How Accurate Is Your Self-Image?
My intention this morning was to write something insightful about self-image, so I did a little Googling and found a really good article by Grantley Morris. This is only the first part to whet your appetite for learning more about God’s view of you: You’ll have to go to the author’s website to read the rest. And if you’re struggling with your self-image or self-esteem, I hope you WILL take time to read the entire article.
How to Change Your Self-Image & Boost Self-Esteem:
Why changing your self-image is so difficult and yet so important
by Grantley MorrisFor most of my life I’ve thought it was safe to let my self-esteem flounder. I even thought it would make me more Christlike. I was wrong. Very wrong.
For each of us, our self-image defines reality for us. Our self-image is our North Star. We use it to get our bearings and plot our course through life. If we get our bearings wrong, mistakenly thinking we are at a certain point on a map, we will interpret everything else we see – whether close or on the horizon – according to our mistaken belief. We will get everything wrong and yet, apart from a little confusion, we will have no idea that we are mistaken.
Our self-image is so fundamental that if we get that wrong, we are completely lost and don’t even know it. And that’s such a scary thought that most of us prefer not to question our presumptions.So to summarize, for each of us, our self-image seems rock-solid reality, and rather than conclude that we have got it wrong, we interpret everything else to fit our conception of reality. The disturbing thing is that almost all of us have a wrong or distorted self-image, which leads to a wrong or distorted understanding of just how important and loved of God we are and how enormous is our ability to achieve great things.
With few exceptions, our self-image is not a perspective we have … [read more]
Feed Your Soul
Have you ever been in a spiritual slump? Disinterested by the same food served week after week? Sometimes we need to get creative to add the spices back. You know, show some initiative? Maybe spend a weekend hiking in the mountains, or sitting on a quiet beach contemplating the greatness of God as you watch the never-ending waves brush upon the shore. Read a different translation of the Bible, or a good book by someone who knows what it’s like to be where you are.
One of my favorites is Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. I’ve been thinking about re-reading it this summer, and I still may do that. But this weekend, I met up with some old friends who brought Philip Yancey’s writings back to mind. As a result of my friends’ enthusiasm for this inspiring reminder of the freely given and unmerited favor and love of God, I’m planning a trip to the local bookstore this afternoon to pick up a copy of What’s So Amazing About Grace. Have you read it? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Why Do Families Homeschool?
from Christian Home Educators Association of California
California families choose to homeschool for a variety of reasons: academic, social, and religious. Whatever the reason, parents are qualified, and the best teachers for their own children.
Academic: Studies prepared by private researchers, universities, and the government show that students who are taught at home score higher on a variety of test, including college entrance exams such as the SAT. Homeschooled students are accepted into colleges as Harvard, Notre Dame, and the military academies. In recent years, winners of the National Spelling Bee and National Geographic’s Geography Bee have been from the ranks of the homeschooled. Beyond high school and college, students who have been taught at home are more likely to start and run their own business. (See Homeschool Facts and Figures)
Social: For the past three decades, the number one question concerning homeschooling has been “What about socialization?” Many families are now brining their children home for school because of the negative social impact of public schools. Parents are more concerned about gangs, drugs, and school shootings than ever before. Homeschooled children take part in as many, if not more, extra-curricular activities as their traditional-school counterparts. Opportunities for social activities including music, athletics, and play days abound with homeschool groups. (See Homeschool Groups)
Religious: More and more families are feeling that their faith is unwelcome in public school settings. With teachings that are contrary to what a family believes, families of all faiths are turning to homeschooling as a viable option. With a private education at home, families are able to teach spiritual values and provide character training. Many Christian parents believe it is God’s will for the children to be taught by their parents (Deut. 6: 6-7). In the private homeschool, all subjects can be taught from a Biblical perspective.
Why did God give us feelings?
