Through The Wilderness: Following Jesus in the 21st Century ~ Marlena Graves

Sharpening perceptions of reality and providing spiritual guidance for those in the crux of wilderness experiences. Substantial spiritual nourishment for those who know or sense that Christ is anything but shallow. Encouraging readers to radically (which to Christ is normal) serve God and others. The author is teaching herself and others to read the world through the lens of the gospel and to become active participants in the local and worldwide body of Christ.

Showing posts with label Wisdom. Show all posts

Mar 1, 2011

Gleanings From George E. Ladd

These are some words of wisdom from George E. Ladd (1911-1982) in his book, The Gospel of the Kingdom

The Kingdom of God:

1. God's reign
2. Our present experience of God's blessings
3. The Future kingdom

p. 22

Eternal Life:

"To have eternal life, you must cut yourself loose from all other loyalties and follow me." Matthew 19:16 p.68

Love:

"Love seeks the welfare of its objects of concern . . . even an enemy" p. 90

Evil Attitudes:

"Where there is an evil attitude toward one another there is sin." p. 82

Forgiveness:

"You can truly forgive a man only when you act in love. If you do not look upon him with love, you do not really forgive even though you profess to do so." p. 91

What Jesus Demands In Following Him:

"Jesus demanded a resolute decision, an intelligent decision, one not lightly made." p. 98

Feb 6, 2010

Who is Wise?

These are the beautiful and insightful words of Eugene Peterson in his book, Where Your Treasure Is: Psalms That Summon You From Self to Community ~ p. 125

The opposite of foolish in Scripture is wise. Wise refers to skill in living. It does not mean, primarily, the person who knows the right answers to things, but one who has developed the right responses (relationships) to persons, to God. The wise understand how the world works; know about patience and love, listening and grace, adoration and beauty; know that other people are awesome creatures to be respected and befriended, especially the ones that I cannot get anything out of; know that the earth is a marvelously intricate gift to be cared for and enjoyed; know that God is an ever-present center, a never-diminishing reality, an all-encompassing love; and know that there is no living being that does not reach out gladly and responsively to him and the nation/kingdom/community in which he has placed us.

The wise know that there is only one cure for a fool. Prayer that is as passionate for the salvation of others as it is for myself: "O that deliverance for Israel would come out of Zion!" Prayer that is convinced that there is no wellness until everyone is restored to a place of blessing: "When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people." And prayer that sees the community as a place not of acquisition, but of celebration: "Jacob shall rejoice, Israel shall be glad" (Psalm 14:7).

Read Old Books. They Expand Our Souls.

One excellent way to see how much our culture's passing weather patterns have influenced us is to read old books. If you recieve all your information from contemporary writers, Christian or secular, you will never perceive whole concepts that people in other generations could see. (For example, earlier generations of Christians perceived a power in sexual purity that eludes us completely; we can only fall back on "don'ts"). Every Christian should always have at his bedside at least one book that is at least fifty years old--the older the better.

Frederica Matthews-Greene