March 9, 2009 8:05 AM
Johnbob wrote:
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
This is a challenging scripture for me and for many. I believe that we don't really get it to be honest. I think that for our career we get - that to 'get ahead', we need training, college, etc. Nothing wrong with that in and of itself. But a good friend and brother is getting another degree right now - part of it I agree with - he is using his talents - but the bottom line is that he doesn't have time for our relationship anymore.
So are we in training? First of all, everyone in training needs a trainer - it is so accepted and necessary in sports - even multimillion $ athletes have a coach and most of them have a personal trainer. So we need a coach or a trainer to help us out - that is the bottom line. I think this is called discipling, but it is discipling by choice, not with someone assigned to you. In Northview, the word went out after a brothers midweek to start a discipling group for some brothers - only 7 brothers signed up, which is ok - I can't wait.
"I beat my body and make it my slave" - this has always been a challenge for me - self-discipline is the least of gift of the Holy Spirit that I have - help me out Mac!
So don't just run - run so that you can win the prize - don't fight aimlessly - have some spiritual goals and plans - don't fight like a man beating the air - don't just go through the motions, but get in the battle, because the battle is real.
Let's remember that we do all this for the ultimate prize - heaven - (not that we are earning it, but that is another discussion). Reply to this
March 9, 2009 8:36 AM
Sam wrote:
Awesome.....imagine that, a discipling group of men! Our church doesn't have such a thing...that is why I rely on my 'blog friends'. I don't think any of you are ashamed of telling it like you see it....and you should. Am still checking my snail mail to see if anyone wrote me a "Paul Letter".
In our church, we used to have a men's ministry, so to speak. At least to the point where we met once a week to have a good Bible study. Four of us got togther Sunday and we are going to restart that program. It may not be a discipling group, but at least it is a start (again) at getting men together to at least learn more about the Word of God. I am co-hosting this with a younger man who has some good ideas. I'm going to try to take the co-pilot position and urge him, and guide him, where needed. I think this is a form of discipling in itself. We have the backing of the elders (at least two of them whom we approached with this), which may help in getting the word out to interested brothers.
This race we run is sometimes hard. Not sure why at times, but I imagine Satan has a bit to say about that. It really shouldn't be a 'race', it should be a walk. But with all the evil out there, it most certainly is something that we must work hard at in order to finish properly.
I am SO looking forward to Saturday evening with you guys. And Rich, I DO need your help if you can. Of course, teenagers are welcome....remember, this is a gambling event (no real money of course---just for fun.) JB/Dustin....am really looking forward to spending time (even a little bit) with you...I hope you have fun Saturday! Reply to this
In his writings to the various churches, I see a touch of pride eeking out every now and then. For example, in this chapter, he 'brags' of not taking anything (money, food, shelter) from the members of the church in Corinth. He does so, however, in a good way, claiming that what he does is for God, and for God alone. His only reward, as he states, is that he preach 'free of charge'.
He gives plenty of examples of how 'people of the church', that is, leaders, evangelists, servants, all get some sort of support from the church.
In today's churches, it SEEMS to me that many do not follow Paul's 'bragging'. Church founders, evangelists, etc, all SEEM to do their preaching for money (and lots of it in lots of cases). Why is this?
When you or I 'preach the word', we do it, for free. OUR reward is to see people get saved. (That IS why you do it, correct? Or do you feel OBLIGATED to do so...ya know, "It's the CHRISTIAN thing to do.") (again, three punctuation marks in a row---see yesterday's blogs). (oops, another three!)
How do you think the people accepted what Paul was saying here? Do you think they thought he was 'bragging' in a boastfull, prideful way? Or maybe they thought he was trying to set an example, explaining how important the gospel of Christ really was to him, and should be to them? I kinda think the latter (even though, as I said earlier, I see a bit of pride eeking out in Paul in several of his letters.)
Do you brag about being a Christian? Do you brag about how much tithing you do? Do you brag to others about the gift of salvation you have received? Do you brag that you help others by your giving and deeds?
If your answers to the second and fourth questions above is yes...shame on you. If your answers to the first and third questions above is yes...great!
I realize I am a bit like Paul (on the bad side, that is). I also, I am sure, seem prideful in some of the things I do. Like daily blogging, for example. I have mentioned, on many occasions in the past, that 'you should be more like me' and share your thoughts with your brothers EVERYday. But, like Paul (on the good side this time), I am really not bragging about my regiment, but am only attempting to 'preach the Word of God' (and for free!). (Darn, another three punctuations marks IAR). (By the way Tony, I loved your effort yesterday in punctuating that sentence...I think the first one definitely made sense, and the second, a little.)
