Mental lImagry

It is back to speech therapy again. The ol’ stuttering has taken off to pergatory. So, Becky my therapist and I are currently working on mental imagry. Thought you might find some tidbits for yourself that could be helpful. So I share with you ….

Interviews with 1500 very successful executives reveals that they imagined themselves performing at a higher than normal level. It is believed that before a person can change, he must see himself in a new role. Arnold Lazarus in his book “In the Mind’s Eye,” says, ‘IF you wish to accomplish something in reality, first picture youself achieving it in imagination. There is an essential scientific fact that says, ‘ the human nervous system cannot tell the difference between an actual experience and an experience imagined vividly and in detail.

I believe the mental imagry concept can be backed up with Scripture, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Is that Proverbs 23:7?

So, just having a mindset of not stuttering is not going to work. I’ve tried it. This is virgin territory for me. But I think before each speaking opportunity, I must see myself as God sees me. (Not contaminated by fear or stuttering habit.) And I’m trying to conceptualize this succintly now on a 3 by 5 card to carry with me. I’d appreciate your prayers regarding this as I write in the next few days.

Spiritual Formation - Face Reality

Dallas Willard has a great book called Renovation of the Heart in which he speaks of denial as a hindrance to spiritual formation. "WE must see the soul and the person in its ruined condition, with its malformed and dysfunctional mind, feelings, body and social relations, before we can understand that it must be delivered and reformed and how that can be done.

"One of the greatest obstacles to effective spiritual formation in Christ today is simple failure to understand and acknowledge the reality of the human situation as it affects Christians and nonChristians alike. We must start from where we really are.

"Choice is where sin dwells. So frequntly sin is covered up. Though sexual sin is widely publicized it is far from being the only problem. The presence of vanity, egotism, hostility, fear, indifference and down right meanness can be counted on among professing Christians. Their opposites cannot be counted on or simply assumed in the standard Christian group; and the rare individual who exemplifies them – genuine purity and humility, death to selfishness, freedom from rage and depression, and so on – will stand out in the the group with all the obtrusiveness of a sore thumb. He or she will be a constant hindrance in group processes and will be personally conflicted by those processes, for he or she will not be living on the same terms as the others. "

As I coached basketball many years ago, I would look for that which needed to be changed to bring us success and then administer corrective steps to that end. So also in the Christian's life. We must deny denial, allow the Lord to examine us thoroughly. Show us what is wrong, weak or obstructing God's life living through us. Then pray that long, deeply theological prayer: "HELP!" And cooperate with the Lord as He brings circumstances our way to work on growth. Spiritual Formation!

Os Hillman writes a very helpful column. I especially thought the following would be of great aid to my readers.

Failure That Leads to Godliness
1 Samuel 22:2
All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader....

God uses broken things to accomplish His greatest work. When David was anointed to be the next king, he was just a boy, the youngest among all his brothers. Little did he know that the next several years would be years of fleeing from Saul whose successes turned into obsessions as a leader who had fallen from God's anointing.

Perhaps David thought, Why am I living a life as a fugitive? I am the next king of Israel. Yet, his life was filled with adversity after adversity before he ever fulfilled the ultimate calling God had for him. Others began to hear of David's successes and identify with his plight. But, it wasn't the successful and polished who came to join him. It was "those who were in distress or in debt or discontented" who would be part of his army-and an army it was! His army would become known throughout the world as the greatest ever assembled, not because of their skill, but because of the God behind the army. God turned David's men into "mighty men of valor" (see 1 Chron. 11:10).

God often uses failure to make us useful. When Jesus called the disciples, He did not go out and find the most qualified and successful people. He found the most willing, and He found them in the marketplace. He found a fisherman, a tax collector, a farmer, and a doctor.

The Hebrews knew that failure was a part of maturing in God. The Greeks used failure as a reason for disqualification. Sadly, in the Church, we often treat one another in this way. This is not God's way. We need to understand that failing does not make us failures. It makes us experienced. It makes us more prepared to be useful in God's Kingdom-if we have learned from it. And that is the most important ingredient for what God wants in His children.

