Not too long ago, I read an account of a man who had stumbled across a good way to make a change in his thoughts. He was very angry with his ex-wife, and was holding that anger and resentment tightly in his heart. While on the computer one day, he was asked to change the password to a site he frequented. He changed it to: Forgiveher. Every day, several times a day, he had to type "Forgiveher". And, slowly, it worked.
I like to have ringtones that alert me when the family is calling me - songs that I associate with each one of them. But I used to use either canned rings or sort of popular songs for other ringtones. Then I realized that I could make sure I heard something calming, or inspirational, or edifying, each time the phone rings. What I hear now sends me a message to calm down.
It's tempting to want to put the latest picture of the cute grandchild or an Oreo cookie as a screensaver, but when the computer is fired up and I pull up Micah 6: 6-8, it reminds me of my calling.
Strange to admit, but I have an app on my phone that is set to go off randomly three times a day, as a signal to stop and breathe and let go. The sound is a small and gentle one, and even when it goes off during a meeting, or in traffic, or when someone is in my office - I benefit from the reminder. I'd bet the other people in the meeting, other cars, or talking with me do too, whether they're aware of it or not.
Standing in line, I have a choice of reading the magazine covers - I especially like the ones geared toward women that have BOTH cupcake recipes AND how to lose 10 pounds before Labor Day - or praying a sentence prayer. Maybe "Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner", or "Thanks. Help. Wow", or "What is the one thing You want me to notice today? How can I be of help?".
And of course, there is the ever faithul 'count to ten before you speak' change. The other day, I didn't do that. And I should have. Boy, I should have.
In the 6th chapter to his letter to the church at Rome, Paul tells us (in paraphrase) to keep our eye on the prize. Maybe by keeping our eyes, and our ears, in tune with a still more better way, we can stay closer to God.
I like to have ringtones that alert me when the family is calling me - songs that I associate with each one of them. But I used to use either canned rings or sort of popular songs for other ringtones. Then I realized that I could make sure I heard something calming, or inspirational, or edifying, each time the phone rings. What I hear now sends me a message to calm down.
It's tempting to want to put the latest picture of the cute grandchild or an Oreo cookie as a screensaver, but when the computer is fired up and I pull up Micah 6: 6-8, it reminds me of my calling.
Strange to admit, but I have an app on my phone that is set to go off randomly three times a day, as a signal to stop and breathe and let go. The sound is a small and gentle one, and even when it goes off during a meeting, or in traffic, or when someone is in my office - I benefit from the reminder. I'd bet the other people in the meeting, other cars, or talking with me do too, whether they're aware of it or not.
Standing in line, I have a choice of reading the magazine covers - I especially like the ones geared toward women that have BOTH cupcake recipes AND how to lose 10 pounds before Labor Day - or praying a sentence prayer. Maybe "Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner", or "Thanks. Help. Wow", or "What is the one thing You want me to notice today? How can I be of help?".
And of course, there is the ever faithul 'count to ten before you speak' change. The other day, I didn't do that. And I should have. Boy, I should have.
In the 6th chapter to his letter to the church at Rome, Paul tells us (in paraphrase) to keep our eye on the prize. Maybe by keeping our eyes, and our ears, in tune with a still more better way, we can stay closer to God.
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