Tag Archives: Bible

The Dangers of Reading the Bible

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Sometimes I think the Bible should come with a warning label. Now, before you go all crazy on me, I’m not arguing that reading the Bible is a bad idea. I just think maybe there should be a warning label involved.

Maybe something like.

Warning: May be hazardous to a self-centered way of life.

or

Warning: This will probably mess you up and make you into a person you wouldn’t normally be.

How reading the Bible can be hazardous

Really, at least in my mind, there are two specific dangers to reading the Bible. One of them is a real danger and the other is a comfort danger.

The real danger

It is extremely dangerous to read the Bible but refuse to allow God to transform you. To read about righteousness, justice, mercy, and generosity, yet choose to remain unrighteous, unjust, unmerciful, and stingy.

The danger is really about two things.

  • A missed transformation
  • A hardened heart

Through the Holy Spirit, the Bible is inherently transformational. God’s word is intended to conform us to the image of Christ. But if we refuse to allow it to transform us, we miss out on that transformation and the deepened relationship with God that comes through the transformation.

The greater danger, though, is having a heart that is hard towards God. It’s just not possible to continue ignoring God without hardening your heart in some way.

But just as there are dangers in refusing the transforming power of the Bible, there are dangers in embracing it. They are desirable dangers, to be sure. But they are dangers

The desirable dangers

As we read the Bible and allow it to permeate our lives, it will transform us in deeply desirable but sometimes exquisitely uncomfortable ways. It will point out areas where we have missed God’s heart. It will open our eyes and our hearts to the struggles of others. It will call us to service and humility instead of power and pride.

  • It might mess you up.
  • It might change your heart.
  • It might call you out of your comfort zone.
  • It might conform you to the image of Christ.

In truth, all of those things are desirable. But they are not always comfortable. In fact, I dare say that they are seldom comfortable – at least in the moment.

This happens to me too

Before you think that I just float through life on a magic carpet of ease and joy like some minor deity from mythology, I have to tell you that reading the Bible does this to me too. Sometimes I try to fight God’s word and harden my heart. Other times I’m open to what he’s saying and then he really messes me up.

Many times I hear his word and don’t know what to do with it except bring it back to him, ask him for guidance, and wait. Wait for guidance. Wait for provision. Wait for his timing. Wait for him to do the deep, transformational work in my heart.

Here’s an excerpt from one of my recent journal entries.

For some reason I can’t get the image of babies and small children scavenging food in war-torn areas of the world. When I see my kids playing I can’t help but think that if Katherine and I died, I would want somebody to take care of them.

As best I can, I trust God to do that. At the same time, I can’t help but wonder if we are part of his plan to help care for somebody else’s abandoned or orphaned child. Or if there’s some way he wants us to support another person in doing the same.

It is just really heavy on my heart these last couple days. Lord, what would you have me do with this?

Let’s bring it down to the ground level

So, here’s the question: Are there places where you’re refusing to let the Bible conform you to God’s will?

If so, what are you going to do about it today?

4 Things I Learned from Fasting

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If you’ve never considered fasting as a spiritual discipline, I can heartily recommend it. There’s more to a fast than just giving up food and it can yield great results in your life and improve your relationship with God.

empty plate 4 Things I Learned from Fasting

I don’t fast a lot. I eat a lot. I think about food almost all the time and sometimes it really takes a significant event to get me to skip even a snack. That’s partly because I like food and partly because I overdid fasting a few years ago.

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Do the Important Stuff First

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This will be a quick one because it’s just a reminder of what you already know. But, if you’re like me, sometimes you need a reminder.

“Always do the most important stuff first.”

– Mom

In terms of ordering our lives, there will almost always be more to do than time to do it. And more options than our ability to choose, so being able to prioritize is critical.

When I was growing up, that usually meant that I had to finish my Algebra homework before I could watch TV. When I was in college it meant that I needed to finish my homework before I could go play pool or watch TV (I didn’t do as well with that sometimes). And now it means that I always try to put what’s most important in the first part of my day.

What does that look like?

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Inspire People for Lasting Change

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Our lives can inspire others to make lasting changes.  But before we get into that I need your help for just a moment.

inspirational cross 300x300 Inspire People for Lasting Change

I need you to think back to a time when you made a lasting change.  I’m sure you’ve made one, so just take a moment now to think about it.

(pause here)

Do you have it?

If so, cool.  If not, just pause for a moment longer to get it in your head.

Now, as you think about the change you made, I’d also like for you to think about what led up to your change.  What was it?  What was your motivation? Continue reading →

A Question of Influence

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I want to hear what you have to say about influence.

What is Influence

It seems like many people equate influence with popularity – and popularity can certainly be part of influence.  Online we use tools such as Klout and PeerIndex to measure influence (if it’s really influence at all).  And we use social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter to spread our message.

But I question whether that’s more influential than just sitting down to have coffee with somebody.  After all, sitting across the table with your friends or someone who’s asking for advice, looking them in the eye, and holding them accountable for their actions (and allowing them to do the same) is a lot different from scheduling quotes from Mark Twain, Ghandi, and the Bible.

This is for real

In fact, just today I was sitting down with a friend to discuss business strategy.  Sure, we could have handled it by email (and we did email before and after our lunch).  We could have tweeted back and forth.  But there was a certain immediacy and intimacy in the moment.  There was a certain earthiness and power in being together.

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Where You Can Find God – Mini Post

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People look for God in all kinds of places.  Here’s just one uncommon place where you can find God.

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:17-18

If we know that God is near to the brokenhearted, doesn’t it make sense that we might find him there? That, perhaps, by serving them and being part of God’s deliverance – actually being the answer to their prayers – we might see God more clearly?

 

Where You Can Find God Mini Post

How do YOU Grow Spiritually?

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5825232321 e464369ae3 m1 How do YOU Grow Spiritually?I’m looking for your responses here.  I’d like to hear what you do (or don’t do) to grow spiritually.

I’ve blogged about being spiritually effective and growing in relationship with God (one of my most popular posts), about things that inhibit growth, about hearing from God and making decisions, about discipleship and priorities because there’s always too much to do.  But after all of that talking I really want to hear from you.

I’d like to know what specific practices you use to:

  1. Stay connected with God
  2. Hear from God
  3. Grow in your relationship with God
  4. Get out of a rut

So, there you go.  Here’s your chance to blow my socks off and share what God’s taught you over the years.  Please comment, share, tweet, ask around, and reply to your heart’s content.

Photo credit: Nicholas_T

How do YOU Grow Spiritually?

How to Stand out in a Crowd

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Do you want to stand out in a crowd? Do you want your life to matter?

Live on Purpose

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12-13)

Stand Out by Being Positive

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. (Philippians 2:14-16)

 

Does Your Outfit Match?

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3767729028 6278b420ea m Does Your Outfit Match?Have you ever noticed how children may pay a lot of attention to what they wear but not necessarily whether their outfit matches?  I my minds eye, I can see a little girl wearing a tiara, a sweatshirt, dingy jeans, a tutu, and rubber boots.  She’s cute but she doesn’t match.

I’ve met that girl

When I was growing up, there was a girl in our neighborhood that had even less style sense than the girl in my mind’s eye.  I know it’s hard to believe but I’m telling you, it’s true.

We used to make fun of her.

I know it’s mean and I’m sure not proud of myself now.  I’d like to think that I’m more mature and that I would behave differently now.  But children can be cruel and we did make fun of her.

I’m even worse than she was

But here’s the deal: I’m even worse than she was. Sure, I might dress myself well – at least in terms of the physical clothes I wear.  But spiritually, I’m often a pretty poor dresser.

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