its a long un

thought one:

i have this theory, see, that self-discipline is nothing more than habits that happen to be good.

running is a perfect example. many people see running or daily exercise as a feat. truth (though i sure haven't been able to attest to this lately... insert guilty look): there are these little things called endorphins that ensure running gets done. they act all subtle and friendly when one does the running thing... but woe is you should you skip a day or (horrors) two. like any other fix, if you fail to deliver your body its preferred hormone, it will revolt. you will feel mopey and grumpy and generally unlikeable. running is no virtue.

making one's bed is another example. for people who do not do it, bed-making sure seems like a freakish exercise in self-discipline. bedmakers, on the other hand, see it as... nothing. a habit as difficult as brushing one's teeth.

but of course, self discipline is necessary on the course to forming a habit. i think i heard somewhere that it takes something like 8 repetitions to form a habit (or memorize something... or something...) 8 instances in self-discipline... and you have a good habit. if the payoff is sizeable enough, a habit could be created in even less repetitions.

so what habit would you like to start today? (besides the wiki one, of course)

thought two:

how bout habits of holiness?

there is a term,"entire sanctification," which is entirely too loaded for me. generally, people seem to operate on their connotation of that word rather than any theological definition.

once upon a time, i heard the phrase "entire consecration," and that was much more palatable.

the idea is this: "to be intensely focused on God’s point of view. It means to secure and to keep all the strength of our body, soul, and spirit for God’s purpose alone." (amen, brother)

to be set apart to Christ... uh... the supposed purpose for which He died, no? "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (titus 2:14)

not effort... surrender... over and over again... which is where the above "thought" comes in...

how bout making habit of righteousness (ouch, sounds efforted already...) no, but to turn thoughts of lust to prayers to Christ. say it only takes 8 times... a proud reflection pops into my head... which i promptly ignore for an expression (musical quite allowed) of gratitude. or make thoughts of impatience transformed into prayers for long-suffering...

do we see that i cannot MAKE myself patient? but i can develop habits that thrust me upon Christ to make me patient...

imagine if "praying without ceasing" was not a hyperbole...

wow...

i think we let ourselves get away with a lot more sin than Christ would like...

vida nueva, gracia, y el Espiritu Santo... UTILIZE THEM.