Posted by Dena on November 10, 2005, at 21:07:50
In reply to Re: Please pray for Dena., posted by mama141 on November 10, 2005, at 20:17:54
Hi, mama141, my newfound-friend and rabid-supporter! (envision a winking smiley face!)
Thanks for your kind words...
But you'd have to understand. In the past, I had a rather narrow view of not only how God communicated with us, but how we were to envision Him... I had Him very much "in a box", and regularly, in my zeal, put down others for thinking in any way "outside my box" about Him...
Now, I still believe what the Bible says about Him, but I'm no longer thinking I've got a corner on the market of absolute truth about Him... it seems that He's far beyond anything my human mind can do to contain, define, or explain Him...
C.S. Lewis' writings were instrumental in transforming my thinking. Especially the story of the character who worships the "wrong diety", and yet, Aslan (who is Jesus/God) credits it all toward Him, since no one could love that much, and be that dedicated, unless the love came from God, and therefore, his heart was right, even though the object of his worship was misconstrued.
(I'm hugely paraphrasing here, my apologies to Mr. Lewis, who, being with God, no longer sweats the small stuff!)
Anyway, my prior motivation to "spread truth" was not motivated out of love for others, so much as a zealous drive to be "right", and to "make others think the way I do"...
I leave that in God's hands... my goal these days is to love Him with all my heart, soul and strength, and to then love others as myself -- I leave them in His capable hands...
I now try to live the gospel always, and when necessary, to use words.
I say less (believe it or not!), and, as I yield to Him, I love more.
Yep - I've been blocked -- a LOT! But I knew the by-laws going in, and I'm sure I deserved it (even if I didn't, God can use that for my good).
But -- I'm back, and thus far, since repenting for trying to "force-feed" folks, I haven't been blocked this time around... more of Him, and less of me, maybe? I hope so!
Shalom, Dena
poster:Dena
thread:566606
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20051105/msgs/577595.html