Talking with God about God
“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.” Ps86.5
There are at least two good reasons why a person would talk with God about God. Sometimes when we talk with God about God, we are simply expressing spontaneous adoration because we are overwhelmed by some display of His greatness. This is much the same as when we tell a spouse or a friend that we appreciate some quality that they possess. It is a wonderful thing to be captured by beauty and more so, when we trace the reflection back to the reality which created it. Every pleasant quality we touch taste, or see is a mere reflection, of the One from whom all goodness flows. Every experience of the “WOW:” a majestic waterfall, a quiet brook, a stunningly beautiful woman, a sleeping baby or a fabulous dessert, are simply the fragrant aroma of His presence nearby.
Sometimes when we talk with God about God it is not so much adoration as it is reminding our heart of what we believe, what we can expect from Him. We are preaching the truth to our heart, declaring to our own soul the greatness of His tender mercies and grace. This is one way we strengthen ourselves in the Lord. We tell Him that He is good and forgiving because we need to remind ourselves that He is, that He abounds in steadfast love when we call upon Him. Hopefully when we talk with God about God we are not uselessly trying to butter Him up with compliments, so He will give us what we want. Rather, we are expressing sincere adoration, appreciation and even our expectations of His goodness. 1/31/07 ts
Just me trying to be honest with God.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Talking with God about God
Talking with God about God
“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.” Ps86.5
There are at least two good reasons why a person would talk with God about God. Sometimes when we talk with God about God, we are simply expressing spontaneous adoration because we are overwhelmed by some display of His greatness. This is much the same as when we tell a spouse or a friend that we appreciate some quality that they possess. It is a wonderful thing to be captured by beauty and more so, when we trace the reflection back to the reality which created it. Every pleasant quality we touch taste, or see is a mere reflection, of the One from whom all goodness flows. Every experience of the “WOW:” a majestic waterfall, a quiet brook, a stunningly beautiful woman, a sleeping baby or a fabulous dessert, are simply the fragrant aroma of His presence nearby.
Sometimes when we talk with God about God it is not so much adoration as it is reminding our heart of what we believe, what we can expect from Him. We are preaching the truth to our heart, declaring to our own soul the greatness of His tender mercies and grace. This is one way we strengthen ourselves in the Lord. We tell Him that He is good and forgiving because we need to remind ourselves that He is, that He abounds in steadfast love when we call upon Him. Hopefully when we talk with God about God we are not uselessly trying to butter Him up with compliments, so He will give us what we want. Rather, we are expressing sincere adoration, appreciation and even our expectations of His goodness. 1/31/07 ts
“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.” Ps86.5
There are at least two good reasons why a person would talk with God about God. Sometimes when we talk with God about God, we are simply expressing spontaneous adoration because we are overwhelmed by some display of His greatness. This is much the same as when we tell a spouse or a friend that we appreciate some quality that they possess. It is a wonderful thing to be captured by beauty and more so, when we trace the reflection back to the reality which created it. Every pleasant quality we touch taste, or see is a mere reflection, of the One from whom all goodness flows. Every experience of the “WOW:” a majestic waterfall, a quiet brook, a stunningly beautiful woman, a sleeping baby or a fabulous dessert, are simply the fragrant aroma of His presence nearby.
Sometimes when we talk with God about God it is not so much adoration as it is reminding our heart of what we believe, what we can expect from Him. We are preaching the truth to our heart, declaring to our own soul the greatness of His tender mercies and grace. This is one way we strengthen ourselves in the Lord. We tell Him that He is good and forgiving because we need to remind ourselves that He is, that He abounds in steadfast love when we call upon Him. Hopefully when we talk with God about God we are not uselessly trying to butter Him up with compliments, so He will give us what we want. Rather, we are expressing sincere adoration, appreciation and even our expectations of His goodness. 1/31/07 ts
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Grace Modeste
Grace Modeste
“…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.” Ep4.2
One governing dynamic that should accompany our interaction with others is "grace modeste," an unassuming grace. Any discussion of a spiritual nature should reflect this kindness. There are few things more ugly, as we say in the South, than the person who walks around with an air of superiority. We use the expression, “looking down the nose,” to describe one who inwardly believes that they are somehow better, more enlightened, more educated, more refined or theologically correct than someone else. We have all witnessed this arrogance, we all also, have borne witness to it in our own treatment of our neighbor. We walk on dangerous ground anytime we compare ourselves with someone else and have an elevated and inflated opinion of ourselves.
