Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hey everyone!
Have you ever had a full-blown argument with someone in your head? I have, more than I'd like to admit. Usually it's after a conversation in which I wish I had said something really smart, but missed the chance and walked away unsatisfied. Then later, all in my head, I'll play out what I would have said if I could do it all over. And I always nail it. (Of course I do: it's all in my head!)
Here's the thing: I always feel worse afterward. I'm angrier than before, more annoyed, and have a general sense of malaise after stewing that long on something like that.
Why do I do it? Why do I not just have the thought, but welcome the thought? I'm not exactly sure, but it's probably something similar to why I eat something that I just know will give me a stomach ache: it tastes good in the moment, but it always comes with a price to pay.
Something all of us have to wrap our heads around at some point: if you want to change your life, start by changing the way you think.
Changing your thoughts is the key to a fresh start in any area--a hobby, a career, a relationship, marriage, or parenting. Ephesians 4:22-23 says, "Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes."
What is a renewed mind? It means you have fresh thoughts and fresh attitudes. It means you take your wrong attitudes and thoughts and surrender them to God. We can do this in two primary ways:
1- Listen to God's Word more than the world.
Psalm 1:1-3 says "Oh, the joys of those who...delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do."
I'd LOVE for that to be a description of me as a man, a husband, a father, a believer. It starts with an intentional focusing on what God says in His Word more than any other voice in my life.
2- Think about what you think about.
Instead of simply accepting every thought that comes into your mind, challenge your thoughts! You're in the driver's seat. Ask yourself internally: "Is this something I want to think about? Is it helpful? How does this make me feel -- about myself and others -- and do I want to feel that way?"
The Bible tells us to "take every thought captive and make it obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5) and "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts" (Proverbs 4:23).
Instead of simply succumbing to whatever thought comes into your mind, and allowing old tapes to replay over and over in your head, confront them! Put yourself back in charge of your thoughts, and replace them with what you know is true in God's Word.
It'll give you a fresh start, and might even help you avoid another wasted day having a pretend-argument in your head. That's good news!
Have you ever had a full-blown argument with someone in your head? I have, more than I'd like to admit. Usually it's after a conversation in which I wish I had said something really smart, but missed the chance and walked away unsatisfied. Then later, all in my head, I'll play out what I would have said if I could do it all over. And I always nail it. (Of course I do: it's all in my head!)
Here's the thing: I always feel worse afterward. I'm angrier than before, more annoyed, and have a general sense of malaise after stewing that long on something like that.
Why do I do it? Why do I not just have the thought, but welcome the thought? I'm not exactly sure, but it's probably something similar to why I eat something that I just know will give me a stomach ache: it tastes good in the moment, but it always comes with a price to pay.
Something all of us have to wrap our heads around at some point: if you want to change your life, start by changing the way you think.
Changing your thoughts is the key to a fresh start in any area--a hobby, a career, a relationship, marriage, or parenting. Ephesians 4:22-23 says, "Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes."
What is a renewed mind? It means you have fresh thoughts and fresh attitudes. It means you take your wrong attitudes and thoughts and surrender them to God. We can do this in two primary ways:
1- Listen to God's Word more than the world.
Psalm 1:1-3 says "Oh, the joys of those who...delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do."
I'd LOVE for that to be a description of me as a man, a husband, a father, a believer. It starts with an intentional focusing on what God says in His Word more than any other voice in my life.
2- Think about what you think about.
Instead of simply accepting every thought that comes into your mind, challenge your thoughts! You're in the driver's seat. Ask yourself internally: "Is this something I want to think about? Is it helpful? How does this make me feel -- about myself and others -- and do I want to feel that way?"
The Bible tells us to "take every thought captive and make it obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5) and "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts" (Proverbs 4:23).
Instead of simply succumbing to whatever thought comes into your mind, and allowing old tapes to replay over and over in your head, confront them! Put yourself back in charge of your thoughts, and replace them with what you know is true in God's Word.
