Hearth & Hive

You’ve probably heard that catchy phrase on a weight loss commercial or read it in a nutrition book. “You are what you eat” is largely true and vital to our holistic wellbeing. As Hippocrates claimed, food is medicine. However, many of the practitioners who use the you-are-what-you-eat tag line to try to sell whatever health product they offer often overlook an equally fundamental truth:

You are what you THINK.

Proverbs 23:7 reads, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” (KJV). What are you thinking? What thoughts take up space in your mind? What do your thoughts reveal about who you are?

A few months ago, I joined a wellness challenge with a gal I met in my fitness group (see? I value physical wellness too!). One of the daily prompts was to read 10 pages of a non-fiction, wellness-type book. I chose Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess. Probably around 2 chapters in, I was already taking mental notes for a future blog article. Dr. Leaf’s book was just that good. Challenge: borrow or buy the book and commit to reading it! There’s a fascinating 2-minute quiz by Leaf titled, “How Messy is Your Mind” if you’re into self-evaluation.

Dr. Leaf’s method of mind (not just brain) renewal uses the Neurocycle, which is a 63-day program using 5 steps to manage the mind, detoxify the brain, change thinking patterns, and improve mental health. You can check out the steps in her book or via the Neurocycle app. Jude Enajero, from Baylor University, describes Dr. Leaf’s system of mind management as an approach that “recognizes that genuine personal transformation entails the rewiring of neural pathways and the establishment of new, constructive habits” which “not only paves the way for enduring change but also cultivates a more balanced and resilient mental landscape.” Doesn’t that sound so similar to Romans 12:2? Let’s take a peek.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (ESV, emphasis mine).

Don’t you just appreciate this example of how science proves what God has already taught us in His Word? As a former RN who loved psychiatric nursing, I love studying the brain and all its extraordinary nuances. Dr. Leaf dives deep into the science of how captivating our thoughts changes our brains. Thoughts are associated with the mind, so when we’re renewing our mind, we’re quite literally being transformed. And while in the scientific world, research such as this is touted as ground-breaking, really, it’s what God has told us all along.

The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete” (ESV, emphasis mine).

Holy Spirit plays a tremendous role in the renewal of our minds. My 9-year old daughter recently asked me to explain to her the Holy Spirit, and I really had to think long about an explanation. How do you describe Holy Spirit? I feel that so often we’re taught about God the Father and Jesus, but rarely shown who Holy Spirit really is. My pastor, CJ Johnson, puts it beautifully: “The Bible is God’s portrait of the Son painted by the Holy Spirit.” God’s Word was breathed by Holy Spirit’s inspiration. Spirit is author.

So, as I tried to paint my best portrait of the Spirit to Lily Willow, I bumped into the fact that it’s because of the Holy Spirit’s work that we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Check this out— “…to put off your old self [because that’s what we’re discussing here, coming as we are, but leaving changed], which belongs to our former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds and to put on the new self [leaving changed], created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24, emphasis mine).

Like me, maybe you’re considering, “but how?” Again, the apostle Paul informs us in Titus 3:4-6 “but when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (emphasis mine). So, if the regeneration and renewal is Holy Spirit’s work, what is my part? Let’s take a look at Psalm 51:10-12:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

• AWARENESS & ASSESSMENT: Self-Evaluation

Immediately, I notice some awareness and assessment taking place. This particular psalm was penned by David after being confronted by the prophet Nathan after David committed adultery with Bathsheba. David’s realizing that his unclean mind led to an unclean heart.

• APPEAL

After realizing his heart and mind needed transformation, David appealed to God to renew him. He came as he was, encountered God, and left forever changed.

• ACCOUNTABILITY

David pleaded with God to stay with him and not take Holy Spirit away. He wished to remain in God’s presence knowing that there was accountability there. David pursued a relationship with God so that there would be that continual renewing of the mind through Holy Spirit (this is how our conscience works).

