Tuesday afternoon, September 30, 2008 [a beautiful, sunny day; 880],
The following is a quote from Henri Nouwen: "Conversion is certainly not something you can bring about yourself. It is not a question of willpower. You have to trust the inner voice that shows the way. You know that inner voice. You turn to it often. But after you have heard with clarity what you are asked to do, you start raising questions, fabricating objections, and seeking everyone else's opinion. Thus you become entangled in countless often contradictory thoughts, feelings, and ideas and lose touch with the God in you. And you end up dependent on all the people who have gathered around you. Only by attending constantly to the inner voice can you be converted to a new life of freedom and joy" ("The Dance of Life;" p. 75-76).
One of the questions I have heard most frequently during my years as a pastor and counselor is this: How can I know that I have heard God speak to me? It most often comes out of fear and frustration. The person really wants to know what God is saying, desperately need His direction, but is frustrated in the trying and fearful that missing His voice will end in disaster. Truth be known, each one of us has been in this difficult place numerous times. I feel sure that most of us would agree that it would be much easier for us, if God would simply speak audibly or send us a letter in His handwriting, even an email; however, for reasons best left to Him, He has chosen for us to walk in faith and, therefore, without much clarity.
Although, I do not think it is necessarily a negative thing for us to seek the counsel of another, I do agree with Nouwen, in that far too many of us put more trust in the opinions of others, than we do in Him. Sadly, when we finally believe we have heard correctly, we do tend to second guess what we heard and begin raising all kinds of questions and objections, and rush to someone else for confirmation. Most often this leads only to more confusion, fear, and frustration.
For some reason, most Christians are of the opinion that other, more mature believers, are able to hear more clearly what God is saying, than they, themselves, can hear. Over the years, I have noticed that there is no short supply of those, who are willing to tell you, unequivocally, what God is saying to you, and most of the time you do not even have to ask them. Sadly, most of the time, their "spiritual" advice is anything but what God is saying to you. To be sure, many people have been led down unnecessarily difficult paths because they did not trust the Voice that shows the way.
Yes, learning to trust that Voice takes a bit of practice, along with a willingness to completely misunderstand it; however, doing so with the inner-knowing that He will never leave you nor forsake you, only allowing what He deems best to come into your life.
It really is safe to trust Him, even when He wispers--
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Correction!
Friday morning, September 26, 2008 [a bit overcast and a cool 600],
In yesterday's perspective, I inadvertently placed the national debt at $9 billion—just an honest mistake—instead of the $9 TRILLION (or $10, or $11) that it actually is. It was this morning before I realized what I had done, and when I did, I almost let it go, thinking it really didn't matter, as my point was clearly made.
The more I thought about it, however, the more I realized that I was thinking exactly like most of the politicians who are meeting in Washington attempting to "fix" our problem and, thereby, to avoid a financial disaster, like, say, another Great Depression.
Please allow me to explain just how "insignificant" my "honest mistake" is: The words “million,” “billion,” and “trillion” look and sound pretty much the same; however, if you stacked up thousand-dollar bills to reach one million, it would reach four inches high; one billion thousand-dollar bills stacked up is around 333 feet high; one trillion is about 63 MILES high. As you can see, the difference between a billion and a trillion is hardly noticeable. Yea, right!
If you cannot relate to that example, try this one on for size: A million seconds is 12 days; a billion seconds is 32 years; a trillion seconds is almost 32 decades (32 years). Reread that, so you get it clearly fixed in your mind. This means that 9 billion seconds is 288 years (32 x 9); whereas, 9 trillion seconds is a mere 288 decades (or 2880 years!). As you can see, my "honest mistake" was off by ONLY by 2848 years! Now, let us put this in more practical terms: Assume that the national debt is only $9 trillion, rather than 10 or 11 trillion. This means that my "honest mistake" was off only by $8,991,000,000,000 (that's 8 trillion, 991 billion dollars!). With that, try this on for size: Let us assume that your annual income is $85,000. This means that should you have to pay off this debt and you used your entire annual income to do just that, it would take you only 105,882,353 years (that is 105 million, 882 thousand, 352 years!)! However, if you chose to pay it off at the rate of $1 per second, it would take you only 2,880 years! What a bargain!
