I was beating myself up over negative thinking today. Kind of an ironic statement, isn't it? "Why are you always so negative, you loser?" But in our search for our true hearts, there comes a time when we have to confront what some have called "Stinkin' Thinkin' " - our natural ability to be our own worst critic, our harshest enemy.
You know the old saying "Some people see the glass half-full and some people see the glass half-empty"? Well, if left to my own devices, I'm a classic half-empty. Everything is doomed from the start. The brightest cloud in the sky has a moldy lining. Just like Winnie the Pooh's Eeyore - the pessimist. Why bother? It's all going to go wrong anyway. What makes me so tense every time I go into the exam room with a patient that I think is going to return their hearing aids? Why do I automatically think the worst? It almost never happens that way. What makes me deflect every compliment I get? I don't do it because I'm trying to be humble; I do it because deep in my heart I don't feel like I DESERVE it. I didn't do anything special. I just didn't screw it all up. Yet. I might still mess it up. Why don't you leave now so you all won't be disappointed.
A negative spirit doesn't just spring up in a person out of nowhere. It's planted, like a seed, that grows into a future harvest that is reaped in our lives. Someone or something must do the initial planting. For some, it starts in school. Kids can be downright cruel. As an overweight kid in grade school, I can still remember Gabe DeSarbo writing "Go for it, fat butt" in my yearbook. Ha Ha, very funny. But the more a child is called 'fatso', 'four-eyes', 'retard', etc., it starts to stick. "Maybe they're right. I really am stupid. I am ugly and worthless". The bumper crop arrives.
It can also come from home. I can't stand going shopping much anymore. Stroll through Wal-Mart or a mall and you're likely to hear a mom or dad screaming at their kids - "Sit down! Shut up! I'm going to smack you if you don't behave!" Or worse, shooting f-bombs at them. For me, it was more what my mom didn't say that was hurtful. My mom rarely praised me for things I did; when she did give a kind word, I had to fish for it. "So mom, what did you think of my concert?" "Oh, good. It was...yeah, good." It never seemed very sincere.
I only learned one thing in my class on behavioral science in college: the more you tell a lie, the "truer" it becomes. In other words, people start to create their own reality to surround a statement that they hear over and over again. That's true with the words we hear or the words we use. We jump to conclusions about ourselves to make these lies become more like reality. That's just what the devil had in mind. We were created to bear God's image. Ever since the garden, satan has thrown every lie at us - condemnation, doubt, fear, etc. Our hearts, desperate for answers, took it all in and bought the package. It sure seemed true. We looked in the mirror and we saw failure, hopelessness, ugliness. But as Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 13, that mirror is dimly lit. We couldn't see the full picture of what God intended us to be. Paul also shows us in that passage that when Jesus comes with perfect love, we will see fully and know ourselves truthfully. Shadows pass away. The lies have to come forward into the light of God's truth. When we see the truth, it's often hard to believe. Some never really accept it. "I just can't believe God knows everything about me and loves me anyway. It's just impossible."
But that not living from the true heart. The true heart knows the depth of God's love and really knows it deep in "the knower". The true heart can wade through the swampland of evil thoughts and condemnation and deceptions and stand firm on God's promises, even in the roughest seasons. Paul commends us in 2Corinthians to take every thought captive and to make them obedient to Christ. In Ephesians he tells us not to give the devil a foot hold. We need to be much more alert to the propaganda that gets heaved at us every day. The more we defend our hearts, the easier it becomes to cast away the lies and live in God's reality.
We need to bathe ourselves in the Word to constantly be aware of what God thinks of us. And we need to let God speak His words for us deep into our souls. When we meditate on these things, and God sinks His life within us, we'll recognize the falsehoods much quicker and cast them off easier.
Sometimes, our patients have a tough time hearing their voice amplified with their hearing aids in. They have heard their voice through their hearing loss (a deception) for years. I tell patients to read out loud to themselves. A lot. Prolonged exposure to "the truth" allows the patient to accept it much easier. Eventually, the brain adjusts so that their "true voice" with hearing aids in will seem normal and their "false voice" without the aids seems strange, exactly the opposite of where they were when they started. God wants us to hear His voice so that the way the world sounds is wrong and the way He sounds is right. After all, it is. And it's what our hearts so desperately crave.
