Ever thought about what it takes? Sitting (or walking) with God so that he trains our hearts and minds. Its not about performing or doing, its about being. From the being naturally flows the fruit of God from us… you know… vine and branches…
need more?
Love football?
Take 15 minutes, sit back and watch this video about meaning…
going to the ink well
In a conversation this morning, the subject of operating from an empty tank came up. I thought about pens and how in the old days people wrote with a pen that required periodic sharpening and the writer constantly had to go to the ink well to fill her quill.
As the pen ran dry, every line or so I guess, the writer would pause and fill his pen from the well.
Eventually the ball point pen (or something like it) became the choice. The writer was freed from the restriction of having to go to the well and fill her pen with ink (or even be sitting at a desk). She had become self-sufficient (for as long as the refill lasted anyway) and did not need to go to the well.
I think it is the natural tendency of the follower of Jesus to operate like a ball point pen. Self sufficiently, we say, I will change the refill when I run out. Meaning: I will go to God when I feel the need.
Rather than this, we need to be more like the quill and ink writer, going back to the well all the time so that we do not become self sufficient. In this way, we will be filled with God so as to serve him and bring him glory as he works through us.
Jesus said to abide in HIM, let’s go to the well.
Follow up on Hungary
Yesterday’s post gives me the opportunity to link you to a couple of articles that have been put forth in the last weeks…
First, another man’s “take” (from the blog “Eastern Approaches”) but again worthy of consideration and information… CLICK HERE to read “Hungary and Britain”
Next, from the New York Times on a new opera with a political punch… CLICK HERE
Thoughtful comments are welcome…
Filed under culture, things Central European
A Hungarian Commemoration day – October 23
This is a guest post and is one man’s “take” (author will remain anonymous, used with permission) but I thought it useful and thought provoking…
Today, October 23, is a Hungarian national holiday. It is the 57th anniversary of their uprising against the Russians in 1956, which was the first forceful opposition to the Soviet Union’s domination of Eastern Europe after World War II. After a couple of startling weeks of freedom from oppression, it was crushed by the Red Army. Hungarians do not celebrate, they COMMEMORATE the students, workers, and ordinary people who fought against Russian tanks with homemade or confiscated weapons. From a population of 10 million people, a couple thousand were killed. Tens of thousands were wounded. Hundreds were afterwards executed or deported to Siberia. Two hundred thousand more escaped to the West.
Unfortunately, all these years after the Revolution, and over 20 years since the change from one-party rule to democracy, talented and motivated Hungarians still want to leave the country. The political, social, and economic systems still have debilitating problems, many of them self-inflicted.
How will this change? Political power will not do it; the political elites are insulated from the public. Financial power will not do it; the common people do not command enough of the money, and this is a relatively poor nation. Social power will not do it; the cultural fabric is not strong enough; Hungarians do not know how to be good neighbors to each other. The only power remaining is the power of God in the churches, but most of the churches are unfruitful. They need revival as much as their country needs reform. But first the churches must get off their own agenda, turn from their self-centered ways, and think beyond their walls (God-style!).
+ Please pray that believers will examine themselves, realize their persistent sins, and turn away from self-centeredness, inconsequential living, and lack of faith. Please pray that passages like 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Daniel 9:4-19 will lead to repentance (change!) and awakening (hope!) instead of regret and despair (the normal Hungarian result).
+ Please pray that believers and churches in Hungary will LIVE IN JESUS and start to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the lives of their neighbors and neighborhoods —instead of being disregarded as people who have trouble distinguishing real life from fairy tales.
+ Please pray that we followers of Jesus do our own confession, repentance, and growth in God. Please pray that God the Holy Spirit will enable us to be confident witnesses of the power of God among us: Emmanuel, Jesus the Messiah.
Now, you may not agree with all that this writer said, but I think that his observations are worthy of consideration, and perhaps comment…
