The mind if Christ

The Mind of Christ

Today's scripture overwhelms many people. If these were not the words of the Bible, they wouldn't believe it. As it is, most people shake their heads and ask, "How can this be?"

Paul was not saying we're perfect or that we'll never fail. He was telling us, as believers in Jesus, the Son of God, we are given the mind of Christ. That is, we can think spiritual thoughts because Christ is alive within us. We no longer think the way we once did. We begin to think as He did.

When we have the Holy Spirit living and active within us, the mind of Christ is action. The mind of Christ is given to us to direct us in the right way. If we have His mind, we will think positive thoughts. We will think about how blessed we are--how good God has been to us.

Jesus was positive, in spite of being lied about, lonely, misunderstood, and a multitude of other negative things. He was deserted by His disciples when He needed them most, yet He remained positive--always able to offer an uplifting, encouraging word. Just being in His presence would suggest that all fear, negative thoughts, and discouraging hopelessness would evaporate into thin air.

The mind of Christ in us is positive. So when we fall for the opportunity to be negative about something, we should instantly discern that we are not operating with the mind of Christ. God wants us to be lifted up. It's the enemy of our soul who wants us pressed down--depressed. We have many opportunities to think negative thoughts, but that's not the mind of Christ at work in us. We don't have to accept those thoughts. They are not ours!

Pray: Lord, I truly want to be aware of the mind of Christ in my life, and I want to be aware of it every minute of my waking day. Help me to open myself only to know Your will and to push away the old mindsets, the thinking that will lead me down the wrong path. I ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Suspicious of suspicion

In today's scripture, these words about love are familiar to most of us, but I can honestly say that living them has not always been easy for me. As a child, I was not exposed to this kind of love--in fact, I was taught to be suspicious of everyone. I was told that the motives of other people were not to be trusted.

While it is wise to be aware of people's motives, we must be careful that we don't allow our suspicious nature to negatively affect our feelings about everyone. An overly suspicious nature can poison your mind and affect your ability to love and accept other people. Consider this example.

Suppose a friend approaches you after a church service, and says, "Do you know what Doris thinks about you?" Then the friend tells you every detail of the things Doris said. The first problem is that a true friend wouldn't share such information. And the second problem is that with an already suspicious mind, you now believe secondhand information.

Suppose that one day in church, Doris is sitting just a few rows in front of you, praising the Lord. Immediately you think, "She's such a hypocrite."

Then the Holy Spirit directs your thoughts to your own condition, and the fact that you were praising the Lord while harboring bad feelings toward Doris. Didn't Jesus tell us to make peace with others before we present our gifts to Him? (See Matthew 5:24.)

Convicted by these words of Jesus, you apologize to Doris for the bad feelings you have toward her...and she stares at you in absolute shock. Then you realize your mistake. You misinterpreted the information your friend shared with you about Doris, allowing the devil to turn you against a wonderful, godly woman.

This is a good example of how suspicion can cripple relationships and destroy our joy while it leads us astray.

It took me a while to overcome a lifetime of suspicions, but I finally learned that when we love God's way, we have no place for suspicions of others.

Pray: Lord, I thank You for showing me how to overcome my suspicious nature by teaching me how to love others with Your kind of love. Thank You, Jesus, for being patient with me and for being my great example. Amen

