God desires what is best for our bodies. We can have the body of Jesus. This doesn’t mean that we all grow beards. That’s a relief for you women out there. To be changed into the likeness of Jesus means our bodies become devoted to serving God and doing what he wants done. We are created to do just this. Our health and happiness are centered on giving our bodies over to God.
Intention is so critical at this point because our bodies are so demanding. So much of what gets in our way becomes an addiction. Addictions of all kinds are our bodies talking, saying they won’t have it any other way.
“There is nothing wrong with that. It’s natural.”
“I was born this way. It’s genetic.”
“What’s so bad about it? Everyone else does it.”
Jesus knows we are going to have a challenge transforming our bodies more than anything. He said,
Matthew 26:41 (NLT)
Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit (our choices) is willing enough, the body is weak!"
God offers another way. We can’t will ourselves to “just say no.” We have to place ourselves before the author and giver of life and work with him changing into our best, true selves. The means to do this come next.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
spiritually focused life 3
Still more characteristics of a spiritually focused life.
5. Peace- Loving God and others is my primary purpose in life. With Jesus on the throne of my life I can live this way. I am not trying to establish my kingdom but work in his. What does this look like?
Superstar athletes learn how focus so intently, they screen out everything that brings the possibility of negative thinking. Tiger Woods is an example of this. I spoke with a friend who has the opportunity to play with many pro golfers and he said the thing that sets Tiger apart from everyone else is his incredible intensity of the current situation. He lives directly in the moment and always looks for something positive to tune in on before his next shot.
Hit it in the trees? No problem. There is that one opening there between those two big branches that make a target for the green. It is a perfect visual. Golfers, you get the picture. Non-golfers, it just means the guy absolutely expects good things to happen.
This is how my faith life can look like. No matter what is happening around me, my body and my body language are at peace. I can respond to any situation with the Bible’s tools of positive emotion. My body responds with love, joy, peace, faithfulness, gentleness, kindness, and self-control. This is the energy I feed off of in my relationships with others. This creates an environment around me that reduces anxiety in others.
6. Win/ Win- When Jesus is on the throne, I am honoring and respectful of others even if they are not following a godly life. I offer myself to God and so I can be completely open to you. I can practice true tolerance.
Tolerance is not approving of everything you do. The definition of tolerance is this: I am respectful and courteous to you and I disagree with you. You cannot be tolerant of people you agree with. My body is living in line with Jesus and so I am relating to you through him. I am his to use as he pleases. I am available.
This kind of life is made possible through Jesus’ sacrifice for me. As he gave his life for me, my life is totally his forever. I am the last person on earth who could ever say, “It’s my body, and I will do with it what I please.”
Now, how do I actually gain this spiritually focused life? Next, intention and means to transform my body.
5. Peace- Loving God and others is my primary purpose in life. With Jesus on the throne of my life I can live this way. I am not trying to establish my kingdom but work in his. What does this look like?
Superstar athletes learn how focus so intently, they screen out everything that brings the possibility of negative thinking. Tiger Woods is an example of this. I spoke with a friend who has the opportunity to play with many pro golfers and he said the thing that sets Tiger apart from everyone else is his incredible intensity of the current situation. He lives directly in the moment and always looks for something positive to tune in on before his next shot.
Hit it in the trees? No problem. There is that one opening there between those two big branches that make a target for the green. It is a perfect visual. Golfers, you get the picture. Non-golfers, it just means the guy absolutely expects good things to happen.
This is how my faith life can look like. No matter what is happening around me, my body and my body language are at peace. I can respond to any situation with the Bible’s tools of positive emotion. My body responds with love, joy, peace, faithfulness, gentleness, kindness, and self-control. This is the energy I feed off of in my relationships with others. This creates an environment around me that reduces anxiety in others.
6. Win/ Win- When Jesus is on the throne, I am honoring and respectful of others even if they are not following a godly life. I offer myself to God and so I can be completely open to you. I can practice true tolerance.
Tolerance is not approving of everything you do. The definition of tolerance is this: I am respectful and courteous to you and I disagree with you. You cannot be tolerant of people you agree with. My body is living in line with Jesus and so I am relating to you through him. I am his to use as he pleases. I am available.
This kind of life is made possible through Jesus’ sacrifice for me. As he gave his life for me, my life is totally his forever. I am the last person on earth who could ever say, “It’s my body, and I will do with it what I please.”
Now, how do I actually gain this spiritually focused life? Next, intention and means to transform my body.
Monday, August 29, 2005
spiritually focused life 2
(A look at Renovation of the Heart (Student Edition) Dallas Willard, Randy Frazee, continued)
The vision to transform my body rests on a spiritually focused life. Here are some more characteristics of this life.
3. Your Body, Your Choice- I don’t force my ways on you. Following Jesus’ way, as I am in relationship with you, I will pursue his ways. I will not try to use any forceful methods of persuasion to get you to see his ways. I will not try to gain advantage over you. Like Jesus, I honor your capability to make your own choices without trying to manipulate you or aggressively applying pressure to make you change those choices.
4. Christ’s Choice vs. Your Choice- I will be in relationship with you, but I will also pursue the ways of Jesus. As I am experiencing Christ’s guidance and power in keeping my commitments to him, he is making it possible for me to refuse to follow any other road. It becomes easier to do the right thing.
In my relationship with you, if you choose a path not consistent with that of Jesus, I will respectfully decline to participate. I will do so in a gentle, non-judgmental manner, but it will be clear the path I choose.
I realize this may freak you out. In the past, my decisions would be following my own desires. It is not the past, however. In the present and future, I am committed to following Jesus’ desires. I will not try to force this on you, and neither will I back away from what he is doing in my life.
The vision to transform my body rests on a spiritually focused life. Here are some more characteristics of this life.
3. Your Body, Your Choice- I don’t force my ways on you. Following Jesus’ way, as I am in relationship with you, I will pursue his ways. I will not try to use any forceful methods of persuasion to get you to see his ways. I will not try to gain advantage over you. Like Jesus, I honor your capability to make your own choices without trying to manipulate you or aggressively applying pressure to make you change those choices.
4. Christ’s Choice vs. Your Choice- I will be in relationship with you, but I will also pursue the ways of Jesus. As I am experiencing Christ’s guidance and power in keeping my commitments to him, he is making it possible for me to refuse to follow any other road. It becomes easier to do the right thing.
In my relationship with you, if you choose a path not consistent with that of Jesus, I will respectfully decline to participate. I will do so in a gentle, non-judgmental manner, but it will be clear the path I choose.
I realize this may freak you out. In the past, my decisions would be following my own desires. It is not the past, however. In the present and future, I am committed to following Jesus’ desires. I will not try to force this on you, and neither will I back away from what he is doing in my life.
Friday, August 26, 2005
spiritually focused life 1
There is another way.
Not easy.
Not quick.
Out of this world, in fact, but doable. It is His world, afterall.
1. Christ's Way- I can surrender to Jesus. My body will cry out bloody murder against this move crossward, but this is what I was designed for. The earth and my human ways are not my home.
2. Christ's Body, Christ's Choice- With Jesus on the throne of my life, my body becomes the primary vessel with which I serve him and those he loves. I make a commitment to be a "little Christ," as Martin Luther would say.I become conscious of the lag time between stimulus and response. It is within this gap that I chose to live, always ready to pause before I respond or react. Little tips from grandmothers long ago become realistic "body-tamers."
Take a deep breath.
Count to ten.
Think.
Not easy.
Not quick.
Out of this world, in fact, but doable. It is His world, afterall.
1. Christ's Way- I can surrender to Jesus. My body will cry out bloody murder against this move crossward, but this is what I was designed for. The earth and my human ways are not my home.
