Sermon: In the Midst of Darkness 3/13/11

Here is the MP3 for the sermon that I preached last week.  It loosely follows this post: In the midst of dark times.

OK I'm Angry So Now What? (Learning Relaxation)

Image by Xavier Fargas via Flickr

Once a person has recognized their triggers and signals, what does he/she do next?  I have previously posted on the Biology of Anger here.  In short it difficult to overcome biology.  When you are angry your fight or flight response needs to be quieted.  This is primarily accomplished through relaxation (see here for some ideas).

Relaxation and intense anger are incompatible states.  The idea is to become so good at relaxation that you can sort of turn it on.  Some people mistake relaxation to be an event.  For example: "I can't wait for the weekend so I can relax."  or "I will finally be able to relax on vacation."  or "When I lay down I can relax."  The problem with this view is that relaxation is tied to your external circumstances.  Relaxation is not of any particular use if you are angry about your situation.  The situation is not relaxing by definition.  However, relaxation is not an event.  It is a skill and a state of mind. 

I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
Philippians 4:11 (HCSB)

Contentment is relaxation of the soul.  If Paul has learned how to be content in whatever circumstances he is in the I firmly believe that we can do the same. 

Start with relaxing the body.  There are many strategies for relaxation.  I have written about a few that I have used with people in my counseling practice.  Here are a few more ideas.  The goal is to find one that works for you and practice it every day. 

By practicing it everyday you accomplish at least three things. 

First you learn to recognize tension.  by recognizing the difference between a relaxed and tense state you can add this to your awareness of signals for anger. 

Second you lower your set level of tension.  We all have a general level of tension in our day to day life.  Some people's level is higher and others lower.  By lowering you set level of tension you give yourself more room to respond over reacting.  Think of it this way if you are already highly tense then it will not take much additional stress from your circumstance to push you into a negative reaction.  But if you are lower in tension from practicing relaxation then it will take more stress to push you to a negative reaction, which will give you more time to effectively respond. 

The third thing that practicing relaxation accomplishes is that you get better at it.  Think of an activity that you get better at with more practice.  The same is true for relaxation.  In fact the better you get at relaxation the more effectively you can use it in a tense moment. 

I have had people tell me in counseling, "I have tried those relaxation strategies and they do not work for me."   When I ask them when the tried it they respond, "When I got angry of course."  There is a problem in this thinking.  If you are a basketball player and the only time you take shots at the basket is during a basketball game you are not going to me a good basketball player.  To be good at something takes practice.  Some activities take a lot of consistent practice.  Relaxation is one of those activities in my opinion. 

Practicing relaxation has many health benefits as well.  Give it a try.  Notice the sense of well-being that comes through effectively relaxing. 

God Bless You

Related articles

• Calm Your Nerves With Relaxation Exercises (everydayhealth.com)
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation Techniques for Athletes (brighthub.com)
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation (psychologytoday.com)

The Soul and Anger

It seems that most of the time the soul is often killed by anger.  Hurtful words, regret, fear, hatred, resentment, prejudice, loss of hope, rage and so on are all soul killers if we do not keep them in check.  In some ways anger is rooted in all of these.  It is no wonder that we grow up being taught to be guilty for our anger.  Look at all the damage it causes. 

This leads to a further frustration of feeling invalidated by someone saying "Don't be angry" or "You should not be angry" when in fact I am angry.  I can no more turn off my anger than to stop thinking about hunger when I have not eaten for most of the day.  Stuffing anger is not helpful because it will always come out in other ways (passive aggression, rage episodes, or depression).  So it would seem that you are stuck with no good options when it comes to anger.  I can think of that moment stuck between stuffing it or letting it all out and that hopeless feeling that no matter what I do it is not going to be good.  That is a soul killer!

Which leads me to the conclusion that:

...man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.
James 1:20 (HCSB)

Yet we have this:

Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the Devil an opportunity.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (HCSB)

I have read this passage and wondered, "OK, but how do I do that?"  Yet there is two immediate practical applications in this verse if we open ourselves to hear what God is saying

• Do not allow anger to fester "Don't let the sun go down" tells me that the time to deal with anger is in the here and now.  Not tomorrow, not next week, but right now.  However, it does not say go on the attack.  It just says deal with it now!!!!
• The motivation is a spiritual one.  Our anger can give the devil a foothold in our lives.  Unresolved anger is giving opportunity for spiritual downfall.

