proud Christians

I am blessed to be part of a church and fellowship in which our differences don't matter. Our fellowship is in God through Jesus Christ by the Spirit. Our foundation is God himself. Our guide and what is central in our endeavors is God's word, and the desire to walk in the light it gives.

I am tired of Christians who regularly make it a point to point out where they differ with other Chrisians. Or how other Christians or churches fall short. Of course some of this is inevitable in that we do have differences we can discuss, and sometimes there are teachings, and practices that need to be confronted among professing Christians.

But I am thinking of Christians who regularly voice their differences with other Christians, looking down on them. We must resist this, while still willing to be held accountable by each other on the basis of God's word.

A proud Christian is an oxymoron. Not that nasty, ugly pride never flairs up in me, or that I don't have to battle it. But it is something to be abhorred.

Paul was regularly right, and his opponents wrong, but his only boast was in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. God will help us all in Jesus for that more and more to be our own testimony as well, as we follow on.

What thoughts would you like to share on this?

"Forest Star - humility" from L.L. Barkat

from Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places

This chapter is for me an amazing take on humility cast in a light which I've not seen, and certainly not as thoroughly. Along with the "discussion questions," this so far is the epitome of what I've seen again and again in this book.

I've seen myself as much of the time, generally humble. Not that pride never rears its ugly head so that I never have to struggle against it, because sometimes I do have that struggle. But most of the time, and for good reason in my mind, I don't see this as a major issue in my life. But this chapter makes me think twice on that.

Again L.L. shares transparently from her own life, and looks at two who overcame: Thomas Merton and Moses, along with those who did not: Satan and Absalom. This chapter along with the penetrating, excellent "discussion questions" in the back, makes me wonder just where I really am when it comes to humility.

The point in a nutshell is whether or not we are seeking any glory for ourselves in what we do. Perhaps we're unaware of that, but in one moment the ugly truth can become clear.

If we're blessed like Thomas Merton and Moses to recognize and acknowledge this, so that we can confess it to God in a renunciation which accepts God's word of forgiveness to us, then we can end up finding a glory that lasts, in a close love relationship with God through Christ in which God receives the glory, but we share in his glory (also here and here). We become, as it were, lights in the Lord, in whom God's beauty and glory can be revealed and seen by others. In the case of Moses, God steps in and stops him with judgment, but through that Moses knows the lasting good.

This chapter shook me, and makes me question where I really am in this, and reenforces that I want to be among those who seek no glory of their own, but live and do all for the glory of God.

What would you like to share from your life on this, or any thoughts?

1. Stepping Stones - conversion
2. Christmas Coal - shame
3. Tossed Treasures - messiness
4. Heron Road - suffering
5. Sword in the Stone - resistance
6. Howe's Cave - baptism
7. Palisade Cliffs - doubt
8. Holding Pfaltzgraff - inclusion
9. Indiana Jones - fear
10. Old Stone Church - love
11. Goldworthy's Wall - sacrifice
12. Clefts of the Rock - responsibility
13. Olive Press - gratitude

Next week: "Seedstone - healing"

we belong, but are different

In Jesus we belong to each other. I mentioned somewhere in the blog world recently that I would like to take my Greek New Testament to church gathering on Sundays, but just can't do it, because I don't want the people there to think I'm not one of them. I also have to watch out for insidious pride, in thinking myself in any way to be superior. Though being able to read, in my case more than rusty and not an expert, but being able to read from that is no different than learning any language, and alot easier from what I've been told than classical Greek. And I could go into how having a good Bible translation, and there are many, is all one really needs with the help of God and helps God gives us, to hear his word and walk in his way in Jesus.

We are also different. Maybe this will help me to be able to take my Greek New Testament to church gathering. I happen to love language and trying to read from that book. I have my niche that I like to work on, though I'm no expert, really, on anything. More like a jack of some trades and master of none. But we have to accept the fact that though we're all one family in Jesus, and none better than the other, we also have different gifts, and we are a different gift to each other and the world, and even to ourselves, from God in the will of God in Jesus.

We each have something very special to share from God, whether in gifts of speaking or serving. Let's humbly accept who we are, and who others are, delighting in all the good gifts God has given to each one of us in Jesus.

What thoughts might you have here?