Be Christ-Minded has taken on our very FIRST guest “writer” and introduced our GUEST AUTHORS section of the website. Make sure to take in “Merging Onto God’s Highway” – the self-told story of a child of God as she grows in Him.
More news (update schedule etc.) on “Merging Onto God’s Highway” will come shortly!
- Let the words that flow from our hearts and out of our mouths be life-giving springs; and may all who hear them receive a blessing – MW #fb #
- The warfare is not against sin; we can never fight against sin; the conflict is over turning our natural life into a spiritual life – OC #fb #
- Every thought that raises itself up “against the knowledge of God” is to be determinedly demolished by drawing on God’s power – OC #fb #
- "Reconciliation. It's better than American Express. Don't leave home without it." D.Rainey on married life #fb #
- If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pours through us that really counts. -OC #fb #
I’ve been listening to a few programmes and looking over some of my own writing and trying to reconcile the “drive to succeed” with the “thirst for holiness”. What I kept coming to is that these two are diametrically opposed to each other because the “drive to succeed” (henceforth, DTS) is about the person taking charge of their own life, the opportunities that they come across and the resources available to them – and achieving their and their family’s and friends’ perception of success. The DTS is what gave the self-help and “master of my own destiny” industries their birth – and is what continues to make each a multi-million, super-profit industry.
On the other hand, the “thirst for holiness” (henceforth TFH) is about realizing that your life is not yours and living it in dedication to God. Often the ultimate expression of this is where the trappings of “success” are no longer of any consequence at all – but instead only the glory of God is a motivator.
So – are Christians confused? I ask because every Christian I know raises their child ensuring that the DTS is present, while emphasizing the importance of the TFH – but the two were never meant to coexist so far as I can see…
- Preaching the gospel causes intense resentment because it's designed to reveal unholiness; but also awakens an intense yearning within #fb #
- "We are not destined to happiness, nor to health, but to holiness." (ref. 1 Peter 1:16) – OC #fb #
- Respect the very essence of who Jesus is and you will not find a problem in growing your faith! – E.Palmer #fb #
- Jesus Christ is saying, “Don’t rejoice in your successful service for Me, but rejoice because of your right relationship with Me.” – O.C #fb #
- Why accept that we're worse off due to trials, despite accepting that metals go through refinement only to emerge stronger? A.Williams #fb #
The people who are closest to me all recognize the same “weakness” – I find it difficult to say “No”. It is especially difficult when the situation is one entirely within my reach to make a significant on – for what I consider an insignificant sacrifice.
Time (and paying greater attention to the life of Christ), however, has taught me that the power to change a situation is neither excuse nor reason enough to do so! There are a number of occasions where Jesus said “no” even though He was more than able to say “yes”.
“The Lazarus Incident” as I call it, is simply one example of Jesus saying “no” to friends when everything seems to point to “yes” being the “better” response – but He needed to teach those of us with the power to change a situation how to say “no”. He needed to demonstrate that greater than the satisfaction we get from knowing that our friends run to us for help, and we have that power to help them – is their recognition that the true source of their help is God. Even more than this, that our choosing to say “no” can point not only the friend in need, but us as well, away from our own power and towards Him and His almighty power.
So I’m going to practice saying “no” – I’m certain there are times when I’ll be TOO good at it, as well as times when I won’t be good enough – but I’m choosing to trust Him whose power can change a “no” into a “yes” and vice versa to direct me.
Friend: “Hey GK, could you … for me by 5pm?”
GK: “uh… Nope 
”
Psalm 68:3 (NIV) reads: “But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.”
I think this is something that both the “ultra-liberal” (sometimes called carnal) and “super-conservative” (sometimes called legalistic) Christians miss, and miss badly. In my opinion, happiness is really about the absence of sorrow as we experience our immediate surroundings – it’s those moments into minutes that complaints have no place in our thoughts; it’s that moment that a young man looks deep into his partner’s eyes and sees his wife… not the woman he lives with – but his wife; that moment you first hear “Mommy” or “Daddy” – or when you see that first toothless smile… that yet fragile state of mind.
By now most of us are somewhat familiar with the idea of the 80/20 rule: in economics it’s “20% of the people have 80% of the wealth”; in management it’s “80% of the problems are caused by 20% of the people”; in relationships (according to “Why Did I Get Married”) it’s “people leave someone for their 20% of imperfection even though they’re 80% perfect”… the 80/20 rule is everywhere, or can be applied everywhere – including in Christendom!
- It is not enough to simply be hurt and in pain – continue fighting, declaring your intention to finish your race and God WILL show up! #fb #
- It is not enough to simply be hurt and in pain – continue fighting, declaring your intention to finish your race and God WILL show up! #
- Christian = someone who recognizes that the "glory of God is [far greater and more important] than the glory of self!" – D. Fletcher #fb #
