I'm not who I was: My Overcoming Life in Christ

Have you ever said to yourself, "That's just who I am, or that's just how I grew up." It's amazing how the patterns we create in our lives can so quickly become the very things that define us. But the truth is it's absurd to define yourself based on whatever repetitive actions you partake in. Can you imagine if everyone who had a drug addiction, an eating problem, or depression bought in to the idea that it was just who they are? God didn't make people to walk in those things, he's a good God. Those are extreme cases and are easier to spot, but I see the Lord dealing with me in less obvious actions. Those little things that we deal with every day that no matter how little they seem can steal the true freedom and joy God has for us. I will honestly tell you God has brought some major freedom in my life through seemingly small things. At one point and time I have pegged myself as each of these things: a worrier, lacking courage, unfocused, ignorant, unable to follow through, etc. While these things aren't external addictions they are just as much not my identity in Christ.

I have been learning a lot about agreement since being married and moving to New Jersey. When we agree with something we give it tremendous power in our lives. What we speak with our mouths often seals the things we have agreed with in our hearts (Romans 10:9-10). I have been learning to watch what I say closely and to not embrace negative thinking. It is so easy at times confuse who I used to be (my old actions before Christ) with the work God did in me when I got saved.

Whatever my weaknesses or failures may be they are not just the way I am, and they are certainly not just chains from the past I have to keep on. I was made new in Christ from the very second I was saved, and I became a completely new person (Gal 2:20)! No longer a slave to sin but a slave to righteousness (Romans 6:18) no longer under the requirements of the law but the freedom of God's grace (Romans 6:14). I received the Holy Spirit which freed me from the power of sin which leads to death (Romans 8:2). So my new self has not been given a spirit of fear and timidity but one of power, love, and self-discipline (1 Tim 1:7).

The Spirit God put in me, my new nature, is so contrary to my old way of living. It is crazy what the spirit of God can do to a person. I mean it make sense its the Spirit of God for crying out loud. But because I have been adopted as a child of God his Spirit joins with my spirit to affirm in me that I am in fact his child (Romans 8 15-17). The more I get around my Heavenly Father the more I begin to look and act like him. His attributes, his ways, and his thinking become mine. Think about any adopted kid who gets taken into a home. They take on his parents last name (identity), their parents mannerisms, and often their parents jobs or passions. This is the same story of us with our Heavenly Father.

A pastor told me once if something seems too good to be true it's likely from the Lord because that's the story of the Gospel. I am receiving his Good News today for what it really says. I hope this will give you confidence and discernment to pinpoint and not receive any thoughts that say you are any of the poor patterns you have taken on. These patterns are not who you are and should not be attributed as such. When you let go of those thoughts I know you will find freedom in those areas of your life. Believing what God says and receiving your new identity. When I see these things in my own life I am learning to take those thoughts captive (2 Cor 10:5) and to let grace come in and empower me to live the full life Christ gave me (2 Peter 3-4). We have been called to an overcoming life in Christ, what a sweet deal!

7 Tips for New York City Driving

Based on my frequent NYC driving experiences I have decided to make a list of helpful tips to assist those of you visiting the city. These tips have kept me from frequent cussing, fighting, and temporary insanity when dealing with NYC driving.

1. The first step is to dehumanize every car you encounter. Assume that you are not driving beside a person but a large piece of metal that is driving itself. Rather than feeling bad when you make an aggressive move you can now rest assure due to the fact that large pieces of self propelled metal don't have feelings.

2. Don't assume the wheel base of your Honda Civic is automatically going to be of greater distance than the size of an approaching pot hole. I've seen babies disappear in these holes.

3. When taxi drivers cut you off don't get offended just remember: It's their job to cut people off!

4. Always read the sign below the sign below the sign when attempting to park or make a left turn. Parking signs can be like parables only those who seek out the solution will know the actual regulations.

5. When faced with a mass of pedestrians in your path accelerate quickly while at a slight distance. This will create enough hesitation and fear in to open a gap large enough for your car to squeeze through. Hit the gap as soon as it opens it's probably your only chance.

6. Never answer a horn with your own horn, it will only incite a chain of other excessive horn blowing individuals who regardless of their current situation will feel compelled to honk their hearts out.

7. Pretend that every trip to the city is a competitive race between you and every car that challenges your position. Think of it as a NASCAR race with the the Sprint Cup drivers (professionals) are driving the yellow cars and the Nationwide drivers are in the cars of assorted colors. This makes defeating taxis twice as rewarding, and is an activity the whole family can enjoy.