As Christians we believe that Christ alone is perfect. Yet in His interaction with others, the only superior person, never conveyed an air of superiority, but an aura of gentleness and tolerant humility.
I think one arena where we get into trouble is in our dialogue on moral and spiritual matters, especially with those who have a different background than our own. Somehow dialogue digresses into monologue and we spend more energy trying to make our own point, rather than seeking to understand the others.
Another equal and opposite danger is that we many times want others to see us as one of the enlightened, who are tolerant of people of a different moral persuasion to the extreme that we never disagree with them. It is possible to convey our Christian convictions with an unassuming grace, to tell others that Christianity teaches certain moral absolutes but to share it without condescending arrogance. The only perfect person has told us that he did not come to throw stones but to be stoned on our behalf. Yet He still, with an unassuming grace, tells us, “Go, and sin no more.” 1/30/07 ts
“…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.” Ep4.2
One governing dynamic that should accompany our interaction with others is "grace modeste," an unassuming grace. Any discussion of a spiritual nature should reflect this kindness. There are few things more ugly, as we say in the South, than the person who walks around with an air of superiority. We use the expression, “looking down the nose,” to describe one who inwardly believes that they are somehow better, more enlightened, more educated, more refined or theologically correct than someone else. We have all witnessed this arrogance, we all also, have borne witness to it in our own treatment of our neighbor. We walk on dangerous ground anytime we compare ourselves with someone else and have an elevated and inflated opinion of ourselves.
As Christians we believe that Christ alone is perfect. Yet in His interaction with others, the only superior person, never conveyed an air of superiority, but an aura of gentleness and tolerant humility.
I think one arena where we get into trouble is in our dialogue on moral and spiritual matters, especially with those who have a different background than our own. Somehow dialogue digresses into monologue and we spend more energy trying to make our own point, rather than seeking to understand the others.
Another equal and opposite danger is that we many times want others to see us as one of the enlightened, who are tolerant of people of a different moral persuasion to the extreme that we never disagree with them. It is possible to convey our Christian convictions with an unassuming grace, to tell others that Christianity teaches certain moral absolutes but to share it without condescending arrogance. The only perfect person has told us that he did not come to throw stones but to be stoned on our behalf. Yet He still, with an unassuming grace, tells us, “Go, and sin no more.” 1/30/07 ts
Grace Modeste
Grace Modeste
“…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.” Ep4.2
One governing dynamic that should accompany our interaction with others is "grace modeste," an unassuming grace. Any discussion of a spiritual nature should reflect this kindness. There are few things more ugly, as we say in the South, than the person who walks around with an air of superiority. We use the expression, “looking down the nose,” to describe one who inwardly believes that they are somehow better, more enlightened, more educated, more refined or theologically correct than someone else. We have all witnessed this arrogance, we all also, have borne witness to it in our own treatment of our neighbor. We walk on dangerous ground anytime we compare ourselves with someone else and have an elevated and inflated opinion of ourselves.
As Christians we believe that Christ alone is perfect. Yet in His interaction with others, the only superior person, never conveyed an air of superiority, but an aura of gentleness and tolerant humility.
I think one arena where we get into trouble is in our dialogue on moral and spiritual matters, especially with those who have a different background than our own. Somehow dialogue digresses into monologue and we spend more energy trying to make our own point, rather than seeking to understand the others.
