"What you think of me is none of my business."
Have you ever heard people say this who want to believe it?
Imagine if you lived your life in a way that you did not care too much about how others perceived you.
What would your life look like? Would everything change? Would you laugh less often at stupid jokes or laugh more at the truly funny jokes?Would you tell your boss "no" more often and yourself "yes" more frequently?Would you be more honest in your relationships?
I was recently asked for my opinion of someone and I realized that it doesn’t matter what I think of them.Why is what I think of them any of their business?Who cares what I think?What matters is what they think of themselves.Do I posses the power and authority to speak for another?And the same can be said for me, what you think of me is really none of my business, right?
The problem with listening to others’ opinions about another is that those who are often the most verbose with their opinions are the least healthy and self-reflective.
So I think I’ll start my evaluation with, "what I think of you is really none of your business. So with whatever I say, take what you like and leave the rest."
What does matter is what God thinks of you and how you internalize who you are as one of God’s beloved children.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Woe to You, Chorazin!
I was reading in Matthew this morning and I came across one of those passages that you've read a hundred times before, but then something great gets in.
The scripture I want to talk about is as follows-
Matthew 11:20-24 NASB
The Unrepenting Cities
20Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent.
21"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22"Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
23"And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day. 24"Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you."
The city of Sidon was a hotbed of Phoenician idolatry(Isa 23; Ez 28) and materialism.
Tyre was at one time, an important coastal port. Ezekial foretold that continuous invasions would make it a place where only fishermen dry their nets. And we all know what happened to Sodom.
Jesus is chastising Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum because they have had the blessing of His presence, His teaching, and His miracles and yet they do not repent. These other cities didn't have that benefit and yet will be better off than those who have heard but not listened.
Revelation 13:9 says, "He who has an ear, let him hear.
Here we are in this great nation today, striking the name and title of Jesus our Christ from public prayer. People were outraged when the Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert referred to the politically correct "Capitol Holiday Tree" as the Capitol Christmas Tree. There are too many examples of this type of behavior for a nation where 91% of the citizens proclaim a belief in God.
So much is said about a God of love, but we tippy toe around about a God of wrath.
Let's hear and fear Him
The scripture I want to talk about is as follows-
Matthew 11:20-24 NASB
The Unrepenting Cities
20Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent.
21"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22"Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
23"And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day. 24"Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you."
The city of Sidon was a hotbed of Phoenician idolatry(Isa 23; Ez 28) and materialism.
Tyre was at one time, an important coastal port. Ezekial foretold that continuous invasions would make it a place where only fishermen dry their nets. And we all know what happened to Sodom.
Jesus is chastising Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum because they have had the blessing of His presence, His teaching, and His miracles and yet they do not repent. These other cities didn't have that benefit and yet will be better off than those who have heard but not listened.
Revelation 13:9 says, "He who has an ear, let him hear.
Here we are in this great nation today, striking the name and title of Jesus our Christ from public prayer. People were outraged when the Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert referred to the politically correct "Capitol Holiday Tree" as the Capitol Christmas Tree. There are too many examples of this type of behavior for a nation where 91% of the citizens proclaim a belief in God.
So much is said about a God of love, but we tippy toe around about a God of wrath.
Let's hear and fear Him
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
PAY ATTENTION!
PAY ATTENTION By Dr. James MacDonald
Now therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation. Hebrews 2:1-2
The Christian life is not a destination; it’s a journey. While it began at a point in time when you came to the cross, it most certainly doesn’t stop there. Are you moving ahead into all the great things that God has for you? One of the primary messages of the book of Hebrews is, “keep growing.” The author repeatedly warns believers in Christ Jesus to keep our relationship with God current. Don’t let your heart get hard, or cold, or calloused to the things of Christ but press on to what’s ahead. Hebrews 2:1 urges: “Now therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”
When you came to Christ you made some promises to God, right? How are you doing with them? Don’t drift away from the most important thing in your life. Here are some penetrating questions to keep your relationship with God moving ahead:
Does my life give evidence of a person truly redeemed by the Son of God?
Does my faith endure in hard times as well asgood times?
Does my life reflect a growing pattern of righteousness?
Do I have an increasing hunger for God’s Word and a passion for God’s kingdom?
Is my love increasing for God and His people?
