tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39746197661273678862024-03-12T22:56:36.083+00:00The Perfect MartiniAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12672168697592824207noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974619766127367886.post-66593086095546581832012-11-24T00:52:00.001+00:002012-11-24T00:53:45.284+00:00not what you SHOULD do for God, but what God longs to do for you.<div class="first-line-none chapter-2" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text Rom-12-1-Rom-12-2">So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you...</span></div>
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<span class="text Rom-12-1-Rom-12-2">...</span>Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.</div>
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<span class="text Rom-12-1-Rom-12-2">Romans 12:1-3</span></div>
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This is another passage like 1 Corinthians 13. One that haunts me. One that I can hold up next to my life and see how I don't measure up. I know not everyone has this same reaction, but I bet I'm not the only one. I'm not really sure how you can read this (and the rest of 12, 13 and 14-which you can read <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rom+12-14&version=MSG">here</a>) and not feel at least a little inadequate? It's good to set a high bar. Lot's of room for continuous improvement.</div>
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Also, do you ever have one of those times where you actually stop one of those selfish things that you do, and you realise that it's actually like a drug. It's a pain-killer. Sometimes, when I stop indulging my selfishness, I end up having a day or two of feeling low. My selfishness screams to be indulged, and if it can't have one thing it's shout for another. Pigging out, getting drunk, intimacy. I get grumpy. I get sad. I get moody. I don't know what to do about it!</div>
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Perhaps there is more to this. Maybe it's time to stop masking the problem, and try to find some real, lasting satisfaction. Some contentment. The things that we do that we feel that we can't live without. Perhaps, they are actually keeping us from feeling our need, and therefore doing something to RESOLVE it.</div>
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This passage above does seem to fit nicely with what I've already written about 'Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh' (Galatians<a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">5:16</a> NIV)</div>
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The problem is, it seems very easy. Easy to understand at least. I don't find it easy to implement Things like impatience, immaturity and self-discipline get in the way. Also, I just plain forget what it is that I'm supposed to be trying to do. That very problem is something that Romans 12-14 is actually very useful for.</div>
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However, if we're setting ourselves a(nother) long list of tasks, we're missing the point again.So, maybe we want to live well, so all we need to do is make sure we follow all these rules.</div>
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Ummm....</div>
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NO!</div>
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That is not what it says.</div>
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GOD brings out the best in us. WE don't bring this goodness TO GOD, HE BRINGS IT ALL TO US. By what God is and what He does FOR US. Walk by the Spirit and (THEN) you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Emphasis added)</div>
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So. For those of you who, like me, would like some more of this in your life. Let's not give ourselves rules and rules to try to stick to. Let us instead do as is suggested.</div>
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Carry on living our lives, doing the things that we already do, but make it an offering to God. Not just the special times, but ALL the time. The ordinary. Fix our attention on him. When we realise he's asking us to do something, then actually do it. Without delay. If we just involve him like this, then we will change, and those things listed, that 'good way of living' will grow in us. That's what well-formed maturity is.</div>
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Now, all I have to do is do this. To continue to do it, and hopefully remember that I've written it down here when I realise that I've forgotten.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12672168697592824207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974619766127367886.post-12176171262658738952012-10-16T06:17:00.000+01:002012-10-16T06:17:08.874+01:00Don't plant weeds in your plowed fieldsSo, for all my wandering through that post yesterday, I don't think I said what I wanted to say when I started. Thankfully the next chapter of Jeremiah summed it up quite nicely!!<br />
