Retrospect of the last two weeks...

The past two weeks have involved a subtlety intense confrontation of someone, I can say with strong affirmation, that I am not particularly fond of... in-fact I abhor.  Strong terms I know. For some introspection of the soul to the point of truth, is seldom easy. I have had to pensively take stock of the last few years' meager and scanty harvest. JOH! Infernal!!

Most of my confrontations and discoveries were made well mulching through the heaps of decaying waste that have filtered through my superior mind, and it's sub-standard thinking process.

Much of what I have discovered, is re-discovery; knowledge I had previously put into practice. Unfortunately this abundance of knowledge evaporates if your mind does gulp down it's eternal supply. My reflections are the following:

• "You are not what you think you are, but what you think, you are." - Norman Vincent Peale
•  Romans 12:2 (Amplified Bible)

² Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

• "...our brain is an enchanted loom ready to weave a rich creative tapestry." - Sir Charles Sherrington, Neurologist. The word 'ready' is instructive that none of us operate at an optimal capacity.
• We were designed, created to create. We have been made in His image and thus imitating our father comes naturally to us. - Philip Baker
• Brains execute, perform, bring about, behave, act, accomplish... what has been downloaded (this is with reference to EVERYTHING that we download)!
• "One's mind, once stretched by a new idea, NEVER regains it's original dimensions." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
• According to Romans, life change comes in three stages:

1. Repent and follow CHRIST (follow is the VERB). This is a reconciliation and rebirth; with a new heart. A gift is given, and by our act of trust (FAITH) and submission, received. Note that GRACE is first given, 'Neither do I condemn you'. Then only do we begin to understand 'Go and sin no more' in John 8:11.
2. Renewing of the mind. Primary focus of Romans chapters 12 to 15.
3. Living the Life (the FRUIT). Christianity is a way of living. It is faith and works; theology (literally meaning GOD STUDY) and ethics; creed and conduct; heart and hands. It is breathed inward and upward in prayer, worship and trust; breathed inward by contemplation, self-analysis and renewal; breathed outward in loving neighbours, sharing faith and acting in our day-to-day lives with compassion justice and generosity. Its base is not in the doing, but the results in the doing. We are blessed in order to be a blessing. Forgiven so that we too can forgive. Loved because He first loved us. - Philip Baker