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Well, let me share something that I find humorous. I guess this column today will speak to the ability of one to be transformed by the renewing of the mind. The mind is so powerful and really does shape the way we process each moment and thus the way we walk each moment in life.

Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

I have never liked dogs. I do not want to see them, smell them, or be around them. Simply put, I avoid dogs at all costs. There is absolutely no reason for me to have to like dogs...  Well, there is one reason actually. Yes, one! Ladies and gentlemen, there is one reason and occasion when I have learned to like dogs. Can you guess when that occasion is?

Perhaps you can. I find that as I prepare to arrive back in Bermuda after a trip, I automatically fix my mind on being greeted by the "nice" dogs. I mean, if I really showed how much they disgust me, I would appear nervous and move away from them. Yes, I would be my normal dog-avoiding self. That's right, steering clear of those canine, carnivorous beasts.

However, I figured that if I appeared frightened or nervous, this might provide a reason for me to be unnecessarily detained. So, there I am at our airport behaving as if man's best friend is also my best friend. (No way!)

Yet, Bermuda, I find this a necessary thing to do. Actually, I have begun to "like" the dogs. I find that there is a valid reason in my mind to justify altering my dislike of dogs.

The reason for my change of mind is that I have attached my opinion of these particular dogs to the job that they are trained to carry out. I admire their job. Yes. I actually wish the best for them. I desire success for these dogs. Why? They are able to sniff out a great enemy of the success of this island and her people.

Wow. As I ponder on this, I wish we had more dogs like these in Bermuda. Have you seen them at work? They move from luggage to luggage and from person to person in search of a familiar smell. That is, a smell they have been trained to detect.

Sniffing out evil

Hmmmm. I am thinking about the mind again. How wonderful it would be if our people were able to detect the presence of the substance which is designed to destroy them.

What if adults became the ones to sniff out the drugs in their homes, seized them, and placed their children under house arrest? Gee. Isn't this the preferred way? Isn't it better when we can monitor our own families and not have to wait for the authorities to uncover us?

Bermuda, just as I have the mind and willpower to change my mind, due to necessity, we all can begin to retrain our own thoughts as it pertains to those things that ultimately will destroy us.

Minding

Bermuda, let us mind our homes and mind the children in our homes. Yes, sometimes they will think that we have lost our minds, as we set boundaries in place for them.

But what we must remember is that the boundaries are for them and not against them.

Eventually, through time and the testimonies of others, these children will see that the boundaries are in place so that they may establish their own space and place on the earth.

The mind is powerful. Let us not abuse the mind by committing mindless and fruitless acts. Rather, let us change our minds and decide that our future is too great to denigrate.

Let us understand fully that we are full of potential and that we must exhibit all that we have. If we can yield to God's Holy Spirit, we will be able to have our minds transformed and then families, neighbourhoods, and the island will have been transformed. Let's think on this...[[In-content Ad]]

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