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<span class="text Jer-4-3-Jer-4-4" id="en-MSG-8084" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">Here’s another Message from <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God </span></span><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Jer-4-3-Jer-4-4" style="position: relative;">to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: </span></span><span class="text Jer-4-3-Jer-4-4" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">“Plow your unplowed fields, </span><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Jer-4-3-Jer-4-4" style="position: relative;">but then don’t plant weeds in the soil! </span></span><span class="text Jer-4-3-Jer-4-4" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; position: relative;">Yes, circumcise your <i>lives</i> for God’s sake.</span><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Jer-4-3-Jer-4-4" style="position: relative;">Plow your unplowed hearts</span></span><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Jer-4-3-Jer-4-4" style="position: relative;"> Jer 4:3-4</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Jer-4-3-Jer-4-4" style="position: relative;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Jer-4-3-Jer-4-4" style="position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is an important point here about not trying to seek God, but then ALSO still carrying on with the selfish things that we do. If we try to seek God, but we're still seeking our own pleasure at other's expense then we are divided. Both are required. So not only is it 'Don't just go on your merry way and then run to me when it all goes wrong' but also 'Don't try walking with me and still keep your other gods too'</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Jer-4-3-Jer-4-4" style="position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We have to get rid of those things in our lives that we idolise, or that come from selfishness.</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Jer-4-3-Jer-4-4" style="position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Which is really difficult sometimes. </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Jer-4-3-Jer-4-4" style="position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most times...</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Jer-4-3-Jer-4-4" style="position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pretty much all the time.</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Jer-4-3-Jer-4-4" style="position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God understands. (He knows us quite well in fact)</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Jer-4-3-Jer-4-4" style="position: relative;"><span class="text Jer-3-21-Jer-3-22" id="en-MSG-8081" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: block; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">21-22 </sup>The sound of voices comes drifting out of the hills, </span><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Jer-3-21-Jer-3-22" style="position: relative;">the unhappy sound of Israel’s crying, </span></span><span class="text Jer-3-21-Jer-3-22" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">Israel lamenting the wasted years, </span><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Jer-3-21-Jer-3-22" style="position: relative;">never once giving her God a thought. </span></span><span class="text Jer-3-21-Jer-3-22" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">“Come back, wandering children! </span><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Jer-3-21-Jer-3-22" style="position: relative;">I can heal your wanderlust!” </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Jer-4-3-Jer-4-4" style="position: relative;"><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Jer-3-21-Jer-3-22" style="position: relative;">Jer 3:21-22</span></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12672168697592824207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974619766127367886.post-87647942696701799802012-10-15T19:48:00.003+01:002012-10-15T19:49:29.784+01:00Unselfishness<br />
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Following on from my post last week 'A cry for help' This morning I read this...</div>
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"But you say, ‘I can’t help it. I’m addicted to alien gods. I can’t quit.’.... Just as a thief is chagrined, but only when caught, so the people of Israel are chagrined. All I ever see of them is their backsides. They never look me in the face, but when things go badly, they don’t hesitate to come running, calling out, ‘Get a move on! Save us!’ Why not go to your handcrafted gods you’re so fond of? Rouse them. Let them save you from your bad times" (Excerpts from Jeremiah 2:25-28)</div>
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Kinda re-emphasises what I was saying about not running to God when we realise things are starting to go wrong, or have already come crashing down around our ears! However, today it got me thinking about another side to it. The emphasis here is about how sometimes we have our other gods, our idols, the things we dedicate our time and our efforts too. Dare I say, the things that we daydream about!?</div>
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I am so so glad that none of you can read my thoughts. My daydreams range from the pointless to the ridiculous!</div>
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God is saying 'You put these things above me in your life, and now you're running to me for help? Let your pointless, unhelpful daydreams/obsessions save you... Oh, they can't? WELL WHAT ARE YOU WORSHIPING THEM FOR THEN!?'</div>
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I'm paraphrasing of course.</div>
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So, here is perhaps another insight into what it means to 'Live by the Spirit'. Not having things that we make more important than God. It's more than just that though. If you'll permit me to simplify the idea of 'Sin' as things that are selfish. I know it doesn't say this in the verse above, but the principle still applies (I'm pretty sure) The acts of the sinful nature are all acts of selfishness, does it then stand to reason that the fruit of the spirit is unselfishness? or am I being overly simplistic? maybe unselfishness us a part of it.</div>
