They say it takes 30 days to make a habit.
As I said in my first post of this series, I'm not sure who they are... but that's what they say.
And I think they more or less may be right.
The thing about a habit is, it may replace another habit. Give up cigarette smoking? That's a bad habit... and it may be replaced by overeating... which is another bad habit.
You may have quit smoking for years... and then smell one cigarette and want it so bad you can taste it.
And then, you pick up that cigarette... that one cigarette just this once because you are so stressed out...
And next thing you know, you're right back where you started at... if not worse. That pack a day habit has become two packs a day.
I started this #write31day challenge with the idea that I didn't like my way of thinking. My negativity affected those around me. Caleb was feeding off of it. I wasn't as enthusiastic about my work.
Stinkin' thinkin' was killing me.
In this challenge, using Philippians 4:8 as a guiding framework, I attempted to take captive my thoughts. I attempted to flip the negative to a positive and focus on the good... on the true, honest, right, pure, lovely, praiseworthy, virtuous, and of good report.
Some days it was easier than others.
Some days it was like the Heavens opened and sunshine and happiness reigned.
And other days, I was faced with difficult people and difficult situations who, as Lysa TerKeurst would say, wanted to "bump my happy."
Somedays, I let them....
But I'm slowly realizing that the only person I can change is me... Oh, hopefully I can change your outlook on things, too, by presenting a new outlook, but ultimately you have to make the decision to stop your own stinkin' thinkin'.
And somedays, on those really difficult days, I'm not even able to really change myself.. it takes Jesus.
As Wallace quotes to his students a lot, I need Jesus. Every day. All day long. On the good days, and especially on the bad days.
This habit thing is hard. It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks, right? And it's easy to slip back into the complaining... if I'm not intentional.
So maybe this 31 day challenge is over, but I can't let it be the end.
I have to keep pursuing. Keep learning. Keep seeking God, and staying in His Word.
Today, I'm thanking God for new beginnings, for His guidance, for His correction. I'm also thanking Him for The Nester who came up with this challenge, for the fabulous facebook community of 31 dayers who have encouraged me and taught me through their words. I'm thankful that I can write, that I am a writer, and I'm thankful for small steps toward the next big thing... even if I don't know what that looks like.
Because He is Philippians 4:8. He is the Word made flesh, and HisSpirit now resides in me. Through Him, all things are possible,a nd I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...
Because I know what is true. I know what is right. I know what is pure and lovely and praiseworthy.
And even on days when I doubt it, it doesn't change.
He doesn't change.
Go forth, fellow 31 dayers... and change the world.. one word at a time.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Think on Jesus
Yesterday as I wrote I pondered how I would bring this series to a close. Some of my fellow #write31 dayers have been planning and writing in advance, so they knew exactly what they'd be writing about. I've been taking it day by day, though, and trusting God that He'd know what I needed to write about. (And let's just face it. I'm not that good at planning... well, I'm sometimes good at planning.... just not that good at following through).
And it's been good. Thinking on Philippians 4:8 has made me more aware of my thought process. It's made me keep my eyes open to what is true, and honest, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.
I'm still not there... but life is a process.
I finished up yesterday with the last word of the verse, things, and thought to myself... two days to go. How am I going to expand on this? What can I say to bring it all together?
Well, God...
As I sat in Bible study last night, listening to the teachings about Jesus, I got overwhelmed. I mean, He's Jesus. How can you describe Him? I've been working through Matthew this last week, and also reading about The Family of Jesus, and it amazes me how everything comes together. As we flipped from Old to New Testament and I thought about all that Jesus has done, I got overwhelmed.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, and the Word was with God... In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth... spoke them into existence.
In the beginning... The Alpha, as in Jesus. The Alpha.
We were told to turn to Revelations and there is was. I got teary eyed because while I'm not a Biblical scholar, I'm learning these words and what they mean and they mean so much now that I'm thinking on them.
"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war."- Revelations 19:11
He that sat upon him was called faithful and true... and in righteousness.
He... was called... True... from the Greek, alēthinos- that which has not only the name and resemblance, but the real nature corresponding to the name, in every respect corresponding to the idea signified by the name, real, true genuine. Derived from alēthēs, also found in Philippians 4:8... whatsoever is true.
... and in righteousness.... dikaiosynē, meaning in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God, derived from dikaios, the same word used to describe His earthly father, Joseph.... the same word that is found in Philippians 4:8.
Yes, thinking on these things... think on Jesus.
