RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES...
Many years ago I noticed that our youth group was being accepting of sin in their lives. So I decided to use an illustration that I had heard about. I baked brownies for the group and as they were devouring them, I told them that I added a special ingredient – dog poop. The group collectively began to spit out brownie, but I assured them that It was such a small amount that they would never taste it. The point being, you cannot combine brownie mix with a contaminate in even small proportions and have something that is safe to consume. The same with mixing God's truth with anything else.
There is a phenomenon that has been happening since time began; we take worldly ideas and Godly ideas and we interweave them into a new thing. What we end up with is a new ideology that does not resemble God's truth, but it sure “seems” godly. I am not talking about worshiping styles (contemporary vs. traditional). I am referring to taking God's immutable truth and diluting it with anything else.
In the book of Judges, God gave the children of Israel a specific task of wiping out the Canaanites, and possessing the promised land, but instead the children of Israel decided to cohabitate with the Canaanites. Eventually this led to the incorporation of Canaanite ideas and worship. The truth of God was combined with lies (... if it is not fully THE TRUTH then it is...fully a LIE). The result is distorted thoughts, ideas, and opinions.
Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
If you read chapter 17 you will see the impact that a world view had on Micah and his Mother. They did some seemingly godly things, but they had no knowledge of the truth.
Doing what is right in our own eyes is very dangerous. Our feelings, thoughts, opinions, and logic have been contaminated by the world around us. Sometimes we confuse the things we feel passionate about with truth. There are many people who were motivated out of their own deep convictions, and did what was right in their own eyes.
Cultural examples: Hitler, Charles Manson, Jim Jones, terrorists, pro choice supporters, humanists, new agers, ….the list is endless.
Biblical examples: Adam and Eve (eating the apple), Cain(killed his brother), Sarah and Abraham (tried to help God by offering Hagar to conceive), Pharaoh (refused to set Israel free), Judas (betrayed Christ), Prodigal son, ….again the list could go on.
Now go look in the mirror, are you doing what is seemingly right in your own eyes... Or what God has established by His word, or by the leading of the Holy Spirit. The truth is not “in your eyes”, it is in placing the Word of God before your eyes...and living it out daily.
Deuteronomy 12:8“You shall not at all do as we are doing here today—every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes—
Judges 17:6
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.
Proverbs 21:2
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
MINDSET
MINDSET
On Wednesday nights our church has family training and after praise and worship the various groups are dismissed to their appointed classrooms. Taking Aubry to nursery has always been a dreaded task for myself and the nursery volunteers, because Aubry screams and flails wildly when I take him. Last Wednesday night, not wanting to ask anyone to take him for me, I walked out the door toward nursery with Aubry in tow. Aubry looked up and said “Am I going to play?”. “Yes” I responded. “Goin' to nursery?” he asked. Again I responded with “Yes”. Aubry's calmly looked up at me and said “Then I guess I'll have to cry”. That response has gone down as my favorite Aubryism, because it was without anxiety, or apprehension. I laughed so hard, because it was so totally matter of fact. He had passed the trauma of being left in the nursery a long time ago, but the mindset was still there. The tantrum had become a natural response to my leaving. It had become “the thing” to do.
This humorous story has made me realize the power of a persons mindset. I realized after closely examining my own mindset, that I have predetermined responses to events and situations....
Okay, let call it what it is: stinkin' thinkin'.
But I have to guard my joy against these kinds of thoughts. Scripture tells us how to re-set our thinking and reactions.
Proverbs 16:3Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.
2 Corinthians 10:5casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Next time I am tempted to respond or think negatively regarding a situation or event, I will have to remember the instruction given by the apostle Paul:
Philippians 4:11Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content
Mindset: “Oh no it's Monday”
New Mindset: “Father God, It is Monday again and I am excited about the opportunities that you have created for me this new week”.
Mindset: “I don't want to pay bills, it is to painful”
New Mindset: “God, I thank you for your many blessings, and realize that all I have is yours, so help me be a good steward of the things you have entrusted me with”
Mindset: “ARRRGHHH, Homeschooling, what was I thinking”
New Mindset: “Father you have instructed me to teach my children, when I sit in my house, walk on the road, when I wake up and when I lie down (Deuteronomy 6:7), and I thank you for the privilege that you have given me to do this”
Final words of wisdom:
Colossians 3:2Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Keep in mind that Jesus wants us to place our anxiety on Him, which means we have to have trust in Him, and this comes through a daily personal relationship with Him.
Philippians 4:6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God
1 Peter 5:7casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Don't allow your mindset to control your actions, examine them, bring them into perspective and be aware that the trauma may have passed long ago, but the natural response may still linger. So, say NO to stinkin' thinkin'.
