Followers of Christ...

at 02/26/10 6:22PM

Luke 9:23

"And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

What does it require to "take up one's cross daily"? Self justification? Judgment of others?

To take up our cross daily, this requires us to critically analyze ourselves and determine whether we are right or wrong in the sight of God. We are forced to acknowledge that we never achieve perfection through ourselves, we fail on a daily basis in one way or another.

It is not a biased act, it is objective. It is not done for us by others, we must do it individually.

Through the ability to analyse ourselves critically, we gain true wisdom and humility... we do not judge or create stereotypes for other people, and we put to shame those who disbelieve and call us hypocrites...

...otherwise, they are right to accuse us of being such.

Galatians 6:1

"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted"

Regards,

Kramer

Hi Kramer. I was just in a discussion about this topic recently. One explanation that has helped me wrap my mind around this idea is that each day I must set aside - or crucify - my will, my selfish desires everyday by seeking Christ's example for my life. Not always an easy thing to do.

My friend from SC starts each day with the last verses of Ps 139 and then begins her Bible study. I've been trying to do that regularly to help me stay on track:
Psalm 139:23,24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way."

My goal is to try not to "judge" another person in order to look better myself in a hypocritical way, but to compare myself to Christ, realize I fall short and work to follow Him. I think it is really important when analyzing myself, critically or objectively, to not spend a lot of time beating myself up as I compare myself to Christ, but rather constantly seek to follow Him.

Does that make sense? It is something that for me is an ongoing work. Anyhow, I appreciate your thoughts.

:) And your song leading!

by mr_and_mrs_berry at 02/26/10 8:47PM
Hmmm... interesting thoughts! I never would have used self-justification or judgment of others in connection with Luke 9.23. Instead, that verse always makes me think of Romans 6... really, the whole chapter, but if I had to pick just a couple of theme verses, they would be 6.10-11:

For the death that He died, He died to sin, once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

And so, in connection to justification/judging, I do judge: if I truly wish to die to sin, I must constantly be judging my thoughts, motives, and actions in reference to what God said. God doesn't change -- His requirements, standards, and expectations never falter -- and so I must continually be working to meet them. Why? Because God the Holy Father has called us to be perfect... like Himself! And as scary and almost impossible-sounding and humbling as that sounds, He has! (Matt 5.48)

I Peter 1.14-17 (not posted, but makes even more sense when reading 13-19): As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile."

God has given us a variety of guidelines -- each of which we must submit ourselves --including the judgment of others when they choose to not be perfect as He has called them to be. In thinking of that specific requirement, to me it gives greater motivation to continually be working to set myself apart for Him -- to be holy and perfect as He has commanded. Because otherwise, the impartial Father who ultimately judges me, will do so on the basis of His unchanging standard, just as He will do everyone else.

And on a different note (pun intended ;), I REALLY appreciated the songs you chose the other day. I love it when you lead singing -- you obviously put time and thought into hymns you choose. I'm trying to work harder at really thinking about what I'm saying when I sing to God and so your selections (both the themes and the selection of thoughtful hymns) have been incredibly helpful with making my mind focus better. Thanks. :)

by laurar209 at 02/27/10 9:15AM
And on a TOTALLY different topic, what is the thing in your profile picture? At first I thought it was a dove... and on closer inspection it looks like an elephant tusk with a pig's foot through it?!?! So confused...! ;)

by laurar209 at 02/27/10 9:20AM
I haven't read all of the above comments yet, so this might be a repeat, but when I read your post it made me think.. we can't judge how well we're doing in our own actions based on the actions of others around us - we have to judge our own actions based on what the Bible says.

Love you :)

by lromanic at 03/02/10 6:12AM
Female name for when it's good, male name for when it has behavior problems? he he! :)

by mayflower at 03/02/10 8:30AM

Greet The New Day...

at 02/07/10 10:55AM *

I see a brand new horizon...

Funny how a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link,... I am amazed by the application it has for our character...

Regards,

Kramer

What? No auto-play this time? ;-)

by technologicalsophomore at 02/08/10 3:22PM
You bring us such joy!
Happy Valentines Day.
We love you!

by 7laughinghardmans at 02/14/10 7:17AM
^ but only on tuesdays, not sure why................

by firehawk3 at 02/14/10 9:24PM
Application = yes. Wow. I never really thought about that. Thanks for the brain food! And I hope you are doing well! Miss all you guys!

by heidiw at 02/16/10 1:45PM

The Gentlemen

at 01/28/10 9:28AM *

Six Gentlemen started a club of their own,
For those of a nobler refinement.
The First Gentleman said "This was all my idea."
and the other five men didn't mind it.

As time went by and the clique kept on,
The Second Man became rather coy.
He called for the removal of men Five and Six,
While the others stood blind to his ploy.

Upon their departure, the Second Man thought
To himself "I would fancy the throne."
He conspired to revolt against First, Third and Fourth,
To obtain the king's crown as his own.

So a battle broke out in the midst of the men,
And their arrogant souls got the better of them.
As they bickered and fought (just as Two had predicted)
The three fell down dead, killed by wounds self-inflicted

Fate, O fate, you laugh at the victor of power whose end will be grim.
As Two snatched up the crown, to his horror he found,
A cage had been built all around him.

Regards,

Kramer

Morbid, yet fascinating.

by stranger_yet at 01/28/10 1:06PM
^yes!

by lizsmith at 01/28/10 4:44PM
You wrote this, didn't you? I'm trying to puzzle out the meaning. Very well written, BTW!

by technologicalsophomore at 01/30/10 12:06PM
Did you write this? It's very good. I do not possess your writing ability but I'll try not to be jealous. :)

by lromanic at 01/30/10 1:31PM
is this part of your musical?

by paradise_ray at 02/03/10 10:58PM
^no,... this is just something I put together with my spare time...

by remark_93 at 02/05/10 8:40PM

But Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others...

at 01/27/10 3:08PM

"The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."

-George Orwell, Animal Farm

Regards,

Kramer

TEAM SNOWBALL

by technologicalsophomore at 01/27/10 5:07PM
This book really opened my eyes. I suggest it to anyone who is old enough to read. Even if they don't understand most of the double-meanings, it's still VERY worthwhile. :)

by stranger_yet at 01/27/10 5:07PM

Starting classes again...

at 01/20/10 9:30AM

so, yeah...

Working on a new musical! doing other stuff...

Having fun and feeling serene!

regards,

Kramer

Awesome!! :)

by middlechild at 01/20/10 9:46AM
Oh cool! You won't need a mean, arrogant uncle will you? :)

Hope this is a good semester for you!

by kread at 01/20/10 9:54AM
I think I know what musical this is? "ON"?

by stranger_yet at 01/20/10 1:46PM
Is that to go with "Up"?

by august28rose at 01/20/10 3:23PM
What are your classes this semester?

by lori_in_pa at 01/21/10 6:18AM
I LOVED the piece you played/sang yesterday for your mom's story.

by laurar209 at 01/22/10 10:36AM
The excitement is too much. I can't take it anymore!

by paradise_ray at 01/24/10 1:06PM

Followers of Christ...

Greet The New Day...

The Gentlemen

But Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others...

Starting classes again...

remark_93

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