Chappy Chats: Recent Episodes
Kenneth Farnham
I have enjoyed doing these podcast for the past five years and five months. I was wrong in the recording as to when I started in February of 2020. It has been a privilege to get my thoughts out but, it is time for me to trade in the mic for face to face encounters. May God always Bless, Protect, and give you Favor.
Love is only possible with choices. Choices that are directed by caring and integrity. Not by choices made from fear, compulsion, fear, threat or intimidation.
Just remember to breathe and know that your attitude affects your outcome for success and peace.
Laws can only show us what is wrong or right. They do not have the power to change our behavior. Only a heart and attitude change can change us and our society.
Peace comes in knowing our beginning and our ending. It is in a person not a soituation.
Learn to quit trying to sweep sin out of your life and learn to seep God into it. As you bring more of God into your life the more he will remove sin from your life.
Too many times we are distracted by the pursuit of perfection and fail to even try. God wants us to give our all and be as excellent as we can be each day. Realizing that He is the only Perfect.
While I believe that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life I can also believe that other religions and philosophies have good things to say. With all my heart I believe that Jesus is the way to eternal life. Yet, in this life one can have a good life following other religions or philosophies. It is up to us as Christians to let our light so shine that they see our Father in heaven not force them into our path. To do that we need to look more at our commonality than our differences. Even in Christianity we too often look at our differences and form denominations or non-denominations on these differences. Is it no wonder that people are confused and turn from the truth because we as Christian can't unite on the truths we hold but argue over the differences we choose to hold tighter.
Yes, God expects us to be about His work. However, to carry on His work we must first be transformed in our mind, in our very being in order to do him. Much like an actor we take on the role of Christ to the world as His letter to them. To be an effective letter we must speak His language. First learn to be Christlike and then do like Christ .
We can get so focused on the end of our journey or the journey of a loved one that we forget to see the beauty in their journey and our own.
Real success comes when when we stop laboring and start serving. When we find our avocation. Pouring into others always receives more reward than just laboring at something.
Do you have a religion based on your effort at following rules and rituals or a relationship based on your creator's actions to and for you?
Too many people base their success on who they know, what they know or how they look. Real success comes from finding our purpose, understanding our purpose, committing to it, be compassionate in pursuing it, enthusiastic in carrying it out, with a spirit of service and sticking with it.
The things that trip us in our attempt to emulate the life of our Savior Jesus is the distraction of the Devil. He keeps us looking at the wrong thing. Our distractions are what destroys our future and the present as we miss the important and now.
We all need to learn how to better control our emotions and learn to direct them properly in our interactions. Hopefully this little acronym will help you to control your emotions. Thanks H.J. for this simple lesson.
When quote a miracle occurs we say that it was a super natural act. Yet in God's realm it is putting things back to their natural state from the unnatural state caused by our sin. God uses us to heal broken situations, bring light to darkness, and overcome offense. As we move in the Spirit with His life the world is restored.
We have to be careful in evaluating situations and not put our judgements on other people. We have to see our own faults as we accuse others of violating the rules. Also know that what we sow we will reap.
Sometimes we need to slow down and take account of the experiences of life to have a proper attitude. Take time to remember and reflect bon your life this week.
Why do we not accomplish what is in our hearts to do? In this podcast I suggest six traps or ruts you might be in.
In life the greatest call on our life is from Jesus. We need to hear when he calls , follow his direction and do all to stay with him. Also we need to heed the call from opportunities that come in our lives. We must do what it takes to follow that call and stick with that call.
We all are called on to be generous with our neighbors. However, to be generous and not have to have help ourselves we first need to know what we have in order to know what we can give. Also we need to realize that giving is not just money but also involves our time and talent or skills. We may not always have money to give but we might have time or a talent that would be beneficial to someone else. To be able to be truly generous we must first be stable ourselves to know what we can give.
We all need someone to talk too. The question is are we talking to the right person? Do they shout or whisper? Do they interrupt or do they invite? Are they shaky in their stance or never waver? Are they selfish or do they care for you? There is one who is all of these! One who whispers, invites never wavers and cares for you and that is Jesus!
Through research we have found that "hope" is one of the best predictors of thriving that there is. Yet in today's culture and society hope seems is shot supply. In this podcast I share some thought I developed as a result of a presentation by Dr. Freeze during a training class this past week. I am grateful for Dr. Freeze's insights from his research on Hope filled leadership. Mt desire is that you can take these thoughts that His presentation provoked in me will help you to find your hope if you have lost it or strengthen the hope you already have in your life.
All of our issues begin in our own mind. Let's see if we can't redirect our thoughts and have a better journey in this life. Chaos, clutter and bad thoughts are the enemy of our success. Begin to have good thoughts. For me as a Christian this begins with the TRUTH. The truth of God's word. For my true worth is found in His truth and that truth set me and you free.
