Pizza

I was fighting myself today. But thought of consequence, and the gifting of just a little self-control given freely was enough to come out victorious with my relationships all in tact.

Man, I've been told a few times that the very moment we give ourselves over God and live in his ways we witness heaven on Earth. The more we rely on God to live in righteousness and faith, the more God reveals Himself and the beauty of His Holy place...
We're so fortunate to have simple admission to His throne room through prayer.

So I'm willing to accept this theory for two reasons.
The first one is most obvious, and it is based on the contrast to the opposite.
Take Hell's pizza for example. The creative idea and extended metaphor of the franchise is the labelling of pizza with the '7 deadly sins' and more. Hmm, I'd say they're right, the 'gnashing of teeth' in eternal Hell is most likely full of this evil and more. But yet these things happen right here on Earth - the lies, the lust, the hatred, the stealing, the murder, the jealousy - they're like a part of daily living on this physical world. These things take no effort, they are mindless, self-centred but controlled by Satan no less.
But, there is another Way. God, by sending us His Spirit has empowered our spirit to live a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control - Galations 5v22.
My argument is that if the deadly sins bring Hell on Earth, so too can the gifts of the Spirit bring Heaven to Earth. Living in this way frees others from inhibitions, frees us from guilt, rids us of fear, gives us new worth, hope and peace, and frees us from pain. Doesn't sound like a week on Earth, but eternity in Heaven. Bring it on!!

The second reason is what God's Way has done in my life. My passions have completely flipped, and I have definite day-to-day purpose. By choosing to love and forgive even when others don't return the favour, I have a sense of belonging and peace that God is with me.

It's like having a slice of heavenly pizza...
and so that's how I know.

Lord, thank you for letting me take a bite today. Thank You that Your Ways overcome all tensions and You offer them freely to those who are willing.
Amen

Refreshing

How refreshing is it to start a new good book? - A rhetorical question. I already know it's like the crispness of freshly cleaned/softened bed spread; similar to a cold shower after a arduous run; a sip of sweet tea... possibly.
I began reading Mike Wells Heavenly Discipleship (2006). From only the first two chapters I knew I had immersed myself into something worthwhile. His writing is intelligent yet simple. He takes both biblical truth and self experience and describes what God has revealed to him about disclipleship - the importance of dependancy in God.

Other ways of living drag us down.

Bringing glory to God is what we should aim for.

Notice the use of the word 'I' in my blog today. Used 4 times. That's pretty good for me I (5) must admit, usually it would have an overpowering dominance in my rhetoric, however, the plan is to eliminate it.
Questions are asked, as in Job, who brought man to life and gave him mentionable existence? who created the seas as far as the horizon? who made the planets and infinite universe full of stars? The answer, obviously, is God. Yet as impure and imperfect beings, we take as much credit as we can for works we have not done. This is pride.

PrIde - sIn. hmm, what's at the centre of both of those words.

Let me end with a passage from Heavenly Discipleship:

'... the suitable emphasis is not to be the peace of God, but hearing the God of peace. Not expressing the word of God, but exuding the God of the word. Not attaining the holiness of God, but embracing the God of holiness. Not preaching God to the people, but preaching God before the people! Heavenly discipleship is the fruit, not the peel.' (p6)