Another equal and opposite danger is that we many times want others to see us as one of the enlightened, who are tolerant of people of a different moral persuasion to the extreme that we never disagree with them. It is possible to convey our Christian convictions with an unassuming grace, to tell others that Christianity teaches certain moral absolutes but to share it without condescending arrogance. The only perfect person has told us that he did not come to throw stones but to be stoned on our behalf. Yet He still, with an unassuming grace, tells us, “Go, and sin no more.” 1/30/07 ts
“…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.” Ep4.2
One governing dynamic that should accompany our interaction with others is "grace modeste," an unassuming grace. Any discussion of a spiritual nature should reflect this kindness. There are few things more ugly, as we say in the South, than the person who walks around with an air of superiority. We use the expression, “looking down the nose,” to describe one who inwardly believes that they are somehow better, more enlightened, more educated, more refined or theologically correct than someone else. We have all witnessed this arrogance, we all also, have borne witness to it in our own treatment of our neighbor. We walk on dangerous ground anytime we compare ourselves with someone else and have an elevated and inflated opinion of ourselves.
As Christians we believe that Christ alone is perfect. Yet in His interaction with others, the only superior person, never conveyed an air of superiority, but an aura of gentleness and tolerant humility.
I think one arena where we get into trouble is in our dialogue on moral and spiritual matters, especially with those who have a different background than our own. Somehow dialogue digresses into monologue and we spend more energy trying to make our own point, rather than seeking to understand the others.
Another equal and opposite danger is that we many times want others to see us as one of the enlightened, who are tolerant of people of a different moral persuasion to the extreme that we never disagree with them. It is possible to convey our Christian convictions with an unassuming grace, to tell others that Christianity teaches certain moral absolutes but to share it without condescending arrogance. The only perfect person has told us that he did not come to throw stones but to be stoned on our behalf. Yet He still, with an unassuming grace, tells us, “Go, and sin no more.” 1/30/07 ts
Monday, January 29, 2007
Does God approve of a desire to be first?
“If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” Mk9.35
If Christ tells His disciples how they can be first, is He commending the desire to be first? Well, certainly not in the way they were thinking. It is helpful to point out, that Jesus tells them this, after they had been childishly debating who would be the greatest. Like a tender mother, Christ is patiently reshaping our understanding of greatness or of what it means to lead others. True leaders are servant leaders. Great leaders understand that they hold the position of leadership in order to serve, not to be served. A leader lives for the success of others. They patiently guide, teach, support and encourage, not only with words but with actions. You will find a good leader, performing any task which contributes to the well being of those in their charge.
Once, Stonewall Jackson stood watch over his exhausted troops. His decision not to post watch, but to stand watch, came after he had lead them on a fifty mile march. Someone noticed that the General was walking through the camp, holding his hands over groups of sleeping men. It appeared to be strange behavior until he came and stood over some troops close to the one who recorded this story. The person realized that Jackson was praying over each group, asking God for his blessings and protection. Does God approve of a desire to be first? Certainly by this definition He does. 1/29/07 ts
If Christ tells His disciples how they can be first, is He commending the desire to be first? Well, certainly not in the way they were thinking. It is helpful to point out, that Jesus tells them this, after they had been childishly debating who would be the greatest. Like a tender mother, Christ is patiently reshaping our understanding of greatness or of what it means to lead others. True leaders are servant leaders. Great leaders understand that they hold the position of leadership in order to serve, not to be served. A leader lives for the success of others. They patiently guide, teach, support and encourage, not only with words but with actions. You will find a good leader, performing any task which contributes to the well being of those in their charge.
Once, Stonewall Jackson stood watch over his exhausted troops. His decision not to post watch, but to stand watch, came after he had lead them on a fifty mile march. Someone noticed that the General was walking through the camp, holding his hands over groups of sleeping men. It appeared to be strange behavior until he came and stood over some troops close to the one who recorded this story. The person realized that Jackson was praying over each group, asking God for his blessings and protection. Does God approve of a desire to be first? Certainly by this definition He does. 1/29/07 ts
Does God approve of a desire to be first?