Happy Birthday Theresa

Yesterday was a blast. The excitement began two months ago when I asked Molly, Pam, Kathrena and Elizabeth to help me put together a special 65th birthday party for my wife, Theresa. Phone calls ensued to her best two friends from Albany, Oregon, to her two children and about 30 local people.

A couple weeks ago, I asked Theresa if we could go to an auction on her birthday. WE enjoy auctions! She slightly reluctantly said fine, "I'm not expecting anything special for my birthday." In the meantime, preparations were being made behind the scenes. Food planned for a light lunch (that turned out to be a gigantic feed.) Other arrangements made.

The night before the big day, I told her, "I can''t keep this lie going. We're not going to an auction." I told her we'd be going to Boise for a surprise. WE left at 11:30 a.m. Had a hamburger at Fuddruckers. Then to the airport. I dropped her off and told her to walk from the baggage claim to the receiving area and wait to see someone she knew.

15 minutes later, Sharon flew in from Albany. Theresa was so surprised - and excited. Ten minutes later, Cheryl came through the gates. Another great surprise. While this was going on, the four women were at the house preparing for the party.

WE stopped at a fast food place for the one traveler who hadn't eaten. WE mosied back to Nampa. Had to stall a little because we weren't supposed to be back til 2:30. Drove up to the house. All seemed normal. Theresa walked through the garage door into the house and she was met by about 30-35 greeting her with "Happy Birthday." One of the gang being Fletcher, her son who flew in from Denver. Tears of joy flowed from "T" and me. What a joyous time. Email greetings, cards, funny gifts supporting the theme "medicare."

Proverbs 31 tells us
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

Then the following verses describe the love and ingenuity she displays as a hardworking, diversified business person. The chapter closes with
Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
Reward her for all she has done.

Mission initiated and hopefully continued for years to come.

Why don’t people meditate on Scripture?
Some reasons:
they are not a follower of Jesus Christ; or,
the pressures of a busy lifestyle take precedence; or, some believe the benefit is not worth the time involved.

Some of us have trouble remembering what was read. The conclusion is either bad memory or God’s distant and not speaking. This person doesn’t think it is worth the time involved, hits and misses Bible reading, feels frustrated and somewhat guilty. The real problem
according to Donald Whitney is lack of biblical meditation. Whitney is author of "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, from which this post is adapted.

Learning how to meditate may be the key that will unlock the joys of Scripture and the life-changing power it contains.

Begin meditating. This is not an exercise of daydreaming or Eastern meditation but a focused, intentional desire to consider Bible truth. Reading, rewriting the verses in your own words, or a host of other techniques. Such meditation is never an end in iteself. Deep thinking on spiritual truth is th key to obeying God, and to putting Scripture into shoeleather.

While meditating on Scripture, ask ourselves questions like;
Does this text reveal something I should …
Believe about God?
Praise or thank God for?
Pray about for myself or others?
Change my attitude about?
Make a decision on?
Do for the sake of Christ, or others or myself?

When you have concluded your time of Bible mediatation, you should be able to name at least one definite response you have made or will make. Rather than reading and forgetting the truth, or worse, reading and ignoring it, you are prepared to be a doer of the Word. And the result is success according to Psalm 1. Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither,and they prosper in all they do.

