well, I finally gave in and joined the blogging world, woohoo... anyways, I first thought since I am posting on Reformation Day that I would just post Luther's 95 Theses that he posted to the church door on this day in 1517. Then I thought about it again and decided that would be to much and no one would read that (even though you should Google it and read the history and the theses yourself if you haven't before) but that would be a bad start to my blog if no one wanted to read it.
so, I will spare you.
I just really started this morning reading a little book call "The Practice of the Presence of God" about Brother Lawerence and his walking every second with God.
"...many do not advance {mature} in the Christian progress because they stick
in penances and particular exercises, while they neglect the love of God, which
is the end. That this appeared plainly by their works, and {is} the reason why
we see so little solid virtue."
A very interesting thought there.
I know for me, I find myself focusing more on the working and furthering the Kingdom than the Love of God, which is what actually furthers the Kingdom. I find myself getting focused on acts of Love; missions, worship, listening, understanding, etc... and I forget about Love itself.
"If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal... And if I give all my possessions to feed {the poor,} and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:1 &3 NASB)
Scripture is very clear on this, thus I have to agree with the conclusion that Brother Lawrence has come too (not that many people would disagree). We need to be constantly checking ourselves to make sure our thoughts and actions are filled with Love and are because of Love. This is a very basic thing that we all Learn when we become Christians but something that we should be daily reminded of.
The key to living all of this out is;
"...always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1Thessalonians 5:15-18 NASB)
Brother Lawrence claimed that his set apart times of prayer and meditation where no different, except sometimes not as good, than the rest of the day when he was working because of his constant communication with God.
some day maybe we will be there.
