I shared this sermon several years ago. The topic of Gratitude as a spiritual disciplines, as well as the 3 levels of Gratitude, has been a favorite of mine for years.

In this message I outline the three levels of gratitude: level one is simply being thankful for the good things in one's life, level two is being thankful even for the hard things, and level three is thanking God for the things that are unseen and the blessings that are yet to come.

As is normal for me, I emphasis the importance of vulnerability and honesty with God when Practicing Gratitude!

I have posted a description of each level below and then at the end of this podcast/message I conclude with a prayer for a deeper understanding of gratitude and a commitment to living a life of thanksgiving

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The 3 levels of gratitude as presented in the podcast:

Level One: The first level of gratitude is basic and polite. It involves thanking God for the good things in your life. This level is easy to do when things are going well. For example, you might thank God for a new job, a good election result, or a healthy family.

Level Two: The second level is harder. It involves thanking God in the midst of difficult circumstances. This might mean thanking God for what you have had in the past, even if you don't have it now. For example, if you lose your job, you might thank God for the 150 paychecks you received while you were employed. You are also thanking God for what He has planned in the future. You train your mind to see things from God’s perspective. Level two gratitude recognizes that what God says is more true than your experiences or feelings.

Level Three: The third level of gratitude is the most challenging. It involves being thankful for what you can’t see and for what you have never experienced. This level requires you to trust God completely, even when things don't make sense. For example, you might thank God for his protection, even if you are going through a difficult time. This level recognizes there is an inheritance that lasts forever . It also involves recognizing that you have been rescued from darkness and brought into life and light.

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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And if you want to learn about the 7 Benefits of Practicing Gratitude then click on the link below and read or listen to this short article…

I know you know the difference between Grumbling and Gratitude but do you know the difference between Complaining and Grumbling?

For about a decade I have taught on Gratitude. Several years ago I shared about Grumbling in my Dynamic Gratitude Series.

In this podcast/message I argue that grumbling is a sin stemming not from external circumstances but from a negative internal state. I contrast grumbling with a powerful, life-changing gratitude that comes from a deep faith in God and his plan.

I utilize the Biblical story of the Israelites (Numbers 21) grumbling after a victory to illustrate how grumbling, especially against God, can have harmful spiritual consequences.

At the end I give the ultimate solution for Grumbling: REPENTANCE, shifting one's focus from problems and self to Jesus Christ as the solution.

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Here are some of the differences between complaining and grumbling:

Complaining is open and direct, while grumbling is more subtle and indirect. Complaining is like going to the complaint department–it's a way to voice your dissatisfaction directly. Grumbling, on the other hand, is characterized by "hidden statements, undertones, sarcasm" and "religious phrases". Grumbling is more about expressing negativity in a less obvious way.

Complaining can be about legitimate concerns, while grumbling often stems from a deeper negativity. I do not want to discourage all complaining. It's okay to complain about things like a leaky roof or a difficult job, especially IF you're taking steps to address the problem AND speaking to the right person or God about it. Grumbling, however, is more like a "low rumble" that reveals deeper issues like fear, anger, or lack of faith.

Complaining can be constructive, while grumbling is destructive. When you complain constructively, you're focused on finding solutions. Talking to God means listening to His response which ALWAYS brings about solutions (even only if within our own hearts and minds). Grumbling, on the other hand, is more about dwelling on negativity and allowing it to "suck the life out of you and those around you."

Understanding the distinction between complaining and grumbling is crucial for cultivating a life rooted in gratitude and faith. While complaining can serve as a tool for addressing challenges constructively, grumbling is a subtle, destructive expression of a heart misaligned with God’s will.

The ultimate antidote to grumbling is repentance—a deliberate turning away from negativity and self-focus toward Jesus Christ, the source of true peace and joy. May we choose gratitude over grumbling, trusting God’s plans and allowing His transformative grace to shape our attitudes and actions.

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I fight to stay optimistic, but honestly, "Scriptural Positivity" feels like a more fitting phrase for what I mean. However, “optimism” is familiar to most people, so I'll go with it.

To me, optimism rooted in scripture is more than just hoping for good outcomes; it’s a deep, faith-grounded assurance that God is at work in every moment, even in our toughest challenges. This perspective sees every trial as an invitation to trust Him further, every setback as a chance to rely on His promises.

