Mind Control

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

To be real, I have trouble with my thoughts.  Although God has enabled me to have some victory, I still find I’m thinking what ifs, rehashing past mistakes, or picking up anger over a long ago infliction that I have forgiven others for.

To begin, I redirected my thoughts on good things, God, when these thought overcame me.  I also changed a few things in my life that triggered thoughts (avoid temptation).  God enabled me to have this victory, this tool to combat negative thoughts.  I also took time to forgive others once again when needed.

With this success, I found my mind wondering when I needed to listen.  I asked how can I be more attentive.  I try, however no matter how much I try, I often find myself not listening again.

This is a selfish behavior, in that I’m thinking of what I want to think on instead of listening to what others.  Especially when something important is being said.  This is a distraction from the enemy for me to miss what is said.

God led me to mind control.  It’s not just redirecting my thoughts, but to spend time each day not thinking and being in His presence.  It is hard to shut off my mind.  I know only good fruit will come from it.  I hope that as the days pass, it will become easier and I can go longer without thoughts.  I look forward to how this chances my relationship with God.

Why the guilt?

I had to write about my crazy day yesterday.  I did well with eating.  I'm still 95% meat free.  It's hard to go completely vegetarian when your family meal has meat in it.  I usually pick out the big chunks.  I'm just not that devoted to the idea to be all loopy about it.  

So back to yesterday and the undo guilt I felt.  I wanted some dark chocolate.  Now, I used to not like dark chocolate and since giving up sweets I love it.  Its not that I need chocolate, however it is something delicious God gave and I want to enjoy.  I usually eat less than 1/3 of a serving which is an under 100 calorie treat.  I don't eat it everyday either.  Yesterday I did.  There wasn't any guilt at this point.

Then for dinner, I wanted a glass of wine.  There's something about Italian and wine that go together.  When I have wine I fill half my glass with ice and water and top with wine, so I really only drink about 2 oz. per glass. 

That's when guilt started to creep in and I hadn't even poured the drink.  Then I thought about the chocolate and the few Sun Chips I had as a snack.  I said to myself, this is crazy.  Why should I feel guilty over the foods I've eaten?  What's wrong with a glass of wine?

I didn't drink the wine and still wondered why the guilt?  Why was my conscience against it?  

As we prepared for bed God breezed the answer.  It isn't wrong.  None of it was wrong.  However, I asked Him to help me stay on track.  I asked Him to help me reach my goals.  Then I questioned what was going on when He answers that prayer, when He sends me that grace I requested.  Crazy right?  

How often have I done that?  Have I asked God to do something then stubbornly refuse the help and then blame Him for how I feel?  I'm successfully humbled and thank God for giving grace on this as well.  God is Good!

I don't eat sweets

This used to be my response to anyone who offered me sweets.  Then they usually say "What?"  I add, "God has called me to give up sweets."  Response: "you are so strong, I don't think I could ever do that" or "you are stronger than I am."

Unfortunately, the conversation dies off after that since others don't want the guilt of someone else exercising self-control successfully.  Although I tried to give God the glory, I felt it was laid on my feet because of the way I presented the conversation.  I do not deserve any glory, so things had to change. 

Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit.  This is not of my spirit, but the Holy Spirit.  And believe me, it is something I tried for years to do concerning food.  I could not do it on my own efforts and definitely was not motivated for my health.  I could not do it for me.

God called me to do it for Him, so that sweets no longer come before Him.  It is only through His enabling do I do anything good.  I have no self-control when it comes to food on my own.  Only through Him who strengthens me.

So my response is to start with "No thank you," and leave it at that.  If pressed, then I can present it to the person, hopefully in a way to bring God glory.  In doing that, I must remove myself from the equation and point to Jesus.  I can't have a canned response, but respond to each person with the words the Spirit gives me. 

Giving up sweets is from God to me and not to be imposed by me on someone else.  I do hope to encourage anyone is in bondage over food, that with God's enabling, you can do it to.  I was a mess and God cleaned me up.  He's still cleaning me.  He's turning my mess into my message.  Self-control doesn't just happen, it is developed by choosing God's way at each choice.  I didn't do it perfectly, but I made progress and that's what matters.

To God be the Glory.

Satisfied at the Lord's Table

My summer Bible study with my girl ended and there was five weeks before my training and BSF study began.  I dug out my Lord's Table book and began to do the study again. 

After I had so much new growth in doing Made to Crave again, I thought I would see additional growth through the Lord's Table a second time.