You say, “I don’t want to drift away. What can I do?” Perfect question! Your answer is in verse 1: “Therefore we must pay close attention.” What a great wake-up call! “Pay attention—this matters!” If you think you might be drifting away a little bit—come back! If you’ve been caught up in other things and lost sight of your primary purpose—come back to the Lord. In the most loving way I know how, I urge you to stay on course. If it’s been several days . . . or weeks since you knelt in humility before the Lord with your life open before him, get on your knees right now. Review the five questions above. Ask the Lord to show you the areas of your heart that need a fresh touch from him and a recommitment from you.
Now therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation. Hebrews 2:1-2
The Christian life is not a destination; it’s a journey. While it began at a point in time when you came to the cross, it most certainly doesn’t stop there. Are you moving ahead into all the great things that God has for you? One of the primary messages of the book of Hebrews is, “keep growing.” The author repeatedly warns believers in Christ Jesus to keep our relationship with God current. Don’t let your heart get hard, or cold, or calloused to the things of Christ but press on to what’s ahead. Hebrews 2:1 urges: “Now therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”
When you came to Christ you made some promises to God, right? How are you doing with them? Don’t drift away from the most important thing in your life. Here are some penetrating questions to keep your relationship with God moving ahead:
Does my life give evidence of a person truly redeemed by the Son of God?
Does my faith endure in hard times as well asgood times?
Does my life reflect a growing pattern of righteousness?
Do I have an increasing hunger for God’s Word and a passion for God’s kingdom?
Is my love increasing for God and His people?
You say, “I don’t want to drift away. What can I do?” Perfect question! Your answer is in verse 1: “Therefore we must pay close attention.” What a great wake-up call! “Pay attention—this matters!” If you think you might be drifting away a little bit—come back! If you’ve been caught up in other things and lost sight of your primary purpose—come back to the Lord. In the most loving way I know how, I urge you to stay on course. If it’s been several days . . . or weeks since you knelt in humility before the Lord with your life open before him, get on your knees right now. Review the five questions above. Ask the Lord to show you the areas of your heart that need a fresh touch from him and a recommitment from you.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Here's What I Know
I don't know why God allows evil things to happen, but I'm glad that He did allow one evil thing to happen- He allowed Jesus to die on the cross. That was, from the human perspective, an evil thing. He was an innocent man who died at the hands of angry, threatening people. This is fact. We know that it happened. And we also know that, three days later, this Jesus rose from the dead. This one historical fact that we do know outweighs the many other things that I don't know about God.
From God's perspective, this was a good thing. Because Jesus rose from the dead, I know there's life after death for those who follow Him. That gaurantee of eternity makes the pains of this life seem much more bearable. As the New Testament says, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18.
What I know outweighs what I don't know.
As a result, I think that having hope makes more sense than having bitterness. I think that believing in God at whatever He does is better than cursing Him. I think that having Jesus' name on my lips as my Lord and Savior is better than having His name on my lips as a swear word. I think that joy fits reality better than despair does, and assurance of eternal life fits better than the fear of death. I think that basing that assurance on the historically factual events of the Cross and Resurrection is better than any kind of false, psyched-up crossing of my fingers. I think that following and obeying Christ and His morals produce a much better life than following my desires, my hormones, or my sinful fantasies.
Would anyone listen to such a long tirade? Maybe not. But even if we deliver only a part of this message, especially in the way we act, we've given nonbelievers an answer to an unasked, but perceived question as to why we would choose to submit to an old book and a Master they cannot see.
From God's perspective, this was a good thing. Because Jesus rose from the dead, I know there's life after death for those who follow Him. That gaurantee of eternity makes the pains of this life seem much more bearable. As the New Testament says, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18.
What I know outweighs what I don't know.
As a result, I think that having hope makes more sense than having bitterness. I think that believing in God at whatever He does is better than cursing Him. I think that having Jesus' name on my lips as my Lord and Savior is better than having His name on my lips as a swear word. I think that joy fits reality better than despair does, and assurance of eternal life fits better than the fear of death. I think that basing that assurance on the historically factual events of the Cross and Resurrection is better than any kind of false, psyched-up crossing of my fingers. I think that following and obeying Christ and His morals produce a much better life than following my desires, my hormones, or my sinful fantasies.