Hang out with God Through Scripture

The advantages of a profound depth of Biblical knowledge are numerous. “It is the storehouse of God’s promises. It is the sword of the Spirit, before which temptation flees. It is the all-sufficient equipment for Christian usefulnes. It is the believer’s guidebook and directory in all possible circumstances.” F.B. Meyer

Meyer suggests:
1. Make time for Bible study
The Divine Teacher ought to have fixed and uninterrupted hours. He deserves our freshest and brightest thoughts, and we must give Him our undivided attention. Therefore, we should aim at securing at least half an hour each day for the leisurely and loving study of the Bible.
2. Ask for understanding
AS we open the Book, ask the Holy Spirit who inspired the Writing, to: Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. Psalm 119:18

3. Develop a plan
Many plans have been suggested for study of the Bible:
a. read through the Bible in a year
b. read the Proverb of the day (according to the day of the month), along with a Psalm or more and then something out of the New Testament.
c. Dig into a book, verse by verse with study guides in hand
d. Do a character study. Study the life of Moses, or …
e. My favorate is topical study. Before I wrote the Anger book, I looked up every verse I could find under the topics of anger, bitterness, wrath, malice, etc. In preparation for writing the Self Esteem book, I sped read the Bible looking for passages that spoke to how a person thinks of himself (or as a Christian how he “should” perceive self). The words “self esteem” are not in the Bible, but passages speak to it, like, “created in the image of God.” Romans chapter 6-8, Epheians 1-3, Colossians 1-3, Philippians 2-4 and others speak to the real identity of a follower of Christ.

f. Read an entire book of the Bible in one setting
Meyer suggests to let the Bible be its own dictionary, its own interpreter, its own best commentary. It is like a vast buried city, in which every turn of the spade reveals some new marvel, while passages branch off in ever direction, call for exploration.

4. Read with pen in hand. Underline significant passages. Make notes in the margin. For example, in James it says, “Humble yourself before the Lord.” I have written in the margin, “play golf.” Golf is my humbling exercise!!! The employment of the pen can later bring back precious memories of bygone hours recording the history of our inner life.

5. Seek your personal profit. Allow the Book to bring focus to your own heart. “What does the Holy Spirit want me to learn from this portion? How can I work this into the fabric of my character?”
6. Turn Scripture in prayer. “Entwine the climbing creepers of the holy desire about the lattice work of Scripture.” I personally don’t feel like I can adequately praise the Lord. So when it is time for me to praise Him, I quote a praise passage, like Psalm 34 or Psalm 100. And there are many more.
7. Practice what you learn. “IF we will turn each holy precept or command into instant obedience through the dear grace of Jesus Christ our Lord, God will keep nothing back from us. He will open to us His deepest and sweetest thoughts.
Joshua 1:8 says, Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Adapted from Revive magazine.

Direction and Guidance

The male ego is not noted for stopping and asking directions. WE were riding with some friends up in the mountains of Idaho. It was a paved road that evolved into a gravel road. Then gravel to dirt and dirt to a barely legible path. But the driver just knew he was going in the right direction to get over the mountain. Our suggestions to stop and ask for direction went unheeded. Finally… and you can guess the rest of the story.

The Bible is a clear road map for effective living and dying. Study the Bible for direction. The Psalmist tells us that “Your Word is a light to my feet and a lamp to my pathway.” For direction and guidance, search the Word!

Not only search the Word for guidance, but pray for it. “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5

As we read the Word and pray for direction and guidance, Romans 12:2 reminds us, “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.”

The message is clear: immerse yourself in the Word so that God can change the way you think. Then you will know God’s will for you – sometimes at the last minute. To stretch our faith and to increae our desire to seek Him, He often waits until that last moment to guide us in our decision-making.

“I don’t know what God wants me to do,” is an often heard cry for guidance. I am convinced that the all-powerful God is capable to let us know about a decision we are to make – which step to take. However, most of the time it seems He allows us to search all the facts and take responsibility in decision-making which increases our depth of maturation. We can legitimately pray, “God, I’ve searched all the angles I know to make a wise decision. I’ve studied the facts. I’ve sought counsel from wise folk and it seems like this certain way is the path I should take. If this is not of you or not what you want for me, close the door. Make it clear.”

If we don’t get a clear direction from reading the Word or prayer, then I’m convinced God wants us to do what we think is best. As mentioned in the last posting, our maturation process is enhanced as we learn about life through decision making.

Again, “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.”