Mastering the Mind

It can be very difficult to master our thoughts. There is very little accountability for what takes place in our brain, at least not until someone invents "thought billboards" conveniently showing our daydreams to the world. Certainly we would be more cautious about what passed through our minds if it was broadcast so clearly to the world!

Fortunately, that hasn't happened yet, and hopefully it never will. However, we are still given the responsibility to govern our thoughts and align them with God's principles. Fortunately, Paul gives us some insight into what God expects in our minds.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

God wants your thoughts to be focused on things that are true, right, and decent. Your mind isn't to be used as the storehouse for all of the hateful things you wish you could say but don't, nor is it to be used to conspire against others or to drool over the attractive person close to you. (Unless its your spouse....then by all means drool away!)

No, our thoughts are to be positive and pleasing to God. We shouldn't think about all of the negative potential of people and situations; that isn't helpful and it pollutes our minds. Instead of filling your mind with thoughts that are negative and unproductive, fill your mind with the goodness that comes from God. Pay careful attention the things you read, listen to, and watch on TV. These probably have a bigger impact on your thoughts than you realize.

Let your thoughts reflect the transformation in your heart and mind that only comes from God.

But God has given us his Spirit. That's why we don't think the same way that the people of this world think. 1 Corinthians 2:12

Your Identity Unlocks Freedom

Have you ever been discouraged when following God? Sometimes it can seem impossible to stay on the right path consistently. Life is too good at throwing obstacles in our path that bog us down and keep us from becoming the person we want to be.

God understands our struggle and he realizes how inconsistent we can be. Instead of simply condemning us and leaving us to fend for ourselves, he made a way for all of us to be given a new identity. Jesus lived so we can be fully alive in God. Too often we forget this identity and slide back into the old habits that defined our old selves.

That old identity is gone forever, replaced by the newness of God through Jesus. Don't live your life trying to earn what God offers to you freely. The secret is in simply accepting what Jesus did in your heart already. The more you realize who you are in Jesus, the more you will desire to act like one of his brothers or sisters. It won't be something you have to earn, it becomes an expression and realization of who you already are.

This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

One day God is going to write his law on our hearts and minds. Following him will just be.....natural. The way it was intended to be. Until then, we continue living our lives the best we can, making the most of the days we have been given, celebrating our identity. Never forget who you are. Don't let anyone tell you that you are less than what God describes you as being.

Live in freedom. Live for him.

Pastor Zac

If you can dream it, you can do it

That is the saying right?  I can't help but think this saying is wrong.  I mean, I have plenty of dreams that are outside my ability to do.

How about you?

Honestly, if you can achieve ALL of your dream, then you don't have a big enough imagination!

I think the opposite of that statement is truer.  It may be more negative, but it's also more profound.....if you don't dream it, then you won't do it.

Not everyone gets to be a star.  We don't all grow up to be President, even if you were told that you could be.  (This next election will be for the 44th US President....that's a VERY exclusive club!)  Just looking around will reveal to us that we all don't get a high profile.

But everyone has a part to play in making the world a bit better.  Everyday, thousands, millions, of people contribute in small ways that add up to a big difference.  Their dreams make the world better.  Are you dreaming?

If not, you won't see your world change.

Dare to dream.  And live Wide Awake.

Our Part and God's Part

We love to shift responsibility.  In fact, this is one of the key characteristics of our culture:  we want and desire to have authority shifted in our direction, but we don't want the responsibility that comes from having that authority.

We can even see this in our lives of faith.

We all trend toward a life of apathy or inaction.  What's worse is when we use biblical words to support unbiblical ideas.

Have you ever heard it from a friend who believes in God when asked about their role in the world?  "Oh, I'm not going to participate.  I'm just going to hope in the Lord!"  Have you ever said it?

How have we arrived at the place when our faith is used as an excuse for our inactivity?  Is there anything in us that knows faith, hope, and love are all activist ideals?  One cannot practice these principles and be dormant.  A life of faith is not static, it is active!  Hope isn't passive, it is passionate and bold!  Love certainly doesn't rest, it aggressively pursues.

Make no mistake about it:  God always does his part.  He always follows through and always comes through.

So if our lives are falling short of the dreams of our hearts, is it possible we need to play our part in the story?  Is there something we can all do to be a part of this narrative, the story of humanity?

Maybe we need to do our part.  Maybe God is waiting for us, drawing us, inviting us to be a part of the good in this world.

Will we have the courage to join?

Wide Awake

The average American sleeps 6.9 hours a night. Our average life expectancy is about 77 years. This means the typical American sleeps 48 hours a week, 105 days per year, and 22 years over the average lifetime. That's almost 30% of our lives! Most scientists that study sleep believe most people have several dreams every night and we simply forget the vast majority of them. Simply put, we sleep our lives away.

That sleep is necessary for our bodies to continue functioning at a high level. However, many people find themselves trapped by a completely different type of slumber. It is the slumber of daily life, the monotony of a daily routine, the acceptance of the status quo. This slumber begins when our nightly rest ends, and it too is full of dreams. Our lives are filled with dreams, current dreams that strangely keep us awake, and bitter memories of dreams that have gone unfulfilled. Our nightly sleep is full of dreams that we forget while our daily slumber is full of dreams that we cannot escape.

Our dreams, in a way, define who we are. We are shaped by our dreams because they reveal our deepest passions and desires. They also reveal what can wound us in the deepest way. Our dreams haunt us in ways only we can know. There is no joy like living in a moment when a dream becomes reality, and there is no greater pain when a dream we have dies.

Perhaps you have let the pain of your unfulfilled dreams stop you from dreaming at all. Maybe your life resembles a restless night, tossing and turning, seeking some resolution and peace. I want you to realize the incredible dreams God has for your life. They are bigger and grander than anything you can imagine! I truly believe there is something heroic inside every single one of us that is waiting to be discovered........explored...........ignited.

It's time to recapture our God given dreams. It is time to rise up from the slumber of everyday life. It's time to wake up to what God is doing in our lives, in our families, in our community, in our world.....its time to live Wide Awake!

When your dreams reflect the dreams of God, every day becomes extraordinary. Let's journey together and see what God is dreaming for us all.

Make sure you are there for our 8 year anniversary service! Please consider this your invitation to attend! Invite a friend to be a part of this service, you won't regret it! Remember that the dreams God has for humanity are not just for us, they are for all people. Make sure you include all of those who are around you.