Father of lies: I think you missed it on the last vid. It seems to me that suffering and pain are a part of life. to deny suffering is to deny your awareness of it, your understanding, your honesty, and eventually you end up in Nihilism. Christian Nihilism. But maybe that is what you were after.
I talk with people all the time that are suffering from missing the mark (sin). What would you recommend that I advise them?
Just Jay
JJ,
You bring up a few good points here, but we're definitely not after Christian Nihilism, and by no stretch of the imagination am I suggesting anyone deny the existence of suffering when it isn't appropriate. People suffer all the time. Even I do, occasionally—answering some of your emails, for example. In the latest interview we had, I was merely encouraging encouragers to encourage, that's all. Which, incidentally, and because I like the ring of that, I have a new motto.
“St. Satan: Encouraging Encouragers to Encourage.”
What should you advise people who suffer from whatever? Well, let me encourage you to spend most of your time planning to pray for them this weekend, when things are quiet and you're not busy (so you can focus). Then make sure you aren't suffering from anything yourself, since the tiniest thorn in your weak, flesh-addled soul could be crippling, and may disqualify your opinion and forfeit the respect of others.
No pressure, though. Keep up the good work. My advice: don't feel too guilty when you fail and embarrass yourself, because none of us had any substantial expectations in the first place.
S
Father of Lies: So you take it from one extreme Nihilsim to the other, impossible perfection. Either way we are sidelined. Very clever. However I have already dealt with the issue of perfection and concluded that God does not desire perfection (without defect), but desires maturity and wholeness. Growing into the person, not waiting to become that person.
ReplyDeleteBTW bouncy jingles are good for mainstream, but you are going to have to work a bit harder than that to turn me.
Thanks for reminding me about my weaknesses. I remember that when I am weak, He is strong. I needed that this morning. Don't you just love it when God uses other to encourage you. It comes from the strangest of places though.
Just Jay