Good thinking and accurate perceptions

We have our second transformation meeting coming up.  The theme is renewal.  In preparation, I was looking to confirm the author of the quote that "if we think the way we want to feel we will eventually feel the way we think" and I came accrossed the following quote by John Ortberg, "Over the long haul, good thinking, accurate perceptions, healthy emotions, wholesome desires, honorable intentions- cannot produce bad results; bad thinking cannot produce good results." If You Want to Walk on Water You Have to Get Our of the Boat

I couldn't make the small dirt pile move

When I was real little (probably second or third grade), I remember hearing that all I needed was just a little faith to move mountains.  So, I went outside one day and thought I would give it a shot.  Except, I figured I would try it on a little pile of dirt.  So I got my toy John Deere backhoe and pushed some dirt around to make a little pile.  Then, I remember sitting behind the pile and praying that God would make it move.  I believed he could make it move, but it never moved.

Lately, I have been working on memorizing Matthew 17:20.  While I run, I like to say it over and over in my head.   Sometimes, I think I get discouraged with the idea of faith moving mountains because I couldn't even move a pile of dirt...I have tried that experiment off and on through the years :).

Matthew 17:20 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ²⁰ He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

www.biblegateway.com 

Appetite stewardship

I am listening to a Podcast right now by Andy Stanley and he is talking about how to manage spending.  He states that the more aware we are of what we do not have, the more discontent we will be.  He also states that the more we feed our appetite for more, the more our appetite will grow.  He states the only way to make our appetites smaller is to feed them less.  Sometimes, I think our appetites make us believe that if we just "eat a little more" we will be fulfilled.  However, we know that is not true.  The more we eat the more we want. 

We have to be stewards of our appetites.

Inclusive mentality

Last night, when gathered around the table to eat, my two and three month old son wanted us all to hold hands in preparation for praying.  His five day old sister was in her bassinet behind him.  Before he would allow us to pray, he reached back so that his sister could hold hands too.  It was awesome to see him do this because it shows how much he loves her, that he wants her to be included in our family prayer time and that he was aware of her presence even when sleeping behind him out of sight.

More power!

"The spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7)
To be timid means to be fearful, hesitant, lack confidence and slow in making decisions.   To have self discipline means to have control of one's thoughts, feelings, emotions and actions for the purpose of making progress. To have power means we have access to God's power in our life.  Power is the great or marked ability to do or act; capability of doing something or accomplishing something.  It also means the possession of control.  Another definition identifies power as having energy. (definitions adapted from dictionary.com)

A friend of mine recently reminded me of the statement, "I can't, but He can."  When it comes to overcoming some of our old habits, behaviors and tendencies, this is another verse that reminds us that when we can't, He can.  Less of us and more of Him.  My first thought, when memorizing this verse, is that I need to work harder to have the spirit work through me.  However, thanks to my discussion with my friend, I was reminded it's not about working harder to be more like Christ.  It's about abiding in Christ.  It's about staying close and building my relationship with Him.   Father, help me to humble myself and allow your spirit to give me the power, love and self discipline that you promise.   Thanks Jonas.

Plans to prosper

I have been working on memorizing Jeremiah 29:11 and I love this verse.  It's humbling and comforting to know that our creator has plans to prosper us and not to harm us.  I often think about how great it is that our creator has chosen love over hatred toward His creation.  

This verse also makes me pay attention to the thoughts I have about good things coming our way.  It makes me wonder if some of the things I hope for include some of the plans the Lord has for me and my family.  

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  (New International Version, ©2011) (Biblegateway.com)

"Have no fear

of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared." Prov 3:25-26

How would someone, who is me, act if they were 100% confident that God was with them?  (Andy Stanley)