2. Christ's Body, Christ's Choice- With Jesus on the throne of my life, my body becomes the primary vessel with which I serve him and those he loves. I make a commitment to be a "little Christ," as Martin Luther would say.I become conscious of the lag time between stimulus and response. It is within this gap that I chose to live, always ready to pause before I respond or react. Little tips from grandmothers long ago become realistic "body-tamers."
Take a deep breath.
Count to ten.
Think.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
The vision to transform my body pt. 4
Still more characteristics of a carnally focused life
5. War- Here is where we cross swords. All of the unholy tools I have previously mentioned may come into use. I will gain the advantage at all cost. After a while, it may not be getting my own way I am after, it may be just as important to me that you don't get yours. This is as old as the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4). If Cain is not receiving his father's blessing, well then, as a dead man, neither will Abel.
6. Win the Battle, Lose the War
Nothing good comes from this conflict of self-worship vs. self-worship. If the other person gives in or simply quits, your satisfaction will be short-lived. The devastating effects may be permanent. We generally don't engage in these battles with strangers. We match up against those we love; those with whom we can least afford to have fractured relations. Our stupidity in our interpersonal lives is often labeled, "self-destructive," and indeed this is an accurate observation.
A confession: After writing on these characteristics of a carnally focused life, it was like writing a description for the suspect in a bad case of crime against the abundant life. They put up the "Wanted" poster and there he was-- me.
If you saw yourself in any of this, then join me in searching for the antidote.
A spiritually focused life.
I back posted the prior three postings. Still on vacation, but no longer in the back country.
5. War- Here is where we cross swords. All of the unholy tools I have previously mentioned may come into use. I will gain the advantage at all cost. After a while, it may not be getting my own way I am after, it may be just as important to me that you don't get yours. This is as old as the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4). If Cain is not receiving his father's blessing, well then, as a dead man, neither will Abel.
6. Win the Battle, Lose the War
Nothing good comes from this conflict of self-worship vs. self-worship. If the other person gives in or simply quits, your satisfaction will be short-lived. The devastating effects may be permanent. We generally don't engage in these battles with strangers. We match up against those we love; those with whom we can least afford to have fractured relations. Our stupidity in our interpersonal lives is often labeled, "self-destructive," and indeed this is an accurate observation.
A confession: After writing on these characteristics of a carnally focused life, it was like writing a description for the suspect in a bad case of crime against the abundant life. They put up the "Wanted" poster and there he was-- me.
If you saw yourself in any of this, then join me in searching for the antidote.
A spiritually focused life.
I back posted the prior three postings. Still on vacation, but no longer in the back country.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
the vision to transform my body pt. 3
More characteristics of a carnally focused life
3. Your Body, My Choice
I am on the throne of my own little kingdom, but that is not enough. I need to be on the throne of yours, as well. So I go into a body mode.
Tongue- verbal manipulation where I use word games with you to try to gain advantage over you. Politically correct language is an example of this trait gone rampant. It is the language of the modern religion of self worship. Always shifting the playing field to suit my purposes; always keeping you off balance.
Verbal attack comes into play here, as well. I don't have the time nor the interest to use principled reason when a good bitter, sarcastic, seething tongue lashing substitutes for clear thinking so well. Unfortunately, this has substituted for most political discourse currently.
Then there are the tried and ture whining, flattery, repetetive requests,etc. Verbal manipulation is a sign that our huamn creativitiy and imagination are not always a gift for the good.
"Body Language"- Here is another tool at my disposal to influence your kingdom. I become the master of the frown, scowl, rolled eyes, crossed arms, and chin-in-the chest. I am the man of a thousand looks.
Related are the sounds of body language. The "tsk, tsk's," deep sighs, and "harumph" breaths that I learned along with language itself. Just witness a young child practice these as if he/she were working on a black belt in sound attack.
Another body language tool is how you dress. The effect of provocative dress should not be undersold. Many a head turns and many a head nods “yes” to the request of a hot guy or hot gal who are dressed to kill.
Also, not to be underrated is dressing in an aggressive in-your-face way. A statement of independence can also turn into something else. A plethora of tattoos, piercings, and such may be a helpful tool to get me to see your viewpoint so I don’t appear a bigot. You get your way out of my anxiety of not being open to you.
4. My Choice vs. Your Choice
Remember in all of these attempts to be the master of my own universe, you are working the same program that I am. Here is where we enter into inevitable conflict. I can't be on my throne if I have to deal with you, and you are clinging to yours, as well. Something has to give.
3. Your Body, My Choice
I am on the throne of my own little kingdom, but that is not enough. I need to be on the throne of yours, as well. So I go into a body mode.
Tongue- verbal manipulation where I use word games with you to try to gain advantage over you. Politically correct language is an example of this trait gone rampant. It is the language of the modern religion of self worship. Always shifting the playing field to suit my purposes; always keeping you off balance.
Verbal attack comes into play here, as well. I don't have the time nor the interest to use principled reason when a good bitter, sarcastic, seething tongue lashing substitutes for clear thinking so well. Unfortunately, this has substituted for most political discourse currently.
Then there are the tried and ture whining, flattery, repetetive requests,etc. Verbal manipulation is a sign that our huamn creativitiy and imagination are not always a gift for the good.
"Body Language"- Here is another tool at my disposal to influence your kingdom. I become the master of the frown, scowl, rolled eyes, crossed arms, and chin-in-the chest. I am the man of a thousand looks.
Related are the sounds of body language. The "tsk, tsk's," deep sighs, and "harumph" breaths that I learned along with language itself. Just witness a young child practice these as if he/she were working on a black belt in sound attack.
Another body language tool is how you dress. The effect of provocative dress should not be undersold. Many a head turns and many a head nods “yes” to the request of a hot guy or hot gal who are dressed to kill.
Also, not to be underrated is dressing in an aggressive in-your-face way. A statement of independence can also turn into something else. A plethora of tattoos, piercings, and such may be a helpful tool to get me to see your viewpoint so I don’t appear a bigot. You get your way out of my anxiety of not being open to you.
4. My Choice vs. Your Choice
Remember in all of these attempts to be the master of my own universe, you are working the same program that I am. Here is where we enter into inevitable conflict. I can't be on my throne if I have to deal with you, and you are clinging to yours, as well. Something has to give.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
the vision to transform my body (pt. 2)
Let's look at some of the characteristics of what self-worship looks like in a carnally focused life.
1. My Way
This is the natural human repsonse to life. As Frank Sinatra reminded us, "My Way." I want what I want when I want it. We are all two year olds who never grow up left to ourselves. We just get more sophisticated in hiding that we are on the throne of our own lives as we get older. If you want to see this attribute in action, watch how people drive in busy traffic. Cutting off, switching lanes, driving too close, don't think of coming into my lane--- That's just the first five minutes of an LA commute!
2. My Body, My Choice
In order to get what I want, the body is my weapon of choice. The obvious results are a life of physical gratification of some sort. Booze and pills continue to dominate many lives. Serial sexual activity for the young and not so young, pornography for all, modern life is not much different than the fertility religions of ancient times.
The less obvious choices have to do with the "pleasure" of being angry even to the point of rage, or anger turned inward, depression. So often the physical effects of anger and depression are not taken into consideration. My anger feels good because I can blame everyone else for my problems, and depression, while devastating, in some cases may be a strangely comforting choice as a means of not taking personal responsibility.
1. My Way
This is the natural human repsonse to life. As Frank Sinatra reminded us, "My Way." I want what I want when I want it. We are all two year olds who never grow up left to ourselves. We just get more sophisticated in hiding that we are on the throne of our own lives as we get older. If you want to see this attribute in action, watch how people drive in busy traffic. Cutting off, switching lanes, driving too close, don't think of coming into my lane--- That's just the first five minutes of an LA commute!
