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“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott

“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott

Month: August 2008

New Project

George

I have taken a brief hiatus from house painting to start a new project. I’m working on a semi-loft bed for Blake and Grayson. Utilizing their current bunk beds I’m building desks which will be platforms to set the upper bed on. The lower bed will fit underneath and between the two desks at right angle to the upper bed. I’ll add some bells and whistles. It should be pretty neat.

I’ll get back to house painting next week. Ann is good help painting. It is hard to believe the kids are back in school already. Activity is picking up in Wilmore as people are coming in for college and seminary. We have new neighbors across the street, He is starting a four year program at the seminary. I look forward to getting to know them,

What Can Jesus Do For You?

George

In “Dissident Discipleship”, the chapter on authentic witness has helped me understand how I got on the path which formed the character of my relationship with Jesus for most of my adult life. The author points out that the most common question or concern expressed when Christian’s share their faith is “What can Jesus do for you?” He quotes Jim Wallis regarding modern conversion:

Modern conversion brings Jesus into our lives rather than bringing us into his. We are told Jesus is here to help us do better what we are already doing. Jesus doesn’t change our lives, he improves them. Conversion is just for ourselves, not for the world. We ask how Jesus can fulfill our lives, not how we can serve his Kingdom.

As I contemplated the idea of modern conversion, I came to the conclusion that it describes the nature and character of my own conversion. My relationship with God was all about Jesus helping me to do better, be happier, better adjusted, more satisfied, and more prosperous and successful. The recent changes that have and are occurring in my life are centered in coming into the life of Jesus. I am experiencing conversion. It is not about self-improvement,  it is about being created new. That changes everything. Asking how I can serve his Kingdom is dramatically different than continually asking what can Jesus do for me?

In the midst of this conversion, I have come to realize that my witness continues to be mostly shaped by “What can Jesus do for you?”. It is my default mode. It is a cruel irony that all the while I am struggling to find my way into the life of Jesus, I am selling others on what Jesus can do for them.