Christmas Gifts - Page 7

Socialite · #61 01-13-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notofworks

But His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Where's the "Sacrifice" in that?

The cost of discipleship is deep. It's living the cross life not the self life.

I'm more in the corner of how free it is to come to faith in Jesus, and how much he asks us to carry a cross with Him. I think of passages like Matthew 10. That doesn't mean it's not possible. In the Spirit, it's quite easy and free. In the flesh... well it's in rebellion against God and His Ways. The call to discipleship is one that calls us deeper... continually.

notofworks · #62 01-13-2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socialite

The cost of discipleship is deep. It's living the cross life not the self life.

I'm more in the corner of how free it is to come to faith in Jesus, and how much he asks us to carry a cross with Him. I think of passages like Matthew 10. That doesn't mean it's not possible. In the Spirit, it's quite easy and free. In the flesh... well it's in rebellion against God and His Ways. The call to discipleship is one that calls us deeper... continually.

No question about it.

I see this through the eyes of the weight-struggle I've often encountered in my life. It is AWFUL to give up some of the gorging I love to do. In fact, the first few days? My body throws a fit. But as my body makes the adjustments and I feel better, look better, have more energy, clothes fit, etc., and the weight gets where it should be? Oh man!!! It becomes VERY easy and it's rewarding to the point it becomes painful to overeat. The burden of eating only when I'm hungry becomes very light and the yoke of eating small portions becomes very easy. The so-called "sacrifice" doesn't seem like a sacrifice at all.

notofworks · #63 01-14-2011, 11:21 AM

Well, I promised to let you all know how it went yesterday and even though these words are difficult to write, I'll follow through and give the update.

The bottom line? He didn't do it.

It started with such promise. The coach sat down with our son and gave him the best advice I've ever heard him given. So he grabbed a few baseballs and warmed up.

This was the first piece of advice he received. Rather than just jumping right in there and throwing, the coach told him to get into the right frame of mind first. He told my son he had to really believe and without really believing, he wouldn't get anywhere.

He told him he had to just let go, not try so hard, and let it happen naturally. I got a little confused, though, because the coach also told him to really bear down and get serious, so I'm not sure how those two things work together.

So after he got into the right frame of mind he started throwing. Hard. Harder than ever and man oh man, he was SO close at one point. We thought for sure he was about to break through and at one point, threw the ball 88mph.

The guy with the radar gun glanced away once and someone close thinks he saw the gun register 90mph, but without someone actually witnessing it, we just can't be sure. My son even said he felt like that one particular throw was 90mph, but there has to be a witness, you know.

The day ended with my son collapsing in exhaustion, sobbing. My heart really went out to him and I want to give him his gift, but like I've said from the beginning...rules are rules. In my house, gifts have to be earned.

So we're back where we started. I'm not sure what to do now.

And if none of this makes sense, go read the first post of this thread.

jmspiers · #64 01-14-2011, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila

I'm discovering that biblical grace is down right scandalous.

A friend on Facebook posted a link to Mark Lowry talking about grace. It was really good. He said that God spreads grace like a 4-year-old spreads peanut butter; He gets it over everything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila

A man faithful to church, all the traditions, standards, codes of conduct, etc. can be lost because he added to the cross, thus making himself his own savior

Such a great, great point. Those who attempt to be justified by the law are severed from grace (Gal. 5:1-4; a very apt way of putting it since he was talking about circumcision. I love Paul haha).

jmspiers · #65 01-14-2011, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notofworks

There's something serious funny about the word, "bishoprick" which I believe is actually, "bishopric".....but still........

I'm pretty sure it's spelled both ways. I looked it up too because I wasn't sure lol. I found it spelled in dictionaries and bishoprik, bishoprick, and bishuprik.

But yes, I always want to put an extra "p" in there when I type it. Especially when I'm thinking about Judas.

jmspiers · #66 01-14-2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notofworks

Well, I promised to let you all know how it went yesterday and even though these words are difficult to write, I'll follow through and give the update.

The bottom line? He didn't do it.

...

The day ended with my son collapsing in exhaustion, sobbing. My heart really went out to him and I want to give him his gift, but like I've said from the beginning...rules are rules. In my house, gifts have to be earned.

So we're back where we started. I'm not sure what to do now.

It would be so great if your son had an older brother who could break 90 mph with every single throw. If that was the case, then the older brother could make the throw in place of his younger brother. That way the requirement could be met and your son could get his gifts.

Why, you could even think about dressing like your son and making the throw yourself!

notofworks · #67 01-14-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmspiers

I'm pretty sure it's spelled both ways. I looked it up too because I wasn't sure lol. I found it spelled in dictionaries and bishoprik, bishoprick, and bishuprik.

But yes, I always want to put an extra "p" in there when I type it. Especially when I'm thinking about Judas.

I went to dictionary.com, the answer to everything in the entire world, and typed in "bishoprick" and it said, "No results found. Do you mean, 'Bishopric'?"

However, I will not discount your theology just because of one small error.

(besides, I agree with your theology!)

jmspiers · #68 01-14-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notofworks

I went to dictionary.com, the answer to everything in the entire world, and typed in "bishoprick" and it said, "No results found. Do you mean, 'Bishopric'?"

However, I will not discount your theology just because of one small error.

(besides, I agree with your theology!)

Yes but see, the FREE dictionary has bishoprick! And, since grace is free, and the free dictionary is free, then their definition must be right! It's only (il)logical!

jmspiers · #69 01-14-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmspiers

Yes but see, the FREE dictionary has bishoprick! And, since grace is free, and the free dictionary is free, then their definition must be right! It's only (il)logical!

I take it back. I Googled both and your spelling is the superior. I'm such a failure.

notofworks · #70 01-14-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmspiers

I take it back. I Googled both and your spelling is the superior. I'm such a failure.

I argued with a teacher once, in high school, that it doesn't matter how anything is spelled or said because the point is communication, and if others understand what's being said, nothing else matters.

She disagreed.