Jerry Seinfeld and Public Speaking Anxiety

 Like most comedians, Jerry Seinfeld finds funny material by observing people.  That makes for great comedy, but it also shines a light on how people function and sometimes how they don’t. Anxiety poses a big problem for many people. 

People can feel anxious about most any situation. Put put them in front of an audience and they will often freeze. Here’s Jerry’s take on public speaking:  “According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that make sound right?  This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you are better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”  Jerry Seinfeld.

Perhaps it is fear of the unknown but you know how emotionally draining it can be to deliver a speech.  If you face anxiety every time you need to stand before people, you know the desperation you feel.  Anxious thoughts fill your mind with “What if?” statements.  You can overcome anxiety.  You can learn to stand before others without feeling “on the spot.”  It begins by admitting that you have allowed anxiety to become a controlling force in your life.

While treatment for anxiety provides many people with much needed help, it may be helpful to look for other answers too.  I was once very afraid to stand before a crowd of people and speak. Then, I discovered that I was created for just that purpose. I was created to give voice to ideas that bring people closer to their creator.

For me, anxiety relief came when I began a relationship with Jesus Christ.  I know that every time I step before a crowd that Jesus stands with me. His presence is the help for anxiety I need.  He can do the same for you as well.

 If you haven’t started a relationship with Jesus Christ, you can do it today. It is as simple as praying a prayer: “Dear Jesus, I become so anxious when I stand before people, but today I bow before You. I ask you to forgive me for the wrong things I have done. I ask You to become my friend forever so that when I stand before people, You will stand with me. I choose you as Lord and Savior of my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen!”

If you prayed that prayer, please click the button below and someone will contact you and help you take the next step in overcoming your anxiety.

- Bill Hennessy

I Prayed the PrayerI have QuestionsPrayer Request
Posted in: Anxiety, Featured / Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sense of Insignificance Empowers Occupy Movement

Occupy Wall Street has morphed into “Occupy America,” one city at a time.  Many lonely people have found their voices in the streets. They appear full of life and eager to make their voices heard.

What would motivate someone to join this movement? Call it perceived insignificance. Almost everyone wants to live a life with purpose.  Recent problems with the world economy left many people feeling disenfranchised, insignificant.  They want to live life with meaning, but feel powerless. 

People have always felt shy, withdrawn and insignificant.   Being part of a crowd offers a sense of empowerment, but without guidance, what prevents a crowd from becoming a mob?  When a movement states its purpose positively, it can give its members something worth living for. The goals of the movement become their own purpose of life. 

“We are the 99 percent!” is an appealing cry, but can a leaderless movement offer anyone significance?

Lately, those most involved in the “Occupy” movement have discovered that some people joined in the movement to do little more than draw negative attention through acts of violence against police, property owners and other even protesters.  This doesn't help their movement gain acceptance. It doesn't give people something worth living for.  

Those who truly believe the Occupy movement can change the world will not accomplish their goals without first empowering someone to lead the effort. Occupy protesters have lost faith in society’s leaders. They are hesitant to declare and empower new leaders, so is there a solution?

Jesus Christ came to give voice to the 99 percent. He came to set the captives free.  He also came to offer the one percent a new beginning. He offers everyone who will listen the potential for a life with a purpose.  This is not organized religion, but a personal relationship that you can begin today.

If you feel insignificant, if you feel that your voice is not being heard, you can speak with God today and be assured of His answer.  Jesus can offer you that sense of purpose that you have battled to find. He can offer you eternal life and a cure for your loneliness.  Perhaps it’s time to allow God to occupy your life! Here is a prayer you can say:

“Dear Jesus, I am sorry for the wrong things I have done, things that have hurt people and offended you. I ask that you become Lord of my life and that we walk this journey together. I know that You have offered me purpose and something worth living for. I want to live for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen!”

If you prayed that prayer, click the button below and someone will be in contact with you to help you take the next step.

- Bill Hennessy

 

I Prayed the PrayerI have QuestionsPrayer Request
.
Posted in: Featured, Insignificance / Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Conrad Murray Found Guilty!

Dr. Conrad Murray was convicted last week of involuntary manslaughter in the death of singer Michael Jackson. Even though he pled innocent, a jury of his peers found him guilty of not correctly carrying out his duties as a doctor as society requires. Now, he must live with the guilt and shame arising from his professional and personal failures.

Guilt and shame often go together.  When guilt remains unresolved, shame follows.  Feeling guilty just isn’t enough.  Overcoming guilt requires a person to for something that went wrong. Many people never learn how to let go of their guilt because they have never been forced to see themselves honestly.

