Craig

This is so great! God is moving you into his grace, and it is fun to watch. The theme is grace-filled obediance. We are on God’s track for our lives.

Craig

So, about the article: I can definitely relate to the spiritual diseases – i’ve experienced all of the mentioned maladies at various points in my walk with God – a few of them over and over again! Especially perfectionism, emotionalism, pride, inferiority, which leads to discouragement, which eventually leads to apathy, until i repeat the same cycle. But the pattern is being broken! Things are CHANGING! GRACE is getting through to me and in me and all over me! It’s funny though, right now I’m actually in that “dry season” that the article spoke about. Although i’m not “feeling” God’s presense, I know He is doing things in my life and changing my character in significant ways. I see the evidence of His presence in my life despite the lack of intimate feelings. For exaple, my perfectionistic and prideful ways of thinking are being exposed and altered and renewed by the Word. I’m also mortifying the flesh more – and that is totally ALL God’s doing!

The part about inferiority really struch me. I’v been riddled with the disease of inferiority, comparison, lack of self-acceptance, and envy of others for pretty much my whole life. Since i committed my life to Christ, this really shows up in the area of spiritual maturity. I often envy other people’s relationship with God and berate myself for not being more spiritually mature. I could never accept where i was at in my own journey – but PRAISE GOD – He is helping me to accept myself “in process”! I’m not complacent in my walk with God, but i’m not beating myself up anymore for not being “10 years older”. I’m right where i need to be for the “sprititual age” i am, and God is the One who is maturing me by His grace. I’m on His timetable as i cooperate with Him. so, yeah, that’s been a big shift for me.

I liked the part that says, “hope is the crucial fuel for the spiritual life” – that’s certainly been true for me. i feel so hopeful right now, not just for me, but for all my sisters and brothers in Christ. God wants to transform us by His Grace – let’s take hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of us!

Lastly, i was particularly challenged by this morning’s sermon to listen to my soul; to quiet myself in order to give God the room to speak to my heart and minister to me. this takes discipline, which is another area that is coming along by His GRACE – not the ‘ol human effort junk. i’m much more relaxed, yet, i’m definitely mortifying the flesh more than ever lately. It’s so cool – the more i let go and think about Christ, the more God is changing me. It’s not an emotional thing, but it is very substantial. (I used to think that things had to be emotional for them to be substantial in God.)

The bottom line is this – God is doing the work and i’m humbled, grateful, and amazed…actually down right shocked…at how He’s been moving in my life. He is incredible and beautiful and majestic and all powerful – and He is my portion forever – and yours. hope you are encouraged today – God is at work in you too!

Love in Jesus,
Sara

Wow, you write Epistles! Hey, I think you will be there again. God is definately breaking and shaking, and that is so good!

Craig

Ya, this goes to show you how important it is to get in settings outside our scripted roles. People who only see me in typical roles think I am way serious. How could anyone nutty enough to have seven little kids at 50 be totally serious. No way.

But you are really, really funny. Can you do that in Minneapolis, too? Just checking.

Craig

Thank you for your profound vulnerability and insightful comments. We praise God for his redeeming grace, and not only at some imaginary “endpoint,” but in the midst of transformation. I especially wanted to add my agreement with a few things you said.

First, although it did not issue in immediate freedom from lust, for me memorization of Scripture and daily reflection/meditation was an important source of strength and refreshment. There were years of transformation in values where my progress seemed infintesimal to me, yet the Word was doing a transforming and life-giving work. Truly my mind has been and is being renewed.

Secondly, our heavenly Father loves us. Experiencing his grace and forgiveness leads to freedom, not my attempts to be holy in my own efforts!

Thirdly, I really appreciate your comments on “accountability.” As “heretical” as it sounds, I was pretty ambivalent on accountability in people’s lives for many years, simply because it can be practiced like a “cheap grace” protestant “confessional.” But as you say, if we really care enough tgo get in each other’s lives pro-actively, then there really is meaning in it.

Again, thank you for your vulnerability and relevant suggestions. May God’s grace cover you thoughout all your life in him!

Pastor Craig