• APPLICATION

Because of his relationship with and accountability to God, David was willing to take the necessary steps to remain changed. Despite his horrible sins, including a murder, God changed David and restored his joy.

My husband has several long term friendships with a couple individuals who have wildly different worldviews than Rudy. Recently, he was in a conversation with a lady where some hot political and Christian-related topics came up. This lady, who does not hold a biblical worldview asked Rudy, “Do you mean to tell me if a pedophile was on his deathbed and asked forgiveness, he’d go to heaven?!” And Rudy vehemently answered, “yes!” Our God is just that good! There are no limits or exceptions to His love and forgiveness, and we can come to Him and be truly, radically changed. Renewal, the putting off of the old self and putting on of the new self, begins in the MIND by the Spirit.

What does it look like to be transformed by the renewing of the mind? I end here with where I started—the question:

What are you thinking?

1. Using David’s example in Psalm 51:10-12 as a guide, the first step is to self-evaluate through assessment. Confession—remember Dr. Leaf’s 2-minute quiz “How Messy is Your Mind?” I scored a 20, which the quiz determined as a Slightly Messy Mind. Obviously, I need to tend to some mind-renewing!

2. The second step is to appeal for help. This year, I’m reading through Charlotte Gambill’s yearlong devotional Breathe. A couple days ago, Charlotte shared a story where she noticed the question “How’s my driving” pasted on the back of a semi-truck. Charlotte applied this to her own life by asking herself, “How’s my doing?” She went on to ask those close to her how they felt she was doing, then she could make improvements accordingly. I want to take this just a step further and have us consider together, “How’s my thinking?” Ask those you trust to invest into your life. Ask Holy Spirit—after all, His work is regeneration and renewal!

3. Appealing for help brings us to the third step—accountability. While we come as we are to God and leave changed with Holy Spirit dwelling within and coming along for the ride, so to speak, having a trusted mentor makes the journey go a bit more smoothly. Having an accountability partner keeps awareness on your thoughts.

4. The final step is application. What is a practical way we can apply what we’ve learned about our minds through self-assessment, appeal, and accountability? The apostle Paul effectively answers this question in Philippians 4:8-9:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things…practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Aren’t you glad he wrote to practice these things? Not get them right the first time, not to get them perfect, but to practice these things. Practice requires action and effort; a continuous renewal. Find an accountability partner and/or talk to God about your thoughts. He made your beautiful mind; He cares! Set aside some time for reflection and evaluation using Philippians 4:8 as a guideline:

Is what I’m thinking…

• True?
• Honorable?
• Just?
• Pure?
• Lovely?
• Commendable?
• Excellent?
• Worthy of Praise?

If not, practice. Practice doesn’t always make perfect, but practice does always make progress.

In the previous blog, I mentioned that this blog would focus on being a new creation in Christ. When I started writing, I felt led in a different direction. This mind-renewal matter has been on my mind and heart for months, and now is the time to share what Holy Spirit has been teaching me. Unless I’m led on a different path again, I’ll pick up with some thoughts about being a new creation next blog. But, thinking about it, transformation and new creation are parts of the same whole, right? ;).

Have you ever wanted to change your name? Maybe you no longer want to associate with who you were? Or maybe the meaning of your name makes you cringe because that description isn’t one you aspire to? How about the anticipation of taking on a married name?

I recently read a book where a supporting character unofficially changed her name, but her name change was only to reflect her change in identity. The character felt her given name didn’t suit her and she’d outgrown it. The more I’ve thought about that, the more I’m convinced that the name change always indicates an identity change. This concept is not foreign to God. Time after time in the Bible one reads where God renames individuals—to grow them into who they are in Him.

