Do you know that you're part of a family? Do you feel that you belong? The answer to the first questions is - YES. The answer to the second is dependent upon you. That's the truly remarkable reality that accompanies all of us when we accept the gift Jesus offers. You, as in you, are always accepted. No one can tell you that you aren't part of the family. You, as well as others, may not always like what you do but that has no bearing on your 'membership'. So now you have three families - your nuclear one, your church, and your eternal one. The latter will never disinherit you.
The caveat in this is that the family does tend to disagree at times, typically on non essential things - I suspect this is why we have as many denominations within Christianity as we have. While the church family may disagree, just like our nuclear family, we need to never forget that this is us, it is not the Father - He never leaves or forsakes us. Never forget that the angels rejoiced when we come into the Family.
Just like every nuclear family is or can be vastly different in the interpersonal dynamics, the same is true of our church family. But in the Family of God, we are all equal and share all things together. Galatians 3:28
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is
neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
We are all one! Verse 29 goes on to tell us: "And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seek, and heirs according to the promise." One! Heirs! If that isn't reason for shoutin' time I don't know what would be.
Each of us have our own jobs and responsibilities in our earthly families that we need to fulfill. My bias is that 1 Corinthians 12 is an attempt by Paul to give us an understanding and appreciation of the Family we have been birthed into, to emulate in our early ones. In verse 12 Paul begins to teach about the body and the membership we have. Everyone is needed, their gift and talent acknowledged; verse 26 - "And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."
It never is a question of you earning your place or being worthy enough. None of us can. But the unspeakable joy is that the Father sees us through the eyes of Jesus. And, our acceptance and belief in Jesus is sufficient.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Too late smart?
I sometimes think that this phrase is my default primary modus operandi. OK, not always, but there are times when I feel like hitting myself aside the head because I really should have known or understood (fill in the blank). I finally got to the 'not to overreact' stage because the point is that eventually I did realize. Sorry, if you felt that what I said didn't apply to you or that it was just a bit presumptuous - not intended. Still, regardless, the point is that like me, you do see what you missed earlier and now you can adjust or change if you acted prematurely... or seemingly too late.
Realizing and then adjusting should be more of the focus then your feelings that you should have known earlier. Sometimes though, missing the timing may make adjusting more difficult, you have to flow with the new reality. So there you are standing in your new understanding, what do you do? Do you bring everyone who are directly involved and inform them of the need for change? Do you involved them in the new approach or simply announce that there is a change? Acceptance is typically based on understanding and some level of ownership so all involved really do need to be consulted on some level. It's not so much changing horses in midstream as it is realizing that a change is needed.
And yes, all that I said is patently logical and life, people, activities/events are not always logical. Quite honestly, it is we who bring the logic to bear. If we don't bring logic with us then either someone who did or chaos reigns. The problem is that time and resources are wasted when we fix our eyes on the 'wrong' thing. This isn't the first time of a 'too late smart' situation so having experienced a variety of actions to the discovery should give us multiple options. Does it? Sometimes yes, sometimes not so much.
Too late smart is really a terrific teacher when we allow it to provide us with this understanding so we don't repeat the behavior. We won't always get it right but we can look at the behaviors we display to determine those that positively affect and effect a new paradigm. Forced to think out of the box may be the greatest benefit of... too late smart.
Realizing and then adjusting should be more of the focus then your feelings that you should have known earlier. Sometimes though, missing the timing may make adjusting more difficult, you have to flow with the new reality. So there you are standing in your new understanding, what do you do? Do you bring everyone who are directly involved and inform them of the need for change? Do you involved them in the new approach or simply announce that there is a change? Acceptance is typically based on understanding and some level of ownership so all involved really do need to be consulted on some level. It's not so much changing horses in midstream as it is realizing that a change is needed.
And yes, all that I said is patently logical and life, people, activities/events are not always logical. Quite honestly, it is we who bring the logic to bear. If we don't bring logic with us then either someone who did or chaos reigns. The problem is that time and resources are wasted when we fix our eyes on the 'wrong' thing. This isn't the first time of a 'too late smart' situation so having experienced a variety of actions to the discovery should give us multiple options. Does it? Sometimes yes, sometimes not so much.
Too late smart is really a terrific teacher when we allow it to provide us with this understanding so we don't repeat the behavior. We won't always get it right but we can look at the behaviors we display to determine those that positively affect and effect a new paradigm. Forced to think out of the box may be the greatest benefit of... too late smart.
