Sunday, March 27, 2011

Annual heart checkup

It's that time of year when I see my heart specialist. I have "hiccups" in my heart rhythm, so he runs a yearly EKG and re-evaluates my medicines. Oh yeah...I have to step on the scales as well and I usually get "fussed at"! I always feel exposed during this visit. The EKG doesn't lie, telling my doctor and me if my heart is in sync; the scales rat out my secret snack attacks.


I do like the timing of this visit, though, as it falls close to Easter, reminding me to visit with God about my spiritual heart condition. Exposing the ugly places of my sinful heart is uncomfortable, but necessary for my journey with God. Would you join me in doing some serious reflection during these last few weeks leading up to the greatest celebration in history?

Consider taking a few minutes each day to ask yourself these questions:

Is my heart divided between God and other things?

Do I love Him with wholehearted devotion?

Is my heart in rhythm with the things God loves?

Does my heart skip a beat when I think about worldly things?

Are there any heart conditions in which I need God's healing, like pride, selfishness, dishonesty, ingratitude?

Is there something I need to fast from during this Lenten season in order to make my heart healthy?

Proverbs 4:23 reminds us that we have to guard our hearts at all cost.

Let's get heart healthy together!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

The Messiah has made things up between us so that we're now together on this, non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. Ephesians 2:14. Msg.

Walls! Easier to build than to tear down. The apostle Paul encouraged Jews and Gentiles to finish the demolition process that Christ on the cross had begun. His shed blood formed the foundation for the two groups to unite and grow as one Church.

Walls! We all keep one around our hearts. Don't let anyone in...don't become vulnerable and show our hurts, mistakes, weakness. We keep adding bricks each time we feel pain or embarrassment.

Walls! Easier to tear down the ones that separate groups and differences than to let down the personal barrier that guards us from possible exposure. Shouldn't that be the first wall to fall?