Saturday, November 29, 2008

Welcome New Ways To Be All I Can Be

Jonathan Edwards wrote profoundly on how to thrive and live abundantly in Christ. Today is the second in a series on the Resolutions he wrote for his discipline. He read these resolutions once a week throughout his life.

2. "Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things."

My thoughts on this resolution: I have to admit if things aren't broken I rarely do anything to seek change or innovation. That probably explains why I am still battling some issues in my 64th year of life.

Now for this to be clear I must repeat some of Edwards resolution 1: I Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence.

Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general.

My musings: Imagine it; he writes the resolution, he disciplines himself to keep the resolutions fresh in his mind and then he resolves to seek whatever he needs to invent or learn to best be successful in making these resolutions reality.

3." Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again. "

***

Imagine that this was written centuries ago and I must admit I do fall and I do grow dull. Oh, yes when I come to myself I need to remember all my sins so that I can repent and avoid those issues now and in the future. I especially like the term, "come to myself."

You know I want to hear from you. I recall a friend telling me we Christians are like facets in a diamond; each one giving that special ray of light reflection with just the hint of color and light bouncing off. I need your "facet" thought as I reflect on the glory of God in my life. Shine here on Thrive Christians and I will be blessed.

2 comments:

Red Letter Believers said...

Kay
I have lifetime battles -- those things that I just cant shake. Jonathan Edwards seems be able to slay these dragons. I wonder if its because I approach them like a battle...Edwards took them on like a war.

Maybe, its time to change plans?

Joyfulsister said...

Hi Kay..

((Hugz))).. First I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your visits and thanks for being such an encouragement to me and for sharing your heart with me on my post..Thank you from the heart.I went to a class on Christian Discipline and it was easy in the beginning and eventually it seem like a lot of work, to keep coming up with ways to stay focused, to challenge ourselves on how we could approach new battles..it was a tough class lol. What I got out of the class toward the end is that we need to face it, take the bull by the horns as the saying goes, not waiting for issues to pile up before deciding to do something about it, or thinking it will go away.The Lord has given us the tools we just need to put them to use.. Hope this made sense *smile*.

Hugz Lorie

© 2008 Kay Martin

Thrive In Christ

Who I Am In Christ by Neil Anderson

For several months we will center on this book to pursue Thriving in our Christian journey.

Neil challenges us with: "Do you know who you are in God's eyes? We are no longer products of our past. We are primarily products of Christ's work on the cross. Who we are determines what we do.

You are not who you are in Christ because of the things you have done, you are in Christ because of what He has done. He died and rose again so that you and I could live in the FREEDOM of His love."

That's just the introduction. More to follow.