"Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to be his teacher or counselor? Has the Lord ever needed anyone's advise? Does he need instruction about what is good or what is best?" Isaiah 40:13-14 (NLT)
As I read this passage this morning I was struck at how often I am guilty of "giving the Lord advise" in my prayers. Does He need my advise? Obviously not. Does He need my counsel? Somehow, I don't think so!
I'm very thankful that we have a God who regularly overlooks my poor choice of wording when I pray, that He sees my heart instead of just hearing my words. Sometimes I mispeak and God hears the good in my heart instead of the poorly worded request that comes from my lips. If I'm honest with myself, though, I know that there are other times when I've "cleaned up" the words I speak but the sentiment of my heart truly is to manipulate or "instruct" God in what needs to happen in a given situation. How arrogant of me!
Have you ever prayed "Lord, please help this other person ____________________" (fill in the blank), when what you mean in your heart is "Lord, let this person do what I want them to do"? Were you secretly trying to give God instructions or counsel about what He should do? You may have convinced yourself that you were praying what's best for that person, yet what you were really praying was the equivalent of giving God instructions.
Although I often fail, I try to pray Scripture rather than solutions. Once while teaching on this subject I was asked the following question: "I have a friend who is about to lose his job. Shouldn't I pray for him to keep his job?" My response was that while we know that it's God's will for the man to provide for his family, we don't know that it is God's will for him to have that particular job. As we learned more about the situation it became clear that the friend was in jeopardy of losing his job because his boss was asking him to do unethical things and he was refusing. In the midst of the crisis of needing to provide for his family both he and his friends were losing sight of the fact that God may have orchestrated these circumstances to move him into a new position. If I had prayed that he not lose his job, I might have been praying against the will of God. Rather, if I prayed that God would enable him to continue to provide for his family, enable him to see the "way out" (1 Cor 10:13) of this situation, continue to teach him His ways and conform him to the image of Christ, I would clearly be praying in God's will.
This doesn't always come easy for me. I'm a person who seeks solutions. It's the way my mind works. I see or hear of a problem and my mind immediately begins to brainstorm solutions. It's one of the ways I tend to be more like men than women. When women share problems with their husbands they are often frustrated because their husbands go into "fixit" mode immediately instead of just listening and being compassionate. I am more like that husband. When I hear a problem I automatically go into "fixit" mode. I've had to train myself to listen longer and then make my suggestions in a milder way than comes naturally to me. (I am admittedly better at this sometimes than at other times.)
This personality trait serves me well in many areas of my life. But it's totally inappropriate in my relationship with God. God doesn't need me to offer suggestions about how to solve a problem. He has already put the solution in motion. Scripture teaches us that He is always at work in our circumstances, past, present and future. My job is to watch and to listen. If my prayers were more "watch and listen" focused, I undoubtedly would have a more Christ-like walk with the Lord. (Ouch!)
Lord, as I look to 2008, help me to NOT (advertently or inadvertently) give You advice and instructions. Your wisdom is greater.
Showing posts with label Spiritual Maturity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spiritual Maturity. Show all posts
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Consumed with the Gospel
Last Wednesday evening we studied Paul's pastoral epistles -- his letters to Timothy and Titus. As the pastor was giving an overview of the three letters, I found myself distracted by the content of the letters! (Being distracted by the Word of God -- what a great thing!)
What caught my attention is that the Apostle Paul presented the Gospel in nine of the thirteen chapters of these three books. I was amazed by this. Remember the setting. Paul is writing to leaders of churches, men he had discipled and set in place as pastors. Paul calls both Timothy and Titus "my true son" in the faith (1 Tim 1:2, Titus 1:4). Undoubtedly these men know the Gospel message. Undoubtedly Paul knows that these men know it. Yet Paul repeats it ten times in thirteen chapters.
The question I have to ask is "Why?"
I love to watch interviews between secular media and Billy Graham. He very naturally includes the Gospel message in almost every answer. I watch amazed that he can do it so frequently without coming across as preachy or avoiding the questions. Politicians put forth the same message but it's often at the expense of answering the question. Billy Graham was able to answer questions while including the Gospel.
