Blessed are the Pure in Heart

The class started off with a review of last week's challenges - it seems to be truly merciful a lot of us need to stop and think about what we say...

Our second beatitude for 2012 is "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8).  Mark Hyland introduced it by describing how the Sermon on the Mount really covers every kind of person in all aspects of life, and how we are all blessed.  An interesting point about Jesus blessing those who are pure in heart was that he really was going against the current culture which detailed so many outward rules about purity - how often to wash, what to eat, whom to touch.  He "made it clear that belief meant spiritual transformation, not just routine-following" (The Kingdom Experiment, p. 85).  It stretched the idea from action alone to include thoughts as well.

This notion of always having pure actions and thoughts seems doomed to fail...and it is.  We cannot get there alone.  "The choice to be pure in heart becomes a matter of allowing God to change us so we can see him in the world around us" (The Kingdom Experiment,  p.85).

The options for challenges this week include:

1.Media fast...and by that we don't mean get faster at flipping through channels.  Unplug from all media for a week (but not the blog!).  Instead spend some time outside, seek God and listen.

2.Bring a lighter.  Visit your church when nobody is there.  Pray in silence and light a candle for those you lift up in prayer (try tea lights - and don't forget to blow them out!).  Check with Pastor Bob to make sure the building will be open.

3.For your protection.  Sign up for the accountability program xxxchurch.com to safeguard against any current and future internet temptations.

4.It's called an alarm clock (or the evil offspring of technology).  Carve out a space every morning to memorize Ps. 139:23-24, asking God to reveal those areas in your life that block your relationship with him.

5.I get by with a little help from my friends (and family).  Seek out a trusted friend or family member and schedule to meet regularly to share joys, struggles, temptations and everyday life.  The body of Christ was created to encourage and support one another through this faith journey.

6.Go green (That is, if you're a real straggler and haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet).  Purity doesn't stop at physcial boundaries, it also involves how we treat our bodies.  Lay off the bags of Cheetos and each fresh foods for a week.  Use refillable waterbottles.  Purity comes in all shapes and sizes.

7.Wait training.  Make a commitment to things that will keep you physically pure in your relationships.

8.Garbage In, Garbage Out (ergo, Good Stuff in, Good Stuff out).  Tune in to Christian media this week.  Some radio stations include:  89.5, 99.1 and 106.9.  Preview movies, videos,  tv and games on www.pluggedin.com.

What challenge did you choose to allow God to change you this week?  Chime in and let us know how it's going!