This passage is closely connected to this:

Know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for Himself; the Lord will hear when I call to Him. Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. Selah Offer sacrifices in righteousness and trust in the Lord.
Psalms 4:3-5 (HCSB)

Continuing our list then:

• Know that your relationship with God sets you apart.  There is a peace that comes from knowing God.  In that moment know God and choose faithfulness.
• Call on the Lord.  Prayer in a moment of anger can release you from the bondage of misplaced passion
• Meditate (reflect) sort out, understand, your anger. 
• Be still!  There is a close connection between being still and knowing God (Ps 46:10)
• Selah which is most likely a musical term for pausing.  But in that moment of anger pause can be the most powerful thing you can do.
• Often doing what is right is a sacrifice.  Anger demands it's own.  Anger demands it's rights.  Anger demands others agree.  I am sure that you can think of other things that anger demands.  Righteousness often requires sacrifice and surrender.  These actions are in opposition to our anger most of the time.  At that moment think what is the righteous thing to do.  If it involves sacrifice or surrender then it is likely that you have stumbled upon the very thing that needs to be done in that moment. 
• Finally but certainly not least "trust in the Lord"  We repeat that phrase so often it is a cliché to us.  If "Trust in the Lord" has become a mindless phrase then take some time to examine why.  Trust in the Lord is a powerful spiritual truth that can find its way into the depth of your soul and move you from destruction to life. 

I have often said "Anger in and of itself is not good nor bad.  It is what you do with it that makes it good or bad."  I hope that some of these suggestions are helpful to you in your effort to "be angry and do not sin."

I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, love the Lord your God, obey Him, and remain faithful to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land the Lord swore to give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (HCSB)

Have a Blessed Day

Meditation

God has put it on my heart to share some of my meditations with you.  I wrote a post a while back on the subject of meditation.  I will be posting for the next little while what God is showing me through meditating on His Word. 

Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brothers: warn those who are irresponsible, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 (HCSB)

The context of this passage is a letter to the Church in Thessalonica. Paul is concluding his letter with a exhortation to the members of that church in how to live godly lives. 

Key words:  Recognition of those that labor, Admonish, Regard, Peace, Warn, Comfort, Help, Patient, Pursue Good.

God shows me that I need to recognize and honor those that minister to me.  I also see that ministry is not simply for the minister, but that I have an active role to play in being at peace with others, warning, comforting, helping the weak, having patience.   All of these ministries can be summed up with pursue what is good for others. 

Have a Blessed day.

Relaxation

Image by HewGriff via Flickr

One of the most beneficial gifts that you can give yourself in a stress filled world is the ability to relax.  You might be saying to yourself, but I do relax.  Let me say that relaxation is not an event it is a skill.  Anyone can relax under the right circumstances, but to relax when the pressure is on well that is something else.  There are many ways to learn relaxation. The key to relaxation is regular and consistent practice

Progressive Muscle relaxation

This technique involves the systematic tensing and relax of all the muscle groups of your body.  By using this exercise you learn the difference between tension and relaxation and achieve a state of relaxation in the process.  Here are some links to help you out:
Written Instructions
Anxiety Disorders Association of British Columbia 
Written Instruction For Kids
Koeppen, A.S. (1974). Relaxation training for children. Elementary School Guidance and Counseling, 9, 14-21.
Male Voice
Georgia Southern University
Female Voice MP3
Carleton College
My Voice Recording MP3

Breathing Exercises

We do not often pay attention to our breathing until there is something that is restricting it.  Then we become immediately aware of how important breathing is.  One thing that happens with this lack of awareness of our breathing is that we can develop bad breathing habits.  For example fast and shallow breathing tends to increase feelings of anxiety.  While slow deep breathing increases feelings of calm.  The relaxation through breathing's goal is to make you more aware of this and relax through slow rhythmic breathing.  Here are some links to help you out:
Written Instructions 
Anxiety Disorders Association of British Columbia
Female Voice MP3
Male Voice MP3
UC Santa Cruz

Counting Exercises

Counting can be a great way to get your mind off of a stressful situations and occupy it with something that helps you to relax.  There are many counting methods.  My preferred method is to count up to 20 slowly 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20.  And then count backwards to 1 slowly 20,19,18,17,16,15,14,13,12,11,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1.  Repeat this pattern for 3-5 minutes.  If you notice that your mind wanders that is OK.  Every person that I have tried this with reports mind wander.  When you become aware that your mind is wandering gently bring it back to the counting exercise.  Other counting Ideas are counting your breaths, counting your steps, count the clock ticking, counting backwards from 100, counting down for relaxation starting with 10 waiting until you feel a deeper relaxation before going to the next number. 

