Take time to think of religion and about religious practices. Is what you are practicing just "doing religion in hopes of producing relationship?" (page 27)
If so, what is it going to take for you to fall head over heel in love with your savior?
Remember: " The goal of spirituality is NOT to lead - it's to know and please God. We need to work hard NOT to project our personality and calling on everyone else!"
We connect as a G2 group on the grounds that God gave each of us this passion and love for His creation, nature and the need to be on the move. Does that make you and me better than the people in our lives who do not take pleasure in hiking and being outdoors? Is the book worm Christian developing a closer relationship with Christ because he spends more time reading?
3 comments:
Our last hike was an amazing combination of the words 'sublime' and 'serene.' While it was a toasty 90-something, under the protective cover of forest -- and the canopy -- we were quite comfortable. And to think this expanse of nature is in our own back yard and free, just for the walking; what an eye-opener for this long-time resident of Montgomery County!
In our walk, we talked about the reading for the week. Edi asked me to share my comments, so here you are:
The author described his approach to helping people help themselves. Over time, he's come to the conclusion that he needs to use the 'three strikes' method. That is, if he provides the same advice and guidance to someone twice, thereafter he ceases to provide direct help. They are on their own -- after all they didn't follow the advice given them, right?
When I read this, I thought, "Okay, I guess that works for you. I'm so glad that God doesn't take the same approach!" As human beings, in our struggle with life's challenges, we surely --and unfortunately -- may find ourselves making the same mistakes more than once.
For example, the very young child will drop items, like a spoon, to the floor MANY times. Just ask a parent with a child 10 or 12 months old! The experts say that a child may actually do this act a million times before he or she figures out that it's his or her own hand that controls retaining or dropping that spoon. Would they learn this important fact if the caregivers in their lives subscribed to the 'three strikes' rule? I'm not so sure.
Our behavior and following the right path is important to our Creator. After all, we're made in His image, right? Our Creator knows our human imperfections and despite them, still loves us. And so, I respectfully take a contrarian viewpoint. God's love for us in unconditional. My mother used to tell us that "God hates the sin but loves the sinner." She also said (often) that "God helps those who help themselves."
With that in mind, I would suggest that God forgives us when we make mistakes due to lack of knowledge but expects us to follow the path of righteousness when we are armed with the knowledge to do what is right. God also knows that we may stumble -- very likely more than once -- but that we need to pick ourselves up and start anew.
The words to an old song that's been in my head since our walk say, "Yahweh's love will last forever. His faithfulness, 'til the end of time. Yahweh is a loving God; Yahweh, the faithful one." And I think this happens even when we make mistakes -- more than twice.
Just a thought -- and respectfully contrarian.
Barb
p.s. Hope to see you this next Saturday!
Above was BARB'S comment... NOT Edi's....
Yeah Barb, thank goodness we are forgiven 7 X 70....Thanks for the wisdom. Tonight I will post a guide on joining in!
love and forgiveness to all of us,
Edi
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