We're reading Attitude 101 by John C. Maxwell. I love this view of obstacles with this thought about David.
Everyone else looked at Goliath and said, "He's so big, he can't be beat!"
David looked at him and said, "He's so big, how can i miss!"
Gabe
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Higher
Last month i was able to attend TeenPact National Convention. It was an amazing week. I met dozens of new friends, listened to great speakers, played some great games of Frisbee, and made lasting memories. But what i enjoyed most were some of the conversations i had.
Students who go to the TeenPact state classes are usually smart people with a great deal of sense. The attendees of TeenPact NC, however, are the most dedicated, hard working, and studious of the state classes. So some of the best teens from 38 states come to one place for a week. The atmosphere is amazing. Sure, there were conversations about favorite movies, youtube videos, the latest best seller fiction book, cars, etc., but I would say that over half of the discussions that i overheard or took part in were much deeper than that. Conversations about C.S. Lewis, solutions to the economy problem, the Presidential election, Tolkien, Henty, and Iraq were commonplace. But almost as often as all those put together were bible discussions. Everyday small groups would talk about the day's bible verses and share ideas and beliefs. Later in the week, a group of about 25 or 30 met in the morning outside the main auditorium for a heated discussion about the depravity of man (long story).
As the only PB there, I had to explain to many what i believe, from why i only use KJV to what i believe about the preservation of the saints. The whole experience was very spiritual and really forced me to dig more in my bible for verse after verse in discussion after discussion. I feasted in talking to other Christians (Baptist, Reformed, Presbyterian, etc) about the bible and Christ.
Then, about 4 days into the week, I stepped back and wondered why it isn't like that at home among my circle of close friends. They and I are all committed Christians, of different denominations, yes, but so was everyone at TeenPact. None of our discussions are bad, to the contrary, most of them are at a high intellectual level. Next to none of them, however, are about the bible, prayer, things we are struggling with, or anything spiritual.
Why? Why is that?
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Why did the people at National Convention and I obey that verse during that week but I and my best friends don't at home?
Pro 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
My friends who live close to me and I see each other all the time, but are we strengthening each other?
Rom 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
We all read our bibles, we all pray, and go to church, but we never talk about it. We don't strengthen each other in the Lord.
I have a theory about why this paradox exists. I've known the friends who live close to me for years. Some, i never remember meeting for the first time. And I think because of that, the relationship between us has remained at the same level for all these years.
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
While we may no longer play with Hot Wheel cars or shoot at each other with cap guns, the conversation has never bumped up to a higher level. We now talk about ideas for a better energy source, the physics behind a certain action, memories, movies; we play games, and have lots of good, clean fun. But nothing deeper. With people i meet for the first time at places like college, National Convention, or wherever, we are both mature; and the relationship begins at a higher level. My relationship with my home gang, however, hasn't been bumped up yet.
Heb 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
I long for bible discussions with those who are my best friends. I want singing of hymns to be a favorite past time with the home gang, not just with all my PB friends (who i see far too seldom). What will it take for us to break the status quo? I wish i knew. When we're all together, I never remember that i want to try to do something about it- it's only after everyone has left. Maybe one day soon....
Gabe
You may value the friendships of youth and of age,
And select for my comrades the noble and sage;
But the friends that most cheer me on life's rugged road,
Are the friends of my Master--the children of God.
Students who go to the TeenPact state classes are usually smart people with a great deal of sense. The attendees of TeenPact NC, however, are the most dedicated, hard working, and studious of the state classes. So some of the best teens from 38 states come to one place for a week. The atmosphere is amazing. Sure, there were conversations about favorite movies, youtube videos, the latest best seller fiction book, cars, etc., but I would say that over half of the discussions that i overheard or took part in were much deeper than that. Conversations about C.S. Lewis, solutions to the economy problem, the Presidential election, Tolkien, Henty, and Iraq were commonplace. But almost as often as all those put together were bible discussions. Everyday small groups would talk about the day's bible verses and share ideas and beliefs. Later in the week, a group of about 25 or 30 met in the morning outside the main auditorium for a heated discussion about the depravity of man (long story).
As the only PB there, I had to explain to many what i believe, from why i only use KJV to what i believe about the preservation of the saints. The whole experience was very spiritual and really forced me to dig more in my bible for verse after verse in discussion after discussion. I feasted in talking to other Christians (Baptist, Reformed, Presbyterian, etc) about the bible and Christ.
Then, about 4 days into the week, I stepped back and wondered why it isn't like that at home among my circle of close friends. They and I are all committed Christians, of different denominations, yes, but so was everyone at TeenPact. None of our discussions are bad, to the contrary, most of them are at a high intellectual level. Next to none of them, however, are about the bible, prayer, things we are struggling with, or anything spiritual.
Why? Why is that?
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Why did the people at National Convention and I obey that verse during that week but I and my best friends don't at home?
Pro 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
My friends who live close to me and I see each other all the time, but are we strengthening each other?
Rom 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
We all read our bibles, we all pray, and go to church, but we never talk about it. We don't strengthen each other in the Lord.
I have a theory about why this paradox exists. I've known the friends who live close to me for years. Some, i never remember meeting for the first time. And I think because of that, the relationship between us has remained at the same level for all these years.
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
While we may no longer play with Hot Wheel cars or shoot at each other with cap guns, the conversation has never bumped up to a higher level. We now talk about ideas for a better energy source, the physics behind a certain action, memories, movies; we play games, and have lots of good, clean fun. But nothing deeper. With people i meet for the first time at places like college, National Convention, or wherever, we are both mature; and the relationship begins at a higher level. My relationship with my home gang, however, hasn't been bumped up yet.
