Religion according to Webster:
"...the service and worship of God or the supernatural; a personal
set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and
practices; a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with
ardor and faith..."
Somewhat lifeless, though the final part of the definition has more life. And what is 'supernatural' and how is it placed alongside God? And, I would contend, is part of the problem, issue. Religion does not have the same mindset and focus as 'relationship' does.
Webster's attempt at defining relationship is flawed:
"...a state of being related or interrelated; the relation connecting
or binding participants in a relationship."
Not particularly enlightening. Perhaps the problem is that I am talking about a Spiritual Relationship which is not even recognized in dictionary-eze. Don't look for the Lord in religion because He can be found... only in relationship. So the next question is - how do we develop a spiritual relationship?
Remembering that 2Corinthians 6:14 tells us that there can be NO relationship between righteousness and unrighteousness (though this verse is talking about yoking, I believe it also relates to all relationships) what is available for us when it comes to the Lord? Because, let's face it, our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). For a long time I felt like a small child with my face pressed against the window of a toy or candy shop - not invited in but longing to be part.
Thankfully, the Lord led me to 2 verses that I have talked about numerous times... but never together. The first one is in 2Corinthians 5:17-21. I have always loved these verses but had focused on 17-20. WOW. Look at verse 21
"For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in
Him we might become the righteousness of God."
Somehow I hadn't finished the chapter. Obviously I knew there was no way I could attain righteousness but this had already been addressed! I did have the way to relationship.
Of course my mind went to... but what happens when I fail (deliberately or unintentionally)? Again the remedy. 1John 1:9 tells us
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Our way back into relationship! Everything was thought out from the beginning because the Lord was as interested in a relationship with us as we were with Him. My mind still boggles at this - but my gratitude knows no end. So in the end the question is - do you want a relationship with the Lord? It's available. All you need do is come. Keeping Him 'out there' affords little opportunity to be in relationship. But..He tells us - "Come to me..."
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Believing... who
This is a 'who' not a 'what' question. Do YOU know WHO you believe in? Do you know why? Believing involves so many aspects , 'categories', and components that it can be difficult at times really understanding who we believe in and why? How do you choose/decide who you believe in? Do you look at their words and actions - how they go about being them? Does it build over time and interaction that gives you the trust and confidence to believe in them? What will you do if or when they break that trust - and how will you 'handle' your relationship with that person in the future?
One of the problems we can easily succumb to is putting people on pedestals. They don't belong there. No one except the Lord should be on a pedestal. People make mistakes, they sin, they get in bad moods, and multiple other acts. When (it really isn't an 'if' issue) they do, how do we respond to them? Throw them out with the bathwater? It was we who had endowed them with a status that was beyond them so why do we then turn on them when they don't live up to our standards... typically never communicated?
For me, it is nearly impossible to separate trust and believing, especially when it comes to others. Broken trust is a painful experience so I tend to be a tad hesitant when it comes to extending trust. I never rush to judgment though... whether it is to extend trust or withholding it. Perhaps you don't have as firm a correlation between trust and believing - but with broken trust, taking what they say or say they will do is taken with a heaping tablespoon of salt. Fair? Possibly not.
I do find it difficult to separate experience, mine, from how I relate to that other person. But since I also believe I need grace and mercy far more often than 'justice' I have no choice but to apply that to others. Interaction will undoubtedly continue... but depth probably won't. And yes, that is my loss.
One of the problems we can easily succumb to is putting people on pedestals. They don't belong there. No one except the Lord should be on a pedestal. People make mistakes, they sin, they get in bad moods, and multiple other acts. When (it really isn't an 'if' issue) they do, how do we respond to them? Throw them out with the bathwater? It was we who had endowed them with a status that was beyond them so why do we then turn on them when they don't live up to our standards... typically never communicated?
For me, it is nearly impossible to separate trust and believing, especially when it comes to others. Broken trust is a painful experience so I tend to be a tad hesitant when it comes to extending trust. I never rush to judgment though... whether it is to extend trust or withholding it. Perhaps you don't have as firm a correlation between trust and believing - but with broken trust, taking what they say or say they will do is taken with a heaping tablespoon of salt. Fair? Possibly not.
