Absolute truth about thoughts and reality
John 17:17 Sanctify them in your truth, Your Word is truth.
The veracity of God's Word completely blows me away at times. It seems like new studies in the Sciences provide more and more credence to what God has already said. As research has been made into Psychiatry, the understanding of neuro pathways has come right into line with Scripture. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a real treatment and involves choosing to think on other/better things, because your thoughts REALLY do affect you that much. Hmmmm? Hasn't Philippians 4:8-10 been saying that for a few thousand years? There are many spins on this truth out there. Ann Voskamp states that "the thoughts your mind thinks, become the house your heart lives in." Jon Courson has his version with "What I see is what I will become." Or my wise husband's take, which is, "Right thoughts lead to right actions." What we are thinking on, considering, allowing our mind to rest upon really DO matter. A lot.
Last night my husband and I had the opportunity to talk with a friend of a family member. This friend was only in town for a few days and we had never met him, but had heard such fun stories that we jumped at the opportunity to get time with him. This guy does some pretty fun work for the government and is currently being reviewed to receive the Medal of Honor for his bravery in a battle a few years back. It's not often that you get the opportunity to sit and talk with someone who is still alive after such courageous deeds. During our conversation we asked him about his life, his upbringing, and what he reads, and what books have made an impact on him. He happily answered our inquiries, and gave some insights that he has gained in raising his own kids, but we could tell that this guy's life and his bravery were impacted by the accounts and books he has chosen to make part of it.
My husband shared with him one of the most compelling illustrations I know of to understand the necessity of good and truth being put into your mind. Many of you know the Blackhawk Down incident that tells of the 1993 raid in Somolia and later painfully portrayed in a movie. When the Blackhawk helicopter was shot down over Mogadishu, another helicopter was circling monitoring the scene. In it were two Delta operators, Gary Gordon and Randy Stughart. They repelled down to protect the pilot, Michael Durant, who was still alive, knowing they didn't have enough ammo and that their chance of survival was limited. They still chose to go. Both were killed in the attack and both posthumously received the Medal of Honor. The pilot, Durant, was captured, treated poorly, but eventually repatriated. When Gary Gordon's home town decided to hold a service to honor their hero they invited Michael Durant, the man he died to save, to speak at the event.
When Durant arrived in Lincoln, Maine he had some time to consider his remarks and went to the local library to look at some books and found one on the Medal of Honor. As he turned to the back of the book he saw the old library loan card in the back envelope. Who was the last name on that card?
Gary Gordon.
Do you think that what Gary had been reading and pondering made an impact on his life?
Absolutely.
What we think on matters. It absolutely matters. What we put in front of our eyes and take in matters. What we listen to matters. It all matters. But for some reason we don't like to think that it does. We will accept this truth in other areas of life but for some reason we are either too lazy or tired to consider it for our minds. If you eat junk food and sit around for months without exercise you're not going to go compete in the Crossfit games. That's an obvious truth. Why then can't we accept it for our thought life? Yes, watching stupid, brain numbing shows listening to nonsense, sensual songs does affect your values and how you view and treat others. The trash that so many people fill their head with is appalling and saddening. It absolutely affects you and how you behave toward others.
So if we can accept that Gary Gordon's intake of books on valor and heroism mattered to him and his choices, then what keeps us from taking in THE BEST book on life transformation? God's Word is not something just to be opened in the morning an then not considered for another 24 hours. It is life-changing and when you begin to take it in and memorize it and chew on it you will ABSOLUTELY be changed. Your mind will be renewed and refreshed and you will begin to view things the way God does. Your definitions will become more and more in line with what the Bible says, and you will become more like Christ. Reading your Bible is not just good advice that your grandma gives you, it is life-altering. So, if you're struggling with sin, tired of fighting an issue, wondering why you can't change or why you don't even care to change, may I ask you how much of the Word you are taking in on a daily basis? How much of your thought life is given to it? When was the last time you memorized a verse or 5? God's Word is powerful and you cannot remain the same when you are in it.
What we put inside of our minds matters. Who knows? It might matter enough for the saving of lives. I'm sure that Michael Durant would say that Gary Gordon's choice was impacted by the truth he chose to take in.