In all our lives a little rain will fall. Sometimes a lot of rain. I believe as a Christian this rain is trails and problems common to man. When they come we can stay in them and nurture the hurt of them or we can embrace the fact that life is a series of deaths or losses until the actual loss of this physical life. If we embrace the darkness our journey will be filled with bitterness and unrequited pain. However if we embrace the fact that because we live in a fallen world and focus on the beauty around us instead of the loss behind or ahead of us we will have a fuller life filled with more joy than pain. You will never regret living each day to its fullest.
Too many times we look back too fondly or with too much despair. We look forward with too much anticipation and apprehension. God has given us enough light for our path to make it each day. Plan for the future but live fully in the today.
As we face 2024 we need to remember that there are things out of our control that we can never change. We have to control what we can, change the things we can and have the wisdom to know the difference.
Jesus came to bring peace that was beyond our understanding. Here is way to participate in that peace.
The gift of Jesus is all about deliverance from death to life. From darkness to light. In this Christmas season please take a moment to see how God has delivered you in the past year and your past life. Then think of how you will use the comfort He has given you to comfort and deliver others in the coming year.
In this season of giving the most important thing we can do is show up and be present with those we are around. Giving of ourselves through acts of kindness or words of encouragement. Even just sitting and being present with someone as they find their way.
Hopefully this year we can each slow down and rethink the reason for the season. I know you have seen the shirts and the pictures that answer with Jesus. That is correct that Jesus is the reason for the season. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. He did that by freely giving His life to others. Instead of expecting to receive this year may you find a way to give of yourself to others as Jesus gave Himself to you.
We give gifts because we were given the greatest gift known to man by Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us. In this Christmas season see how you can give yourself to others.
Did you ever consider to ask if supporting or in some cases starting conflict could be the answer to stopping conflict. Conflict in the modern world today is not about individual ideas of the common people of countries. It is about power, control and money the governments behind them wants to get or keep. The leaders of the world want us to believe that everyone is out to get us and in reality the only ones out to get us is our own governments who have a lust for power, control and money.
Too many of us are living in the fear of the future or the regrets of the past. All we can do is learn from the past and no repeat it. We are not promised the future except for the future of eternity by God through Christ. To live in the past is to live in despair and depression for what you have lost. To live in the future is to miss the beauty of today. To live present in each day brings hope and comfort because we can see the past being healed and the future developing before us with the steps we are taking to secure and enrich the steps ahead.
You might read James chapter four verses 1-6. With all that is going on in the world it might help you understand how we got into this mess, as it is nothing new since the time of Abraham.
If you can be effective in doing what you are called to do then stay. If you cannot then try to go somewhere else. Open doors and let God lead.
You cannot get rid of God by trying to get rid of His people. He is their rock, refuge, defender and Life!
Whoever is around us will influence us for good or bad. We succeed by the direction we walk, where we choose to sand and where we sit. I hope you choose to walk toward God. Stand with His presence and sit with His people.
We can have only one true authority in our life! Who is yours? Kind or God? You can bey the King and still serve the King of Kings without violating your soul.
Nobody likes to be told one thing and then find out what they were told is not what is expected. Employers and Employees need to be sure what they are offering and they are accepting is clearly understood by both sides and the stick to what was decided.
Government seems to have replaced God as the all knowing and all giving in many people's lives. Yet they have nothing to give unless they take it first.
Each of us would be wise to realize that we can only control ourselves and the best ways to control the actions of others is to live out our convictions with integrity and love for others. we cannot get others to follow what we are not living.
Which so many things calling for you to put your faith in them how do you know if your faith is focused in the right direction. Is faith something you manufacture or is faith a reality of the proper focus in life? Scripture refers frequently to "The Faith". What does that statement mean for our lives. Paul said as his life was ending He had kept the faith. What is it he kept? I believe it was an absolute trust in the ability of Christ to complete in him what he could not complete himself.
Today mental health is a big issue. A lot of the increase in suicide can be traced to the COVID lock downs as people became more isolated and separated from one another. We are social creatures and need connection to thrive. I hope you will find ways to connect in person with other human beings so you can see that you are not alone.
Much is said about loving yourself these days but what is the foundation of that love? Is it ever changing with time or is there a place that we can find a solid foundation or anchor for the basis of the love we have for ourselves?
Only in forgiveness of others can we find our own forgiveness and the freedom to embrace a free and fabulous future.
Sometimes in the modern world we just need to take the time and see that we, our government, other people and other governments are not the answer. For all of us and all governments are made up of flawed people who cannot help themselves. Only fear of others can keep us separated and unable to reach our potential. Peace can only be found in a Creator who loves us and directs us as humanity.