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My daydreams and obsessions are selfish. It's all about me. What I want, what makes me happy. It's actually quite stressful trying to get your own way all the time! Think about it. "What if I don't get the biggest cookie?" "What if they don't like me" "What if someone is better than me at the things I'm good at" </div>
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I could go on.</div>
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Be warned as well, sometimes it's not even as obvious as that.</div>
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You know what I've discovered quite recently? Putting God first, and putting other people first is really really peaceful. It's difficult to explain (and, easy to forget and go back to 'ME ME ME' again, but I recommend it.</div>
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Last time, I had a vague idea, but here I have something more solid:</div>
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Don't let things have more of our love, time, imagination than God does.</div>
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Actively seek to give God our attention, love and time, and this includes putting other people before ourselves.</div>
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We can't do one without the other. God doesn't want to share us, and he doesn't want to be our last resort.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12672168697592824207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974619766127367886.post-10143052382257511932012-10-12T07:02:00.001+01:002012-10-12T07:02:16.625+01:00What are we waiting for?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"></span>When I signed back into my Blog, after not looking at it for a number of months, I found this half written post. So, this morning, I decided to finish and post it.<br />
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I'm not even sure how old it is.....<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">I was meditating on the prodigal son story this morning</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">specifically what the father says to the older son</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">"My Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours'</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">I was struck about how the Father would have given the older Son a big party whenever he had asked, but he never asked.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">The brother was working hard trying to earn his fathers love and 'generosity'</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">but he already had those things. The whole time.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">He's slogging his guts out trying so hard, and he'll never make it because he already has it</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Why do we do that? (I don't think it's just me)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Work hard, and heap up expectation on ourselves of what <i>I</i> need to do, how well <i>I</i> need to do it, how <i>I</i> need to live, what <i>My</i> life should look like so that the Father will love me and be generous. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Generous with the inheritance</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Either working till I've earned it, or waiting until it becomes mine.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">The brother had access to the wealth of the Father, but he never accessed it. The Father waited for his Son to take, and use it, but he never did.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">What we have here is a failure to communicate.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">The riches of God are already ours. We don't have to wait for our inheritance. God says 'You are always with me, and all I have is yours' And we certainly don't have to earn it. Are not able to even!! The younger Son most certainly didn't earn it! But he got it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">If we're waiting until we're dead before we enjoy all that God has for us while we're here, then we've kinda missed the point.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12672168697592824207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974619766127367886.post-5020314935769453452012-10-09T22:18:00.001+01:002012-10-09T22:18:11.779+01:00A Cry for Help<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians<a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">5:16</a> NIV)</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What does this mean?? To be honest, I don't know. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But I have been thinking about it, and what I'm thinking is this. 'Walking by the Spirit' does not mean suddenly asking Holy Spirit for help every time you feel tempted to do something you're not supposed to do.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are two reasons I think this:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1. Maybe the thing you think you shouldn't be doing really isn't a big deal. Don't misunderstand me here. I'm not saying we should do whatever we like, just that sometimes we think we shouldn't do something, and expend a lot of time and effort and prayer trying not to do it, and in reality God had more pressing things on his mind. Please don't assume something is 'wrong' just because people tell you it is, or because you enjoy it. People are sometimes wrong. When Romans 12 says 'Dont become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit in to it without thinking' it's not just talking about your workplace/school or the local pub. It also means the church.