History:  When I first did The Lord's Table (TLT), I had only fully submitted my life to God less than a year.  I had heard many times to get into God's word, yet couldn't figure out how to do that.  In walked TLT.  It is a sixty day internet based course.  I tried to start it online twice before giving up and ordering the book.  You're suppose to do it with a mentor, however, I wasn't to the point in which I wanted to share me with anyone.  So the book worked great.  It took me about four months to get through the sixty days.  God helped me get through the parts I didn't understand.  Although the focus was on gluttony, it really spoke to me on all my sin.  As someone who didn't know a lot of God's word, it definitely spoke deep into my soul. 

I'm a couple weeks in and what a blessing.  It's been long enough that I don't remember much, although I reminded of where some of my foundational understanding came from.  God is teaching me so much.  He is enabling me to trust His plans, to walk in His will. 

Since reading a book for counselor training I'm about to begin, I love how TLT focuses on the sufficiency of Christ.  For Christians are base their lives on that truth. 

I'm not sure I'll do a summation of this study that I did with MTC.  It's is longer and more stuff going on.  I am speaking to God and enjoying the refresher from this course.

* This is an unsolicited review.  I received no payment for this review.  No money or products was exchanged for my personal opinion and experience of this book.  

I'm back..August preview

School officially started this week.  I miss my girl like crazy.  The quietness I love is back around the house and now it bugs me.  It will happen again next summer.

For August, I have about 2000 projects to start and finish.  That may be an exaggeration, but it isn't to off.

 This is the fun I had this morning.  Don't be alarmed.  I'm just reaching the age where these things will be a regular thing (well I still have a few years).  My doctor wanted a base line for when I'm older.  It wasn't as bad as I thought.  Although there are certain times when I could not have done this, but that is TMI.  I have a few other doctor appointments and physical therapy thrown in there, too.

Some home projects include clearing out my garage.  It's basically been a holding pit, only cleared rearranged each winter to fit my car.  This year I want to clear out.  And seeing this picture makes it all look so much worse than my mind told me.  It is taking some boldness on God's part to make me share these photos.  It's all about sharing. 

I also plan to finish a project I started last spring that took the summer off.  I'm not finished yet, but hope to be by the end of the month.  My entry closet will be transformed into a more useful storage.  And since I plan to keep the doors off, it needs to be on the pretty side. 


Others items to add to the ever growing list:

• recaulk my kitchen counter
• find a contractor to put new siding on my house
• reorganize our extra room - make a new shelf
• repaint a free cedar chest I found
• make a few art projects for my home

And the list goes on.  It does include to get back into writing for this blog.  I have many little notes to go through and see if I can remember.

I'm not going to allow this list to get me down.  I want to go through it one at a time and do it well.  I know when I'm finished I will have just what we need in these areas.  It will be joy to look at.

It's harmless...

Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk.  Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.  Jeremiah 10:5

I stopped in my tracts reading this passage.  That last line: "they can do no harm nor can they do any good." 

Whoa...no harm, no good?  How much does this world say "that's harmless."  That's one of the mantras of this world.  Convince everyone that everything is harmless, nothing to think over.  Harmless, it won't hurt.  

Yet bring that with "nor can they do any good."  If it's so harmless, why keep it if it's not good.  God is good.  We should strive to have good in our lives.  I don't have room for harmless.  It is an opening for Satan to get to me.  

It's harmless, I hear, to eat a sweet treat from time to time.  Oh, for me, no good will come from it, for it may trigger an eating binge like no other.

It's harmless to watch that tv program.  But what message is it sending my daughter or me on what is right and good in the world?  Does it spark judgment of others in me?  Enter impure thoughts?  What good comes from that harmless show?  

And internet pages?  Is is harmless or is there good coming from it?  Pinterest is all the craze right now?  Is is harmless?  Is it good for people to spend hours on end pinning and coveting what other have?  It's the attitude to be wary of.

Speaking of attitudes.  It's harmless that I may get upset while driving?  Harmless that I lose my temper?  Oh, no good comes from that, no matter how temperate I am in the rest of my life.  

Satan will take any foothold you give him.  Don't allow harmless to be the entry point.  No good will come from it.

editing to add:
Life Principle: Idols are not harmless, they need to be gone.

We interupt our programming...

Thing may get quiet for the next week.  I don't have many posts in the queue, so until school gets into full swing and I can take a deep breath, things won't be back to normal.  I will be back.


I'm enjoying the last few days with my girl.