I think you see, these "honest mistakes" that our leaders often make can be very costly, so much so that, well I think you can see where greed will take us.
Gosh, I hope I haven't made another "honest mistake" in my calculations! If I have forgive me because it really was an honest mistake. These numbers are much too huge for my feeble mind.
One more thing: the national debt is increasing faster than a speeding bullet, so be sure to keep your facts up-to-date; otherwise, you might get in over your head and not live long enough to pay off your share of this ever-increasing debt and I would HATE for that to happen!
I just thought I would remind you—
In yesterday's perspective, I inadvertently placed the national debt at $9 billion—just an honest mistake—instead of the $9 TRILLION (or $10, or $11) that it actually is. It was this morning before I realized what I had done, and when I did, I almost let it go, thinking it really didn't matter, as my point was clearly made.
The more I thought about it, however, the more I realized that I was thinking exactly like most of the politicians who are meeting in Washington attempting to "fix" our problem and, thereby, to avoid a financial disaster, like, say, another Great Depression.
Please allow me to explain just how "insignificant" my "honest mistake" is: The words “million,” “billion,” and “trillion” look and sound pretty much the same; however, if you stacked up thousand-dollar bills to reach one million, it would reach four inches high; one billion thousand-dollar bills stacked up is around 333 feet high; one trillion is about 63 MILES high. As you can see, the difference between a billion and a trillion is hardly noticeable. Yea, right!
If you cannot relate to that example, try this one on for size: A million seconds is 12 days; a billion seconds is 32 years; a trillion seconds is almost 32 decades (32 years). Reread that, so you get it clearly fixed in your mind. This means that 9 billion seconds is 288 years (32 x 9); whereas, 9 trillion seconds is a mere 288 decades (or 2880 years!). As you can see, my "honest mistake" was off by ONLY by 2848 years! Now, let us put this in more practical terms: Assume that the national debt is only $9 trillion, rather than 10 or 11 trillion. This means that my "honest mistake" was off only by $8,991,000,000,000 (that's 8 trillion, 991 billion dollars!). With that, try this on for size: Let us assume that your annual income is $85,000. This means that should you have to pay off this debt and you used your entire annual income to do just that, it would take you only 105,882,353 years (that is 105 million, 882 thousand, 352 years!)! However, if you chose to pay it off at the rate of $1 per second, it would take you only 2,880 years! What a bargain!
I think you see, these "honest mistakes" that our leaders often make can be very costly, so much so that, well I think you can see where greed will take us.
Gosh, I hope I haven't made another "honest mistake" in my calculations! If I have forgive me because it really was an honest mistake. These numbers are much too huge for my feeble mind.
One more thing: the national debt is increasing faster than a speeding bullet, so be sure to keep your facts up-to-date; otherwise, you might get in over your head and not live long enough to pay off your share of this ever-increasing debt and I would HATE for that to happen!
I just thought I would remind you—
"Honest Mistakes"?
Friday morning, September 26, 2008 [a bit overcast and a cool 600],
In yesterday's perspective, I inadvertently placed the national debt at $9 billion—just an honest mistake—instead of the $9 TRILLION (or $10, or $11) that it actually is. It was this morning before I realized what I had done, and when I did, I almost let it go, thinking it really didn't matter, as my point was clearly made.
The more I thought about it, however, the more I realized that I was thinking exactly like most of the politicians who are meeting in Washington attempting to "fix" our problem and, thereby, to avoid a financial disaster, like, say, another Great Depression.
Please allow me to explain just how "insignificant" my "honest mistake" is: The words “million,” “billion,” and “trillion” look and sound pretty much the same; however, if you stacked up thousand-dollar bills to reach one million, it would reach four inches high; one billion thousand-dollar bills stacked up is around 333 feet high; one trillion is about 63 MILES high. As you can see, the difference between a billion and a trillion is hardly noticeable. Yea, right!