Here’s a list of a few people renamed by God:

• From Abram “Exalted Father” to Abraham “Father of a Multitude” (Genesis 17:1-5)
• From Sarai “Princess” (limited) to Sarah “Princess” (universal; or mother of nations) (Genesis 17:15)
• From Jacob “Deceiver” to Israel “He Who Strives with God” (Genesis 38:28)
• From Solomon “Peaceable” to Jedediah “Beloved of the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:24)
• From Simon “Hears” to Peter “Rock” (John 1:42)

In my previous blog article, Come As You Are, I described how encountering Jesus leaves one changed. Have you ever considered how God longs to rename you (and me)? Once we accept Jesus, God calls us His children. His. Revelation 2:17 promises, “To the one who conquers I will give…him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it” (emphasis mine). This is a love name from Jesus that signifies a changed existence, a changed identity.

Two days ago, I picked up my prayer time scripture reading in Isaiah 62. Verse 1 began “…I will not keep silent…I will not be quiet…” (ESV), and I was already wide-eyed and open-eared, rapt with attention. Then, then, I read on to the end of verse 2: “…and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give” (emphasis mine). Immediately, I penned in a bold exclamation point! As I lingered and read on, the passage became even more moving. Just listen to this exquisite description Isaiah paints of this name change—“You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:3-5). Isn’t that breathtaking?!

If God, like the biblical examples above, changed your name to reflect your purpose or identity, what would He name you? What does your given name mean? From where did your name originate? I love learning the origins and meanings behind names. My husband has a strong German name—Rudolph Robert Burke. He’s named after his grandfather who immigrated from Germany (Rudolph) and his German great uncle, Robert. Rudolph means “wolf,” while Robert symbolizes “bright glory.”

Burke, obviously, is a family surname (meaning “fortress” or “stronghold”), but that name also tells a story. Back in Germany, Burke had a different spelling. Upon arrival to the United States at Ellis Island, Grandpa Rudolph was advised to change the spelling of Germanic Berke to the Irish spelling Burke as to deflect association with Germany because of World War I. And I am wholeheartedly grateful for this saving name change because two generations later, God gave me Rudy as my fortress and stronghold on earth. He is my safe place, a wolf guarding his “pack” fiercely.

Names identify us. Names tell our stories. And most importantly, names were created by and matter to God. You matter.

As children of God, we are now identified with Jesus (John 1:12). Romans 8:16-17 defines us that “we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.” So, who are we? What is our identity in Christ? Any list makers out there reading this? I’m a list maker. I have lists to make lists (I know, I know), but I need the minimalistic, at-a-glance organization a list provides. To save you the time and effort (wink, wink), I jotted down a quick list of some qualifiers for our God-given identity in Jesus. Seriously, though, I challenge you to flip through scripture and form your own list, a list more detailed and personalized than mine here!

Who I Am in Christ:

• Child of God
• Daughter
• Son
• Beloved
• Friend
• Heir
• Chosen
• Light
• Branch
• Delight
• Free
• Known
• Loved
• Child of the Day
• Saint
• Redeemed
• Masterpiece
• Bride
• Seen
• Strong
• Conqueror
• Justified
• Forgiven
• Workmanship
• Salt
• Precious
• Temple
• Anointed
• New Creation

The new creation identification is particularly relevant to this conversation because this description encompasses the whole idea that once we come as we are to Jesus, we leave forever changed. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). I don’t know about you, but there’s a whole lot of old that I both want and need to be done away with! I am evermore grateful that God is making me into a new person in Jesus.

And, that, my friends, is the topic for next time—new creations! Until then, please comment below or send me an email sharing the origin and meaning of your name. I’d be fascinated! And one more thing—to share or to journal just for you, which of the “Who I Am in Christ” names do you most resonate with and why? Which do you struggle to embrace or live out? Let’s grow and become together.

• You are what you eat.
  You’ve probably heard that catchy phrase on a weight loss commercial or read it in a nutrition book. “You are what you eat” is largely true and vital to our holistic wellbeing. As Hippocrates claimed, food is medicine. However, many of the practitioners who use the you-are-what-you-eat tag line to try to sell whatever health… Read more: You are what you eat.