And it's been good. Thinking on Philippians 4:8 has made me more aware of my thought process. It's made me keep my eyes open to what is true, and honest, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.
I'm still not there... but life is a process.
I finished up yesterday with the last word of the verse, things, and thought to myself... two days to go. How am I going to expand on this? What can I say to bring it all together?
Well, God...
As I sat in Bible study last night, listening to the teachings about Jesus, I got overwhelmed. I mean, He's Jesus. How can you describe Him? I've been working through Matthew this last week, and also reading about The Family of Jesus, and it amazes me how everything comes together. As we flipped from Old to New Testament and I thought about all that Jesus has done, I got overwhelmed.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, and the Word was with God... In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth... spoke them into existence.
In the beginning... The Alpha, as in Jesus. The Alpha.
We were told to turn to Revelations and there is was. I got teary eyed because while I'm not a Biblical scholar, I'm learning these words and what they mean and they mean so much now that I'm thinking on them.
"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war."- Revelations 19:11
He that sat upon him was called faithful and true... and in righteousness.
He... was called... True... from the Greek, alēthinos- that which has not only the name and resemblance, but the real nature corresponding to the name, in every respect corresponding to the idea signified by the name, real, true genuine. Derived from alēthēs, also found in Philippians 4:8... whatsoever is true.
... and in righteousness.... dikaiosynē, meaning in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God, derived from dikaios, the same word used to describe His earthly father, Joseph.... the same word that is found in Philippians 4:8.
Yes, thinking on these things... think on Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
He is true. He is honest. He is just. He is that pure and spotless lamb who takes away the sins of the world. Though He was not lovely to look at, He is full of the greatest love that we could ever imagine. He is that good report.... the gospel, the good news. He is virtuous.
And, oh, He is praiseworthy.
"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.:- Philippians 2:8-11
He is Lord. He is worthy. He is our soon Returning King.
He is the Omega... the End.
Think on Him.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Think on the Light
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
So, 29 days later and I'm at the end of the verse. I'm not sure how I managed to stretch it out this whole month, but God is good and He's given me what I needed. I know that He knows what I need before even I do.
It's easy to think on these things when life is going great. It's easy to count your blessings when the sun is shining and life is good. It's easy for me to be full of grace when it's just me, at home, alone (although to be honest, sometimes I don't even like me. Have you ever been in one of those moods? I hope I'm not alone...)
But we can't just sit at home. As much as I'd love to pull that electric blanket over my head and be oblivious, I can't.
Because we were called.
Called for a purpose.
And that purpose doesn't include hibernating and reading good books. (Although wouldn't that be grand?)
But no, we were called to be in this world.
And this world has troubles... we've already established that.
But we have the promise of His glorious light to go with us.
I'm thinking of light and darkness today as the seasons are changing and the time change coming up this weekend. I have often thought that I have seasonal affective disorder, because I don't do well in the wintertime. But He said He was the light, and those who walk in Him would not have darkness, but the light of life.
He also said that I am the light of the world... meaning that because He is in me, His light should radiate to others.
If I'm not thinking on those Philippians 4:8 things, I can get bogged down by the yuckiness of this world. I can start focusing on the darkness, and not allowing His light to shine through.
Think on these things. Light overcomes darkness. Goodness wins in the end. And I was called out of darkness into His glorious light... to be true. Honest. Just. Pure. Lovely. Of good report.
And in this, His grace is sufficient. Linking up with
holleygerth.com.
So, 29 days later and I'm at the end of the verse. I'm not sure how I managed to stretch it out this whole month, but God is good and He's given me what I needed. I know that He knows what I need before even I do.
It's easy to think on these things when life is going great. It's easy to count your blessings when the sun is shining and life is good. It's easy for me to be full of grace when it's just me, at home, alone (although to be honest, sometimes I don't even like me. Have you ever been in one of those moods? I hope I'm not alone...)
But we can't just sit at home. As much as I'd love to pull that electric blanket over my head and be oblivious, I can't.
Because we were called.
Called for a purpose.
And that purpose doesn't include hibernating and reading good books. (Although wouldn't that be grand?)
But no, we were called to be in this world.
And this world has troubles... we've already established that.
But we have the promise of His glorious light to go with us.
I'm thinking of light and darkness today as the seasons are changing and the time change coming up this weekend. I have often thought that I have seasonal affective disorder, because I don't do well in the wintertime. But He said He was the light, and those who walk in Him would not have darkness, but the light of life.
