The ladies running our Sunday School class have been doing way too much praying. They keep picking these books which are downright convicting, forcing me to take a look at myself, my thoughts, and my actions. Frankly, I find it meddlesome, and I'd really rather they just stop.
For instance, they chose Priscilla Shirer's, Discerning the Voice of God. Let me just say, I wouldn't recommend it. She keeps harping on the John 14:21, which basically says, "Those who love Me, are the ones who keep my commandments." She pushes it even further by telling me I not only need to listen to my God, I need to respond to Him with costly obedience. Do you know how hard it is to enjoy the late night reruns of one of my favorite sit-coms after reading those words? All that keeps running through my mind is 'Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Well, great.....off goes the TV and all I'm left with are profitable things like talking to my husband, writing, and making my way through these studies which are causing all the problems in the first place. Down right inconvenient I tell you.
To make matters worse, we are now on Leslie Vernick's book, How to act Right when your Life goes wrong. Listen to this excerpt.
What we love the most will rule us. Or to put it another way, what we most fear losing will control us. God says He is a jealous God and He wants to be first in our hearts. Many of us repent of wrong behaviors, even wrong thoughts, but we don't understand that we can't grow to be more like Christ unless our heart loves something (Him) more passionately than we love ourselves or our own desires.
Ouch! How I am supposed to keep putting my desire to be right, admired, and respected above being loving, humble, and gracious after reading those words? How am I supposed to keep nurturing my anger and bitterness over past wrongs? Goodness, if I start giving these things up, all I'll be left with is a life free from self and fear of man's disapproval. Where's the drama in that?
Like I said, the Sunday School ladies need to stop praying and meddling. If they have it their way, I'll be experiencing the goodness of the Lord right here in the land of the living!
Phil & I are dually impressed that you're reading such great books before you're knee deep in the teenage years! I'd love to be joining the dicussion!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'd just love it if you were joining us!
DeleteHow dare they do that! What wonderful ladies they are and same for the ladies who wrote those books and you for encouraging our growth and pushing us towards God. Pushy pushy people. Don'cha love em! :) - connie
ReplyDeleteI know. Can you believe the nerve they have. It's like they love us or something!
DeleteI hear ya girl. Seems meddlesome, but then again, I'm also hearing from God. Trouble is I'm not liking some of the things I'm hearing. Maybe we both have some work to do! (Wish you were here too Margy)--Nance
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the truth. I'm trying to learn to listen to Him on the first pass, before whispering turns into something louder.
DeleteYeah...those praying Bible Study leaders...it's like God tells them exactly which book will cut us a little deeper than the last one! What ever happened to us living right down the street from each other and raising our children together...and then going to Bible Study together? I miss you, friend and when you write like that, I miss you more! Keep it up. I love hearing what God's doing in your life and it challenges me to examine my heart. I'm ready "The Excellent Wife" again right now with someone. Talk about convicting topics!!
ReplyDeleteHi, Bec. Thanks so much for commenting. It's a real encouragement to know you are able to draw a bit of wisdom from my sill ramblings. I miss you too! It's our turn to visit.
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