It was on a Monday, the Monday before that Tuesday. The Tuesday that would be the six week anniversary of the hardest goodbye I’ve ever had to make—holding my Bentley-girl as she took her last breath. Death isn’t a stranger to me, but hers was the most profound. Losing Bentley felt like losing a part of me; I’m no longer whole. Tears rivulet at the most random and awkward moments. Grief isn’t something to be rushed. Feelings must be properly felt to be properly dealt with—and that is a healthy part of grieving.

There’s a quote attributed to Queen Elizabeth II that I’ve not been able to shake from my thoughts: Grief is the price we pay for love. And isn’t it though? When you’re aching so viscerally that your heart feels shredded, you know, you know, you loved deeply.

Tuesdays, I’ve began to dread them. Tuesdays mark that another week has passed without her presence here by my side, gentle snores, waggly-tail walks, comforting nudges, vocally demanding snacks, snuggling extra close. I spend Tuesdays mostly catatonic—unapologetically. And while I, perhaps, feel misunderstood at times, I know I’m seen and understood by the One who knows me most and loves me best. He’s proven it.

So back to the Monday, the one before that Tuesday— I was reading through Isaiah 37 and 38 about Sennacherib’s fall and Hezekiah’s illness (and miracle!). Aren’t those quite the names?! They’re characters in quite the story too. Sit down with a cup of tea and your favorite Bible and read this story. Look for the miracle (no spoiler alerts). One of my favorite authors, Wendy Speake, writes that “those who know the Word of God are more likely to know the voice of God.” While I’m in the middle of reading about these battles and angels and prophecies and sicknesses, I read a verse that slams into my heart, making my pulse race, and I pause to go back and read it again and again and again.

“…Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears….”(Isaiah 38:5 ESV, emphasis mine).

That was enough, all I needed. Being misunderstood or feeling pressured to grieve or not grieve a certain way doesn’t matter. What matters is this love-letter whisper from my Abba: I have seen your tears. I’m seen, held, loved, understood, and it is enough. More than enough.

Today marks eight weeks. He still sees my tears, and He still holds me close. Thank you, Abba. Love, Me.

I no longer make resolutions every December 31. You know, the long list of unrealistic goals, dreams, and plans? I’m all about dreaming big, creating plans, and setting goals, but instead of scribbling out this self-absorbed (usually) list, I resolve, instead, to just walk daily with Jesus by faith. Does that mean no preparation or planning or dreaming audacious dreams? Absolutely not! Instead of a list, I write prayers. Jesus and I plan and dream together. I don’t need to be a new me. I’m already a new creation in Christ. What I really need is to be less like me and more like Him.

Rather than resolutions for 2026, my prayer is simply this (thank you, thank you, Brandon Lake and Mitch Wong, for this prayer-song):

All on the altar
Surrendered again
Freely I lay down
My everything
This is my honor
The gift that I bring

I will be a living sacrifice
All my heart and soul to glorify
I offer nothing less than all my life
For Jesus Christ

I just want to bless you
Whatever it takes
Oh, with my mind and my body
My spirit and my strength
If you are fire
Then set me ablaze

And I will be a living sacrifice
All my heart and soul to glorify
I offer nothing less than all my life
For Jesus Christ, oh

I’ll give you all, give you all of my worship
Fall fire fall, fire fall come consume it
I’ll give you all, give you all of my worship
Fall fire fall, fire fall come consume it
I’ll give you all, give you all of my
worship
Fall fire fall, fire fall come consume it, God
I’ll give you all, give you all of my worship
Fall fire fall, fire fall

And I will be a living sacrifice
All my heart and soul to glorify
I offer nothing less than all my life
For Jesus Christ

So I will be a living sacrifice
All my heart and soul to glorify
I offer nothing less than all my life
For Jesus Christ, oh, yeah

