Choose THIS day ...

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self ... to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. - Ephesians 4: 22-24

Sometimes we just fall out of sync with our good intentions of reading the bible on a regular basis. I know I do. I slide back into old habits and the old way of life. Then when I do get back to it, I find a message on how I should be living and I start feeling guilty. I should have ... could have ...

But God's Word is not meant to condemn but to open our eyes once again to the other possibilities for living. It's meant to give us truths that are good and reliable and helpful; we aren't supposed to drown in guilt and not move from it.

This past winter, when you felt cold, did you just sit there and shiver and decide you were doomed to be cold forever? Of course not! You got up and put on a sweater, or grabbed a blanket, or turned the thermostat up a notch. You realized you had other options, and you choose to not stay cold. You did not let your feeling of cold dictate how you were going to spend your day.

In the same way, we can choose to be doomed to a certain bad habit or pattern. Or, we can turn to God's Word and through prayer, seek out His promises for other options. Our feelings of helplessness do not have to dictate how we will live out our day. Feelings and emotions are fine but as Christians we have more options on how to respond. We can choose. We can recognize our old self and choose to put on the new self - if we just choose / decide to have a new attitude in our minds. One that checks in with God to seek the path He desires us to follow. One that reflects the promises of God.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, " This is the way; walk in it." - Isaiah 30:21

The Gift of Help

He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?  Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors? – Numbers 11:11-12

I have been away for several days now. Life suddenly got busy and I had to be away from my normal routine and from my “normal” meditation and writing. A lot of it was work. A lot of it was service to others … meeting others needs. And still, there seems to be so much more yet to do to bring things to completion.

I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. – Numbers 11:14

I have to remind myself that I can’t do it all. I can’t fix everything. And I’m not meant to. I want to …

But it’s not all up to me.

The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. ¹⁷ I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone. – Numbers 11: 16

I think about this Moses and how tired and overwhelmed he got. Does that sound like you? Too much on your plate? Much of it you didn’t even ask for?

You’re not meant to do it all. You’re not meant to bring it to completion – without help. Human help and spiritual power help. Enough help. Enough. Whatever the overwhelming burden, you don’t have to carry it alone. The Lord sees your circumstances and sends help. Accept this gracious gift – of help.

A Special Love

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. – Luke 15: 20

Famous star on a news program this morning was talking about his dad. A dad gone for quite some time now. But this star is hanging on to some artwork his dad did.

Reminisces; remembering some good (and bad) times. Confesses they may not have had the best of relationships. But they were father and son.

Many dads of that era weren’t real demonstrative in their love for their children. Didn’t say and do things to encourage kids like we’re taught to do now days. But in the midst of all these “souvenirs” of his dad’s, is a journal entry explaining how proud he is of his son. And the son tears up.

Sometimes it’s hard to believe someone loves us like that. That someone could be proud of us. When we look at ourselves, we see a history of mistakes and failures. Maybe we can squeak by with a feeling of, “I’m just okay. Nothing special. Just a regular person.”

But the truth is, we all have a Father who sees something in each one of us to love and be proud of. How loved? How proud? Read the prodigal son story (Luke 15) and see:

The father running when it’s more dignified to walk

Ordering the best robe, and the most significant ring and a party with the fattened calf.

Yes, even after all the mistakes and bad choices that son made. Still loved. Still called son.

Do you feel like you’re a long way off from God?  Ever feel not good enough for that kind of love? No excuses. You are loved like that. It’s in the Bible. Live in the love of the Father.

All your Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength

For whatever a man sows, that and   that only is what he will reap. – Galatians 6:7

If one part of our body hurts, we hurt all over.  – 1 Corinthians 12:26

Garbage in, garbage out. Whether we’re talking about what you feed your stomach, or what you feed your mind, I think we can all painfully agree that what goes in dictates what comes out. There’s no denying it: you plant a pumpkin seed, you’re going to get a pumpkin and not a rose bush!

The 1 Corinthians verse reminds us that we are connected in more ways than one. We are not only physical beings, but also mental, emotional, spiritual, relational beings. If we neglect one, the whole of us is somehow hurt or diminished or left not as strong. When we regularly nurture all aspects of our being, we are healthy, strong, happy and able. Let me give you an example.

When I eat junk food all day long, I physically become bloated and uncomfortable and cranky and sluggish. I don’t feel like being helpful and nice to people. I don’t want to do anything. Whatever I do do, seems to take so much energy. I can’t focus on prayer or scripture readings. The physical garbage affected my spiritual, emotional, and mental capacities.

On the other hand, when I eat a nutritious meal, and take a walk in the fresh air, and read a chapter in my bible, and have coffee with a friend (nurturing all aspects of my being); all these working together make me a better whole person. And when I’m a better whole person (when every part of my being is honored, cared for and respected), my whole body is happy and the living in love flows more naturally and without strain.

Does it sometimes feel too hard to love God and neighbor? Take a look at your whole being. What is getting nurtured and what needs a little more honor, respect, care? It won’t take as much as you think to bring yourself into balance. Be mindful of your whole being today. Take steps to tweak your daily pattern. Then love with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.