If you cannot relate to that example, try this one on for size: A million seconds is 12 days; a billion seconds is 32 years; a trillion seconds is almost 32 decades (31,688 years). Reread that, so you get it clearly fixed in your mind. This means that 9 billion seconds is 288 years (32 x 9); whereas, 9 trillion seconds is a mere 285,192 years (31,688 x 9). As you can see, my "honest mistake" was off by ONLY by 284,904 years! Now, let us put this in more practical terms: Assume that the national debt is only $9 trillion, rather than 10 or 11 trillion. This means that my "honest mistake" was off only by $8,991,000,000,000 (that's 8 trillion, 991 billion dollars!). With that, try this on for size: Let us assume that your annual income is $85,000. This means that should you have to pay off this debt and you used your entire annual income to do just that, it would take you only 105,882,353 years (that is 105 million, 882 thousand, 352 years!)! However, if you chose to pay it off at the rate of $1 per second, it would take you only 285,192 years! What a bargain!
I think you see, these "honest mistakes" that our leaders often make can be very costly, so much so that, well I think you can see where greed will take us.
Gosh, I hope I haven't made another "honest mistake" in my calculations! If I have forgive me because it really was an honest mistake. These numbers are much too huge for my feeble mind.
One more thing: the national debt is increasing faster than a speeding bullet, so be sure to keep your facts up-to-date; otherwise, you might get in over your head and not live long enough to pay off your share of this ever-increasing debt and I would HATE for that to happen!
I just thought I would remind you—
In yesterday's perspective, I inadvertently placed the national debt at $9 billion—just an honest mistake—instead of the $9 TRILLION (or $10, or $11) that it actually is. It was this morning before I realized what I had done, and when I did, I almost let it go, thinking it really didn't matter, as my point was clearly made.
The more I thought about it, however, the more I realized that I was thinking exactly like most of the politicians who are meeting in Washington attempting to "fix" our problem and, thereby, to avoid a financial disaster, like, say, another Great Depression.
Please allow me to explain just how "insignificant" my "honest mistake" is: The words “million,” “billion,” and “trillion” look and sound pretty much the same; however, if you stacked up thousand-dollar bills to reach one million, it would reach four inches high; one billion thousand-dollar bills stacked up is around 333 feet high; one trillion is about 63 MILES high. As you can see, the difference between a billion and a trillion is hardly noticeable. Yea, right!
If you cannot relate to that example, try this one on for size: A million seconds is 12 days; a billion seconds is 32 years; a trillion seconds is almost 32 decades (31,688 years). Reread that, so you get it clearly fixed in your mind. This means that 9 billion seconds is 288 years (32 x 9); whereas, 9 trillion seconds is a mere 285,192 years (31,688 x 9). As you can see, my "honest mistake" was off by ONLY by 284,904 years! Now, let us put this in more practical terms: Assume that the national debt is only $9 trillion, rather than 10 or 11 trillion. This means that my "honest mistake" was off only by $8,991,000,000,000 (that's 8 trillion, 991 billion dollars!). With that, try this on for size: Let us assume that your annual income is $85,000. This means that should you have to pay off this debt and you used your entire annual income to do just that, it would take you only 105,882,353 years (that is 105 million, 882 thousand, 352 years!)! However, if you chose to pay it off at the rate of $1 per second, it would take you only 285,192 years! What a bargain!
I think you see, these "honest mistakes" that our leaders often make can be very costly, so much so that, well I think you can see where greed will take us.
Gosh, I hope I haven't made another "honest mistake" in my calculations! If I have forgive me because it really was an honest mistake. These numbers are much too huge for my feeble mind.
One more thing: the national debt is increasing faster than a speeding bullet, so be sure to keep your facts up-to-date; otherwise, you might get in over your head and not live long enough to pay off your share of this ever-increasing debt and I would HATE for that to happen!
I just thought I would remind you—
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Greed
Thursday night, September 25, 2008 [beautiful and 700],
For some reason, I have believed for some time now that I was relatively intelligent; however, the events of the last couple of days have just about convinced me that I am dumber than dumb. Hopefully, I am not the only person in the good ole USA, who is having trouble following all of the political rhetoric regarding the "imminent" collapse of the US economy, unless $700 Billion dollars are placed into the hands of Paulson to dole out as he sees fit.