That might be true for someone like Conrad Murray.  Instead of learning to let go by resolving his guilt, he may be allowed to carry on his life without many consequences.  Even Murray’s conviction might not mean that he will serve much jail time. California authorities released Lindsay Lohan after just 4 ½ hours for her parole violation recently because of jail overcrowding.) 

Ironically, Murray might even be allowed to resume his medical practice one day. That doesn’t mean he will necessarily enjoy his freedom. (Like all of us, Murray must be freed from guilt, not by the courts, but from within. 

Unfortunately, many people never seek forgiveness. Like so many others before him, Conrad Murray will not likely be able to move on with his life until he finds forgiveness. Often, people fail to overcome personal failure because they never learn to say, “I am sorry.”

Perhaps you have battled guilt.  You can find freedom again and know the joy of restored relationships. Real forgiveness begins by telling God: “I am sorry. I was wrong. Forgive me, God.”  When He answers, He will give you the tools you need to resolve guilt.  He will change your life and help you find freedom from Guilt. So, instead of living with guilt, you can move forward and overcome shame that once bound you.

You can begin with a simple prayer: 

“Dear Jesus, I am guilty today. I need Your forgiveness today for the things I have done wrong. Please help me to find peace. Help me to be restored and live for You. I declare You to be the Lord of my Life, in Jesus’ name, amen!”

If you prayed that prayer, please click the button below and someone will help you take the next steps toward living a guilt-free life!

- Bill Hennessy

I Prayed the PrayerI have QuestionsPrayer Request
.
Posted in: Featured, Guilt / Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Joe Paterno and the Price of Shame

Sometimes, people are remembered more for their failures, than their victories. Joe Paterno, Penn State’s former Football coach won on the field (409 times) but failed where it mattered most. He lost his job this week after it became apparent he did little to stop another coach (Jerry Sandusky) from repeatedly molesting boys.   Until this week, the man known as “JoePa” had a storied career that spanned decades.

Now, Paterno must endure the disgrace that comes from “things done in secret” being brought to light. He failed a test of character. He had the opportunity to do right but failed to act.

Who could have imagined the fall of such legendary leader resulting not from things he did, but things he didn’t do? Today, JoePa must learn to overcome the shame and guilt people are throwing his way.

Shame is very difficult to overcome. That’s because it is not an attack based on a person’s actions, but on his/her worth as a person. Like so many others before him, Joe Paterno must find peace with himself before he can hope to find peace with others.

The key to overcoming shame is finding forgiveness. That means accepting responsibility not only for our actions, but for the pain our actions caused others. If you have acted in shameful ways, you can find peace again.  Jesus Christ offers that peace when we come to Him for forgiveness.

It begins with a simple prayer like this:  “Dear Jesus. I am ashamed of myself. I have done wrong. My actions have hurt my relationship with you and others.  I am sorry for the things I have done. Please forgive me and give me a new start. Please be the Lord of my life and help me to find peace again. In Jesus’ name. Amen!”

There is no need to feel shame if you have found forgiveness. You can start by following Jesus today. If you have prayed the prayer, please click the “yes” button below and someone will help you take the next step forward.

- Bill Hennessy

I Prayed the PrayerI have QuestionsPrayer Request
.
Posted in: Featured, Shame / Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Aaron Rodgers Learned Leadership in Church

Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is well known as a football player. He led the Packers to the Super Bowl in 2009 and is at the helm again as his Packers dominate their division with an 8-0 record in 2011 (as of this writing). He is a real leader!  Where did he learn to lead? He attended Church.

That might surprise you, but Rodgers credits his ability to lead the hard hitting Packers to observing leadership in vibrant churches.  Even today Rodgers finds value in going to church. He interacts with his community through the church too.  Troy Murphy, pastor at Green Bay Community Church and the Packer chaplain, says, “The Christmas project is quite exciting; however, it is low key—away from the cameras and media. Aaron will not stand on the bleachers and shout; but he will privately live that life consistently with Jesus. I love that about him.” Read More

Churches offer members many benefits that people overlook.  In church you can attend Bible studies. You can hear faith stories that challenge you to grow in Christ.  You can find fellowship (friendship).  In other words, in church, you learn to share life.

Sometimes going to church just isn’t possible. The good news is that these days church can come to you!  GlobalChristianCenter.com is an online church that features inspiring messages, worship music, discipleship tools and more.   There is also a large library of articles available that teach God’s Word.

Attending Church enriches your Christian experience, but if you cannot go to a church service, you should visit GlobalChristianCenter.com and find fulfillment in your spiritual life.

-Bill Hennessy

If you want to know God personally, it all begins with a prayer. Sound interesting? Try praying this prayer: Dear Jesus, I am sorry for the wrong things I have done. I need Your forgiveness. I ask You to become the Lord and Savior of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

If you prayed that prayer, please click the button below and someone will contact you to help you take the next step forward.

