Well I've finished reading the latest book by John and Stasi Eldredge called Love and War.
This has certainly increased my awareness of the spiritual warfare that occurs daily. It has also been a tremendous encouragement and affirmation.
Thank you John and Stasi.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Love and War
I've just finished chapter two of Love and War by John and Stasi Eldredge.
Two things really stand out to me. The first is on page 37, "Now consider this--marriage is the sanctuary of the heart. You have been entrusted with the heart of another human being. Whatever else your life's great mission will entail, loving and defending this heart next to you is part of your great quest." In the words of Neo...whoa! Marriage is indeed an epic journey. I can't imagine even trying to do this without God in the center.
The second is on page 38, "Being married costs you everything. ...We all know that loving is hard. Marriage is hard. It is hard because it is opposed." Aaaaaaaah yes...anything that is of God is opposed by the devil and his. One of my teachers, Dr. Bob Laurent, expresses the we don't really fall in love. Rather, we climb up into love. I've come to the basic conclusion that love is the decision to put someone else ahead of myself. It is to say, you matter more to me than I matter to myself. The Greek word for this agape. To say I love God is then to say I agape Him...I'm selflessly devoted to Him. I indeed agape my wife.
Two things really stand out to me. The first is on page 37, "Now consider this--marriage is the sanctuary of the heart. You have been entrusted with the heart of another human being. Whatever else your life's great mission will entail, loving and defending this heart next to you is part of your great quest." In the words of Neo...whoa! Marriage is indeed an epic journey. I can't imagine even trying to do this without God in the center.
The second is on page 38, "Being married costs you everything. ...We all know that loving is hard. Marriage is hard. It is hard because it is opposed." Aaaaaaaah yes...anything that is of God is opposed by the devil and his. One of my teachers, Dr. Bob Laurent, expresses the we don't really fall in love. Rather, we climb up into love. I've come to the basic conclusion that love is the decision to put someone else ahead of myself. It is to say, you matter more to me than I matter to myself. The Greek word for this agape. To say I love God is then to say I agape Him...I'm selflessly devoted to Him. I indeed agape my wife.
Remembering What We Wanted
I've just finished chapter one of the latest book by John and Stasi Eldredge, Love and War.
In this chapter a challenging question is posed. It all comes down to this, what do we want? This is a challenge because I think there is this battle between mind and heart. Our hearts may have all this desire for romance, but our minds step in and recall past experience and say "Oh that just won't happen." I admit, so much of me is ready to lose heart...to give up all those dreams because the world around me and my mind are all saying "it won't happen".
Isn't it true, though, that it's not about what I want anyway? It's all about what He wants. It is true also that marriage is all His idea, His design, so indeed He will want to make it work. All I have to do is surrender to His will and His power and get myself out of the way.
I do have this battle about the whole subject of desire. It seems to me that I ought not have any desire except for God and what He wants. So in a sense, I'm a slave to Him. My desire then becomes irrelevant, doesn't it??? It's not about me. I don't get to have what I want. I only get to have what He wants. Now I do trust Him and do love Him. God knows me better than I know myself. God see all things where I cannot. So if you ask me what I want, I can only say that I want what He wants...shalom...all things as they should be.
In this chapter a challenging question is posed. It all comes down to this, what do we want? This is a challenge because I think there is this battle between mind and heart. Our hearts may have all this desire for romance, but our minds step in and recall past experience and say "Oh that just won't happen." I admit, so much of me is ready to lose heart...to give up all those dreams because the world around me and my mind are all saying "it won't happen".
Isn't it true, though, that it's not about what I want anyway? It's all about what He wants. It is true also that marriage is all His idea, His design, so indeed He will want to make it work. All I have to do is surrender to His will and His power and get myself out of the way.
I do have this battle about the whole subject of desire. It seems to me that I ought not have any desire except for God and what He wants. So in a sense, I'm a slave to Him. My desire then becomes irrelevant, doesn't it??? It's not about me. I don't get to have what I want. I only get to have what He wants. Now I do trust Him and do love Him. God knows me better than I know myself. God see all things where I cannot. So if you ask me what I want, I can only say that I want what He wants...shalom...all things as they should be.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Education v. Experience
It seems to me that with today's job market, employers are more interested in real work experience than in classroom education. I'm thinking it is because there is just so much that can be taught in the classroom. So much more can be learned through experience. I believe this is especially true with regard to any of the technical jobs or applied sciences. It's one thing to read about programming in HTML, but another to actually do it.
As I continue to quest to find another job, I'm also taking steps to return to school and pursue an education in web development. Baker College in Michigan has a very nice online campus and offers a Bachelor's in Web Development completely online! This works for me. Now I either need to get another job or see what financial aid I can get. Only time will tell.
