Feeds:
Posts
Comments

The Answer for Arguments

August 26, 2011 by Fritz

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. – 2nd Timothy 2:24-26 (NIV)

People are not changed by arguing but by repenting.

The answer for arguments and stubborn objection is not more arguments, convincing reasons, or strict logic but a change of heart and only God can do that.

This works on ourselves, too. Having trouble believing? Ask God to first change your heart (your “want to”) then the mind will come right along!

— fritz@langgang.com

Posted in Conflict, Faith, Repent | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

“Dress For The Fall, Not The Ride”

August 25, 2011 by Fritz

At a local scooter club I heard a safety saying, “Dress for the fall, not the ride”. I took it to advise being prepared for difficulties not just the enjoyment. Today my daily Bible reading surfaced a scripture with a similar message but in a larger context.

Two are better than one … if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up … and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. — Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

My culture values independence and, certainly, we all are sometimes forced to stand alone in difficulty but all too often we do so unnecessarily and to our peril.

We dress our lives, so to speak, for the ride and don’t consider the fall. This is why it is essential to pick (and be) a good spouse, one with godly character who will follow through with the vow to love for better and for worse. This is why it is important to actively seek a good church and a good pastor, people who can say the hard things without offending. This is why it is essential to be and actively seek friends with godly character, who can give the right kind of encouragement. All three (spouse, community, friends) together should be sought for strength like a three strand cord, holding should any single strand fail. Going it alone easily ends in disaster!

Anyone can follow Christ when living is easy. Don’t wait for a storm, take the easy times to prepare for when it gets hard — “Dress for the fall not the ride.”

— fritz@langgang.com

Posted in Christ's Body, Church, Conflict, Difficulties, Scooter | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

Unexpected Whispers

August 24, 2011 by Fritz

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit … but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind … an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake … a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out”. 1st Kings 19:11-13

God speaks in many ways. We want the dramatic and God can do that, the Psalmist says God’s voice breaks trees and move mountains (Psalm 29), but more often than not he speaks in quiet whispers — a child, a parent, a friend uniquely placed.

Listen for him there, too, and be teachable.

— fritz@langgang.com

Posted in God's Voice, Prayer | Tagged | Leave a Comment »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »