Question to think about: Is your mind held hostage by limited thinking?
Three months before he died, Saint Thomas Aquinas said: “I can no longer write, for God has given me such glorious knowledge that all contained in my works are as straw - barely fit to absorb the holy wonders that fall in a stable.”
Think on what that Aquinas' statement means. What knowledge did Saint Thomas Aquinas refer to?
We often try to fit God into how we perceive life through our personal experience and reality which limits how we think. A limited mind-set holds our perception hostage and we fail to see more.
To see more . . .
to see beyond the limitations and constraints of circumstances . . .
we must seek God . . .
and ask God to break through what is perceived.
The break-through of a limited mind-set changes our perception, producing vision of something more. And, God always has something more. Faith that God has something more comes through an active and participating relationship with Christ:
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. (Philippians 2:1-2)
At first glance, being like-minded with Christ . . .
seems hard . . . .
and impossible.
But, look again, to be like-minded with Christ, is to be
released
and
freed from the weight of pressures and problems.
In reality, the process that releases us from the limitations that holds the mind hostage requires frequent attention with the intention to break free. The critical solution for release from a limited mindset is to invite Christ to move into all of the mind.
Continue the self-imposed spiritual boot camp to strengthen your mind . . . asking God to empower the way you think . . . to be like-minded with Christ . . . believing that God always has more.
Learning with you to be like-minded with Christ,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Unthinkable
Question to think about: Do you worry?
He was stuck.
He wrote a note . . . describing a life that seemed like everything and everyone had come against him.
He gave up . . . there seemed to be nothing else to do.
He left family and friends.
It was unthinkable . . .
that such a brilliant individual, with so much to offer, could give up everything.
As the years have passed,
The one thing I know is that there would have been something more for him.
God always gives more.
Is it possible to find more when everything and everyone seems to be against us?
Meditate on Romans 12:2: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (NASB)
Our thoughts easily conform to the problems and pressures of life.
How do we move from conformed to transformed thinking?
We need intentional training of the mind . . . a self-imposed spiritual boot camp.
So how do we train to think beyond problems and pressures?
Let go of worry . . . refuse to allow worry to be in your mind . . . do not let worry disturb your way of thinking: “I will not worry about anything. I will pray . . . giving up my worry, surrendering God in trust.”
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. (Philippians 4:6, Amp)
Place a shield around your mind . . . by putting trust rather than worry into practice.
Learning with you to refuse to let problems and pressures conform my thoughts,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)
He was stuck.
He wrote a note . . . describing a life that seemed like everything and everyone had come against him.
He gave up . . . there seemed to be nothing else to do.
He left family and friends.
It was unthinkable . . .
that such a brilliant individual, with so much to offer, could give up everything.
As the years have passed,
I have wondered what he would have done with more life on earth.
The one thing I know is that there would have been something more for him.
God always gives more.
Is it possible to find more when everything and everyone seems to be against us?
Meditate on Romans 12:2: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (NASB)
Our thoughts easily conform to the problems and pressures of life.
How do we move from conformed to transformed thinking?
We need intentional training of the mind . . . a self-imposed spiritual boot camp.
So how do we train to think beyond problems and pressures?
Let go of worry . . . refuse to allow worry to be in your mind . . . do not let worry disturb your way of thinking: “I will not worry about anything. I will pray . . . giving up my worry, surrendering God in trust.”
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. (Philippians 4:6, Amp)
Place a shield around your mind . . . by putting trust rather than worry into practice.
Learning with you to refuse to let problems and pressures conform my thoughts,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Really . . . aliens?
Question to think about: How do you think?
On October 30, 1938 a dramatic presentation began with a news alert which announced aliens, specifically from Mars, had invaded the New England states. In actuality, the report was part of a radio drama that had been adapted from the book, War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. The announcer, Orson Welles, had the idea to present the story on the radio through actors playing the parts of radio announcers, newscasters, and scientists that reported from different locations. No one expected that the drama produced to increase ratings would create a mass panic amongst listeners across the United States.
It seems ridiculous now . . . however . . . the media continues to be ratings-driven with significant power to impact the way the world thinks.
The way we think . . . is the way we live. What forms your thoughts?
Changing the way we think requires intentional training . . . with a spiritual boot camp approach. Before you enter a boot camp . . . there must be a clear commitment and willingness to put in hard work.
Make a commitment to start a rigorous boot camp regime to increase the health of the way you think.
To begin: evaluate how your thoughts conform to this world. Meditate on the word, conform (suschematizo, Greek) which means to conform to a specific pattern.
Ask the Spirit of God to help you understand the way you think.
Be encouraged in the process. God will provide the power to think more effectively which produces life-changing results.
