Blazing Train

A publication of fiction and nonfiction presenting stories of God's involvement in the ordinary, extraordinary, and fantastical moments of our lives.

[Dr. Lee Warren @drleewarrenmd]

This is probably the most controversial thing I discuss publicly: you already have what you need to heal, grow, and change.

I want you to say this out loud with me if you're somewhere you can: "I already have what I need to heal and grow and change."

I know it's true for you because Scripture says it. You already know you have a sound mind from 2 Timothy 1:7 ("God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind").

Then Peter adds this.
"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (2 Peter 1:3, NIV)

Every time I teach this, somebody comes up and says, "But you don't know what I've been through. You don't know my personality. You don't know my diagnosis."

That's true, I don't. But I do know what Peter wrote, and he wrote "everything we need."

I say this with love, friend, but also as a doctor giving you the straight facts; I don't see an asterisk in that verse that says, "Unless I've been through trauma, or have ADHD, or a high ACE score, or my name is ________."

So are you ready to accept what he has already given you, and the way he designed you? Are you willing to learn how to operate your system so it stops operating you?

And ultimately the question is this: do you want to get better, or do you want to stay broken, bitter, or trying to figure out who to blame for what's keeping you stuck? Because neuroscience and scripture agree: you have what you need if you're willing to change your mind.

Share this with a friend who needs to know they are designed to heal, and save it for later when you need a friendly reminder that you have what you need.

And follow me for daily connections between neuroscience and faith that will help you in your quest for healing, hope, and higher performance in your life.

Click the link in my bio to learn more about my New York Times best selling book, The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery.

#neuroscience #mentalhealth #hope
#anxiety #selfbrainsurgery

[Blazing Train @blazing_train]

@drleewarrenmd This is a powerful analysis. And timely for me!

The trap of blaming our circumstances or others is a real one. It's a daily "yes" to God to move forward with what He has already given us.

Thanks for the reminder!

[Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex]

In this era of artificial intelligence, it is becoming urgent to distinguish human art from what machines produce. There is an ontological difference, even before an aesthetic one, between art and what a machine can generate through statistical calculation based on millions of images created by others. Algorithms lack the spark of humanity. For this reason, the Church wishes to renew an alliance with artists and cultural institutions to safeguard our humanity.

[Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex]

The Christian community is not a refuge into which we withdraw in order to protect ourselves from our age. On the contrary, like the cathedrals of old, the Church is a place of welcome, respect, revelation, and meaning for everyone. The strength of a living Church lies in welcoming those on the peripheries who already have a place in her heart; welcoming those who are far away but in reality are already near; welcoming the stranger, in whom Christ is already knocking at the door. #ApostolicJourney #France https://t.co/bqNVwuLgeg

[Dr. Lee Warren @drleewarrenmd]

Right before I cut into someone’s brain, a thought sometimes flashes through my mind, "What if my hand slips right now?"

I’ve been operating for years. If a brain surgeon’s mind can do that to him mid-surgery, yours isn’t broken either.

That thought doesn’t mean I’m unfit to operate, and it doesn’t mean you’re dangerous or crazy for the thoughts you can’t say out loud. It means the brain, under focus or fear, fires off the worst possible image; but that's a misfire, not a message.

Feelings are not facts. Thoughts are not always true. Those are Self-Brain Surgery Commandments number two and three from my New York Times bestselling book: I must believe that feelings are not facts, and that most of my automatic thoughts are untrue.

Paul wrote it this way in 2 Corinthians 10:5, ESV: “We take every thought captive to obey Christ.” Not every thought is you. Some are just noise your brain generates. You don’t have to obey it. You get to examine it, and let it go.

If a thought is torturing you and you think it makes you a bad person, it doesn’t. That’s hard and holy work, and you’re not alone in it.

Save this for the next time a thought is running on a loop in your head.

Share this with a friend who struggles with difficult to control thinking.

And follow me for helpful connections between neuroscience and faith every day.

Click the link in my bio to learn more about self-brain surgery.

#selfbrainsurgery #neuroscience #mentalhealth #anxiety

[Blazing Train @blazing_train]

Thank you for clearly explaining a complex topic. I think there is an interesting link between the science you present and silent prayer.

An individual practicing silent prayer and knowing they are in the presence of God ends up encountering all sorts of thoughts and emotions. It's a good time to understand what's actually happening within.

As you clearly explain, none of that requires action. I frame it for myself as "I found this" rather than an immediate "I must do this."

[Blazing Train @blazing_train]

@BishopBarron I am happy to see all of the engagement in his beatification, and I am interested in learning more about him.

Thank you for your work.

[Blazing Train @blazing_train]

@LeoTollstoy There would be 50 characters in that story, and it would be awesome!

[Blazing Train @blazing_train]

@aas_ker God, and daily time with Him in silent prayer.

[Blazing Train @blazing_train]

I am happy to present the first spiritual memoir for Blazing Train.

“When I Realized That God Was Real” examines a key moment in my spiritual life when I understood that God was more than just an idea. It was the beginning of a great adventure.

When I Realized That God Was Real https://t.co/iAKPPD9pRJ

[Blazing Train @blazing_train]

Conversion involves asking ourselves, "Who does God want me to be?"

[Blazing Train @blazing_train]

We might very well start the process of conversion by getting "knocked off our horse by God," but that is only the beginning.

[Blazing Train @blazing_train]

Conversion involves some type of "letting go." Perhaps it's letting go of ambition. Other times, it may be letting go of anger. It seems to always involve letting go of control and fear.

[Blazing Train @blazing_train]

Spiritual conversion is not a one-time event. Yes, we can be "knocked off our horse," but discipleship is a daily "yes" to God.

[Blazing Train @blazing_train]

@ReformedPolemic @JoshuaBarzon I love reading material where The Truth is woven through imaginative and real-life stories.

[Blazing Train @blazing_train]

@brainmindlife This is a great message. Thanks for connecting Scripture and science.

[Blazing Train @blazing_train]

@BenSasse God bless you

[Blazing Train @blazing_train]

@GTBsacredart I like the setting of the action. This is a unique scene that I've never seen painted. How inviting!