We were talking about working for God. "I can't do it. I wouldn't know where to start. I'm not very good at that." But then we try something, pray real hard, it goes well, and all the sudden we think we're all that. I think I'm all that.
God wants us to be successful for him. God wants us to bear fruit. Lots of fruit. But with fruit comes the new temptation of spiritual pride. Maybe that's why Ellen White says, "The first lesson to be taught . . . is the lesson of dependence upon God. . . . As a flower of the field has its root in the soil; as it must receive air, dew, showers, and sunshine, so must we receive from God that which ministers to the life of the soul" (Sons and Daughters of God, p. 77).
Jesus also links total dependence with fruit bearing in John 15:5. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
That's why my fumbled words when Travis and I met Rob Bell were to tell him that I pray for him that he'll stay humble and dependent on God so God can continue to work through him. Well, that's what I meant to say. 
I want Rob to have a long and successful life of working for the Kingdom without a serious crash that would be so easy for a rock-star pastor.
I want Rob to have a long and successful life of working for the Kingdom without a serious crash that would be so easy for a rock-star pastor.Thanks for the picture, Travis.
7 comments:
I sometimes with that we could sit in the middle - productive enough, but kind of apathetic. It would be a lot easier! I guess part of being human is a ticket on the emotional rollercoaster. I really wish I had the ability to make my mind up, not hate parts of something and love other parts and then get stuck on what I think of the whole thing. I'm rambling, so I'm gonig to stop now!
yeah, I thought I was all that. Then I listened and watched a DVD of me singing on stage today. It was a recording from last church service.
Wow. I wish people were more honest. I was off key, and looked angry. How are you suppose to lead worship like that?
anyways....now I'm humbled. Sux I have to do this as a job now and know that my voice sounds terrible. But I'm exactly where I'm suppose to be. I'm going to look into voice lessons.....
Also the part about depending on God reminded me of the "Acceptance" reading from the AA Big Book. Love that reading....
And lastly, who the heck is Ellen Whites?
kbbcpsww (the longest word verification ever!!!!)
Yep, Helen, there's a sweet-spot in the middle there somewhere. I guess one of life's adventures is finding it. Balance. Stability. Action. Hmm...
Travis, I could imagine that you're your own strictest critic. I'm not saying that voice lessons would be bad; I think we all need to develop our talents. But I've heard you sing and lead songs, and I say praise on!
I guess Rob Bell hit that all a while ago (I was rereading Velvet Elvis the other day - Thanks Travis!) when he started AMrs Hill and just couldn't keep up eith the whole "super-Pastor" image that he had somehow ended up with.
And yes, the word verifications are getting ridiculous! I think they're going to be longer than my comments soon...
Velvet Elvis is on my short list of good reads. The section on overcoming the need to be Super Pastor was excellent, and speaks to me on a smaller scale. I hope he'll stay dependent on God for insight and truth and power each day of each week. No pride. No affairs. No distractions. Teach the word. Live the word. Change the world.
What do you think about Velvet Elvis, Helen. Really, I won't be offended if it didn't speak to you. We're all in different places.
I loved Velvet Elvis! I thought that it had so much wisdom that I wanted to send copies to everyonje in the world!
Two sections that really spoke to me:
1. That God is Truth, and we can't pull away from God when we find out that there are truths that we didn't expect. If it's true, it is from God. As an evolutionary biologist I wanted to photocopy the page and post it everywhere (particularly at my church where I'd been taking a lot of abuse for believing in Evolution).
2. the whole super-pastor thing. As the youngest PhD student that I know of, and generally a good student, I alway felt completely smothered in trying to maintain the 'super-student' image. It was really special to see that I'm not alone, and I have to get ris of that persona to live my life.
Those are the two thoughts that jumped nito my mind, but I loved the whole book! I loved how he could take old stories and put them into context of what they meant at the time, rather than trying a cut/paste into today's society.
So all in all: fantastic!
Great points, Helen. Verdad.
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