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Also... Enjoying yourself is allowed. God delights in our Joy.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2. Running on with life, not giving God a thought, getting on with whatever and then suddenly running to him for help with one thing does not sound like 'Walking by the Spirit'. Walking is a long, slow activity. Not a sudden, and brief sprint. Sounds to me like 'Walking by the Spirit' is something that should take up more of my life than the occasional panicked cry for help.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But what does THAT look like? Well... I don't know.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="passage version-MSG result-text-style-normal text-html "><p><span id="en-MSG-12406" class="text Gal-5-16-Gal-5-18" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness. (Galatians <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">5:16</a> MSG)</span></p><p><span class="text Gal-5-16-Gal-5-18" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Apparently it has something to do with our motivation and not being selfish. Hmmmmm.....</span></p></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12672168697592824207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974619766127367886.post-6319264053562635372010-04-17T13:32:00.000+01:002010-05-08T17:08:59.889+01:00Death<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 533px; height: 800px;" src="http://fooddemocracy.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/wheat.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">I like to hug people, and be close to people. I've even been told that my hugs are part of my ministry. It is good to show love to people when they need it. However, I've been challenged recently that a lot of the time, when I do hug people, It's me that wants the hug. I hate to admit it, but I didn't really stop to think much about whether they wanted it or not. So... I'm not actually giving a hug. I'm taking a hug.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">C.S. Lewis said "<span style="color:#2A2A2A">Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less" and this is part of it. Not what I need. Not what I want. I have to admit, I didn't think it was possible. After all. I can't live without the things I need. That's the definition of need isn't it?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span style="color:#2A2A2A"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(241, 57, 52); font-style: italic; ">Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain : John 12v24</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span style="color:#2A2A2A"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(241, 57, 52); font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; ">This is an encouragement to let go. To fall to the ground and die. Someone read this verse out at church a few weeks ago, and it really spoke to me. I imagined myself, a grain of wheat. Clinging to the stalk. Clinging to my comforts. If I don't have what I need then I'll die! But what happens to a grain of what when it falls to the ground and dies? IT GROWS!</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; ">Falling to the ground is a passive act. Let go of the comforts. Let go of your needs. You'll find that you can live without them. If you let go, you will be cut off from the sun, the air and the light. (I'm speaking mataphorically. Please don't go and bury yourself alive) I can promise you that you won't like it. That's ok. Don't give up. Let yourself fall all the way to the ground. And die. Don't worry about your needs. If we don't give up our attachment, we remain dependant, small, weak and useless. And alone.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">When a seed dies, that only means that it's life as a seed is over. God breathes new life into broken seeds. New as in different. New as in better. God sends rain to refresh and fulfill, and the seed will grow into an entirely new shape. It will break out into the sun, which will warm and nourish it. A seed cannot refresh itself, but can only let the sun and the rain do their work. New shape means new purpose, and new seeds.</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12672168697592824207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974619766127367886.post-47386031851644569192010-02-21T21:09:00.000+00:002010-02-21T22:32:27.749+00:00Rooted<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFX7cgGR4pd9EzLukgWls14uP9srYeQmNockM-QO0zqvvqiPgvi1cgFRyd4lknRufDD-JpdYu-UhuSnUv1_jPGGZOkEO7upW6ijRArVaF9MffMRZcUJI24LTn-jGdDrjMucM28Vn_I4qM/s1600-h/IMG_0294.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFX7cgGR4pd9EzLukgWls14uP9srYeQmNockM-QO0zqvvqiPgvi1cgFRyd4lknRufDD-JpdYu-UhuSnUv1_jPGGZOkEO7upW6ijRArVaF9MffMRZcUJI24LTn-jGdDrjMucM28Vn_I4qM/s400/IMG_0294.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440807500510097826" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">What does this picture make you think of?</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I've asked a few friends, and had a few different answers. Some about old memories and friends. Some about light and dark and life and death. Some wanting to know the story of the Tree. Everyone can see the tree is leaning, but no-one is sure why.