EVOLVE with Dr. Milton

BROKEN VESSELS -Interview with Maria Bridwell; her JOURNEY and TESTIMONY

The "Spiritual Kintsugi" episode a few weeks ago was inspired by a conversation that I had with Maria Bridwell. And today she is my guest on Recalibrate. I hope that her journey and testimony inspire you to break free from toxic thought patterns and to see yourself healed and moving forward. Maria shared from her heart and there are a lot of take-aways in her story. 
Every moment of every day you are changing your brain with your thoughts in a positive or negative direction. Every time you think and choose, you cause structural change in your brain. Your thoughts impact your spirit, soul and body.
Dr. Caroline Leaf's 21 Day Detox - 5 daily steps
Step 1: Gather 2 Corinthians 10:5 - “we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (What is the word or phrase that continually runs through your mind. Example: Could have, should have, would have, if only statements or if I wouldn't have done this...then that would have/haven’t happened)
Step 2: Focused Reflection Philippians 4:8-9 - “Finally brothers, whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Now, ask, answer and discuss your thoughts with yourself using lots of why questions. Example: Why do I have this thought repeat through my mind? Where or when did this thought originate? How does it affect me physically?)
Step 3: Write Journaling your thoughts, as specifically as you can will help you add clarity to what thoughts are affecting you the most. Tear down the walls that may be blocking the progress and get to the root. When you can see it before your eyes, Holy Spirit can begin to bring revelation and healing for these different areas.
Step 4: Revisit Time to revisit what you wrote. Look now at how to make change happen. You were not designed to carry these thoughts and burdens by yourself, invite Holy Spirit to reveal to you what you need to change. It’s time we rewire our thoughts with His thoughts. Isaiah 55:8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. 
Step 5: Active Reach Now put action behind it! This stage is where you begin to change your toxic thought into a positive thought. To reach out and say, “I choose to believe what God says about me!” This is where you reach beyond where you are. Example: It’s not just the decision to forgive, it’s the actual forgiving. It’s not just the decision to stop dwelling on the past, but the actual removal of that thought and change to focus on the future. Time to line it up! I will not say this...I will say this.

SPIRITUAL KINTSUGI - God‘s mending of a broken individual

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold — built on the idea that in embracing flaws and imperfections, you can create an even stronger, more beautiful piece of art. Every break is unique and instead of repairing an item like new, the 400-year-old technique actually highlights the "scars" as a part of the design. Using this as a metaphor for healing ourselves teaches us an important lesson: Sometimes in the process of repairing things that have broken, we actually create something more unique, beautiful and resilient.
God is the Potter and we are the clay. He places us on the Potter's wheel and spins us while fashioning us with a purpose. Potter's apply heat to the vessel in order to create a more resilient and beautiful one. In life we go through a similar process while becoming a vessel fo God to use. It is a process. Trials (heat) and tests are like the heat of the potter's oven which over time cause us to become stronger and more resilient. 
When we are broken, He takes the pieces and puts us back together with grace and love all while adding more value to us and making us more beautiful. 
Emotional and Spiritual brokenness can mean a lot of things. It may imply a messy life full of imperfection. It may mean being heartbroken from a past relationship. It may mean emotional scarring from the deep wounds of the past. Sometimes, brokenness makes us a victim; for others, it motivates us to be strong.
Brokenness will either make us better or bitter, we decide.

THE ENEMY'S GREATEST LIE - the one you have believed to be true

As I stood in the foyer of a church in Lubbock, Texas I was approached by a church member that asked me "What is the enemy's (devil's) greatest lie"? My answer: the one you have believed. The enemy knows your buttons and weaknesses. He's been studying you since day one. Jesus reminded us that "the thief (devil, enemy) comes to steal, kill, and destroy" 
Many individuals have been programmed to fail during their childhood years. They have been programmed to see a faulty (unreal) image of themselves in the mirror. This faulty way of thinking are mental constructs, paradigms, and strongholds that have built a wall brick by brick (thoughts).
The enemy's greatest weapons: 
deception
temptation
accusations 
The faulty thought process is invisible yet powerful. 
Scripture:
Deut 30:19
Rom 12:2
2 Cor 10:5
4 Steps to Break Faulty Thinking
Identify (Psalm 139:23-24)
Focus (Phil 4:8)
Write (Hab 2:2)
Rehearse/Revisit (James 1:22-24)
MY INSTAGRAM
MY YOUTUBE

A PRISON WITHOUT WALLS - unforgiveness creates a prison in the mind and the heart of the individual

Unforgiveness is a sin that will destroy its own container. Unforgiveness is a sin that will destroy you like an incurable cancer. Unforgiveness is a sin that causes bitterness in our life.
The Bible warns about bitterness: “Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled” (Hebrews 12:15).
The word “bitterness” comes from the Greek word “pikria.” It’s used in Acts 8:23 of a condition of extreme wickedness, “gall of bitterness” or “bitter gall.” Romans 3:14 says it’s a mouth full of cursing and bitterness. Ephesians 4:31 says its “bitter” hatred; and in Hebrews 12:15 it’s a root of “bitterness,” producing “bitter” fruit. In Deuteronomy 32:33 and Job 20:16, it represents the deadly “poison” or “venom” of poisonous snakes.
Let Go And Let God...
Have a question? Send me a DM through Instagram @miltonlouisgonzalez