I really do believe that someone of my intelligence (or the lack thereof) can readily figure out that a $9 Trillion debt (or $10, or $11, or whatever it is) is a bad thing, but for the life of me I cannot figure out how anyone can borrow his/her way out of debt. On second thought, I guess I could explain how that could come about, but, OBVIOUSLY, it is a very dangerous gamble, one that no one should try at home (as the warn us on the TV, when something foolish is about to be shown). I do know that Paul said this: "Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another" (Romans 13:8). Oh, I forgot: We cannot use Biblical principles as guidelines for solving problems in the US! Excuse me; I really didn't mean to sound like a religious zealot! Yea, right!
Regardless of who can figure out what, the fact is this: many Americans are very anxious about their futures, and for many of them, their future is no farther down the road than tomorrow morning. Trying to figure out how to purchase enough gasoline just to get to work will keep many of them awake tonight. Of course, there are also those who have worked a lifetime, consistently adding money to a 401K, only to find that most of it was lost in one fell swoop. Yes, the market did recover somewhat, but concern about what it will do tomorrow will keep many of them awake tonight. I just heard a prediction that it will drop at least 100 points immediately because there is "no deal" to solve this crisis on the table tonight.
Even the thought that we could experience another Great Depression scares the wits out of most, but the truth is very few people have any real clue, as to just how devastating that would be. Trust me on this one: those who experienced the Great Depression of the 1930's would be quick to tell you that it was a very, very difficult time, one they would never want to repeat.
Now, let us face a fact: For the most part, the financial problems we are experiencing today are the result of greed, as in GREED; however, this greed is only a symptom of the problem and not the problem, itself. This is the problem: God decided that we should have no other gods before Him [Thou shalt have no other gods before Me (Exodus 20:3; the first commandment!)], and we decided, like Israel of old, that He didn't know what He is talking about, and, as a result, we created our own golden calf, aka money, and began to worship it. I do remember this: Moses got very angry and pulverized the golden calf and poured the pulverized gold into the water and make the Israelites drink it (Exodus 32:19-20).
Maybe, just maybe, we should consider the lilies of the field, and maybe, just maybe we should remember that the value of one's material possessions does not determine the quality of his life. This is what Jesus said: "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions" (Luke 12:15).
I hope I can remember this!
For some reason, I have believed for some time now that I was relatively intelligent; however, the events of the last couple of days have just about convinced me that I am dumber than dumb. Hopefully, I am not the only person in the good ole USA, who is having trouble following all of the political rhetoric regarding the "imminent" collapse of the US economy, unless $700 Billion dollars are placed into the hands of Paulson to dole out as he sees fit.
I really do believe that someone of my intelligence (or the lack thereof) can readily figure out that a $9 Trillion debt (or $10, or $11, or whatever it is) is a bad thing, but for the life of me I cannot figure out how anyone can borrow his/her way out of debt. On second thought, I guess I could explain how that could come about, but, OBVIOUSLY, it is a very dangerous gamble, one that no one should try at home (as the warn us on the TV, when something foolish is about to be shown). I do know that Paul said this: "Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another" (Romans 13:8). Oh, I forgot: We cannot use Biblical principles as guidelines for solving problems in the US! Excuse me; I really didn't mean to sound like a religious zealot! Yea, right!
Regardless of who can figure out what, the fact is this: many Americans are very anxious about their futures, and for many of them, their future is no farther down the road than tomorrow morning. Trying to figure out how to purchase enough gasoline just to get to work will keep many of them awake tonight. Of course, there are also those who have worked a lifetime, consistently adding money to a 401K, only to find that most of it was lost in one fell swoop. Yes, the market did recover somewhat, but concern about what it will do tomorrow will keep many of them awake tonight. I just heard a prediction that it will drop at least 100 points immediately because there is "no deal" to solve this crisis on the table tonight.
Even the thought that we could experience another Great Depression scares the wits out of most, but the truth is very few people have any real clue, as to just how devastating that would be. Trust me on this one: those who experienced the Great Depression of the 1930's would be quick to tell you that it was a very, very difficult time, one they would never want to repeat.