Saturday, October 25, 2014
hyp-o-crite
“a person
who claims or pretends to have certain beliefs
about what
is right but who behaves in a way that
disagrees
with those beliefs” (Webster)
I can’t tell
you the number of times this has been the reason given to the question about
becoming a Christian. Countless. But that’s focusing on the human component,
us, and not the eternal one, Jesus. He wasn’t a hypocrite so why look to frail
man instead? Probably because WE are His visible examples in the world. And
what does that say about who we are as Christians?
I would
suspect that we all are hypocrites at times, though this doesn’t excuse. Though
the ‘everyone’ does it excuse doesn’t work, we do use it – to excuse our own
behavior. I’d like to challenge the ‘everyone does it’ excuse. Simply because ‘everyone’
may be true doesn’t mean that you have to succumb to the failing.
A serious
question for us is, if we are the stumbling block for others then we need to
serious look at what we are doing - our words and behaviors, but especially our
actions. Romans (14:13) and 1 Corinthians (8:9) both talk about how we can be
stumbling stones for others and acting hypocritical is definitely a stumbling
stone.
We all need
to realize that there is so much we don’t know or understand about being a
Christian. It is no shame to say – ‘I don’t know...’ or ‘I don’t understand
either...’ Whether an unbeliever or a
new Christian, this ‘lack’ can be an impetus for mutual growth when you ask
them to join you in making the discovery for understanding. You can model for
others that you too are still growing, still becoming; that none of us has all
the answers.
My point is
that though we may act hypocritical, we don’t need to continue this type of
behavior. I don’t believe we are ever surprised when we are ‘caught’ in this
divisive behavior. But we can be
more. We really are better than this...
just not by ourselves, we need the help of the Lord and He is more than willing.
We can acknowledge this and seek to change. We are able. Look at ‘slipping’ times
as wake up calls helping you to continue the change.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Christian... Politically Correct
This probably won't be a easy read because it's a difficult subject. Back in 2010 I wrote a blog post about the incompatibility of a alliance between two opposites - Christian and politically correct. My point then was that it is a total oxymoron - one can't be both. I still believe this. And in looking at the church and how it is interacting with the world 4 years later, I sadly suggest that the church has tried to be 'tolerant' and inclusive. It doesn't work. The principles that are the foundation of each are antithetical. Applying this particular scriptural principle,
"No one can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and
love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other..." (Matthew 6:24)
Unarguably we live in a world that is full of compromise, relativists and fence straddlers. Attempting to straddle the fence of Christian and politically correct is not possible - why attempt to marry two diametrically different approaches to life? We have been called to a higher standard. We are to be salt and light, which rarely means 'popular'.
The 'don't rock the boat' or those advising 'trying to please' mentality attempts to do and be both, which is a lost cause. Part of the dilemma rests in the foundation which each proposes to be and do in life. Politically correct really defines 'shifting sand'. There are moments that we find that word has been redefined or modified so that what was incorrect before, suddenly isn't (or the reverse). Those with the loudest voices tend to have the greatest determination of definition. Also, we discover that behaviors that were totally unacceptable have now the status of 'correct' and proper. According to who? No explanation for the shift is given but it occurred.
Contrary to this continual shift is Christian, whcih hasn't changed. What was foundational 2000 years ago is still foundational. 'Correct' behavior is still according to a standard that is easy to discover, though if we try to strike a balance with 'political correct' we discover this is difficult, if not impossible. Christians have a handbook to follow that is stable and unshifting. God's principles have always been true.
More and more we find there is a conflict in definitions, in behavior, in standards between Christian and politically correct - this is only going to intensify. Sadly, Christians are so concerned about being 'acceptable' that they, too often, compromise the Christian values and standards. The 'convenient' Christian has empowered the minority voice to make the standard for all, and most of these people do not even accept a Christian morality. Eventually everyone will have to take a stand and it will be either/or. Either you are an uncompromising politically correct adherent or you are an uncompromising Christian.
"... I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing;
therefore choose life..." (Deuteronomy 30:19)
"No one can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and
love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other..." (Matthew 6:24)
Unarguably we live in a world that is full of compromise, relativists and fence straddlers. Attempting to straddle the fence of Christian and politically correct is not possible - why attempt to marry two diametrically different approaches to life? We have been called to a higher standard. We are to be salt and light, which rarely means 'popular'.