He also said that I am the light of the world... meaning that because He is in me, His light should radiate to others.
If I'm not thinking on those Philippians 4:8 things, I can get bogged down by the yuckiness of this world. I can start focusing on the darkness, and not allowing His light to shine through.
Think on these things. Light overcomes darkness. Goodness wins in the end. And I was called out of darkness into His glorious light... to be true. Honest. Just. Pure. Lovely. Of good report.
And in this, His grace is sufficient. Linking up with
holleygerth.com.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Think about That- I Reckon
I'm from Eastern Kentucky, and we pretty much speak our own language.
We also speak this language with a southern drawl, at least I do. As I've gotten older, one of my favorite words is y'all. And I'm not even a people person...
I say ain't and use grammar incorrectly. I really wasn't that bad until I became a nurse. You can laugh if you want to, but throughout middle school and high school I loved to write, and my English teachers did not prescribe to Eastern Kentucky slang.
Nursing, though... first, we don't write in complete sentences. There is never a subject in charting, because it is assumed you're talking about the patient about whom you're charting, because otherwise, what relevance would it have? Secondly, we're taught to communicate with our patients in ways which they understand.
When I went to work in a nursing home, I took this literally. Even though I once got called down for my naturally loud voice ("Honey, I may be old, but I am not deaf. You don't have to scream at me." Um... sorry... that's just how I talk to everyone.), I adopted the mannerisms of speech that many of the patients had... and I don't mean that stereotypically.
I just started using ain't. And reckon. And bless your heart... a lot. I say that a lot. It's a Southern thing... and Kentucky is close enough.
Philippians 4:8 tells us to "think on these things."
As I mentioned yesterday, think means to consciously put your mind to something. It comes from the Greek, logizomai, which means "to take into account, to consider, to meditate on... and also to reckon."
Yes, you read that right. To reckon. One of those Eastern Kentucky words that slipped into my vocabulary so easily.
As In, "Reckon it will rain tomorrow?"
You think? And then the response, usually translated as an affirmative. Something that you know will happen.. unless you say, "I reckon not."
Generally speaking, though, when I say reckon, it means that I'm assuming it will happen. What I'm thinking about is, indeed, likely to happen or is true.
So we are to "reckon on these things..." Take into account whatsoever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable. Consider them as being absolute. When you see the negative in the situation, believe that these things are there, anyway... because you reckon on them.
I have always grinned when I read a verse Paul wrote, not because it is a light subject matter, but because it sounds like something someone from here at home would say. (And I recognize that he didn't actually say reckon... but I can just imagine it coming out that way. Perhaps with a Southern drawl, for full effect...)
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18
Y'all. Bless our hearts. I reckon that the troubles we are going through this very minute are nothing. Nothing! Compared to the glory we have coming in us!
Reckon... the same word used for think in Philippians 4:8.
Reckon- I don't just think. I know. I know that in all of this world's trouble, there is good. There is truth, and honesty, and righteousness, and pureness, and loveliness. I know there are things of good report and things that are virtuous and praiseworthy. I know that in this world, I'll have trouble, but Jesus has overcome, and that is truth and right. And I know that the glory that will be revealed... it will be worth it all.
Just think about that.
We also speak this language with a southern drawl, at least I do. As I've gotten older, one of my favorite words is y'all. And I'm not even a people person...
I say ain't and use grammar incorrectly. I really wasn't that bad until I became a nurse. You can laugh if you want to, but throughout middle school and high school I loved to write, and my English teachers did not prescribe to Eastern Kentucky slang.
Nursing, though... first, we don't write in complete sentences. There is never a subject in charting, because it is assumed you're talking about the patient about whom you're charting, because otherwise, what relevance would it have? Secondly, we're taught to communicate with our patients in ways which they understand.
When I went to work in a nursing home, I took this literally. Even though I once got called down for my naturally loud voice ("Honey, I may be old, but I am not deaf. You don't have to scream at me." Um... sorry... that's just how I talk to everyone.), I adopted the mannerisms of speech that many of the patients had... and I don't mean that stereotypically.
I just started using ain't. And reckon. And bless your heart... a lot. I say that a lot. It's a Southern thing... and Kentucky is close enough.
Philippians 4:8 tells us to "think on these things."
As I mentioned yesterday, think means to consciously put your mind to something. It comes from the Greek, logizomai, which means "to take into account, to consider, to meditate on... and also to reckon."
Yes, you read that right. To reckon. One of those Eastern Kentucky words that slipped into my vocabulary so easily.