I do find it difficult to separate experience, mine, from how I relate to that other person. But since I also believe I need grace and mercy far more often than 'justice' I have no choice but to apply that to others. Interaction will undoubtedly continue... but depth probably won't. And yes, that is my loss.
Sunday, October 22, 2017
DISCOURAGEMENT
Are you? I try not to be but let's face it - we all do at various times and in various areas of our lives. For me, discouragement typically takes hold when I think I have explored all the myriad options related to something that is important to me. You? However, the issue is what do we do next? There are a variety of behaviors we can indulge in, even though they are typically totally ineffective: sulking, blaming (others, of course), giving up (or in), keep hitting our head against the thickly closed, locked, and impregnable door. There are other things we do too, know yours?
I don't believe there is a greater crippler than discouragement. This does even greater damage than failure. At least with the latter, (fill in the blank) has come to an end... it's finally over. Not so with the former. It confirms to you all the negative parts of you. Your 'can't' has to be the biggest one. It saps all your attention, strength, and energy. Eventually... we do stop all the negative behavior and look at where we are, what the problem is, and what's available to us for resolution.
Analyzing what went wrong needs to be part of the mindset of extraction so we don't repeat, but it really shouldn't be the first thought. First we need to eliminate 'blame' from the equation and focus on what needs to be done. Part of the process, for me, is asking the Lord for His help and wisdom in this current situation. Finding the right method is critically important, and it may be different from the last time you needed to move beyond discouragement. Or... is it?
Do we see similarities in the issues/problems that got is to this point from previous situations and how we resolved them? Do we look at ourselves and our behaviors and assumptions? There is resolution but repeating previous ineffective words, actions, thoughts need to be eliminated. Do we have the luxury of time to consider the answers to all these questions (and others)? Perhaps not, but wasting time on ineffective actions is not proactive either.
What to do?! Our own thoughts need to be brought into line. Discouragement is a pervasive feeling that has to be countered. Everyone needs to know their approach in these times. For me, I go to my source - the Lord and seek His wisdom in His word. The more that you lean on the Word, the more the Word will be in you. Can the lessons and understandings really 'work', really help us to answers in our world? They do for me.
I don't believe there is a greater crippler than discouragement. This does even greater damage than failure. At least with the latter, (fill in the blank) has come to an end... it's finally over. Not so with the former. It confirms to you all the negative parts of you. Your 'can't' has to be the biggest one. It saps all your attention, strength, and energy. Eventually... we do stop all the negative behavior and look at where we are, what the problem is, and what's available to us for resolution.
Analyzing what went wrong needs to be part of the mindset of extraction so we don't repeat, but it really shouldn't be the first thought. First we need to eliminate 'blame' from the equation and focus on what needs to be done. Part of the process, for me, is asking the Lord for His help and wisdom in this current situation. Finding the right method is critically important, and it may be different from the last time you needed to move beyond discouragement. Or... is it?
Do we see similarities in the issues/problems that got is to this point from previous situations and how we resolved them? Do we look at ourselves and our behaviors and assumptions? There is resolution but repeating previous ineffective words, actions, thoughts need to be eliminated. Do we have the luxury of time to consider the answers to all these questions (and others)? Perhaps not, but wasting time on ineffective actions is not proactive either.
What to do?! Our own thoughts need to be brought into line. Discouragement is a pervasive feeling that has to be countered. Everyone needs to know their approach in these times. For me, I go to my source - the Lord and seek His wisdom in His word. The more that you lean on the Word, the more the Word will be in you. Can the lessons and understandings really 'work', really help us to answers in our world? They do for me.
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Hmmmm...
Satisfied? Life all you want it to be? Still lovin' the livin'? Probably the most important question... still growing? Or do you think you know enough (word defined)? So what is on the horizon? What new goals have you developed or what does your future look like? If you think that you can continue on in your safe and comfortable world, think again. If you stop, you will get trampled on and you will get hurt.