Would anyone listen to such a long tirade? Maybe not. But even if we deliver only a part of this message, especially in the way we act, we've given nonbelievers an answer to an unasked, but perceived question as to why we would choose to submit to an old book and a Master they cannot see.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Falling in a Ditch
Why is it that the most arrogant people are often the most ignorant?
Seems like it would be a contradiction, doesn’t it?
Arrogance comes from the Latin that means to assume. Ignorance from Latin means something like not aware. Surely you have the relative at the family reunion or an outspoken friend who is an expert on everything. He or she assumes that he knows what he is talking about but is clearly not aware. What’s scary is that usually, if not always, the person is unaware that he is not aware of his assumptions. In other words, he is ignorant of his ignorance and arrogance.
And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch. Matthew 15:14
Think about when the arrogant lead the ignorant, what happens then? I fall in a ditch.
I am often embarrassed by my ignorance and arrogance. Reflecting on the times in my life that I have been most arrogant is often when I have been the most ignorant. This typically happens when I am attempting to impose my views, that is, my judgments on others. Sadly, most of my arrogance was based on ignorance. I spoke about people who I had never met or associated. Regardless of how much I knew or thought I knew or how sincere I was about my convictions doesn’t mean that I know what I’m talking about, like Charles Kettering said, “You can be sincere and still be stupid.”
It also seems that ignorance and arrogance is often alive and well in religious and political circles. If you ever meet someone with all the answers and they are arrogant, this includes pseudo-humility, there's a strong chance that you are dealing with an ignorant person. Perhaps my writing that line qualifies me for that club.
I think of the people Jesus butted heads with on his journey. These folks were the ones with the answers to life. They had their law books and could tell you how to live. They were arrogant about the law and ignorant about love.
Ever met a religious person who is arrogant about the law and ignorant about love?
If anyone was going to be arrogant you think that Jesus or some other spiritual person like Mother Theresa or Gandhi would have been. Yet each of these souls possessed something beyond belief, knowledge and the law… Love.
Love moves beyond belief, knowledge and law.
Pride vanquishes in the presence of the Mystery, for I know that I do not know.
I can assume I know and yet not be aware, making me both arrogant and ignorant.
We can possess beliefs, knowledge and laws and still not walk in Love.
Jesus said that the world would know him by the way we love one another, not how much we think we know or what we claim to believe-- otherwise we just fall in a ditch.
Seems like it would be a contradiction, doesn’t it?
Arrogance comes from the Latin that means to assume. Ignorance from Latin means something like not aware. Surely you have the relative at the family reunion or an outspoken friend who is an expert on everything. He or she assumes that he knows what he is talking about but is clearly not aware. What’s scary is that usually, if not always, the person is unaware that he is not aware of his assumptions. In other words, he is ignorant of his ignorance and arrogance.
And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch. Matthew 15:14
Think about when the arrogant lead the ignorant, what happens then? I fall in a ditch.
I am often embarrassed by my ignorance and arrogance. Reflecting on the times in my life that I have been most arrogant is often when I have been the most ignorant. This typically happens when I am attempting to impose my views, that is, my judgments on others. Sadly, most of my arrogance was based on ignorance. I spoke about people who I had never met or associated. Regardless of how much I knew or thought I knew or how sincere I was about my convictions doesn’t mean that I know what I’m talking about, like Charles Kettering said, “You can be sincere and still be stupid.”
It also seems that ignorance and arrogance is often alive and well in religious and political circles. If you ever meet someone with all the answers and they are arrogant, this includes pseudo-humility, there's a strong chance that you are dealing with an ignorant person. Perhaps my writing that line qualifies me for that club.
I think of the people Jesus butted heads with on his journey. These folks were the ones with the answers to life. They had their law books and could tell you how to live. They were arrogant about the law and ignorant about love.
Ever met a religious person who is arrogant about the law and ignorant about love?
If anyone was going to be arrogant you think that Jesus or some other spiritual person like Mother Theresa or Gandhi would have been. Yet each of these souls possessed something beyond belief, knowledge and the law… Love.
Love moves beyond belief, knowledge and law.
Pride vanquishes in the presence of the Mystery, for I know that I do not know.
I can assume I know and yet not be aware, making me both arrogant and ignorant.
We can possess beliefs, knowledge and laws and still not walk in Love.
Jesus said that the world would know him by the way we love one another, not how much we think we know or what we claim to believe-- otherwise we just fall in a ditch.
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