The 'don't rock the boat' or those advising 'trying to please' mentality attempts to do and be both, which is a lost cause. Part of the dilemma rests in the foundation which each proposes to be and do in life. Politically correct really defines 'shifting sand'. There are moments that we find that word has been redefined or modified so that what was incorrect before, suddenly isn't (or the reverse). Those with the loudest voices tend to have the greatest determination of definition. Also, we discover that behaviors that were totally unacceptable have now the status of 'correct' and proper. According to who? No explanation for the shift is given but it occurred.
Contrary to this continual shift is Christian, whcih hasn't changed. What was foundational 2000 years ago is still foundational. 'Correct' behavior is still according to a standard that is easy to discover, though if we try to strike a balance with 'political correct' we discover this is difficult, if not impossible. Christians have a handbook to follow that is stable and unshifting. God's principles have always been true.
More and more we find there is a conflict in definitions, in behavior, in standards between Christian and politically correct - this is only going to intensify. Sadly, Christians are so concerned about being 'acceptable' that they, too often, compromise the Christian values and standards. The 'convenient' Christian has empowered the minority voice to make the standard for all, and most of these people do not even accept a Christian morality. Eventually everyone will have to take a stand and it will be either/or. Either you are an uncompromising politically correct adherent or you are an uncompromising Christian.
"... I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing;
therefore choose life..." (Deuteronomy 30:19)
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Relapse
Do you feel this describes you? That you always end up relapsing in your attempts to 'improve'? Well of course! Why are you surprised that some habit that is entrenched simply retreats gracefully? Not gonna happen. But we all feel this way and then are surprised when that which we are trying to change doesn't docilely agree. The point is to not allow the relapse to control. When you are trying to be a better you, don't give up on you!
"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed
is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mark 14:38)
Oh yes. Temptation comes, but We are the ones who have the power as to how and if we will succumb to the temptation. Certainly, we can be blindsided but then what? Do we continue in the relapse or pick ourselves up to try again? Let's face it... temptation is on all sides, especially when you are trying to overcome (fill in the blank). No long held 'habit' is going to give up without a fight! But who's in control? Simply because you relapsed doesn't mean you have to continue in the self-defeating behaviors and thoughts.
I also believe that we all need others to support us, to be accountable to, we have not been made to go it alone. But we have to be willing to share, to reach out to others to come along side of us. And this is never easy. When we are trying to improve, to grow we don't always like to share the less than perfect parts of us, so reaching out to someone else to stand with us in our battle is admitting our less than perfect self. But your willingness to acknowledge and then work to improve can have a domino effect in that it can be a witness to others that they can do the same.
We are all in process... We aren't where we can be, become. I believe it's expected that we will always face temptations and relapses when we are fighting our battle to improve, and that really is what we're doing - fighting, to become a better you/me. The longer the habit has been in existence, the longer the battle. BUT the greater the victory. If you don't give up on you, you will come through a stronger you.
"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed
is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mark 14:38)
Oh yes. Temptation comes, but We are the ones who have the power as to how and if we will succumb to the temptation. Certainly, we can be blindsided but then what? Do we continue in the relapse or pick ourselves up to try again? Let's face it... temptation is on all sides, especially when you are trying to overcome (fill in the blank). No long held 'habit' is going to give up without a fight! But who's in control? Simply because you relapsed doesn't mean you have to continue in the self-defeating behaviors and thoughts.
I also believe that we all need others to support us, to be accountable to, we have not been made to go it alone. But we have to be willing to share, to reach out to others to come along side of us. And this is never easy. When we are trying to improve, to grow we don't always like to share the less than perfect parts of us, so reaching out to someone else to stand with us in our battle is admitting our less than perfect self. But your willingness to acknowledge and then work to improve can have a domino effect in that it can be a witness to others that they can do the same.
We are all in process... We aren't where we can be, become. I believe it's expected that we will always face temptations and relapses when we are fighting our battle to improve, and that really is what we're doing - fighting, to become a better you/me. The longer the habit has been in existence, the longer the battle. BUT the greater the victory. If you don't give up on you, you will come through a stronger you.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
GOD
(I tend to think that the word should always be in caps.) Seriously, can you really get your head around the word, concept...person? To me, it is an ongoing and unending discovery that is never 'expected'; and 'assume' should never be part of the definition. You find yourself making your discoveries in amazing and sometimes amusing times and places. The point though is Person, God is a person not simply an idea. No one could ever conceive of the magnitude or splendor that is God. If God is only a word, a concept then He never really is... real.