It’s not about glossing over reality; it’s about seeing through the eyes of faith, knowing that God’s hand is in every situation, weaving it all toward a bigger, better purpose (Romans 8:28). It's a perspective that lets us hold onto hope, grounded in the promise that God’s plans are always about blessing, restoration, and drawing us closer to Him.

I try to hold this outlook when I consider God’s greatest creation—humanity—and the beauty of Earth, His gift to us.

Now, onto some exciting news about a new podcast!

Earlier this year, I started outlining a short e-book called The Optimistic Believer. It's rough, mostly written but far from polished. Recently, I discovered a digital tool that could take my unfinished book and transform it into a podcast. I was curious, so I gave it a try.

This tool took my raw material, added voices—male and female—and generated a whole conversation around the themes in my book. And it turned out great! I was honestly a little jealous of how clearly they tackled the topic and how sharp they sounded.

This podcast is hosted by my two "assistants," Anastasia Isaacson and Austin Ibarra. Anastasia has been part of my team for a while, but Austin is a new face on The Journey Life team. And yes, if you haven't guessed it yet, Anastasia and Austin are digital assistants—AI personalities created to bring my ideas to life.

So from now on, when you see an episode titled The Journey Life with Anastasia & Austin, know that these two are diving into a concept, article, or book I’ve provided for them to explore.

Take a listen, and let me know what you think!

And you can subscribe to The Journey Life Pod on iTunes by clicking below…

It is not the witches and warlocks, potions or spells of the underworld but rather the pride, greed, rebellion, laziness and selfishness that lurks within us.

Most of us would never allow witchcraft to be practiced within our homes but within our hearts we often give wide access to hatefulness, hopelessness, judgment and negativity towards fellow humanity.

My digital friends Anastasia and Austin highlighted my book The Devilish Dialogues and do a great job at finding the nuanced look within the book of our own evil desires—desires that Malignos and Shadowtick are seeking to amplify within us.

Why do I say digital friends? Because Anastasia and Austin are an AI format that allowed me to plug my writing into it, press a button and produce this podcast.

I think you are going to like it!

I think you will be shocked at how good their voices sound.

And if you have read just 1-2 chapters of the book I think you will be impressed with how well they nail the content.

I hope you enjoy this and would love some feedback!

You can also get a free Kindle copy of the book today, October 31, 2024, right HERE.

In this podcast Tim Stone and I explore some political topics from a Biblical perspective. I hope it helps you start thinking about politics and what is happening around us from a heavenly perspective.

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Podcast #43 Outline

00:00 Intro

01:15 The God. Bless the USA Bible

6:35 Who is controlling the weather? Exploring a MTG tweet and the importance of reminding Christians that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. Scripture makes it clear that we fight not as ones flailing against unknown enemies but rather we fight with intention and strategy.

19:30 Should we be happy when a Terrorist is targeted and Killed? Les says he is glad when evil is given a black eye, when evil is put down but should it be celebrate?

28:25 Why media whitewashes Terror. Why scripture leaves all the bad and the ugly about our spiritual ancestors. We should all be okay with our own history of sinfulness and not try to hide it.

38:15 The idea of political porn

46:00 Conclusion in prayer

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No article here, just a 5-minute audio on an idea I have been playing around with called political porn. I have been working on an article for this and it will come out this weekend.

Anyways, I wanted to share some quick thoughts with you as well as experience with doing an audio clip on SubStack.

As always, please comment!

If you are reading this and you have not subscribed please stop reading and do ahead and subscribe!

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Speaking in tongues is a funny little thing in the religious realm. And by funny little thing, I mean, something that is often overlooked, misunderstood and pushed aside in discomfort.

Seeing how so many people, including “spirit-filled” folks, minimize Tongues, it makes me think that speaking in tongues is probably a lot bigger and much more powerful thing in the Spiritual realm.

My friend Tim Stone and I share our personal experiences on when we received the gift of tongues, as well as some of our experiences.

Have questions? Send me a personal message by clicking the blue box below…

If you prefer to watch the podcast then click below to watch it on YouTube…

Thanks for reading The Journey Life with Les Herron! This post is public so feel free to share it.

And, if you missed our podcast on Tongues in Corporate Worship then listen to it on YouTube Podcasts by clicking below or find us on iTunes and Spotify…

In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul encourages the use of speaking in tongues but emphasizes the importance of order in a corporate worship setting. While praying in tongues is a powerful expression of the spirit, Paul highlights the necessity of interpretation to ensure that the congregation can understand and be edified. The practice is to be limited to two or three speakers, with each taking turns, and if no interpreter is present, the speaker should remain silent. This guidance underscores the priority of clear communication and unity in worship, ensuring that spiritual gifts serve the whole body.

