May opening statements

It's been a while since I've posted here...have a few different thoughts to share but I'll keep them relatively brief.

First, I've been pondering a statement made by a new friend of mine. She said:

"Technology is supposed to bring people closer together, and yet, somehow it feels like we're all more distant."

I think that's both true and profound in a way. With email, instant messaging, texting, and all these things that "connect" people, we've stopped sending cards, contacting/relating with old friends, meeting face-to-face, making actual eye contact and engaging in deep and meaningful conversations. I miss that...call me old school...I don't like Facebook much for that reason now.

And when we apply this similar principle to the idea of "independence" and dealing with people at "arm's length", sometimes people don't have a clear understanding of what it means to be a member in community...that church is a place where we grasp hands with each other to know and be known by each other. We are agreeing to help and encourage each other when we need to be reminded of God's work in our lives or when we need to be challenged about major discrepancies between our talk and our walk." -Mark Dever in Ch. 6 of 9 Marks of a Healthy Church

Second, our lives are journeys, that we are to constantly continue to learn and grow in the right direction...

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." - 2 Tim. 2:15 - We are to be diligent and eager to master God's Word.

"Rather train yourself for godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." - 1 Tim. 4:7-8 - Godliness includes learning to love as God loves, what He loves, and hating what God hates.

"but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame." - 1 Pet. 3: 15-16 - I like this, because you have to study, understand, prepare, and PRACTICE so that you can succeed, whether in evangelism, or just in response to persecution.

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in passion of lust like the Gentiles who do no know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." - 1 Thes. 4:3-8 - God's will for us is to SANCTIFY us (Rom. 8:29), that we are called to be holy (1 Pet. 1:14). We should ask ourselves daily - God, search our heart, thoughts, choices, ask ourselves how we're seeking to avoid impurity, and pursuing holiness!

Last, I've been reflecting a lot about pride. We easily forget and take for granted all the things that God has graciously given...that if I would simply practice more thankfulness, see trials as great opportunities, that patience is a virtue, and God resists the proud but lifts up the humble.

I am working on cultivating the right spirit, learning what it means to be a true servant, as Jesus was, to love my enemies, to do good and pray for them. It can be really hard, but that's what we're commanded to do...and I delight myself in God's commandments because they are His prescriptions for happiness and spiritual health.

I've also learned how disobedience dulls our spirits to God's presence and activity. Disobedience causes our spiritual eyes to go blind and our spiritual ears to go deaf. To the extent we insist, this toxin (sin) will cause us to lose sensitivity to enjoy the sweet savor of Jesus, to delight in God. -Sam Storms

Wherever you are, don't let pride get the best of you...let's surrender everything to God's way, His Word, and resolve to fall in love with your Lord over and over again.

Grace and peace to you.