Imagery

Image by Mastery of Maps via Flickr

The use of imagery is an effective way to relax.  It is like a mental vacation where you travel to a very relaxing place using your mind.  When I use this technique I like to go two West Maui at sunset.  Here are some links to help you with this exercise:
Beach
River
University of Illinois
Forest Stream
Kansas State University
Beach
Forest
Georgia Southern University

Meditation

Mindfulness

I have written a number of posts on Christian Mindfulness which I encourage you to read.  Mindfulness is slowing down to become aware of the world around you.  The phrase "Take time to stop and smell the roses" is an example of mindfulness meditation.  Here are some links:
Christian Mindfulness
Awareness of Surroundings
Mindful Looking
Mindful Listening

Scripture Meditation

I believe that the Bible has words of life.  That is to say that the Bible is life giving and life sustaining.  Developing a habit of regular meditation on the Bible is good for Spiritual Health as well as for Physical health.  Focused meditation on the Bible's instruction for your need will develop a state of peace and relaxation.  Links:
How to meditate on the Bible
Online Bible Topic Index

Relaxation is a skill that will take much practice to become good at it!  I would recommend that you spend 1-2 times a day practicing one or more of these methods for about three weeks.  After that you can practice 3-5 times a week or when you are feeling particularly stressed, anxious, upset, angry, or irritable. 
If you have any questions about this please feel free to write them in the comment section below. 

Setting Your Mind on the Spirit

For those of you who have been following this I must apologize for the delay in getting this post out.  I have had many things to attend to that seem to be now resolved to a certain extent.  So I am now able to return to writing. 

Romans 8 is one of the most powerful chapters in proclaiming our spiritual victory found in Christ.  In Chapter 7 Paul discusses the futility of willing yourself into victory.  Willpower does not save.  If willpower was all that was needed then the message of the Cross is pointless.  When the will is set on the Spirit (Spirit mindedness) then the Spirit's power is set forth to do it's work in the life of a believer. 

After repentance (Dying to self and turning to Christ) then one must accept the truth that there is now no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus.  So often we tend to get our spiritual cleaning and then go back to the works of the law.  Or continue to beat ourselves for past sin.  The removal of guilt is complete.  That is not to say that you will not experience consequences of sin (sometimes life long).  But it does mean that you are free spiritually.  Your freedom is an accomplished work that Christ did for you on the Cross. 

At this moment of spiritual freedom you have some choices on what you are going to focus on.  Walking in the Spirit, living in accord with the Spirit, mindset on the Spirit, Crying out in the Spirit, groaning in the Spirit, Hoping in the Spirit, Waiting in the Spirit, and praying in the Spirit are all disciplines that lead to greater and greater Spirit mindedness.  There is considerable overlap between these disciplines. 

What the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin's domain, and as a sin offering, in order that the law's requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:3-5 (HCSB)

"Walking according the the Spirit" and "living according the the Spirit" is an intentional change from doing what feels good (in the moment) to falling under the direction of God's Holy Spirit.  This is not the same as willing to be obedient to God's Law, but rather it is choosing to follow His Spirit to be in accord with God's plan for your life.   There is a slang expression "I am down with that."  In some sense we as Christians are to be "down with the Holy Spirit."  We (with our will) are in agreement with His direction for us.  That is walking according the the Spirit.  Our walking and our lives are with the Holy Spirit!

For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God's law, for it is unable to do so.
Romans 8:6-7 (HCSB)

Part of the act of the will in being in accord with the Sprit has to do with where your mind is set.  There is a contrast between a person that has their mind set on the flesh and their mind set on the Spirit.  This is a very important distinction.  I am convinced that as long as a person continues to think about sin either in terms of avoiding it or indulging it the mind continues to be set on the flesh.  Did you catch that?  You can be desiring a good thing (avoiding some particular sin) and still have a mind set on the flesh (remember Romans 7).  There is a need to set our minds on the Spirit of God.  Our ultimate life and peace come from this act.  Think over the times of spiritual victory in your life and you will find that they did not come from working harder to avoid sin, but rather when you were able to set your mind on the things of God.  The opposite is also true.  Think about the times of spiritual defeat.  You were no matter how hard you tired not to unable to beat the sin because it was on your mind.  Having the right mind-set is vital to a Spirit filled life.  Where is your mind set?