“If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” Mk9.35
If Christ tells His disciples how they can be first, is He commending the desire to be first? Well, certainly not in the way they were thinking. It is helpful to point out, that Jesus tells them this, after they had been childishly debating who would be the greatest. Like a tender mother, Christ is patiently reshaping our understanding of greatness or of what it means to lead others. True leaders are servant leaders. Great leaders understand that they hold the position of leadership in order to serve, not to be served. A leader lives for the success of others. They patiently guide, teach, support and encourage, not only with words but with actions. You will find a good leader, performing any task which contributes to the well being of those in their charge.
Once, Stonewall Jackson stood watch over his exhausted troops. His decision not to post watch, but to stand watch, came after he had lead them on a fifty mile march. Someone noticed that the General was walking through the camp, holding his hands over groups of sleeping men. It appeared to be strange behavior until he came and stood over some troops close to the one who recorded this story. The person realized that Jackson was praying over each group, asking God for his blessings and protection. Does God approve of a desire to be first? Certainly by this definition He does. 1/29/07 ts
If Christ tells His disciples how they can be first, is He commending the desire to be first? Well, certainly not in the way they were thinking. It is helpful to point out, that Jesus tells them this, after they had been childishly debating who would be the greatest. Like a tender mother, Christ is patiently reshaping our understanding of greatness or of what it means to lead others. True leaders are servant leaders. Great leaders understand that they hold the position of leadership in order to serve, not to be served. A leader lives for the success of others. They patiently guide, teach, support and encourage, not only with words but with actions. You will find a good leader, performing any task which contributes to the well being of those in their charge.
Once, Stonewall Jackson stood watch over his exhausted troops. His decision not to post watch, but to stand watch, came after he had lead them on a fifty mile march. Someone noticed that the General was walking through the camp, holding his hands over groups of sleeping men. It appeared to be strange behavior until he came and stood over some troops close to the one who recorded this story. The person realized that Jackson was praying over each group, asking God for his blessings and protection. Does God approve of a desire to be first? Certainly by this definition He does. 1/29/07 ts
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Fighting on the Wrong Turf
Fighting on the Wrong Turf
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but….against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ep6.12
I am amazed at how bound I am to the physical world, despite my Christian beliefs. As a Christian I believe that I am a soul who happens to have, at least for the present, a body, and yet I live in so many ways like I am my body who just happens to have a soul. Many of our temporal concerns, for all practical purposes, compete against our belief in those eternal realities we espouse as Christians. The truth is we live most days giving some kind of lip service to heaven but giving our energies and tragically our hearts to earth.
Thus it seems that our struggle is in fact against flesh and blood but this is only because our real enemies have duped us into fighting on the wrong turf. The real enemy is not poverty or cancer or terrorist. These things are only the consequent grounds on which a spiritual battle, the real battle is being waged. The enemies intention is not to destroy our body but to destroy our soul. And, a cunning enemy he is, always feigning left, when we should be looking to the right. 1/27/07 ts
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but….against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ep6.12
I am amazed at how bound I am to the physical world, despite my Christian beliefs. As a Christian I believe that I am a soul who happens to have, at least for the present, a body, and yet I live in so many ways like I am my body who just happens to have a soul. Many of our temporal concerns, for all practical purposes, compete against our belief in those eternal realities we espouse as Christians. The truth is we live most days giving some kind of lip service to heaven but giving our energies and tragically our hearts to earth.
Thus it seems that our struggle is in fact against flesh and blood but this is only because our real enemies have duped us into fighting on the wrong turf. The real enemy is not poverty or cancer or terrorist. These things are only the consequent grounds on which a spiritual battle, the real battle is being waged. The enemies intention is not to destroy our body but to destroy our soul. And, a cunning enemy he is, always feigning left, when we should be looking to the right. 1/27/07 ts
Fighting on the Wrong Turf
Fighting on the Wrong Turf
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but….against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ep6.12
I am amazed at how bound I am to the physical world, despite my Christian beliefs. As a Christian I believe that I am a soul who happens to have, at least for the present, a body, and yet I live in so many ways like I am my body who just happens to have a soul. Many of our temporal concerns, for all practical purposes, compete against our belief in those eternal realities we espouse as Christians. The truth is we live most days giving some kind of lip service to heaven but giving our energies and tragically our hearts to earth.