I know that sounded slightly melodramatic... minimally threatening. But - does that decrease the truth? Life is never made for standing still, it's not how the word is described or defined. Life always has ups, downs, successes, less than successes, etc. Perhaps the point is - do you see and understand your growth and who you can be as much as who you are? Do you incorporate your understandings into your life - operationally?
Even if all's well or all's terrible, the likelihood of stagnant rarely occurs. There are always the 'new' that you encounter. You can choose to close a blind eye to all of this and lose all the opportunities in the process or you can choose to embrace life and partner with it to accomplish your dreams, hopes, possibilities. What's stopping you? Why choose less than all that has been prepared for you? Why not dare, risk to accept the Lord's invitation and begin to become. He has provided everything Just for you to use to be enabled to live the abundant life.
However... apart from Him, you can do nothing (John 15:5). Fact. Besides, why go it alone when you have One who always has your best interest in mind and wants to help you? The single most difficult obstacle, in my opinion, is our own pride and wanting to do (fill in the blank) our way. The fact that we DO have free will can become a hindrance when we are in our proving that we can do whatever it is by ourselves. Look at the behavior of children... isn't that often what we do but on a much larger scale? It takes great humility to accept that we don't always know the best or even act on the best response to ...
We can though. We can accomplish great things as long as we keep our eyes off ourselves and on the goal. Is the goal of greater value than our own sense of ourselves? Hmmmm...
I know that sounded slightly melodramatic... minimally threatening. But - does that decrease the truth? Life is never made for standing still, it's not how the word is described or defined. Life always has ups, downs, successes, less than successes, etc. Perhaps the point is - do you see and understand your growth and who you can be as much as who you are? Do you incorporate your understandings into your life - operationally?
Even if all's well or all's terrible, the likelihood of stagnant rarely occurs. There are always the 'new' that you encounter. You can choose to close a blind eye to all of this and lose all the opportunities in the process or you can choose to embrace life and partner with it to accomplish your dreams, hopes, possibilities. What's stopping you? Why choose less than all that has been prepared for you? Why not dare, risk to accept the Lord's invitation and begin to become. He has provided everything Just for you to use to be enabled to live the abundant life.
However... apart from Him, you can do nothing (John 15:5). Fact. Besides, why go it alone when you have One who always has your best interest in mind and wants to help you? The single most difficult obstacle, in my opinion, is our own pride and wanting to do (fill in the blank) our way. The fact that we DO have free will can become a hindrance when we are in our proving that we can do whatever it is by ourselves. Look at the behavior of children... isn't that often what we do but on a much larger scale? It takes great humility to accept that we don't always know the best or even act on the best response to ...
We can though. We can accomplish great things as long as we keep our eyes off ourselves and on the goal. Is the goal of greater value than our own sense of ourselves? Hmmmm...
Monday, October 16, 2017
Identity... Old, New
Do you know, understand, and appreciate - YOU? Do you know your identity? Is this important to and for you to be who you are? If you are a Christian then the resounding answer should be... I'm in the process of discovering me! Colossians 3: 1-10 gives us much to think about as our new identity in Him.
"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." (v.3)
"But now you yourselves are to put off all these things all these:
anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with
his deeds and have put on the new man WHO IS RENEWED in
knowledge according to the image of Him who created him." (v. 8-10)
These scriptures give a picture of the old identity and the new one. And if your concern is that you won't be able to walk in your newness... you are correct if you believe you have to do this alone. Never forget that you constantly have someone with you to help you become your best you and will equip you to continue to fight your enemy, the devil. Look to the fact that it is in the image of Him (the Lord) who has created you.
Also remember that if He tells you to be or do (fill in the blank) that YOU are able to be or do what is necessary. We have to take off the old, to rid ourselves of those thoughts, actions, words that deny who we are becoming. And then we can put on the new to replace what was. One point that became very clear to me was that we have to come to the Lord - first - to confess our old self and seek His help in becoming our new self. One danger is that we must distance ourselves from the old and not attempt to live in both worlds. Never works. Returning to who we are because it is a known and the new isn't, is not safety. Becoming your new is never one and done. It is always a continuing process.
