The Journey Begins NOW...

The focus of a lot of ministers and Christian articles I've been reading recently are all focusing on the importance of renewing the mind. Romans 12:2 says "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." Growing up, the task of keeping my mind pure seemed to be a lot easier; I went to Christian schools from K-6th grade, always went to church on Sunday with my family, and I didn't watch or listen to many secular media. People now aday find that extreme, but it worked for me. I switched to public school when I was in the 7th grade and although I continued to go to church and my parents continued to monitor the things I watched and listened to, the scope of influences that I was exposed to broadened. Now, I'm not saying all of this to imply that public school corrupted me or that the people I met there were all heathen, that would be judgmental and a lie. But the fact of the matter is I was introduced to a lot of other cultures, religions, etc. that I had not previously been introduced to before.

I'd accepted Christ when I was 7 years old, and was baptized shortly after and as young child there really wasn't that much in terms of really bad, sinful things that I could get into. As I got older that changed, I'm jumping ahead a bit but as a teenager and then young adult I didn't always make the best choices. I did things that satisfied me temporarily and instantly, I stepped out of God's will for my life. By the time I hit 22 I was ready to really rededicate myself to God. That didn't mean that I completely quit all of the bad things I'd picked up but a huge portion of my change came from making a conscious effort to remove certain things from my "line of vision" or my immediate circle. I didn't catch everything but I'm still working on it. Take my music for example... I try not to listen to a lot of the music that plays now because its mostly about sex or is filled with profanity. I try and curb what I watch for the same reasons I can't fill my mind with sex, and profane language (especially if these are areas I have trouble overcoming) and then expect to not have an issue with it. Another area where I need to work on renewing my mind is in the area of gossiping and criticising people. I keep prayng for wisdom in handling some of my relationships where I can just as easily lash out and speak on things out of anger instead of in love and thats just not right or helpful...

So I have a ways to go but I'm thankful that I still have the ability, resources and desire to renew my mind.

2009 Change Experience- MY 21 day Challenge

Today I begin my 21 day Challenge with Creflo Dollar Ministries. I'm pretty excited about going through this process. For a while now I've realized that there are areas in my life where I haven't let God in and as a result these areas suffer. Whether it's my financial lack, stunted spiritual life, or maintaining relationships that I either don't need to be in, or just being an ineffective Christian witness in the relationships I am in. I know God has so much more in store for me and not walking in His will for my life just leaves me feeling empty. There are times when staying in MY comfort zone feels good. But when I think of all the things I could be experiencing if I just let God take over, my "good times" outside of His will just don't cut it.

What I pray to take away from this challenge is a closer relationship with God, a better understanding of who I am in Christ, what God's will is for me in the 3 areas addressed by the challenge and finally a path to improve those areas that I can diligently maintain.

As I go through the challenge I'll make sure to post my observations. Thanks in advance for your prayers.