Focus in 2010

Scoleris and Burwicks eating Idaho spuds in Orlando at Five Guys.

New Year’s resolutions are usually counter-productive. They often last through the first month and thereafter rapidly dwindle in effectiveness. Result? Guilt.

However, I’ve found that having a yearly focus is very productive.“What is God wanting to do in my life? What is my purpose in life at this stage?” These two questions seem to be posed to me by the Father for this new year.

Psalm 139:23-24 seems to be my verses for 2010, In the NLT is states: Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

The Message Bible has an interesting translation of the passage: Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about;
See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life.

Thus, with these two verses in the forefront of my mind, an abreviated rendition is my “mantra” for 2010: Father, search me, confront me and guide me along your path.

This I believe addresses my two questions: “What is God wanting to do in my life? What is my purpose in life at this stage?”

How about you? What are your thoughts to this game plan? Have you any new year proposals? Let me know at rburwick@mindspring.com.

Focus

The next ingredient to mental health: focus. Philippians 4,Verse 8: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Even in adversity, if we keep our focus on who God is as our Father and on His good gifts to us, His children, we are steady, secure, and stable. I believe Isaiah 43 pertains to us:
“But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression,you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
…. because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.”

It has been almost ten years now – when my first wife, Ann, left this world to enjoy, with her perfect pitch, the music of the angels. What a great time for her. What deep water, a river of difficulty, a fire of oppression for her children and me. The doctors said her death through brain aneurysm was painless for her. Not so for us.

One of the results of her death was the loneliness I experienced. That led me to an even deeper intimacy with God, because as I went through “the deep waters” He made Himself real to me in a way I had not experienced before. His presence during the night hours in that lonely Dayton, Tennessee house was palpable. He became “as a wife” to me. He then gave me a beautiful gift in Theresa, my current wife.

Focus was key. Spotlight what was lost. Live in the past. Or, as the grief process was being handled, begin to focus on how God was going to come through for me, as described in Matthew 7:11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

What is your focus?

Where is my focus

Circumstances can be debilitating. However, where is my focus?

I’m relearning a lesson I thought I had finished learning many times before. Allow me to let you peak into my “kitchen window” of recent time. I share this story not for your pity nor for your thinking highly of me – just want to share a victory that could be helpful to you in your circumstances.

Parkinson’s disease was really kicking up a few weeks ago – more stumbling, losing my balance, tightening throat and vocal cords, slower movements, memory loss, etc. I had increased the medication and no results.

I was bemoaning my plight to the Lord in my quiet time, when it seemed that He said to me, “Psalm 34, Ray.” That was one of the passages I have memorized so brought it back to recall.
I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

It seemed as if God was saying to me, “Ray, my son, you have a decision to make, either focus on your circumstances and be discouraged or think about all the blessings I have given you, rejoice in my love for you, trust and seek me and you will lack no good thing.”
Romans 12:2 reminds us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. I was transformed from a position of discouragement to one of peace and contentment because of the changed mindset. (It took about a day to work on the mindset switch.)

Romans 15:13 tells us, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

My hope is not the change of my circumstances but the hope focus is on God who wants to work in everything for my good, His glory and the good of others. (Romans 8:28-29) PRAISE THE LORD!
Are you in a circumstance that is overwhelming or debilitating? As you process the feelings, as you seek for remedy, is your focus on the pain or is it on the God who says “those who seek the Lord lack no good thing:”