Renu/ReKnew/ReNUE/Renew

Lying in bed for days, intermittantly wondering why man can walk on the moon, invent an iPod (or plasma TV or micro-computer chip or artificial heart or, um, Spanx) and build a guided missile that can accurately land on a gnat's behind but yet not find a cure for the common cold, I realized the mind is a terrible thing to waste. However, since my mind was in fact wasted on cold medicine, I figured I'd just go with the flow and see where it took me. In my wanderings, I wondered about the other ways my mind gets wasted. (I can trash myself without any help from my friends, thankyouverymuch.)

I waste it worrying. I waste it being angry. I waste it being grumpy. I waste it focusing on things that don't matter. Waste it on TV (but not a plasma one 'cuz Casa de Castro is devoid of those). Waste it on music that isn't edifying. Waste it trying to figure out "six degrees of separation" and Area 51. (Oh, I kid.)

The point is my mind is so scattered and full and busy and tired. It needs to be reconditioned. Refreshed. Rejuvenated. Rested. Restored. Renewed. Renewed...

What does that mean? How do I renew it? Or do I

ReNu it?
ReKnew it?
ReNUE it?

ReNu, my very favorite contact lens solution, does wonderful things for my eyes and my contacts. It is soothing and refreshing. But my mind? Not so much.

ReKnew Energy Systems "offers renewable energy systems that offset or replace grid electricity and the burning of fossil fuels for house heating." Since it is important to be green these days, this ReKnew could save money and be better for our environment. But my mind? Not so much.

ReNUE projects for urban environments are most likely a good way to breathe new life into developments in urban areas. Another worthy cause. But my mind? Not so much.

Renew. Renew. That's the only thing left.


Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

-We're not to take other men’s opinions or conduct as a rule for life, but wholly renounce this world, and set before us as our mark the will of God as is manifested and revealed to us in his word. (Geneva Study Bible)

- Renewing by such an inward spiritual transformation as makes the whole life new--new in its motives and ends, even where the actions differ in nothing from those of the world--new, considered as a whole, and in such a sense as to be wholly unattainable save through the constraining power of the love of Christ. (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown)

- Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind; a change, not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more, and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on this renewing work, till it is perfected in glory. The great enemy to this renewal is conformity to this world. Take heed of forming plans for happiness, as though it lay in the things of this world, which soon pass away. Do not fall in with the customs of those who walk in the lusts of the flesh, and mind earthly things. (Matthew Henry)

It is my duty - my duty - to renew my mind. How I struggle with that when I'm not keeping myself in structured and disciplined study of God's Word! In a few weeks, Studly Man and I will be starting a ten week study of the first three chapters of Revelation (ten weeks on three chapters?!?!) through Precept Upon Precept.

I can hardly wait 'cuz my mind? She's awastin' and needs renewin'.