2. My Body, My Choice
In order to get what I want, the body is my weapon of choice. The obvious results are a life of physical gratification of some sort. Booze and pills continue to dominate many lives. Serial sexual activity for the young and not so young, pornography for all, modern life is not much different than the fertility religions of ancient times.
The less obvious choices have to do with the "pleasure" of being angry even to the point of rage, or anger turned inward, depression. So often the physical effects of anger and depression are not taken into consideration. My anger feels good because I can blame everyone else for my problems, and depression, while devastating, in some cases may be a strangely comforting choice as a means of not taking personal responsibility.
Monday, August 22, 2005
the vision to transform my body (pt. 1)
We continue Vision/Intention/Means from Renovation of the Heart Student Edition (Dallas Willard, Randy Frazee). This week we look at transforming the body.
Our bodies are the delivery system of who we are. In a renovated life, our bodies have to be ready to do what is right and hesitant to do what is wrong. Our bodies are not evil in themselves, but they sure get us in a lot of trouble! In the process of transformation, it may be the body that gets in the way most often.
Our bodies are given to us by God as a good thing. He honors our bodies so much he chose to come in a body as Jesus. This is called the "Incarnation," literally "taking on flesh." We do not have a faith that considers the body evil and we have to harm it or pretend it does not exist like some other religions.
At the same time, we don't worship our bodies and give in to bodily desires as is called for in some other religions. In fact, worship of the body may be one of the key "religions" or worldviews of modern society in all of its advertising and media splendor. Future archeologists will think of our age as the time of the bare midriff and "six-pack" abs.
The result of all this obsession with the body and getting what we want through it makes growing older a curse. All the dieting, exercise and plastic surgery in the world is not going to erase the fact that we are all going to die. Transforming our way of thinking about our bodies brings us to the path where our body is a servant rather than the master of who we are. It is the difference between a carnally focused life and a spiritually focused life.
Our bodies are the delivery system of who we are. In a renovated life, our bodies have to be ready to do what is right and hesitant to do what is wrong. Our bodies are not evil in themselves, but they sure get us in a lot of trouble! In the process of transformation, it may be the body that gets in the way most often.
Our bodies are given to us by God as a good thing. He honors our bodies so much he chose to come in a body as Jesus. This is called the "Incarnation," literally "taking on flesh." We do not have a faith that considers the body evil and we have to harm it or pretend it does not exist like some other religions.
At the same time, we don't worship our bodies and give in to bodily desires as is called for in some other religions. In fact, worship of the body may be one of the key "religions" or worldviews of modern society in all of its advertising and media splendor. Future archeologists will think of our age as the time of the bare midriff and "six-pack" abs.
The result of all this obsession with the body and getting what we want through it makes growing older a curse. All the dieting, exercise and plastic surgery in the world is not going to erase the fact that we are all going to die. Transforming our way of thinking about our bodies brings us to the path where our body is a servant rather than the master of who we are. It is the difference between a carnally focused life and a spiritually focused life.
Friday, August 19, 2005
blogging vacation
I am leaving on a family vacation. I left you with entries for the rest of this week. We are in a "wilderness" setting and so I will not be online. I will be back in "civilization" and blogging Thursday August 25th. In the meantime, read some prior posts if you have missed any. I just noticed I have been posting for one year tomorrow.
Thanks for thinking again.
Thanks for thinking again.
the means to transform my heart (pt. 4)- service
All Christians are called to service. We serve God by serving others. But this isn’t like volunteering for a local charity. Even though volunteering for a local charity can be part of a discipline of service. If this is confusing, well, welcome to my world.
When is service a discipline, when is it a Christian response, and when is it just doing good for the sake of another person, whether you are Christian or not? Let’s break these down.
Non-Christian service- God is the source of all good and so when non-Christians serve they do so within God’s realm. Human conscience alone will lift up many opportunities to serve.
Christian response- When we follow Jesus and learn from him we become the kind of people who serve others naturally as a response to the love we are given by him.
Service as a discipline- Intentional acts of service, focused areas of service, hidden acts of service, are all specific ways one can expand God’s influence on one’s own life.
When someone joins the armed forces, we say they are “in the service.” When they are discharged or retired, it is called, “getting out.” Well, when we join Jesus in the greatest mission of the galaxies, to do Kingdom work with him, we are “in the service” for eternity. We never “get out.”
suggestions
When is service a discipline, when is it a Christian response, and when is it just doing good for the sake of another person, whether you are Christian or not? Let’s break these down.
Non-Christian service- God is the source of all good and so when non-Christians serve they do so within God’s realm. Human conscience alone will lift up many opportunities to serve.
Christian response- When we follow Jesus and learn from him we become the kind of people who serve others naturally as a response to the love we are given by him.
Service as a discipline- Intentional acts of service, focused areas of service, hidden acts of service, are all specific ways one can expand God’s influence on one’s own life.
When someone joins the armed forces, we say they are “in the service.” When they are discharged or retired, it is called, “getting out.” Well, when we join Jesus in the greatest mission of the galaxies, to do Kingdom work with him, we are “in the service” for eternity. We never “get out.”
suggestions
- volunteer to tutor at a local school
- “adopt” someone at a retirement home whom you visit once a week
- make yourself available for one whole day to do chores at home (ouch!)
- make yourself available for one whole day to work at a church (hurray!)
Thursday, August 18, 2005
the means to transform my heart (pt. 3)- worship
Humans have been worshipping for at least 30,000 years or so. That’s the age of the oldest worship artifacts discovered so far. Stars, animals, trees, and such are awesome creations, but we know better than to worship them because God revealed himself clearly. We worship the living God directly through Jesus.
Giving yourself over to adoring God and what he does for you is a wonderful opportunity to get your focus off of you. This is the essence of worship. More Jesus…Less me.
- Attend worship- Make sure you worship weekly in a Christian community. This is a time set apart for us to show “whose team we are on,” and to encourage our “teammates.” Jesus found weekly worship absolutely necessary. So should we.
- Music- This is the “heart language” for most of us. Listen to worship and praise music everyday. Matt Redman, Third Day…you choose. Fill your car, room, or I Pod with music that lifts up Jesus and his glory.
- Write down daily praises of your own in a journal. God, I adore you because… Jesus, here are reasons I worship you today…Holy Spirit, I am blessed by you because…
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
the means to transform my heart (pt. 2)- fasting
Like other spiritual disciplines, fasting is shared by many religions. The Christian discipline has an ample biblical witness from Moses to Jesus himself. 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by the devil is a very well known event in Jesus’ life. So, what is the purpose of fasting?
Unlike fasting for political purposes, it is not to draw attention to yourself. Quite the contrary. When Jesus spoke of fasting he said,
Matthew 6:16a
"And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do…”
Fasting is to focus your mind, body, and spirit on Jesus. It isn’t meant to be difficult or painful. In fact, according to Jesus, you may be “eating” anyway (John 4:32).Fasting can be abstaining from different items of food or drink, or a period of time without food or drink, or without food. Throughout the ages Christians have tried a variety of fasts. Sunup to sundown (like Muslim Ramadan), once a week for 24 hours, even strict fasts like twice a week, eating only.
I recommend a fast from dinner one night until dinner the next. During this time I would drink as it relieves dehydration headaches. When you fast, you might have cravings, and this is a good thing. You fast to show yourself you don’t always get what you want. This focuses your attention on Jesus, the reason for the fast. This can be a spiritually sharp time to tune in to God, and so take advantage of the opportunity.
