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July 18,
2008
The standard
Bible rendition goes, “Where there is no vision the people perish.”
I’ve just finished a Breathe Free Smoking Cessation series this
week. All the participants who attended were successful. I’ll
see them again in 2 1/2 weeks and we’ll see how they’re
doing on their own.
I know from personal experience and from my work with people implementing
change that success will hinge to a great degree on the clarity of one’s
goals and the level of commitment to those goals. I’m impressed
with the inter-relationship of physical, mental and emotional health.
I’m impressed with the realization that the same simple lifestyle
changes we make to assist one area of our lives can be the same changes
that would benefit other areas of our life.
Depression, diabetes, smoking, stress and weight management all benefit
from similar lifestyle choices. Positive directions for our lives begin
with good information about how our minds and bodies work. Then It depends
on us developing a clear vision for the quality of like we desire. Then
we must implement choices consistent with the vision we have.
A hiking analogy could be that we must choose the mountain we want to
summit. We need a clear map to follow. We then must take one step after
another to reach our goal.
A housing analogy could be (this happens to be on my mind for some reason.
O yes, it’s because I’ve been painting all week.) that we
must have a clear picture for what we want a remodel to look like in
the end. Otherwise we have no idea what to purchase at the paint store
or the carpet outlet. We then must have a scheduled plan to implement
the project and we must show up regularly to do the work. At least someone
must show up to do the work.
So you get to choose your own analogy. Make it one with real implications
for you personally.
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to
all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful
pleasures. We should live in this evil world with self-control,
right conduct, and devotion to God, while we look forward to that wonderful
event when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will
be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to
cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to
doing what is right.” Titus 2:11-14
With full commitment,
Pastor Steve
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