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">When I saw this picture, my immediate thought was that the tree had grown up in strong wind all it's life. Whether that's true or not I don't know but that's what I thought.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Do you ever feel like that? Like your whole life you've been pushed in one direction? Not just suggested, but not quite forced to think, act and make decisions in certain ways?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">When we're 'born again' (accepted God and have recieved a new life from him) we inherit some excellent p</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">romises. For example...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">"Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corin 6:9-11</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Society/culture/the media tells us that we can't live without certain things. It tells us that we need to worship idols (stuff, people etc) It tells us that sex is the grand aim of life. It tells us that we're dissatisfied with what we have, and need more. Or that everyone else has more than us, so we're fully entitled to do whatever it takes to get what we're missing out on. It tells us that how God feels about relationships and sex doesn't matter. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Bible however tells us that we're washed, sanctified and justified. In other words our past is washed away, and we're fresh and new. We're a new 'sanctified' person who doesn't worship idols, who is content with what they have, who doesn't feel like they're missing out, and have to cheat to get what they need. Sex is no longer the whole point of our existence, but can be put in it's rightful place, as God intended. Sanctified means set apart for God. It means we have purpose, and we are pure. Also, we're justified. We have a new relationship with God where we are part of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit community. </div><div><br /></div><div>All of these things are in the past tense. They have all happened. They are all already true, but many times I find that my life doesn't look like the promises. I feel like a tree, rooted in promises that I'm not enjoying. Blown over by the wind, which constantly pushes and pushes. I've grown up in the wind and come to accept it as truth. It isn't the truth, it's a big lie.</div><div><br /></div><div>God, help us to recognise our roots from our leaves. Help us to remember what you've done for us. Help us to grow straight, and strong and tall.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12672168697592824207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974619766127367886.post-67244476107650582162009-11-04T12:49:00.000+00:002009-11-06T06:29:36.444+00:00Choose<div>Gal 5:16-26 <em>So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.</em></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Sitting around in Byker with some veryvery good friends discussing this passage. "Which of the fruits of the Spirit do you see most in eachother's lives?" One of them (who will remin nameless) when it gets to my turn says exactly what I'm thinking. There are a lot more of the 'acts of the sinful nature' evident in my life than the 'fruit of the Spirit'. I like to think they were joking when they said it, but I have to admit it's true. So naturaly, in my normal way, I went into a massive sulk and lashed out and stomped and cried and pondered how much better everyone is than me.<br /></div><br /><div>Except I didn't. </div><br /><div>Because something about the whole thing made a little bit of sense. I needed to hear this. I needed to see it in this way, but I didn't feel hopeless. I didn't feel rubbish (well... maybe a little). I didn't stomp OR whine. I didn't even run away and sulk. That would not have helped.<br /></div><br /><div><em>"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires"</em></div><br /><div><em>"Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature"</em></div><p>Who's responsibilty does it seem to be to crucify the flesh? From the look of the above, it's mine. (Oh dear.) So how exactly do I do that? It says it right there. not to gratify that nature.</p><p>Sorry if this is a bit elementry to you all, but I'm only just starting to get this. Apparently, if you don't want to act in a 'Sinful Nature' kind of way, the answer is to not act in a 'Sinful Nature' kind of way. Tempted to gorge yourself way over and beyond what you need? well... Dont. Choose to put down the pie (or the bottle or whatever). Something good happening to someone else in your life that twists you up with Jealousy? Well, choose to act the oposite way. Celebrate that good thing. Join in with their joy. I won't go through them all but you get the idea. </p><p>Since that Bible study I've been trying to choose. I can't choose how I feel, or what I want. I can however choose how I act and how I respond. I can choose to follow along with every thought and desire that pops into my mind, no matter how unhelpful, counter productive or plain unhealthy it is. Or I can choose to do the right and healthy thing. In other words to "keep in step with the Spirit" and I've found that when I do my feelings actualy change too. Which is a wonderful feeling.</p><p>I know there's more to it than this, I'll hopefully be adding more thoughts in future blogs.