I’ll give you all, give you all of my worship
Fall fire fall, fire fall come consume it
I’ll give you all, give you all of my worship
Fall fire fall, fire fall come consume it

I’ll give you all, give you all of my worship
Fall fire fall, fire fall

I’ll give you all, give you all of my worship
Fall fire fall, fire fall come consume
I’ll give you all, give you all of my worship
Fall fire fall, fire fall

So I’ll give you all, give you all of my worship
Fall fire fall, fire fall

And I will be a living sacrifice
All my heart and soul to glorify
I offer nothing less than all my life
For Jesus Christ
Amen

We’d just stepped from the chilly ICU, past the detailed nativity (minus a baby Jesus), and into a frosty, December 5th sunrise. Sun was just peeking above the horizon, but those rays shone pillars of hope. Someone handed me a plastic cup of orange juice that felt like glory in a cup, a little bit of life.

The night past had been the longest night of my life and felt like a living, breathing nightmare. Only this one truly was real, and I couldn’t wake up. And he hadn’t woken up—yet. He still had a ventilator tube down his throat and a heart that had literally been in a surgeon’s very own hands a couple hours before.

He’d called me at work, confused, the night before, expressing some strange symptoms. Two clinics and two hospitals later, I kissed him goodbye as the surgical team wheeled him away. Dr. R showed us the images—a severely dissected (ruptured) thoracic aortic aneurysm—and shared how he wasn’t hopeful he’d be able to repair it. I still can see him rolling out of sight—my love, my future, my dreams, my man, all rolled into that bleak OR.

Family and friends gathered, chatting, and ordered food. I didn’t understand how anyone could even entertain the possibility of eating. My stomach, nerves, and chest were so tight, even trying to choke down water was impossible. Instead I wrote a long letter to him, and I prayed. And prayed. And begged. And bargained.

And against all odds, my God heard. He heard, y’all. He had a plan and purpose that transcended all those disbelieving that my Rudy would survive. My God was in that OR eleven years ago guiding Dr. R’s hands, literally cradling my love’s heart. There were complications, yes, but none were too hard or too big or too severe for God.

That baby Jesus wasn’t in the manger yet because aneurysm surgery was all through the night of December 4th. He hadn’t yet arrived. So I imagine, for me, that nightmarish night felt kind of like those ancient people who hadn’t heard from God in so, so long, and they were aching with anticipation and expectation. And with His arrival, all of heaven and creation rejoiced. Then I imagine, for me, that felt a bit like seeing that sunrise of hope after hearing the surgical team share how much worse the aneurysm was than first thought, but that surgery was a success! Because I knew, I knew, Who was in that room, holding Rudy’s heart, breathing life into his lungs, and already smiling about the future years.

December 5, 2014, Rudy had planned to take me to see The Nutcracker Ballet. And, that is one of the first things he remembered after waking up—that he’d be unable to take me. My sister, Leah, bought The Nutcracker on DVD, and Rudy and I (okay, mostly me because he was so medicated) watched it in his ICU room. Because he’s Rudy and very persistent and thorough, he called the box office and explained the situation. They generously gave us tickets for the following year.

And you know what, we went! Rudy, himself, made it out of the chilly ICU, down into a drab step-down room, past the baby Jesus-less manger scene, and into the frosty December, his future, and our life. Since his aneurysm, we’ve made it a point to go see The Nutcracker Ballet every year as a celebration tradition. That year following aneurysm surgery that the ballet so generously provided for? That year, Lily went along in my pregnant belly. God had a plan, and His plan was so good!

This year, the 11th anniversary, we opted to stay home and watch the ballet online due to Bentley’s declining health. Lily and I planned and decorated. We made homemade tomato soup and jalapeño cheddar sourdough. Each of us painted a nutcracker. Being together, celebrating life was, and is, so sacred.

Oh—and we had little teacups of orange juice. Sunshine. Hope.