Situational Awareness

4 Stages of Alertness

If you are not filled with the Holy Spirit, get filled.

If you don’t know what that is, ask me or someone in my family, we are ALL spirit filled – it is a supernatural gift from God.

Remember, you can’t get the supernatural without the natural, so do your part, the natural part, and educate yourself and get filled!

In any public situation there are 4 situational “alert” stages.  You will fall into one of them whether you know it or not.

  • White – you are oblivious to what is going on around you. Your eyes are glued to the phone, you are reading a book or magazine, you are talking on the phone, you are sleeping…take your pick. White is not a desirable state to be in – DO NOT allow yourself to linger here. Always advance to Yellow.
  • Yellow – first thing you do is evaluate the people around you. Who looks scary. Who looks like they might help if something bad went down. Let Holy Spirit guide you here. 99.99% of the time there will be nothing to worry about, you can relax. The main thing is to always know what is going on around you.
  • Orange – this is where your spidey sense, or Holy Spirit raises your alertness. Observe. If you see something, say something – call 911 or whatever security organization is close. I would rather face a little embarrassment for calling in something that is nothing than the alternative. If the situation warrants, leave the situation. If you are on the subway, there’s another train coming shortly, get off. If you are getting on a plane…same thing, get off if you feel like there is something wrong. NO MEETING is worth the risk if Holy Spirit is strongly influencing you to leave. I have only had to switch to Orange a couple of times, and I was able to take appropriate action, but still those situations could have escalated.
  • Red – In the name of Jesus, this will never be the case, especially if you are following these awareness colors. However, if you do happen to find something bad going down, DON’T PANIC. Holy Spirit will lead you, every situation will be different but He will ALWAYS provide a way to get through it. I have never seen Red, I have seen Orange though, in those situations I was able to take proactive steps to help some others stay safe and avert the Red state.

Rule #1 – Don’t Panic

Don’t Panic

When faced with unexpected difficulty, calmness will win the day.

Losing control of your vehicle while driving? Don’t panic. If you are skidding, steer into the skid, but keep your cool. If you know what is going on around you, you can steer away from danger safely. If you have to make a choice between hitting a person or hitting an animal…always choose to hit the animal, and that includes if your other choice is to hit an immovable object.

Trouble at work – someone being difficult – maybe someone throwing you under the bus? Don’t panic – in these situations, good leadership will always want to get at a solution and not play the blame game. If you focus on solutions you will come out ahead. And, if leadership is looking to play the blame game…get out.

Trying to get help from customer service? Your flight is cancelled? Trying to return something you bought? On the phone with the help desk and they are clueless or don’t speak your language? Stay calm, it will be OK. Be nice in those situations, even if they don’t deserve your niceness – you win in the end..

The Main Thing

You have heard of Gibbs’ rules…Here are Joe’s Nuggets

Some of these are “tongue and cheek”, and they all contain valuable life lessons.

Over the years, I have done my best to collect wisdom from many sources. Books, friends, mentors, family, spiritual leaders and yes, even TV and movies can provide bits of wisdom if you know where to look!

Enjoy these, know them, live them!

The Main Thing

Always know what is going on around you.

What started out as some advice for my kids when I taught them to drive evolved into something that is applicable for life in many situations.

While driving – always know where other drivers are in relation to you and keep an eye on them. Always practice defensive driving. They may not be as good a driver as you.

At work – know what your boss’ position is in the company and how well he/she is doing in their position. Do your best to help them strengthen that position, at the same time keep your options open.

On the subway (or anywhere there a a lot of people close together) – take mental notes of the situation – situational awareness which will be mentioned in a different nugget. Look at each person around you and let Holy Spirit guide your attention. 99.99% of the time you will feel safe, it is that .01% that can bite you in the rear.

 

Do These 4 Things To Become UNSTOPPABLE

From Gary Brecka

Morning routine

  • First sun – the first 45 minutes of sunlight
  • Breath work – 3 rounds of 30 deep breaths with breath hold in between
  • Put your bare feet on the ground for 3-5 minutes
  • Cold shower

You Can Break that Addiction

  • Andrew Huberman is a neuroscientist and discusses some vital topics around breaking the cycle of addiction by understanding how dopamine plays into our addictions
  • 30 days to break that addiction

Rocks, Pebbles and Sand

Watch this thought provoking, short reel, then consider the following:

  • First, make sure that building your relationship with Jesus is the first “big rock”
  • Then, evaluate how you spend your time against the message from the reel
  • Lastly, consider developing a relationship with someone you respect, and has your best interests at heart – ask for their thoughts and consultation on a regular basis

Life Lessons from Simon Sinek

Here are some pretty good life lessons from Simon Sinek.

  • Take accountability of your actions – sometimes you’re the problem
  • Learn to be the last to speak
  • Start with WHY you do what you do, not HOW
  • Develop an infinite mindset
  • Leave the world a better place because you were here

The BEST Motivational Speech I have EVER heard

Watch THIS INCREDIBLE commencement speech from US Navy Admiral William H. McRaven, one of the most decorated US commanders.

