Good article, and the very idea(s) which this particular, and completely unpopular, blog (reclaimchristianity.com) was based upon.
INTRIGUING THOUGHTS FROM:
"Christ is a person, not an idea"
"The church is us, not it"
I recently completed the membership process with my new church. As our cohort of new members went around the room for introductions, I was surprised at the outpouring of woundedness — from children …
Steve Terrell
LEADERSHIP & VISION:
Leadership comes in many forms. A good leader always demands a clear understanding of the question ...where are we going? But drill down even one fathom deeper than that. How does one have a foreknowledge of ...where are we going... in the first place? These are questions for business, for the church, for marriage, for family, for individuals, for life.
PICTURE THIS:
I am, admittedly, poor at the mechanics of visual art. Yet, I can observe this much. A true artist can create something from nothing. He or she has a vision for what is to be, and is not hindered by ...what is. A desirable characteristic. Either he was "led" to this vision of another (good leadership) or he envisioned himself (saw something not yet there). Both qualities are needed in life. Sometimes these characteristics are co-mingled in one person. Probably more often... they are contained by individuals strong in each respective area. Therein, is another topic of "teamwork".
THE ART OF VISION:
Because a picture is worth a thousand words ...the art in this video seems to speak this truth clearly.
https://youtu.be/ogcY27RAVgg
It had to be, that step one in being able to create, like this, was to know where he was going before he ever began. And to know the answer to ...where are we going... requires seeing something that isn't currently there. May we practice the craft, the art, of vision, and leadership, through this lens.
~Steve Terrell
"I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life." - Psalm 119:93
This falls under the same idea as Wednesday's blog-post. Referring to the idea that... "I didn't create me." But whoever did must care. Otherwise, why would he bother? I believe that someone to be our Father God, as scripture states him to be. If the Father provides rules (natural, inferred, or explicitly stated) then I am persuaded this is for my good. So, I will not forget, because You, my Lord, truly are the giver of life.
"By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible." - Hebrews 11:3
I find that when supporting the idea, the evidence, that God created all things ...I usually summarize with this statement. "Well, I didn't create me." That is a known fact. I have no such power. And if that is true, then the next logical conclusion is that an intelligent designer created me. And if that is true, then it is quite simple, and plausible, to conclude ...this same designer could establish the Son of Man, through which eternal security was established. Do I know, per any concrete evidence, that God is who He says He is, through His inspired word? My response is echoed in Hebrews 11:3. Faith is not wishful thinking. It is solid, conclusive thinking. Deductive reasoning, based on the evidences made obvious through creation (Romans 1:20). If God created all, then a miraculous, sinless, life-giving Jesus is not a leap for me.
We are a work in progress. Not our own progress, mind you. But the Lord's. Living life as a follower of Christ is fairly simple (not to be confused with easy). God gives the beautiful choice to surrender and obey, or to have our own way.
OBEY GOD -we have zero hope of any form of Godliness, until we humble ourselves, obey, and submit to Him.
BE HOLY - this ONLY follows obedience. Forget what you see, in the world, betrayed as "holy". Christians are set apart, and for God's service. Yes, work and sacrifice on our part (with full joy), but only possible because we, first, SURRENDERED!
"So they listened to the word of the Lord..." (2 Chronicles 11:4)
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age" (Titus 2:11-12)