Heb 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
I long for bible discussions with those who are my best friends. I want singing of hymns to be a favorite past time with the home gang, not just with all my PB friends (who i see far too seldom). What will it take for us to break the status quo? I wish i knew. When we're all together, I never remember that i want to try to do something about it- it's only after everyone has left. Maybe one day soon....
Gabe
You may value the friendships of youth and of age,
And select for my comrades the noble and sage;
But the friends that most cheer me on life's rugged road,
Are the friends of my Master--the children of God.
Friday, July 4, 2008
That bane called pride
I have trouble with a prideful spirit more often than i would like to admit (see, like there. i wouldn't want to admit out of pride how often i have problems with a prideful spirit). Little things can trigger it.
Like getting into an argument and after 2 minutes of heated discussion i realize that i'm probably wrong but i keep on going just because i don't want to admit i'm wrong.
Or like doing something well and then watching someone else doing the same thing, only not as well. And I find myself thinking "oh Gabe, you really outdid yourself. Good job. Now look at the poor blighters try to recreate your moment of awesomeness...". Yeah... it can get that bad really quickly if i don't stop myself.
Pro 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
But even if i don't stop myself, someone will come along that shows me that i'm not the hot stuff i believed myself to be.
I may try to put forth a show of knowledge. But there's always someone smarter.
I might become proud after singing a hard line of music better than anyone else on the row. But there's always someone who has a sweeter, better, clearer voice than I.
I may be puffed up from a athletic feat. But there's always someone a little stronger, faster, quicker, etc
Pro 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
It's like in the old west. There's always someone faster on the draw.
But in my human nature, I can always think of an excuse or reason as to why what i did was better. Even if someone does something better, i can think of an excuse as to why what i did really deserves more credit. Why do i do that? Where does it come from?
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Mar 7:20-23 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
So, pride is of the world, and is in the same sentence as murder, blasphemy, and adultery. In addition to that, in Proverbs 6 it says that a proud look is an abomination to the Lord.
Pro 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
(to show people who had the fear of the Lord: Act 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. )
So, has as (I hope) a child of God, i should hate pride. But oh, even though i hate it... i still have it.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Pride obviously doesn't come from the new man, but from that nastiness which is human.
Jer 9:23-24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Something today caused pride to raise its poisonous, beautiful face. But before i had gone very far down the road with it... a thought came to my mind.
Christ had to come to this earth and die for sin. Sins like the one i was committing then by being proud.
My having a spirit of vain, proudful, conceitedness helped drive the nails, and made the cup fuller.
1Ti 1:15
I will tell you that it is impossible to remain proudful with thoughts like that burdening your mind.
This may seem to end on a dark note, but it isn't meant to. From 1Ti 1:15 one can get to Eph 2:4-8 and get on shouting ground real fast (that "but God" in verse 4 is one of the most beautiful things ever.)
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Gabe
I heard a story, of one who came to save me
Long time ago, he died that i might live on
Why he would love, one such as low as i am
Only he knows.
I want to serve him.
I want to praise him.
He died to save me, that i might live with him on,
And on.
Like getting into an argument and after 2 minutes of heated discussion i realize that i'm probably wrong but i keep on going just because i don't want to admit i'm wrong.
Or like doing something well and then watching someone else doing the same thing, only not as well. And I find myself thinking "oh Gabe, you really outdid yourself. Good job. Now look at the poor blighters try to recreate your moment of awesomeness...". Yeah... it can get that bad really quickly if i don't stop myself.
Pro 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
But even if i don't stop myself, someone will come along that shows me that i'm not the hot stuff i believed myself to be.
I may try to put forth a show of knowledge. But there's always someone smarter.
I might become proud after singing a hard line of music better than anyone else on the row. But there's always someone who has a sweeter, better, clearer voice than I.
I may be puffed up from a athletic feat. But there's always someone a little stronger, faster, quicker, etc
Pro 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
It's like in the old west. There's always someone faster on the draw.
But in my human nature, I can always think of an excuse or reason as to why what i did was better. Even if someone does something better, i can think of an excuse as to why what i did really deserves more credit. Why do i do that? Where does it come from?
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Mar 7:20-23 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
So, pride is of the world, and is in the same sentence as murder, blasphemy, and adultery. In addition to that, in Proverbs 6 it says that a proud look is an abomination to the Lord.
Pro 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
(to show people who had the fear of the Lord: Act 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. )
So, has as (I hope) a child of God, i should hate pride. But oh, even though i hate it... i still have it.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Pride obviously doesn't come from the new man, but from that nastiness which is human.
Jer 9:23-24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Something today caused pride to raise its poisonous, beautiful face. But before i had gone very far down the road with it... a thought came to my mind.
Christ had to come to this earth and die for sin. Sins like the one i was committing then by being proud.
My having a spirit of vain, proudful, conceitedness helped drive the nails, and made the cup fuller.
1Ti 1:15
I will tell you that it is impossible to remain proudful with thoughts like that burdening your mind.
This may seem to end on a dark note, but it isn't meant to. From 1Ti 1:15 one can get to Eph 2:4-8 and get on shouting ground real fast (that "but God" in verse 4 is one of the most beautiful things ever.)
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Gabe
I heard a story, of one who came to save me
Long time ago, he died that i might live on
Why he would love, one such as low as i am
Only he knows.
I want to serve him.
I want to praise him.
He died to save me, that i might live with him on,
And on.
Blog vs Facebook
I have reentered the blog world after pondering a desire to post substantive thoughts, bible studies, humorous findings, life stories, etc. Facebook, while giving a very high level of connectedness, does not lend it's self to what i'd like to do here. I don't know what exactly what this will turn out to be, if i'll post anything other than tonight, or if anyone will ever read this. But i felt led to create this, for my own benifit if no one else's.
Gabe
Gabe
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