Here’s a thought

Events don't have to dictate my thought life.

 

When events drive my thought life I am subject to dramatic change within moments.  In fact, a 30 second news clip could own me for days, a word from my boss could change the direction of life, the accident could claim my mind when the random is promoted over the eternal.  Events should not be given that power.

 

To be sure, all events are not to be trivialized as if they don't matter.  But, nor should they be promoted so that they can claim authority over the atmosphere of my mind.

 

Suggestions:

1. Look at the rut your mind has been in and trace that rut back to the event that started to dig the rut.

 

2. Invite God to be part of the event so that you can hear his heart again.

 

3. Let him show you truth that may have be overlooked or ignored.

 

4. Start digging a new rut based on that truth.

 

5. Be sure the journey takes you to the presence of Christ.  If it doesn't, it's the wrong rut.

 

 

Colossians 3.1-2

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

 

 

Digging,

 

Pastor Dave

 

A Reminder

2Peter 1.12-14

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

 

Peter is reminding his readers to live in a Christ-like manner.  The first line of these verses really got me thinking.  What would I remind the church of?  What would I feel the urge to ask us to hold on to tightly with the grip of our souls?

 

If I felt the urgency of remaining time shrinking what would be priority words?  I can't pick a Bible verse because the Bible didn't tell me which one to pick.

 

The "great command?"  The "great "commission?"  The last words of Jesus?  The words when he was in the most turmoil?  The words that Matthew records as the sermon of Jesus?  What about when Jesus said, "Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken from her?"

 

Too many options and too much weakening of the Word to make it a slogan or a cliche.

 

So, I'm thinking what would I remind you of?  What would I remind me of?

 

On this day I would remind you to know Jesus and to live Jesus.  In a way that's what it's all about for me.

 

"So I will always remind you to know Jesus and live Jesus, even though you know that already and are learning to do that.  I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as God gives me breath."

 

Get rid of the excuses.  Know and live what you know about Jesus.

 

A reminder,

 

Pastor Dave

 

Ordination

Tonight Pastor Eric will receive ordination as an Elder in the Free Methodist Church.  He will become Reverend Eric Wing.  The halo is getting finishing touches now.

 

In honor of his call, work, and accomplishment, and in light of the series we are working through on our thought life, I thought I'd let you in on something.  Tonight God will do something in Eric's mind that He already has done in mine years ago and in Pastor Scott's last year.

 

When you are ordained God builds a steel wall around your mind that is impenetrable!  You have reached a height that is so lofty that it automatically results in a supernatural thought life.  We don't even have to try!

 

This Holy Spirit covered mind never deals with temptation anymore, never has the weight of discouragement, and never lets insecurity anywhere near it!

 

God does this thing for an ordinand that makes it so ungodly thoughts don't even try to come near our minds - there's no use!  We have flawless minds that are feeding our always healthy emotions.  And we never exaggerate to make a point!

 

Reality - I would ask for your prayers for your pastoral team.  Pray for:

1. Protection against pride and discouragement.  Both stand in the way of the Holy Spirit's work.

 

2. Clarity of thought.  Each of us need to grow in hearing from the Lord clearly.  That requires discernment to know what is a voice from God and what is not.

 

3. Humble boldness.  When the word is clear it still needs to be acted on.  It's hard to learn to care more about what God says than what others say... for all of us.

 

4. __________________

 

Take a moment through this week and talk to God about your Pastor's thought life.  Then risk finding someone so that you can pray for each other's thought life.  Let's pray for each other through the summer!

 

Needy,

 

Pastor Dave

 

Thought Life

I've missed the last couple of weeks of "Friday Thoughts."  To be honest, I was going to take the summer off.  But, it doesn't seem the right thing to do right now.

 

Throughout the summer I'm going to continue to think and write in the area of our current sermon series, "Brain on a Leash."  I'd like to keep us focused on our thought life... I'd like to keep me focused on my thought life.

 

Why?

 

1. God knit me together with a thought life so that I could be more aware of him.

This is a tool God has given me that is so easily unused or misused, but it is a gift of God.

 

2. There's gold in them thar' hills.

I think my thought life is an untapped arena of richness, strength, and God's grace.  I want to learn how to tap into them and more.

 

3.  My design is hidden under the stuff.

What if a clear awareness of who I am made to be is buried under the thoughts that don't belong?

 

So, this summer I'm going to continue to call us to growth in this area.  Even when the sermon series is done, I'd like to keep digging.  And, I'd like to hear from you.  How's the battle?  What works, what doesn't?

 

Fellow Servant,

 

Pastor Dave