Reverse Thinking

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26 NIV)

Last night at Lenten worship we learned about loving God with all of our mind. Pastor Chad shared a video that cycles in popularity. Even if you didn't see it last night, you may have seen it before... But it is always worth a second look, so here is a link to Reverse Thinking: http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=KLZY67NX.

There are a lot of things that go into helping us form our most dearly held beliefs:
Family, teachers, peers, where we go to church, where we live, our own sense of right and wrong, and, we hope...the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, we probably pay the least attention to what the Holy Spirit is trying to tell us... Especially if He is trying to change our minds from something we were raised to believe.

I'm not talking about just believing in God and Christ as Savior. If you are reading this blog, you probably already believe that. I'm talking more about those things that we may have been taught about those beliefs. Things like... women's role in the church, hell doctrine, worship styles, baptism and communion practices...and on and on and on. Most of our beliefs on these sorts of things have been shaped by our parents, pastors and Sunday school teachers whose beliefs were shaped by their parents, pastors, or Sunday school teachers. This does not mean that those things we believe are wrong. And perhaps many of our beliefs are really more just a preference that we have turned into a belief and are neither right or wrong. But there may be some of our beliefs that are just plain wrong.

Now, I really don't think God will condemn us for holding wrong beliefs that all of our upbringing has led us to believe is true, but I do think we need to live with open hearts and minds to the fact that none of us have all the right answers. I think we need to live with hearts and minds that continually listen for the teaching of the Holy Spirit who is only too happy to guide us in all truth... If we will only ask! ...and then listen with a truly teachable heart. We will not learn even from the Holy Spirit if we are not willing to give up our most cherished beliefs. If we are not willing to be wrong, we are not willing to be taught.

King Solomen asked for wisdom and was given that and so much more. God just wants us to want it, and once we do, he will pour out his blessings upon us.

Father,
We say we want wisdom and truth, but our stubborn nature belies that desire. Open our hearts to "reverse thinking" wherever it is needed so that we may truly love you with all of our mind. Amen.

Joys: wonderful Lenten series and learning a lot; getting ready for a Wild Women's Weekend at Lutheridge with some of my favorite wild women; wildflowers