As In, "Reckon it will rain tomorrow?"
You think? And then the response, usually translated as an affirmative. Something that you know will happen.. unless you say, "I reckon not."
Generally speaking, though, when I say reckon, it means that I'm assuming it will happen. What I'm thinking about is, indeed, likely to happen or is true.
So we are to "reckon on these things..." Take into account whatsoever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable. Consider them as being absolute. When you see the negative in the situation, believe that these things are there, anyway... because you reckon on them.
I have always grinned when I read a verse Paul wrote, not because it is a light subject matter, but because it sounds like something someone from here at home would say. (And I recognize that he didn't actually say reckon... but I can just imagine it coming out that way. Perhaps with a Southern drawl, for full effect...)
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18
Y'all. Bless our hearts. I reckon that the troubles we are going through this very minute are nothing. Nothing! Compared to the glory we have coming in us!
Reckon... the same word used for think in Philippians 4:8.
Reckon- I don't just think. I know. I know that in all of this world's trouble, there is good. There is truth, and honesty, and righteousness, and pureness, and loveliness. I know there are things of good report and things that are virtuous and praiseworthy. I know that in this world, I'll have trouble, but Jesus has overcome, and that is truth and right. And I know that the glory that will be revealed... it will be worth it all.
Just think about that.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Take it Captive
"Think on these things..."
Think... to have a conscious mind. To employ one's mind rationally. To consider something as a possible choice. To call to mind something.
Thinking is an action.
It's very definition is conscious... rational... considerate... deliberate.
Yet so often my mind doesn't seem to be conscious.
Conscious... as in "fully aware". "Aware of one's surroundings."
The mind is funny in that...
Thinking is conscious, but often it means that as I am thinking, I am unaware, or at least not fully aware.
As I'm thinking of what my happen tomorrow, I'm not appreciating the today.
As I'm thinking of that stupid thing I said yesterday or how I lost my temper ten minutes ago, thinking of what a failure I am, and how Caleb is going to be that kid... you know the one... because of all of my failures...
I'm not enjoying the laughter today.
As I'm thinking of how much I'd rather be at the beach (and I really would... and I'm trying not to dwell on that)... I'm not appreciating the beauty outside of my window.
My mind goes a million different directions at once, and often it doesn't seem conscious or rational.
In fact, it is often very irrational. Things that would never happen in a million years become sure certainty.
"Think on these things..." Whatsoever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, of good report, full of virtue and praise.
Take the irrational, illogical, unconscious fears and seep them in truth, purity, and love.
Take every thought captive...
and consciously think on these things.
Because I am a child of the King. He holds my tomorrow. He has a future, a plan, and a purpose for me, and it was preordained before the foundation of the earth. He loves me with an everlasting love and no weapon formed against me can prosper because He is my strength and my salvation. He's working all things for the good and He's working me for the good because He's not finished with me yet... I'm a work in progress and He is faithful to keep His promises.
Breathe deep and accept these things... these promises... and think on them.
Finishing up the #write31days challenge on Philippians 4:8 this week.
Think... to have a conscious mind. To employ one's mind rationally. To consider something as a possible choice. To call to mind something.
Thinking is an action.
It's very definition is conscious... rational... considerate... deliberate.
Yet so often my mind doesn't seem to be conscious.
Conscious... as in "fully aware". "Aware of one's surroundings."
The mind is funny in that...
Thinking is conscious, but often it means that as I am thinking, I am unaware, or at least not fully aware.
As I'm thinking of what my happen tomorrow, I'm not appreciating the today.
As I'm thinking of that stupid thing I said yesterday or how I lost my temper ten minutes ago, thinking of what a failure I am, and how Caleb is going to be that kid... you know the one... because of all of my failures...
I'm not enjoying the laughter today.
As I'm thinking of how much I'd rather be at the beach (and I really would... and I'm trying not to dwell on that)... I'm not appreciating the beauty outside of my window.
My mind goes a million different directions at once, and often it doesn't seem conscious or rational.
In fact, it is often very irrational. Things that would never happen in a million years become sure certainty.
"Think on these things..." Whatsoever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, of good report, full of virtue and praise.
Take the irrational, illogical, unconscious fears and seep them in truth, purity, and love.
Take every thought captive...
and consciously think on these things.
Because I am a child of the King. He holds my tomorrow. He has a future, a plan, and a purpose for me, and it was preordained before the foundation of the earth. He loves me with an everlasting love and no weapon formed against me can prosper because He is my strength and my salvation. He's working all things for the good and He's working me for the good because He's not finished with me yet... I'm a work in progress and He is faithful to keep His promises.