THE WAR FOR THE MINDS OF THE NEXT GENERATION PART II -the enemy's agenda

Education is by far the easiest way to capture and influence the minds of the next generation. Between the ages of 5-18 a child will spend a total of 16,000 hours in a school exposing his/her mind to the philosophies and ideologies of the teacher. The same child will spend no more than 750 hours at church however they will expose their minds to social media an average of 15,000 hours during the same period of time. So the question is, who has the greatest power to mold and shape the minds of children based on the length of exposure? 
We are in the middle of a cultural war - a war of philosophies and ideas. The war is subtle yet consistent. It is fashioned in such a way that you don't feel the heat increasing and before you know it you have been burned. You can no longer just allow you child to have access to channels like Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network or even Disney without first reading the reviews regarding that particular movie or show.
The agenda is quite obvious. I recall allowing my son back in the 90's to watch a ver innocent/educational show called Blues Clues. I didn't feel back then that I needed to monitor him while watching the little blue dog, however now if you turn to Blues Clues on the same channel you might find a drag queen singing songs about families composed of two daddies or two mommies in an effort to normalizing such idea in the minds of the children.
The Bible says above all else guard your heart for it determines the course of your life. Guarding your heart requires guarding the doorway to the heart which is the mind. Children have no filter, understanding, or training to equip them to guard their hearts and therefore as parents/grandparents it is our responsibility to do so.
My Instagram
My YouTube
Schedule Session Here

COVID-19 FATIGUE PART II - a conversation for parents

Teen depression can be defined as a serious mental condition where the teen experiences prolonged feelings of sadness, negativity, and irritability. These feelings permeate through their social and personal life, causing them to become withdrawn and lonely, thus affecting their self-image and physical life.
Teenagers of this generation are required to create a mark for themselves and rise from the choices they make. Choices that are confusing, stress filled and chaotic. Very often teenagers themselves don't understand the gravity of the consequences of the choices they have made.
Pleasure seeking and impulsiveness are honored by the media often causing teenagers to make the wrong choices and slide down the road of depression and guilt.
Recognizing Teenage Depression
Teenagers are bound to go through a series of emotional ups and downs. However, there is a difference in behavior when they are experiencing their occasional blues and in the behavior when they are unknowingly slipping into depression. Recognizing and identifying these symptoms early on may lead you to help your teenager before their situation becomes critical.
Look out for the following behavior in your teenager and seek help if they last for more than two weeks:
1) Lack of interest in normal activities/friends.
2) Poor grades and complete neglect of studies.
3) Prolonged feelings of sadness.
4) Neglecting one's appearance (e.g. not bathing for days together)
5) Poor appetite or excessive eating.
6) Inability to sleep well at night/ Sleeping too much
7) Increased sensitivity to criticism.
8) Withdraw from family or friends
9) Lack of energy and motivation
10) Inability to focus or make a decision
11) Increased irritability and anger
12) Hurting oneself -cutting their hands, burning oneself, extreme piercing or tattooing
13) Feelings of shame or guilt
14) Slowed body movements, looking and feeling extremely lethargic
15) Increased restlessness
16) Frequent mentioning of death/suicide

THE WAR FOR THE MINDS OF THE NEXT GENERATION - education and its power to form or deform the minds of children

This is a short series that will address the power of influence and indoctrination that the school system has on the lives of our children. The power to form or deform values, basic principles and moral standards. There is a war for the minds of the next generation and many parents are failing to see it. It is more serious than most tend to believe. The repetition of certain philosophies, beliefs, and ideologies will become their reality. When concepts are repeated consistently over time it doesn't matter if they are right or wrong as long as no one negates, refutes, or reteaches at home, they eventually become the very fabric of the individual's personal worldview.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FEAR - faith believes it, faith sees it, faith receives it

~Faith Believes It, Faith Sees It, and Faith Receives it~ On The Other Side Of Fear Was recorded a few months before the world knew of the pandemic. Fear is always lurking in the minds of people, fear is as real as people want to believe. Fear is False, Evidence, Appearing, Real. And fear is a liar. As you repeat that one particular lie to yourself, that one thought that stirs your fear, eventually your subconscious will believe in its veracity. Break the cycle. Break free from that mental construct and be free!

THE BEST MEDICINE FOR AN ANXIOUS HEART - Psalm 23

Just like any medication prescribed by a doctor to be taken 3 times a day for 7 days, I challenge you to repeat Psalm 23 seven times a day for 7 days and watch your mindset and heartset transform.
The Lord is my shepherd;I shall not want.He makes me to lie down in green pastures;He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul;He leads me in the paths of righteousnessFor His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil;My cup runs over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meAll the days of my life;And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

COVID-19 FATIGUE - An Adolescent Mental Health Episode

If you are experiencing general feelings of stress and social isolation and have been for months, you are not alone. Those feelings may be compounded by potential economic hardships and exacerbating preexisting depression or anxiety disorders that many already had. 
“COVID-19 fatigue and/or burnout implies a person has reached his or her capacity to cope and is experiencing various mental, emotional and physical symptoms as a result of the constant exposure to pandemic stressors, including social distancing, isolation from family/friends, fears of contracting COVID-19, numerous virtual meetings, grief, financial stress, and more"...
MYINSTAGRAM
SCHEDULE_HERE