What if you fail? Simple. Acknowledge it, purpose to not repeat, make any 'restitution' that's applicable, and move on. We always have 1John 1:9-2:1 as our method of restoration. He knows what we face which is why the Holy Spirit has been sent to us to aid us in our journey (John 14:16). Sooo... what is this new self? Colossians 3: 12-17
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies,
kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another
and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another;
even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." (v. 12)
"But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of
perfection." (v. 14)
These verses in Colossians 3:1-17 give us a vivid example of who and what the new identity is. Ephesians 6 and 1Corinthians 5:17-22 are also some of the teachings on who we are, our new identity and what's been prepared for us to be able to continue on our journey to becoming all that we can be.
"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." (v.3)
"But now you yourselves are to put off all these things all these:
anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with
his deeds and have put on the new man WHO IS RENEWED in
knowledge according to the image of Him who created him." (v. 8-10)
These scriptures give a picture of the old identity and the new one. And if your concern is that you won't be able to walk in your newness... you are correct if you believe you have to do this alone. Never forget that you constantly have someone with you to help you become your best you and will equip you to continue to fight your enemy, the devil. Look to the fact that it is in the image of Him (the Lord) who has created you.
Also remember that if He tells you to be or do (fill in the blank) that YOU are able to be or do what is necessary. We have to take off the old, to rid ourselves of those thoughts, actions, words that deny who we are becoming. And then we can put on the new to replace what was. One point that became very clear to me was that we have to come to the Lord - first - to confess our old self and seek His help in becoming our new self. One danger is that we must distance ourselves from the old and not attempt to live in both worlds. Never works. Returning to who we are because it is a known and the new isn't, is not safety. Becoming your new is never one and done. It is always a continuing process.
What if you fail? Simple. Acknowledge it, purpose to not repeat, make any 'restitution' that's applicable, and move on. We always have 1John 1:9-2:1 as our method of restoration. He knows what we face which is why the Holy Spirit has been sent to us to aid us in our journey (John 14:16). Sooo... what is this new self? Colossians 3: 12-17
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies,
kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another
and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another;
even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." (v. 12)
"But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of
perfection." (v. 14)
These verses in Colossians 3:1-17 give us a vivid example of who and what the new identity is. Ephesians 6 and 1Corinthians 5:17-22 are also some of the teachings on who we are, our new identity and what's been prepared for us to be able to continue on our journey to becoming all that we can be.
Friday, October 13, 2017
Need...Want...
These are two distinct and separately defined words, but do you use them interchangeable? Is (fill in the blank) truly a need for you... or is it only a want? Definitions are incredibly important at this point. I'm going to share mine and then you can understand what it is that I'm meaning and refine your definition to meet what you understand and know. My point is that we all specially defined words and to know what we NEED is not necessarily the same as what we WANT.
Want, for me , is rarely a person but 'something' I would prefer, would hope for...BUT it is not absolutely necessary or 'mandatory' for me to accomplish/do what I'm (fill in the blank). Enhance or make easier - absolutely, but not a make or break. Need, on the other hand, is crucial. Without (fill in the blank) there isn't an absolute assurance of success. Need is on a much deeper level and much more immediate. Actually, need may be the catalyst for moving on to - next. Understand my definitions? You don't have to like them but it will make my reasoning(?) ... clearer.
Point in all this is to know our individual need(s). In order to be our best us, we need to know what this is... operationally. And what we look at as our needs in order to be our best, what do we do with them? Do we simply expect the Lord to make them available to us? Do we come to Him and ask for those things we need? Do we know what we will do with them when we 'have' them? But in the midst of all these questions... what's our responsibility? Do we need to study in order to properly use the need effectively? Is it something we already have but never realized its value?