Whom will you impact with your transformed mind and life?
The veracity of God's Word completely blows me away at times. It seems like new studies in the Sciences provide more and more credence to what God has already said. As research has been made into Psychiatry, the understanding of neuro pathways has come right into line with Scripture. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a real treatment and involves choosing to think on other/better things, because your thoughts REALLY do affect you that much. Hmmmm? Hasn't Philippians 4:8-10 been saying that for a few thousand years? There are many spins on this truth out there. Ann Voskamp states that "the thoughts your mind thinks, become the house your heart lives in." Jon Courson has his version with "What I see is what I will become." Or my wise husband's take, which is, "Right thoughts lead to right actions." What we are thinking on, considering, allowing our mind to rest upon really DO matter. A lot.
Last night my husband and I had the opportunity to talk with a friend of a family member. This friend was only in town for a few days and we had never met him, but had heard such fun stories that we jumped at the opportunity to get time with him. This guy does some pretty fun work for the government and is currently being reviewed to receive the Medal of Honor for his bravery in a battle a few years back. It's not often that you get the opportunity to sit and talk with someone who is still alive after such courageous deeds. During our conversation we asked him about his life, his upbringing, and what he reads, and what books have made an impact on him. He happily answered our inquiries, and gave some insights that he has gained in raising his own kids, but we could tell that this guy's life and his bravery were impacted by the accounts and books he has chosen to make part of it.
My husband shared with him one of the most compelling illustrations I know of to understand the necessity of good and truth being put into your mind. Many of you know the Blackhawk Down incident that tells of the 1993 raid in Somolia and later painfully portrayed in a movie. When the Blackhawk helicopter was shot down over Mogadishu, another helicopter was circling monitoring the scene. In it were two Delta operators, Gary Gordon and Randy Stughart. They repelled down to protect the pilot, Michael Durant, who was still alive, knowing they didn't have enough ammo and that their chance of survival was limited. They still chose to go. Both were killed in the attack and both posthumously received the Medal of Honor. The pilot, Durant, was captured, treated poorly, but eventually repatriated. When Gary Gordon's home town decided to hold a service to honor their hero they invited Michael Durant, the man he died to save, to speak at the event.
When Durant arrived in Lincoln, Maine he had some time to consider his remarks and went to the local library to look at some books and found one on the Medal of Honor. As he turned to the back of the book he saw the old library loan card in the back envelope. Who was the last name on that card?
Gary Gordon.
Do you think that what Gary had been reading and pondering made an impact on his life?
Absolutely.
What we think on matters. It absolutely matters. What we put in front of our eyes and take in matters. What we listen to matters. It all matters. But for some reason we don't like to think that it does. We will accept this truth in other areas of life but for some reason we are either too lazy or tired to consider it for our minds. If you eat junk food and sit around for months without exercise you're not going to go compete in the Crossfit games. That's an obvious truth. Why then can't we accept it for our thought life? Yes, watching stupid, brain numbing shows listening to nonsense, sensual songs does affect your values and how you view and treat others. The trash that so many people fill their head with is appalling and saddening. It absolutely affects you and how you behave toward others.
So if we can accept that Gary Gordon's intake of books on valor and heroism mattered to him and his choices, then what keeps us from taking in THE BEST book on life transformation? God's Word is not something just to be opened in the morning an then not considered for another 24 hours. It is life-changing and when you begin to take it in and memorize it and chew on it you will ABSOLUTELY be changed. Your mind will be renewed and refreshed and you will begin to view things the way God does. Your definitions will become more and more in line with what the Bible says, and you will become more like Christ. Reading your Bible is not just good advice that your grandma gives you, it is life-altering. So, if you're struggling with sin, tired of fighting an issue, wondering why you can't change or why you don't even care to change, may I ask you how much of the Word you are taking in on a daily basis? How much of your thought life is given to it? When was the last time you memorized a verse or 5? God's Word is powerful and you cannot remain the same when you are in it.
What we put inside of our minds matters. Who knows? It might matter enough for the saving of lives. I'm sure that Michael Durant would say that Gary Gordon's choice was impacted by the truth he chose to take in.
Whom will you impact with your transformed mind and life?