I Prayed the PrayerI have QuestionsPrayer Request
.
Posted in: Christian Networking, Featured / Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kim Kardashian Divorces Kris Humphries After 72 Days

Kim Kardashian cited “Irreconcilable differences” when she filed divorce papers after just 72 days of marriage to basketball player Kris Humphries. Many accuse the reality star of marrying Humphries as a publicity stunt to sell coverage of her $10,000,000 wedding. Read More  

Did Kardashian deceive the public? Was her marriage based on truth?  We may never know, but we do know she broke her promise about remaining remaining with Kris "til death do us part."

One thing is certain; many people have been deceived by those who profit by lies.  In marriage, trust is foundational. When that trust is broken, one or both partners begin to focus on the problems in their marriage, not the strengths.  If you have been deceived you know that even “small lies” hurt deeply. You want truthful relationships. You know that falsehood, no matter how well intended, leads to suspicion and anger.  

Most deceptions are built on a kind of relativism that teaches that some lies are less painful than the absolute truth. It really speaks poorly of the person lied to because it presumes he cannot deal with the truth. But can being untruthful really lead to a good end? 

Trusting relationships are built on truth.  Unfortunately, many believe that small lies spare another’s feelings. But, if you’ve been hurt by lies, you know that being lied to creates distrust. If you have told lies, no matter how good your intentions were, you know that you hurt the person you lied to.

Can someone learn to walk in truth? Can you put aside your deceptive ways and create relationships built on truth? Yes!  Jesus Christ offers you the chance to build truthful and caring relationships but you must surrender your tendencies to deceive others to Him.  If you need to start again, why not pray this prayer? 

“Dear Jesus, I am sorry for the wrongs I have done. I want to be truthful and I need Your help. Please forgive me and become Lord and Savior of my life so I can build lasting relationships that are free from lies. In Jesus’ name. Amen!”

If you prayed that prayer, please click the button below and someone will contact you to help you take the next step

-Bill Hennessy

I Prayed the PrayerI have QuestionsPrayer Request
 
Posted in: Falsehood, Featured / Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Gwyneth Paltrow Used Communication to Overcome Depression

Gwyneth Paltrow didn't understand why she felt so badly after the birth of her son Moses in 2008. "I expected to have another period of euphoria following his birth, much the way I had when my daughter was born two years earlier," she wrote. "Instead I was confronted with one of the darkest and most painfully debilitating chapters of my life. For about five months I had, what I can see in hindsight, as postnatal depression." Read More

If you have been feeling down or have battled a sense of helplessness, you may be depressed. It’s natural to feel down after something goes wrong, but if the feelings linger and nag at you for an extended time, you may need extra help to overcome it.

There are a variety of ways of dealing with depression.  Some people may try increased exercise or some form of meditation. Some people immediately turn to anti-depressants to help them.  They hope for a cure for depression, but in reality, medication only calms the symptoms, it does not deal with the cause.

Gwyneth Paltrow used communication to help her through her postnatal depression.  She listened to the counsel of friends and talked openly about her feelings.  This can really help with depression, but many times people do not have the strength to confide in people when they are feeling depressed.  What can that person do?

If you need depression help, there is someone you can talk to who will listen to you and offer a positive solution. His name is Jesus Christ.  Jesus already knows that you battle depression. He cares about you and is willing to help you take the next step forward.  He created you and understands what led you to the despair that you are feeling.

If you want Jesus’ help with your depression, talk to Him. If you do not know what to say, why not pray this prayer?  

"Dear Jesus, I am hurting today. I feel so depressed. I do not know how to overcome this sense of helplessness I am feeling. Please forgive me for the wrongs I have done and help me to experience Your love. Bring me out of my despair and help me to be joyful about living again. I ask You to become Lord and Savior of my life and to be my best friend. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

If you prayed that prayer, please click the button below and someone will contact you to help you take the next step

-Bill Hennessy

I Prayed the PrayerI have QuestionsPrayer Request
.
Posted in: Depression, Featured / Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Steve Jobs Beliefs Hindered Healing

The whole world mourned when Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, Inc. passed away last month.  Jobs reportedly died of pancreatic cancer after refusing traditional treatment for nine months after his initial diagnosis.  Apparently, he believed in using holistic health methods and herbal cures.

There is a significant debate relating to the best approach to cure sickness.  Some choose herbal cures like Steve Jobs. Others choose the advice of a “spiritual healer.”  Many people have spent their entire fortunes looking for physical healing.

The truth is that when someone is sick, all they want is to get well.  Perhaps that is why companies who focus on curing sickness have become such a powerful industry.  People who face sickness find that it becomes the controlling force in their lives. They just want to be healed.