Unlike fasting for political purposes, it is not to draw attention to yourself. Quite the contrary. When Jesus spoke of fasting he said,
Matthew 6:16a
"And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do…”
Fasting is to focus your mind, body, and spirit on Jesus. It isn’t meant to be difficult or painful. In fact, according to Jesus, you may be “eating” anyway (John 4:32).Fasting can be abstaining from different items of food or drink, or a period of time without food or drink, or without food. Throughout the ages Christians have tried a variety of fasts. Sunup to sundown (like Muslim Ramadan), once a week for 24 hours, even strict fasts like twice a week, eating only.
I recommend a fast from dinner one night until dinner the next. During this time I would drink as it relieves dehydration headaches. When you fast, you might have cravings, and this is a good thing. You fast to show yourself you don’t always get what you want. This focuses your attention on Jesus, the reason for the fast. This can be a spiritually sharp time to tune in to God, and so take advantage of the opportunity.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
the means to transform my heart (pt. 1)
The vision to transform my heart is the central vision of renovation because the heart is where all choices are made. When you actually intend to surrender to God’s will in your life, your heart will try to figure out every way possible why you can’t or you don’t need to.
This is why as you begin this heart “transplant,” don’t expect to always follow God’s way. What is necessary is to confess your need for transformation and to continue surrendering to God. He will work with you along the way and will make it more and more possible for you to actually participate with him. Here are to tools God has set up for us to be transformed. This week I will focus on four spiritual disciplines God has given us to be transformed in our surrender.
silence and solitude
“Jesus went out in the desert alone.
”Lord, where did you go? We couldn’t find you.”
Before every major decision, Jesus spent time alone and prayed. Why?Silence and solitude are related spiritual disciplines that have rich history. Spending time alone and quiet is a refreshment for your very soul.
I asked one of our sons why he thought Jesus was so fond of being alone and he said, “To get away from all the sin for awhile.”We don’t have that advantage as we bring sin with us, but that is a keen observation.
Like soldiers in the time of war pausing to play a football game, it is good to get away. But with silence and solitude, we may get away from all the busyness of business, the ups and downs of our daily lives, but we actually are more “bothered” by someone else. God.
During times of being alone and quiet, God has a chance to really get our attention. In the Orthodox Church tradition before the gospel is read the priest commands the congregation with a simple word,“Attend!”This is what silence and solitude can do for us. Cause a pause.
How?
This is why as you begin this heart “transplant,” don’t expect to always follow God’s way. What is necessary is to confess your need for transformation and to continue surrendering to God. He will work with you along the way and will make it more and more possible for you to actually participate with him. Here are to tools God has set up for us to be transformed. This week I will focus on four spiritual disciplines God has given us to be transformed in our surrender.
silence and solitude
“Jesus went out in the desert alone.
”Lord, where did you go? We couldn’t find you.”
Before every major decision, Jesus spent time alone and prayed. Why?Silence and solitude are related spiritual disciplines that have rich history. Spending time alone and quiet is a refreshment for your very soul.
I asked one of our sons why he thought Jesus was so fond of being alone and he said, “To get away from all the sin for awhile.”We don’t have that advantage as we bring sin with us, but that is a keen observation.
Like soldiers in the time of war pausing to play a football game, it is good to get away. But with silence and solitude, we may get away from all the busyness of business, the ups and downs of our daily lives, but we actually are more “bothered” by someone else. God.
During times of being alone and quiet, God has a chance to really get our attention. In the Orthodox Church tradition before the gospel is read the priest commands the congregation with a simple word,“Attend!”This is what silence and solitude can do for us. Cause a pause.
How?
- Start with five minutes or so at the end of each day, reviewing what happened. Go in your room or go for a walk and reflect on the people you came into contact with and their needs, review where you need forgiveness from God, and review where you need prayer. Then just spend time thinking of nothing, just being present to God.
- After you have done five minutes for a while, work towards 20 minutes a day.
- Then, consider adding one solid hour a week in silence and solitude.
- Then one day a month.
- Then one weekend every year.
These are achievable goals under the partnership of the Holy Spirit for a disciplined life of transformation.
Monday, August 15, 2005
the vision to transform my heart (pt. 2)
God knows every person’s heart. He knows how we deceive ourselves. He sees us as we are and is ready and able to transform us. This is the only way we can be saved from ourselves. God callus us to a life of surrender, abandonment, contentment, and participation.
We “surrender” to God and place our complete confidence in him. If we try to hold anything back, renovation isn’t possible. It’s not that God couldn’t change us on his own, but for the sake of our precious freedom he wouldn’t. It’s time for us to surrender.
“Surrender” is not a term that denotes strength, obviously. Yet, in the case of dying to yourself and your own self-worship into a life of self-denial, the one who surrenders is a giant. For years AA has used a slogan, “Let go; let God.” It is just as meaningful today. Holding on to the “me” that isn’t really the “me” God designed me to be, well, that’s just plain foolish. (I’m sorry, but whenever I see the word “surrender” I see the Wicked Witch skywriting, “Surrender, Dorothy!”)
We trust God enough to give up and now we are ready to go all the way. “Abandonment” means everything. Every part of who we are. We do this in fits and starts, but the more we give God from what holds us back, the more freeing this becomes.
We will then experience “contentment,” where we are satisfied with what we have and live lives knowing we are completely safe immersed in God’s Kingdom reality. It doesn’t surprise us nor upset us when we don’t get our own way. We know God will carry out his plans. Our destinies are interwoven with those plans.
When we die to ourselves and live for God and others, God can trust us with his power. More and more he will use us to be beacons of hope and assurance in a world in desperate need of this. It’s not that God doesn’t want us to have this power beforehand, it’s just that without transformed hearts, power without humility is dangerous. By transforming us, God invites us into this life of “participation.”
We “surrender” to God and place our complete confidence in him. If we try to hold anything back, renovation isn’t possible. It’s not that God couldn’t change us on his own, but for the sake of our precious freedom he wouldn’t. It’s time for us to surrender.
“Surrender” is not a term that denotes strength, obviously. Yet, in the case of dying to yourself and your own self-worship into a life of self-denial, the one who surrenders is a giant. For years AA has used a slogan, “Let go; let God.” It is just as meaningful today. Holding on to the “me” that isn’t really the “me” God designed me to be, well, that’s just plain foolish. (I’m sorry, but whenever I see the word “surrender” I see the Wicked Witch skywriting, “Surrender, Dorothy!”)
We trust God enough to give up and now we are ready to go all the way. “Abandonment” means everything. Every part of who we are. We do this in fits and starts, but the more we give God from what holds us back, the more freeing this becomes.
We will then experience “contentment,” where we are satisfied with what we have and live lives knowing we are completely safe immersed in God’s Kingdom reality. It doesn’t surprise us nor upset us when we don’t get our own way. We know God will carry out his plans. Our destinies are interwoven with those plans.
When we die to ourselves and live for God and others, God can trust us with his power. More and more he will use us to be beacons of hope and assurance in a world in desperate need of this. It’s not that God doesn’t want us to have this power beforehand, it’s just that without transformed hearts, power without humility is dangerous. By transforming us, God invites us into this life of “participation.”
Friday, August 12, 2005
the vision to transform my heart (pt. 1)
This is the central place for transformation to happen. The renovation of the heart. New life is possible with a change in character itself.
Character= the internal structure of yourself that is revealed by outward patterns of behavior.
Under times of stress and fatigue, our character reveals itself. This is not a widely known fact. We can try to live a positive, gracious image for others when things are going smoothly, but when pressure hits we can’t keep up the defenses. Who we are is exposed by our circumstances.
We have some renovating to do. How often do we say or do something hurtful and then apologize with this kind of line.
“I have been under a lot of pressure lately?”
