Poppy Smith - 'thrive' e-zine

WE ALL NEED HEART SURGERY!

Dear Friends,

I am feeling very cared for as I head into major surgery in 36 hours. My sisters called from England, friends called from Canada and the US, and I’ve received emails and notes from various places. I know many are praying also—so thank you sooo much!

By the time you receive this edition of Thrive, I hope to have had my aortic valve replaced and be starting the 6-8 week recovery process. If you would like to receive updates on how I’m doing, please sign up for my blog which will come to you via email. My friend and ministry assistant, Karen Robbins, will send out updates via the blog until I can get back to writing myself. She will also put information out via my Facebook page if you’d like to friend me!

As some of you know, two days before Christmas my cardiologist told me I needed open heart surgery in the next three to six months. This was a big shock—but here we are. The day has almost come.

Thinking about what to write in this last Thrive for three months (I’ll begin again in September), it struck me that I’m not the only person who needs heart surgery—we all need it! Just taking a quick look at Scripture makes it clear that our hearts need God’s healing touch, as you’ll see in Espresso for the Soul.

Having experienced the most wonderful, carefree peace these past months, I also want to share some promises from God’s Word that mean so much to me at this time. You’ll find five great ones under Want To Grow?

My prayer as I write this edition of Thrive is that you have a peace that passes all understanding—no matter what tough experiences you are dealing with. It is possible—because God promises it!

With Joy,

We All Need Heart Surgery!

: : : : :

Did you know that there are 596 references to the “heart” in the Bible? Scrolling through them, I marveled at how many ways the heart is described. There are evil hearts, hard hearts, grudging hearts as well as pure hearts, discerning hearts, and loving hearts. (It sounds like a Dr. Suess book!)

What does the Bible mean when it talks about the heart? Like our physical heart which is central to bodily health, the heart described in Scripture is central to our relationship with God and one another. It refers to the inner self that thinks, feels, and decides. In other words, it describes some part of our human personality.

In Scripture, emotions such as anger, fear, love and hate are described as coming from the heart. So do our thoughts, imagination, decision-making, and intentions. In addition, heart often refers to someone’s character or personality.

Have you ever noticed the parallels between our physical and spiritual lives? We eat food, we eat the Word. We walk places, we walk with God. We thirst for water, we thirst spiritually. We talk to one another, we talk to God. When it comes to our hearts, there are also some parallels God wants us to grasp:

We were all born with diseased hearts. Spiritually, Scripture says all of us have heart problems and need help. In Gen.6:5, God laments that every inclination of people’s hearts was evil all the time! Through Jeremiah (17:9), He says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” But knowing we have a bad heart, and meeting with the Great Heart Surgeon, is the start of a whole new life.

Heart transplants are available to all! God says in Ezekial 36:27, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees.” That’s why any of us have changed attitudes, desires, and habits. Our new Spirit-given hearts are pumping away bringing us the power to live lives that glorify God!

Maintaining a healthy heart is a life-long exercise . If we want spiritually healthy hearts then we need regular check-ups. To avoid a hardened, or grudging, or forgetful heart, we need to ask God to search us and point out what needs attention (Ps.139:23-24).

Scripture also says: Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful (John 14:1).

Love God with all your heart (Deut. 6:5).

Seek Him with all your heart (Ps.119:10).

Serve Him with all your heart (Col.3:23), and to

Draw near with a sincere heart (Heb.10:22).

We’re also promised a heart at peace, a generous heart, one that trusts in God and leaps for joy.

There’s so much else that can be said about the role of our hearts in growing closer to God, but I hope these few references fill you with gratitude and love for the God who has transformed you.

Welcome from Poppy

Espresso

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5 Principles for a Peaceful Heart

1.	Keep your mind fixed on God’s presence and power (Is.26:3)
2.	Do not be anxious about anything. Pray with thanksgiving. Trust God has your best in mind and be at peace (Phil.4:6-7)
3.	Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me (John 14:1)
4.	Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you… do not be afraid (John 14:27)
5.	Grace and peace is yours in abundance through a growing knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord (2 Peter 1:2)

News, Trends & Events:

Looking for a fresh topic for a Fall or Spring event? TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! offers inspiration and practical ideas for improving your physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual health. This is a great outreach topic! Contact me at poppy@poppysmith.com for details.

Upcoming Events:

Speaking Calendar:

2010:

September 15: Aging to Perfection, Eugene, OR.

October 16: Plenary Speaker, Oregon Christian Writers, Fall meeting

October 26-30: Oman

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