Thus it seems that our struggle is in fact against flesh and blood but this is only because our real enemies have duped us into fighting on the wrong turf. The real enemy is not poverty or cancer or terrorist. These things are only the consequent grounds on which a spiritual battle, the real battle is being waged. The enemies intention is not to destroy our body but to destroy our soul. And, a cunning enemy he is, always feigning left, when we should be looking to the right. 1/27/07 ts
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but….against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ep6.12
I am amazed at how bound I am to the physical world, despite my Christian beliefs. As a Christian I believe that I am a soul who happens to have, at least for the present, a body, and yet I live in so many ways like I am my body who just happens to have a soul. Many of our temporal concerns, for all practical purposes, compete against our belief in those eternal realities we espouse as Christians. The truth is we live most days giving some kind of lip service to heaven but giving our energies and tragically our hearts to earth.
Thus it seems that our struggle is in fact against flesh and blood but this is only because our real enemies have duped us into fighting on the wrong turf. The real enemy is not poverty or cancer or terrorist. These things are only the consequent grounds on which a spiritual battle, the real battle is being waged. The enemies intention is not to destroy our body but to destroy our soul. And, a cunning enemy he is, always feigning left, when we should be looking to the right. 1/27/07 ts
Friday, January 26, 2007
The Noun which Expresses the Verb
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” Ja4.10
How exactly, are we to humble ourselves before the Lord? My present understanding is that humility is not so much a virtue to be attained as it is a truth to be realized. It is a truth we realize about ourselves, apart of which, is that without vital connection to my Creator, all that is good in me has been corrupted into something dreadful. Each of us are able, by the help of this divinely whispered revelation, to acknowledge both to our hearts and to Him, that we are fallen and need His life in us to re-ascend. Christ has explained that before we can rise, or better, before He can raise us, we must not only see our need to do so, but reach up and take the Hand offered us. Humility is the noun which expresses the verb. 1/26/07 ts
How exactly, are we to humble ourselves before the Lord? My present understanding is that humility is not so much a virtue to be attained as it is a truth to be realized. It is a truth we realize about ourselves, apart of which, is that without vital connection to my Creator, all that is good in me has been corrupted into something dreadful. Each of us are able, by the help of this divinely whispered revelation, to acknowledge both to our hearts and to Him, that we are fallen and need His life in us to re-ascend. Christ has explained that before we can rise, or better, before He can raise us, we must not only see our need to do so, but reach up and take the Hand offered us. Humility is the noun which expresses the verb. 1/26/07 ts
The Noun which Expresses the Verb
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” Ja4.10
How exactly, are we to humble ourselves before the Lord? My present understanding is that humility is not so much a virtue to be attained as it is a truth to be realized. It is a truth we realize about ourselves, apart of which, is that without vital connection to my Creator, all that is good in me has been corrupted into something dreadful. Each of us are able, by the help of this divinely whispered revelation, to acknowledge both to our hearts and to Him, that we are fallen and need His life in us to re-ascend. Christ has explained that before we can rise, or better, before He can raise us, we must not only see our need to do so, but reach up and take the Hand offered us. Humility is the noun which expresses the verb. 1/26/07 ts
How exactly, are we to humble ourselves before the Lord? My present understanding is that humility is not so much a virtue to be attained as it is a truth to be realized. It is a truth we realize about ourselves, apart of which, is that without vital connection to my Creator, all that is good in me has been corrupted into something dreadful. Each of us are able, by the help of this divinely whispered revelation, to acknowledge both to our hearts and to Him, that we are fallen and need His life in us to re-ascend. Christ has explained that before we can rise, or better, before He can raise us, we must not only see our need to do so, but reach up and take the Hand offered us. Humility is the noun which expresses the verb. 1/26/07 ts
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