August 14, 2013 - "I Really Need That!"

Good morning to you all, I wanted to quickly say that I will be on vacation next week and I will not have internet service on the mountain where I will be staying. So, tomorrow is my last blog until Monday the 26th. I also feel a change is coming in my blog season. I am not certain exactly what that means, but will unfold that in the next several weeks. :) Remember as kids when you were getting disciplined? (whatever that looked like for you) How many times did you comment after being punished, "thanks, I really needed that." Oh my goodness, if you did, you have now become my hero. Being disciplined, for me, has never been something I looked forward too or celebrated upon completion. As I was reading this morning Hebrews 12:6 and Proverbs 3:12 about being disciplined by the Lord, I was reminded that He disciplines BECAUSE of His great love for His sons and daughters. If God never challenged us or corrected us, I am more than certain we would venture into our own journey and become bratty. Maybe just me. Have you ever been around a child at a store who is acting in a "not so pleasant" manner and pitching a fit? Have you ever seen Tiaras and Toddlers? I happened to stumble upon that a couple of weeks ago and got so agitated at the child's behavior I was upset for several minutes. I cannot blame the child - the fault lies with the parents. Keep going, PK. Let's bring this to our daily journey. We are born with a sin nature that wants what it wants, when it wants it, and with no restrictions. This behavior is not limited to simple toys. This behavior is the root of most adultery, sexual sin, criminal actions, etc. But let me venture to say, it is also the root of unhealthiness. I feel strongly about this. Perhaps your parents disciplined you for breaking the rules and that has helped you as an adult to contain your fleshly appetites. Perhaps it's keep you from lying, stealing, and killing others. But if no one ever taught us that eating beyond the boundaries could create havoc in our lives, we probably have no place of discipline to serve as a reminder. Being healthy has only come into a place of great focus in recent years. However, today, we cannot be "bratty" about our health and win. We need to embrace the discipline of our fleshly appetites BIG TIME and add this layer of discipline for our children. Not as a punishment - but as a means of offering LIFE! That is exactly what God is saying in Hebrews and Proverbs. Although disciplining my flesh when I smell pizza baking is easier than it used to be, it still takes work. Not complying equals disaster though. I cannot allow my flesh to win. Bratty kids who "win" in the store, never truly win. Neither does our flesh. I would rather discipline my flesh and say "NO" to the pizza and brownie than suffer the consequences of ill health as a senior. I wish there was another way, but I am not certain there is. Discipline anyone? :) PK