Learning with you to think the way God intends,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)
On October 30, 1938 a dramatic presentation began with a news alert which announced aliens, specifically from Mars, had invaded the New England states. In actuality, the report was part of a radio drama that had been adapted from the book, War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. The announcer, Orson Welles, had the idea to present the story on the radio through actors playing the parts of radio announcers, newscasters, and scientists that reported from different locations. No one expected that the drama produced to increase ratings would create a mass panic amongst listeners across the United States.
It seems ridiculous now . . . however . . . the media continues to be ratings-driven with significant power to impact the way the world thinks.
The way we think . . . is the way we live. What forms your thoughts?
Study Romans 12:2: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (NASB)
Changing the way we think requires intentional training . . . with a spiritual boot camp approach. Before you enter a boot camp . . . there must be a clear commitment and willingness to put in hard work.
Make a commitment to start a rigorous boot camp regime to increase the health of the way you think.
To begin: evaluate how your thoughts conform to this world. Meditate on the word, conform (suschematizo, Greek) which means to conform to a specific pattern.
Ask the Spirit of God to help you understand the way you think.
Be encouraged in the process. God will provide the power to think more effectively which produces life-changing results.
Learning with you to think the way God intends,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)
Monday, June 15, 2009
He Left
Question to think about: Do you love?
“Why did you leave?”
His children posed the question as they said good-bye to him.
Now at the end of his life . . .
he admitted that he regretted leaving his family.
What he understood now . . .
what he did not understand then . . .
is that . . .
love is what matters.
Was it too late?
With the power of God, it is never too late to love.
That said, damage occurs when love is disregarded.
The land mines of hurt and harm explode when an individual refuses to love.
The Spirit of God works through Christ followers to be a part of restorative and healing love:
". . . and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5, NASB)
Regardless of how hopeless the situation looks, hope in God will not disappoint us, the Spirit of God pours out the love of God into and out of our life.
When all is said and done, love is at the center of the greatest two life-laws:
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
And the second command is like the first: Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’” (Matthew 22:36-39, NASB)
Pay attention to the greatest two life laws.
Evaluate your life.
Where is love needed?
Love God with all your heart . . . soul . . . and mind. Love your neighbors as yourself.
Learning with you to love,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)
“Why did you leave?”
His children posed the question as they said good-bye to him.
Now at the end of his life . . .
he admitted that he regretted leaving his family.
What he understood now . . .
what he did not understand then . . .
is that . . .
love is what matters.
Was it too late?
With the power of God, it is never too late to love.
That said, damage occurs when love is disregarded.
The land mines of hurt and harm explode when an individual refuses to love.
The Spirit of God works through Christ followers to be a part of restorative and healing love:
". . . and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5, NASB)
Regardless of how hopeless the situation looks, hope in God will not disappoint us, the Spirit of God pours out the love of God into and out of our life.
When all is said and done, love is at the center of the greatest two life-laws:
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
And the second command is like the first: Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’” (Matthew 22:36-39, NASB)
Pay attention to the greatest two life laws.
Evaluate your life.
Where is love needed?
Love God with all your heart . . . soul . . . and mind. Love your neighbors as yourself.
Learning with you to love,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)
Friday, June 12, 2009
Difficulties
Question to think about: Who do you need to love?
Sometimes life becomes so difficult that the difficulties define an individual.
Eventually the individual is perceived as difficult.
The thing is . . . others back away from difficult individuals afraid that land mines of distrust . . . anger . . . bitterness . . . self-hate . . . or hate of others will blow up.
Nothing is solved . . . more difficulties arise . . . and the pattern is repeated.
What can we do?
Christ gave the second most important life-law:
And the second command is like the first: Love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Matthew 22:39, NASB)
We are given the life-law to love others . . . our neighbors . . . as we love ourselves.
In other words, we need to love our life in order to love others.
What we all need, more than anything else, is love.
Love your neighbor
as yourself regardless of any difficulties.
Learning with you to love neighbors,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)
Sometimes life becomes so difficult that the difficulties define an individual.
Eventually the individual is perceived as difficult.
The thing is . . . others back away from difficult individuals afraid that land mines of distrust . . . anger . . . bitterness . . . self-hate . . . or hate of others will blow up.
Nothing is solved . . . more difficulties arise . . . and the pattern is repeated.
What can we do?
Christ gave the second most important life-law:
And the second command is like the first: Love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Matthew 22:39, NASB)
We are given the life-law to love others . . . our neighbors . . . as we love ourselves.
In other words, we need to love our life in order to love others.
What we all need, more than anything else, is love.
Love your neighbor
as yourself regardless of any difficulties.
Learning with you to love neighbors,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Land Mines
(Go to Kick Start (link on the sidebar) for more . . .
Or log onto facebook and become friends with Kick Start for five-days/week worship . . . prayer . . . meditation.)
