Post by SlowBro on Sept 27, 2008 22:26:35 GMT -5
Goodbye Calvinist and non-Calvinist friends. I just watched 'Fireproof' and the Lord did a necessary work in my heart.
Man, I sure love Jesus. I love Jesus!
The Lord had been speaking to me for MONTHS about the need to work hard on our marriage and tonight He used Kirk Cameron to break me down. What a Savior!
I have once again allowed my affections to turn to discussing and thinking about theology over and against time spent working on our marriage. The sad thing is I can spend so much time thinking about theology and ignore the Theos Himself. That must change.
"All things are lawful," Paul said, "but not all things are profitable." Amen. While it is possible that time discussing theology can bear fruit, it can also be used as a weapon from satan to destroy your life. Isn't that odd?? But that is how he works; he can pervert ANYTHING good.
The Lord has been showing me that I have been selfish with how I use my time. Men, we are SELFISH! Selfish to our core. WE NEED CHRIST! WE NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT! If you want to know the reason your marriage is in trouble, look no further than yourself. Our problem isn't that she is sinning against us, our problem is that in our marriage -- in our shoes, in our situation -- Christ would respond differently than you and I have. And we know it.
Christ loved us when we were not respectful to Him, He loved prostituted Israel as in Hosea. He wasn't selfish. He loved righteousness. He therefore served those who did not love Him. Gave His life for them. Just think! You get the opportunity to live and love like Christ to your wife! What a tremendous opportunity! You get the opportunity to be selfless like Christ (to honor Him, not to show everyone what a martyr you are), you get this opportunity in ways that you would not with other people. Let's show this dying world who Jesus is!
In the movie, the dad encouraged his son (played by Kirk) to "beg God to teach you how to be a good husband." I must get on my knees now, and beg for help. I love that He will not turn away my pleas, I love that in Jesus, I can have an audience with the KING. I love Jesus!!
I love Jesus. I cannot believe He is turning my life around to make it look like He is. I have such hope that I will change and be different, better, more humble, more serving, in our marriage.
One of the things discussed in the movie is finding and destroying what they call 'parasites'. Those little addictions that keep you from maturing; sometimes it is games, TV, or pornography. In the movie, Kirk was addicted to pr0n. For me, theology chat was the parasite God put His finger on. So I must stop for now. Maybe forever. I don't know yet.
Watch this movie. Very realistic action. Very powerful conviction.
Be warned, don't follow my example; don't let the discussion of theology (which is a good thing) enslave you. Look to Christ. Be led by the Holy Spirit. Be FILLED with the Holy Spirit.
Some GREAT resources:
The Surgeon, the Scalpel, and the Saint in Sin Simply wonderful.
When Sinners Say I Do
When Sinners Say I Do -- Audiobook
Grace and the Adventure of Leadership THIS ONE IS SUPER! Will also help you on these messageboards; applies to all sorts of areas of life.
Hell's Best Kept Secret and True and False Conversion
The Main Thing Discussing theology is great and important, but what is the main thing? Classic sermon.
Christ, and Him Crucified Guaranteed to bring a tear to your eye, or your money back ;-)
Grace Gems Put your email address in for a nice short audio AND text devotional every day.
The Exemplary Husband This book is intensely challenging! Get the study guide, too, and go with a friend for coffee and accountability. Women, check out The Excellent Wife and study guide
And last but not least, don't ever neglect this book. One of the most unfortunate problems of studying theology is when you encounter an incredible passage (for example, Romans 9:22 or 2 Peter 3:9) and rather than drink in the glory of God revealed in the Scripture, you sit and ponder how it works with your personal doctrine and theology. You just missed the Theos! Next time you read 2 Peter 3:9 or Romans 9:22, drink in Christ by the bucketful! Don't miss the Theos because you are stuck in theology. Please don't make my mistake.
Love you guys, hope we can discuss things again when I get a little more mature.
"Strive for (...) the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14 ESV)
Man, I sure love Jesus. I love Jesus!
The Lord had been speaking to me for MONTHS about the need to work hard on our marriage and tonight He used Kirk Cameron to break me down. What a Savior!
I have once again allowed my affections to turn to discussing and thinking about theology over and against time spent working on our marriage. The sad thing is I can spend so much time thinking about theology and ignore the Theos Himself. That must change.
"All things are lawful," Paul said, "but not all things are profitable." Amen. While it is possible that time discussing theology can bear fruit, it can also be used as a weapon from satan to destroy your life. Isn't that odd?? But that is how he works; he can pervert ANYTHING good.
The Lord has been showing me that I have been selfish with how I use my time. Men, we are SELFISH! Selfish to our core. WE NEED CHRIST! WE NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT! If you want to know the reason your marriage is in trouble, look no further than yourself. Our problem isn't that she is sinning against us, our problem is that in our marriage -- in our shoes, in our situation -- Christ would respond differently than you and I have. And we know it.
Christ loved us when we were not respectful to Him, He loved prostituted Israel as in Hosea. He wasn't selfish. He loved righteousness. He therefore served those who did not love Him. Gave His life for them. Just think! You get the opportunity to live and love like Christ to your wife! What a tremendous opportunity! You get the opportunity to be selfless like Christ (to honor Him, not to show everyone what a martyr you are), you get this opportunity in ways that you would not with other people. Let's show this dying world who Jesus is!
In the movie, the dad encouraged his son (played by Kirk) to "beg God to teach you how to be a good husband." I must get on my knees now, and beg for help. I love that He will not turn away my pleas, I love that in Jesus, I can have an audience with the KING. I love Jesus!!
I love Jesus. I cannot believe He is turning my life around to make it look like He is. I have such hope that I will change and be different, better, more humble, more serving, in our marriage.
One of the things discussed in the movie is finding and destroying what they call 'parasites'. Those little addictions that keep you from maturing; sometimes it is games, TV, or pornography. In the movie, Kirk was addicted to pr0n. For me, theology chat was the parasite God put His finger on. So I must stop for now. Maybe forever. I don't know yet.
Watch this movie. Very realistic action. Very powerful conviction.
Be warned, don't follow my example; don't let the discussion of theology (which is a good thing) enslave you. Look to Christ. Be led by the Holy Spirit. Be FILLED with the Holy Spirit.
Some GREAT resources:
The Surgeon, the Scalpel, and the Saint in Sin Simply wonderful.
When Sinners Say I Do
When Sinners Say I Do -- Audiobook
Grace and the Adventure of Leadership THIS ONE IS SUPER! Will also help you on these messageboards; applies to all sorts of areas of life.
Hell's Best Kept Secret and True and False Conversion
The Main Thing Discussing theology is great and important, but what is the main thing? Classic sermon.
Christ, and Him Crucified Guaranteed to bring a tear to your eye, or your money back ;-)
Grace Gems Put your email address in for a nice short audio AND text devotional every day.
The Exemplary Husband This book is intensely challenging! Get the study guide, too, and go with a friend for coffee and accountability. Women, check out The Excellent Wife and study guide
And last but not least, don't ever neglect this book. One of the most unfortunate problems of studying theology is when you encounter an incredible passage (for example, Romans 9:22 or 2 Peter 3:9) and rather than drink in the glory of God revealed in the Scripture, you sit and ponder how it works with your personal doctrine and theology. You just missed the Theos! Next time you read 2 Peter 3:9 or Romans 9:22, drink in Christ by the bucketful! Don't miss the Theos because you are stuck in theology. Please don't make my mistake.
Love you guys, hope we can discuss things again when I get a little more mature.
"Strive for (...) the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14 ESV)