Charlie Sheen - Our Hero?

Transformation of self is no easy task.  I think that each of us wants to become a better person at some point in life.  However, how do we even begin. For Christians, Scripture tells us, " Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will".  So how do we renew our minds and what is that all about?  And what's wrong with the "pattern of this world" that we don't want to copy it?

Well, surely that last question is a rhetorical one...but, for those that don't adhere to the Christian faith then perhaps that IS an honest question. I think that when one views the heroes that are lifted up today that they can see examples of what ''the pattern of this world' is and what results it brings to people following it.  Take Charlie Sheen....please, take him...somewhere...okay, just being funny.  But truly, look at that poor guy's life.  He is a good actor, but has allowed his fame to deceive him into thinking that he is immune to consequences of his destructive actions.  He gorges on drugs and sex and one wonders how happy he could possibly be to have such an insatious appetite for using these things to escape from the reality of life. One evening of TV will show you what the world patterns consist of...drugs, alcohol, sex, lying, cheating, etc.  Not exactly character building programing.  I think pretty much everyone would agree that the life styles that are being portrayed on the screen are not exactly healthy nor will they produce lives that are of quality. My hope is that this crisis that Charlie is currently battling will bring about a much needed transformation of his mind and life.  But, why does it take crisis to get to the point that one is willing to change?  Learning from other's mistakes would and can make life so much easier. So I'm thinking that NOT adhering to the "patterns of this world" is a pretty good jump on helping to transform one's life into a better one, hopefully, prior to a crisis in our life.

So how can we "renew our minds" and how will that make a difference in our life?   Our mind controls what we think, and what we think controls our actions.  So if we change the way we think, then it is reasonable that we will change some of those negative behavior patterns. Some practical steps would be to watch less TV and to view only those shows that don't glorify negative behaviors.  While they may be entertaining, they also have the subliminal effect that causes you to become desensitized to the negative lifestyles being portrayed.  Suddenly, they don't seem so bad.  Funny how we forget that these are just actors living out a script...yet in reality these behaviors destroy marriages, relationships and lives.

 Another way to "renew our minds" would be to read books that contain positive role models that exemplify good morals and values.  It is kin to the cliche "what you eat is what you are".  Same thing with our minds...what we put into it  has great impact on our behavior. Join a small group at your church. There is no better way to understanding how we can grow in character than to study what God's Word says about it.  Some think of God's Word as being a book about do nots.  Don't do this and don't do that.  What many fail to realize is that God's law is about keeping us safe from harm and healthy.  Taking adultery as an example; it has the ability to destroy families and can possibly transmit sexually transmitted diseases, one being emotional and one being physical in nature.  It produces a ripple effect that extends to more than self.  Talk about crisis in a family!  This is true with most all negative behaviors....it is not just "self" that is suffering the consequences.

But, what if you are in the middle of a crisis right now? Taking these steps will make a positive advance in getting you out of it and help to transform you into the person you know you can be, God willing. Counseling and Support Groups can be of great benefit, too. 

Let's all strive to be better people.  The world is getting to have a real shortage of them.