We also see this line of thinking when someone lashes out violently and wounds or kills someone. In the interview of a family member or neighbor you hear this:
“He seemed like such a nice guy. I wonder what happened to him to cause him to snap like that?”
No, he was not a nice guy. He was someone who was skilled at hiding his dominating self-worship but got caught up in circumstances where his real character was exposed.
Why doesn’t God just force us to do good? Our freedom is what makes us so precious in God’s sight. It is a key part of being created “in God’s image. God honors our freedom to choose so much that he allows us to be on the path of radical ruin. He will not force us to love him, instead he sends Jesus as a sacrifice to make our freedom to reject him possible, still maintaining the possibility of our relationship being restored.
We are not a lost cause. Under the power of the Holy Spirit, our true character can change for the good. This takes effort on our part. We cannot change ourselves by the direct approach.
Character= the internal structure of yourself that is revealed by outward patterns of behavior.
Under times of stress and fatigue, our character reveals itself. This is not a widely known fact. We can try to live a positive, gracious image for others when things are going smoothly, but when pressure hits we can’t keep up the defenses. Who we are is exposed by our circumstances.
We have some renovating to do. How often do we say or do something hurtful and then apologize with this kind of line.
“I have been under a lot of pressure lately?”
We also see this line of thinking when someone lashes out violently and wounds or kills someone. In the interview of a family member or neighbor you hear this:
“He seemed like such a nice guy. I wonder what happened to him to cause him to snap like that?”
No, he was not a nice guy. He was someone who was skilled at hiding his dominating self-worship but got caught up in circumstances where his real character was exposed.
Why doesn’t God just force us to do good? Our freedom is what makes us so precious in God’s sight. It is a key part of being created “in God’s image. God honors our freedom to choose so much that he allows us to be on the path of radical ruin. He will not force us to love him, instead he sends Jesus as a sacrifice to make our freedom to reject him possible, still maintaining the possibility of our relationship being restored.
We are not a lost cause. Under the power of the Holy Spirit, our true character can change for the good. This takes effort on our part. We cannot change ourselves by the direct approach.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
the means to transform my mind's feelings
Our feelings must be transformed for us to be at our best, true selves. Love, joy, and peace can saturate our minds as we allow them free reign within us. What are the means to accomplish this? Remember we must remove the underlying conditions that create destructive feelings in us and replace these conditions with love, joy, and peace.
1. Remove the underlying conditions that create destructive feelings in us.
First we do an honest assessment of our current feelings. Where do our negative feelings come from? What has happened in our past and is happening now that brings these feelings that seem so hard to let go? We may be carrying baggage for years that we continue to hold on to and we can't think of life without these feelings. They may have become part of who we think we are.
This is the old you. The new you will learn to love from the center of who you are without bitterness or resentment. You can...
- Write a journal about your current feelings. Keep track of them. Discuss your feelings with a trusted friend. Write this down.
- Name your negative feelings. What are they? Discuss them with a friend. As you understand them, you are able to place them before God for healing.
- Choose two people the pray for your change. Discuss what needs to take place. Spend regular times of checkup about how things are going. You could all go through this process and hold each other accountable.
- Keep journaling your progress. What are ideas and images that promote your negative feelings? Offer these over to God.
2. Replace the underlying conditions with love, joy, and peace. God intends for you to receive this from him and from other people who are being transformed themselves. You have to look for them, but know full well they are there. Here are helpful ways to do this.
- Meditate on these scripture passages for one month and write insights that come to mind.
o Love- Romans 8:28-39
o Joy- John 15:9-17
o Peace- Philippians 4:4-9
- Keep track of your thoughts when God shows you love or when you see him love someone else. What was going on in the situation. What did you learn about God and about ways of showing love?
- Keep track of when family, friends, or strangers show you love or love someone else. What did they do? How? Why? We can begin to see models of giving love freely.
Finally, take what you are learning and receiving and pass it on to others.
1. Remove the underlying conditions that create destructive feelings in us.
First we do an honest assessment of our current feelings. Where do our negative feelings come from? What has happened in our past and is happening now that brings these feelings that seem so hard to let go? We may be carrying baggage for years that we continue to hold on to and we can't think of life without these feelings. They may have become part of who we think we are.
This is the old you. The new you will learn to love from the center of who you are without bitterness or resentment. You can...
- Write a journal about your current feelings. Keep track of them. Discuss your feelings with a trusted friend. Write this down.
- Name your negative feelings. What are they? Discuss them with a friend. As you understand them, you are able to place them before God for healing.
- Choose two people the pray for your change. Discuss what needs to take place. Spend regular times of checkup about how things are going. You could all go through this process and hold each other accountable.
- Keep journaling your progress. What are ideas and images that promote your negative feelings? Offer these over to God.
2. Replace the underlying conditions with love, joy, and peace. God intends for you to receive this from him and from other people who are being transformed themselves. You have to look for them, but know full well they are there. Here are helpful ways to do this.
- Meditate on these scripture passages for one month and write insights that come to mind.
o Love- Romans 8:28-39
o Joy- John 15:9-17
o Peace- Philippians 4:4-9
- Keep track of your thoughts when God shows you love or when you see him love someone else. What was going on in the situation. What did you learn about God and about ways of showing love?
- Keep track of when family, friends, or strangers show you love or love someone else. What did they do? How? Why? We can begin to see models of giving love freely.
Finally, take what you are learning and receiving and pass it on to others.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
the vision to transform my mind's feelings (pt. 3)
Here are the Bible’s antidotes to destructive feelings.
Faith and hope
These go hand in hand. Faith is confidence based on reality. Our reality is Jesus. As we trust in him, we are capable of “seeing the future.” This brings us to hope. Hope is the anticipation of good that is coming. When we combine faith and hope we act as if the good God has in store for us is already happening. It is.
Love
Love is to will the good of others.
To desire good for another and to act upon it.
To make choices that bring good in someone else’s life.
Love is not the same as lust, which is to desire for the sake of what we can receive. Love is giving of yourself so that other people receive benefit in their lives. Love produces the healthy feelings we are hoping for. When we are being transformed by Jesus this is what our lives look like. It is a process.
We are loved by God.
We love God.
We love others.
They experience God’s love, and love us.
A life filled with love produces feelings of love. Fear, pride, resentment and such are all dying out because we have the power of Jesus to show us we are completely safe in a life with him.
Joy
Joy is a deep sense of well being. We face life knowing all is well in spite of any circumstances of challenge and hardship. Jesus means for us to have a life of joy (John 15:11). This makes it possible for us to be secure in all circumstances. We aren’t on an emotional roller coaster, where every trouble brings feelings of fear and anxiety.
Peace
This word has two meanings.
1. To be at peace with God is to be reconciled to him through Jesus.
2. Peace is also a sense of well being based on confidence in Jesus.
We live in peace when we know God is in charge. Then destructive feelings of anxiety and fear disappear. Not because there is no trouble and pain, but because we face everything from within the Kingdom perspective and can take the long view.
A transformed life has an environment where faith, hope, love, joy and peace can flourish. Next we will look at practical ways to make this a reality for our own lives.
Faith and hope
These go hand in hand. Faith is confidence based on reality. Our reality is Jesus. As we trust in him, we are capable of “seeing the future.” This brings us to hope. Hope is the anticipation of good that is coming. When we combine faith and hope we act as if the good God has in store for us is already happening. It is.
Love
Love is to will the good of others.
To desire good for another and to act upon it.
To make choices that bring good in someone else’s life.
Love is not the same as lust, which is to desire for the sake of what we can receive. Love is giving of yourself so that other people receive benefit in their lives. Love produces the healthy feelings we are hoping for. When we are being transformed by Jesus this is what our lives look like. It is a process.
We are loved by God.
We love God.
