Garbage In, Garbage Out!

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” -Romans 12:2

Have you ever noticed how certain forms of media, whether it’s the news, music, or movies, can make us feel worse after we’ve been under their influence?  In contrast, have you noticed how certain things make you feel better, feel inspired, or gain a different outlook on life? 

How we spend our time and what we listen to affects our lives, whether we realize it or not.  It may not be apparent immediately, but we may notice ourselves saying more negative things after watching a news broadcast, or being more edgy than normal after watching a certain TV show. The type of people we hang around are likely the type of people we will be. 

Much like diet and health, (we are what we eat), what we pay attention to will likely affect us, in a positive or negative way.  That’s why it’s essential we create for ourselves good habits, for a good spiritual diet.  When we cloud our minds with negativity, we close ourselves off to possibility.  The “can’ts” outnumber the “how’s” when we let outside forces do our thinking for us.  We need to be intentional about what we allow into our lives daily.  These things, no matter how small they may seem, can affect us for the long haul. 

Who, or what, do you want influencing you?  Do you want the media, news and stock reports, and reality TV influencing your life?  Or, would you rather the Bible, good teaching, worship and education to improve your skills influencing you?

What are you feeding yourself daily?

garbage in, garbage out

Transformation vs. Conformation

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 2:12
 
I love the movie Alice in Wonderland. Yes, the Tim Burton version is a little on the strange side, but the story is great and the design, costumes, graphics, and set are so creative!

There is one point in the movie, and in the book, where Alice is trapped in a room filled with doors. She can't seem to open any of them. Then, she notices a really small door on the far side of the room. "How am I ever going to fit through that door???" she must've thought. She becomes distraught with the idea that she could possibly be in this room forever. But she is determined not to let it happen. 

Alice notices the vial that says "Drink me", and the food that says, "Eat me." She does both and discovers the outcomes of each. With one she becomes larger, the other smaller. And finally, with key in hand, she is able to go through the small door that was originally intended for her, the small her, as she ventures off into Wonderland.

I believe our lives can be much like Alice's experience in the room sometimes. Alice had to transform herself to fit through the door she was supposed to go through. It makes me think of the verse in scripture that says, "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:14. 
 
God is all about our complete and total transformation. Christianity is the only religion that is about transformation, versus conformation. We can live out a bunch of rules and say that we're Christians, but what God is after is a heart change. When we encounter obstacles in life, sometimes it's us that needs to change. Sometimes we are the ones who need to fit through the door - we are the ones who need to either become bigger people (full of grace and mercy for humanity), or smaller (becoming more disciplined, more focused, learning to listen to the still small voice of God). But the key to this is that we have to be willing - we have to be willing to try anything to get to the next place. Because Alice knew there was no other way but to go through that door, she was determined to make it happen, one way or another. Sometimes God puts us in these types of spots to grow us, to change us, to help us become all He intended.

Are you willing to be transformed?

Personal Re-Programming

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Rom. 12:2) 

I spent a lot of time in the early years of my life feeling "less than," and ugly or fat, incompetent, or just plain unworthy of anything good or better than how my life was at the time. There were many attitudes and feelings that I had about God, myself, and other people that simply were not true. It was only through a revelation of God's love and grace, at incremental and pivotal crossroads in my life that my opinions and feelings began to change. And boy did they ever! 

One of the most monumental crossroads happened when I was 17. I call this my "true" salvation experience. This experience with God felt like a warmth that filled my heart, and something; be it faith, love, peace, or whatever mixture of all three changed my perspective just a bit about who God was and what He thought of me. I realized He did really care about me. I realized He was a very personal God - not angry or condescending - but full of love and patience and grace. I realized He cares about everyone this way! 

The experience changed my heart, and made me a different person. It not only changed the way I thought, but through this re-programming, my heart was molded into a different shape. I felt more whole than I had ever felt before. 

My dad says that God uses circumstances in our lives to not only to bring about a habit change, but a nature change. God just doesn't want our minds to think different things - he wants the roots of those habits to be uprooted as well. Then God is able to fill the uprooted void with His love. And then our habits do begin to change, beginning from the inside out. 

What has God re-programmed in you? Have you asked Him to re-program areas of your mind and heart where you may feel inadequate? 

Ask God to help you with those areas where you may need some personal re-programming. He promises to help us through it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)