In American Christianity, we’ve generally traded “The Greatest Commandment / The Great Commission” for “The American Dream / The Pursuit of Happiness”. While the former is rooted in sacrificing our life for something greater than ourselves, the latter is the epitome of trying to gain our life. Within this distorted system we are less likely to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ, and more likely to take on the character of Oprah or Bill Gates.
Archive for the ‘Thought for the Day / Quotes’ Category
Thought for the Day – Relapsing
Posted in Thought for the Day / Quotes, tagged addictions, addicts, relapse on April 16, 2014| Leave a Comment »
We have been in a season of dealing with addicts and addictions; and I’ve found that one of the most painful things to watch is someone who’s battled through the detoxification process go back to the poison. It’s confounding, but sadly there seems to be something inherent in our human nature that makes us prone to return to the things that never really worked for us. As I was praying, I remembered a little song I got several years ago. Though I’m not much of a lyricist, I believe that the concept comes across.
Heading Back to Egypt
(A Folk Song)
Lord my feet are tired
More walking than I planned
Much further than I thought
So tired of the sand
*
It started out so good
The promise to be free
Marched out like we’d won
But then we had to flee
*
Sure – the waters parted
Yeah – their chariots sank
Each morning there was food
And from the rock we drank
*
But now it’s all so strange
So hard to feel at home
Worried bout the giants
So endlessly we roam
*
(Chorus)
So I’m heading back to Egypt
Going back to what I know
It’s as easy as falling down
And not that far to go
We left town in a hurry
Now I’m going back real slow
I’m heading back to Egypt
The only place I know
*
We left town with the treasure
Didn’t sneak out in the night
Chasing milk and honey
Weren’t ready for a fight
*
We thought it would be easy
That we would walk right in
That He would lift us up
Not confront us with our sin
*
We saw the smoke and fire
He’s been our rod & staff
But He is kind of scary
Not shiny like our calf
*
Can’t seem to find the comfort
It’s more than I can take
Guess I’m trading in the promise
For venom from the snake
*
(Chorus)
So I’m heading back to Egypt
Going back to what I know
It’s as easy as falling down
And not that far to go
We left town in a hurry
Now I’m going back real slow
I’m heading back to Egypt
The only place I know
*
Didn’t count on all the strife
Guess freedom isn’t free
Tunneling back into prison
It feels like destiny
*
I’m putting on the chains
Cause they couldn’t get to me
But their voice is in my head
And it’s hard not to agree
*
Sure I hate the bondage
And working in the heat
Least I’ll know what’s coming
And they might have some meat
*
Maybe I’m meant to serve
This yoke seems to fit so well
One man’s place of comfort
Is another’s place of hell
*
(Chorus)
So I’m heading back to Egypt
Going back to what I know
It’s as easy as falling down
And not that far to go
We left town in a hurry
Now I’m going back real slow
I’m heading back to Egypt
The only place I know
Thought for the Day – Being a Man of Principle
Posted in Opinions, Thought for the Day / Quotes, tagged living by principles on April 14, 2014| Leave a Comment »
There is a world of difference between being a man of principle and being a man of God. While adhering to sound tenets is not without virtue, the real power lies within the proper application of the appropriate principle, in the precise moment. The former is driven by our own sense of what is good, while the latter requires the working of the Holy Spirit. The scripture is clear that without Him we can do “nothing!”
Thought for the Day – Used Books
Posted in Thought for the Day / Quotes, tagged book covers on March 21, 2014| 1 Comment »
For many, the rise of the internet has corresponded to a decline in visits to the bookstore/library. But sometimes a stroll through the volumes can be an interesting journey. Recently, as I walked through the library, I saw some eye-catching book covers, which were prominently displayed. Though I couldn’t help but notice them, I wasn’t really tempted to pick any of them up, and it occurred to me how little the cover of a book really matters. After all, the real value of any book is based on what is contained within. As I thought about my favorite books, I couldn’t even picture what their covers looked like, though I’d have no trouble describing how their content has impacted me over the years. I certainly couldn’t imagine getting rid of one of these simply because that cover was no longer in good shape. And as I pondered all this, it dawned on me that I feel the same way about my favorite people.
Thought for the Day – A Matter of Conscience
Posted in Thought for the Day / Quotes, tagged clear conscience, seared conscience on February 27, 2014| 1 Comment »
It’s easy for a person with a seared conscience to mistake it for a clear conscience; after all, neither one generates a pang of guilt.
Thought for the Day – The Middle of the Road
Posted in Thought for the Day / Quotes, tagged balanced approach, happy medium, mediocrity, middle of the road on February 6, 2014| Leave a Comment »
One man’s “happy medium” is another man’s “stuck in the middle”. What represents a “balanced approach” to one, can seem like “mediocrity” to another.
Thought for the Day – Finding the Time
Posted in Thought for the Day / Quotes, tagged finding the time, making the time on February 5, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Generally, the best way to “find time” for what is important is to “set aside a time” to make it happen. The former is incidental, while the latter is intentional. Thus, when we claim that we can’t seem to “find the time” for something, I would submit that we are unwittingly making a statement about our motivations.
Thought for the Day – Repentance
Posted in Commentaries, Thought for the Day / Quotes, tagged repentance on April 3, 2014| 1 Comment »
Genuine repentance needs to be more than simply deciding to take an alternate path; it ultimately needs to be like a military coup. It should result in a radical overthrow of the existing authority in our lives and the formation of a new government* going forward. Without such a change in command, our new road is likely to bring us back to the same destination.
* This is my articulation of a concept introduced to me by my dear friend and mentor, Don Atkin.
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