We love others.
They experience God’s love, and love us.
A life filled with love produces feelings of love. Fear, pride, resentment and such are all dying out because we have the power of Jesus to show us we are completely safe in a life with him.
Joy
Joy is a deep sense of well being. We face life knowing all is well in spite of any circumstances of challenge and hardship. Jesus means for us to have a life of joy (John 15:11). This makes it possible for us to be secure in all circumstances. We aren’t on an emotional roller coaster, where every trouble brings feelings of fear and anxiety.
Peace
This word has two meanings.
1. To be at peace with God is to be reconciled to him through Jesus.
2. Peace is also a sense of well being based on confidence in Jesus.
We live in peace when we know God is in charge. Then destructive feelings of anxiety and fear disappear. Not because there is no trouble and pain, but because we face everything from within the Kingdom perspective and can take the long view.
A transformed life has an environment where faith, hope, love, joy and peace can flourish. Next we will look at practical ways to make this a reality for our own lives.
Monday, August 08, 2005
the vision to transform my mind's feelings (pt. 2)
We continue on the vision to transform my mind’s feelings.
What will Work
1. Working on feelings that move us away from sin instead of trying not to sin.
At the very earliest stages, we focus on cultivating revulsion at the feelings we now have that are sinful even if they don’t bother us. Along with this, we focus on being attracted strongly to feelings of good even if we don’t have those feelings to begin with.
Take anger as an example. I don’t simply try to avoid feeling angry. I begin to look at how unattractive I must appear when I am angry. I focus on the sense of uneasiness I have afterwards. At the same time, I have a vision of what it is like for people to be in my presence where they are relaxed and comfortable.
2. Removing the underlying condition, not just the feeling.
Why do I have the destructive feelings in the first place? What are the conditions that lead up to them? Let’s stay on the anger example.
What conditions lead to the anger? Perhaps it is a sense of privilege. If I think I deserve good things in my life and then they don’t go my way, I am offended by my circumstances. I lash out at whoever is around me. I begin to project my disappointment on anyone whom I perceive as a source of my “injustice.” I must move from the sense of privilege I have.
3. Replacing the underlying condition; the feelings will take care of themselves.
It isn’t enough just to remove the underlying condition that fuels the destructive feelings. In the example, it’s not enough to try not to feel like I must always get my own way. I must replace those conditions with healthy alternatives.
There is a universal mindset that the Bible lifts up as an antidote to all destructive feelings. Faith, hope, love, joy and peace are all part of the cure. When I am filled with these, healthy feelings become my reality.
A definition of these attributes follows tomorrow.
What will Work
1. Working on feelings that move us away from sin instead of trying not to sin.
At the very earliest stages, we focus on cultivating revulsion at the feelings we now have that are sinful even if they don’t bother us. Along with this, we focus on being attracted strongly to feelings of good even if we don’t have those feelings to begin with.
Take anger as an example. I don’t simply try to avoid feeling angry. I begin to look at how unattractive I must appear when I am angry. I focus on the sense of uneasiness I have afterwards. At the same time, I have a vision of what it is like for people to be in my presence where they are relaxed and comfortable.
2. Removing the underlying condition, not just the feeling.
Why do I have the destructive feelings in the first place? What are the conditions that lead up to them? Let’s stay on the anger example.
What conditions lead to the anger? Perhaps it is a sense of privilege. If I think I deserve good things in my life and then they don’t go my way, I am offended by my circumstances. I lash out at whoever is around me. I begin to project my disappointment on anyone whom I perceive as a source of my “injustice.” I must move from the sense of privilege I have.
3. Replacing the underlying condition; the feelings will take care of themselves.
It isn’t enough just to remove the underlying condition that fuels the destructive feelings. In the example, it’s not enough to try not to feel like I must always get my own way. I must replace those conditions with healthy alternatives.
There is a universal mindset that the Bible lifts up as an antidote to all destructive feelings. Faith, hope, love, joy and peace are all part of the cure. When I am filled with these, healthy feelings become my reality.
A definition of these attributes follows tomorrow.
Friday, August 05, 2005
The vision to transform my mind’s feelings (pt. 1)
Feelings are at the front of the line when it comes to our minds. Sometimes people ask “How are you feeling today?”
Has anyone ever asked you, “How are you thinking today?”
I was watching a panel discussion on the 9/11 commission report on CSPAN 2 while on treadmill at the health club (The Simpsons wasn’t available) and I was struck by the tone of the questioning and responses.
Why do you think the terrorists feel the way they do? What is causing them to feel that way about Western countries? What more can we do to understand why they feel the way they do?
No one asked the obvious.
What kind of thinking is the source of such diabolical actions? What are the ideas and images the terrorists use as their sources that fuel this type of response?
Feelings are absolutely necessary because they make us come alive and they drive our activities. We accept we have feelings and we learn to channel them in the right places and in the right way. Dallas says,
“Feelings can be good servants but they are a horrible master.”
So how do we work on a vision to transform our mind’s feelings? Today, what doesn’t work, and in the next post, what does work.
what won’t work
1. Trying to take our feelings on directly
We don’t know the power of feelings if we think we can just face them directly with willpower. The direct approach at changing our mind at the spur of the moment is not helpful. If we are being strongly influenced by feelings of anger, fear, sexual attraction, the need for approval, and such, to just say, “Quit it!” to yourself, or to simply give in and allow your feelings to rule, “I can’t help how I feel”, well… There is a better way.
2. Denying our destructive feelings or pouring them out on others
It doesn’t do any good to ignore the fact we do have destructive feelings like anger, greed, jealousy, lust, and the list goes on. The Bible even has these lists in several places (e.g. Colossians 3:5-8). We can’t deny we have these sinful feelings and we can’t try to just keep them inside and then they will naturally go away. There is another way.
The other way is not to act these feelings out. We don’t give in to them and take it out on our others. Like screaming at someone and then thinking, “Now I feel much better.”
The way to transform destructive feelings is to replace them with helpful feelings. This is one of the central keys to living a transformed life. It is only under the partnership of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can become the kind of people who lose these awful feelings, and have feelings that are helpful to others and that build us up.
Has anyone ever asked you, “How are you thinking today?”
I was watching a panel discussion on the 9/11 commission report on CSPAN 2 while on treadmill at the health club (The Simpsons wasn’t available) and I was struck by the tone of the questioning and responses.
Why do you think the terrorists feel the way they do? What is causing them to feel that way about Western countries? What more can we do to understand why they feel the way they do?
No one asked the obvious.
What kind of thinking is the source of such diabolical actions? What are the ideas and images the terrorists use as their sources that fuel this type of response?
Feelings are absolutely necessary because they make us come alive and they drive our activities. We accept we have feelings and we learn to channel them in the right places and in the right way. Dallas says,
“Feelings can be good servants but they are a horrible master.”
So how do we work on a vision to transform our mind’s feelings? Today, what doesn’t work, and in the next post, what does work.
what won’t work
1. Trying to take our feelings on directly
We don’t know the power of feelings if we think we can just face them directly with willpower. The direct approach at changing our mind at the spur of the moment is not helpful. If we are being strongly influenced by feelings of anger, fear, sexual attraction, the need for approval, and such, to just say, “Quit it!” to yourself, or to simply give in and allow your feelings to rule, “I can’t help how I feel”, well… There is a better way.
2. Denying our destructive feelings or pouring them out on others
It doesn’t do any good to ignore the fact we do have destructive feelings like anger, greed, jealousy, lust, and the list goes on. The Bible even has these lists in several places (e.g. Colossians 3:5-8). We can’t deny we have these sinful feelings and we can’t try to just keep them inside and then they will naturally go away. There is another way.