So with God's help, I'm becoming more "half-full". In God's economy, it's more "good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over". Full and over flowing - that sounds like the true heart to me.
3.29.2005
3.26.2005
Greetings, all!
Well, it's Easter weekend. Easter comes so early this year, it's kind of hard to get into the swing of things. Sunrise service when it's still below freezing? I remember a friend of mine invited me to a sunrise service when I was 11 or 12. It was very cold that morning, probably mid 20's. And you dress up for church on Easter, right? So there I am in my best polyester suit that doesn't fit quite right on the lawn of the church. Everyone else is in jeans and sneakers and winter parkas and hats and gloves. I was freezing my Deuteronomy off! I made it. The pancake breakfast after was a treat, too!
I wanted to clarify the picture a little as far as the content on the blog. Yes, the author is a committed born-again, fundementalist, evangelical, pentecostal, jump-around Jesus freak. And the title, "True Heart Times", as we've discussed, refers to living in all God made us to live in - being able to know and walk in the fruit of the Spirit and to somehow, incredibly, become who God designed us to be.
But that doesn't mean we won't have fun here. I laugh. A lot. I play golf and I love sports. Baseball, football, basketball - it doesn't matter. That's why ESPN is one of the links on the right side of the page. Music is a big time passion. I play drums and guitar. I'm always humming a tune or tapping a rhythm. I try to write songs but they're not that great. I was a part of writing my church's Christmas play this past year. I'm currently writing a monologue for Father's Day. I'm finding I love to travel! My wife and I went on a 7 day Caribbean cruise earlier this year. WOW! I'm going with a "band of brothers" to Colorado in two weeks (two weeks?!?) to the Wild at Heart Boot Camp. I drive by the airport whenever I get the chance, just to see what I can see - planes, people. I love my wife. I love my three beautiful girls. I love my job! Well, I'm glad I'm not a ditch digger, let's put it that way!
Living from your true heart in this context doesn't mean being a monk or a nun. People who love Jesus are everyday, normal people. Have you ever known the "Christian robot people"? They always look so perfect, hair always right in place. Clothes never wrinkled. They show up at all the church functions, smiling and laughing. When you talk to them, there is no 'regular conversation'. It's just an eerie sort of "Ha Ha! How are you, praise God? Hallelujah! God is on the move, amen?" You walk away either thinking, "Wow, they've got it all together". Or what I think - "Wow, I wonder how long can they keep that up?"
We just get this image that Christians wouldn't do certain things, as if Moses handed down a new list of "Thou shalt nots". Thou shalt not enjoy a day at the stadium watching baseball. Thou shalt not go to a sports bar after work if the guys invite you. Thou shalt not miss church on a Sunday, even if it means not playing golf with a neighbor who really could use your love, not your religion. The list goes on and on. Basically, this is anything that would make you say, "Oh, I couldn't do ____________. Christians don't do that. What would people think?" I don't know. Maybe that you have a pulse? Obviously, I'm not advocating blatant sin. Thou shalt not go to the adult bookstore and rent porn. I quote the Fonz, "Correct-a-mundo!" But there are tons of things Christians never try for fear of being struck by lightning for being 'unholy'. When in reality, God is the one who's begging you to do that stuff. It's the devil who's telling you to stay away. Because by doing what you have a passion for, you'll draw closer to God. And that's the last thing your enemy wants.
Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go
do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
What makes you come alive? Sometimes it isn't religious stuff, is it? Fishing, painting, long walks in the woods, building things, computers, that six foot putt on the last hole to win a five dollar bet with your best friend? All of these things are good! If you have a desire to do any of them, that's not just your "list of hobbies". God put it there! It's part of what makes you, well, YOU! Tapping into the things you love allows God another avenue to speak to your heart. To make you come alive. To live an abundant life here and now. Not just abundant with church meetings and Bible studies, as important (and boring) as they can be. But abundant with joy, peace, excitement. Do you consider your life exciting? You can't wait for the alarm to ring so you can get out of bed and start TODAY? Most people dread the day so much, they wish it were over before it begins. You sing "Sixteen Tons" as you march of to the 'coal mine' every day. Tuesday April 7 is exactly the same as Friday September 25. I'm being lulled to sleep by the drone just thinking about it. And I'm talking CHRISTIANS here! Why? What are we missing? Where's the abundant life!