So guys, if I DO appear prideful, please realize it is one of my sins and pray for me. On the other hand, try to look at it from the point of view of me trying to teach. God gives each of us different gifts, and we have talked about these before amonst us. Are you using YOUR gifts (even in a somewhat bragging way) for the advancement of the gospel of Christ? Reply to this
My wife is stuck on getting lap-band/gastric bypass surgery to aid in her weight loss crusade. I have tried to convince her to diet but she says that she can do that after the surgery. I have tried to tell her to start working out, again she says she can do it after the surgery. She keeps telling me that she has failed all of her diets and that this is the only way. I dont know how to get across to her (with out getting mad and blowing up at her) that i dont want her to get this surgery. I want her to try like i am. Am i being selfish by asking her not to get this surgery because i am having to work so hard at losing weight and she is trying to lose weight through a doctor? what i call taking the easy way. I dont know what to do! can you all help?
BTW, so you all know i work out with Marius from church. I started over a month ago at 290 something and am know at 286. i know, doesnt sound like a lot but i have lost almost 4 inches off my waist. so if you look at it like Marius, i have gained muscle and lost fat but not enough fat to show up on the scale.
I dont know, i am at a lose, i dont know what to say to her or what to do. please let me know what you all think. Reply to this
March 9, 2009 3:19 PM
rich wrote:
Gone for too long again. Time moves so fast when life situations occur. Many things going on with my son. Not all that bad, but time consuming.
I was given a very interesting book last week for my birthday. It is about a father who allows his teenager to drop out of school on the condition that the son will watch 3 movies with him every week. They watch and talk - well, I guess one talks at a time and the other listens! I am learning with my son that listening is more important than talking. That is a revelation (and a challenge for me) since because I THINK that I have all the better answers, I want to talk more than I want to listen. He wants to talk to be heard.
The scary thing about my son is that he is so much like me. I see him getting excited about things and starting on a path only to let the excitement burn out and the travel stop. I am much the same. I make commitments that I uphold for a time being but then stop. Yet in other ways I hold very firm to convictions and commitments. In some areas I am firm and stubborn almost to a fault. Balance and consistency is so difficult. It is good for me to observe and learn, but some times I don't like to learn what I see!
I think this applies to today's reading - Paul beat his body to make it his slave. He was obviously very disciplined. He did things he did not want to do, things that were not easy, he faced trials that he did not choose and made decisions that benefited others instead of himself. He set goals and kept his focus on these goals.
Was Paul just like this naturally or did he have to make himself into this kind of person? I think the former. Paul was a powerful man before he became a christian. He even describes himself as being "faultless" with regard to upholding the law!
So, is someone who is weak in this area (i.e., discipline, focus, leadership - Paul characteristics) naturally but who is strong is some other area necessarily less spiritual or less in God's eyes than someone like Paul? Are we all supposed to be like Paul? Discipline is a good thing but is it necessarily for everyone to the same degree? Is is possible that discipline to one person is different than discipline to another? Is it possible that to you I am running aimlessly but to me I am running more towards a target than I have ever run towards anything in my life?
I don't know but I am mulling these thoughts over (and over) in my mind! Reply to this
March 9, 2009 6:26 PM
Sam wrote:
I started reading a book today, called The Character Of A Man...subtitled, Reflecting the Image of Jesus, by Bruce Marchiano. This is coming from an actor turned author, not a bible historian or scholar. I believe what I have read so far on the airplane (am in Newport News until Thursday afternoon) is that the 'discipline' we should be searching is not Paul's, Rich's, Appollos', Moses or any other person, but only that of Jesus. He 'beat his body' by simply being a servant in ALL situations. If we could ever obtain that lofty goal, we wouldn't have to worry about 'beating our body', or even our minds, we would have made it to where Jesus wants us to get...at the END of the race. Jesus showed His strength in His humility, passion, gentleness, integrity and fearlessness.
Your BIRTHDAY??? See, that is how well we DON'T know each other. Man, I suspect you once told me when it was, but, like a man far from Jesus, I forgot. Happy belated wishes.
Strength in discipline, focus and leadership is NOT a measurement of spirituality!!! Spirituality is demonstrated in being a humble servant. Although those same three traits you say belong to Paul, Jesus also possessed them to the nth degree. (did you know that nth is a word???) (It is the only word in the English language I know of that does not contain a vowel....Vanna would go crazy!) Anyway, just because Jesus and Paul shared these strengths, the best way for us to grow stronger in our spirituality is to serve others.