Question to think about: What land mines do you have?
They chose to clear land mines across the world.
Land mines are often left after a war, which injure and kill thousands of people.
When they left, they knew they might not come back . . . the task was a risk to their lives.
They went to Viet Nam with an organization that had the goal to bring peace, healing, and restoration to the landscape.
We allow land mines in our own lives which may be in the form of
busyness,
anxiety,
fear,
bitterness,
hate,
and the list goes on.
As we turn over the heart, soul, and mind to Christ . . . the places that the land mines occupy are cleared out.
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul . . . (Matthew 22:36-37b, NASB)
The thing is, a land mine like hate in the soul is unable to exist simultaneously with whole soul love for God.
What land mines need to be cleared out?
Turn
the heart, the core of your being,
the soul, your emotions, attitude, and will,
and the mind
to fully loving God
and begin clearing out the land mines.
Experience peace, healing, and restoration to the landscape of your life.
Learning with you to clear the land mines out,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)
Or log onto facebook and become friends with Kick Start for five-days/week worship . . . prayer . . . meditation.)
Question to think about: What land mines do you have?
They chose to clear land mines across the world.
Land mines are often left after a war, which injure and kill thousands of people.
When they left, they knew they might not come back . . . the task was a risk to their lives.
They went to Viet Nam with an organization that had the goal to bring peace, healing, and restoration to the landscape.
We allow land mines in our own lives which may be in the form of
busyness,
anxiety,
fear,
bitterness,
hate,
and the list goes on.
As we turn over the heart, soul, and mind to Christ . . . the places that the land mines occupy are cleared out.
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul . . . (Matthew 22:36-37b, NASB)
The thing is, a land mine like hate in the soul is unable to exist simultaneously with whole soul love for God.
What land mines need to be cleared out?
Turn
the heart, the core of your being,
the soul, your emotions, attitude, and will,
and the mind
to fully loving God
and begin clearing out the land mines.
Experience peace, healing, and restoration to the landscape of your life.
Learning with you to clear the land mines out,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Hero
Question to think about: Do you have a hero's mind?
Heroes have a mindset . . . they think beyond themselves.
One hero had to
move her children to safety.
It was tough and necessary.
Her husband, the father of her children, consistently made harmful choices. He created an unsafe environment for their children as he literally drank himself to death.
She moved from their home, created a new home, worked hard, and provided for the needs of her children. The children were protected as they weathered the storm of their father's mistakes.
Then it happened . . . he became ill from the effects of alcohol toxicity.
One lonely, stormy night, she struggled with a question: “Should I help him?” Thoughts of his destructive behavior overwhelmed her with fear.
She focused on God. In the midst of the stormy night, she knew God was present . . . love won out.
Peace came with the decision to help him.
The hero reached out without blame, demands, or expectation . . . leaning into God moment to moment.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV)
He died with the hero by his side; the fatherless children were left with the legacy of love.
What transformed the mind of hurt to become heroic?
Her mind was transformed by the presence and power of God.
Jesus explained the greatest life-law to live by:
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:36-37, NASB)
We love God with our whole heart . . . all of our being . . . and soul . . . and mind.
The whole mind includes our deepest thoughts where we synthesize, analyze, and conclude how to live.
Become one of God’s heroes.
Surrender your mind to God.
Love God with all of your mind.
Lean into God rather than your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge God and God will direct your pathways.
Learning with you to love God with all of the mind,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)
Heroes have a mindset . . . they think beyond themselves.
One hero had to
move her children to safety.
It was tough and necessary.
Her husband, the father of her children, consistently made harmful choices. He created an unsafe environment for their children as he literally drank himself to death.
She moved from their home, created a new home, worked hard, and provided for the needs of her children. The children were protected as they weathered the storm of their father's mistakes.
Then it happened . . . he became ill from the effects of alcohol toxicity.
One lonely, stormy night, she struggled with a question: “Should I help him?” Thoughts of his destructive behavior overwhelmed her with fear.
She focused on God. In the midst of the stormy night, she knew God was present . . . love won out.
Peace came with the decision to help him.
The hero reached out without blame, demands, or expectation . . . leaning into God moment to moment.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV)
He died with the hero by his side; the fatherless children were left with the legacy of love.
What transformed the mind of hurt to become heroic?
Her mind was transformed by the presence and power of God.
Jesus explained the greatest life-law to live by:
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:36-37, NASB)
We love God with our whole heart . . . all of our being . . . and soul . . . and mind.
The whole mind includes our deepest thoughts where we synthesize, analyze, and conclude how to live.
Become one of God’s heroes.
Surrender your mind to God.
Love God with all of your mind.
Lean into God rather than your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge God and God will direct your pathways.
Learning with you to love God with all of the mind,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)
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