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12672168697592824207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974619766127367886.post-39289100578150711692009-09-17T06:40:00.000+01:002009-09-18T06:17:13.282+01:00Big Babies<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; white-space: normal; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><strong style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I write to you dear children, because you have known the Father and have been forgiven on account of his name. I write to you young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you and you have overcome the evil one. I write to you Fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. </span></span></span></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; white-space: normal; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><strong style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 John 2:12-14 (slightly paraphrased)</span></span></span></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Have you ever struggled with the idea of forgiveness and holy living? God's grace is unlimited. We're saved by faith, not by works, therefore we should not spend all of our attention on not sinning and on being good christians, because in doing this it becomes an idol before God in our lives. If God's grace covers our sins, then shouldn't we sin all the more "so that grace may increase?" This doesn't work! We should live lives worthy of the calling. We should turn from sin. We should "go and sin no more" Is anyone else confused by this? For a while now, I've been living with the understanding that we have to somehow try, without trying.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Today however, I discovered the above, and for me it's a little clearer now. When we start out, we're like little children. We get more of our food around our face than in our stomachs. We fall down more than we walk. We can't talk. We can't stand. We certainly can't fight! This passage tells us, in the beginning, we know God, and he forgives us, and that is all. I remember that time very clearly in my own life. But it don't stop there. The idea is then that we start to grow up. What does that look like? We become STRONG, The word of God LIVES in us, and we overcome the evil one. The verse above calls this becoming a young Man (would it be heretical to say 'or Woman'? surely it applies to ladies too)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">How do we get strong? by training! by using the gifts God gives us for ministering to one-another. By starting to resist sin NOT forgetting that God forgives us EVERY time we fail. Which we will. How does the word live in us? by taking it on board. Not just reading the bible, but applying it. BELIEVING what it tells us, DOING what it says, considering it's mysteries. How do we overcome the evil one? By making use of our training to resist and fight him. By having the word living inside us ready to answer his taunts, temptations and lies. In this way, our relationship with God grows. We're not babies anymore. We're strong. We're overcomers! We are Men! (or Women)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As we continue in this life, being first and foremost completely and constantly forgiven and knowing God, then moving on to taking in the word and fighting the battles and winning more and more victories, that isn't the end either. The 'Fathers' (and Mothers) are the ones who have been doing all of this for a while. They're seasoned in battle, they've got a good store of living word. They have experience and they have an awesome relationship with God. Deep and fruitful. Isa 61:3 calls them Oaks of Righteousness. Old, strong and unshakeable.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So where are you along the way? Are you still just a baby? needing constant care and bottle feeds? Are you starting to grow? to take the word on board? fighting and sometimes winning? Or even further along? Actually helping those around you to grow and fight and learn? We can't stay babies. We've got to grow up. Get with THE FATHER, get into THE WORD, get trying while relying on his forgiveness when you get it wrong. C.S. Lewis says it is nonsensical to argue whether faith or works are more important in salvation. It's like asking which blade of a pair of scissors can be done without. It's only when we've gotten to the end of our own ability to live right that God meets us and enables us to go on. And God stretches us in this. I remember my Dad teaching me to swim. He would stand a few steps away, and I would swim to him, but each time he would stand a bit further back, or he would walk backwards a little as i kicked and splashed and thrashed trying to get to him. Not because he didn't want me to reach him, but because I would only get better at swimming if he made it a little harder each time. God does this too. he stretches us by taking little steps back sometimes when we really need him, SO THAT when we press forward, it takes a little more effort to reach him. Also, don't forget, there are Oaks of righteousness around. Find some, and speak to them. Ask their advice, ask for their prayers. It's ok to get help from these people. In fact, that's the whole point!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We're forgiven, and not by works, so why should we try? because trying is surely trusting in works? but if we don't try, then we just wallow in our sin, and this is mocking God's grace and mercy. Here I find my answer. We're forgiven, so that we can start to learn, start to grow, start to fight. Relying on God's everlasting love and forgiveness, but we've got to put him first. We've got to rid ourselves of idols. We've got to use the grace to make our mistakes, which we will WHILE we learn and grow and strengthen. We can't give up on ourselves, we can't just enjoy our freedom and ignore God. We've all got to grow up.