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!"
Romans 8:15 (HCSB)

When we come to Christ as our savior then we receive the Holy Spirit as evidence that we have been "adopted" into God's family.  It is by this Spirit that we are able to call God our daddy and father.  There are times in life that we just need a daddy to get us through the moment.  To pick us up dust of our pants and let us know He is right there with us holding us up with His strong arms.  It is through Spirit mindedness that we can experience this spiritual hug from God.  Go ahead cry out to Him.  He loves to hug His children!

And not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits -we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:23 (HCSB)

In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings.
Romans 8:26 (HCSB)

There are times when all that we can let out is a groan.  For the Christian there is a groan of desperation and hopelessness (Groaning in the flesh?) and there is a groaning in and by the Spirit.  The groaning in the Spirit come from the realization that this is not our final resting place.  We long to be with God in total.  We desire the day when we will be able to shed this sinful flesh and be fully redeemed and with God.  There also is a groaning that is done by the Spirit Himself.  He groans a prayer over our groaning of weakness.  This type of groaning is actually a prayer.  Praying in the Spirit is a prayer of speechlessness for ourselves, but the words of the Spirit are powerful.  If you have never prayed according the the Spirit in this way I encourage you to get quiet before the Lord acknowledge your weakness and let the Spirit do the rest.  The key is that it is the Spirit's work because of our weakness and not something that you do in yourself!  The prayer in the Spirit is powerful.  Prayer without the Spirit is just a list of things that you want God to do.  God always answers the first prayer, but the latter He may or may not.  These verses explain was praying in the Spirit is answered.

And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit's mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:27 (HCSB)

When we pray in the Spirit and the Spirit groans on our behalf then we get a perfect prayer that is according to the will of God.  This takes discipline and it certainly takes sensitivity to the Spirit's leading, but it can transform your life of prayer. 

There are many more disciplines that lead to Spirit Mindedness, but I believe that this is a good start.  One thing before a end this post.  My worst fear is that you would take my words to be something.  In reality they are nothing.  They are less than nothing compared to the surpassing value of God's word.  I ask you with the greatest of urgency and sincerity to examine His word.  In this case specifically Romans 8.  Before during and after your reading of Romans 8 ask that God would give you Spiritual understanding and wisdom.  It does not come from me nor can I replace His Spirit.  May the God of all creation and savior of our souls grant you the wisdom of the ages!

God Bless You!

Worry

This is why I tell you: Don't worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25 (HCSB)

I have touched on the subject of worry in a previous post.  In this post I hope to expand on this previous thought to look at how focusing on the future can be unmindful especially when worry is involved!

There is a concept in psychology that is based on the observation that people that suffer from anxious diseases struggle with an over focus on the (negative) past or the future.  The concept is that if you can help a person escape this kind of thinking that they will resolve their anxiety.   This concept is seen in nearly all theories of psychology, though they are addressed in different ways (i.e. answering existential questions, reason and logic, focus on relationship, ways of distraction, focus on sensation over thinking, mindfulness, and so on). 

For the Christian this concept is not the same as being oblivious to the past or the future, but rather it is being spiritual, powerful, destroying strongholds, disciplined, and bringing these thoughts under the Lordship of Christ. 

For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way, since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (HCSB)

Clearly Jesus is commanding us in Matthew to not worry!  If we are to then to look at that command in light of "taking every thought captive to obey Christ" then it is imperative that our worry thoughts be brought under Christ's authority!  It is this anxiousness for the future that prevents us from unreservedly giving ourselves to God.  "I would Lord, but..."  Our Lord was very intolerant of that attitude as well saying, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62)."   The reality is that if we do not get this issue in hand then we are never going to give ourselves to the work of God, nor are we fit for the kingdom. 

Before proceeding to the solution I would like to demonstrate how the issue of anxiety is connected to the study of soul (i.e. psychology).  There are some very well meaning Christians that fear the discipline of psychology as being godless.  To a certain extent this criticism is deserving.  Psychologist tend to be more atheistic than just about any other profession.  In the recent history religious and spiritual affections were defined as pathological by psychologists.  However, I believe the study of soul has a legitimate place in the Christian faith.  We must be on guard and discerning about mixing truth with error to be be sure, but that does not mean that all psychology is error. 

