The "M" word: Mind

Mind: A word of many meanings and phrases. 

You can think you are losing your mind. Sometimes you do. "Mind your own business." You can change your mind. "Do you mind?" "No, I don't mind."  "What's on your mind?" "Mind your manners." Sometimes our mind stutters (affectionately coined as a brain fart). Some of us are said to have more intelligent minds or sharper minds. Often, our minds betray us.

A somewhat invisible trunk of collected and stored thoughts, memories, emotions, perceptions, dreams, imagination, and knowledge. Visible in our behavior and words, but no person can read our mind.

I like to think our mind is never fully complete. Are we not always thinking, learning, reflecting, or remembering?  


If we are Christians, then our minds are like the sign above. With God working to rebuild us from the inside out. God wants to renew our minds, remodel our beliefs, change our attitudes, alter our fleshly thinking so we are more like Him.   

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good, pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2 NLT

I don't know about you, but my mind is resistant to the above and I find it annoying. I know God's plan is always better than my own. I know the benefits of believing God, listening to God, allowing a renewing of self, but self is persuasive. 

It is said, "Until the pain of remaining the same is greater than the pain of change, people will always remain the same." -Anonymous

 Reconstruction is painful, a process for which I rarely volunteer for. 

I am always squirming because it is uncomfortable. Just like the phrase above says, change is more painful.

                --But, it is necessary if I am to ever possess peace, hope, and truth. Needed so I can serve the Father properly. 

Being made righteous is how I love my family better, have healthier relationships, serve the Lord, and fulfill the purposes God has planned for me.  It isn't about being perfect. It's more like a second chance. 

Thank you Lord, that I don't have to stay the same. For the grace and "made new" that you offer.

The "M" word: Meek

  I am challenging myself to 15 posts on "M" words. That is about half of a normal month. Wish me luck!

Here is my second "M" word: Meek

Meek isn't weakness. It isn't too submissive or spineless. But, we are told those lies. Especially men. 

Most people seem to look down on meekness.  

I always thought meekness meant a gentle, peaceful spirit. Somewhat true.

BUT...

The man of faith said, "Did you know that meek means to endure injury with patience and without resentment?" (Also found in Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary)

Nope. No I didn't. Whoa! Wait...I haven't done that much in my life. 

Most dictionaries (my own and online) I looked at referred to meek as a spirit without courage. Not strong. Not violent and too submissive.

Okay, being a doormat is no good. However, when did gentleness become negative? Couldn't our world use more gentle spirits?

When did being stoic during tragedy become the norm?  

  We are called to be meek. Humble per say. Not an easy task since pride is our greatest obstacle to those attributes. 

So what does it mean to endure injury with patience and without resentment if it means being no ones' doormat or if it means physical injury or disappointment?

                     

Meekness is when in her own pain, her own cancer, she reached out and stroked my head to comfort me after I lost my mom.

 It is understanding that accidents happen. Physical injuries occur. Seeing it as a chance to slow down. Being thankful that you are still alive. It is usually temporary and healing usually comes.

Knowing that when God doesn't answer a prayer the way you want, it doesn't mean He isn't listening or that He doesn't care.

To love and forgive someone when they injure your feelings by accident.  

It is a humble spirit with gentle action when cut-off in traffic, misunderstood, told bad news.

Meekness is the opposite of control, domination, manipulation and intimidation.

Meekness is not celebrated in this world. It isn't selfish. It isn't all about me.

Jesus was the greatest example of this for He endured the cross without retaliation or resentment. 

He was meek. He was meek for us!   

Let us pray to be more meek.

The "M" word: March

This month, I decided to focus on one thing. I am looking intensely, well, not that intensely at "m" words since March, you know, starts with the letter m. Did that sound like a Sesame Street lesson? Sorry.

So...my first word is March.

Bed and Breakfast cottage in Durango, Co. Taken in March where it was sunny, but everything is still dead. The house kind of looks like the letter M.

This gal wants to march right into spring. But, I am not in control of that.

Sometimes, I am so selfish and want others to march in my step. "March it, march it." Do it this way. In this timing, like this and now.  I give orders more than requests. I need to stop being a sergeant parent. Say it once, turn your back, walk away.

I think I would like to rock more than march.

Marching is so exhausting. Raise knees up. Not walking, but not really jogging. I'd rather ride my bike in circles than march.

I guess marching is really about order, organization and obedience. Unfortunately, I usually march to my own steps. I am not super organized,  not chaotic, but not properly labeled either. 

Somehow though, I need to march occasionally. Traverse deliberately to what needs to be done. To walk with intention when God says, "Do this." Otherwise, I am wandering aimlessly without direction. Like the flag blowing in my distant neighbor's yard, I would be flapping wildly all over the place. Stride with courage.

Luckily, God is not my drill sergeant, but He is my Lord, my Master. I need to carry out His orders not because He will make me do 100 push-ups, but because I am His servant. I was made by Him and for Him with specific purposes that He chose me to do.

He chose me.

 I was not made to traipse my path in a befuddled state.

So let us March on...

"And whatever you do,

whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Colossians 3:17

Notice the green text. ;)