</span></span></div></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12672168697592824207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974619766127367886.post-76652136307769417872009-08-12T12:26:00.000+01:002009-08-12T13:01:23.903+01:00IfThis is what I've been thinking about recently. Can we recognise God speaking to us, because he says 'If'. For example... "If my people who are called by my name..." (2 Chron 7:14) "(If you) seek, you will find. (If you) knock, the door will be opened" (Matt 7:7 - Thanks to Mandy for that contribution) I've been wondering. Can we recognise the voice of God, because he gives us a choice. Another example? The Psalms are full of 'Let us...'<br /><br />The World, and the enemy don't give us a choice. At least, they don't want to. Everything is 'must have', or 'irresistable'. Speaking of temptation... How often do we feel we don't have a choice? How often does the enemy TELL us that we don't have a choice. "You have to" Temptation is too much for us (It's a lie btw... you don't have to at all)<br /><br />So, that's what I'm thinking. Paul felt compelled to go to Jerusalem. (Acts 20:22+23 I am going to Jerusalem, bound by the [Holy] Spirit and obligated and compelled by the [convictions of my own] spirit, not knowing what will befall me there-- Except that the Holy Spirit clearly and emphatically affirms to me in city after city that imprisonment and suffering await me AMP)<br /><br />Is it reading between the lines too much to suggest that God said to Paul "If you go to Jerusalem, it won't be a fun time. There will be prison and pain" (That's the StJames Paraphrase version)<br />Then, Agabus gives him a Prophecy about the terrible things that will happed IF he goes to Jerusalem and tell him not to go. Tells him God is warning him not to go, so Paul says "I hold myself in readiness not only to be arrested and bound and imprisoned at Jerusalem, but also [even] to die for the name of the Lord Jesus" (21:13 AMP) or "Yea, God's already told me what he wants, so I'm doing it" (StJames Paraphrase Version)<br /><br />So, what do you think. Because it seems to me, when God want's to direct us, he tells us the choice. He doesn't command us, he just says what he wan'ts and sometimes what will happen.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12672168697592824207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974619766127367886.post-52356049703789883952009-08-07T06:14:00.000+01:002009-08-07T12:34:59.984+01:00Christian MathsWhen two Christians are following Christ together there is not twice as much Christianity as when they are apart, but sixteen times as much.<br />C.S. LewisAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12672168697592824207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3974619766127367886.post-1298886811647686562009-08-04T12:36:00.000+01:002009-08-04T17:34:39.670+01:00Isn't it funny what God uses to speak to us sometimes...A perfect Martini, is made from either Gin or Vodka, Vermouth, and a 'Briney Olive'. There are many methods for combining these ingredients, depending on your preference. These include, but is not limited to: Shaken or stirred? How many times do you stir? What order to you put the ingredients in? Do you mix the Vermouth in, or just 'perfume' the ice pefore pouring it out again?<br />If you want my opinion, bring some Noille Prat and some Olives to my house, and I will show you.<br /><br />So I was thinking about Martinis in church this week (like you do...). I was thinking that I don't have them very often. They are my favorite cocktail. I have Vodka chilling in the fridge. I've got a proper Martini glass (important). I even have cocktail sticks. I <em>have </em>recently run out of Vermouth, but that isn't why I don't have them very often. The reason is because the olives in the fridge are a bit old. I bought them a few weeks ago.<br />You see, a Martini without an olive, isn't a Martini. It's the Olive that makes it! The only thing worse than vodka and vermouth without an olive, is vodka and vermouth with an OLD Olive. The Olive is very important. I could drink a martini from a wine glass, or a whiskey glass. It wouldn't be the same as a Martini glass, but at least it would be a Martini. A Martini without an Olive just isn't worth bothering with. So, this is the problem. I've bought my Vodka, and that keeps for ever. You only have to buy a bottle every now and again. The glass is pretty much a once and for all purchase. Cocktail sticks never go off, and you get hundreds in a pack. Olives however are only good for a few days. I don't buy Olives every week, and because of that the vodka, the glass, the cocktail sticks and the shaker sit idle and gather dust.<br /><br />God spoke to me through this. You see, I've got all the ingredients for a beautiful cocktail. I've got things that are once and for all: I've been baptised. I've been forgiven and accepted by God. I've also got things that I don't need to 're-stock' very often: My Bible, Christian friends and a devotion journal book. Somehow though, when I shake all these things together, it just isn't right, and I've figured out why. It's either because I'm using an old Olive, or missing the Olive out all together.<br /><br />The Olive is connecting with God. Interacting with him. Recieving from him. Listening to him. Olives are not very big, but they have a massive impact. And they don't keep for long. You have to get new ones. The fresher the better.<br /><br />God... Give us each day, our daily Olive.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12672168697592824207noreply@blogger.com8