#37- Change Your Playlist and Change Your Life
by Cory MacNeil

It's been a good morning.  The birds are singing.  The run is done.  Devotions were great.  There's a trajectory.  But things weren't always that way.  They mostly, never are.  Otherwise there'd be no growth....no development.

How about you?  Are you growing?  Are you chasing your dreams or still warming up?  Are you more loving than you were a year ago?  More patient?  Joyful?  At peace?  Maybe it's time to change some tapes.

If you're like a lot of people, you find yourself listening to the same old tapes all of the time.  There is the tape that tells you there is not enough time.  Maybe there's a tape that tells you it's too late.  There's the tape about the divorce.  The tape about your unloving father or your alcoholic mother.  The tape that life is a drag or survival of the fittest.  Right?

Why don't you change the tapes?  If you spend more time watching T.V, than reading the bible, you should change the tapes.  You wouldn't pump raw sewage into your basement, so why are you allowing your soul to be flooded with input that only discourages and depresses.  Maybe it's time to get the smell of couch potato off of you and go take a run or a walk.  Reconnect with a friend who fills your tank.  Lift some weights.  Rake a neighbor's lawn.  A rut is just a grave with both ends kicked out.

I know, you're spiritual.  I know you are probably doing the best with what you have.  I know you're a good mom.  But I also know that like most humans you need a little prodding sometimes.

Are the tapes you're listening to, helping you to move in the direction of your preferred destination or are they taking you further away?  Will your diet allow you to watch your kids graduate or will it lead to an early grave?  People who live dangerously and reckless lives are often shunned, while others are ignored while they slowly but surely kill themselves one Twinkie at a time.  (Isn't it funny now Hostess products always take the hit for junk food).  If you don't think Jesus has anything to say about this, think again...or Paul....or Peter.  Your body is your temple.

Too often, salvation and eternal life are viewed as Fire Insurance and not a way of living.  Yes, Heaven is going to be a wonderful place, but what about NOW?!  What are you being saved from now?  Is your marriage the pits or is it being rescued from sliding over the cliff?  What about your neighbor?  You do know her name, right?  And her hobbies?

Jesus was quoted as being about his father's business.  Which begs the question what is his business? You may be wondering what the family business is all about.  Good question.  Let's flesh that out a bit.

"My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves." 1 John 3:18-20.  The Message

(I underlined the section in the verse because it ties in with the idea of changing the tapes.)

The only way to rise to the top of a family business that makes any sense at all is to start on the ground level.  That by the way is very Tweetable!  You start with basic responsibilities and advance as you master the small things.  That probably reminds you of another scripture or two.  The reason, unsuccessful people never master the immensities of life is because they promote themselves too quickly without mastering the basics.  Love is one aspect they never master from top to bottom.  And in our Family Business as believers, love MUST be mastered from top to bottom.  Very often, people are placed on a pedestal because of their ability to earn, but it's not very often when people are scored on their ability to love.  Do you want your children to be successful financially or are you more concerned with how well they treat God and others?

So what tapes do you need to change today?  If you already have friends, maybe it's time to start meeting with some mentors.  Is there anything on your hard drive that needs to be replaced?  Your bookshelf?  I realize you're probably doing the best with what you have right now, but if what you have is taking you in the opposite direction of your preferred destination, then it needs to go!  Today.  Period.

1)  Why don't you do something practical and make up a quick playlist on your iPhone of songs that inspire you to run your course?  Add an encouraging sermon or podcast while your at it.

2)  Now time the length of your playlist so that as you get ready in the morning it ends when it's time to head out the door.  Chances are a normally mundane part of your day will start to be enjoyable. Make the playlist 30 minutes long or so and you have something to play in the afternoon if you need a time to renew or divert.   It's better than Facebook and won't leave you half as blue.

And now for the benediction.  May you have the courage to evaluate your life and dispose of harmful habits and routines.  May you be filled with and experience the joy that comes when you put the rights of others before your own rights.  May you find the energy to throw the football on the front lawn with your son before the bus comes.  May you be conformed to the image of the Son.  May you be BLESSED!