-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine --
http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
May 17, 2008
/--- Turn Today's Verse into a Poster ---------------------\
Create beautiful 18"x24" posters from any Bible verse!
You can add your own personal note, making them great for
gifts or awards. See the selection:
\--- http://ads.heartlight.org/email/50/
-----------------/
=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
Restored to Sanity, by Rubel Shelly
There is an old hymn that begins with this stanza:
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind;
In purer lives thy service find,
In deeper reverence praise.
The process called "redemption" or "salvation" in Holy Scripture is
about this very thing. We humans are messed up in the way we think. We
need God to remake our rational processes. Salvation is not fire
insurance for people worried about dying. It is healthy thinking for
people who want to live meaningfully.
There are so many conflicting and discordant sounds in our ears. Many
of them rationalize the stupidest things you can imagine.
* Taking what isn't yours.
* Having an affair.
* Spending irresponsibly.
* Spreading gossip.
* Sneaking a quick look at porn.
* Self-medication with street drugs.
* Justifying a foul temper.
Reflect the image of our God into the world.
* Slacking off at your job.
You can finish the list, can't you?
Lectures and scoldings won't break those negative patterns. Guilt and
self-hatred practically guarantee they will continue. Choices become
compulsions, compulsions become addictions, and addictions wind up
killing you.
Alcoholism is a paradigm illustration of how the process works. A
woman's choice becomes a compulsion and soon turns into an addiction.
That's why Alcoholics Anonymous speaks so freely of and urges
participants to pray about "sanity." It's the same thing biblical
language calls being set free, being renewed in our minds, or putting
off the old person.
At the start of any given day, it is not a bad idea to pray for a fresh
touch of God's grace to keep you sane for what lies ahead. Pray not to
live in the past, lick old wounds, or nurse grudges. Those things will
drive you crazy! Pray instead for the ability to focus on what is
positive, honorable, and upright. These things bring you peace! And ask
God to let you be authentically and truly human.
To be "authentically and truly human" is to be what God created you to
be. Reflect the image of our God into the world. Think sane thoughts
about your own worth and dignity. Treat others as you would like to be
treated. Be true to your commitments. Give your best to every task. And
spread some joy in your world.
Here is the way the apostle Paul said it long ago:
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 and
pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2 NLT).
---------
(c) 2008 Used by permission. From Rubel Shelly's "FAX of Life"
printed each Tuesday. See Faith Matters for previous issues of
the "FAX of Life."
RELATED LINKS:
* Is It Really Enough?
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200803/20080306_enough.html
* The Jesus Vibe: The Shear
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200708/20070820_theshear.html
* My Heart is Greater Than This
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200001/20000111_heart.html
* RubelShelly.com
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200805/20080517_sanity.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
VELVET ELVIS: REPAINTING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, by Rob Bell
In this provocative, hopeful book, Bell asks what the church might look
like if today's believers fully embraced "the way" of love, peace,
sharing possessions, compassion, risk, forgiveness, and harmony.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?254
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
HEARTLIGHT DAILY EMAIL /\/\
===============================================================\ /===
http://www.heartlight.org/
\/
Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles, plus music,
devotionals and more for your Christian walk!
ABOUT HEARTLIGHT:
Heartlight, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) religious non-profit organization.
Donations are welcome and tax-deductible! Find out how to help!
http://www.heartlight.org/support
EDITOR: Phil Ware, phil@heartlight.org
HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE?
It's FREE! To subscribe send a blank email to:
join-heartlight@maillists.heartlight.org
HOW DO I LEAVE?
To unsubscribe send a blank email to:
heartlight-unsub@maillists.heartlight.org
STILL HAVING TROUBLE?
If our automated unsubscribe system isn't working for you,
send an email to mailmaster@heartlight.org and let us know
what list you would like to leave. We'll take care of you.
======================================================================
