1. He said that we are bombarded with 3000 ads daily telling us that we are not happy, but with this product we can be. Has Jesus been marketed to us as a product in this way? The danger is that we seek the product of Jesus as a way of obtaining complete satisfaction rather than finding ourselves at his disposal and for His pleasure and His purpose according to His infinite wisdom and plan. With this in mind, we are evidentially most complete when we understand this.

2. He gives us a near-history lesson to explain the cultural shifts that have taken place within society and the way it has influenced the role of men and women at home and the workplace in a post-industrialized nation. He follows, then, that the shift in the roles has influenced our thinking as Christians as well.

Interesting changes such as these have always contributed and possibly distorted the reality of Christian Spirituality. He suggests that we may view The Church of Christ as a corporation. If we are an asset to the company, we become promoted. If we are not, we are demoted or fired. What Don points out is both interesting and a tragedy. Have we seen God as CEO of a giant corporation from which, if I fail to perform well for, I could be fired?

3. Christian Spirituality is like a tree. He talks about the process of growth in a tree “firmly planted by a stream.” With 30 seconds, some veggies, and a “Magic bullet,” we are guaranteed to get the perfect salsa. Instead, when it comes to spirituality, this instant concept is sure to be let down. What Christ calls us to will take a lifetime to perform.

Bart, Thank you for sharing your journey to give God control. It is a helpful reminder to me. May God answer your prayer to give God the details.

Today I read from Mark.
I have been thinking about farmers. They prepare the soil, plant the seed, and then trust God until the harvest. I need to be more like a farmer. I need to prepare more soil, plant more seeds and relax in faith as God prepares the harvest.

Lord thank you for speaking through the example of Kevin’s actions. Please make me more like a farmer.

Today I prayed the morning prayer printed in Benson’s book and read Psalm 150 and 1 Corinthians 13.

“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
2 Chronicles 1:10

Pray for wisdom and expect a challenge.
Jim

We are to be people of faith. We are to be confident in what we hope for.

I like the definition of hope being, “A desire accompanied by an expectation.” That means that we have a desire and we expect that desire to become reality. We have a promise from Jesus never to leave us and never to forsake us. I have a hope (a desire plus and expectation) that is true. Therefore I push on.

Bart and all. I have been exceptionally busy at church. I have barely had time to sit, think, and write a post for my blog. But you all have been in my prayers.

Peace
Jim

I hear this a lot, but also remember that the two passages in question deal with Paul rather than the fishers. And it’s Paul that’s credited with writing most of the New Testament. Paul spent years learning under the great Rabbi Gamaliel. So Paul was likely one of the most learned people in the early Christian movement! It would be hard to ‘unlearn’ what he was taught, and I am sure it influenced him.

Still, you’re point is well taken. Even Paul would have said that all that he gained was ‘rubbish’.

bart