A Beginning…

Greetings!  If you’re reading this, you’re reading my beginnings as a formal “blogger,” though certainly not my beginnings as a formal and informal writer.  My desire for this site is that everything about it will glorify Jesus Christ – God, the Son of God, the crucified and risen Savior, the ruling King who will return at precisely the right time to judge and to gather his people.  Specifically, my hope is that Jesus’ church will be edified by the content of this page.  In particular, I hope that Jesus’ people who gather as Felton Bible Church (in Felton, CA) will find themselves encouraged, exhorted, informed, challenged, and changed by truth they might encounter here.  It is my privilege to follow Jesus in partnership and fellowship with my brothers and sisters at FBC.  Thus, it is they who remain uppermost in my mind.  That said, perhaps the Lord would be pleased to put this site to work in ways that extend beyond FBC.  Perhaps he might even be pleased to work for the salvation of some through this site.  May it be so Lord Jesus!

From the outset, let me explain the title of this blog – “Fix Your Mind.”  This title draws on Colossians 3:1-4, even as it reflects much of my own angst, difficulty, and struggle in following Jesus.  My greatest battles of faith and life occur in my mind.  By “mind,” I mean the deep part of myself that is the essentially spiritual link between a physical brain, a physical heart, and my real but intangible soul.  It is here that I feel my sinful brokenness most; here that I am earnest to experience God’s deep cleansing and sanctifying work, for his glory and my joy.  Thus, my title is a prayer; a cry to God that he would complete the good work he has already begun in me (Philippians 1:6).

But, this title is also a word of praise, an exhortation, and a proclamation of steadfast hope.  As broken as my mind all too often is, as burdened as it can become, my hope lies not in me, but in Christ.  Here is what Paul says in Colossians 3:1-4: If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  That’s amazing!  Because I am raised from the deadness of sin in Jesus, I can seek the things that are above; things pertaining to God, to life, to joy, to holiness.  Because I am hidden in Christ, I will, one day, enjoy a mind that is, like his, unhindered and unburdened by sin.  Because I am hidden in Christ and his perfect righteousness, I can, even now, pursue the holiness of mind without which no one will see God (Hebrews 12:14).  Thus, I seek to “set my mind” or “fix my mind” on Jesus.

As I conclude for now, I admit it…I am tweaking somewhat the English translation of Colossians 3 (in the English Standard Version) – from “set” to “fix” – but I trust you will allow me some literary license to do so.  Besides, “fix” might not be such a bad rendering of the Greek φρονεω after all.

Thank you for reading.  I’m committed to write as the Spirit intends and leads.  Come back in the future, and I pray you’ll be blessed in the coming!