The Lighthouse of Christ - Egghead Blog

How Faith and Prayer Benefit the Brain by Gayle D. Beebe, Ph.D.

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 21:49:44 GMT

Excerpts from the original article:

In the book, How God Changes Our Brain: Breakthrough Findings from a Leading Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Newberg "identified several things he discovered about the effect of religious contemplation on the human brain.

First, engaging in 12 minutes of personal reflection and prayer each day makes a profound impact on our brain. It strengthens a unique neural circuit that specifically enhances our social awareness and empathy and helps us love our neighbor by developing a heightened sense of compassion and subduing negative emotions. What is one of the most destructive feelings? Anger. What does anger do? It isolates us from other people. It cuts us off. It destroys community as we retract within ourselves.

The second is neuroplasticity: Our brain isn’t fixed like a plastic mold, it’s nimble. Scientists once thought our brain grows and develops for several years and then reaches a point where it begins to decay and slowly erode. But we now know that brains continue to develop as a result of the experiences and behaviors we engage in every day. For example, Newberg says we can have memories that continue to take on new forms simply by the way we repeat them to ourselves. They actually become independent of the things we’re remembering.

Third, because our brain will constantly change, we need to be mindful of whether we’re developing in good or destructive ways. The disciplines we engage every day, every week, every year, fundamentally shape the destiny of our life, and we need to be aware of the extent to which our behavior affects our brain.

The fourth is that prayer and personal reflection help us maintain a healthy balance in life. I believe every one of us needs to spend a small portion of each day in personal prayer and reflection. I need it. You need it. No matter how busy we are, we’ve got to make space so we know our priorities and our values and can assess how well we’re living up to them. We need to ask ourselves daily, “What adjustments do I need to make to develop my life with God?”

Newberg describes eight things we can do to positively shape our brains. He begins with the value of maintaining personal religious faith and adds spending time each day in prayer and personal reflection. Also important is talking to others and being part of a community. Aerobic exercise helps our brain develop as well. So does yawning, which Newberg says focuses our attention. Another activity is listening to 12 minutes of relaxing music every day. Staying intellectually active and becoming a lifelong learner also benefit the brain. Finally, he says smiling builds community. People who smile attract others; those who frown or show anger push people away."

Comment by Lighthouse Of Christ:
We pray that this information is one more bit of knowledge that will help you approach life with the daily discipline of prayer and Scripture reading. The article discusses how it has been proven to benefit you spiritually and physically, while producing greater empathy for others, and ultimately, unlocking your Godly destiny!

Overcoming Deception of the Mind by Jimmy Evans

Sun, 11 Apr 2021 15:39:20 GMT

In this video, Jimmy Evans of Tipping Point explains how to take every thought captive and live free from the effects of the lies that might otherwise cause you not to prosper in all things. Overcoming the deception that lives in your thought life is an important step on the journey of discovering, unlocking, and living your Godly destiny.

Your Identity as Sons of God by Kris Vallotton

Wed, 24 Feb 2016 21:05:09 GMT

In this video, Kris Vallotton shares about our true identity as Sons of God. Kris expertly lays out the Scriptural case for why this is true, then shares, "The devil knows who you are, and God knows who you are... creation knows who you are, it's only YOU who don't know who the heck you are. What's the point? You rock, you just don't know it. The reason why you do miracles is because your Daddy is God. When you act like God, you are being yourself. You were born to torment the tormentor. You can always tell the size of a man by the size of the problem it takes to discourage him. You rock, and you didn't even do it to you"

Understanding your identity as a Son of God, as provided via the provision of Jesus Christ, is an important spiritual truth to grasp as you seek to discover, unlock and live your Godly destiny.

Change Your Brain, Change Your Life by Daniel Amen

Wed, 24 Feb 2016 20:28:57 GMT

In this video, Daniel Amen shares about the importance of caring for our brains. He encourages making healthy lifestyle choices motivated by understanding how our brains function. Further, he shares how brain imaging will change everything you do. These include:

Developing Brain Envy
Not Letting Your Kids Play Tackle Football
Taking Environmental Toxins Seriously
Taking Your Weight Seriously
Thinking About the Early Detection and Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease

Additionally, Dr. Amen shares how he has partnered with Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in Orange County to create community and small group approaches to making the kinds of lifestyle changes that will change brain health and as such unlock a better and more innovative life for Christians.

As we seek to discover, unlock, and live our Godly destiny, our attitude toward our brain's health may prove to be mission-critical.

Develop the Habit of Lifelong Learning by Brian Tracy

Wed, 24 Feb 2016 19:50:09 GMT

In this video, Brian Tracy shares the importance of being a lifelong learner. He offers how disciplining yourself to study, read, and seek learning is an important foundation stone of lifelong success, creativity and mastery in your chosen field.

The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:15, "Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (DRB) From both the encouragement of motivational speaker Brian Tracy and the words of the Apostle Paul, we can see that embracing a lifestyle of continuous learning is key for discovering, unlocking and living your Godly destiny.

One Thing That Changes Everything by Jim Buchan

Thu, 04 Feb 2016 19:08:28 GMT

Jim Buchan, Senior Staff Writer at Inspiration Ministries, shared this article on LinkedIn. He pens, "What if I told you there’s ONE simple step you can take that would change EVERYTHING else in your life? I know, you probably would think I’m either crazy or getting ready to launch an infomercial.

But stay with me for a few minutes…

For many years, I’ve known that just about everything we need to know about God, people, or life can be gleaned from the first few chapters of Genesis. But I’ve recently come across a life-changing principle I had previously overlooked there.

