Thursday, Jul 10, 2008

TWG - July 10, 2008

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TWG - July 10, 2008
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Exodus 40; Psalm 52; Acts 10:1-23

Today is July 10, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. We are doing something of eternal significance. We are redeeming the time. That is one of the basic premises of TWG. We believe that what we do every day is so important that we must do the important things each day. That is why we read the word every Day

I seem to have a thing for poison oak lately. At camp I got it on my legs and on vacation I got it all over my arms. I didn’t see it, but it got me. Yesterday was a scorcher! In the morning Susan and I finished the fence. It looks good. Then I ran a load of trash to the dump. After that I finished up all I needed to for Sunday’s Service while I am gone! The rest of the day I hid inside! It was just too hot to be wandering around like and egg in a frying pan! I put a picture of Zac staring up at me on the blog at timewithgod.mypodcast.com. Check it out.

This week’s theme verse is James 1:19-20 “1 My 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.”

“Be angry and do not sin.” Ephesians 4:26. There is a place for anger. We need to recognize when we are angry so we can take appropriate action. Anger can be good and it can be bad. The positive use of anger is when it spurs us on to do the right thing. We can be so indifferent until we are confronted by injustice. Out of the pit of anger some people have created entire movements that change the world. Anger has motivated other people to succeed. But beware. Anger is a tricky emotion. It is more like a roman broadsword than a surgeon’s scalpel. It is much easier to slice someone apart than it is to use anger as a tool of healing. Most anger is inappropriate and sinful. It does not bring about a good result. It is a rare phenomenon when I have been able to use anger in a constructive way in a relationship. I can’t think of a time when I have been simmering in anger and have been spiritual. Anger destroys relationships with God and with man. It is extremely destructive. So why do we keep on responding in anger if it doesn’t bring about the results we want? Let’s begin with our nature. We have a sin problem. It’s a defense mechanism. It is natural for us to descend into rage to “protect ourselves.” We also have a pride problem. We don’t like people stepping on our toes, so we lash out at them to let them know where they stand in the pecking order. Then there’s frustration. One of the main causes of anger is that we aren’t getting what we want so we vent! It’s as simple as you stole my playschool blocks so I’m going to throw a tantrum … to the student who can’t understand homework so he throws his math book at the wall, shattering the mirror… or as complex as the husband who is impatient with his wife because she wants an explanation he can’t give, so he shoves her onto the bed and runs out of the room shouting profanities… and the scenarios are endless. Bottom line: The wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God. It’s time for a new plan. And it begins with the admission that my anger is destructive so I need to cast it out. Admission is the first step to healing. Get it out into the open and be honest with yourself. Then take the next step. Remind yourself as often as necessary that you have chosen a new path. The best time for the reminder is BEFORE you explode, but if you haven’t tamed your fury, at least remind yourself during or after the outburst. “Hey! It’s not OK!” Step three is develop a new plan. Think through your responses and role play a better response that does not include anger, revenge or frustration. The plan should have at least four stages: Stage one… how will I keep my cool? What tricks or memory devices will I trigger to calm myself down? Stage two… my tone of voice. To remain calm, you need to sound calm. Try a smile when you talk. You’d be surprised how that changes your tone of voice. Stage three… The content of your response. You need to learn how to communicate! Communication is an art form! Practice it. Role play it. Learn how to speak in a constructive way. Stage four… the withdrawal process. Even if you don’t get what you want, you need to learn how to withdraw from a volatile situation constructively. In other words, live to fight another day… or should I say, live to talk another day.

If you shoot me an email, I’ll send you a paper called “The Five Messages.” A five part way of expressing yourself more clearly and completely.

Dear Father, my spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. Life seems to test me. It throws one problem after another at me. I feel like I am at war. Like I’m in a spiritual battle! Just like you said. Help me to put on the full armor of God and prepare myself for a battle against my flesh. Help me to love others and be constructive in what I say rather than destructive. I want to live the righteous kind of life you have for me.

All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:38 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

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