The connection to the Christian faith is the word soul itself.  In the Greek psyche is the same root word that psychology is derived from.  The word psyche appears about 90 times in the New Testament.  The Hebrew equivalent nepesh occurs about 700 times in the Old Testament.  Another Greek word that has an affinity with the discipline of psychology is nous (mind).  Nous (also noeo and noema) is preferred by Paul in his writings.  I could go on with concepts like insight and understanding that are both Biblical and psychological but I think you get my point.  The reality is if God had intended that we not have a study of soul then he would not have spent so much time addressing it in His Word.  In fact soul is mentioned about the same amount of times as love in the Bible.  To me that would make soul an important subject. 

How does that relate to the issue of anxiety?  Jesus connected it:

This is why I tell you: Don't worry about your life (psyche), what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn't life (psyche) more than food and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25 (HCSB)

Paul also connects it:

...taking every thought (noema) captive to obey Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (HCSB)

And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought (nous), will guard your hearts and minds (noema) in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 (HCSB)

...be transformed by the renewing of your mind (nous)...
Romans 12:2 (HCSB)

When this is understood and not feared one begins to realize that the Bible is rich with psychological truths.  For example Romans 7:13-25 is one of the best descriptions of pathology and addictions in a religious context that can be found (IMO).

What then is the solution to worry from this perspective?  

1. Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven
2. Seek His Righteousness
3. Develop a healthy perspective of things (possessions)
4. Store treasure in Heaven
5. Look on good things
6. Set God as your master (even over your thoughts)
7. Consider God's creation (Peaceful walks through nature tend to give perspective)
8. Focus on the present (not worry about tomorrow)
9. Present self as a sacrifice to God
10. Refused to be conformed to age (pattern of culture?)
11. Be transformed (made new in glory) in your mind
12. Discern God's good, perfect, and pleasing will

This list has many avenues to explore possibly in future posts.  There also is much more than this list as well.  However, it is item number eight that led me to write on this topic.  Jesus says, "...don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34)."  When we worry about tomorrow's troubles we loose our effectiveness in today.   When you notice that you mind is drawn to the worries of tomorrow it is time to put the breaks on and recognize who really is on the throne of your life.  It is the mindfulness of God and His provision that quiets the worried soul.  It is the resolve to give yourself to God in spite of the apparent difficulties or the unknown difficulties that may arise that give you strength.  In this way faith in God becomes the weapon to destroy the stronghold of worry in your life. 

The celebrations of God's will for you in the present moment is a cure for ineffective and unproductive worry about the future!

God Bless You All

Peace of God

I typically get up very early to start my day.  Today I got up at 3:30 AM.  There are three reasons for me to get up this early.  First is habit.  Once I start getting up at a certain time I have a hard time sleeping past that time.  Second is to spend time with God.  Third, it is the most quiet time in my house.  With four children there is no peace when they are awake. 

Peace and Quiet is a common expression.  As near as I can tell the idiom originated in the mid 1800's according to American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms.  Interesting to think about when you consider the changes that the western world was going through at the time.  The Second Great Awakening, Rise and fall of empires, Latin America's struggle for freedom from imperial rule, rise and fall of Napoleon, Many other wars on every continent of the world, the industrial revolution, Communist manifesto published, revolutions of 1948,  California gold rush, Origin of Species published, American Civil war, the end of slavery in most all major empires, Lincoln Assonated, The second industrial revolution and so on.  Interestingly by the mid 1800s the noise from machinery alone may have driven one to say in exasperation, "All I want is a little peace and quiet." 

Now we have more noise than ever.  It is informational, technological, political, commercial, legal, spiritual, mechanical, medical, and I am sure that I missed some.  In the midst of the cacophony we to long for a bit of "peace and quiet."  Even in this quiet moment I still hear cars outside, machines at a plant about half a mile away, clock ticking, the hum of the refrigerator, the whoosh of central air, and the whir of the computer.  So even in my quiet I continue to be bombarded by noise.

In some respects we have become accustom to our noise.  In some ways it is actually comforting.  Have you ever been at home when the power goes out?  The phrase eerie quiet comes to mind.  Eerie?  Really?  How about natural quiet.  A quiet that comes from an absence of man's noise.  How about a peace "not as the world gives," but as the Lord gives. 