The other way is not to act these feelings out. We don’t give in to them and take it out on our others. Like screaming at someone and then thinking, “Now I feel much better.”
The way to transform destructive feelings is to replace them with helpful feelings. This is one of the central keys to living a transformed life. It is only under the partnership of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can become the kind of people who lose these awful feelings, and have feelings that are helpful to others and that build us up.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
the means to transform my mind's thoughts
You have the vision to transform your mind. Next comes intention. The fact that you are reading is intention enough for me so I will continue. How to you work with the Holy Spirit to transform your thought life?
The Word of God
Memorizing Bible passages is a practice that was simply a necessity for thousands of years. Any writing that was done was so rare that you couldn’t afford it. It wasn’t uncommon for the priests of Israel and the leaders of the early church to memorize the whole Bible!
For us, memorizing and letting the Word “marinate” in our minds is a strong defense against the ideas and images that would lead us down the wrong path. I agree with Dallas that passages like Psalm 23 or Colossians 3:1-17, when they fill our thoughts, are like a good scrubbing down of whatever else is on our minds.
There are a variety of techniques to enhance memorization, but it is pretty much just read a section, let it sit, read, recite it aloud, read… Lectio Divina can be a very helpful tool in this process.
Sound and Images
You want to fill your mind with that which points to our awesome God? Listen to the music. Everyone knows how easy it is to get hooked to a song where you “can’t get it out of my head.” Well, if that is a praise song/ hymn, an encouraging or contemplative popular song on the radio, what better way to latch on to God’s gift of music to fill your mind?
Musical tastes are about as personal as you can get. Whether it is classical, rap, hip hop, alternative, hard rock, soft rock, country, or Hassidic Jewish reggae, there are ways that Biblical passages and themes can take flight in your car or mp3 player. Music doesn’t just have to be about how much you hate the world and how much you like a woman’s booty or whatever. God invented it, you know?
Godly images and reminders have been used throughout our faith history to connect us to the living Christ, as well. From stained glass windows and icons to WWJD bracelets, gospel t- shirts, and yes, for some, tattoos, visual reminders are powerful and significant. We absorb so much through sight that keeps us focused on our walk with Jesus.
Mentors
Connecting with someone who is further along on the path of self-denial and being mentored and encouraged by them is a means that has always been central to renovation. Who is your Yoda? If you are fortunate enough to have a parent in this role, that would be amazing. It can be a peer, but there is nothing like the wisdom of the elder who is experiencing the joy and challenge of the transforming life.
How do you find a mentor? Ask the pastor or other church leader from the Christian community you are connected (get connected with one if you are not) with if they have suggestions. You can judge a potential mentor as one who is encouraging, gracious, and confident in Jesus, and who is authentic in their walk of faith.
The Word of God
Memorizing Bible passages is a practice that was simply a necessity for thousands of years. Any writing that was done was so rare that you couldn’t afford it. It wasn’t uncommon for the priests of Israel and the leaders of the early church to memorize the whole Bible!
For us, memorizing and letting the Word “marinate” in our minds is a strong defense against the ideas and images that would lead us down the wrong path. I agree with Dallas that passages like Psalm 23 or Colossians 3:1-17, when they fill our thoughts, are like a good scrubbing down of whatever else is on our minds.
There are a variety of techniques to enhance memorization, but it is pretty much just read a section, let it sit, read, recite it aloud, read… Lectio Divina can be a very helpful tool in this process.
Sound and Images
You want to fill your mind with that which points to our awesome God? Listen to the music. Everyone knows how easy it is to get hooked to a song where you “can’t get it out of my head.” Well, if that is a praise song/ hymn, an encouraging or contemplative popular song on the radio, what better way to latch on to God’s gift of music to fill your mind?
Musical tastes are about as personal as you can get. Whether it is classical, rap, hip hop, alternative, hard rock, soft rock, country, or Hassidic Jewish reggae, there are ways that Biblical passages and themes can take flight in your car or mp3 player. Music doesn’t just have to be about how much you hate the world and how much you like a woman’s booty or whatever. God invented it, you know?
Godly images and reminders have been used throughout our faith history to connect us to the living Christ, as well. From stained glass windows and icons to WWJD bracelets, gospel t- shirts, and yes, for some, tattoos, visual reminders are powerful and significant. We absorb so much through sight that keeps us focused on our walk with Jesus.
Mentors
Connecting with someone who is further along on the path of self-denial and being mentored and encouraged by them is a means that has always been central to renovation. Who is your Yoda? If you are fortunate enough to have a parent in this role, that would be amazing. It can be a peer, but there is nothing like the wisdom of the elder who is experiencing the joy and challenge of the transforming life.
How do you find a mentor? Ask the pastor or other church leader from the Christian community you are connected (get connected with one if you are not) with if they have suggestions. You can judge a potential mentor as one who is encouraging, gracious, and confident in Jesus, and who is authentic in their walk of faith.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
the vision to transform my mind’s thoughts (pt. 2)
How are we to replace the ideas and images that move us away from God and his ways? We take an active role in our thinking, joining with the influence of the Holy Spirit and seeking the truth for ourselves. There are two parts of our thinking that make this possible.
Information
1 Thes. 5:19-21 (NLT)
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. [20] Do not scoff at prophecies, [21] but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.
Jesus encourages us to put him to the test. The Christian faith is based on our ability to examine the evidence. We are expected to seek the information that is available to decide for ourselves. The Spirit guides this process, but we are to take the initiative. Putting the Christian worldview to the test as opposed to other religions and philosophies is encouraged. Christian schools, colleges and universities have historically been centers of learning to compare and contrast in the search for the truth. Also, God’s desire for us to know is made ultimately clear in the Bible and it’s centrality in our faith.
The Bible has been translated into 2,287 languages thus far, according to the International Bible Society. Christians want people to read God’s Word for themselves and examine the evidence. The information is there.
Now compare that to a religion like Islam, where the holy book, the Q’uran, is technically only truly the Word of Allah in Arabic. There is not a great movement to compare and contrast what the Q’uran teaches as relates to other faiths and philosophies. In many countries where Islamic law reigns, Bibles are not even allowed to be examined, and it can be a crime to talk about the Christian faith.
Other religions have secret books written in obscure ways that make it very difficult to understand their meaning. The God of the Bible wants people to understand. Seeking the truth of Jesus is an active pursuit.
Intelligence
Reason is a gift from God. As we examine the information available in his Word and in the world around us, we have the capability of understanding for ourselves that the Christian worldview is the best view of reality available. God doesn’t demand our allegiance through blind faith, “because he said so.” No, God invites us into relationship and creates us in his image so we have the ability to relate. He invites us to use the intelligence he gives us to begin thinking why the bad ideas and images that are Satan’s strongest weapons are replace by the truth of Jesus.
Test this out for yourself.
Information
1 Thes. 5:19-21 (NLT)
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. [20] Do not scoff at prophecies, [21] but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.
Jesus encourages us to put him to the test. The Christian faith is based on our ability to examine the evidence. We are expected to seek the information that is available to decide for ourselves. The Spirit guides this process, but we are to take the initiative. Putting the Christian worldview to the test as opposed to other religions and philosophies is encouraged. Christian schools, colleges and universities have historically been centers of learning to compare and contrast in the search for the truth. Also, God’s desire for us to know is made ultimately clear in the Bible and it’s centrality in our faith.
The Bible has been translated into 2,287 languages thus far, according to the International Bible Society. Christians want people to read God’s Word for themselves and examine the evidence. The information is there.
Now compare that to a religion like Islam, where the holy book, the Q’uran, is technically only truly the Word of Allah in Arabic. There is not a great movement to compare and contrast what the Q’uran teaches as relates to other faiths and philosophies. In many countries where Islamic law reigns, Bibles are not even allowed to be examined, and it can be a crime to talk about the Christian faith.
