Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Dietrich Bonhoeffer quote
"There is nothing that can replace the absence of someone dear to us, and one should not even attempt to do so. One must simply hold out and endure it. At first that sounds very hard, but at the same time it is also a great comfort. For to the extent the emptiness truly remains unfilled one remains connected to the other person through it. It is wrong to say that God fills the emptiness. God in no way fills it but much more leaves it precisely unfilled and thus helps us preserve -- even in pain -- the authentic relationship. Further more, the more beautiful and full the remembrances, the more difficult the separation. But gratitude transforms the torment of memory into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as a thorn but as a precious gift deep within, a hidden treasure of which one can always be certain."
— Dietrich Bonhoeffer
— Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Are you doing what you are supposed to even when no one is looking?
This is the question I have been pondering for a while now. I have heard someone very dear to my heart ask this same question of his babies for 18 months now. I can see him repeatedly asking the question, and listening to their answers.
What does asking the question mean?
Look into yourself. Are you living a life that is honorable and reflecting the Father's love for us? Are you doing your own thing, rejecting what is right in the eyes of God and hurting yourself and others? Are you living as a trustworthy person or are you living a life that betrays the trust of others?
What exactly does the question itself mean?
It means, how real are we? How transparent? How willing are we for someone to spend an entire day (week,month, year) with us and risk seeing us for who we REALLY are. Who we really are - is this someone that is a reflection of Daddy's love or are we merely living secular-Christian lives? Secular Christian = someone who professes faith in Jesus as their Savior, but lives a life no different that one who does not profess this faith.
As Christians, we should be living authentic lives. Does this mean that we never make a mistake? No, but it does mean that we live our lives so that others, both believers and non-believers, see that we are real, dependable, and they can put their trust in us without fear of getting hurt. Can you be trusted? Who I see you to be RIGHT NOW - is that who you are when I'm not around or do you live a double life, something different that you wouldn't want me to see? If I put trust and belief in you because you profess to be a follower of Christ - will you keep that trust safe and protected by your actions, or will you betray me and the name of my Jesus?
What does asking the question mean?
Look into yourself. Are you living a life that is honorable and reflecting the Father's love for us? Are you doing your own thing, rejecting what is right in the eyes of God and hurting yourself and others? Are you living as a trustworthy person or are you living a life that betrays the trust of others?
What exactly does the question itself mean?
It means, how real are we? How transparent? How willing are we for someone to spend an entire day (week,month, year) with us and risk seeing us for who we REALLY are. Who we really are - is this someone that is a reflection of Daddy's love or are we merely living secular-Christian lives? Secular Christian = someone who professes faith in Jesus as their Savior, but lives a life no different that one who does not profess this faith.
As Christians, we should be living authentic lives. Does this mean that we never make a mistake? No, but it does mean that we live our lives so that others, both believers and non-believers, see that we are real, dependable, and they can put their trust in us without fear of getting hurt. Can you be trusted? Who I see you to be RIGHT NOW - is that who you are when I'm not around or do you live a double life, something different that you wouldn't want me to see? If I put trust and belief in you because you profess to be a follower of Christ - will you keep that trust safe and protected by your actions, or will you betray me and the name of my Jesus?
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