Being Mindful

          

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.  The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.  Romans 8:5-7 (NIV)

What are you allowing into your mind?  Are you being governed by your flesh or by God’s Spirit? 

It is important to be mindful of what you allow into your mind and the motivation behind it.  The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by God’s Spirit is life and peace.

Are those things you are allowing in life affirming, uplifting, and in alignment with God’s truth?  Do they inspire you, motivate you, uplift you, encourage you, give you joy, result in peace?

Consider what you are letting into your mind.  We are encouraged by Paul to be mindful.

You Are More

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Tenth Ave North

, You Are More

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!  2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

We are more than what we often we think we are.  In Christ we are a new creation. 

We are not a product of our past.  We are not a product of our past mistakes.  We are not a product of what the world tells us we are or are not.  We are not a product of what has been done to us or what we have done.  What He did for us is what matters.  We are more in Christ.

Sometimes it is difficult to believe this.  Sometimes we have spent far too long away from that that would remind us of who we truly are.  Away from quiet time with God, our father.  Who through His spirit reminds us of how much he loves us.  How much he cherishes us.  How much he enjoys us - Who we truly are as his children.

The messages we often receive from the world or from others may not be led by His spirit.  Often they are not.  They do not remind us of who we truly are, but instead who the world thinks we are or what the world wants us to believe we are.

The remedy?  Return to the source.  Return to the voice of God.  Sit at his feet and soak in his goodness, his warmth, his reassurance, his strength, his love.  Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.

When was the last time you sat at His feet.  How long will you wait? 

You are more than what you think you are.  You are more in Christ.

Homecoming

While the travels “abroad” have been great on so many levels it is also awesome to return home.

While away in Washington and Florida we made new friends, enjoyed two amazing church families, and got a chance to experience and see other parts of the world.  We are better for it and were richly blessed by the people we met.

While there were some tears as we said goodbye to friends, we realize that with technology today we are only an Internet connection away.  They will be missed but we are looking forward to staying in touch no matter the distance.  Our hope is that we left those places better for having been there.

It has been equally great to return home.  We are closer to family and old friends which we have missed over the years.  We have begun to reconnect with friends, some a result of chance meetings while out and about – much to their and our surprise.  The kids are getting plugged back into schools, reconnecting with school mates from years ago. 

While the beaches of Florida are world class, I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the mountains and have plugged back into the local hiking routine as if I never left.  A quick hike with the boys before school is a tremendous way to start the day.

It was great to be away but it is awesome to return home - a wonderful homecoming is underway.