I was curious about why God described Himself in scripture in different ways, components and with attributable names. The more I thought about it, the more it became evident that this was so He could demonstrate Who He was to man in smaller pieces so man could understand. Can you imagine how we would react if God presented Himself in toto, all at once? Talk about overwhelm - we would not be able to take it all in. However, I don't believe that this means we aren't to deliberately and intentionally discover Who God is. I believe He wants to be known.
God described Himself by what He does as much as who He is. His names are a demonstration of Who and What He is. God provides what we need, when we need it, and in His way - He gives gifts to man. Examples: Jehovah Jireh - our provider, Jehovah Rapha - our healer. Those are only two examples of all of the names of God. But even within each of the descriptions, we need to realize that the word encompasses so much more. Using as an example 'Jehovah Jireh' - typically we think in terms of provision as material and financial. While this is true, there is also the provision of creative expression - art, music, writing.
Remembering that need can't be defined by 'want', there's no way of categorizing the various provisions in terms of 'status', importance. There is also all the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual provisions and healings. I would argue that there is nothing that influences and impacts our lives that God isn't able to provide whatever it is we need. And while we will never know the entirety of Who God is, it will be more than a worthwhile journey of discovery. God wants us to know Who He is and He wants relationship with us, which I find amazing. Knowledge can lead to understanding, and understanding can lead to appreciation, and appreciation can lead to ...
I was curious about why God described Himself in scripture in different ways, components and with attributable names. The more I thought about it, the more it became evident that this was so He could demonstrate Who He was to man in smaller pieces so man could understand. Can you imagine how we would react if God presented Himself in toto, all at once? Talk about overwhelm - we would not be able to take it all in. However, I don't believe that this means we aren't to deliberately and intentionally discover Who God is. I believe He wants to be known.
God described Himself by what He does as much as who He is. His names are a demonstration of Who and What He is. God provides what we need, when we need it, and in His way - He gives gifts to man. Examples: Jehovah Jireh - our provider, Jehovah Rapha - our healer. Those are only two examples of all of the names of God. But even within each of the descriptions, we need to realize that the word encompasses so much more. Using as an example 'Jehovah Jireh' - typically we think in terms of provision as material and financial. While this is true, there is also the provision of creative expression - art, music, writing.
Remembering that need can't be defined by 'want', there's no way of categorizing the various provisions in terms of 'status', importance. There is also all the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual provisions and healings. I would argue that there is nothing that influences and impacts our lives that God isn't able to provide whatever it is we need. And while we will never know the entirety of Who God is, it will be more than a worthwhile journey of discovery. God wants us to know Who He is and He wants relationship with us, which I find amazing. Knowledge can lead to understanding, and understanding can lead to appreciation, and appreciation can lead to ...
Monday, October 13, 2014
Without Faith
To be perfectly honest... there are times when you may 'feel' that you are operating on little or no faith, I know I do. That truly is a terrible place to be in because all you seem to accomplish is running in circles. My experience is that running in circles, other than not getting you anywhere, leaves you exhausted. However, before you capitulate... stop, assess, and most importantly - seek the Lord. One of the most famous prayers has always been, "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief."
For me, to be without faith means that there is no spice and flavor to the day. Everything is a bit flatter and meaning doesn't exist. That's part of my definition of 'without faith'. Faith really is a bulwark and we all need this because we all feel and face times that seem, to us, to be more than we can handle. Without faith it is impossible to move. Typically self pep talks don't work or don't last. This is why we need to be able to stand strong on our foundation of faith, a faith that we know, that we've experienced.
Another interesting aspect of faith is found in the statement that, " Without faith, it is impossible to please God..." (Hebrews 11:6) The remainder of that verse is important too but just considering this phrase, what does this tell us? Simply that we should never come to the Father without an assurance on our part that we come in faith... believing, even if this is as small as a grain of mustard seed (Luke 17:6). Then again, why come if we don't believe? Perhaps it's also a statement that we need to believe in our faith. This is also when we should review the experiences/times that faith held us strong.