Now, let us face a fact: For the most part, the financial problems we are experiencing today are the result of greed, as in GREED; however, this greed is only a symptom of the problem and not the problem, itself. This is the problem: God decided that we should have no other gods before Him [Thou shalt have no other gods before Me (Exodus 20:3; the first commandment!)], and we decided, like Israel of old, that He didn't know what He is talking about, and, as a result, we created our own golden calf, aka money, and began to worship it. I do remember this: Moses got very angry and pulverized the golden calf and poured the pulverized gold into the water and make the Israelites drink it (Exodus 32:19-20).
Maybe, just maybe, we should consider the lilies of the field, and maybe, just maybe we should remember that the value of one's material possessions does not determine the quality of his life. This is what Jesus said: "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions" (Luke 12:15).
I hope I can remember this!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Pray Without Ceasing
Wednesday morning, September 24, 2008 [sunny and 620],
This morning a UPS driver delivered Robert Benson's newest release entitled, "In Constant Prayer" and I can hardly wait to begin reading it. I really do not know Robert Benson (although I did talk with him once) but I did know his dad, the late Bob Benson, who was one of the most powerful, effective communicators I have ever known. He probably didn't weigh 100 pounds, even with a rock in his pocket, and he spoke in a high, squeaky voice, but when he spoke it was kind of like God speaking to Moses on Mt. Sinai (not really, but close!). He lived in Tennessee and was the owner of Benson Publishing Company, he loved to speak at retreats, which was his forte, but he also was master before huge crowds. I loved him and still miss him, especially hearing him speak. He, too, was a writer, a great, gifted writer, but he never could get his squeaky voice to quite come through in his writings. He faithfully wrote an article (monthly, I think) called "Meanings" and I loved them. Truth is, I think I still have all of them stored in my attic and he has been over Home for a number of years. Bob had a relationship with Jesus and you can take that as truth.
Well, his son is now the age of his Dad when I knew him, probably even older, which dates me, to be sure. He has published more than a dozen books himself. Robert's theology is a bit different from his Dad's, a bit more liturgical, shall I say. Even so, I am confident that his Dad is very proud of him and is probably his greatest cheerleader.
Anyway, it seems that Robert's passion is praying, second to his passion for writing. His writings on the subject of prayer remind me of something I read from one of Mike Mason's books: "There is nothing I love more than praying!" Wow! I really like that. I have the strong feeling that this world would be a much better place, if this were true of every believer. Sadly, the church has convinced us that being busy takes precedence over praying. Oh, yes, it tells us to pray but it does not give us time to pray, not if we participate in all the ministries that are required of us AND we somehow manage to take care of the responsibilities of life, such as parenting, earning a living, and all the rest.
I recently told a pastor-friend of mine that, in my opinion, it would make no eternal difference whatsoever, if every church in Macon (where I live) closed their doors and walked away. I still think that is true but I do wonder this: What would happen, if every church in Macon ended every program and encouraged the people to spend an equal amount of time in prayer.
You see, contrary to popular opinion, the success of the kingdom of God does not depend upon the programs of the church; instead, it depends upon the finished work of Jesus Christ. It is our neighbor, who needs our help, NOT God; He will make it quite-well without us! The fact is this: We need Him, we desperately need Him, and from what I can see, He choose to use prayer as one of the primary instruments of our meeting with Him.
Prayer is far-more important than most of us seem to believe-
This morning a UPS driver delivered Robert Benson's newest release entitled, "In Constant Prayer" and I can hardly wait to begin reading it. I really do not know Robert Benson (although I did talk with him once) but I did know his dad, the late Bob Benson, who was one of the most powerful, effective communicators I have ever known. He probably didn't weigh 100 pounds, even with a rock in his pocket, and he spoke in a high, squeaky voice, but when he spoke it was kind of like God speaking to Moses on Mt. Sinai (not really, but close!). He lived in Tennessee and was the owner of Benson Publishing Company, he loved to speak at retreats, which was his forte, but he also was master before huge crowds. I loved him and still miss him, especially hearing him speak. He, too, was a writer, a great, gifted writer, but he never could get his squeaky voice to quite come through in his writings. He faithfully wrote an article (monthly, I think) called "Meanings" and I loved them. Truth is, I think I still have all of them stored in my attic and he has been over Home for a number of years. Bob had a relationship with Jesus and you can take that as truth.