Before I share this incredible principle from Genesis, let me point out an indisputable fact of life: Whatever you focus on will grow.

With this principle as a backdrop, we can see that it’s no accident God placed the Tree of Life in the very MIDDLE of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9). This tree foreshadowed Jesus Himself, the life-giving one. To study this further, go to the Gospel of John and look at the numerous “life” references about Jesus: water of life, bread of life, resurrection and the life, etc.

And notice this: No matter how many interests and responsibilities you may have, there can be only one MIDDLE in your life. Everything else must take its place in relationship to that inner core of your being. And while Adam and Eve’s focus was on the tree God had placed on center stage, everything else was wonderful in their paradise.
As many Bible teachers have noted, when the serpent entered the picture in Genesis 3, he immediately called into question God’s love and truthfulness. But I had never noticed something else the serpent did: He succeeded in shifting Eve’s focus!

We see this in Genesis 3:3, when Eve tells the serpent, “God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

Do you see how profound this shift is? Eve is now focusing on an entirely different tree in the MIDDLE of her world—the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

It seems from Genesis 2:9 that this second tree was very near the Tree of Life, so Eve wasn’t totally wrong in her statement. Yet the consequences of her shifted focus were catastrophic, not just for her and Adam, but ultimately for the entire human race.

Why does it matter which “tree” we focus on? Entire books have been written on this, but here’s the answer in a nutshell: The Tree of Life represents dependence on the Lord as our source, while the other tree represents reliance on our own senses to navigate life and determine right and wrong (e.g., see Proverbs 3:5-8).

So let’s get practical…

What is in the MIDDLE and CENTER of your world right now? I meet many people who are centered on the problems they’re facing in their health, finances, marriages, children, careers, emotions, or some other area of their lives. I’m sure we’ve all had that kind of focus at one time or another. But as we see from Eve’s tragic mistake, the things we put in the MIDDLE of our world will inevitably grow until they consume us.

Instead of allowing problems or people to become our focal point, the Bible repeatedly tells us we need to go back to putting Jesus (the Tree of Life) in the CENTER of our personal world. When that happens, we are promised “perfect peace” (Isaiah 26:3). And we can “cease striving” (Psalm 46:10 NASB), because He is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

But perhaps you are wondering…

What about the problems…the serpent…and the toxic tree that still inhabit parts of your personal paradise?

Great question!

When Jesus is once again in the CENTER of your world, He begins the process of making “ALL things new” (Revelation 21:5). When your focus is no longer on your problems, the devil, or other people, you’ll be amazed by the new level of paradise you can experience.

Yes, everything begins to change when that one thing changes. And even before your outward circumstances have been transformed to any great degree, your new perspective will provide peace and hope you haven’t experienced in a long, long time."

Let's all agree to keep Jesus in the "middle" as we journey to discover, unlock, and live our Godly destiny.

Draw Your Future - Take Control of Your Life by Patti Dobrowolski

Mon, 01 Feb 2016 22:07:31 GMT

Proverbs 29:18 states, "When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful." (NLT) From this Scripture, we learn that prophetic vision helps us see the narrow path to our Godly purpose.

With that idea in mind, please kindly consider this Tedx Talk. In it Patti Dobrowolski teaches us how to move from our current state to our desired state. By using the power of the brain to visualize and understand pathways, any person can visualize their ultimate purpose, believe it, and act on it.

In fact, with steady focused attention, it is possible to use this technique to create an entire road map for walking out your Godly destiny.

This is How Your Brain Works by asapScience

Wed, 27 Jan 2016 21:00:21 GMT

In this short video, asapScience introduces us to how our brain processes information, and as such forms conclusions. From this information, you can see how perceptions form that may not be true but are simply a function of how our brains operate.

By knowing this, you will be better equipped to approach life with humility and greater compassion.

We pray that this information is one more tidbit of knowledge that will help you approach life with the sort of patience, kindness and understanding of yourself and others that unlock your Godly destiny.

Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman

Mon, 25 Jan 2016 19:17:49 GMT

Not A Fan trailer from River of Life Church on Vimeo.

In this video, Kyle Idelman speaks with us about the difference between being a fan of Jesus and a follower of Jesus. What does it really mean to pick up your cross and follow Jesus?

Kyle shares, "that a fan is: an enthusiastic admirer. In the Gospels, Jesus never seemed too interested in fans. Is that how you define your relationship with Him? An "enthusiastic admirer"? Close enough to Jesus to get the benefits but not so close to require sacrifice?

He was looking for followers. Not just any follower, though, but a...COMPLETELY. COMMITTED. FOLLOWER. How would things change if you lived as Jesus lived and loved the way He loved? Maybe you’re ready to join the hundreds of people who have stepped across a line and said: I AM NOT A FAN"

By committing yourself to truly following Jesus, you will find yourself ever closer to unlocking your Godly destiny.

Why Ted Talks Don't Change Behavior by Tom Asacker

Sun, 10 Jan 2016 18:11:19 GMT

In a moment of irony, Tom Asacker shares with us why learning something new does not generally translate into taking action that changes things for the better.

According to Ted, "Author and speaker Tom Asacker wondered why so many people watch TED talks and yet so few change their behaviors as a result. His answer? That only one of three elements of our irrational, but innately human, decision-making process truly makes for lasting change."

Tom's ideas will challenge you to think about your dreams and desires and hopefully act on them.

Spoiler alert - having your "identity" in Christ's destiny in you, as the dream and desire of your life's purpose, will make all your educational effort translate into positive action for change.