Bottom line is that without faith we won't go anywhere. If you feel empty and nothing seems to work, consider the scriptures that talk about faith and know them so well that they trip off your tongue. "Faith is the substance... the evidence..." (Hebrews 11;1) And one of my personal favorites, "...God has dealt to each one a measure of faith..." (Romans 12:3) You can build yourself up in confidence by reciting them - scripture is a powerful weapon against fear and hopelessness.
For me, to be without faith means that there is no spice and flavor to the day. Everything is a bit flatter and meaning doesn't exist. That's part of my definition of 'without faith'. Faith really is a bulwark and we all need this because we all feel and face times that seem, to us, to be more than we can handle. Without faith it is impossible to move. Typically self pep talks don't work or don't last. This is why we need to be able to stand strong on our foundation of faith, a faith that we know, that we've experienced.
Another interesting aspect of faith is found in the statement that, " Without faith, it is impossible to please God..." (Hebrews 11:6) The remainder of that verse is important too but just considering this phrase, what does this tell us? Simply that we should never come to the Father without an assurance on our part that we come in faith... believing, even if this is as small as a grain of mustard seed (Luke 17:6). Then again, why come if we don't believe? Perhaps it's also a statement that we need to believe in our faith. This is also when we should review the experiences/times that faith held us strong.
Bottom line is that without faith we won't go anywhere. If you feel empty and nothing seems to work, consider the scriptures that talk about faith and know them so well that they trip off your tongue. "Faith is the substance... the evidence..." (Hebrews 11;1) And one of my personal favorites, "...God has dealt to each one a measure of faith..." (Romans 12:3) You can build yourself up in confidence by reciting them - scripture is a powerful weapon against fear and hopelessness.
Friday, October 10, 2014
No little thing
Without question the most significant decision you will ever make is what you do about Jesus. Who is He? Was (and still is) He who He said He was and did He do what is reported of Him? What difference does He make in your life? Your initial decision and the choice is simple: accept Him and all this means for your life or reject Him. If you choose to accept Jesus and His Lordship over your life you enter into a never ending adventure. Truly, when you meet the Lord for this first time you discover that nothing will ever be the same again.
That being said, what you do next is entirely your decision too. Do you want to discover all that is contained in accepting Jesus' Lordship? Do you really want to become the best you that's possible? You really can't do it alone... you need the Lord's assistance to grow into that beautiful person you really are. And it is never instantaneous - it takes time and it takes commitment to make whatever changes you decide you will undertake. I believe we all are involved in an ongoing activity of personal growth, which is no little thing.
Make up your mind that you will still make mistakes, still say and do what you wished you hadn't. However, now you have assistance (scripture, prayer, the Holy Spirit, fellow Christians) to accomplish the goal of being all you're meant to be. When you do those things you wished you hadn't, you have greater assurance about righting your wrong. And while you do reap what you sow, you do have the ability to be fruitful with a good crop.
Unfortunately, many people who do accept Jesus as Lord seem to stop at the point of salvation and never continue their journey into the fullness, the abundance that comes with accepting Jesus. I suspect many are unaware but there are also those who, while they acknowledge who Jesus is and did all that He said He would do, they don't move on because...??? concern that their old ways will have to change? That they don't have the strength or will to grow? There can be multiple reasons for stopping. The interesting point is that whether or not we grow and become all that He has for us is really our choice. We are the decision maker and our decision is no little thing.
That being said, what you do next is entirely your decision too. Do you want to discover all that is contained in accepting Jesus' Lordship? Do you really want to become the best you that's possible? You really can't do it alone... you need the Lord's assistance to grow into that beautiful person you really are. And it is never instantaneous - it takes time and it takes commitment to make whatever changes you decide you will undertake. I believe we all are involved in an ongoing activity of personal growth, which is no little thing.
Make up your mind that you will still make mistakes, still say and do what you wished you hadn't. However, now you have assistance (scripture, prayer, the Holy Spirit, fellow Christians) to accomplish the goal of being all you're meant to be. When you do those things you wished you hadn't, you have greater assurance about righting your wrong. And while you do reap what you sow, you do have the ability to be fruitful with a good crop.