Well, his son is now the age of his Dad when I knew him, probably even older, which dates me, to be sure. He has published more than a dozen books himself. Robert's theology is a bit different from his Dad's, a bit more liturgical, shall I say. Even so, I am confident that his Dad is very proud of him and is probably his greatest cheerleader.
Anyway, it seems that Robert's passion is praying, second to his passion for writing. His writings on the subject of prayer remind me of something I read from one of Mike Mason's books: "There is nothing I love more than praying!" Wow! I really like that. I have the strong feeling that this world would be a much better place, if this were true of every believer. Sadly, the church has convinced us that being busy takes precedence over praying. Oh, yes, it tells us to pray but it does not give us time to pray, not if we participate in all the ministries that are required of us AND we somehow manage to take care of the responsibilities of life, such as parenting, earning a living, and all the rest.
I recently told a pastor-friend of mine that, in my opinion, it would make no eternal difference whatsoever, if every church in Macon (where I live) closed their doors and walked away. I still think that is true but I do wonder this: What would happen, if every church in Macon ended every program and encouraged the people to spend an equal amount of time in prayer.
You see, contrary to popular opinion, the success of the kingdom of God does not depend upon the programs of the church; instead, it depends upon the finished work of Jesus Christ. It is our neighbor, who needs our help, NOT God; He will make it quite-well without us! The fact is this: We need Him, we desperately need Him, and from what I can see, He choose to use prayer as one of the primary instruments of our meeting with Him.
Prayer is far-more important than most of us seem to believe-
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Silence, please!!!!!
Tuesday morning, September 23, 2008 [sunny and 630],
My mother-in-law was quite a character, to put it mildly. To be sure, one never had to wonder what she was thinking because she was quick to tell you, and she would do so with little (if any) regard for your opinion of what she was thinking. Strangely, however, she did not talk just to be talking; if she had something to say, she said it, otherwise she kept quiet.
I can remember several (actually, many) occasions, when we would be in the car, on our way to some destination, and she would ride silently for miles—never speaking a word. After a bit of this silence, I would ask, "Blanche, why are you so quiet?" Her response was always the same: "I have nothing to say and I am saying it!"
Actually, these are virtuous traits: the freedom not only to say what needs to be said, but also the freedom to be silent when nothing needs to be said. Somehow, however, we have been convinced that words are more important than silence; consequently, most of us are not free to be silent. It is almost impossible for us to believe that our silence is often more persuasive, more powerful, than our words, which is probably why most of us prefer "talking" over "listening."
Have you ever noticed how you feel after having a long discussion with someone, a discussion where many words are used? Have you noticed that most of these long discussions leave you wishing you had left sooner, or had avoided the discussion altogether? Some salespersons, for example, never learn this truth; instead, long after they could have "closed the deal" they are still talking and end up "losing the deal." To be sure, most preachers NEVER learn this truth (yes, I am guilty as charged!) and continue babbling long after the listeners have stopped listening (actually, I think God takes his naps during these times of nonsensical babbling, and I am certain that many church-goers do).
If you have been watching the political scene of late, you realize that long, loquacious answers to simple straightforward questions usually means that the person is attempting to avoid answering the question because of his concern for the opinion of others. In other words, taking a stand will be costly, so rather than providing a brief, honest answer, he rambles on-and-on about nothing, honestly (although foolishly) thinking that words are more persuasive, more powerful than silence.
Someone once said that it is far better to keep your mouth shut and let people wonder about the degree of your sanity, than to open it and make the truth painfully evident. Anyway, I think each of us would probably benefit from talking less and listening more (attentively).
I feel sure that what you or I have to say is important but I doubt that it is as important as we think it is, surely, not as important as our silence would be (at least most of the time).
Silence is golden, or to say that another way, quiet is a priceless gift!
My mother-in-law was quite a character, to put it mildly. To be sure, one never had to wonder what she was thinking because she was quick to tell you, and she would do so with little (if any) regard for your opinion of what she was thinking. Strangely, however, she did not talk just to be talking; if she had something to say, she said it, otherwise she kept quiet.
I can remember several (actually, many) occasions, when we would be in the car, on our way to some destination, and she would ride silently for miles—never speaking a word. After a bit of this silence, I would ask, "Blanche, why are you so quiet?" Her response was always the same: "I have nothing to say and I am saying it!"