The same was true of the Apostle Paul. I want to say "it's their gift." But I think that's a copout. I think it's much more like that they were/are more consumed with the Gospel than I am. I want my passion to be as Paul's:
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:7-11, NIV
Paul says he considers everything in this life that he might otherwise have considered of value rubbish! And that what he wants is only to know Christ. I'm not there. I am not consumed with Christ as I'd like to be. There's still way too much rubbish in my life!
What caught my attention is that the Apostle Paul presented the Gospel in nine of the thirteen chapters of these three books. I was amazed by this. Remember the setting. Paul is writing to leaders of churches, men he had discipled and set in place as pastors. Paul calls both Timothy and Titus "my true son" in the faith (1 Tim 1:2, Titus 1:4). Undoubtedly these men know the Gospel message. Undoubtedly Paul knows that these men know it. Yet Paul repeats it ten times in thirteen chapters.
The question I have to ask is "Why?"
- To encourage himself? (Remember, he was in prison and soon to be executed)
- To encourage Timothy and Titus? (They were young and had their share of struggles)
- To reinforce the many facets of the Gospel? (watch for a future post on this)
- Because he was consumed by it -- it was what he lived and breathed?
I love to watch interviews between secular media and Billy Graham. He very naturally includes the Gospel message in almost every answer. I watch amazed that he can do it so frequently without coming across as preachy or avoiding the questions. Politicians put forth the same message but it's often at the expense of answering the question. Billy Graham was able to answer questions while including the Gospel.
The same was true of the Apostle Paul. I want to say "it's their gift." But I think that's a copout. I think it's much more like that they were/are more consumed with the Gospel than I am. I want my passion to be as Paul's:
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:7-11, NIV
Paul says he considers everything in this life that he might otherwise have considered of value rubbish! And that what he wants is only to know Christ. I'm not there. I am not consumed with Christ as I'd like to be. There's still way too much rubbish in my life!
Monday, October 15, 2007
The Unforced Rhythms of Grace
OK, so I’m stealing the title from my pastor’s sermon yesterday. But he stole it from Scripture, so I think that’s OK!
I’m not a big fan of the Message Bible. It’s usually a little too hokey for me. But read this passage:
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matthew 11:28-30 (emphasis mine)
Tonight on "Dancing with the Stars," several couples will dance the Viennese Waltz. It’s a beautiful dance with graceful swirls amidst the rise and fall of the dance. It appears effortless. It flows with the rhythm of the music.
"Learn the unforced rhythms of grace" Jesus tells us. Here's the Sandy Hovatter amplified version: "Learn to dance with me to the music I’m playing as the backdrop for your life. The music will have it’s own tune, unique to your life, created especially for you with crescendos and decrescendos, measures to be lived quite softely and others to be lived with great gusto. I’m writing it uniquely for you, note by note, to lead you into and through the purposes I have for your life."
Wow!
Lessons from Ballroom Dancing
Phil and I have taken ballroom dance lessons periodically over the past ten years. We love it, but we’re really not very good at it. In all these years, we’ve barely progressed beyond beginner. But even a beginner learns a few things:
1) Only one person can lead! When two people lead you are constantly fighting one another and you’re likely to end up on the floor as you lead each other in opposite directions.
2) If the wrong person leads, the dance doesn’t flow properly. It just looks (and feels) wrong.
3) Find someone who knows more than you do and follow them.
4) Finding and following the flow and rhythm of the music covers a multitude of wrong steps.
5) Quit stressing about getting it perfect — you’ll get better each time, so enjoy the process and laugh at your mistakes. (Every teacher we’ve had has told us that we have to do every step a thousand times to really learn it — and they all suggest practicing the steps as we walk down the street! People who love to dance don’t seem to care if others laugh at them.)
I doubt that you need me to make the spiritual applications here, but how can I resist?
• When following Jesus, only one person can lead — the Lord! When I take the lead, falling is never far behind. At the very least, the flow of my dance (i.e., my life) disintegrates rapidly.
• I’ve always found that being around people who love God more than I do greatly enhances my love for God. I try to find these people and hang around with them.
• Walking in grace covers a multitude of mis-steps. Keeping my connection with the Lord strong allows me to flow in His rhythm, so even when I miss His lead, I don’t get far before sensing that He’s changed directions.