I hope through this blog that we can explore it together. Not that I've got it all figured out. But about a year ago, I found myself hating my life. I was hog-tied to the American dream with no hope of survival. It was going to eat me alive. Then I figured out that my work was sucking out all my energy, my passion, my LIFE! Contrary to what some may advise, I didn't quit my job (My wife thanks me for that). But I did quit putting it in first place. I stopped thinking about it at home. I told my boss, "This place is my job. It's not my life. I won't let it be." I started writing. Spent more time with my hyper girls. Started taking my dog for longer walks. Bought books and read.
Life is short. If you don't slow down, you might miss it. -- Ferris Beuller
Don't miss it. Figure out what makes you come alive, then go do it. And don't be ashamed. Remember, God put it there. He wants you to live! Get to it!
As always, your comments are welcome. I hope to hear from many of you soon.
Well, it's Easter weekend. Easter comes so early this year, it's kind of hard to get into the swing of things. Sunrise service when it's still below freezing? I remember a friend of mine invited me to a sunrise service when I was 11 or 12. It was very cold that morning, probably mid 20's. And you dress up for church on Easter, right? So there I am in my best polyester suit that doesn't fit quite right on the lawn of the church. Everyone else is in jeans and sneakers and winter parkas and hats and gloves. I was freezing my Deuteronomy off! I made it. The pancake breakfast after was a treat, too!
I wanted to clarify the picture a little as far as the content on the blog. Yes, the author is a committed born-again, fundementalist, evangelical, pentecostal, jump-around Jesus freak. And the title, "True Heart Times", as we've discussed, refers to living in all God made us to live in - being able to know and walk in the fruit of the Spirit and to somehow, incredibly, become who God designed us to be.
But that doesn't mean we won't have fun here. I laugh. A lot. I play golf and I love sports. Baseball, football, basketball - it doesn't matter. That's why ESPN is one of the links on the right side of the page. Music is a big time passion. I play drums and guitar. I'm always humming a tune or tapping a rhythm. I try to write songs but they're not that great. I was a part of writing my church's Christmas play this past year. I'm currently writing a monologue for Father's Day. I'm finding I love to travel! My wife and I went on a 7 day Caribbean cruise earlier this year. WOW! I'm going with a "band of brothers" to Colorado in two weeks (two weeks?!?) to the Wild at Heart Boot Camp. I drive by the airport whenever I get the chance, just to see what I can see - planes, people. I love my wife. I love my three beautiful girls. I love my job! Well, I'm glad I'm not a ditch digger, let's put it that way!
Living from your true heart in this context doesn't mean being a monk or a nun. People who love Jesus are everyday, normal people. Have you ever known the "Christian robot people"? They always look so perfect, hair always right in place. Clothes never wrinkled. They show up at all the church functions, smiling and laughing. When you talk to them, there is no 'regular conversation'. It's just an eerie sort of "Ha Ha! How are you, praise God? Hallelujah! God is on the move, amen?" You walk away either thinking, "Wow, they've got it all together". Or what I think - "Wow, I wonder how long can they keep that up?"
We just get this image that Christians wouldn't do certain things, as if Moses handed down a new list of "Thou shalt nots". Thou shalt not enjoy a day at the stadium watching baseball. Thou shalt not go to a sports bar after work if the guys invite you. Thou shalt not miss church on a Sunday, even if it means not playing golf with a neighbor who really could use your love, not your religion. The list goes on and on. Basically, this is anything that would make you say, "Oh, I couldn't do ____________. Christians don't do that. What would people think?" I don't know. Maybe that you have a pulse? Obviously, I'm not advocating blatant sin. Thou shalt not go to the adult bookstore and rent porn. I quote the Fonz, "Correct-a-mundo!" But there are tons of things Christians never try for fear of being struck by lightning for being 'unholy'. When in reality, God is the one who's begging you to do that stuff. It's the devil who's telling you to stay away. Because by doing what you have a passion for, you'll draw closer to God. And that's the last thing your enemy wants.
Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go
do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
What makes you come alive? Sometimes it isn't religious stuff, is it? Fishing, painting, long walks in the woods, building things, computers, that six foot putt on the last hole to win a five dollar bet with your best friend? All of these things are good! If you have a desire to do any of them, that's not just your "list of hobbies". God put it there! It's part of what makes you, well, YOU! Tapping into the things you love allows God another avenue to speak to your heart. To make you come alive. To live an abundant life here and now. Not just abundant with church meetings and Bible studies, as important (and boring) as they can be. But abundant with joy, peace, excitement. Do you consider your life exciting? You can't wait for the alarm to ring so you can get out of bed and start TODAY? Most people dread the day so much, they wish it were over before it begins. You sing "Sixteen Tons" as you march of to the 'coal mine' every day. Tuesday April 7 is exactly the same as Friday September 25. I'm being lulled to sleep by the drone just thinking about it. And I'm talking CHRISTIANS here! Why? What are we missing? Where's the abundant life!
I hope through this blog that we can explore it together. Not that I've got it all figured out. But about a year ago, I found myself hating my life. I was hog-tied to the American dream with no hope of survival. It was going to eat me alive. Then I figured out that my work was sucking out all my energy, my passion, my LIFE! Contrary to what some may advise, I didn't quit my job (My wife thanks me for that). But I did quit putting it in first place. I stopped thinking about it at home. I told my boss, "This place is my job. It's not my life. I won't let it be." I started writing. Spent more time with my hyper girls. Started taking my dog for longer walks. Bought books and read.
Life is short. If you don't slow down, you might miss it. -- Ferris Beuller
Don't miss it. Figure out what makes you come alive, then go do it. And don't be ashamed. Remember, God put it there. He wants you to live! Get to it!
As always, your comments are welcome. I hope to hear from many of you soon.
3.25.2005
This blog has been around for under 24 hours and I've gotten lots of great comments already! I guess I underestimated the reach of these things! To Wez - we've talked about podcasting before. I plan on posting mp3's from time to time (like a "song of the week/month" thing) and maybe I'll do some audio commentaries along with the written posts. I've wandered by your site before. Very cool!
Anyhow, here is my formal introduction for those who may stumble across this little outpost of supposed brilliance on the web. The title is "True Heart Times". What the stink does that mean? For those unfamiliar (and there won't be too many of those if I have my way with this), the idea of living from your true heart comes from my all-time favorite author, John Eldredge. The story, in brief, is this:
Let's say you buy into the literal story of Creation as found in the Bible. Adam and Eve were created by a passionate God who wanted nothing more than our fellowship and to love us. A snake, an apple - next thing you know we're into all those Sunday school lessons about a boat and a ram in the thicket, etc. But what did our first parents leave behind besides the garden? Their true identity! The way God originally made them to be. Everything else from there on out was inspired by a lie. And down through time it goes - we're all broken, damaged goods. Until the Son of God came...
The "last Adam" has given us the ability to re-discover Adam's true heart within us and, thereby, reconnect with the heart God planned on having in us from day one. It's living with passion. Living without fear that someone is going to expose you as a "fake". Understanding that God is amazingly on your side and nothing else really matters. Living in God's truth for us instead of letting the world "squeeze us into it's mold". The true heart. The only way to live.
As an example, let's talk about what everyone is talking about. The majority of people I've heard from (mostly those not in touch with their true heart) are not talking about how Terry Schiavo should be allowed to LIVE to her full capacity. We consistently talk about how she should DIE at her earliest opportunity. We cloak starvation and dehydration in terms of compassion and humane treatment. Oh, yes - removing the tube that keeps her alive, allowing the toxins to pile up inside her so that she literally is swallowed up by her own
waste. Humane? I'd go to jail if I tried that on my dog.
It's a death culture. Spurred on by Satan himself, who is whispering in the itching ears of all those who themselves would check out of here if given the first opportunity. There's nothing here for you anyway. You're just an accident. You live, you work, you die. Why not check out? It's not like you're going to miss anything important! Abortion. Physician assisted suicide. Now this.
To me, the true heart here says life is precious. God created Terry, though I don't know her relationship with God at this point. He knew the uproar this would cause before she was formed in her mother's womb. WWJD? Walk up to her bedside, lay His hand on her head, say "Arise!", and next week she's booked on Oprah, in her right mind. Will that happen? Stay tuned. Remember, we are at war against spiritual forces in this world that want to take us all out. The threshold of death is the last portal.
The true heart also says that we should forgive those who "don't know what they are doing" in wanting to harm Terry. Just because someone doesn't appreciate life as you or I may doesn't mean their "stupid". Unenlightened? Perhaps. Demon-possessed? As much as I was before Jesus set me free. Remember what you were before you were saved? I do. A confused, unintelligible mess! How else can you make some of these arguments, much less believe them and defend them!