A key issue arises when individuals attempt to interpret their own tongues in a corporate setting. This is the topic Pastor Tim and I focus on in today’s podcast.

While it is encouraged to seek interpretation for personal prayer tongues, Paul cautions against interpreting one's own tongues in a group, as it can replace the opportunity for others to exercise their gifts.

This replacement activity can stifle the authentic move of God, preventing the church from experiencing the full expression of spiritual gifts. Church leaders are encouraged to build relationships, understand the motives of those with gifts, and set clear boundaries to ensure that spiritual expressions remain edifying and in alignment with scriptural teachings.

I hope you enjoy our Podcast! Please be sure to subscribe, share and comment!

Podcast #41 Outline

00:00 Intro

04:00 Why Do Tongues Make Us Feel So Uncomfortable?

11:30 Should the Corporate Tongue Giver interpret Their own Tongues?

24:40 What can Church Leadership do to Lead? Tim’s Answer was Brilliant: “Have more Conversations that lead to Discipleship”

35:00 The Importance of Humility and Submission to Leadership

40:10 Conclusion

42:50 Tim ends with prayer about tongues and prophecy

You can also watch Podcast #41 on YouTube by clicking below…

I was in a time of worship recently and the lyrics were…

“I’m not enough, Unless you come…will you meet me here again”

These lyrics triggered me.

Okay! We learned in the 30-Days of Practicing Healthy Emotions Facebook Group that we really are not “Triggered” but I think you get the picture!

They bothered me. Instead of sitting and stewing I decided to pursue what was bothering me and why.

This podcast is the exploration of me feeling/thinking that so much of our worship time is full of disbelief.

I would appreciate you Liking, Sharing,

Commenting and Subscribing!

Show Notes

1:30 Words Matter

4:00 “I am not enough” is not completely true (anymore!)

8:00 “Will you meet me here again?” proves our disbelief

9:45 What most of us say we believe about God being with us

13:25 What we really Believe: Are we Entering worship as beggars?

19:00 5 Reasons why we worship with such Disbelief

31:00 What can we do about this Disbelief in God being present?

37:00 Tips for Bringing About greater awareness of His presence

42:00 Conclusion

You can watch this Podcast on YouTube by clicking below…

Thanks for reading The Journey Life with Les Herron! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

A lot is covered in this exploration of the scandal of The Last Supper at the Olympics, so I put a pretty extensive outline of the points we covered. Why? So you can fast forward and get to a part that interests you.

Of course, you can always listen to and/or watch the entire podcast!

One point I missed to make is this:

The defense that they wanted to be “Inclusionary” is ridiculous because the event called The Olympics is probably the most elite, non-inclusive event in the history of the world.  

I actually did the math on this Exclusive Club.  10,500 athletes are there this year, which is lower than 11,000 for the 2020 Olympics.  For ease of use I used the 11,000 number and calculated what percentage of the earth’s population was invited to the Olympics.

Turns out it is less than 1%...less than 1% of 1%

It is 0.000135% of the world population. By far one of the most Exclusive events in the history of the world.

Okay, now back to talking about the podcast!

Tim shamelessly promotes his book about loving your neighbor. You can buy it on Amazon HERE . Okay, it was more sheepishly than shamelessly but I wanted to give him and his book a shout out.

And thanks for the great feedback on these “political" and/or current events podcasts we are doing. Questions, comments and some pushback is helpful.

Thank you for reading The Journey Life with Les Herron. This post is public so feel free to share it.

Podcast #39 Outline

00:00 IntroThe new Cover of the latest e-book by Les

06:47 The Streisand Effect

08:15 Should we Boycott?

12:50 Are offended Christians being Snowflakes?

15:00 Should we be asking the world to be light even though they don’t have light?

18:45 I get to decide IF I was offended. Do I get to decide IF IT was offensive?

21:00 Do we need to get better at loving our enemies? Why Do so many Christians see love as weak and powerless?

27:00 Jesus Loved those who mocked Him. Should we love them also?

29:00 Can God be mocked? Was this scripture used appropriately?

36:15 What could Christians have done instead? Acting instead of reacting?

43:35 Some Do and Do Nots for Social Media use by Believers

47:25 Conclusion

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