Imagine you are going for a walk along the beach. The gentle breeze is soothing to your soul, and the warm sand feels amazing under your bare feet. You wander down to the water’s edge and lose yourself completely as you watch the waves lapping at the shore. You’re mesmerized by the flight of the seagulls, suspended in mid-air as though they were held in place by an invisible string. Off in the distance you see a lone surfer paddling his way toward the few waves that are beginning to appear not far from the horizon.
Suddenly, you feel a sharp pain in your foot and something warm and wet trickling down your ankle. But you don’t want to ruin the experience of the moment, so you try to ignore it. You don’t even look down. You just turn your foot on its side, which seems to lessen the pain a bit, and continue walking toward the pier.
You hobble up the concrete steps and along the wooden planks above the waves, heading toward your favorite restaurant, where your best friend is waiting for you. Your friend notices the grim look on your face and asks what’s wrong.
“I don’t know what it is. I was enjoying this great walk on the beach, but few minutes ago my back started hurting. Guess I’m just under a lot of stress. Maybe I need a massage.”
Had you paid immediate attention to the painful sensation, you would have looked down to see that you’d stumbled over a broken bottle that cut a deep gash on the inside of your foot and ankle. You’d have sought out some sort of medical care – first aid – to address the problem and make sure that your wound had the best chance of being properly healed.
However, in wanting to focus only on the pleasant, you’ve ignored – denied – missed out on some critically important information. In the weeks and months ahead, you will continue to wonder about your back pain and fail to take care of the real issue of the gash in your foot. Which, by the way, would have been a rather straightforward healing process.
Our emotions are not all that different from our physical feelings. In fact, our emotions also have a physical aspect. (More about that later.) It’s our special system, designed by God himself, to provide us with information about the world around us and to protect us from additional harm.
QUESTION: What unpleasant feelings have you been trying to ignore?
The Waiting Place
How’s your summer going? Are you finding yourself in the “waiting place”? Waiting for a job? Waiting for business to pick up?
According to Dr. Seuss,* we all go there at some time:
The Waiting Place …
… for people just waiting.Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to com, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snot
or waiting around for a Yes or No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
everyone is just waiting.Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting perhaps for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Brake
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
It seems to me that one of the most difficult things about life is learning what our own role is in our own future. How much of what happens depends on us, and how much depends on God? It certainly doesn’t make sense to just sit around and wait for things to happen.
Which reminds me of an old saying:
There are three kinds of people in this world:
The ones who wait for things to happen,
The ones who make things happen,
And the ones who wonder what happened!
The Bible puts it this way …
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
It seems to me that, if we will end up with a straight path, we need to be willing to move. It’s hard to steer a parked car!
What do you think?
*NOTE: Quote is from Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss (1990).
Bear One Another’s Burden
Do you spend a lot of time worrying about other people – you spouse, your child, a sibling? Are you trying desperately to live out Galatians 6:2 – without the results you’re hoping for?
Bear one another’s burdens,
and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
Our efforts to help others heal and grow – though well-intentioned – often have little effect on someone else’s bad behavior. In trying to do good, we sometimes get confused about our role in the lives of others. We forget Galatians 6:3-5 –
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load.
If you’d like some help in sorting it out, give us a call. We’re here to help.
Sometimes Life Is Difficult
Has anyone told you that God is testing your faith by what you are going through right now?
Have their comments made you question God’s goodness?
Do you feel like you’re struggling in an endless sea of trials – no help in sight?
Or are you living in the light of Psalm 34:8?
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
We believe it is the goodness of God – not the trial – that strengthens our faith. When we know for sure that He is there to offer His support and comfort, we are able to heal and to grow. If life is difficult for you right now, surround yourself with people who can help you sense His presence.
Now is the time …
Have you ever had a vague feeling that you were missing something important? If so, you’re not alone. A lot of people are depressed about the past or anxious about the future.
Interestingly, either of those positions can get you stuck in a place where you’re missing the here-and-now. And if your “present” isn’t pleasant, you can see why you’re avoiding it, can’t you?
We can, and we’re here to help.
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