I feel this is a tremendous opportunity to discuss issues pertaining to life in a context everyone can relate to. How many people have YOU talked about this case with? Do you get caught up in the raw emotion? The media bias? The legal wrangling? Don't. Get caught up by Jesus' heart for you, one He loves dearly. If you try to persuade by brilliant words, you do no better than they do. Let those who insist on ending A life see THE life in you. Then, when they realize just how deep, true, and amazing life here can truly be, they'll realize how foolish wanting to check out really is.
What do you think? E-mail a comment and let me know.
Coming soon - my trip to the Wild at Heart Boot Camp in Colorado. Pictures and everything. It'll be just like being there...except for the altitude sickness.
Anyhow, here is my formal introduction for those who may stumble across this little outpost of supposed brilliance on the web. The title is "True Heart Times". What the stink does that mean? For those unfamiliar (and there won't be too many of those if I have my way with this), the idea of living from your true heart comes from my all-time favorite author, John Eldredge. The story, in brief, is this:
Let's say you buy into the literal story of Creation as found in the Bible. Adam and Eve were created by a passionate God who wanted nothing more than our fellowship and to love us. A snake, an apple - next thing you know we're into all those Sunday school lessons about a boat and a ram in the thicket, etc. But what did our first parents leave behind besides the garden? Their true identity! The way God originally made them to be. Everything else from there on out was inspired by a lie. And down through time it goes - we're all broken, damaged goods. Until the Son of God came...
The "last Adam" has given us the ability to re-discover Adam's true heart within us and, thereby, reconnect with the heart God planned on having in us from day one. It's living with passion. Living without fear that someone is going to expose you as a "fake". Understanding that God is amazingly on your side and nothing else really matters. Living in God's truth for us instead of letting the world "squeeze us into it's mold". The true heart. The only way to live.
As an example, let's talk about what everyone is talking about. The majority of people I've heard from (mostly those not in touch with their true heart) are not talking about how Terry Schiavo should be allowed to LIVE to her full capacity. We consistently talk about how she should DIE at her earliest opportunity. We cloak starvation and dehydration in terms of compassion and humane treatment. Oh, yes - removing the tube that keeps her alive, allowing the toxins to pile up inside her so that she literally is swallowed up by her own
waste. Humane? I'd go to jail if I tried that on my dog.
It's a death culture. Spurred on by Satan himself, who is whispering in the itching ears of all those who themselves would check out of here if given the first opportunity. There's nothing here for you anyway. You're just an accident. You live, you work, you die. Why not check out? It's not like you're going to miss anything important! Abortion. Physician assisted suicide. Now this.
To me, the true heart here says life is precious. God created Terry, though I don't know her relationship with God at this point. He knew the uproar this would cause before she was formed in her mother's womb. WWJD? Walk up to her bedside, lay His hand on her head, say "Arise!", and next week she's booked on Oprah, in her right mind. Will that happen? Stay tuned. Remember, we are at war against spiritual forces in this world that want to take us all out. The threshold of death is the last portal.
The true heart also says that we should forgive those who "don't know what they are doing" in wanting to harm Terry. Just because someone doesn't appreciate life as you or I may doesn't mean their "stupid". Unenlightened? Perhaps. Demon-possessed? As much as I was before Jesus set me free. Remember what you were before you were saved? I do. A confused, unintelligible mess! How else can you make some of these arguments, much less believe them and defend them!
I feel this is a tremendous opportunity to discuss issues pertaining to life in a context everyone can relate to. How many people have YOU talked about this case with? Do you get caught up in the raw emotion? The media bias? The legal wrangling? Don't. Get caught up by Jesus' heart for you, one He loves dearly. If you try to persuade by brilliant words, you do no better than they do. Let those who insist on ending A life see THE life in you. Then, when they realize just how deep, true, and amazing life here can truly be, they'll realize how foolish wanting to check out really is.
What do you think? E-mail a comment and let me know.
Coming soon - my trip to the Wild at Heart Boot Camp in Colorado. Pictures and everything. It'll be just like being there...except for the altitude sickness.
3.24.2005
3.23.2005
This is me, circa 2002. A lousy resolution picture of my big ol' head. Better pictures to come!
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