I’ll never be enough.I will never be the right size,I will never wear the right clothes,My jewelry won’t be the right carat,I’ll never have the right fitness level,I will never have enough money,My family will never have the right image,I’ll never cook or bake as well as others, I won’t drive the right car,My hair style won’t be the right one I’ll never be the right Christian, I will never do enough to help the poor, That is, when I allow the world to evaluate me.You know what? I’m amazed at how easy it is to do just that. We willingly permit the world to assess us by asking it if we are “enough” all the time. And if and when we do attain their approval, it’s fleeting because the world changes its mind without notice.It’s a lose-lose situation. I was reading in John and he tells us that we shouldn’t want what the world has to offer because it’s not from God. It’s a dead-end street. And since we are refugees here on earth,since this is not our home, we need to rise above it. Literally.“For everything that is in the world – the desire for fleshly gratification, the desire for possessions, and worldly arrogance – is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world and its desires are fading away, but the person who does God’s will remains forever.” (1 John 2:16-17)When we desire the affections and approval of the world, we’ll never be enough. We’ll always fall short. And when we are rejected, we spiral down into condemnation and self-loathing.We begin to believe the lie that we will never measure up.But God tells us the exact opposite. He tells us we are accepted, significant and secure no matter…What we doWhat we wearHow we talkWhere we went to schoolWho we’re friends withHow much our paycheck isThe achievements of our kidsHe thinks we’re da’ bomb.There is nothing we can do to make Him love us more. Or less.We can’t win it. Or lose it.There is no way to earn it. Or buy it.We aren’t loved based on our performance. Or our lack thereof. Having a hard time believing it? I totally get that. It’s a glorious truth that is almost too good to be true… but it is true. And God confirms it in Romans 8:31-39. In a nutshell, the verse tells us that we are free from any condemnation brought against us and nothing has the ability to separate us from the love of God.
Sisters including myself! ,we need stop looking to the world for approval. We'll never get it.But God tells us we already and always have His! and trust me I know that it is alot easier said then done, but I know that if we continue to seek and pray that our hearts will assurely be changed! I know my heart has derfinitely been moved, maybe not 100%(YET) but I can feel his hands working :)
Hope this touches some of your hearts, Mele

Its a totally different thing to not like what you do, then to not like who you are. People who have been abused have been engraved and rooted with self guilt ,shame and whats wrong with me that i deserved these things.

When a persons pain or depression is very intense, they may become disconnected from their real self (known as a dissociative state) in order to protect themselves from their feelings. They feel so numb and lost that its as if they are floating above the rest of the world or becoming part of the furniture or drifting away entirely. The physical pain of self mutilation can snap them back into the real world.

Wish the people I knew now were able to know Mike. Makes me so sad that they didnt get to know the most important person in my life and who I was before he was taken from our lives. How do you make two worlds one? Still trying to find my place in this new life.I think it would be so much easier if they knew him and me as we were.idk..

Catching up, Year to date 2011

  Well its been a while since ive blogged. I find it hard sometimes to gather all my thoughts and have the time and words to bring it to paper aka my computer! So im just gonna do a quick recap with little detail just to be up to date !

   So far weve had new years, valentines day,Katelyn's 10th birthday,St.patricks day,Easter and Michaels 3yr Rip anniversary and everything else in between.

   Throughout that time Ive taken an amazing mini trip to big bear with Darren, it was absolutely beautiful and much needed at that time. R and R is always good for the soul.

    I have also went on an amazing hike with Darren, and my two older daughters; Katelyn and Maddie. We had went up to be with the lord on Good Friday. It was an amazing day!  

     During Spring break we also had time with my sister in law and the family. It is always such an amazing time when we all get together. We had spent a couple days with them at Disneyland and at my house one night. We all had so much fun with the kids and just enjoying and embrassing the quality family time.

    The girls also had their first father daughter dance, which was a special moment the girls decided to share with Darren.

     We attended a wedding of a dear friend of mine, it was absolutely beautiful and am so greatful I was able to share in the moment of such a special love those two have for one another, very beautiful to witness.

 

  This year also my oldest daughter turned 10! yes 10! I cannot believe how fast she has grown and how mature she is. I can still remember those days where she was barely walking reaching her arms out to me and saying mommy! and giving me those special death grip hugs. It all goes by way to fast! but I couldnt be more prouder to have such an amazing daughter,she has grown into a beautiful little girl (if I can still say little) I look foward to every moment in watching her grow into her own. 

 My sweet bestfriend found out the amazing news she IS pregnant! and is expecting a sweet baby boy! We are all so excited for them both.

EASTER 2011