Unfortunately, if I 'disciple' ya'll on that subject, I'd be a hypocrite. I find it extremely hard to be a servant. It seems it is always about me, me, me. (Or me, myself and I). The more I can learn to be a servant, I think the closer I will get to being like Christ....I've got a LONG LONG way to go. Reply to this
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
This is a challenging scripture for me and for many. I believe that we don't really get it to be honest. I think that for our career we get - that to 'get ahead', we need training, college, etc. Nothing wrong with that in and of itself. But a good friend and brother is getting another degree right now - part of it I agree with - he is using his talents - but the bottom line is that he doesn't have time for our relationship anymore.
So are we in training? First of all, everyone in training needs a trainer - it is so accepted and necessary in sports - even multimillion $ athletes have a coach and most of them have a personal trainer. So we need a coach or a trainer to help us out - that is the bottom line. I think this is called discipling, but it is discipling by choice, not with someone assigned to you. In Northview, the word went out after a brothers midweek to start a discipling group for some brothers - only 7 brothers signed up, which is ok - I can't wait.
"I beat my body and make it my slave" - this has always been a challenge for me - self-discipline is the least of gift of the Holy Spirit that I have - help me out Mac!
So don't just run - run so that you can win the prize - don't fight aimlessly - have some spiritual goals and plans - don't fight like a man beating the air - don't just go through the motions, but get in the battle, because the battle is real.
Let's remember that we do all this for the ultimate prize - heaven - (not that we are earning it, but that is another discussion).
Reply to this
Awesome.....imagine that, a discipling group of men! Our church doesn't have such a thing...that is why I rely on my 'blog friends'. I don't think any of you are ashamed of telling it like you see it....and you should. Am still checking my snail mail to see if anyone wrote me a "Paul Letter".
In our church, we used to have a men's ministry, so to speak. At least to the point where we met once a week to have a good Bible study. Four of us got togther Sunday and we are going to restart that program. It may not be a discipling group, but at least it is a start (again) at getting men together to at least learn more about the Word of God. I am co-hosting this with a younger man who has some good ideas. I'm going to try to take the co-pilot position and urge him, and guide him, where needed. I think this is a form of discipling in itself. We have the backing of the elders (at least two of them whom we approached with this), which may help in getting the word out to interested brothers.
This race we run is sometimes hard. Not sure why at times, but I imagine Satan has a bit to say about that. It really shouldn't be a 'race', it should be a walk. But with all the evil out there, it most certainly is something that we must work hard at in order to finish properly.
I am SO looking forward to Saturday evening with you guys. And Rich, I DO need your help if you can. Of course, teenagers are welcome....remember, this is a gambling event (no real money of course---just for fun.) JB/Dustin....am really looking forward to spending time (even a little bit) with you...I hope you have fun Saturday!
Reply to this
Paul. A proud man.
In his writings to the various churches, I see a touch of pride eeking out every now and then. For example, in this chapter, he 'brags' of not taking anything (money, food, shelter) from the members of the church in Corinth. He does so, however, in a good way, claiming that what he does is for God, and for God alone. His only reward, as he states, is that he preach 'free of charge'.
He gives plenty of examples of how 'people of the church', that is, leaders, evangelists, servants, all get some sort of support from the church.
In today's churches, it SEEMS to me that many do not follow Paul's 'bragging'. Church founders, evangelists, etc, all SEEM to do their preaching for money (and lots of it in lots of cases). Why is this?
When you or I 'preach the word', we do it, for free. OUR reward is to see people get saved. (That IS why you do it, correct? Or do you feel OBLIGATED to do so...ya know, "It's the CHRISTIAN thing to do.") (again, three punctuation marks in a row---see yesterday's blogs).
How do you think the people accepted what Paul was saying here? Do you think they thought he was 'bragging' in a boastfull, prideful way? Or maybe they thought he was trying to set an example, explaining how important the gospel of Christ really was to him, and should be to them? I kinda think the latter (even though, as I said earlier, I see a bit of pride eeking out in Paul in several of his letters.)
Do you brag about being a Christian? Do you brag about how much tithing you do?
Do you brag to others about the gift of salvation you have received?
Do you brag that you help others by your giving and deeds?
If your answers to the second and fourth questions above is yes...shame on you.
If your answers to the first and third questions above is yes...great!
I realize I am a bit like Paul (on the bad side, that is). I also, I am sure, seem prideful in some of the things I do. Like daily blogging, for example. I have mentioned, on many occasions in the past, that 'you should be more like me' and share your thoughts with your brothers EVERYday. But, like Paul (on the good side this time), I am really not bragging about my regiment, but am only attempting to 'preach the Word of God' (and for free!). (Darn, another three punctuations marks IAR).
(By the way Tony, I loved your effort yesterday in punctuating that sentence...I think the first one definitely made sense, and the second, a little.)
