Heart Choices: In Other Words Tuesdays ~ Getting Bumped -->

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In Other Words Tuesdays ~ Getting Bumped


It's In Other Words Tuesday and Miriam of Miriam Pauline's Monologue is our host this week. She has chosen the following quote for us to write about today:

I have to say that this quote hit me right between the eyes! You see, I really want to be patient and kind and loving in all circumstances. But lately, I've been a bit surprised with ...what's been coming out of me.

When life is going along smoothly, it's easy to be sweet and nice and kind. But when you're going through those difficult seasons that never seem to end, I have to admit ...the tension can overwhelm me.

One of the things that helped me is remembering a teaching of Scott Samter of Opening His Word Together. It was on Romans 12 and Scott was describing how Christians have a choice.

Our spirit is alive in Christ but we still struggle with our flesh this side of eternity. He used an analogy of an AM and FM radio station. The AM station is Adam or presaved. The FM station is God's station.

Romans 12:1 talks about presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice. Scott said that the greatest warfare we deal with is between our ears. Every action starts with a thought.

Who will rule? Our spirit (FM station) or our flesh (AM station)?

This stuck with me and now when I find that when I'm reacting and speaking impatient and unloving words, I pause and recognize what's happening. I'm reacting out of my flesh (AM station). I go to 1 John 1:9 which is my spiritual bar of soap:

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

When I'm "bumped", my desire is to not react from my flesh (AM station) but to live with my dial set on my FM station.


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Debbie Petras
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17 comments:

  1. Good insights, Debbie.

    All of life is a test, and life presents us with choices moment by moment.

    May God be honored in your choices today, dear friend.

    Praying for you,
    Lidj

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  2. Honest and revealing post dear Sister. We all struggle in this area I'm sure.

    When all is well then of course our words will reflect that but when hell rises up against us, someone speaks a negative word, mistreats us or something unexpected and not pleasant happens THAT'S when we'll see what we're really made of. It is then we know if we are walking in the light of the LORD being seasoned by HIM. It's only when we're tested do we see our "true" faith, our "true" character -- our strengths AND our weaknesses.

    Thankfully we can take them all to the feet of Jesus who ALREADY knows us all, and realize them to Him. No sense hiding out because HE already knows anyway :)

    Love you much and thanks for always being you.

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  3. Big hugs Debbie!

    Thank God for His never ending supply of grace and mercy! Thank God for His never bitter water that always runs sweet and full of LIFE!

    May we run to Him and cling to the life giving truth and let it overflow in us despite the trials we find ourselves walking in!

    If what we say and do is not effecting things for eternity then let's leave them unsaid and undone!

    Love you!
    Jill

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  4. Your spiritual bar of soap...clever girl! The AM/FM stations make it so clear!

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  5. Oh Debbie it does truly seem to me that we are walking somewhat similiar paths right now. I can so relate to this post AGAIN. Just yesterday, after church I picked up my grandchildren and my daughter-in-law and went out to pick up a few much needed clothing items for the kids. LOTS of walking. By the time I got home my knees were throbbing, my back and head hurt and after 3 hours of little children I was operating on my last VERY frayed nerve. I walked in the door and within 2 minutes found ugly meanness coming out of my mouth to my very undeserving husband. I was instantly convicted and felt sooo bad. I quickly apologized of course, but it took me a while with the Lord before I felt OK again. It is soo easy to beat myself when I fail soo quickly sometimes. Praise God for His mercy and His grace and His forgiveness and that they are new every morning, Where on earth would I ever be without Him? Thanks for the prayers today, I really felt them. I got most of what I needed to done, and without too much pain either. Blessings to you, Debbie

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  6. I am sad to say that this, too, has been me as of late. Things come out of my mouth that I didn't know I felt, or even thought, but they are. What is between our ears...very well said. So glad we have the Holy Spirit to convict us quickly, so we can quickly ask for forgiveness. I am still in complete awe of a God who fills us with His grace. Beautiful post, Debbie, thanks so much!

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  7. Well, I'm sorry you can relate, but it is nice to know that I'm not in this boat alone, ykwim? LOL! I have been greatly challenged the last few weeks when things were going less than swimmingly how close to the surface those irritated words can be. This quote is a reminder to me to keep that in check. Bless you for sharing the awesome illustration of the AM/FM station. Have a day filled with sweet water!

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  8. It occurs to me there's no such thing as patience, until it's required; or no such thing as faith, until it's exercised. So often my talk and my walk are at odds. I am then reminded that His fruit grows best when pruned & fertilized; and the process becomes the joy of yielding.

    Great analogies here, friend. Thank you!

    Kathleen

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  9. I really like the AM/FM station illustration. That works so well. I have found myself a couple of times today needing a "spiritual bar of soap." Thank you much for your wise words today.

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  10. Love the metaphors of the AM/FM stations and the "spiritual bar of soap"! Great thoughts and reflections on this quote. Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom!

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  11. Ha ha! I love how you put it; the soap and the radio. You have a fun way with words.
    This is my first week at IOW. I am enjoying "getting to know you all"
    Jessie at Blog Schmog

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  12. It also amazes me what comes out at times - it is the battle between our flesh and spirit as you said - but I am so thankful for the mercy of God - sometimes I think He allows the residue of our flesh to remain so we can understand the fullness of His love and mercy for us. It is truly overwhelming.

    Rachel

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  13. Beautiful words, sweet Debbie!

    I can relate to most of it. Thank you for sharing.

    -Kelly

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  14. Some really good thoughts! So true and so close to home... Thanks for sharing.
    Also, I went on to your Norway friend's blog page. My mom was born in Tromso and married a minister from America who was preaching in her town. So my whole childhood was filled with Norwegian stories and visits.
    Small world....
    Thanks again, I really love your
    blog.

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  15. The greatest warfare is between our ears?! Amen to that!! Thanks for the reminder our responses are a choice.

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  16. Dear Debbie,
    I feel sorry for you, getting on a bumpy ride.
    It's so frustrating when it's going on, but later on, just these bumps, when you felt most lonely, will be where you found the greatest blessings.
    He is there all the time our Lord, and he has promised that nothing shall harm or hurt you.
    I prayed for a word to send you, and I got a whole chapter, from Him, who calms the water.
    James 1 (New International Version)

    James 1

    1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
    To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
    Greetings.
    Trials and Temptations
    2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

    9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

    12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

    13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

    16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
    Listening and Doing
    19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

    22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

    26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after
    orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

    Lots of good food here. Hope there's something for you to, dear Debbie.
    From Feliol

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