Play Now, Pay Later

This blurb caught my eye in a flyer this morning. Isn't it true? We want instant gratification but have to pay for it later...

Play computer games instead of doing homework...therefore late nights...lack of sleep...grumpy disposition...late assignments...We Pay later!

Play the cassino and get hooked. Cassinos don't have windows so the night goes on. Play now and pay later when you realize you have lost your marriage, your children, your money, your job. It has happened to a friend of mine!

Play to get what you want today with those dozen credit cards you are given and pay later only to discover you have not disciplined yourself to save to pay for the play!

Play with your health...eat and drink whatever you want only to wake up one morning to discover your body is wrecked. There is a day of reckoning.

A married man or married woman play with someone other than their spouse and become emotionally and physically attracted and involved then pay later...family breakup and family and friends hurt through the whole thing.

Our whole society revolves around this little motto "Play NOW, Pay Later". We get sucked in so easily. It is amazing how we can be given warnings too and still don't believe there will come a due date. Do we think that there will be a twitch of a genie's nose and all these "dues" will be cared for? How can we be so stupid? We go and buy that stereo system, that sofa, or go out to party for the weekend only to discover that dues do catch up to us!

Maybe Solomon's wisdom is something we should consider:

Proverbs 14:12 (The Message) "There's a way that looks harmless enough; look again - it leads straight to hell."

Proverbs 15:16 (The Message) "A simple life in the fear of God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches."

Renew

Romans 12:2 em>Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its exteral, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewalof your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Ephesians 4:23 And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude]...

There are times when a word comes to me and I contemplate. You see I've been struggling with my "tude". It is a huge monster at times. I'm sure no one else struggles with their "tudes". I get down right frustrated and have to curtail my "tude" and bring it back into subjection. Therefore I think about this verse "RENEW" my mind. There is another verse "Take every thought captive for the breaking down of strongholds" that is also one of those verses that I imagine. I take that thought, lasso it, and bring it down. Gotta think about that this week as it is rodeo week.

Our culture is nuts. People sleep less, have less time for each other, and for themselves. Work is more stressful than ever before. There are so many demands on peoples time. Families don't have time to sit around the supper table and have supper together because of gruelling schedules. Even our own private time is very scheduled and there is no time to just "do nothing". What a wonderful world we have created. We are ingenious human beings.

Much of the "tude" (for those who haven't caught on..."attitude")
is due to feelings of walking a tightrope, feeling pulled in several directions all at once. I still have a choice about my "tude" though. I'm the one in control of that beggar. The trouble is that my attitude determines my life ... whether i'll enjoy the ride. ouch... So I come back to "renew my mind".

What does renew mean....? According to the dictionary -
* return to doing something good (to begin something or doing something again)
* extend something (like a contract - make effective for a longer period of time)
* replace something worn
* repeat promise (reaffirm a promise or commitment)
* give somebody or something new energy (strength, enthusiasm)
* make something new again

Now take all this and here is what to do with a "tude".
Submit my "tude" to God. Ask Him to replace my stinkin thinkin with postive, uplifting thoughts. Think on "good" things. If I need to "Be still" for a few minutes, take a deep breath, go for a walk, put on some praise music, or call a friend to vent then ... do it. The decision is my choice what I'm going to do with my "tude". I can make my life's journey miserable or a joy depending on my choice!

Part of this whole process I believe is in "counting my blessings" instead of looking at the pressures and feeling overwhelmed and mad at the world for imposing those pressures.

Just some thoughts I've been processing this week.

Mega Madness

Am I the only one who feels life is going by mega fast! There is so much to do and just not enough time. I notice when I do talk to people they are in a rush and really don't look at you or even care what you are saying. Watch...see if it happens to you. People are flying at ground level. It's madness!