Before deciding about a situation maybe we should get to know the situation and the people by getting to know those involved. Don't judge by the outward appearance unless you know the inner heart and character.
Many times as Christians we feel the prompting of the Spirit to act and fail to do so. Even those who do not adhere to the Christian life have had moments when their gut or intuition or instinct has prompted them to act. The truth is no matter what we call this urging there are many times we have ignored the push and thus missed a wonderful experience. This week keep you eyes and ears open for this leading that may just be the help someone needed or a chance to experience joy and growth in your life.
Many times we find ourselves starring into the darkness believing that we are the total reason for our problems. Yes we create many of our own obstacles and problems in our life but we also have help in making the decision of which way we go with the input of others. We must own our decisions while realizing how we arrived at the point of having to choose. No one is on a solo journey in this life. It is a constant interaction with others. Those interactions present choices to be made. Too often we make them by believing one of three things: one: we are always the problem, two: someone else is always the problem, or three: it is just fate or luck. So, own your decisions but understand the people and circumstances which brought you to this point of decision making.
Only as you are all in on your philosophy of life and your passion can you adapt to change. One must know their foundation and what they are building in order to not be knocked off their course when change comes.
One cannot escape change in their life. You can only embrace or resist the change. Resisting just brings strife, bitterness and anger. Embracing it brings opportunity for growth, new strength and stretches you into a new area.
Our incarceration rate and recidivism rate is out of control and much of it is due to the fact we encourage the system to be harsh rather than encourage the individuals in it to be better by giving them a path to a different life.
Take the time to really know someone before you judge them or explode on them for their ideas or views. People need to listen to the heart and soul of someone before they can know them.
Telling everything we know is not always good for those who hear it. We should speak the truth with love. Remembering to ask if what we are about to say going to lift up or tear down?
What we allow into our life is what determines whether our life is filled with light and goodness or darkness and evil!
ALL mankind is defective and deficient due to their sin nature. We are defective in thinking that our truth is the truth. We are deficient because we do not recognize the existence of truth found in God. There is only His truth. By ceasing to to rebel against His truth we are delivered from our deficits and defects.
Just look at the life of Jacob, David, The Prodigal, Peter and Paul. Each failed greatly and then God led them to greatness.
If we are to avoid hopelessness in our life we need to realize that life is not about us. As Christians it is not about our performance or our troubles. It is about His perfection!
Too many times we are looking for an escape from this life of trail to the life of eternal bliss. Maybe as Jesus taught us to pray for His kingdom to come to earth with His will being dome here as it is in heaven would be a better idea. Looking for the sweet in the here and now.
Is life just a random set of neurological accidents across random synapses or is there an order to life. Do we think and become or do we just randomly have neurological collisions?
As we approach Resurrection Sunday let us consider those things that need to die in our lives and the things that need to be resurrected in our lives. Things we need to put off and things we need to put on.
Life is full of changes. Some good ad some bad. Too many times we look at one or the other without looking at the whole. While we would not want to eat the individual ingredients in a cake one at a time before blending them together, we sometimes treat life like just a bunch of random events and moments. Just as we blend the ingredients together to make a delicious cake we need to blend the moments and events of our life together and let it come to maturity before we judge the quality of that life. Your life is still being baked. Let it finish before you judge it's quality.
Too many of us are like Pilgrim in Pilgrim's Progress. Our backpack are full and we can put nothing new in them. Try emptying your backpack this week and refocusing your life not on the storms you are in but on the God that saves in the storm.
To many times the past is an anchor that keeps us tied to a past that is preventing our future. We need to file those events and move past them by following a few steps to freedom from the past.
Doubt is just a part of life. The question is does doubt drive us to despair or deliver us to new heights of belief.
There has been a lot said about rugged individualism and the need for a village to raise a child or do just about anything. In this episode I ask you to consider that both are correct and are a part of a successful life.
Is prayer a wish list for you or a desire to meet and become more in the will and nature of God? Is eternity a part of your long term plan?
The past does not defines us. We all have failed equally. We need the forgiveness and help of each other to reach who we are to become.
We are held back by our past that says we can't or by the future that says not yet. Your someday will never come if you do not start today on the journey to tomorrow.
To be successful we need to do the little things right, be committed, be confident and not always look for success in the good things or attractive things.
As we make our goals we must remember to not be depressed by the past or anxious for the future. We must seek to be at peace in the present. Learning from the past and not repeating it. Having a destination in the future but not dwelling there until it is the present.
Sometimes we become overconfident in our abilities and forget that there are others on our team that can help us find our way to victory.
Is there a truth beyond ourselves that should govern our lives or is it just Our truth that we need?
We have so many gifts that we forget how blessed we are and that we are called to share the gifts we have.