On Wednesday nights our church has family training and after praise and worship the various groups are dismissed to their appointed classrooms. Taking Aubry to nursery has always been a dreaded task for myself and the nursery volunteers, because Aubry screams and flails wildly when I take him. Last Wednesday night, not wanting to ask anyone to take him for me, I walked out the door toward nursery with Aubry in tow. Aubry looked up and said “Am I going to play?”. “Yes” I responded. “Goin' to nursery?” he asked. Again I responded with “Yes”. Aubry's calmly looked up at me and said “Then I guess I'll have to cry”. That response has gone down as my favorite Aubryism, because it was without anxiety, or apprehension. I laughed so hard, because it was so totally matter of fact. He had passed the trauma of being left in the nursery a long time ago, but the mindset was still there. The tantrum had become a natural response to my leaving. It had become “the thing” to do.
This humorous story has made me realize the power of a persons mindset. I realized after closely examining my own mindset, that I have predetermined responses to events and situations....
Okay, let call it what it is: stinkin' thinkin'.
But I have to guard my joy against these kinds of thoughts. Scripture tells us how to re-set our thinking and reactions.
Proverbs 16:3Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.
2 Corinthians 10:5casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Next time I am tempted to respond or think negatively regarding a situation or event, I will have to remember the instruction given by the apostle Paul:
Philippians 4:11Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content
Mindset: “Oh no it's Monday”
New Mindset: “Father God, It is Monday again and I am excited about the opportunities that you have created for me this new week”.
Mindset: “I don't want to pay bills, it is to painful”
New Mindset: “God, I thank you for your many blessings, and realize that all I have is yours, so help me be a good steward of the things you have entrusted me with”
Mindset: “ARRRGHHH, Homeschooling, what was I thinking”
New Mindset: “Father you have instructed me to teach my children, when I sit in my house, walk on the road, when I wake up and when I lie down (Deuteronomy 6:7), and I thank you for the privilege that you have given me to do this”
Final words of wisdom:
Colossians 3:2Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Keep in mind that Jesus wants us to place our anxiety on Him, which means we have to have trust in Him, and this comes through a daily personal relationship with Him.
Philippians 4:6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God
1 Peter 5:7casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Don't allow your mindset to control your actions, examine them, bring them into perspective and be aware that the trauma may have passed long ago, but the natural response may still linger. So, say NO to stinkin' thinkin'.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Do you suffer from SADD?
Do you suffer from SADD?
….Devastation, a dagger through the heart of a mom. The response to a simple question that knocked the wind out of me. Sitting in a meeting with a 4th grader teacher and hearing “...there is nothing more we can do for him”.
Jadon had been diagnosed with severe ADD toward the end of his 3rd grade year. 98th percentile severe; there are only 2% of boys his age with less attention. Medications did not work for him, we attempted 4 different prescriptions, with bizarre side effects. In light of this, Jadon was labeled intervention resistant, and the teacher's proclamation translated to me “...there is no hope for your son”. I withdrew Jadon from school and am currently homeschooling. I have found creative ways to keep his attention. that have been successful. I have eliminated distractions, created a quiet, calm atmosphere, and I have to remain close as he is doing his work in order to remind him to focus. We have good days, and some not so good days, but we have both adapted quite well.
Deuteronomy 4:9
9 Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren,
One of the most dangerous weapons in satan's arsenal is distraction. Our lives are busy, and if we allow it to, “life” will choke God out. Kids, work, school, meetings, workout regimens, bill paying, grocery shopping, doctor appointments, laundry, cooking, recreation, home maintenance, relationships.....the list is endless. And you are at risk for SADD (spiritual attention deficit disorder). Self medication is not the answer. The best answer is to get to the root of the problem. Eliminate the non essential distractions of life, create quiet time and remain close to God in order to keep focus on Him.
Just like Jadon; “there is hope for you”, but you have to be intentional in creating and maintaining this atmosphere in your life.
….Devastation, a dagger through the heart of a mom. The response to a simple question that knocked the wind out of me. Sitting in a meeting with a 4th grader teacher and hearing “...there is nothing more we can do for him”.
Jadon had been diagnosed with severe ADD toward the end of his 3rd grade year. 98th percentile severe; there are only 2% of boys his age with less attention. Medications did not work for him, we attempted 4 different prescriptions, with bizarre side effects. In light of this, Jadon was labeled intervention resistant, and the teacher's proclamation translated to me “...there is no hope for your son”. I withdrew Jadon from school and am currently homeschooling. I have found creative ways to keep his attention. that have been successful. I have eliminated distractions, created a quiet, calm atmosphere, and I have to remain close as he is doing his work in order to remind him to focus. We have good days, and some not so good days, but we have both adapted quite well.
Deuteronomy 4:9
9 Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren,
One of the most dangerous weapons in satan's arsenal is distraction. Our lives are busy, and if we allow it to, “life” will choke God out. Kids, work, school, meetings, workout regimens, bill paying, grocery shopping, doctor appointments, laundry, cooking, recreation, home maintenance, relationships.....the list is endless. And you are at risk for SADD (spiritual attention deficit disorder). Self medication is not the answer. The best answer is to get to the root of the problem. Eliminate the non essential distractions of life, create quiet time and remain close to God in order to keep focus on Him.
Just like Jadon; “there is hope for you”, but you have to be intentional in creating and maintaining this atmosphere in your life.
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