• A question I try to ask often is "In the light of eternity, how important is it?" Almost all the time, the answer is "not very." So let it go. Don’t get angry because your husband is doing that thing that annoys you...again. Don’t be discouraged because you’re not the person you want to be yet. Keep practicing. You’ll get the steps down. Don’t give up. Laugh at your mistakes (not at your sin, at your mistakes, there’s a difference) and try it again.
I’m ready to treat life as a wonderful dance between my Savior and me. Who knows, it might end up looking a whole lot like a Viennese waltz.
An afterthought: When Phil and I are dancing, I am most likely to "steal" the lead when I become bored — when we're not doing anything interesting. If I were to examine my life, I bet I'd find the same to be true of the times I've "stolen" the lead from Christ. As if I know what's best for me, right? Wrong!
I’m not a big fan of the Message Bible. It’s usually a little too hokey for me. But read this passage:
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matthew 11:28-30 (emphasis mine)
Tonight on "Dancing with the Stars," several couples will dance the Viennese Waltz. It’s a beautiful dance with graceful swirls amidst the rise and fall of the dance. It appears effortless. It flows with the rhythm of the music.
"Learn the unforced rhythms of grace" Jesus tells us. Here's the Sandy Hovatter amplified version: "Learn to dance with me to the music I’m playing as the backdrop for your life. The music will have it’s own tune, unique to your life, created especially for you with crescendos and decrescendos, measures to be lived quite softely and others to be lived with great gusto. I’m writing it uniquely for you, note by note, to lead you into and through the purposes I have for your life."
Wow!
Lessons from Ballroom Dancing
Phil and I have taken ballroom dance lessons periodically over the past ten years. We love it, but we’re really not very good at it. In all these years, we’ve barely progressed beyond beginner. But even a beginner learns a few things:
1) Only one person can lead! When two people lead you are constantly fighting one another and you’re likely to end up on the floor as you lead each other in opposite directions.
2) If the wrong person leads, the dance doesn’t flow properly. It just looks (and feels) wrong.
3) Find someone who knows more than you do and follow them.
4) Finding and following the flow and rhythm of the music covers a multitude of wrong steps.
5) Quit stressing about getting it perfect — you’ll get better each time, so enjoy the process and laugh at your mistakes. (Every teacher we’ve had has told us that we have to do every step a thousand times to really learn it — and they all suggest practicing the steps as we walk down the street! People who love to dance don’t seem to care if others laugh at them.)
I doubt that you need me to make the spiritual applications here, but how can I resist?
• When following Jesus, only one person can lead — the Lord! When I take the lead, falling is never far behind. At the very least, the flow of my dance (i.e., my life) disintegrates rapidly.
• I’ve always found that being around people who love God more than I do greatly enhances my love for God. I try to find these people and hang around with them.
• Walking in grace covers a multitude of mis-steps. Keeping my connection with the Lord strong allows me to flow in His rhythm, so even when I miss His lead, I don’t get far before sensing that He’s changed directions.
• A question I try to ask often is "In the light of eternity, how important is it?" Almost all the time, the answer is "not very." So let it go. Don’t get angry because your husband is doing that thing that annoys you...again. Don’t be discouraged because you’re not the person you want to be yet. Keep practicing. You’ll get the steps down. Don’t give up. Laugh at your mistakes (not at your sin, at your mistakes, there’s a difference) and try it again.
I’m ready to treat life as a wonderful dance between my Savior and me. Who knows, it might end up looking a whole lot like a Viennese waltz.
An afterthought: When Phil and I are dancing, I am most likely to "steal" the lead when I become bored — when we're not doing anything interesting. If I were to examine my life, I bet I'd find the same to be true of the times I've "stolen" the lead from Christ. As if I know what's best for me, right? Wrong!
Labels:
dancing,
grace,
Matthew,
Spiritual Maturity
Monday, September 3, 2007
The Honor to Suffer – Philippians 1
"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him..." Philippians 1:29
We've been "granted" two things: To believe in (on) Christ, and to suffer for Him. Some translations say we've been "given the privilege" or "given the honor" to do these two things. I surely count it a privilege and an honor to believe in Christ and to serve Him. But do I count it a privilege and honor to suffer for Him? Clearly Paul did, but...
In preparing for our Bible study on Philippians, Phil looked up the word that is translated "granted." Are you ready for this? It will knock your socks off! At least it did mine.
