Tetelestai Recovery

Recognizing God’s Voice in Everyday Life

Knowing that God speaks to His children in all sorts of unique ways, we suddenly recognized His voice speaking to us from the creativity of writers and actors on a movie screen. We identified with the heroes. We saw ourselves playing the role assigned to us by the God of the Galaxies. We became aware in a way unlike ever before that we were on a mission that would influence millions, change the course of history, and generate spiritual wavelengths to echo into caverns of the future.

We looked back over our life and realized that our destiny had been there all along and every step of the journey was preparation for the main event.

But still we questioned whether we could actually fulfill our mission. We knew our impulsive nature had caused us to make some terribly bad choices in the past, so we wondered if it was God’s call or just a delusion of grandeur. The thought of God calling us to something of eternal magnitude seemed a little ridiculous and really, really crazy.

We had to question whether our passionate reaction to the prospect of hearing this divine call was our love for Him or our own search for significance?

Maybe it was both. And maybe that was okay.

Tetelestai Recovery

Finding True Purpose Beyond Sobriety

It was not enough for us to simply stop using mind or mood-altering substances. We needed something more significant. We began to suspect that our primary purpose in life was not simply to stay clean and sober. While sobriety was an honorable ambition, and one we had desired deeply for many years, we found that mere sobriety fell woefully short of the abundant life promised by Jesus. We began to believe that our true purpose was to discover the reason for our existence.

We came to realize that sobriety was not the end goal. As it turned out, sobriety was simply a way of life we had grown to prefer, since clarity of mind was beneficial in our quest for true purpose...

Tetelestai Recovery

Understanding Tests: Cultivating Patience

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  James 1:2-4     

When caught up in a moment of testing, we must resist letting our feelings and circumstances serve as a litmus test for our faith. It is not healthy, nor is it accurate.

Tests are for the express purpose of developing patience. Whether the tests come from internal or external forces, they have a purpose. Some of the tests we face are due to our own weaknesses and might easily become our demise, but even then, God always has a better plan. Any test that activates patience is beneficial. Guilt and blame serve no purpose.

Patience tells us that tests are only temporary. Patience tells us that God is doing a good work in us, and He will complete it. Patience tells us not to judge our walk by one random stumble. Patience keeps us steady as we wait for the storm to pass.

It is patience that we lack when we throw up our hands and give up. It is patience that we lack when we question our progress. It is patience that will get us to the finish line. It is patience that will help us be gentle with ourselves.

A Date With Destiny

Harmony with Earth: A Gardener’s Journey

Then the Lord God planted a garden in the East, in a place called Eden. He put the man He had formed into that garden. Genesis 2:8

You enjoy a close bond with nature and find peace in the Great Creation. You have discovered the elusive tranquility that many others seek, by walking in harmony with the earth and its inhabitants.

You enjoy tending gardens and working with plants. You also find a deep sense of satisfaction from sharing your harvest to nourish others.  You delight in feeding birds, animals, and fellow human beings. 

Growing plants from seed and watching them mature into life-sustaining trophies of God’s goodness, is an assignment you willingly accept.

To you, the privilege of sharing the abundance of your harvest is one of life’s most enjoyable experiences.

You function in harmony with the earth, finding both spiritual and physical nourishment from this connection to the Creator.

A Date With Destiny

Unveiling the Harmony of Science and Faith

  1 Corinthians 2:7   
I speak God’s secret wisdom, which He has kept hidden. God planned this wisdom for our glory before the world began.

The secret wisdom of God’s Kingdom is revealed in nature. Many may find it difficult to comprehend the magnitude of what they are witnessing, when viewing a starry night or a blazing sunrise. However, you are fully aware that each element of nature contains vital information about your Creator.

You have a persistent drive to push past surface layer facts to discover the deeper secrets hidden behind them. You have a curious mind which seeks to comprehend the secrets of God concealed in the world around you.

You remain keenly aware that all understanding comes from the Creator, and you derive great pleasure discovering the intimate secrets of His character revealed in the beauty of nature.

You deeply and fully appreciate a belief in intelligent design. Profound revelations that you encounter, while observing the world around you, unlocks a supernatural enlightenment which reaches far beyond human understanding.

You are enamored by the evidence of God sprinkled throughout the universe. You possess great wisdom and understanding when sifting through the clues to uncover hidden mysteries.

As each layer is peeled back, through scientific research and discovery, the wonder of the universe reveals the magnitude of its Creator.

 You easily make the connection between Creator and Creation. You have been given a gift of divine understanding which enables you to live life in both the natural and supernatural, simultaneously.

A life of dual loyalties to both the scientific and religious communities is rarely an easy path to walk. These two entities are often perceived to be in opposition to each other.

However, you have the gift of divine wisdom, so you perceive it much differently. You find insurmountable evidence to the contrary.

