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Community Self-Improve Small Businesses Workforce Development

Surrendering to God and Filling the Emptiness: A Profound Conversation with Liz Curtis Higgs

Who is Liz Curtis Higgs

Liz Curtis Higgs is a bestselling author, speaker, and Bible teacher. She was born in Kentucky, USA, in 1953, and grew up in a Christian family. She has written more than 30 books, including non-fiction works on topics such as biblical studies, women’s issues, and Christian living, as well as novels and children’s books.

Liz Curtis Higgs

Higgs is perhaps best known for her Bad Girls of the Bible series, which explores the lives of women in the Bible who made mistakes or broke the rules, such as Eve, Delilah, and Bathsheba. Her books have sold millions of copies and have been translated into numerous languages.

In addition to her writing, Higgs is a popular speaker and Bible teacher, and has traveled extensively to speak at conferences and events. She has also appeared on numerous television and radio programs. Higgs currently lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her husband, Bill, and their two children.

Di Tran’s Meeting with Liz Curtis Higgs

Meeting Liz Curtis Higgs was a truly wonderful experience, and it was clear that God was working through both of us during our conversation. We talked about surrendering to God and the moment when we each became aware of the presence of the divine in our lives. Liz shared a profound insight with me, that our hearts, souls, and cores are like empty vacuum spaces that are constantly seeking to be filled with something.

As humans, we often seek to fill this emptiness with material things, food, alcohol, negativity, anger, power, success, or any number of other things. But what we fill up with truly matters, and the answer to our seeking is much simpler than we might imagine.

Di Tran + Liz Curtis Higgs

The answer has always been with us, as God is within each of us. We have everything we need, including the most powerful of all things, our spirit, which is in harmony with the infinite divine universe. The challenge is that we often don’t let our spirit do its job, as we try to control everything in our lives.

What we need to do is surrender and let go of our self, so that our spirit can run its course naturally and manifest the things we desire. This is in alignment with the idea of “Drop the FEAR and Focus on the FAITH,” which I explore in my upcoming book, the guide to faith by understanding fear and worry, and surrendering them so that God has the space to work through us.

It’s clear that filling the emptiness with things outside in the world doesn’t fill it. We need God as the energy to fill that space, and surrendering to God allows this energy to flow freely.

I’m so grateful for my conversation with Liz, and for the wisdom she shared with me. It’s clear that God is working through her, and through each of us, in ways that we might not even realize.

References

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Community Leadership Development

Steps to Becoming a Priest in the Catholic Church: An Overview of the Ranks and Requirements

In the Catholic Church, the priesthood is an ordained ministry that provides spiritual guidance and sacramental support to the faithful. Here is a list of the ranks in the priesthood, in ascending order:

  1. Deacon: To become a deacon, a man must first be a baptized and confirmed Catholic. He must then express a desire to serve in the diaconate, undergo formation and discernment, and be approved by his bishop. The formation process typically involves several years of academic study, spiritual development, and practical training. Once ordained, deacons serve in a variety of roles, including preaching, administering the sacrament of baptism, and performing charitable work.
  2. Priest: To become a priest, a man must first be a deacon, although some men enter directly into the seminary from lay life. Like those aspiring to the diaconate, men pursuing the priesthood must undergo formation and discernment, be approved by their bishop, and be ordained. The formation process for priests is typically more extensive than for deacons, including deeper studies in theology, philosophy, and pastoral ministry.
  3. Bishop: To become a bishop, a priest must first demonstrate a strong commitment to the Church and a high level of pastoral and theological expertise. He must also be approved by the Pope and receive the consensus of his fellow bishops. The process of becoming a bishop involves extensive consultation and evaluation, and the man selected must demonstrate exceptional leadership, spiritual depth, and a willingness to serve the Church.
  4. Archbishop: An archbishop is simply a bishop who heads an archdiocese, which is a particular church with a specific geographical jurisdiction. To become an archbishop, a bishop must first demonstrate a successful record of leadership and pastoral service in his diocese, and then be appointed by the Pope to lead the archdiocese.
  5. Cardinal: Cardinals are members of the College of Cardinals, which is a group of senior church leaders who advise the Pope and play a key role in electing a new Pope when the need arises. To become a cardinal, a bishop must be appointed by the Pope and receive the consensus of the College of Cardinals.
  6. Pope: The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church. To become Pope, one must first be a bishop, although not necessarily a cardinal. When the Pope dies or resigns, the College of Cardinals meets in a process known as a conclave to elect a new Pope. The election is based on the qualities of the candidates, the needs of the Church, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The man elected Pope must then be approved by a two-thirds majority of the College of Cardinals.