The word is "charizomai" and it's a derivative of the word "charis" that was translated "grace" in verse 2 of this chapter. See Grace, the Double-Powered Prayer for more on that.
Charizomai means "to freely give something out of kindness or as a favor, which will help or rescue the person receiving it." OK. Let's put it in context:
"I have (you have) been freely given (out of the kindness of God) the privilege of believing in Christ and that belief will help or rescue you." Cool! I like that!
"I have (you have) been freely given (out of the kindness of God) the privilege of suffering for Christ and that suffering will help or rescue you." Say what?
My suffering has been given to me out of the kindness of God...that means it's not always from the enemy, but from the hand of God, out of his kindness! (Kindness?) And it will rescue me. (Rescue me?)
I think it's important here to point out that we're not talking about receiving the discipline of God. We're talking about suffering for Christ. Suffering injustly simply because of our faith in Christ and/or serving Him .
And (amazingly) this is found in Philippians, the book commonly referred to as "the book of Joy." I repeat...Say What???
We asked our group how this could possibly be...how can suffering rescue us? How can it possibly be out of the kindness of God? Here's some of the answers we came up with:
- It teaches us to focus on Christ and things of eternal value - It gives us more opportunity to know the goodness of God when He rescues us - It gives us more opportunity to know the goodness of God's people when they support us - It teaches us compassion for others - It strengthens our "love muscle," teaching us to love when it's not easy to love (Don't look now, but I think that list comes awfully close to defining spiritual maturity.)
All of this is consistent with the message of joy that Paul presents in chapter 1. Over and over again we see that the joy Paul possesses is a joy that comes out of seeing what God is doing in others, rather than a joy that comes out of our own circumstances.
In other words, if we want to experience joy, we must "get outside ourselves." And sometimes suffering is what God brings into our lives to shock us out of our self-absorption.
Caveat...this is what God is teaching us...it's not what I've learned yet! I'd much prefer for God to teach me these things through easy, patient circumstances not suffering. I realize that what I need is a change in perspective on suffering. And quite frankly, I'm afraid to ask for it! Because God is true to His Word and I'm afraid He'll say "Ask and you shall receive." And I'm not quite ready (willing? – Ouch!) for more suffering. So please pray for me what I can't pray for myself – pray for a change in my perspective on suffering. (If you'd like me to pray the same for you, let me know.)
We've been "granted" two things: To believe in (on) Christ, and to suffer for Him. Some translations say we've been "given the privilege" or "given the honor" to do these two things. I surely count it a privilege and an honor to believe in Christ and to serve Him. But do I count it a privilege and honor to suffer for Him? Clearly Paul did, but...
In preparing for our Bible study on Philippians, Phil looked up the word that is translated "granted." Are you ready for this? It will knock your socks off! At least it did mine.
The word is "charizomai" and it's a derivative of the word "charis" that was translated "grace" in verse 2 of this chapter. See Grace, the Double-Powered Prayer for more on that.
Charizomai means "to freely give something out of kindness or as a favor, which will help or rescue the person receiving it." OK. Let's put it in context:
"I have (you have) been freely given (out of the kindness of God) the privilege of believing in Christ and that belief will help or rescue you." Cool! I like that!
"I have (you have) been freely given (out of the kindness of God) the privilege of suffering for Christ and that suffering will help or rescue you." Say what?
My suffering has been given to me out of the kindness of God...that means it's not always from the enemy, but from the hand of God, out of his kindness! (Kindness?) And it will rescue me. (Rescue me?)
I think it's important here to point out that we're not talking about receiving the discipline of God. We're talking about suffering for Christ. Suffering injustly simply because of our faith in Christ and/or serving Him .
And (amazingly) this is found in Philippians, the book commonly referred to as "the book of Joy." I repeat...Say What???
We asked our group how this could possibly be...how can suffering rescue us? How can it possibly be out of the kindness of God? Here's some of the answers we came up with:
- It teaches us to focus on Christ and things of eternal value - It gives us more opportunity to know the goodness of God when He rescues us - It gives us more opportunity to know the goodness of God's people when they support us - It teaches us compassion for others - It strengthens our "love muscle," teaching us to love when it's not easy to love (Don't look now, but I think that list comes awfully close to defining spiritual maturity.)