So many questions - and these only begin the process. We need to distinguish between what is a genuine need and simply a 'want'. This is the first step. Then we can go to the Lord to seek His hand of provision. And yes, I find that I also add the 'want' but I acknowledge it to Him and myself that it isn't critical, merely an easier way. I really don't believe He disallows wants, but I do believe that He wants us to know the difference and then how to use what He's provided. Needs and wants are part and parcel of our lives... but we need to not use our predetermined situation to stop in our tracks. Sometimes the provision happens ... when we take that step of faith to speak or to do.
Want, for me , is rarely a person but 'something' I would prefer, would hope for...BUT it is not absolutely necessary or 'mandatory' for me to accomplish/do what I'm (fill in the blank). Enhance or make easier - absolutely, but not a make or break. Need, on the other hand, is crucial. Without (fill in the blank) there isn't an absolute assurance of success. Need is on a much deeper level and much more immediate. Actually, need may be the catalyst for moving on to - next. Understand my definitions? You don't have to like them but it will make my reasoning(?) ... clearer.
Point in all this is to know our individual need(s). In order to be our best us, we need to know what this is... operationally. And what we look at as our needs in order to be our best, what do we do with them? Do we simply expect the Lord to make them available to us? Do we come to Him and ask for those things we need? Do we know what we will do with them when we 'have' them? But in the midst of all these questions... what's our responsibility? Do we need to study in order to properly use the need effectively? Is it something we already have but never realized its value?
So many questions - and these only begin the process. We need to distinguish between what is a genuine need and simply a 'want'. This is the first step. Then we can go to the Lord to seek His hand of provision. And yes, I find that I also add the 'want' but I acknowledge it to Him and myself that it isn't critical, merely an easier way. I really don't believe He disallows wants, but I do believe that He wants us to know the difference and then how to use what He's provided. Needs and wants are part and parcel of our lives... but we need to not use our predetermined situation to stop in our tracks. Sometimes the provision happens ... when we take that step of faith to speak or to do.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
People need the Lord
This was a wonderful gospel song from years ago. Recently I was watching a special of some of the older artists and songs that use to be heard back in the 80's and before. Not that the current ones aren't good, it's just that those spoke such volumes to me since that was the time I was saved. They bring back memories of my personal journey (still on-going).
The particular theme of this song is so relevant, regardless of the age of the listener. Steve Green was the artist who sang...
"Everyday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care.
Headed who knows where?
On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear.
Laughter hides their silent cries,
Only Jesus hears.
We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right.
What could be too great a cost
For sharing Life with one who's lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear
They must hear the Words of Life
Only we can share.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives,
For people need the Lord."
How do those words affect you? Do you see where your outstretched hand can easy the suffering of another? Do you understand that a word spoken in season can become a mighty seed in someone else's life? What we sometimes misplace is that the Lord has chosen to work through us to touch lives and bring healing and hope. Maybe not highly dramatic nor visible, but what's our focus - us or the hurting person in front of us?
And no, I'm not pointing fingers or accusing anyone... I just wonder how I may have answered this call? Where I may have shared the most important Person, the Lord, with others. How I may have said a word or acted with comfort to another person that brought them relief. Have I taken the message of this song and acted on it. Those questions don't exactly haunt me but they do cause me to look again at how I am being me in the world I live in.
Years ago this song spoke volumes to me and did stir me to action. If it truly is still an important message... will it renew me? The word says:
"... (Jesus speaking) Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look
at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" (John 4:35)
What do we see? What will we do? And if we don't... what will be the future?
The particular theme of this song is so relevant, regardless of the age of the listener. Steve Green was the artist who sang...
"Everyday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care.
Headed who knows where?
On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear.
Laughter hides their silent cries,
Only Jesus hears.
We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right.
What could be too great a cost
For sharing Life with one who's lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear
They must hear the Words of Life
Only we can share.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives,
For people need the Lord."