  • Start the day with a task completed
  • Find someone to help you through life
  • Respect everyone
  • Life is not always fair, move forward
  • Don’t be afraid to fail often
  • Take risks
  • Face down bullies
  • Step up when times are toughest
  • Lift up the downtrodden
  • Never give up

What Is Prayer

What is Prayer?

Believe it or not, prayer is one of the most important, if not THE most important, weapon we have in our arsenal to over come this world.

Life will throw you curve ball after curve ball, and if you are not prepared (in my mind I would say “prayed up“) it will be a lot harder for you to make contact with the ball (to continue the baseball analogy).

I hope my perspective on the subject can help.

Prayer
Definition:
Simply put, prayer is conversing with God. Not just talking to the Lord but listening. The latter is easy (being quiet before God). The former is easy as well (saying what’s on your heart). Merriam-Webster defines prayer as “an address (such as a petition) to God in word or thought.

The shortest prayer is: “God” or “Lord.”

Is it Magic?
Simply put…NO
There is a God side to prayer AND a man side.

Prayer is supernatural, so you won’t get the super if you do not do the natural.

When your prayers line up with what God says, incredible things happen. A good analogy is how magnets affect metal. Check out this video:

Magnet Experiment

When the magnet (your prayers that line up with God’s Word) get near the metal shavings (things and people around you) tend to get in line with your prayers. You still have to take action, and you will know God’s presence is with you. You can be led in your actions.

It doesn’t mean you won’t miss the mark sometimes and make mistakes. It also does not guarantee your prayers are answered in the way you think they should.

I can tell you from experience, in the end, when your heart is right, your results will match up with what God has planned. And what God plans is ALWAYS better than what we can think or imagine.

So, what is the man side?

  • Give your heart to Jesus – born again
  • Be filled with the Spirit
  • Consistently put God’s Word in your heart (consistently, not perfectly!)
  • Have an open heart to receive what God provides

So, what is God’s side?

  • He makes you righteous in Jesus
  • Holy Spirit will come upon you to give you “utterance” or prayers
  • You will be transformed
  • God can bless you beyond what you can imagine

So what can you expect?

  • Effective prayers.

Check out the scriptures below:

Romans 3:22 [Amp]
This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son].

Romans 8:26-27 [Amp]
In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. 27And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of [c]God’s people in accordance with God’s will.

Romans 12:2 [Amp]
And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [c]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

Ephesians 3:20-21 [Amp]
Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, 21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

James 5:16 [Amp]
Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) is able to accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God–it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].

Practical Application

God leads through prayer
I was in business with someone who professed to be Christian – but things did not work out. Very bad break up. During the legal work to split up the business, there was some debt that was in dispute. My wife and I fervently prayed for God’s mercy/grace/favor. Long story short, in prayer God prompted my heart to call a lawyer to step in and negotiate. Had I waited just one more day, the financial results would have been horrible. Instead, God did show mercy/grace/favor and I was able to eliminate the debt for MUCH less costs.

This is a great example of how God works. Prayer is not magic, but prayer is your communication link with the One who knows all – the One who is for you – the One who can prompt you to take the right actions at the right time. You have to add the natural to get the supernatural!

Life for My Youngest Daughter

The life of my daughter saved by faith

So, my wife, Diane, and I were married for 3-4 years before we started having kids. Our first daughter was born and we were so excited and filled with joy.

We were planners you know and thought, wow, we wanted Laura to have a sibling pretty close to her age.

So we didn’t wait too long to try again, and our timing seemed to be good. We got pregnant and the two would be about 18 months apart…perfect plan.

Long story short, due to complications just a few months into our pregnancy we lost our second child.

We were devastated to say the least.

Now…the big BUT…BUT GOD! He never left us, just as he promised. And through that incredibly difficult time, He loved us through it and we healed. We studied scripture even more and became more committed to His Word. It took time, BUT GOD! He healed our broken hearts.

We decided to put our faith into action, prayed and decided to try again. God is faithful, we had another one on the way!

Not too far into this pregnancy, Diane started experiencing similar symptoms as when we lost our second child.

BUT GOD! Through that last experience we had grown stronger in our faith (especially Diane). This time we were more prepared – WE WERE NOT LOSING ANOTHER ONE.

As soon as we realized what was happening we pulled out the big guns! Strong Christian friends and Scriptures on healing – promises from God to us. We had studied them and hid them in our heart for such a time as this, and so did our very good friends Marty and Karen.

Mark 16:17-18 (Jesus speaking)

“These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: …. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”

1 Peter 2:24 (Peter speaking about Jesus)

He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

These and other scriptures are easily found by just looking up the topic of healing in your Bible.

We got down to business and started praying, speaking these verses over Diane and laying hands on her. We prayed until the Holy Spirit gave us peace that we had accomplished the mission – saving my baby.

Miraculously, 6-7 months later Lisa was born and she has been a blessing ever since. Thank you Jesus! Another miracle.

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