Unfortunately, many people who do accept Jesus as Lord seem to stop at the point of salvation and never continue their journey into the fullness, the abundance that comes with accepting Jesus. I suspect many are unaware but there are also those who, while they acknowledge who Jesus is and did all that He said He would do, they don't move on because...??? concern that their old ways will have to change? That they don't have the strength or will to grow? There can be multiple reasons for stopping. The interesting point is that whether or not we grow and become all that He has for us is really our choice. We are the decision maker and our decision is no little thing.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
And then there's the rest of you...
While salvation is instantaneous, spiritually, when you ask Jesus into your life and to be your Lord, that's not the end. He does ask you to come... just as you are, but He has no intention of leaving you in that condition - there IS the rest of you. What do I mean? Simply. Your spirit was immediately cleansed and accepted at that moment but there's also your soul and body to consider (and contend for). And now the rest of the story is told by you.
Body: it really is your decision as to how you treat your body. It's yours and it's your responsibility. Feed it with non-nourishing foods and you will balloon out or you will be sluggish. If all you do is to sit around, this sedentary lifestyle will not be healthy. Healthy - that's the goal. There are so many good and healthy foods available to us but when we choose, because it always is a choice, to eat those foods that cause us to be ill then we are reaping what we sow. Sadly it appears that it's those foods that we crave but we can curb this and in the process reduce our risk for cancer or diabetes or any of the other life-threatening diseases.
Soul: mind, will, emotions - at least that's the definition I've been taught. This is where the longest, hardest battles are fought. This is where you make decisions about who and what and your how of Christianity. And this is always growing and refining and becoming. You are now in the developmental stages of who you are as a Christian. If this wasn't true then why are we told in many places to renew our mind? And it doesn't stop with the mind. We are emotional creatures. We express the vast array in the panorama of feelings. And when it comes to will... just watch a very young child sometime and you see the effect and influence of the will. As for the will... only you can choose to control.
One could argue that splitting ourselves up into 3 components, especially since they interrelate as much as they do, is unnecessary. I would argue that this gives us a greater understanding of not only who we are but how we are put together. In this life, a great deal of our growing effort is spent in the soul area and yes the spirit and body relate highly since the soul does as much directing as it does. It is our spirit, the most eternal aspect of who we are, which should be in the 'driver's seat' but it is our will and mind and emotions that far too often dictate. However, as we renew our mind, as we bring our emotions into focus that the spirit can make itself known.
Body: it really is your decision as to how you treat your body. It's yours and it's your responsibility. Feed it with non-nourishing foods and you will balloon out or you will be sluggish. If all you do is to sit around, this sedentary lifestyle will not be healthy. Healthy - that's the goal. There are so many good and healthy foods available to us but when we choose, because it always is a choice, to eat those foods that cause us to be ill then we are reaping what we sow. Sadly it appears that it's those foods that we crave but we can curb this and in the process reduce our risk for cancer or diabetes or any of the other life-threatening diseases.
Soul: mind, will, emotions - at least that's the definition I've been taught. This is where the longest, hardest battles are fought. This is where you make decisions about who and what and your how of Christianity. And this is always growing and refining and becoming. You are now in the developmental stages of who you are as a Christian. If this wasn't true then why are we told in many places to renew our mind? And it doesn't stop with the mind. We are emotional creatures. We express the vast array in the panorama of feelings. And when it comes to will... just watch a very young child sometime and you see the effect and influence of the will. As for the will... only you can choose to control.
One could argue that splitting ourselves up into 3 components, especially since they interrelate as much as they do, is unnecessary. I would argue that this gives us a greater understanding of not only who we are but how we are put together. In this life, a great deal of our growing effort is spent in the soul area and yes the spirit and body relate highly since the soul does as much directing as it does. It is our spirit, the most eternal aspect of who we are, which should be in the 'driver's seat' but it is our will and mind and emotions that far too often dictate. However, as we renew our mind, as we bring our emotions into focus that the spirit can make itself known.
Saturday, October 4, 2014
What is YOUR story?
"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood."
Is this you? Do you have the blessed assurance? Do you see yourself as an heir of salvation? Do you realize that accepting Jesus as Lord you have been born of His Spirit? Do you praise Him all the day long? Is this your story, your song? Perhaps a great number of questions, but this can be... the decision is yours.
If you don't have the assurance, then what is your story? Because every story is important and bears witness of who we are and how we became to be who and what we are. Growth and continuing to become all we're destined to be is available as we take hold of this. But right now, right here - can you 'sing' your story? More important - are you adding verses to your song?
