to long term drug use.  I started drinking at the ripe old age of eleven and was using drugs by fifteen.  My intellectual growth slowed down considerably due to the chemical interaction in my brain and I basically remained a teenager, mentally, until recently.  That's what drugs do.  They stop your mind from growing.  When I decided to stop using, that was my first step toward maturing.  I made an adult decision to do something positive and productive and my intellect has been catching up at record speed with my age.

     I used drugs as a child and I remained one far longer than I should have.  It's past time for me to be the man I'm supposed to be!

Weathering the storm

     I had a revelation this morning about how I deal with problems as they arise and how people deal with them in general and it came to me that when you truly love and trust Jesus you're able to get through times of turmoil easier than without Him.  As a matter of fact, during some times of trouble, you won't even recognize the trouble because you are completely covered and absorbed in The Holy Spirit.  That's awesome!

     I know this may sound radical or impossible but I know it to be truth.  The more I stay in The Word of Jesus Christ, the more I surround myself with people, places and things of Jesus Christ, is the more I'm able to withstand the things that attack me that are not of Jesus Christ, namely everything of this world that doesn't line up with The Word of Jesus Christ.

     I've noticed that things that use to bother me or irritate me have little effect on me now.  I'm not moved by peoples negative words or opinions anymore.  Not even that long ago I would imagine choking the life out of people that would say or do crazy, disrespectful things around me.  Today not so much so.  I love Jesus so much that I'm in constant conversation with Him.  It's like when I see or hear something that bothers me I go straight to Him and tell Him about it.  He's my best friend, my brother, my father and when I tell him about something, He hears everything I say and He usually points out a few things that I've overlooked such as I need to quit trippin' and move on and don't let these petty things get to me.  We both laugh, shake our heads and move on.  That's awesome.

     Having Jesus there for me is the difference maker and has not only saved a lot of people from getting the sense knocked into them by me but has really saved me from hurting myself with stress and grief.

Dharma is not at peace with Christianity

  Last night I attended a court ordered substance abuse class at Phoenix Shambhala Meditation center which studies Dharma as it pertains to recovery.

     I was not happy to be there because I don't believe it's right that I have to participate in another religions practice because I'm court ordered to.  I was also unhappy because we've never studied recovery through Christian methods yet here we are at a Buddhist temple studying recovery.

Frank

 

     So, let me tell you how I perceived the events from last night.  First, the gentleman that was instructing the class was a personable, quiet, elderly man named Frank.  Frank specifically told the class that the study of Dharma doesn't teach against any religion as it can be a supplement to all religions.  During the class he informed us to allow all thoughts to run through our minds and not to label them good or bad just allow them to go through and out.  This is in direct opposition to The Word of Jesus Christ as Christ commands us to capture any negative thinking and expel it out of our minds and hearts as quickly as it enters.  Frank instructed that there is no right or wrong, that there is only pure reality and to reach peace and joy we cannot hinder ourselves with doctrines and dogma.  Christianity is a doctrine of how to live life according to a set of beliefs and principles that lead to a high quality and peaceful, productive life.  Again, I found Franks subtle words contrary to Christianity.  I remind you, he said Dharma does not teach against any religion yet that is exactly what it does.

     Toward the end, Frank allowed for a question and answer session after which many of my classmates were asking how to use meditation as an everyday tool.  My friend and brother Reggie asked how Dharma recognizes a "higher power" which Frank answered by saying, "What is a higher power?"  "Couldn't a tree be a higher power? Or couldn't the four season's be considered a higher power?"  Frank said, and I quote, "I have trouble understanding Christianity but Dharma can compliment any belief!"  This was one of many things he said during the course of an hour that I found inaccurate and offensive.  Even as I write this I am considering litigation against Maricopa Superior Court because I am certain there are rights protecting us from being forced to participate in religious programs.

     Anyways, I'm interested in anyone's thoughts concerning this post.  Please feel free to respond!

What more do you need to succeed?

     I was watching T.D. Jakes this morning and he was making a statement about how Satan takes care of his children, pimps, prostitutes, drug dealers, and drug czars financially. Wouldn't it make sense and be obvious that God would take care of his children (those that love Him and are called according to His purpose) better than Satan could ever take care of his?

     When I heard that I knew it was right.  I was a bit saddened because I knew this truth all along yet I have been operating in a way that doesn't glorify this.  I was saddened because I shouldn't have to have someone point this truth out to me.  I should be operating on such a level of faith and belief and trust in God that I have no fears, no doubts, no worries.

     I personally know drug dealers that have large amounts of money, shoot, they have over $250,000,000 dollars of my money from over the years.  I know of a lot people that don't love God that are very prosperous, financially.  I know and I believe God is mightier and greater than he who is in the world.  It isn't possible for someone who truly loves God to be less than one that doesn't.  We are the head, not the tail!

      I am very prosperous in every way except finances.  I declare that I am going to reach and receive the blessings God has for me concerning finances.  I believe and I have faith in The Father that I am on the path He has set forth for me and that I am moving in His will and not mine.  I love you Father and I praise you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

Work Harder!

     After receiving my grades for this past term, I've resolved to work harder and achieve a 4.0 next term.  I can do it.  I just need to focus on the areas where I am weak at and work on them.  First, I need to continue in my study of The Word as this feeds my mind and gives me insight on how to live and accomplish Gods will.

     In case anyone is wondering, it's been through Jesus Christ that I have experienced the success I have so far in college and in life.  I started college with some doubts and fears that I've been able to overcome because of my faith and belief in Jesus Christ.  Now, I look forward to challenges with the knowledge that I can rely on God for assistance.  And believe me, I've relied on Him for help in all areas of my life and school is no different.

     My goal is a 4.0 and I plan to get that.  I also have a goal of producing quality, professional material and making a profit from my work.  These are the goals.  I will continue to seek Gods will and align myself with The Word!  Amen!

Sobriety Tip #35

Keep moving Forward

     There are always going to be setbacks, obstacles, and hurdles in life and when one is maintaining sobriety it seems like they double but it is important to recognize them for what they are and to keep moving forward.

     I recently experienced a setback as I confused the dates of a class I was supposed to attend and I missed it.  The consequences could include jail time and or a fine or more community service but that's okay.  It doesn't take away the year of sobriety I've gained and that's what is important.  The way I see it, there's always going to be something coming against me.  I actually look forward to the challenges because I KNOW I'm not going to lose.  I've got Jesus on my side and if He is for me, then who can be against me?