As I continue to quest to find another job, I'm also taking steps to return to school and pursue an education in web development. Baker College in Michigan has a very nice online campus and offers a Bachelor's in Web Development completely online! This works for me. Now I either need to get another job or see what financial aid I can get. Only time will tell.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Love and War: Introduction
All I can say is WOW! I just love how real John and Stasi get about life in general. As I read, I don't feel at all intimidated by any of it. These are real people sharing their real lives. I don't want to give any spoilers, so I'll just say that Love and War is an excellent read for anyone who does indeed want to "get real".
Friday, May 14, 2010
Love and War
It finally arrived! The folks of Ransomed Heart are generous enough to give a free copy of Love and War, the latest work of John and Stasi Eldredge, to those who are bloggers. I haven't begun to read the book yet, but as soon as I do I will indeed be sharing what it says to me.
In the meantime, I will say a little bit about another book of Eldredge titled Walking with God. I just finished reading the section Winter and am just blown away at how much and often spiritual warfare happens in my daily life. Honestly, I never really gave this warfare a second thought when I began my journey with Christ. I had the impression that His name is the most powerful name there is (which is true) and all I have to do is say it to cause the demons to tuck tail and run. I'm now learning and realizing this isn't the case. Indeed we live in a world at war. There is warfare going on all time, and so much of it is so very subtle.
What really stood out to me was when John comments that he did not grow up in a Christian home. Wow! Neither did I! Instantly I can relate with John on this. After reading what he has to say about how Jesus will go with us into our past and sanctify us there and thus bring healing, I prayed and walked with Him in my past. I don't see so much a passive poser any longer, but a follower of Christ who has much to learn but is on the right path with my Master leading. I see myself as the young Padawan learner following the lead of my Jedi Master LOL! :)
Much of what I see in this Winter section of Walking with God has much to do with surrender, humility, and learning to identify warfare when it happens. I'm going to be laid off from my job next month. This is indeed going to be a massive change for me and my family. Holy Moses! Saying "my family" has a whole new meaning now. For such a long time my family meant my parents and sister. Not any more. Now "my family" primarily is my wife and daughter will be 8 months old on Monday. ZOW! I'm still getting used to that. Anyway, I've prayed about what is next. I've been job searching. I did apply for a couple of jobs and did even get interviews for them. However, the jobs were offered to another. I believe everything happens for a reason. Perhaps God was using these experiences to validate me as a man, to say "Yes, Tom, you have what it takes. However, if you follow Me I'll take you to something even better." Ooooooooo, lead on Lord! Now I'm researching going back to school full-time to pursue a Bachelors degree in Web Development. I don't know what will happen next, but I do feel okay with being patient right now.
The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty. --Proverbs 21:5 (NIV)
In the meantime, I will say a little bit about another book of Eldredge titled Walking with God. I just finished reading the section Winter and am just blown away at how much and often spiritual warfare happens in my daily life. Honestly, I never really gave this warfare a second thought when I began my journey with Christ. I had the impression that His name is the most powerful name there is (which is true) and all I have to do is say it to cause the demons to tuck tail and run. I'm now learning and realizing this isn't the case. Indeed we live in a world at war. There is warfare going on all time, and so much of it is so very subtle.
What really stood out to me was when John comments that he did not grow up in a Christian home. Wow! Neither did I! Instantly I can relate with John on this. After reading what he has to say about how Jesus will go with us into our past and sanctify us there and thus bring healing, I prayed and walked with Him in my past. I don't see so much a passive poser any longer, but a follower of Christ who has much to learn but is on the right path with my Master leading. I see myself as the young Padawan learner following the lead of my Jedi Master LOL! :)
Much of what I see in this Winter section of Walking with God has much to do with surrender, humility, and learning to identify warfare when it happens. I'm going to be laid off from my job next month. This is indeed going to be a massive change for me and my family. Holy Moses! Saying "my family" has a whole new meaning now. For such a long time my family meant my parents and sister. Not any more. Now "my family" primarily is my wife and daughter will be 8 months old on Monday. ZOW! I'm still getting used to that. Anyway, I've prayed about what is next. I've been job searching. I did apply for a couple of jobs and did even get interviews for them. However, the jobs were offered to another. I believe everything happens for a reason. Perhaps God was using these experiences to validate me as a man, to say "Yes, Tom, you have what it takes. However, if you follow Me I'll take you to something even better." Ooooooooo, lead on Lord! Now I'm researching going back to school full-time to pursue a Bachelors degree in Web Development. I don't know what will happen next, but I do feel okay with being patient right now.
The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty. --Proverbs 21:5 (NIV)
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