Teresa of Avila has some good words on dealing with each others sin.
"Some seem to think that a constant style of frank, combative disruption that takes little thought for the soul or gives little heed to empathy is what God uses to crush sin. Unfortunately, what often happens with such harsh, unsympathetic confrontation is that Satan uses it to crush souls."
She refers to Gal. 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
...she (Teresa) did not stop at reconciling. Her goal was to guide the soul toward a state of rest in God's infinite love.
What a difference it might make in our fellowships if we practiced such gentle, loving help to one another.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
God is Good
Randy Alcorn focused a chapter of If God is Good, on a present day heresy and concludes with a very good statement and question:
Fortunately, God will always remain who he is. The question is, as we try to modify him, what will become of us?
In chapter 17 he makes the following thoughtful statement:
When I am not convinced that God is good, I will quietly--but with tight-lipped resolve--take over responsibility for my own well-being.
Fortunately, God will always remain who he is. The question is, as we try to modify him, what will become of us?
In chapter 17 he makes the following thoughtful statement:
When I am not convinced that God is good, I will quietly--but with tight-lipped resolve--take over responsibility for my own well-being.
Friday, March 19, 2010
God's Holy Love
Yesterday I read about Julian of Norwich, in the book Sacred Friendships by Kelleman and Ellis.
This woman understood God's love in a very real and wonderfully encouraging way.
She said:
In salvation, God acts as a Judge justifying and forgiving us, as a Creator and Physician regenerating and healing us, as a Champion and Warrior redeeming and empower us, and as a Father reconciling and comforting us.
He is our clothing, wrapping and enveloping us for love, embracing us and guiding us in all things, hanging about us in tender love, so that he can never leave us... He is everything that is good for us.
But God gives us you generously when he so wishes, and sometimes allows us sorrow, and both come from love.
Love is nearest to us all. And this is the knowledge of which we are most ignorant; for many men and women believe that God is almighty and has power to do everything, and that he is all wisdom and knows how to do everything, but that he is all love and is willing to do everything--there they stop. And this ignorance is what hinders those who most love God.
Only by intimate relationship with our God of loving holiness can we survive in and thrive above earthly suffering.
This gives me much to meditate on.
This woman understood God's love in a very real and wonderfully encouraging way.
She said:
In salvation, God acts as a Judge justifying and forgiving us, as a Creator and Physician regenerating and healing us, as a Champion and Warrior redeeming and empower us, and as a Father reconciling and comforting us.
He is our clothing, wrapping and enveloping us for love, embracing us and guiding us in all things, hanging about us in tender love, so that he can never leave us... He is everything that is good for us.
But God gives us you generously when he so wishes, and sometimes allows us sorrow, and both come from love.
Love is nearest to us all. And this is the knowledge of which we are most ignorant; for many men and women believe that God is almighty and has power to do everything, and that he is all wisdom and knows how to do everything, but that he is all love and is willing to do everything--there they stop. And this ignorance is what hinders those who most love God.
Only by intimate relationship with our God of loving holiness can we survive in and thrive above earthly suffering.
This gives me much to meditate on.
Sunday, March 07, 2010
the Wonderful Blessing of God's Sovereignty
For Valentines day Tim gave me a copy of Pipers book on Ruth, A Sweet and Bitter Providence, along with some good dark chocolate.
The chocolate was great and the book even better, as usual I was challenged and encouraged by Piper. A few of the comments that spoke to me are:
There is a kind of inactive righteousness that simply avoids evil. But strategic righteousness takes the initiative and dreams of how to make things right. (his idea of righteousness is a zeal for doing what is good and right)
Our hope is based on the confidence that a sovereign God is for us.
When you believe in the sovereignty of God and that He loves to work mightily for those who trust Him, it gives a freedom and courage that isn't abandoned in hard times.
One of the great diseases of our day is trifling.
God is at work in our darkest times--for our good, and Christ's glory.
and finally:
In all the setbacks of our lives as believers, God is plotting for our joy.
The chocolate was great and the book even better, as usual I was challenged and encouraged by Piper. A few of the comments that spoke to me are:
There is a kind of inactive righteousness that simply avoids evil. But strategic righteousness takes the initiative and dreams of how to make things right. (his idea of righteousness is a zeal for doing what is good and right)
Our hope is based on the confidence that a sovereign God is for us.
When you believe in the sovereignty of God and that He loves to work mightily for those who trust Him, it gives a freedom and courage that isn't abandoned in hard times.
One of the great diseases of our day is trifling.
God is at work in our darkest times--for our good, and Christ's glory.
and finally:
In all the setbacks of our lives as believers, God is plotting for our joy.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Soul care and spiritual formation are receiving renewed interest in the Christian community, yet it is often hard to understand just what these terms mean. In "Beyond Suffering," by Kellemen and Edwards, these terms are described in a way that helps me understand them and shows their relevance to our Christian community.
In simplified form, he says:
Soul Care is about the evils we have suffered
"God is good even when life is bad."
It's normal to hurt--it's possible to hope
Spiritual direction is about the sins we have committed
"God is gracious even when I am sinful"
It's horrible to sin, but wonderful to be forgiven
It's supernatural to mature
He shows how the African believers helped each, other in their suffering, to continue to trust in God's goodness, in spite of man's evil and to care for each other.
It's a hard book to read, the slaves were treated horribly, but it is also a book of hope and comfort.
In simplified form, he says:
Soul Care is about the evils we have suffered
"God is good even when life is bad."
It's normal to hurt--it's possible to hope
Spiritual direction is about the sins we have committed
"God is gracious even when I am sinful"
It's horrible to sin, but wonderful to be forgiven
It's supernatural to mature
He shows how the African believers helped each, other in their suffering, to continue to trust in God's goodness, in spite of man's evil and to care for each other.
It's a hard book to read, the slaves were treated horribly, but it is also a book of hope and comfort.
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