What if we're wrong?

  From all that has happened to us in our lifetime, all we have encountered and experienced, we have drawn conclusions about life and how to make it work. We form our  conclusions in order to protect and provide for ourselves. We build our belief system brick by brick, just as if we were a bricklayer building a house.
   We consult our experiences to determine how the world operates, who we are in it, how to avoid pain, when to promote ourselves, and more.
    All of these moments, and all the conclusions we draw from them, are stored in a place called the heart.  "A mans heart is engaged with his belief system regardless of his condition. Whether alive in Christ or spiritually dead, the heart is in constant danger of being compromised and wounded.
    No wonder two kingdoms -light and dark, are at war over such a beautiful and vital piece of real estate. Is it any wonder that mens hearts are in serious need of renovation?  In our core, our center, or stored attitudes, beliefs, and conclusions shaped by our experiences.  These need Gods attention, because we don't get by without being hurt, missed, or wounded in this larger story and at the central core of places.
 The Scripture tells us,
" Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life." Proverbs 4:23
 What every man has left unguarded for much of his life need his and Gods attention.  There are things growing there and wandering about that we have left unattended far too long.
    There is a remedy for the false - self life from which we all suffer.  There is another kind of life, another way of life, and it is almost too good to be true. Almost.
 It is the life of a son of God, one who knows how to fight and knows how to rest, knows how to be loved and, in time learns how to love.
               " Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives
                  to his beloved is that about overcoming self "
                                         Francis of Assisi
   Overcoming the "false"self, the other layers of a man, both the good and the messed up and simple, that he mistakes for his deepest identity.  Seeing what has to be overcome is a huge step toward actually overcoming it.
   Somethings need to be unlearned. (I wrote an earlier blog on "Renewing Our Mind" and spoke somewhat about unlearning.)  One of the first steps in our training is to circle back to what has already taken place in our story.  What we have learned along the way and why we have become the way we are requires our focused attention if we are to become truly free.
   Regular visit with God to explore one's personal history or standard practice for men to shed the "false"self and to become true men.  Here are a few questions to ask God during your visits with him.

Father-- Who delivered the messages and materials that formed the beliefs of my heart?

Jesus--  What happened to me that has brought on a loss of heart?

Holy Spirit--  In my life's journey, who inflicted hurt, guilt, fear, or Shame?

 Find answers with God and you will find your "false"self, -- the enemy of the heart controls-- and that is what always oposses your life with God.