Other religions have secret books written in obscure ways that make it very difficult to understand their meaning. The God of the Bible wants people to understand. Seeking the truth of Jesus is an active pursuit.
Intelligence
Reason is a gift from God. As we examine the information available in his Word and in the world around us, we have the capability of understanding for ourselves that the Christian worldview is the best view of reality available. God doesn’t demand our allegiance through blind faith, “because he said so.” No, God invites us into relationship and creates us in his image so we have the ability to relate. He invites us to use the intelligence he gives us to begin thinking why the bad ideas and images that are Satan’s strongest weapons are replace by the truth of Jesus.
Test this out for yourself.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
the vision to transform my mind’s thoughts (pt. 1)
The first place we move away from God or toward God is through our thoughts. The devil works through our thinking more than anything else. Good thinking or bad thinking are real possibilities because God gives us the freedom to choose out thoughts.
We can’t control what is in the world but we can control what is in our own thought life. We can choose the content of what we are thinking. We can’t do it perfectly, but we can make progress in filling our thought life more and more with God’s Word and the promises announced there.
Our thinking has four parts. I’ll post on two today and two tomorrow.
Ideas
We have been forming an idea system since we were born. We have been influenced through experience, the teachings of others, and watching the behavior of our family and community. We don’t realize what is reality and what is false reality in our lives. When we look at our ideas we do a reality check.
To transform our personal idea system from one of ruin to one of goodness, we have to replace our ideas with the idea system of Jesus. This is the most difficult and painful process in life. To change our minds.
According to research, most people have their ideas firmly established when it comes to life, values, and beliefs by the time they are 12-13 years old. It is extraordinarily rare for us to change our thinking after that. It is also essential that we do in order to think more and more like Jesus would think if he were we.
What is a common idea system that moves one away from a life of radical goodness that people buy into? Anyone’s ideas are just as good as anyone else’s. No one can say they are right and someone else is wrong. There is no right or wrong, but only what you personally believe. As long as you are sincere, your ideas are valid. This idea system is called, “Relativism,” and it is very influential in our society.
Images
Along with ideas, images are what fill our minds. They are basic and concrete and they have a powerful effect. Ideas and images are Satan’s main tools against us. What preoccupies our thought life? Ideas and specific images.
Sexual images are overwhelming in society. We see sexualized images in advertisement and the media. Pleasure and power await us as we think of these images. The multibillion dollar pornography business is a huge tool that Satan uses today to build up his image kingdom.
Jesus uses images to move us from self-worship to self-denial. The most powerful image in this is the cross. To look at a cross is to sense his love, sacrifice, devotion and strength. The cross is a reminder of what he did, but it is also a beckon of hope of what he is doing.
As we are being transformed to be like Jesus, the key is to take the destructive ideas and images we have and replace them with the ideas and images Jesus possesses. We take one the mind of Christ. This is a possibility for life in his Kingdom now.
1 Cor. 2:16 (NLT)
How could they? For,
"Who can know what the Lord is thinking?
Who can give him counsel?"
But we can understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.
We can’t control what is in the world but we can control what is in our own thought life. We can choose the content of what we are thinking. We can’t do it perfectly, but we can make progress in filling our thought life more and more with God’s Word and the promises announced there.
Our thinking has four parts. I’ll post on two today and two tomorrow.
Ideas
We have been forming an idea system since we were born. We have been influenced through experience, the teachings of others, and watching the behavior of our family and community. We don’t realize what is reality and what is false reality in our lives. When we look at our ideas we do a reality check.
To transform our personal idea system from one of ruin to one of goodness, we have to replace our ideas with the idea system of Jesus. This is the most difficult and painful process in life. To change our minds.
According to research, most people have their ideas firmly established when it comes to life, values, and beliefs by the time they are 12-13 years old. It is extraordinarily rare for us to change our thinking after that. It is also essential that we do in order to think more and more like Jesus would think if he were we.
What is a common idea system that moves one away from a life of radical goodness that people buy into? Anyone’s ideas are just as good as anyone else’s. No one can say they are right and someone else is wrong. There is no right or wrong, but only what you personally believe. As long as you are sincere, your ideas are valid. This idea system is called, “Relativism,” and it is very influential in our society.
Images
Along with ideas, images are what fill our minds. They are basic and concrete and they have a powerful effect. Ideas and images are Satan’s main tools against us. What preoccupies our thought life? Ideas and specific images.
Sexual images are overwhelming in society. We see sexualized images in advertisement and the media. Pleasure and power await us as we think of these images. The multibillion dollar pornography business is a huge tool that Satan uses today to build up his image kingdom.
Jesus uses images to move us from self-worship to self-denial. The most powerful image in this is the cross. To look at a cross is to sense his love, sacrifice, devotion and strength. The cross is a reminder of what he did, but it is also a beckon of hope of what he is doing.
As we are being transformed to be like Jesus, the key is to take the destructive ideas and images we have and replace them with the ideas and images Jesus possesses. We take one the mind of Christ. This is a possibility for life in his Kingdom now.
1 Cor. 2:16 (NLT)
How could they? For,
"Who can know what the Lord is thinking?
Who can give him counsel?"
But we can understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.
Monday, August 01, 2005
an example of what we are up against
How can we have radical transformation of the five parts of who we are? We take steps to change what keeps us from becoming like Jesus. We have the capability of doing this as we partner with Jesus and transform on the inside so we might be like Jesus on the outside. We will go step by step in each of the five areas in detail. I will give a brief sample of what we are up against. (Note I will split the Mind into thoughts and feelings.) I will use anger as the example.
My Heart
I may have grown up in a family where anger is normal and “having a bad temper” is expected.
My Mind’s Thoughts
I find reasons why I should be angry about the situation. I make sure I keep focusing on why I have been wronged.
My Mind’s Feelings
I enjoy the rush of emotion that attaches to my anger. It makes me feel so alive.
My Social Relations
I look for ways I can always have the upper hand with my friends and family members so I am the one who gets to lash out at them when the opportunity arises. I try to place them in anxiety producing situations where they are never really comfortable around me.
My Body
Frowning and scowling are my normal facial characteristics and there is nothing so “good” as to raise my voice or whisper in a bitter tone. I find ways to get the adrenaline flowing and take on a nice red complexion.
My Soul
In all the parts of my being I just keep focusing on my rightness and everyone else’s wrongness. I am like a god of my universe and I am looking for every opportunity to lash out in wrath at those who would question my goodness.
Whew! Glad I got that over with. Tomorrow we begin the transformation.
My Heart
I may have grown up in a family where anger is normal and “having a bad temper” is expected.
My Mind’s Thoughts
I find reasons why I should be angry about the situation. I make sure I keep focusing on why I have been wronged.
My Mind’s Feelings
I enjoy the rush of emotion that attaches to my anger. It makes me feel so alive.
My Social Relations
I look for ways I can always have the upper hand with my friends and family members so I am the one who gets to lash out at them when the opportunity arises. I try to place them in anxiety producing situations where they are never really comfortable around me.
My Body
Frowning and scowling are my normal facial characteristics and there is nothing so “good” as to raise my voice or whisper in a bitter tone. I find ways to get the adrenaline flowing and take on a nice red complexion.
My Soul
In all the parts of my being I just keep focusing on my rightness and everyone else’s wrongness. I am like a god of my universe and I am looking for every opportunity to lash out in wrath at those who would question my goodness.
Whew! Glad I got that over with. Tomorrow we begin the transformation.
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About Me
- Dana
- Pastor from LIFEhouse Church in Northridge CA, focusing on the theme, "How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk."
