As I talk with those who have chosen to enter the Kingdom of God, one reoccurring question invariably arises. "Am I going crazy?"
The problem with God is that He contradicts so much of our conventional wisdom. The greatest battle is never between Satan and the believer. No, the greatest of all battles rages between the believer and God. "There is a way that seems right to man" - words from the writer of Proverbs. Yet that way completely contradicts the way of God; it leads to death. Jesus wrestled with the Father in his most deep moment - "let this cup pass from me".
When one enters the realm of God, suddenly the pillars of so many of our beliefs are clearly seen for what they are - "There is a way that seems right to man". To somehow reject those foundational teachings that have been given to us feels like blasphemy. Yet in the kingdom of God, the source of those teachings becomes clear.
The resulting inner wrestling leaves us with the question - "Am I crazy?"
To the saint who has entered the Kingdom of God - I want to reassure you. You are not crazy!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Monday, September 3, 2012
do you think your way is right?
In the past week, several things stirred my "thinker". Sarah, our youngest daughter, informed Bev that she was voted a captain this year for the Grove City College women's soccer team. This has been a tough year for her. In April during spring practice season, while on a fast break toward the goal, her knee suddenly collapsed. Medical examination confirmed her worst fear - she suffered a torn ACL. Her goal is to be able to play in at least one game in this her senior season.
In spite of her inability to be on the field, her teammates voted her as a captain this season. Her leadership capabilities caused me to reflect on our children. They are all young adults. All exhibit a great deal of leadership abilities.
The second thing that stirred my thought process was a comment by a politician. "Leaders do not follow polls, leaders change polls." The truth of this comment is reflected in the lives of the kids. Each one of them changes the atmosphere in their sphere. (This was true of Jesus as well. Since Christ should be formed in us, it makes sense that we have the same impact on those around us as He did).
As I pondered the children's leadership gifts, words from the past echoed in my mind. Frequently people would ask us for parenting advice. Perhaps more accurately, people asked us to affirm what they were doing even if their parenting was a dismal failure. More than once when disagreeing with our advice, parents would pose the following question - so do you think that your way is right? (What a stupid question! Uh...no I am sure I am doing the wrong thing with my kids but I am going to do the wrong thing anyway. Duh!)
I never saw it as parenting my way. We simply looked at the Bible and put into practice the wise counsel we discovered in its pages. I have discovered that in the issues of life, the truth found in the scriptures always works when applied to daily living. It really does not matter whether I agree with the scripture or not. It is not about my way versus another way. It is about God's way.
Do I beleive that my way of parenting was/is right? Absolutely! I like the results!
In spite of her inability to be on the field, her teammates voted her as a captain this season. Her leadership capabilities caused me to reflect on our children. They are all young adults. All exhibit a great deal of leadership abilities.
The second thing that stirred my thought process was a comment by a politician. "Leaders do not follow polls, leaders change polls." The truth of this comment is reflected in the lives of the kids. Each one of them changes the atmosphere in their sphere. (This was true of Jesus as well. Since Christ should be formed in us, it makes sense that we have the same impact on those around us as He did).
As I pondered the children's leadership gifts, words from the past echoed in my mind. Frequently people would ask us for parenting advice. Perhaps more accurately, people asked us to affirm what they were doing even if their parenting was a dismal failure. More than once when disagreeing with our advice, parents would pose the following question - so do you think that your way is right? (What a stupid question! Uh...no I am sure I am doing the wrong thing with my kids but I am going to do the wrong thing anyway. Duh!)
I never saw it as parenting my way. We simply looked at the Bible and put into practice the wise counsel we discovered in its pages. I have discovered that in the issues of life, the truth found in the scriptures always works when applied to daily living. It really does not matter whether I agree with the scripture or not. It is not about my way versus another way. It is about God's way.
Do I beleive that my way of parenting was/is right? Absolutely! I like the results!
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