Counsel - Emily

Honestly, this chapter is a pretty easy read for me. Over the last several years  I've developed a lifestyle that's relatively media-free. {Not bragging on myself, just stating fact}. And I am so thankful for my "bubble"!! Really, what's out there today is such garbage in light of God's Truth.
Yes, I believe 100% that we are whatever we feed ourselves (our minds). Back in My Quixtar/Amway days they told us to turn off the TV and promoted only listening to their audio cd's and reading from a 'Top 20' book list. This isn't a bad thing, just goes to show that they wanted to have major influence on my thought process. How much better off would I have been if I had someone encouraging me to read the Word everyday and take in other good audio/book teachings about God's way of life?!?! Well, we can only move forward, right? Right.

Overall, this chapter has encouraged me to be more proactive in feeding myself "good stuff" (reading the Bible, or related books, listening to worship music or audio messages, etc). My days can have a lot of 'mental down time' where my mind can just run around and think whatever crazy thoughts fly in, and that's generally a place where Satan likes to play (Grr). SO I have to be on guard with what paths my thoughts are taking and really 'take every thought captive'. 2 Cor 10:5
 Phil 4:8 Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

I confess, I like country music :-) But I do notice a shift in my demeanor if that's all I listen to for more than a day or 2. Sad isn't it? That a few simple songs on the radio can puff me up into thinking I'm a big deal, make me more defiant towards my husband, encourage wrong thoughts that don't honor God, etc. etc..... not that these are things anyone else would notice, just subtle shifts under the surface feeding my fleshy desires. Mary says "Daily exposure to the world's way without a counteracting exposure to God's way will kill you...." (pg.42)

Thankfully in this season I don't find that I have much time for extra 'entertainment', a husband, toddler and infant are plenty of entertainment for me :-) And my time is so much better spent serving and investing in them! I've noticed in myself that if I do try to follow a TV show for a season it can really mess with my attitude.... it can consume my thoughts "when the next episode will be available, and when I will be able to watch it" and I can get really ugly and frustrated if I am interrupted during it (yikes - some of these reactions surprise even me) So where is my focus then really? Personally, I just can't get wrapped up in trying to follow anything like that right now. Doesn't mean it's bad for everyone, just means I can't handle it right now, my family suffers from my distractions.
 I do have a stack of "good" books that I want to read (Bible-related, parenting, etc.) but I don't even have a lot of time to do that.... {oh how I wish I could go back and tell my single self to invest more time chasing the things of God!! But, moving forward} I know that I need to be in the Word and on my knees EVERY DAY so that He can fill me with His life to pour out to my family and those around me. Also on pg 42 Mary talks about intentionally tuning in to what God has to say... that He will feed and nourish our souls.... and that it will be a delight to us! Getting up early to spend time with Him isn't always easy but it's so vital to the health of my day! And I really do delight in sitting at His feet!!!

Praying over you two ladies because I know that you are faced with a lot more media than I am just based on our situations. (The office might have an uproar if you wanted to listen to Veggie Tales music and sing nursery rhymes all day)

Love and Blessings!