I'm not a proficient reader, I'd say one book a month if I'm lucky. However, I
probably start at least two books a month. The reason I don't finish them all
is because the author has to grab me right from the get go. If not, I loose
interest. Thankfully, Ortberg got me hooked with the very first sentence
"I am disappointed in myself." Wow, not too many people like to admit
that, let alone an accomplished Christian author.
I was anxious to see where he was taking this disappoint thing and sure enough he hit me right between the eyes. Parenthood! Yep, I can relate to not being the father I want to be. The words were painfully to close to home. Ortberg determines that this self disappointment comes from our failure to be the person God intended/created us to be. Of course there is truth in that, but why is it true? (OK, this is where my first branch started...) so as I was reading, the words of the Apostle Paul came to me. Romans 7:19-20 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. I'm not sure if it's refreshing or worrisome that "THE" apostle Paul knew disappointment with himself so well.
Regardless, I think disappointment can be a good thing. Especially when it comes to sin, the fact that you’re disappointed with yourself after you sin is a good because it means you’re aware of it and at least wish you could change. However, be worried when you sin and you’re not disappointed in yourself. That’s when you know something is really wrong. When you ignore your sin and pretend it doesn't matter...that's when you become numb to your sin. That’s a road you don’t want to go down because it’s hard to recover from it.
I was anxious to see where he was taking this disappoint thing and sure enough he hit me right between the eyes. Parenthood! Yep, I can relate to not being the father I want to be. The words were painfully to close to home. Ortberg determines that this self disappointment comes from our failure to be the person God intended/created us to be. Of course there is truth in that, but why is it true? (OK, this is where my first branch started...) so as I was reading, the words of the Apostle Paul came to me. Romans 7:19-20 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. I'm not sure if it's refreshing or worrisome that "THE" apostle Paul knew disappointment with himself so well.
Regardless, I think disappointment can be a good thing. Especially when it comes to sin, the fact that you’re disappointed with yourself after you sin is a good because it means you’re aware of it and at least wish you could change. However, be worried when you sin and you’re not disappointed in yourself. That’s when you know something is really wrong. When you ignore your sin and pretend it doesn't matter...that's when you become numb to your sin. That’s a road you don’t want to go down because it’s hard to recover from it.
(here is my 2nd branch of scripture)
So let your disappointment draw you closer to God
and not away from him. How does this happen? Well, when you go to God in prayer
asking for help and forgiveness- that will draw you closer to him. Even if it's
100th time you've messed up, there is always hope because Jesus is there ready
to give you a fresh start again. Ortberg reminds us in this chapter that… we are
made in God's image and that we are God's work of art. Therefore, "God is
determined to overcome the defacing of his image...and make us new
creatures" (p.15).
God’s determination to do this is seen throughout the Bible and it happens in what Ortberg calls TURING ASIDE moments. Moses and the burning bush was a great visual for this. Have you had a TURNING ASIDE moment with God…that moment when God has got your attention, maybe through a sermon, maybe through a book, or maybe even through tragedy? However God did it, he finally got your attention and you're ready to move another direction. It’s going to be challenging, it’s going to be uncomfortable, but this TURING ASIDE is where this Godly transformation starts to take place.
That's my hope for this study-- that it will lead to a TURING ASIDE moment for those who participate. So for that to happen, I need your help. I need your comments on what you read in each chapter and in this blog. Keep in mind that Ortberg has already written a book on this subject and I just commented a page on it. So keep your comments brief and to the point. The goal is to start a conversation based on the book and branches of scripture I add to it in this blog. Thanks for participating, Blessing…Jason
God’s determination to do this is seen throughout the Bible and it happens in what Ortberg calls TURING ASIDE moments. Moses and the burning bush was a great visual for this. Have you had a TURNING ASIDE moment with God…that moment when God has got your attention, maybe through a sermon, maybe through a book, or maybe even through tragedy? However God did it, he finally got your attention and you're ready to move another direction. It’s going to be challenging, it’s going to be uncomfortable, but this TURING ASIDE is where this Godly transformation starts to take place.
That's my hope for this study-- that it will lead to a TURING ASIDE moment for those who participate. So for that to happen, I need your help. I need your comments on what you read in each chapter and in this blog. Keep in mind that Ortberg has already written a book on this subject and I just commented a page on it. So keep your comments brief and to the point. The goal is to start a conversation based on the book and branches of scripture I add to it in this blog. Thanks for participating, Blessing…Jason
So what I get from this blog is the more we do with God. The closer we are and the less we will want to do things without him. "Garbage in equals garbage out."- Carmen. My biggest problem is depression. I am easily dishearted which stops my growth and post pones it. I struggle with my situation. Afraid to belong to afraid to dissapoint
ReplyDeleteThis first chapter gave me time to pause. The story of Mabel made me that we all have a gift to share. Good puts people in our lives but we have to ask the right questions. I believe sometimes in live we get to busy just living. Mabel's story impacted not only the person she was talking too but also me as I read the story. Inside this shell that we call our bodies there is great beauty if we are just given the opportunity to reveal it. Jesus has a plan for all of us we have to be willing to listen and learn.
ReplyDeleteI am disappointed with myself, yep that sums it up after reading this chapter. I hope that everyone who reads this has a TURNING ASIDE moment. I also pray that we would listen and not just hear God talking to us, and that we have the spirit to obey.
ReplyDeleteGreat comments guys, I appreciate your input! Praying for a TURING ASIDE moment for you all.
ReplyDeleteTurning Aside moment right here!! This book study is exactly what I need right now in my life. The story of Mabel really made me consider where I am in my relationship with God. I want to be used by him in spite of my circumstances, and receive his blessings. Anyway I'm so excited to keep reading this book, and catch up haha.
ReplyDelete-peace and blessings-