All of this is consistent with the message of joy that Paul presents in chapter 1. Over and over again we see that the joy Paul possesses is a joy that comes out of seeing what God is doing in others, rather than a joy that comes out of our own circumstances.
In other words, if we want to experience joy, we must "get outside ourselves." And sometimes suffering is what God brings into our lives to shock us out of our self-absorption.
Caveat...this is what God is teaching us...it's not what I've learned yet! I'd much prefer for God to teach me these things through easy, patient circumstances not suffering. I realize that what I need is a change in perspective on suffering. And quite frankly, I'm afraid to ask for it! Because God is true to His Word and I'm afraid He'll say "Ask and you shall receive." And I'm not quite ready (willing? – Ouch!) for more suffering. So please pray for me what I can't pray for myself – pray for a change in my perspective on suffering. (If you'd like me to pray the same for you, let me know.)
Labels:
joy,
Philippians,
Spiritual Maturity,
suffering
Friday, August 3, 2007
On Obedience
We recently studied the book of Jonah. One of the lessons from the book is that obedience (and disobedience) to the Lord impacts those around us significantly. Jonah’s obedience impacted not only his life, but the lives of the sailors on the ship to Tarshish and the Ninevites. In the Old Testament we see God working hard to instill this principle in His people by establishing community rules, community blessings and community punishments. One man sins in secret (Achan) and the army loses its battle at Ai. One woman helps the spies and she saves not only herself but also her family. In doing so Rahab became a great grandmother of David — that puts her in the direct lineage of Jesus! Her obedience has had a direct impact on my life! Now that’s far reaching affects!
Yes, Your Obedience Impacts Others
We forget this in our society. "I’m my own person" we think. "I can do what I want with my body" we hear. And we live our lives oblivious of the wear and tear on those around us — both those we know and those we don’t know.
It’s a scary thing to think that my obedience to the Lord can impact people I’ve never met and will never know. But it can and I would even go further to say that it does. Because when I only say "it can" that leaves an "out" for me to think "well, yeah, it CAN, but will it really?" Yes, it really will.
A.W. Tozer was saved in Akron, Ohio after walking past a church and hearing the preacher say "If you want to know Jesus, go to your attic and ask God to reveal Him to you." C.S. Lewis was curious so he followed the preacher’s instructions. And He came to know Christ. Every single person who has been impacted by anyone who has been impacted by anything C.S. Lewis wrote or said owes a debt to that unnamed preacher in Akron, Ohio. Mr. No Name Preacher’s obedience to the Lord has impacted my life.
Your Struggles in Obedience Lead to Your Maturity
I have occasionally had people tell me that something I did or said really impacted them and strengthened their walk with the Lord. My typical reaction is "really?" or "who, me?" Now I’m Christian-ized enough to actually say something like "Praise God!" or "God is good, isn’t He?" But I’m thinking "are you kidding me? I didn’t do anything? I’m just struggling to live out my own walk with Him."
But it’s in that struggle of everyday living that we rub shoulders with others and that rubbing sometimes offers encourages, sometimes sharpens edges that have become dull and sometimes rounds off overly sharp edges. "Maturity flows form the mundane," our pastor said last week. The getting up and going to work every day, the taking care of the family, the give and take of a good marriage. The mundane.
God Has Already Figured Out All There is to Figure Out in Your Obedience
Sometimes I’m not quickly obedient because I think my obedience will have a negative impact on others around me. How wrong is that thinking? If God has told me to do something, yes I need to be sensitive to those around me, but I also need to trust that He has (or will) use my obedience to work in their lives — regardless of what it seems to me the (negative) impact of that obedience will be. Because He's already figured out all that stuff. All I need to do is take the next step of obedience. Because it really does impact those around me...for their good as well as mine.
Comment by dansdesk
Eli starts Kindergarten today. I have this constantly nagging thought about how much my disobedience will affect him and his siblings. I so desperately want them not to repeat my sins. I once heard Rob Bell say that one way to honor your father and mother was not to repeat their sins.
Tuesday August 21, 2007 - 06:28am (EDT)
Response by Sandyhov
Big Day at the Grhamm household!
Tuesday August 21, 2007 - 10:25am (EDT)
Comment by Sandyhov
I've been pondering Dan's last comment...that he once heard Rob Bell say that one way to honor your father and mother is not to repeat their sins. I'm not sure how that works...I guess it's honoring to them because it means we were paying attention? I agree that a life well-lived honors our parents. Otherwise, I don't quite get the connection. Anybody out there have any thots?