One of the first things I learned in my walk with the Lord is that I can't deny who I've become. That only cheapens who the Lord is and what He has purchased for me. Denying that I am an heir, born of His Spirit would be denigrating all He went through so that I could become all He has for me. Admittedly, I really hadn't looked at it in this way - it's called false modesty. Truly we are to proclaim loudly who we now are because of who and what the Lord did for man, even if (you) I was the only one.
"This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long."
Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood."
Is this you? Do you have the blessed assurance? Do you see yourself as an heir of salvation? Do you realize that accepting Jesus as Lord you have been born of His Spirit? Do you praise Him all the day long? Is this your story, your song? Perhaps a great number of questions, but this can be... the decision is yours.
If you don't have the assurance, then what is your story? Because every story is important and bears witness of who we are and how we became to be who and what we are. Growth and continuing to become all we're destined to be is available as we take hold of this. But right now, right here - can you 'sing' your story? More important - are you adding verses to your song?
One of the first things I learned in my walk with the Lord is that I can't deny who I've become. That only cheapens who the Lord is and what He has purchased for me. Denying that I am an heir, born of His Spirit would be denigrating all He went through so that I could become all He has for me. Admittedly, I really hadn't looked at it in this way - it's called false modesty. Truly we are to proclaim loudly who we now are because of who and what the Lord did for man, even if (you) I was the only one.
"This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long."
Praising is more than we tend to think it is. Most people consider praise as singing songs to the Lord. True. But praising can come from how you live your life - what your story becomes. So... again, is this your story, your song? Your words, your behavior, who you are always becomes your testimony and can become your song of praise. What kind of song are you?
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Going it alone...
Are you? Do you enjoy solitariness? Are you truly so self-sufficient that you don't need (or want?) to partner in order to accomplish (fill in the blank)? Why do it alone? Do you know? Is it lack of trust that someone else would want or have the ability to become involved? Is it you are concerned that you'll lose the 'control' to someone else? Or... do you think that no one will care as much as you? Another factor is that perhaps it's a feeling of why would anyone want to be involved in what I'm doing... and if I don't ask I won't be rejected, or worse - ridiculed. Apply to you?
I do believe that other people's commitment has to be a strong rationale as to why we don't always involved others - but I think the loss of control would probably be the strongest reason. If you are the one with the vision, if it's your 'baby' then perhaps it could be your inability to articulate it so that others could or would want to become involved? If you are the 'designated' leader, do you doubt your abilities to lead others? There are a host of questions that can be asked, but the basic one is - do you want to go it alone?
Trust, self-sufficiency, opinions all play a role in our willingness to seek others to be involved. Perhaps previous experience of involving others has verged on disastrous. Regardless, each new venture, each new 'project' is opportunity to go it alone or partner with others. If you are doing the 'inviting' then you have to face those questions and issues that support, or not, providing the invitation. If you are the one being invited, then these same questions and issues exist but from a different perspective. Point in all this - whether to partner or not.
Going it alone does have advantages, basically those of control. But you do miss another's viewpoint or suggestions. None of us has all the answers, even when we think we do. Sharing really underscores the notion of inclusion and of teamwork to accomplish (fill in the blank). It really isn't a challenge to your ability to 'do' it by yourself, rather a question of - why?
I do believe that other people's commitment has to be a strong rationale as to why we don't always involved others - but I think the loss of control would probably be the strongest reason. If you are the one with the vision, if it's your 'baby' then perhaps it could be your inability to articulate it so that others could or would want to become involved? If you are the 'designated' leader, do you doubt your abilities to lead others? There are a host of questions that can be asked, but the basic one is - do you want to go it alone?
Trust, self-sufficiency, opinions all play a role in our willingness to seek others to be involved. Perhaps previous experience of involving others has verged on disastrous. Regardless, each new venture, each new 'project' is opportunity to go it alone or partner with others. If you are doing the 'inviting' then you have to face those questions and issues that support, or not, providing the invitation. If you are the one being invited, then these same questions and issues exist but from a different perspective. Point in all this - whether to partner or not.
Going it alone does have advantages, basically those of control. But you do miss another's viewpoint or suggestions. None of us has all the answers, even when we think we do. Sharing really underscores the notion of inclusion and of teamwork to accomplish (fill in the blank). It really isn't a challenge to your ability to 'do' it by yourself, rather a question of - why?
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