I'm reading a book by D. Brent Laytham titled, iPod, You Tube, Wii Play. Consider the following quote from it, "There is no such thing as a balanced diet of idolatry!"
I wonder, do you think too much of life is trying to call healthy what is toxic? How many times is the godly and the godless forced on to the same buffet so that I can build the perfect meal that would fulfill my desires and make me happy? Idolatry is excess in the most minuscule servings and yet we find ways to excuse (and even promote) it.
Idolatry has happened when something other than God sets my identity. I changed cars this week. It was a move to downsize - smaller car, better gas milage, lower insurance and payment... less cool stuff. I was surprised how much I enjoyed some of the options on the other car. I'd even be honest enough to say, I was surprise how much those options made feel better about myself. It wasn't a big deal, just a "balanced diet."
I still have a really nice car... just not as nice as the other one. But, I'm not less of a Christian because I don't have the other car... just less of a person. My eternity isn't impacted by having to pull a lever to adjust my seat rather than push a button... just my today. I'm not less happy because I don't have a sunroof... just less human.
While I reveal this human side of me I will share what I learned on a trip to a meeting this week in my new/used car. Jesus is more comfortable in a car that I don't use to define me.
Do you think that's true about everything? Ya, me too.
Feasting on Christ,
Dave
Friday, February 28, 2014
Friday, February 21, 2014
A Bad Swap
Have we replaced repentance with regret? Maybe the pronoun needs to be changed - have I replaced...?
Regret is natural. It's that feeling that attaches itself to me with superglue tenacity. There are times I forget about it for moments but as soon as I remember that I forgot about it, it reminds me that it never left.
Regret is free. It doesn't cost me anything and I need no special skills to become an expert at it. As soon as an action has taken place inside a hidden pocket is the small pill of regret. It's a BOGO! (buy one get one) I buy the action with my will and receive at no additional cost the hidden bonus of "I wish I hadn't..."
Regret has no shelf life. Have you noticed that it doesn't seem to get weaker with the passing of days on the calendar? Only the action that caused it fades. The "benefit" from that action or word has long since evaporated, but the little pill of regret is still causing that sour taste in my spirit.
Regret is powerless. Here's the ironic thing about regret, it's strong enough to mess with my future, but not strong enough to change my past. It's too weak to change what caused it. It makes me wish I hadn't, but not strong enough to keep me for doing/saying/eating/thinking that again.
Regret can go through a metamorphosis. When it's wrapped in the cocoon of God's grace it transforms into repentance.
Repentance is supernatural. It's based on the unconditional, radical love of God that is expressed in the person of Jesus Christ. It is a divine explosion that removes walls between God and I.
Repentance is expensive. True repentance will cost me the freedom of ignoring and hiding from what violated God. It will cost me my pride as I humbly come before God (and maybe others) and am open and fully honest with him.
Repentance can wear out. If I'm not careful the remorse and commitment to not be a repeat offender can become paper thin and rip apart when faced with a new temptation.
Repentance is beyond Herculean in it's strength. It is strong enough to propel me into the arms of God and change my behavior instantly. It changes my direction. Repentance calls on the power of the blood of Christ, regret calls on the power of the past. Repentance is when I confess, receive grace, am filled with power, and pointed in a direction that is godly.
Have I replaced repentance with regret? It's a bad swap.
Swapping Back,
ddk
Regret is natural. It's that feeling that attaches itself to me with superglue tenacity. There are times I forget about it for moments but as soon as I remember that I forgot about it, it reminds me that it never left.
Regret is free. It doesn't cost me anything and I need no special skills to become an expert at it. As soon as an action has taken place inside a hidden pocket is the small pill of regret. It's a BOGO! (buy one get one) I buy the action with my will and receive at no additional cost the hidden bonus of "I wish I hadn't..."
Regret has no shelf life. Have you noticed that it doesn't seem to get weaker with the passing of days on the calendar? Only the action that caused it fades. The "benefit" from that action or word has long since evaporated, but the little pill of regret is still causing that sour taste in my spirit.
Regret is powerless. Here's the ironic thing about regret, it's strong enough to mess with my future, but not strong enough to change my past. It's too weak to change what caused it. It makes me wish I hadn't, but not strong enough to keep me for doing/saying/eating/thinking that again.
Regret can go through a metamorphosis. When it's wrapped in the cocoon of God's grace it transforms into repentance.
Repentance is supernatural. It's based on the unconditional, radical love of God that is expressed in the person of Jesus Christ. It is a divine explosion that removes walls between God and I.
Repentance is expensive. True repentance will cost me the freedom of ignoring and hiding from what violated God. It will cost me my pride as I humbly come before God (and maybe others) and am open and fully honest with him.
Repentance can wear out. If I'm not careful the remorse and commitment to not be a repeat offender can become paper thin and rip apart when faced with a new temptation.
Repentance is beyond Herculean in it's strength. It is strong enough to propel me into the arms of God and change my behavior instantly. It changes my direction. Repentance calls on the power of the blood of Christ, regret calls on the power of the past. Repentance is when I confess, receive grace, am filled with power, and pointed in a direction that is godly.
Have I replaced repentance with regret? It's a bad swap.
Swapping Back,
ddk
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