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  <title>Free Me from Me: Escaping the Maze of Self-Centeredness by Embracing a God-Centered Life </title>
  <description>Are you caught in a maze and don’t even know it? Today, Dr. Kim is joined by Ryan Wekenman to talk about the maze of self-centeredness we all have to navigate. When we begin living for applause, appreciation, or validation, we can easily drift out of sync with the Lord and into a life focused on serving ourselves—the exact opposite of what God calls us to. In this powerful conversation, Ryan and Dr. Kim challenge us to recognize the pull toward self-focus and invite us to shift our attention back where it belongs: fully on Jesus. We pray this episode encourages you to take the focus off yourself and go all in on Him. &amp;amp;nbsp; Episode Takeaways:   Self-centeredness is a spiritual issue that affects everyone.   Control is often at the root of self-centeredness.   We need to be intentional about serving others.   Self-improvement should not come at the expense of God-centered living.   The Lord is our shepherd; we lack nothing when we trust Him.   Finding freedom comes from letting go of the need for validation.    Quotes from this Episode: “If Satan can't get you to not worship, he'll try to get you to make worship about you.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;You don't need self-help. First and foremost, you need God's help.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;The problem isn't self-help. The problem is thinking that self-help will save.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;The way towards abundant life is serving and it's humbling yourself.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;There's so much freedom on the other side of letting that performer in you die.&amp;quot; &amp;quot;I think we have to be intentional about that because it's easy to absorb the culture and let that just become part of, well, everybody's doing it.&amp;quot;- Dr. Kim &amp;quot;I think one thing that God has taught me and I still struggle with at times is learning to celebrate others.&amp;quot; - Dr. Kim &amp;quot;I think what God is teaching me now, as old as I am, is that just do what I want you to do.&amp;quot; - Dr. Kim &amp;amp;nbsp; Time to Reflect: Where in my life am I most tempted to seek applause, appreciation, or validation instead of simply seeking the Lord?  How might my focus on myself be affecting the way I love and serve my spouse and the people around me?  What is one practical way I can shift my focus from myself to Jesus in my daily decisions and interactions this week?   Mentioned in This Episode:  Purchase your own copy of  Free Me From Me  Website:&amp;amp;nbsp;ryanwekenman.com; redrocksaustin.com   Podcast:  Afterthoughts Podcast;  Stories in Scripture&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;   Instagram: instagram.com/ryanwekenman&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;   YouTube: YouTube.com/@ryanwekenman&amp;amp;nbsp;   </description>
  <author_name>Wider Lens with Dr. Kim Kimberling</author_name>
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