How do those words affect you? Do you see where your outstretched hand can easy the suffering of another? Do you understand that a word spoken in season can become a mighty seed in someone else's life? What we sometimes misplace is that the Lord has chosen to work through us to touch lives and bring healing and hope. Maybe not highly dramatic nor visible, but what's our focus - us or the hurting person in front of us?
And no, I'm not pointing fingers or accusing anyone... I just wonder how I may have answered this call? Where I may have shared the most important Person, the Lord, with others. How I may have said a word or acted with comfort to another person that brought them relief. Have I taken the message of this song and acted on it. Those questions don't exactly haunt me but they do cause me to look again at how I am being me in the world I live in.
Years ago this song spoke volumes to me and did stir me to action. If it truly is still an important message... will it renew me? The word says:
"... (Jesus speaking) Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look
at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" (John 4:35)
What do we see? What will we do? And if we don't... what will be the future?
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Risk and Reality
"Only a real risk tests the reality of a belief" C. S. Lewis
How do you respond to 'risk(s)'? Do you flee from them as fast and as far as you can at the mere mention of a potential issue... even before you have confirmed there is a risk? Do you 'stand and take your ground' waiting for the risk to emerge? Do you pick up any available weapon and charge headlong into the risk? Do you analyze and prepare as you determine if there actually is a risk? (Obviously, you know my preference.)
Without doubt, the place to begin is with a definition. What may be a risk to one, may be an expected skirmish to another? You need to know your tolerance to risk, but you have to define the word for yourself first. Webster: "... the possibility of loss or injury, someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard." This your definition... or only part of your definition? Webster's words of 'possibility' and 'suggests' only implies a potential problem, it does not say it IS a problem. So what do you do to assess the level of threat? And then, how do you go about making your decision about what to do with the threat?
There are many people who panic or immediately change at the mere wisp of a emergent issue. This you? Do you not even entertain that it may be only a molehill and not a mountain before retreating? And if you are a 'wait and see' type... how long will you wait? Until it is a major problem? Or do you use the time to develop other options, approaches to reaching (fill in the blank) rather than quitting?
Though there is an implied 'best approach' to risk, I really am not suggesting a method - I'm asking if you know yours! You can modify, change, etc. whatever your approach is - but only after you know! And I realize you could argue that a physical risk us not the same as a risk to a more esoteric context of one's beliefs. Really? Is your mindsets so compartmentalized? Do you not see a relationship?
What do you do when a firmly held belief you have is challenged? Do you know why you believe as you do and the foundation you've built your trust in that belief? When someone 'attacks' what you believe - how do you respond? I try to adopt the standard of, '...come let us reason together...' (Isaiah 1:18) and yes, I know the Lord was using that in the context of our sin - but can't it also be a context to handle disagreements? Even if the end result is that after sharing our understandings we maintain our original beliefs? Iron sharpens iron and discussing those challenges to what we believe only causes us to become strengthen in those beliefs or it causes us to reconsider and redefine.
How do you respond to 'risk(s)'? Do you flee from them as fast and as far as you can at the mere mention of a potential issue... even before you have confirmed there is a risk? Do you 'stand and take your ground' waiting for the risk to emerge? Do you pick up any available weapon and charge headlong into the risk? Do you analyze and prepare as you determine if there actually is a risk? (Obviously, you know my preference.)
Without doubt, the place to begin is with a definition. What may be a risk to one, may be an expected skirmish to another? You need to know your tolerance to risk, but you have to define the word for yourself first. Webster: "... the possibility of loss or injury, someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard." This your definition... or only part of your definition? Webster's words of 'possibility' and 'suggests' only implies a potential problem, it does not say it IS a problem. So what do you do to assess the level of threat? And then, how do you go about making your decision about what to do with the threat?
There are many people who panic or immediately change at the mere wisp of a emergent issue. This you? Do you not even entertain that it may be only a molehill and not a mountain before retreating? And if you are a 'wait and see' type... how long will you wait? Until it is a major problem? Or do you use the time to develop other options, approaches to reaching (fill in the blank) rather than quitting?