Steve Jobs had more than enough money, but it wasn’t enough to bring healing.  Where does healing come from?  Certainly modern medicine has its place, but it can’t cure all illness.  For that, you need God.

Jesus Christ has been called the Great Physician.  If you are ill, you can go in faith to God and ask Him for divine healing. Jesus spent a great share of His ministry healing the sick. The Bible instructs churches to offer prayer for the sick.

If you are ill, you can ask God for help right now. It is as simple as praying a prayer like this: “Dear Jesus, I am sorry for the wrongs I have done. I need Your forgiveness and healing today.  Please come into my life and take away the sickness that has overwhelmed me. I desire to live for You in Jesus’ name. Amen!”

If you prayed that prayer, click the button below and someone will be in touch with you to guide you forward in your faith.

-Bill Hennessy

I Prayed the PrayerI have QuestionsPrayer Request
.
Posted in: Featured, Illness / Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Patricia Heaton: Helping Others Overcomes Emptiness

Emmy Award winning actress, Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle) attends a church that reaches out to addicts and the homeless. Their emptiness touches Heaton deeply: "When you go there you get really energized and feel good changing people's lives," she commented. Read More

Many people fight with feelings of emptiness. They long for relationships that last, but instead feel a kind of social alienation that wound at the deepest levels.   They long for a sense of fulfillment, but often end up feeling empty and without hope.

The good news is that there is something worth living for. You can find a cure for the loneliness and feeling of emptiness. The root of the problem is often a spiritual emptiness than can be replaced with a relationship with God that will satisfy you at the deepest levels. 

Patricia Heaton understands a simple truth, helping others because you have been helped prevents you from feeling lonely. It provides a lasting sense of fulfillment that inspires you and those around you. She found purpose when she committed her life to Jesus Christ. His influence on her life gives her the ability to care for and contribute to the restoration of people whose lives were destroyed by drugs and alcohol. 

If you have been battling loneliness, if you have been feeling a spiritual emptiness and need help today, Jesus is ready to listen to you.  He can satisfy the longing in your life for a sense of purpose. He can give you that sense of fulfillment that you have longed for.  It all begins with a prayer. If you are ready to end your emptiness, pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I know I have done things that are wrong. I ask Your forgiveness now. I need to find fulfillment. I am tired of the emptiness that I have felt so long. Please become the Lord of my life and give me something worth living for again. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

If you prayed that prayer, click the button below and someone will be in touch with you to help you move forward with Jesus.

- Bill Hennessy

I Prayed the PrayerI have QuestionsPrayer Request
.
Posted in: Emptiness, Featured / Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Exorcist Author: Fearful Reactions Surprising

Today is October 31st, the day some people call Halloween. It is a day when many people delight to be afraid. One author has played a key role in that fear for more than 40 years. Author, William Peter Blatty wrote the book: “The Exorcist.” When it was first made into a movie in 1973, people had such terrible nightmares, they required therapy and medication.  Now the book will be made into a new and perhaps even more frightening movie.

The impact of “The Exorcist” has always been a bit of a mystery for Blatty who wrote the book to raise awareness about God, not the devil.  In a FoxNews.com commentary he wrote: while I was working on "The Exorcist," what I thought I was writing was a novel of faith in the popular dress of a thrilling and suspenseful detective story – in other words, a sermon that no one could possibly sleep through.” (Read More about the Fox News Commentary.)

 His goal was to write about exorcism in order to point people toward God. Blatty said: (I thought) “Someday, somebody’s got to write about this, because if an investigation were to prove that possession is real, what a help it would be to the struggling faith of possibly millions, for if there were demons, I reasoned, then why not angels? Why not God?" Unfortunately, Blatty’s message was lost due to the graphic evil portrayed in the movie.

When fear overtakes us, it can paralyze us. We can become afraid about tomorrow. We can be stricken with panic attacks, allow one fear to create other fears and even become paranoid.  The result is that we live in fear instead of victory.  We worry instead of thrive.  Many people resort to stress management techniques in an attempt to overcome the fear they welcome into their lives through a horror movie or by toying with evil on Halloween. If you live in fear, you can find peace.

God can help you be free from fear. If you are afraid about tomorrow God can help you defeat fear itself. It begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ.  You can start that relationship by talking to God.

If you do not know what to say, why not say this prayer? “Dear Jesus. I am sorry for the things that I have done wrong. I am tired of living in fear. I need your power to overcome the problems my fears have caused. Please help me to live in victory and take my fears away. I proclaim you Lord and Savior of my life.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

If you prayed that prayer, why not click the button below and someone will be in contact with you to help you take the next step in your walk with God.

- Bill Hennessy

 

I Prayed the PrayerI have QuestionsPrayer Request
Posted in: Fear, Featured / Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,