It’s worth noting that not all priests become bishops, and not all bishops become cardinals. The appointment to each rank is made by the Pope and is based on a variety of factors, including experience, leadership skills, and the needs of the Church.

Drop the FEAR and Focus on the FAITH

In conclusion, the priesthood is a noble and demanding form of community service that requires both dedication and courage. It is a calling to serve the Church and the people of God with love, compassion, and spiritual guidance. This calling is not for the faint of heart, as it requires a deep commitment to serving others and a willingness to sacrifice personal interests for the greater good. However, for those who are called to the priesthood, it can be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling vocation that brings joy and meaning to their lives.

This message is in line with the teachings of Di Tran in his book “Drop the FEAR and Focus on the FAITh.” Tran encourages readers to overcome their fears and to trust in God’s plan for their lives. He reminds us that with faith, we can overcome any obstacle and live a life of purpose and fulfillment. For those considering the priesthood, this message is particularly relevant. The priesthood can be a challenging path, but with faith and a commitment to serving others, it can also be a source of great joy and satisfaction. By focusing on the faith and letting go of fear, those called to the priesthood can confidently answer the call and make a positive impact on the world.

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Self-Improve Workforce Development

Becoming a Winner: The Importance of Building a Winning Mentality

Winning isn’t just about reaching the finish line first or achieving grand success; it’s about the daily habits and actions that lead to those victories. Building a winning mentality is the foundation for success and can be cultivated through small wins in everything we do. This idea is aligned with the principle of the Navy SEALs’ “General Presentation,” which states that success in one small task can lead to greater achievements.

One of the ways to cultivate a winning mentality is by making your bed every day. According to Admiral William H. McRaven, making your bed sets the tone for a productive day and can lead to greater success in life. Similarly, cleaning the dishes immediately after use and organizing things as they come can help you maintain a tidy and organized environment, which in turn can foster discipline and focus.

Another key aspect of building a winning mentality is to add value to others in small ways. A simple genuine smile or act of kindness can have a big impact on someone’s day and bring positivity to both you and those around you. Zero negativity thinking is also crucial in building a winning mentality. By focusing on the positive and practicing gratitude, you can develop an optimistic outlook and lay the foundation for success.

Di Tran’s book “Drop the Fear and Focus on the Faith” also emphasizes the importance of removing fear by taking small steps toward our biggest fears. This approach aligns with the idea of building a winning mentality by breaking down big fears into smaller, more manageable tasks and focusing on the small wins along the way. By having faith in ourselves and a higher power, we can find the courage to overcome our fears and achieve our goals.

Becoming a winner is about cultivating a winning mentality through small wins in everything we do. Whether it’s making your bed, cleaning the dishes, organizing your environment, or adding value to others, these actions can help you build discipline, focus, and a positive outlook. By aligning your daily habits with this principle and “Dropping the Fear and Focusing on the Faith,” you can become a true winner in every aspect of your life.

Organize Everything Around You

DAILY PRACTICE

Here are 10 steps to practice daily for building a winning mentality:

  1. Make your bed every morning: This sets a positive tone for the day and establishes discipline.
  2. Clean up as you go: Keeping your environment tidy and organized can help you maintain focus and reduce stress.
  3. Practice gratitude: Take time each day to reflect on what you are thankful for and focus on the positive.
  4. Avoid negativity: Surround yourself with positive people and avoid negative thoughts and conversations.
  5. Add value to others: Engage in acts of kindness and offer help to others in small ways.
  6. Focus on small wins: Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, to build confidence and motivation.
  7. Set achievable goals: Break down big goals into smaller, manageable tasks and focus on making progress every day.
  8. Maintain a growth mindset: Embrace challenges and failures as opportunities for learning and growth.
  9. Practice mindfulness: Take time each day to focus on the present moment and reduce stress.
  10. Focus on faith: Have faith in yourself and a higher power and use this as a source of inspiration and encouragement.