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IncarnateBodies.com
Motivating Christians to strengthen their bodies, minds, and spirits

The Thought of the Week
by Georgie André

March 25, 2008

Itches

ITCH, , n. 3. A constant teasing desire; as an itch for praise; an itch for scribbling.*

ANGST, , n. An acute but unspecific feeling of anxiety; usually reserved for philosophical anxiety about the world or about personal freedom^

(*Definition taken from Webster's 1828 Dictionary.
^Definition taken from WordWeb online dictionary.)

So all day today I've been feeling this strange sensation in the pit of my stomach. Like dread, or stress; you know the sort of feeling usually described as the fleeing instinct.

There really is no reason for this... I mean, life is hectic... and we are broke... and work is drying up at the office, and I am feeling un-necessary... un-needed... like the proverbial extra cog on the wheel.

So, what to do? I tried journaling about it this morning. But it is a strange sensation, one hard to pin down and really explain... even to God.

I tried writing in English... I tried writing in Spanish... I tried poetry... kvetching... nothing... nada...

So here I sit, wallowing in this weird sense of doom looming.

The Greek word for care, or anxiety is the noun merimna, meaning, "to be drawn in different directions." Similar to the English "distraction."

In contrast, to care about, or have regard for, is the Greek verb melei.

1 Peter 5:6-7, exhorts:

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all you anxiety (merimna) upon Him, because He cares (melei) for you."

I guess ultimately it is what Isaiah 41:10 says:

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look bout you, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

So it all goes back to Him... humbling myself before Him, and trusting that He is control of my life.

Maybe I need to go home and listen to the iTunes song a good friend gave me a few weeks ago:

Everybody needs a change
A chance to check out the new
But you’re the only one to see
The changes you take yourself through but

Don’t you worry ’bout a thing
Don’t you worry ’bout a thing, mama
Cause I’ll be standing on the side
When you check it out

(Lyrics by Stevie Wonder)

Have a blessed week.

Please visit my new Amazon Store: Georgie's Store, for books, music, and exercise equipment... it's all about building yourself for what counts, body, mind, and spirit.

And, please, don't forget... the agencies that provide relief to those still in need, are still in need of YOUR help:

The Salvation Army, Operation Blessing, American Red Cross.

To read previous columns of The Thought of the Week, visit our Archives page.

What Really Matters

<a href="http://www.prayerguard.net/index.php?page_id=11&link_id=hourly-upgs" target="_blank">Pray for The Unreached People Group of the Hour</a>

NEW!

Please stop by!

The people who organized Promise Keepers are once again challenging the church to rise up to a new prophetic call.

Coach Bill McCartney and Dr. Raleigh Washington have created a totally new entity whose mission is to encourage Gentile believers in Jesus Christ to embrace the Messianic Jewish community.

Please visit their site, The Road to Jerusalem, for more information.

e-Books

Exploring the Torah, A Torah Narrative, How to Study the Bible, and The Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Purchase through PayPal, download immediately, and start reading and studying God's Word, today.

Want to really encourage someone? Pray for them... and send them an inspiring card:

Sephardim

I would like to invite you to visit an interesting site: 4 Sephardim.

In particular if you are of Spanish descent, please explore your heritage, your background, and the possible roots of you ancestors.

Enjoy!

STRENGTH
MOTIVATE, v.t. - prompting to action

STRENGTHEN, v.t. - make stronger

Throughout Scripture, men and women are exhorted to be strong:

Physically, able to live full, healthy lives.
Emotionally, able to stand up to others who may try to use or abuse us.
Mentally, able to intellectually reason and contend for the faith.
Spiritually, able to stand up to the temptations and attacks of the world.

Strong in order to be powerful in influence, authority and resources; firm and unfaltering under trial.

How will you meet the challenge to be strong?

You need vigor, from the Latin meaning force, energy. When we have vigor, we have healthy growth, vitality, power to live and grow.

VITALITY, n - from the Latin vita, meaning life.

What is "Christian living"? Christ came that we might have life, abundant life. He wants us to be a force of influence, physically, intellectually, and especially, spiritually. As created beings, in a created universe, we are to be sensually, "sensationally", aware of our surroundings, righteously rejoicing over the world around us, taking pleasure in the things He takes pleasure in, so that we can actively engage and influence our world.

One day, we will have resurrected bodies; with no sickness, no frailty. We won't have to deal with sin or its effect on us. For now, however, we are INCARNATE BODIES.

Are you ready to be motivated into action?

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