Focus is the one thing that can defeat us in being the best we can be. Sometimes we can be to introspective but in general I think we don't focus on ourselves in the right way. Focusing on being what we need to be rather that focusing on what others are not. Because if we are what we need to be others can have an example of what they need to be in their lives. We need to focus on being rather than doing. If we are right in our being we will be right in our doing.
If we are ever going to make a difference in our lives and the lives of others we are going to have to care about making that difference more than making our point. We are going to have to pursue the truth patiently as we do not all come to truth at the same time and same way. We also sometimes must limit our freedom to allow others to find theirs.
All men are given to embrace some power to which they give their loyalty and life. Who is that for you? Yourself, mankind, the cosmos, a philosophy or God.
Have an attitude of gratitude turning obstacles into opportunities. Realize that resistance makes growth possible in life. Learn to ride the winds of adversity instead of being blown around by them.
We have a choice each day to be negative or positive in reaction to what happens to us. We also can choose to be grumpy over slights, offenses and losses or to be grateful for our blessings.
How can you hate someone you do not know yourself? Finding peace in the mind field takes looking at the source of peace and not the turbulence.
Looking back to much leads to regrets and shame. Looking forward to much paralyzes the present. So, just live in the moment.
No man is my enemy unless I choose to make him my enemy. We all have different perspectives but we all mostly want the same thing to be free to live our life.
Do you simply exist to have years in your life or are you putting life into the years you have.
As a Christian you know God is in control and that offers hope because everything is not on you. However, even if you do not believe in Christianity you still are not in control. There are always externals that exert control on the path of our life. You can only control so much and that which you can control is limited to yourself.
We all experience God working in our lives differently and are used differently. One size does not fit all.
Find the truth! Do not just listen to the figures! What is their point? Who are they serving - You or themselves?
Communicating is a lot like sowing seeds for a cop. We cannot be hardened, shallow or thorny if we want good conversations.
Our happiness and success depends on how we see life unfolding. Do we see life as happening to us or for us?
Words carry life and death! Are your words more life or death? A few thoughts to consider before speaking.
Violence is caused by looking inwardly too much and not seeing others higher than we see ourselves. Also we need to seek the needs of others and not just our own.
Being free we have an obligation to those who gave it to us. We must live free and allow others to do the same.
In a world dominated by pictures on social media that show perfect lives there is a need for truth about real life. We all have scars and limps that can give others hope if we will let them see them. Hope to continue and move forward!
Aware of those who have a need, need comfort, hospitality or a second chance and those who are rude.
A life that influences others is a life that is in concert with the words one says about life! Letting someone observe your life is far better than trying to force them to live your life!
Don't try to make others like you by telling them how to live. Show them with your life how to live.
It is easy to find the bad if you look for it, but isn't the good a better thing to look for?
Make a plan not a resolution! Know where you are going, how you are going to get there!
The best honor we can give someone is to live out their principles after they are gone!
The most important thing we own is our time. Material things are just possessed by us until we die.
Hope is found in what you see: Are you like the old HEE Haw song: "Gloom, Despair and Agony on me, if it weren't for bad luck I would have no luck at all"; or are You more of a "Tomorrow" type of person like Annie?
Check the depth of your thoughts, the size of your barriers,and the number of your distractions and don't pull up the good stuff.
We cannot afford to be hearers only of what we follow as our worldview. We must be doers also!
The question is what do we do with our opinion and others opinions? Three guidelines when dealing with opinions
Life is short seize every day and every moment with those you love and journey through life with. Be present in the now!
If all one does is to study a philosophy or religion and never puts its principles into action they are so "heavenly minded they are no earthly good". We should strive to influence our present with the principles lived out here and now.
Not agreeing is not a reason not to talk. Also be free to choose what is best for you and others.
Are we keeping things we don't use that someone else can? Are we cluttering our mind with to much? Check your closet and mind to see what can go and what needs to stay.
To get wisdom we need to seek knowledge, gain understanding and rightly apply what we have found and understood.
Take time to disconnect from your day to day world and connect with someone and something new.
We all have so much time in each day to accomplish things. Are you living for the important and urgent or the significant?
Are you: Confident or Uncertain? Grateful or Unappreciative? Hopeful or Dubious? Your outlook determines your direction and outcome.
Is life simply a series of chemical reactions with no reality or is there a consciousness to life?
Are we as a society and individuals making decisions that are actually detrimental to what we are trying to do?
Learning to listen before assuming what someone else thinks or believes based on group identity.
Worth and image that lasts can not be found in things that Change. Worth and one's true self can only be found in the unchangeable God presented in Jesus
Sin results in inappropriate actions, attitudes. activities but is born from rebellion.
Hope is the power that keeps us moving forward. Viewing the past in the light of the present gives us hope.