Though there is an implied 'best approach' to risk, I really am not suggesting a method - I'm asking if you know yours! You can modify, change, etc. whatever your approach is - but only after you know! And I realize you could argue that a physical risk us not the same as a risk to a more esoteric context of one's beliefs. Really? Is your mindsets so compartmentalized? Do you not see a relationship?
What do you do when a firmly held belief you have is challenged? Do you know why you believe as you do and the foundation you've built your trust in that belief? When someone 'attacks' what you believe - how do you respond? I try to adopt the standard of, '...come let us reason together...' (Isaiah 1:18) and yes, I know the Lord was using that in the context of our sin - but can't it also be a context to handle disagreements? Even if the end result is that after sharing our understandings we maintain our original beliefs? Iron sharpens iron and discussing those challenges to what we believe only causes us to become strengthen in those beliefs or it causes us to reconsider and redefine.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
The thorns in life
Remember Paul's 'thorns in the flesh'? Is this how you feel? That you are stuck and are continually dealing with (fill in the blank) which has now reached the status of 'thorn'? So... what are you going to do? What CAN you do. Backing up to Paul... what did HE do? God's response to Paul's lament (2Corinthians 12:7) was to remind him that "My grace is sufficient for you..."
What do you do with that phrase? Is God telling Paul (and by implication - you) that it is YOUR problem? Is God saying He's done all He intends to do and now you are on your own? Obviously not. He never leaves us alone (Hebrews 13:5). The realization, I believe, is that:
"So we may boldly say; 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What
can man do to me?'" (verse 6)
My understanding is that everything has already been provided, we are equipped, we can handle (fill in the blank) or... we can tolerate whatever is happening.
There is also His words that He said He would never leave us with no way out:
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;
but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond
what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way
of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1Corinthians 10:13)
Look at this verse again. Not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to bear it AND will also make the way of escape. I believe that so often we are focused on what we feel, what we think we need, when relief should occur (NOW) that we take our eyes off of the One who is our source - The Lord. Point being that if He says His grace is sufficient... then it is sufficient.
In 2Corinthians 12:9, The Lord says that His grace is sufficient ... "My strength is made perfect in weakness." Do NOT make the mistake of assuming God wants us to suffer so He can use our weakness as an opportunity to demonstrate Himself. I believe that this is another opportunity for us to see His hand, to remember Whose we are, and that we really are able. Thorns may come... but you also are able because of His Grace.
What do you do with that phrase? Is God telling Paul (and by implication - you) that it is YOUR problem? Is God saying He's done all He intends to do and now you are on your own? Obviously not. He never leaves us alone (Hebrews 13:5). The realization, I believe, is that:
"So we may boldly say; 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What
can man do to me?'" (verse 6)
My understanding is that everything has already been provided, we are equipped, we can handle (fill in the blank) or... we can tolerate whatever is happening.
There is also His words that He said He would never leave us with no way out:
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;
but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond
what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way
of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1Corinthians 10:13)
Look at this verse again. Not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to bear it AND will also make the way of escape. I believe that so often we are focused on what we feel, what we think we need, when relief should occur (NOW) that we take our eyes off of the One who is our source - The Lord. Point being that if He says His grace is sufficient... then it is sufficient.
In 2Corinthians 12:9, The Lord says that His grace is sufficient ... "My strength is made perfect in weakness." Do NOT make the mistake of assuming God wants us to suffer so He can use our weakness as an opportunity to demonstrate Himself. I believe that this is another opportunity for us to see His hand, to remember Whose we are, and that we really are able. Thorns may come... but you also are able because of His Grace.
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Mess ups, Free will, and all such nonsense
We mess up. No earth shattering news, no surprises, no shocks. It's a fact. It really is OK as long as we learn from the mess and move on.
We have free will. It's available to teach us that we aren't all omnipotent, all wise, all knowing and we all need help, but choices and decisions ARE ours.
