Posted by Fiiiyer on May 13, 2003 at 16:57:26:
In Reply to: Re: A question of trust posted by j on May 13, 2003 at 16:12:29:
Jason: My biggest challenge right now is fulfilling this scripture consistently. In my thinking, to be "transformed by the renewing of [my] mind" is a continual process. (cf. Luke 9:23 - "And he said to them all, 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.').
Nancy: I hadn't thought of it that way. I guess I'm so used to immediate gratification, that I just figured it would all happen at once. Granted, I have been seeing some amazing changes in my life recently and I have attributed them to God's presence and my recognition of that presence, in my life...but hadn't though of it being larger in scale. Sometimes I think so small. And how exaclty would one deny oneself and take up his cross?
Jason: There was a stretch of time before my son came to visit that everything was rolling right along. It just so happened that I had been consistently spending quality time in God's presence. After my "normal" daily routine got switched a bit, it has been difficult to get back into it. The final preparations for Cornerstone chewed into the time last week - "helping" me to lose the little bit of ground I had gained.
Nancy: When I make a concerted effort to do so, it does make a difference...
Jason: Don't get me wrong - I am not complaining. I loved the time I spent with my son! I am grateful that I was able to do that... I'm also happy that I was able to spend time working on Cornerstone and sleepless nights working on the PU Building. The issue at hand is more of a challenge - how to be renewed daily. How does this happen?
Nancy: Time spent in prayer and studying...time spent with God as your focus. I'm trying to set aside time every night for this...sometimes I don't feel like it's enough time...that I should be more dedicated...but I still do it. I know you've been doing the same in the mornings...mabey I just don't know how to pray effectively...mabey I'm just not doing something right, because sometimes I feel like I'm sooo 'there'...and more often, I don't. I wish I was 'there' all the time.
Jason: The evidence I have seen in my life has happened because I have spent time with God. I find peace when I am praying. My situation doesn't necessarily change, but when I draw close to God, all the other issues in my life seem "muted" - even when I don't feel like He is there.
Nancy: As in: the feelings of anger at being distrustful, the feelings of being scared I won't make it etc? those would be muted? What do I/Can I do to draw closer to God?
: J
: N