Trending Up

Edgar and I discuss the reasons we chose to stay in the church and how that has impacted us to this day. 

For our episode notes, check here:  https://trendingup.wixsite.com/podcast/episode-notes

Check out our episode on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/XVPv1H5UztI

Devin and I talk about his life and his journey with Jesus.  

Enspire Productions 

https://www.facebook.com/enspireproduction/ 

https://www.enspireproductions.org/?fbclid=IwAR2-nmlKXZWVT9xlSbZ8KxzSyXf6WcaoHjklrnfXU_vzKyXtW4Q8DJzapuA 

Devin and Stefanies (1st) book: Shepherd of Oldeam found on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014CDD3KY

Listen to my conversation with Wandile and the many great things that he is doing for his community in South Africa.  

Find him on Facebook @wandile.mthiyane 

Email: [email protected] 

Check out some of his stuff here: 

"Ubuntu Design Group" - https://ubuntudesigngroup.org/

"Child of Apartheid Trailer" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlhfCWEZff0&feature=youtu.be

"Feature Maker" - https://www.studyarchitecture.com/blog/featured-makers/featured-maker-wandile-mthiyane-ubuntu-design-group/

Join us as we continue to talk about the keys to life that God has left for us in the Bible.

God's Keys are His commandments that are found in Exodus 20 & Deuteronomy 5

They are God’s keys for our relational success

10 things you don’t have to worry about

First 4 commands - our relationship with God (Vertical)

Last 6 commands - our relationship with others (Horizontal)

Throughout the last 6 keys, it is as if God is saying throughout, “I VALUE PEOPLE”

Love for Others

“Honor your father and mother, that you may have a long life”

IOW = “You can enjoy a life of harmony with your family and those around you, because of the principles that I am teaching you.”

Through the Spirit’s power I was obedient and respectful to my parents, trying to think about how they felt, and not just the way I felt.

“Do not murder”

IOW = “You do not have to kill or murder to survive. Life is not the survival of the fittest.”

I loved others by not “killing” anyone’s reputation, or hating anyone and getting back at them for something they did to me.

“Do not commit adultery”

IOW = “You do not have to take from others what isn’t yours, because I can lead you to the best that you need. I know your heart.”

I stayed pure, not going against my promise to God to use my sexuality only for the loving purpose for which He created it.

“Do not steal”

IOW = “You do not have to take from others what isn’t yours, because I will give you all that you need. I know what you need before you even tell me.”

I respected other people’s belongings, not taking anything for myself that God didn’t provide for me.

“Do not bear false witness”

IOW = “You don’t have to lie to survive, you can be someone of integrity that is true to their word.”

I did not lie to others, or about them; instead, I told them the truth in love.

“Do not covet your neighbor's wife or possessions”

IOW = “You do not have to covet and lust over what others have, because if you seek Me first, I will provide all that you need.”

I didn’t waste time wishing I had what others have. I trusted, instead, that God has provided everything I need.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Join us as we talk about the keys to life that God has left for us in the Bible.

God's Keys are His commandments that are found in Exodus 20 & Deuteronomy 5

They are God’s keys for our relational success

10 things you don’t have to worry about

First 4 commands - our relationship with God (Vertical)

Last 6 commands - our relationship with others (Horizontal)

Matthew 22:37-40

“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment.

A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Love for God

“Have no other Gods”

IOW (In Other Words) = “You do not have to have other gods, I AM ENOUGH”

I spent time with God each day before I did anything else, thinking about His love and asking Him to guide my day.

“Do not make an image - to be worshipped”

IOW = “You do not have to have carved images of various gods, because I am beyond anything you know of (on earth, heaven, in the water or sky) and more powerful than anything, and above you and your mind; also because I am nearer to you than any idol or image you may create.”

I asked God to stay more important to me than anything or anyone else.

“Do not take the name of the Lord in vain”

IOW = “You do not have to use my name in vain, because I will come through for you.”

I chose not to do or say things that would be disrespectful to God, or would misrepresent Him.

“Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy” (holy = honor it & treat it like Jesus did = serving and healing others)

IOW = “Join me on the day that I have set apart to be with you.”

I kept my “date with God” on the Sabbath, joining Him in helping others and learning more about Him in nature and His word.

In our relationships, we project feelings and emotions on others. Edgar and I talk about projection and how God projects good on us. 

Projection is a defense mechanism that people subconsciously use in order to cope with difficult feelings or emotions (https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/psychological-projection-dealing-with-undesirable-emotions/)

Projection is the single most derailing and destructive phenomenon in intimate relationships. It hurts our partners by casting them into a false role, and blocks authentic communication. (https://www.monikahoyt.com/projection-in-relationships/)

How to avoid it:

1. Look within - Is the actual issue/problem with you, pause before you "attack" and see the role you play.

2. When you get triggered, stay with the feelings - Don't attack the person, but express how their actions made you feel.

3. Be aware of stress - the higher your stress level, the fewer emotional resources you will have.

What to do when your partner is projecting

1. Be patient and loving - self evaluate

2. Respectfully disengage - understand that the issue is with them and not really with you. Do not retaliate.

3. Do not explain, defend, argue, teach, analyze, counter-attack, or criticize - Seek to understand your partner but do not pick up what isn't yours.

Projection in the Bible

Adam and Eve projected their guilt and shame on God as they hid from Him. They believed their internal condemnation was God's attitude toward them.

God practices healthy projection on us as He projects what He sees in us and what He can accomplish in, for, and with us before it is a reality.

- Gideon (Judges 6)

- Sarah and Abraham (Genesis 17)

You are inherently valuable because you were made in the image of God (with His logo); this value cannot be added to or taken away by what you do or don't do. God gives it to you because He loves you.

Check out our conversation with Alex Castillo as he speaks about his faith journey and the period of waiting that he is in now. 

Join us as Edgar and I talk about the importance of our perspective and how the Bible helps us to have a good outlook in life despite what may be happening around us. 

Perspective is important because it is how you view life and that around you.

Differentiation of self

Understanding the conflict context you can have joy in the midst of uncertainty and troubles.

If you know God’s character, you can hope that He has good plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Reality of this world: Hurt People, Hurt People

Don’t let a noun (person, place, or thing) take your joy.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

Edgar and I continue our dialogue about conflict but we discuss it from a biblical viewpoint and see how the Bible paints this conflict. 

We can find a battle between good & evil in almost every corner of culture; we see it in movies, books, and religions.

In looking at these battles between good & evil, there are casualities and unfortunate events that occur simply because of the fact that the context is that of a conflict.

In the Bible, we also find that there is a major conflict between good & evil, namely, God and Satan.

A fundamental principle for God is that He does not force you to do anything, because He knows that love cannot be forced. In this conflict, we find that God has to navigate through His ideal will and remedial will to help each and everyone of us in our best interest in light of the context of conflict.

History between God and Satan

(Genesis 3, Revelation 12, 13 -14, 17, 19)

Difference between Christ and Satan