Mind Your MInd

Have you ever been around negative people?  You know, people like “David and Debbie Downer!”  Their glass remains half-empty. They live to whine.  Nothing’s ever good enough. And they spend their time looking for the worst in others.  They are the ultimate critics, who when others see them coming on the sidewalk, quickly cross the street.  And of course, “birds of feather flock together!” Their best friends are “Negative Nellie” and “Gloomy Gus.”

Norman Vincent Peale was an American minister and author known for his work in popularizing the concept of positive thinking, especially through his best-selling book, “The Power of Positive Thinking.”  His life’s work was based on the premise, “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” He is hailed as the “father of positive thinking,” who through his writing and speaking shared his famous formulas of faith and optimism.

Many today still accept as truth Dr. Peale’s simple and effective philosophies about positive thinking.  Neither time nor space allows us to dissect Dr. Peale’s premises, however, we all agree that negative people make life more difficult to navigate.  We need people around us that adhere to the “glass half full” outlook on life. We need to live on the brighter side of life, for God knows, we see and hear enough of the other.

It goes without saying that our actions follow where our mind goes.  “Walk over there.” “Pick up that book.” “Plug in the cell phone.” Pretty simple, huh?  Our mind-brain mechanism is a wonderful tool that when faced with difficult, heart-rending dilemmas, allows us to keep a positive perspective.  As you know, perspective is defined “as the way we look at things, our approach to life.” And generally speaking, outlook really does determine outcome!  We are given the choice to view situations as negative or positive. It seems to me that a solid, faith-filled life necessitates a good, positive outlook on life in general.

Charles Swindoll, popular radio minister said, “Sow a thought and reap an action.  Sow an act and reap a habit. Sow a habit and reap a character. Sow a character and reap a destiny. The progression from our thoughts to our destiny is sobering, isn’t it?

Untold volumes have been written about the power of the mind, and the choices we make to live either negative or positive existences during our time on earth.  What happens “to us” is many times the product of what first happens “in us.” Determine to live in a positive vein that keeps you healthy and others around you happy.  In other words, mind your mind!

Sudden Change

In the past 24 hours we have gone from having three inches of snow to my wife mowing the yard.  Only in northeastern Ohio! Right?

Life can change on a dime.  This sudden transformation reminded me to not take this COVID-19 quarantine for granted.  For sure, nothing’s the same as before. Who would have guessed that 2020 would require all of  us to navigate these difficult waters? Everyday is a faith adventure.

I’m determined not to squander this uncertain time in my life.  Am I completely comfortable with what’s happening? Of course not!  And I’m sure I speak for you as well. But one thing I know: God is asking me to inventory my life.  Let me explain.

1. What have I previously taken for granted?   Lori and I are watching the Netflix series, “When Calls the Heart.”  Frankly, I find it a bit unrealistic at times, but the fact remains that love between husbands and wives and people in general is life’s greatest treasure.  Each episode moves me to an emotional edge. I recommend it for your “virus viewing!”

While watching, I occasionally sneak a glance at my wife of almost 43 years, and my heart is gladdened by her presence in my life.  After the Lord, she is the one constant in my life, who loves me unconditionally and completely. I never want to take her for granted!  What loved one(s) do you need to reaffirm today?

2. Perhaps like you, I have issues in my life that need to be placed under the Lordship of Christ. Not necessarily sin issues, but things that, if confronted and subdued, will enhance my daily living.  For example, I need to watch my food intake. The refrigerator beckons me to open and see! Also, what important tasks have I put off for a better day? In what areas have I procrastinated? Finally, am I “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5)?  How? By minding my mind! Making sure that unhealthy, negative, impure, and unnecessary thoughts do not crowd out those things that are “true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and of good repute…” (Philippians 4:8).    

3. During the long hours of quarantine, am I praying more, reading the Scriptures more fervently and waiting for the Lord’s “still small voice” to speak to me?  He promises me “an audience of one!”

4. Am I using this time to speak into the lives of those I love, without becoming annoying?  Understanding the need to maintain personal space, I text, email, write cards, make calls, and send Facebook and YouTube inspirational messages. Let me encourage you to find communication expressions that work for you, and then make someone’s day!

None of us knows what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds tomorrow.  And as life continues to usher in unexpected, at times, harsh changes, we hold to the Lord’s unchanging hand.  He will walk us safely to the other side of uncertainty!

  

Just WHAT is Sin?

I don’t think any of us fully realize the devastating toll that sin plays in our lives.  Its  affects are seen in our personal struggles, our relationships, nation, and of course, sin is played out on the world’s stage.  Many years ago a lady said to me, “I don’t believe in sin.”  I was amazed at her comment, as her life had been characterized by broken relationships, and alcohol was taking a destructive toll on her liver. 

I believe in sin mostly because the Bible defines it as the catalyst responsible for all of earth’s ills.  Secondly, the Scriptures make it clear that sin is a universal problem. After David’s adulterous affair with Bathsheba, he realized that the deeper issue in his life was sin.  He says, “In sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5).

So, what is sin?

A lot of people define sin in terms of a “do” and “do not” list.  For example, cursing, smoking, drinking, going to R-Rated movies, dancing, adultery, lusting, etc. are just a few of the “bigger sins.”  Evangelicals hold firmly to the Romans 3:23 definition:  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  I still remember the cute story about the little boy who came home from Sunday School and told his parents that his teacher talked about “fallen shorts” in class!  But I digress!  

Still, others define sin as going beyond healthy boundaries.  Therefore, they place much emphasis upon breaking the law.   While it is true the Ten Commandments were part of the Moral Code that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai, and while it is equally true they are still in vogue today, breaking the commandments still does not completely define what sin is. 

So, let me ask you again, “What IS sin?”

I like the late Dr. Richard Dobbins’ definition of both sin and eternal life.  Dr. Dobbins goes deeper than most.  He minimized the affects of sin and maximized our understanding of the origin of sin as it impacts our lives.  As you might guess, there are two forces at work in the world:  sin and eternal life.  And they both collide in the mind of man.

Dr. Dobbins wrote, “Sin is an ‘invisible force’ that emanates from Satan, which stimulates the mind of man to consider life options which steal, kill and destroy his creative potential.”

“Eternal life, then, is also an ‘invisible force’ emanating from God, which stimulates the mind of man to consider creative life options.”

We then need to properly discern the origin of our thoughts.  In other words, we must ask ourselves, “Is this thought from God or Satan?”  The more we read and understand the Bible, the more readily we will discern the origin of the thoughts that come into our mind.  You see, we can’t control temptation, but we CAN control what we do when it comes our way!

Dobbins’ definitions of sin and eternal life, in my opinion, give us an easier-to-understand, wider and more Scriptural view of sin and its devastating effects in our lives.  Instead of living according to a long list of “do’s” and “do not’s,” the indwelling Holy Spirit renews our thought processes and shows us what really is pleasing to the Lord. 

The Bible says, “Don’t be conformed by what the world thinks, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).  In short, we believe what the Bible says and then line up our lives to its unchangeable truths.  Volumes have been written on the subject of sin and believe me, the subject is inexhaustible!  However, I’m not as likely to preach a sermon on the “The Evils of Alcohol” as I am a sermon entitled, “How to Be Renewed in Your Mind.”

I hate what sin does in my life and the lives of others.  My heart’s desire is that today you place your faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanses from the sin; and that you learn how to discern the origin of your thoughts, and subsequently experience God’s grace, which shows you a way out of your sin predicament!