So guys, if I DO appear prideful, please realize it is one of my sins and pray for me. On the other hand, try to look at it from the point of view of me trying to teach. God gives each of us different gifts, and we have talked about these before amonst us. Are you using YOUR gifts (even in a somewhat bragging way) for the advancement of the gospel of Christ?
Reply to this
I need everyones advice.
My wife is stuck on getting lap-band/gastric bypass surgery to aid in her weight loss crusade. I have tried to convince her to diet but she says that she can do that after the surgery. I have tried to tell her to start working out, again she says she can do it after the surgery. She keeps telling me that she has failed all of her diets and that this is the only way. I dont know how to get across to her (with out getting mad and blowing up at her) that i dont want her to get this surgery. I want her to try like i am. Am i being selfish by asking her not to get this surgery because i am having to work so hard at losing weight and she is trying to lose weight through a doctor? what i call taking the easy way. I dont know what to do! can you all help?
BTW, so you all know i work out with Marius from church. I started over a month ago at 290 something and am know at 286. i know, doesnt sound like a lot but i have lost almost 4 inches off my waist. so if you look at it like Marius, i have gained muscle and lost fat but not enough fat to show up on the scale.
I dont know, i am at a lose, i dont know what to say to her or what to do. please let me know what you all think.
Reply to this
Gone for too long again. Time moves so fast when life situations occur. Many things going on with my son. Not all that bad, but time consuming.
I was given a very interesting book last week for my birthday. It is about a father who allows his teenager to drop out of school on the condition that the son will watch 3 movies with him every week. They watch and talk - well, I guess one talks at a time and the other listens! I am learning with my son that listening is more important than talking. That is a revelation (and a challenge for me) since because I THINK that I have all the better answers, I want to talk more than I want to listen. He wants to talk to be heard.
The scary thing about my son is that he is so much like me. I see him getting excited about things and starting on a path only to let the excitement burn out and the travel stop. I am much the same. I make commitments that I uphold for a time being but then stop. Yet in other ways I hold very firm to convictions and commitments. In some areas I am firm and stubborn almost to a fault. Balance and consistency is so difficult. It is good for me to observe and learn, but some times I don't like to learn what I see!
I think this applies to today's reading - Paul beat his body to make it his slave. He was obviously very disciplined. He did things he did not want to do, things that were not easy, he faced trials that he did not choose and made decisions that benefited others instead of himself. He set goals and kept his focus on these goals.
Was Paul just like this naturally or did he have to make himself into this kind of person? I think the former. Paul was a powerful man before he became a christian. He even describes himself as being "faultless" with regard to upholding the law!
So, is someone who is weak in this area (i.e., discipline, focus, leadership - Paul characteristics) naturally but who is strong is some other area necessarily less spiritual or less in God's eyes than someone like Paul? Are we all supposed to be like Paul? Discipline is a good thing but is it necessarily for everyone to the same degree? Is is possible that discipline to one person is different than discipline to another? Is it possible that to you I am running aimlessly but to me I am running more towards a target than I have ever run towards anything in my life?
I don't know but I am mulling these thoughts over (and over) in my mind!
Reply to this
I started reading a book today, called The Character Of A Man...subtitled, Reflecting the Image of Jesus, by Bruce Marchiano. This is coming from an actor turned author, not a bible historian or scholar. I believe what I have read so far on the airplane (am in Newport News until Thursday afternoon) is that the 'discipline' we should be searching is not Paul's, Rich's, Appollos', Moses or any other person, but only that of Jesus. He 'beat his body' by simply being a servant in ALL situations. If we could ever obtain that lofty goal, we wouldn't have to worry about 'beating our body', or even our minds, we would have made it to where Jesus wants us to get...at the END of the race. Jesus showed His strength in His humility, passion, gentleness, integrity and fearlessness.
Your BIRTHDAY??? See, that is how well we DON'T know each other. Man, I suspect you once told me when it was, but, like a man far from Jesus, I forgot. Happy belated wishes.
Strength in discipline, focus and leadership is NOT a measurement of spirituality!!! Spirituality is demonstrated in being a humble servant. Although those same three traits you say belong to Paul, Jesus also possessed them to the nth degree. (did you know that nth is a word???) (It is the only word in the English language I know of that does not contain a vowel....Vanna would go crazy!) Anyway, just because Jesus and Paul shared these strengths, the best way for us to grow stronger in our spirituality is to serve others.
Unfortunately, if I 'disciple' ya'll on that subject, I'd be a hypocrite. I find it extremely hard to be a servant. It seems it is always about me, me, me. (Or me, myself and I). The more I can learn to be a servant, I think the closer I will get to being like Christ....I've got a LONG LONG way to go.
Reply to this