It just so much nonsense to not admit fact. So why, when we know we have erred and/or sinned do we try and bluff our way out, ignore, distance ourselves, and other such nefarious ill thought out behavior? A sin is a sin. We don't just miss the mark, we sometimes shoot in the opposite direction! Talk about enlightened. And messes are also part and parcel of life. So rather than waste time, when we have made a mistake or we have sinned (a mistake does not necessarily define 'sin') do we compound the situation and make it 10 times worse than if we would just admit it straight away.
I find that as I grow older, my patience grows thinner with myself when I catch me doing precisely that. I can easily identify with Paul's - "... I do the things I do not wish to do and don't do the things I should do..." (paraphrase of Romans 7:15-20). Simply 'human nature'? What a cop out! What a lame excuse. Does anyone actually believe this? Man up! Admit it when you err and especially when you sin. Don't hide. Accept and move on. When you do, you'll find yourself much further ahead then if you continue in the compounding behavior. Mess ups and Free will... are. Simply because we have Free will doesn't mean that we are free from error - it basically means that we have the choice, we can choose to (fill in the blank).
I really don't mind accepting responsibility nor in admitting error on my part - though I do admit a great irritation when others don't have the same standard. Silly... we all have free will, remember! Free will is really a marvelous gift... but it is also an enormous responsibility. There can be no finger pointing with free will - it's never the other person's fault/problem, we chose what we chose. If you want to have free will then you have to assume the consequences of your words and actions. You can't blame anyone else... period. Ever look at free will in that light?
Mess ups happen. They don't need to control. We can change to a more effective plan to (fill in the blank). We have free will to make the choices and decisions, but it comes with the price tag that we have to accept the consequences of our actions and words. Ironically... free will really isn't free. It's always a test of our integrity, our character - at least in my world of definitions.
People are messy. Life is messy. This is not new information! How we go about living in this reality is all important. Why? Because it affects our attitudes and thus how we live. It can mold us. I suspect that it can also break us... depending on how we 'handle' it.
We have free will. It's available to teach us that we aren't all omnipotent, all wise, all knowing and we all need help, but choices and decisions ARE ours.
It just so much nonsense to not admit fact. So why, when we know we have erred and/or sinned do we try and bluff our way out, ignore, distance ourselves, and other such nefarious ill thought out behavior? A sin is a sin. We don't just miss the mark, we sometimes shoot in the opposite direction! Talk about enlightened. And messes are also part and parcel of life. So rather than waste time, when we have made a mistake or we have sinned (a mistake does not necessarily define 'sin') do we compound the situation and make it 10 times worse than if we would just admit it straight away.
I find that as I grow older, my patience grows thinner with myself when I catch me doing precisely that. I can easily identify with Paul's - "... I do the things I do not wish to do and don't do the things I should do..." (paraphrase of Romans 7:15-20). Simply 'human nature'? What a cop out! What a lame excuse. Does anyone actually believe this? Man up! Admit it when you err and especially when you sin. Don't hide. Accept and move on. When you do, you'll find yourself much further ahead then if you continue in the compounding behavior. Mess ups and Free will... are. Simply because we have Free will doesn't mean that we are free from error - it basically means that we have the choice, we can choose to (fill in the blank).
I really don't mind accepting responsibility nor in admitting error on my part - though I do admit a great irritation when others don't have the same standard. Silly... we all have free will, remember! Free will is really a marvelous gift... but it is also an enormous responsibility. There can be no finger pointing with free will - it's never the other person's fault/problem, we chose what we chose. If you want to have free will then you have to assume the consequences of your words and actions. You can't blame anyone else... period. Ever look at free will in that light?
Mess ups happen. They don't need to control. We can change to a more effective plan to (fill in the blank). We have free will to make the choices and decisions, but it comes with the price tag that we have to accept the consequences of our actions and words. Ironically... free will really isn't free. It's always a test of our integrity, our character - at least in my world of definitions.
People are messy. Life is messy. This is not new information! How we go about living in this reality is all important. Why? Because it affects our attitudes and thus how we live. It can mold us. I suspect that it can also break us... depending on how we 'handle' it.
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