Arena 22

Dr. Larry Dossey asked a number of patients, "Why did you get well?" The number one answer will upgrade your thinking. Plus; a nun who became an atheist until she experienced a miracle and never needed a wheelchair again; Jesus' call to improve the world; a few powerful questions to help you focus on what matters most; studies on who many people pray; moving from belief to action; the biblical definition of spiritual rest; headlines designed to cause stress and nothing more daily on the news; heart breathing; and a simple exercise to capture the moments that matter the most. 

Shocking studies on cancer and the power of suggestion; fasting from anger and guilt; why Disney almost gave up on Mickey Mouse; why writers are at a high risk of suicide; the devil's favorite tool (he has used it on all of us many times); why adversity can be your best university; Gracia Burham on forgiving her husband's murderers; Branden's sentence fragments (If I were to take 5% more responsibility for my life and well being...); and saving a marriage in less than 2 minutes. 

The faith of and forgiveness of Squanto; finding Jesus in every book of the Bible; the power of Psalm 118; why did the father prepare a "fatted" calf for the prodigal son (and for you and for me); why luxury is a weakness and why you can only help people to help themselves; defining ultimate wealth; what Jesus did to change the most hated man in town into its greatest giver; Gloria Estefan on gratitude; and the transforming power of someone "telling your name".

Developed by Tony Robbins, the primary question is the one we ask over and over again that drives our behavior and the meaning we give to life. For some it is, "Why does this always happen to me?" For others it is, "How can I be so blessed?" Uncovering your question, perhaps even changing it, will completely upgrade your world. Learn from one woman's example of moving from a selfish question, to one of kindness. Plus; the apostle's challenge to stop living like a mere mortal; Anthony Flew on moving from atheism to faith; moving beyond living a small life; a controversial film that challenged everyone's assumptions; knowing "You weren’t made to fit in. You were born to stand out"; and how to find a new, empowering, primary question.

Life lessons from the failed Beanie Baby craze; the incredible story of the tulip craze that almost bankrupted a nation; 3 decisions we make every moment; one of the best definitions of commitment from Darren Hardy; Cloe Madanes on a fascinating experiment for wives fed up with lazy husbands; what husbands get most bothered by; leaving behind the investigated story we tell ourselves about why things are the way they are in our life; and how a marriage can match the love story found in Proverbs 31.  

Ken Blanchard on learning lessons from a safari; an ancient church engraving for champions; Helen Roseveare on the miracle story that baffled the most hardened skeptics; one thousand year old advice on education; Larry Osborne on how to overcome pettiness; Thomas Merton on hearing God; what Jesus did when John the Baptist died; the prayer of David when he hit rock bottom; and learning to be an encourager in an anxious world.   

Lessons from Tom Severson, who after facing a brutal attack learned about the cost of almost giving love, and on wanting to make drastic changes before it was too late; life changing insight from Glades Staines who learned to not just forgive, but to love the men who murdered her husband; C. B. Elijah on facing your fears or walking away; a pastor from India who gave grace even after being beaten almost to death; what happened to faith and church attendance in England; John Li on the results of praying two hours a day in China; and George Foreman and Dale Evans on finding the most valuable gift in life, far away from the spotlight.

A university test that shows what people do or do not notice when under stress (even someone literally under their feet); Robin Arzon on knowing, "Your new life is going to cost you your old excuses", Emilee Garfield on overcoming cancer by finding spiritual healing from abuse; Tony Robbins on fear; understanding the thoughts and challenges common to all of us; uncovering the purpose of the brain (it is NOT to seek happiness); why I dropped Netflix and fake news; Kris Carr on expectations; what to really do with negative thoughts; knowing the game Satan has always played; John Regier on the powerful "WE PRAYER" for couples; what anyone can appreciate right this second; and Natalie Gilbert and Maurice Cheeks on the power of stepping into another person's need. 

What will people do for money? Charles Miller offered a fortune to the first woman to have 10 children, and a nationwide race began. As Emerson said, "The gods we worship write their names on our faces. A man may think that his tribute is paid in secret, but it will come out." We need something more in our lives than temporal idols, no matter how enticing they may be. The New Testament offers an answer, referring several times to a specific song, one sung for centuries in the Middle East by the people around the continent, and by Jesus. When you know the song he sang, you will never look at him the same again (Luther had the song on his wall). Plus, why Bach initialed all his work with J. J. or S. D. G.; following the example of Gladys Aylward who cried, "O God, here’s my Bible! Here’s my money! Here’s me! Use me, God" (she transformed countless lives, at great cost, across China; and the true story of the peace child that brought and end to violence and war in New Guinea. 

What do you find in the desert? A mocking world, bent on hate and disbelief? Or something else, something precious, something divine, something bigger than life, satiating your thirst as you grow through the trials? In 1978 Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn described a world "split apart" due to self-centeredness. Having spent 11 years in the gulag, his speech was given at Harvard. Some booed, some listened. In WWII a statue of Christ stood, the hands having been destroyed by bombs. Billy Graham would use the illustration to say that people of faith are to be the hands of Jesus to the world. Then there is Gypsy Smith, who a hundred years ago offered advice to those wanting spiritual revival; "Go home, lock yourself in your room, kneel down in the middle of your floor. Draw a chalk mark all around yourself and ask God to start the revival inside that chalk mark. When He has answered your prayer, the revival will be on." We end with James Loder, who shares a story of a powerful personal miracle. He was a Princeton professor, and after the experience he could hardly stop crying tears of joy the rest of his life, becoming known as the "weeping professor." He found a way, and you and I can too, to live in a "God-bathed, God-soaked, God-intoxicated world."