You see a spectacular harmony between both the spiritual and the scientific realms.  You can quickly detect synchronized cooperation between these two dimensions and are equally comfortable in both worlds.

This is an exciting lifestyle that few can understand. You comprehend it well because it has been your reality for as long as you can remember.

A Date With Destiny

Living Testimony: How Your Story Can Inspire Change

  
1 John 2:6
Whoever says that God lives in him must live as Jesus lived.

The story of what God has done in your life is a profound message of hope which will change lives. It cannot be kept quiet. It is not meant to remain private.

The exhibition of Jesus’ healing, deliverance, and renewal in your life will be shared as a lasting legacy long after your days in the human realm of space and time have ended.

Not only are you a living display of grace, through your kindness and compassion, you are carrying the teachings of Christ within your own being.

Your message from God is one of forgiveness, love, and empathy for those who struggle.

God has revealed this to you in such a personal way; it seems as if it is simply part of your personality.

Your ability to follow the unique level of Christ’s teaching is a special gift that not many possess. Despite numerous wrongs done to you, forgiveness and the refusal to carry a grudge, is the deliberate response you choose.

The teaching and actions of Jesus concerning forgiveness are part of the mysterious message of truth that God has called you to communicate to his hurting children.  His message of mercy is one that most people find difficult to receive until they see it in action.

You are given amazing opportunities to share this mysterious message of the healing power of forgiveness with those who seek what you have found.

Your living example of Jesus’ teachings speak volumes to those who interact with you during your allotted time on this planet.

Additionally, your written words will influence those you never meet. As a lasting legacy, your writings will offer God-given insights to those who enter the human realm long after you have lived out your days.

A Date With Destiny

Mary’s Journey: Lessons on God’s Favor and Life’s Difficulties

 
Luke 1:30

“Don’t be afraid,” the angel said. “You have found favor with God!”


Your life is filled with the favor of God.  He has chosen you to be the recipient of His goodness.

Some believe your life is easy, but like Mary, you also hide many things in your heart. 

God’s call isn’t always an easy road to walk, even though it may appear easy to those who watch you move quietly and methodically through difficulties.

Like Mary’s experience, the blessings of God may not always appear as blessings at first.

 There are things God asks of you that may not seem possible or even rational. Your destiny is a path which some may question. This is because God has revealed plans to you that no one else could ever understand.

A Date With Destiny

The Spiritual Bond Between Humans and Animals

Happy Birthday 1/28

  Genesis 1:28  
God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. I am putting you in charge of the fish, the birds, and all the wild animals.”

You care deeply about animals, and you understand their fundamental value to the ecosystem of this planet.

You sometimes prefer the company of animals to humans because you appreciate their non-judgmental acceptance.

You realize that the human connection to animals is a deeply spiritual bond.

Medical breakthroughs and scientific discoveries are dependent upon the animal kingdom to guide the way.

Animals play a vital role in the development of life-saving medical procedures.

Throughout the centuries, animals, both domestic and wild, have been the inspiration for  countless human inventions and technological advancements. By studying and mimicking the unique traits of other species, humanity was able to survive.

You are intrigued by the interconnectedness of the ecosystem. You hold a deep sense of honor and respect for conservationists. You admire people who preserve the natural habitats of untamed creatures who reside on this planet.

You live in harmony with creation and the Creator, because you hold deep reverence for the wild world.

A Date With Destiny

Sharing Divine Light: A Guide to Spiritual Influence


Genesis 1:27

So God created human beings in His image.

The relationship you enjoy with God as your Father creates an aura of warmth and light in the atmosphere surrounding you.

This glow of God’s reflection in you, illuminates spaces which were once dark and gloomy. People are drawn to your light and seek to experience it for themselves.

The wonderful thing about the radiance of this light, is that it can be shared freely without losing its intensity. The glow of God’s likeness radiating from you is like sunshine.  There is no limit to the number of recipients who can receive the warmth and comfort it brings.

 And as the sunshine persuades spring flowers to emerge, you too carry the ability to encourage the colorful expressions of God’s creative design to blossom in the lives of those you influence.

You carry a big responsibility, for without the image of The Father shining through you, some of His wandering children who are searching for the light might never find their way home.

Tetelestai Recovery

Using PREPLANT to Combat Negative Thoughts

When comparing our cognitive distortions against the eight descriptive words in Philippians 4:8, we find our solution. With these eight guardrails in place, we can choose which thoughts to keep and which ones to set aside.

  • Pure
  • Right
  • Excellent
  • Praiseworthy
  • Lovely
  • Admirable
  • Noble
  • True

Using the acronym, PREPLANT, we can check ourselves regularly throughout the day to make sure the thoughts running through our heads line up with at least one on the list.

If a thought does not meet the criteria, it is deemed unhealthy and carries the potential to make us sick. We cannot level up until we let go of the thoughts that don’t measure up.