Let's contrast "peace of the world" with "peace of God."  Peace of the world is conditional.  Peace of God is given freely to them that would receive it.  Peace of the world is maintained by agreement and/or enforcement.  Peace of God is maintained by covenant and seeking.  Peace of the world is temporary (fictional perhaps, no time without war).  Peace of God is eternal (though remaining incomplete in this life).  Peace of the world is externally controlled by the circumstances and relationships in life.  Peace of God is internally controlled by relationship with God's Spirit and transcends circumstances in life. 

Jesus Said:

The Counselor, the Holy Spirit -the Father will send Him in My name-will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.  John 14:26-27 (HCSB)

I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.  John 16:32-33 (HCSB)

Peace of God is connected to our relationship with Him.  We have peace toward God through our relationship with Jesus Christ.  We receive God's Holy Spirit who give us peace through trouble, frightening times, and suffering.  Peace of God is cultivated through being peaceable, lenient, compliant, bulging with mercy and good fruits,  and avoiding favoritism and hypocrisy.  Peace of God comes from fellowship with other believers.  Finally Peace of God is deeply connected to Holiness.  Without repentance from evil and pursuing that which is good Peace of God is unreachable. 

Go now and pursue peace.  Not the peace the world offers, but the peace of Christ that is found in setting you mind on the Holy Spirit of God. 

Blessings and Peace

Quiet Mindfulness (Spiritual Ritalin)

Long long before the rise in popularity of eastern mindfulness in the west, western religious teaching put forth contemplation as a mode of peaceful interaction with the world, people, and God.  In this tradition quietness and peacefulness were major objectives of prayer, meditation, activity, and worship.  Somewhere along the line this contemplative spirit was diminished or perhaps men of old just wrote about it and few (just like today) ever practiced it.  I suspect the mindlessness of busyness is one of the major reasons we do not Practice the Presence of God now.  This activity has driven the church to distraction from the purpose that God has given her.   In this post I hope to point out the need for contemplative awareness. 

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.  Psalms 46:10 (KJV)

Why is it that I have such a hard time being still.  I  have quipped a few times that if I was in school today that I would be a candidate for stimulant medication to treat may ADHD.  I have not been diagnosed, but I have to admit the signs are there. 

The core qualities of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.  This is not a slam on people with ADHD, but I cannot help but recognize that ADHD is a serious barrier to mindfulness.  Interestingly mindfulness strategies have been helpful in my practice of counseling, my life, and my spiritual development.

I think the Church has Spiritual ADHD.  Let me demonstrate by going through my diagnostic criterion for "Spiritual ADHD."

Inattention

(a) often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
(b) often has difficulty sustaining attention in ministry
(c) often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
(d) often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish the work it is called to
(e) often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
(f) often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort
(g) often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., Bible, Prayer, Holy Spirit, discipleship, or evangelism)
(h) is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli (mind set on the world) 
(i) is often forgetful in daily activities (prayer, Bible reading, quiet time)

Well I started this out a little tongue and cheek, but it seems uncanny how much of this applies.  Let see what Hyperactivity turns up.

Hyperactivity

(a) often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat (especially if feeling convicted)
(b) often leaves the vine in situations in which remaining in the His word is expected
(c) often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness; really I am not poking fun of Charismatic's here ;-)
(d) often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly
(e) is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor"  (though we are not sure where they are going)
(f) often talks excessively

Yikes I still have one more category.  I starting to feel a little squirmy myself!

Impulsivity

(g) often blurts out answers before questions have been completed (or understood)
(h) often has difficulty awaiting turn
(i) often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or other's lives when not welcomed)

Wow  I am convinced that the Church has full on ADHD.  Especially when you consider that you only need 6 of the above persisting for 6 months.  I think I could easily make the case for all 18.  God I need some Spiritual Ritalin. 

Seriously though the Church is broke.  There is no way around it.  We need to get back (if we were ever there) to the quietness of God.  "Be still and know that I am God!"  This stillness holds the key to overcoming our tendency to be distracted by the things of this life.  Quietness holds the key to our tendency to act without thought or purpose.  Knowing that He is God will guard us from impulsively saying and doing things that bring shame to the cause of Christ. 

More on quietness tomorrow.