It'll give you a fresh start, and might even help you avoid another wasted day having a pretend-argument in your head. That's good news!
____________________________________________________
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
Tuesday, March 1: Ladies Connect begins
Join the Meadows Ladies for a Launch Party, as they begin an 8-week study together. This session is geared toward learning about and creating lifelong friendships and a God-centered community that will encourage us, challenge us, and grow us.
We're offering this gathering in the morning AND evening: Tuesdays at 10 AM, AND 6:30 PM, beginning on March 1. Click HERE to register and get more info.
Sunday, March 6: FAMILY SUNDAY
Next Sunday, we'll have a family-style service, with the kids joining us in the sanctuary! It's Portia's and my belief that allowing the kids to see us worship, see us study God's Word together, and see us love each other -- AND be invited into the entire process -- can be hugely formative to our kids and families.
It'll be a normal service, with worship, greeting, and a message. But all kids will be with us. We'll have nursery still offered at both services (ages 0-3), and the sound-proof family room will be available. I encourage you to let your kids experience the congregation worshiping together with them involved. It'll be a slightly shorter service, and we'll even take Communion together. It'll be a great Sunday.
April 8-9: The Altar Men's Conference
Right here in our own back yard -- at the Thomas & Mack Center -- there will be an awesome Men's Conference, with quarterback David Carr, Matt Redman, Maverick City Music, John Bevere, and many more leading thousands of men into a time of worship and prayer.
More info is at www.thealtarconference.com. Click HERE to register; a team member will contact you to discuss details as we get closer to the conference dates.
Tuesday, March 1: Ladies Connect begins
Join the Meadows Ladies for a Launch Party, as they begin an 8-week study together. This session is geared toward learning about and creating lifelong friendships and a God-centered community that will encourage us, challenge us, and grow us.
We're offering this gathering in the morning AND evening: Tuesdays at 10 AM, AND 6:30 PM, beginning on March 1. Click HERE to register and get more info.
Sunday, March 6: FAMILY SUNDAY
Next Sunday, we'll have a family-style service, with the kids joining us in the sanctuary! It's Portia's and my belief that allowing the kids to see us worship, see us study God's Word together, and see us love each other -- AND be invited into the entire process -- can be hugely formative to our kids and families.
It'll be a normal service, with worship, greeting, and a message. But all kids will be with us. We'll have nursery still offered at both services (ages 0-3), and the sound-proof family room will be available. I encourage you to let your kids experience the congregation worshiping together with them involved. It'll be a slightly shorter service, and we'll even take Communion together. It'll be a great Sunday.
April 8-9: The Altar Men's Conference
Right here in our own back yard -- at the Thomas & Mack Center -- there will be an awesome Men's Conference, with quarterback David Carr, Matt Redman, Maverick City Music, John Bevere, and many more leading thousands of men into a time of worship and prayer.
More info is at www.thealtarconference.com. Click HERE to register; a team member will contact you to discuss details as we get closer to the conference dates.
____________________________________________________
This Sunday we'll continue our series, The Heart of Christ.
We've been looking at the posture of Christ towards us, how He feels about us, and what is the motivating and driving part of His nature.
This Sunday, we'l look closely at a way Jesus describe Himself to His followers, and how even Jesus' enemies described His relationship with those far from God: a close friend.
His tender friendship -- closer than a brother -- is as steady and comforting as anything we have in our lives. What a Savior!
Join us this Sunday for Part 4 - Friend.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
We've been looking at the posture of Christ towards us, how He feels about us, and what is the motivating and driving part of His nature.
This Sunday, we'l look closely at a way Jesus describe Himself to His followers, and how even Jesus' enemies described His relationship with those far from God: a close friend.
His tender friendship -- closer than a brother -- is as steady and comforting as anything we have in our lives. What a Savior!
Join us this Sunday for Part 4 - Friend.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
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