Walking the Dog

This is a transcription of a voice entry

I made an interesting observation as I’m walking Holly (my dog), in relating it to a relationship with Christ, in that she tries to sprint ahead of me and I need to correct her, and I get to a point where I need to stop in order for her to settle down and stop and wait for my guidance and direction.

It’s like how I want to sprint ahead with my own pursuits when Christ might be stopped behind me and I need to go back and look for Him in order to determine what the proper path is for me.

I correct with verbal cues and a tug on the leash. One of the other things is that when Holly sees a rabbit, she wants to spring off, like how when I pursue something other than Christ, I lose sight (and all sense) of Him – He may be stopped and I might be chasing a rabbit. It’s also interesting that when I correct her and I stop, that even once she’s calmed down and we start walking again, she’s still looking for that rabbit, even though it’s no longer visible to us, she still wants to chase after it anyway.

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Follow up voice entry:
The other observation I had was that in training Holly, I feel a need to ensure that she will follow my guidance and direction in first sitting and staying still (waiting for me), and then if she will follow me and let me guide her in walking before I start trying to run with her, because if she can’t behave and walk straight beside me while walking, what will she do if I’m running? She could cut me off, she could pull me in another direction, and it’s a lot more dangerous for me with her running if she’s not being obedient to me, than it is if I’m walking.

So does Christ wait for me to stand still and wait for me to come to Him and then once I’m with Him, does He start by walking with me. As He sees that I don’t sprint ahead or easily distracted then He’ll start running with me? I think that’s the case.

More than I’m prepared for

While reading Experiencing God, I was struck by the realization the error in the rationalization that God is behind everything that happens in my life because “He won’t give me more than I can handle”.

The fact is, the Lord has only ever given me one thing to do at a time, so that is the level of obedience that I’m currently prepared for.  At some point, when I’m more trusting and readily obedient, there may be more asked of me at one time.  But this is not to say that everything hat happens to me is from God, however He may protect me from being overwhelmed by my circumstance.

Do, Don’t Say

Saying “I love you” is meaningless.  Someone knowing you love them, through your actions, is like gold.

Similarly, with my relationship with Christ, saying “I surrender my life to you” is also meaningless.  Surrender is an action.  It is a moment by moment choice revealing the condition of my heart.

Bubbles

I was watching [my daughter] Chase bubbles tonight and was struck by the observation that she would Chase one bubble while forsaking 10-20 bubbles behind her.  How does this relate to ministry work?

Surfing

I was looking out at the waves today from my campsite and realized how much differently a surfer must look at / observe / study a wave than I do. If I surfed, waves would take on a new meaning for me.  Right now they represent relaxation.. maybe a nice sound for falling asleep to in my tent.

But to a surfer, each wave must represent an opportunity!  Watching a perfect wave from afar would represent loss.  Each wave they catch representing the chance for their greatest surfing experience.  They sit on their board with expectation and hope while waiting for their wave.

How does that relate to prayer and communion with Christ?  Each prayer should be waited upon with eager expectation of something great.

What else??  Prayer to one who knows the true joys of it takes on a whole new meaning.  What else???

It would be great to have a section of analogies like this on BoW.

Christ Focus

… in practice we will have to learn to lead an ordered life centered on those four things: humility, pursuit of inward transformation, constant receptivity to (His constant) “Presence,” and unqualified obedience to Jesus.

Agape love

Agape love, perhaps the greatest contribution of Christ to human civilization, wills the good of whatever it is directed upon.  It does not wish to consume it (which is desire).

Double-minded

The problem is not on the giving side, but on the receiving side.  Because the “double-minded” are, as we say, “on again, off again,” they are not able to receive what they are asking for.  They are unable to act upon it.  One day or hour they are asking His for wisdom, and the next day or hour they are relying on themselves or others.