Thursday August 23, 2007 - 10:55pm (EDT)
Yes, Your Obedience Impacts Others
We forget this in our society. "I’m my own person" we think. "I can do what I want with my body" we hear. And we live our lives oblivious of the wear and tear on those around us — both those we know and those we don’t know.
It’s a scary thing to think that my obedience to the Lord can impact people I’ve never met and will never know. But it can and I would even go further to say that it does. Because when I only say "it can" that leaves an "out" for me to think "well, yeah, it CAN, but will it really?" Yes, it really will.
A.W. Tozer was saved in Akron, Ohio after walking past a church and hearing the preacher say "If you want to know Jesus, go to your attic and ask God to reveal Him to you." C.S. Lewis was curious so he followed the preacher’s instructions. And He came to know Christ. Every single person who has been impacted by anyone who has been impacted by anything C.S. Lewis wrote or said owes a debt to that unnamed preacher in Akron, Ohio. Mr. No Name Preacher’s obedience to the Lord has impacted my life.
Your Struggles in Obedience Lead to Your Maturity
I have occasionally had people tell me that something I did or said really impacted them and strengthened their walk with the Lord. My typical reaction is "really?" or "who, me?" Now I’m Christian-ized enough to actually say something like "Praise God!" or "God is good, isn’t He?" But I’m thinking "are you kidding me? I didn’t do anything? I’m just struggling to live out my own walk with Him."
But it’s in that struggle of everyday living that we rub shoulders with others and that rubbing sometimes offers encourages, sometimes sharpens edges that have become dull and sometimes rounds off overly sharp edges. "Maturity flows form the mundane," our pastor said last week. The getting up and going to work every day, the taking care of the family, the give and take of a good marriage. The mundane.
God Has Already Figured Out All There is to Figure Out in Your Obedience
Sometimes I’m not quickly obedient because I think my obedience will have a negative impact on others around me. How wrong is that thinking? If God has told me to do something, yes I need to be sensitive to those around me, but I also need to trust that He has (or will) use my obedience to work in their lives — regardless of what it seems to me the (negative) impact of that obedience will be. Because He's already figured out all that stuff. All I need to do is take the next step of obedience. Because it really does impact those around me...for their good as well as mine.
Comment by dansdesk
Eli starts Kindergarten today. I have this constantly nagging thought about how much my disobedience will affect him and his siblings. I so desperately want them not to repeat my sins. I once heard Rob Bell say that one way to honor your father and mother was not to repeat their sins.
Tuesday August 21, 2007 - 06:28am (EDT)
Response by Sandyhov
Big Day at the Grhamm household!
Tuesday August 21, 2007 - 10:25am (EDT)
Comment by Sandyhov
I've been pondering Dan's last comment...that he once heard Rob Bell say that one way to honor your father and mother is not to repeat their sins. I'm not sure how that works...I guess it's honoring to them because it means we were paying attention? I agree that a life well-lived honors our parents. Otherwise, I don't quite get the connection. Anybody out there have any thots?
Thursday August 23, 2007 - 10:55pm (EDT)
Labels:
Jonah,
obedience,
Spiritual Maturity
Monday, July 23, 2007
God's Whisperings
Today God’s been whispering to me ...how many times have I prayed ..."make me more like Jesus"..."I want to know You more, Lord"...how could that possibly happen without difficult times in which I can reveal God’s character and qualities? ...how could that possibly happen without people treating me in such a way that I must learn, practice and demonstrate patience and forgiveness? ...how could that possible happen without facing uncertainty and confusion so that God can show me His faithfulness?
Lord, it’s hard. I don’t want to practice those things. Help me to rejoice in You. Help me to choose to rejoice in You.
Hard things to hear (because I know I haven’t been revealing Christ as much as I’d like to be)...yet I love it when God whispers in my ear.
Thank You, Lord.
Lord, it’s hard. I don’t want to practice those things. Help me to rejoice in You. Help me to choose to rejoice in You.
Hard things to hear (because I know I haven’t been revealing Christ as much as I’d like to be)...yet I love it when God whispers in my ear.
Thank You, Lord.
Labels:
God's ways,
Spiritual Maturity
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