http://blog.wrccc.com/?p=867 Thoughts from the Leadership of West Ridge as we journey through Scripture. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:04:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 http://blog.wrccc.com/?p=867&cpage=1#comment-72 TJ Bloom Wed, 27 May 2009 14:17:22 +0000 http://blog.wrccc.com/?p=867#comment-72 This reminds me of a season in my life when I took a challenge to shut out any and all form of media other than reading my bible, listening to Christian music and bible studies. I was part of a men’s small study that was attending a Promise Keepers rally and we did this for 40 days prior to the event. Those that know me well understand I am a huge sports nut and rarely does a day go by when I don’t check in with Sportscenter, etc. The challenge seemed tough but one I felt the Spirit calling me to answer. Well, the short version is that those were 40 powerful days. God used that time to really speak to my heart and mind without me putting anything in its way. The rest of the group shared similar testimonies and we extended the challenge as long as possible. I’m not sure when I finally broke down for some sports but that wasn’t the point. Flashing forward to present day I feel a noticeable difference when my heart isn’t guarded well. When I’m to busy, distracted, lazy and bored I let my guard down. When I don’t correct it quickly it leads to another day, another and sometimes many. The next thing I know, I’ve gone through the motions of several days. How many opportunities did I miss to share Jesus with someone? How much of my limited memory did I clog with useless things? I feel cleansed and renewed when I get back to basics and live each day with my heart guarded and my eyes focused on Abba Father !!! Forgive me Lord for my shortcomings and strengthen me to guard my heart every moment of every day. This reminds me of a season in my life when I took a challenge to shut out any and all form of media other than reading my bible, listening to Christian music and bible studies. I was part of a men’s small study that was attending a Promise Keepers rally and we did this for 40 days prior to the event.
Those that know me well understand I am a huge sports nut and rarely does a day go by when I don’t check in with Sportscenter, etc. The challenge seemed tough but one I felt the Spirit calling me to answer. Well, the short version is that those were 40 powerful days. God used that time to really speak to my heart and mind without me putting anything in its way. The rest of the group shared similar testimonies and we extended the challenge as long as possible. I’m not sure when I finally broke down for some sports but that wasn’t the point. Flashing forward to present day I feel a noticeable difference when my heart isn’t guarded well. When I’m to busy, distracted, lazy and bored I let my guard down. When I don’t correct it quickly it leads to another day, another and sometimes many. The next thing I know, I’ve gone through the motions of several days. How many opportunities did I miss to share Jesus with someone? How much of my limited memory did I clog with useless things? I feel cleansed and renewed when I get back to basics and live each day with my heart guarded and my eyes focused on Abba Father !!! Forgive me Lord for my shortcomings and strengthen me to guard my heart every moment of every day.

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