Breathe deep and accept these things... these promises... and think on them.
Finishing up the #write31days challenge on Philippians 4:8 this week.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Sunday Thinking
"Think on these things..."
Sundays are for thinking.
For meditating on God's Word and for looking ahead to the coming week.
For reading and processing what you are reading.
For football and thinking of whether that play was the best play that should have been run... because we're all armchair quarterback and coaches.
For resting and soaking in His goodness and thinking of sunshine and happiness...
At least that's what my Sunday today is for. Hope you're feeling His goodness, too.
Wrapping up this month of Philippians 4:8 for the #write31days challenge. The rest of this month I'll be summing up what it means to think about things and remembering what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, praise and virtue...
But today, I'm just resting and thinking to a minimum.
And enjoying every minute of it!
Sundays are for thinking.
For meditating on God's Word and for looking ahead to the coming week.
For reading and processing what you are reading.
For football and thinking of whether that play was the best play that should have been run... because we're all armchair quarterback and coaches.
For resting and soaking in His goodness and thinking of sunshine and happiness...
At least that's what my Sunday today is for. Hope you're feeling His goodness, too.
Wrapping up this month of Philippians 4:8 for the #write31days challenge. The rest of this month I'll be summing up what it means to think about things and remembering what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, praise and virtue...
But today, I'm just resting and thinking to a minimum.
And enjoying every minute of it!
Saturday, October 25, 2014
There are No Words...
Today I watched a video session from Beth Moore's The Patriarchs. I'm on week 5... been slowly (and I do mean slowly) working through it.
Today's lesson was about Jacob and his vision at Bethel. Several times Beth mentioned being aware of God's presence. She cited the verse where Jacob said, "Surely God is here and I didn't even know it." (My paraphrase).
That got me thinking.
A lot of times I'm asking God for directions, asking God to show me Himself...
But I'm typing on my computer or scrolling down my newsfeed on my phone.
I go through life unaware a lot.
Beth then went on to talk about visiting the Grand Canyon. She said that she had seen lots of pictures, but they just don't do it justice.
I can vouch for that. This summer I got to visit when I attended a conference in Arizona. It was an all-day trip, but well worth it.
Standing on the edge of that Canyon, I can remember thinking how vast God is. I often think of that when I'm standing at the edge of the ocean.
At the Canyon, though, all the colors just contribute to the vastness. You just know it didn't happen. There has to be a master painter.
I think that when I see a sunset, as well, or view the oranges and reds on the hillside right now.
We are so very, very small.
And He is so awesome.
Sometimes, there are no words to praise Him. Sometimes, I just have to sit and gaze around me. No words, just something in my spirit. Sometimes I find myself tearing up at His greatness. I'm reminded of the verse in Isaiah where he says, "Woe is me, I am undone." I am undone... ruined... destroyed...
Because He is so great. And I am not.
Pondering on praise as I reflect on Philippians 4:8 for my #write31days challenge.
Today's lesson was about Jacob and his vision at Bethel. Several times Beth mentioned being aware of God's presence. She cited the verse where Jacob said, "Surely God is here and I didn't even know it." (My paraphrase).
That got me thinking.
A lot of times I'm asking God for directions, asking God to show me Himself...
But I'm typing on my computer or scrolling down my newsfeed on my phone.
I go through life unaware a lot.
Beth then went on to talk about visiting the Grand Canyon. She said that she had seen lots of pictures, but they just don't do it justice.
I can vouch for that. This summer I got to visit when I attended a conference in Arizona. It was an all-day trip, but well worth it.
Standing on the edge of that Canyon, I can remember thinking how vast God is. I often think of that when I'm standing at the edge of the ocean.
At the Canyon, though, all the colors just contribute to the vastness. You just know it didn't happen. There has to be a master painter.
I think that when I see a sunset, as well, or view the oranges and reds on the hillside right now.
We are so very, very small.
And He is so awesome.
Sometimes, there are no words to praise Him. Sometimes, I just have to sit and gaze around me. No words, just something in my spirit. Sometimes I find myself tearing up at His greatness. I'm reminded of the verse in Isaiah where he says, "Woe is me, I am undone." I am undone... ruined... destroyed...
Because He is so great. And I am not.
Pondering on praise as I reflect on Philippians 4:8 for my #write31days challenge.
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