Actually, these are virtuous traits: the freedom not only to say what needs to be said, but also the freedom to be silent when nothing needs to be said. Somehow, however, we have been convinced that words are more important than silence; consequently, most of us are not free to be silent. It is almost impossible for us to believe that our silence is often more persuasive, more powerful, than our words, which is probably why most of us prefer "talking" over "listening."
Have you ever noticed how you feel after having a long discussion with someone, a discussion where many words are used? Have you noticed that most of these long discussions leave you wishing you had left sooner, or had avoided the discussion altogether? Some salespersons, for example, never learn this truth; instead, long after they could have "closed the deal" they are still talking and end up "losing the deal." To be sure, most preachers NEVER learn this truth (yes, I am guilty as charged!) and continue babbling long after the listeners have stopped listening (actually, I think God takes his naps during these times of nonsensical babbling, and I am certain that many church-goers do).
If you have been watching the political scene of late, you realize that long, loquacious answers to simple straightforward questions usually means that the person is attempting to avoid answering the question because of his concern for the opinion of others. In other words, taking a stand will be costly, so rather than providing a brief, honest answer, he rambles on-and-on about nothing, honestly (although foolishly) thinking that words are more persuasive, more powerful than silence.
Someone once said that it is far better to keep your mouth shut and let people wonder about the degree of your sanity, than to open it and make the truth painfully evident. Anyway, I think each of us would probably benefit from talking less and listening more (attentively).
I feel sure that what you or I have to say is important but I doubt that it is as important as we think it is, surely, not as important as our silence would be (at least most of the time).
Silence is golden, or to say that another way, quiet is a priceless gift!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
A Bit to Consider
Wednesday night, September 17, 2008 [a cool 680],
Realizing that I am probably throwing more at you than you care to read, I do hope you will read the following and follow-up with your comments, question, etc:
1. The gospel is the power of God for salvation, not the shenanigans (even the best efforts) of man.
2. The gospel is not for everyone; therefore, the masses cannot be evangelized.
3. The gospel is for the elect of God and ONLY for the elect of God; therefore, only the elect of God can be evangelized.
4. The antics (including best efforts) used to evangelize the masses actually offend the elect; whereas, the gospel offends the masses.
5. No one, not even one the elect, can come to the Father (be evangelized), unless He grants it and unless He draws them to Himself.
6. When the Father draws one of His elect to Himself, he/she will come to Him and that in His time.
7. The Son gives life to whom He wishes and only to whom He wishes.
8. God did not design evangelism to be some complicated, manipulative effort that man carries out; instead, He designed it to be something that He accomplishes through the power of the Holy Spirit.
9. The effectiveness of evangelism is not determined by the efforts of man—the one who wills or the one who runs—but by the power of God, who has mercy and lavishes grace.
10. What we win them with is what we win them to; consequently, we should never attempt to win anyone with anything other than the preaching of the gospel. Actually, we never win anyone because He has reserved that for Himself.
Realizing that I am probably throwing more at you than you care to read, I do hope you will read the following and follow-up with your comments, question, etc:
1. The gospel is the power of God for salvation, not the shenanigans (even the best efforts) of man.
2. The gospel is not for everyone; therefore, the masses cannot be evangelized.
3. The gospel is for the elect of God and ONLY for the elect of God; therefore, only the elect of God can be evangelized.
4. The antics (including best efforts) used to evangelize the masses actually offend the elect; whereas, the gospel offends the masses.
5. No one, not even one the elect, can come to the Father (be evangelized), unless He grants it and unless He draws them to Himself.
6. When the Father draws one of His elect to Himself, he/she will come to Him and that in His time.
7. The Son gives life to whom He wishes and only to whom He wishes.
8. God did not design evangelism to be some complicated, manipulative effort that man carries out; instead, He designed it to be something that He accomplishes through the power of the Holy Spirit.
9. The effectiveness of evangelism is not determined by the efforts of man—the one who wills or the one who runs—but by the power of God, who has mercy and lavishes grace.
10. What we win them with is what we win them to; consequently, we should never attempt to win anyone with anything other than the preaching of the gospel. Actually, we never win anyone because He has reserved that for Himself.
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