:)

How do we change?

Our fears and desires ..... :)

Our encounters with God, in 3 different modes ... personal, community and incarnational ???

Personal Change Diary paul nipperess 15082006

How do we change???

Often, the most significant changes in
our lives will take place, at times
when we have drifted from living in
God’s Light. We may find ourselves
living a sinful existence and eventually
we reach a point, where our Faith
has been SHATTERED and we have NO HOPE
in our current situation.

About this time, by God’s Grace we may
encounter the Presence of God, as
he gives himself to us, challenging us
to restore our Faith in Him, looking
towards Him as our Saviour and Guide,
leaving the inward focus on ourselves,
behind.

Change in ourselves starts with our
confession, that Jesus is our Saviour
and the realization, that we can achieve
ALL our aspirations and goals, through
Jesus Christ, by communicating with Him
in conversation and prayer.

As our Faith builds in God, our emotions
towards Him also strengthen and we seek
further knowledge and experience of His
Grace on us.

-----

In our personal encounter with God:

What do we find hard about reflection?

Looking back can sometimes reveal a dire
waste of resources in our lives, as we
spent time living a sinful, ego-driven
lifestyle.

TIME, spent away from the Guidance of
the Holy Spirit, was time wasted on
sinful activities and self-centred
occupations, instead of being immersed
in God’s Work, here on Earth.

MONEY spent on self-centred, sinful
activities could have been better
utilized in supporting programs, in the
wider community.

What fears do we have?

Fear of being unable to complete desires
and goals, in this lifetime.

-----------------------------------

What struggles do we have?

Struggles with are of HUGE concern,
like those career changes, as we move
from full-time employment to casual work
or even retirement from the workforce.

Such career changes, also bring changes
in our family and community
relationships, as the affects of our
career changes make themselves felt,
in our wider families and communities.

What doubts do we have?

Our Faith can be often challenged, as
God’s Work in ourselves may take on a
much longer-term time frame, than we
expect and events that unfold in the
interim, may have us doubting God’s
Wisdom and plan for our lives.

What do we think of time spent alone with God?

Time alone with God is ALWAYS quality
time, as there’s no outside pressure to
perform at any level, except in the
activity chosen by us, at that time.

For example, relating one-on-one with
God whilst driving a vehicle, may take
more focus, than if we were relaxed on
a lounge reading the Bible.

-----

Our community in Christ:

“Strength in the community of the people
is to be used for the people, not only
the individual.”

How curious are we about other people?

Our curiosity is probably best satisfied
when we ask other people about
themselves, in a truly empathetic
manner, as we strive to help them
overcome the challenges in their own
lives.

Would you be willing to share odd or
strange thoughts about God with others?

By sharing our thoughts about God, we
also expose our individual encounters
with God, that bless us all, in many
different ways.

What are our fears about sharing
thoughts about God with others?

In groups, Christians may be victimised
and ridiculed by non-believers, making
it difficult for some Christians to
speak out about their faith.

How at home do we feel in this life?

As individuals, we must all take a
different “journey-to-life” ... taking
a path illuminated by God’s Light,
ensures that we can overcome the
challenges set before us, as opposed to
taking the darker path and living in our
dark and broken world.

-----

God encounters us in the Incarnational
journey, where we live in the Life of
Christ in this world, through the
guidance of the Holy Spirit.

As a Christian, where do you see God?

We can see God in the vibrance and
colour of Mother Nature, as well as in
the eyes of the aged and dying, who have
already found God’s Grace and Comfort.

We can feel God in our emotions ... in
the joy of watching our children achieve
their goals, even the smallest goal is a
step forward.

We can hear God in the genuine thanks,
from an appreciative stranger, when we
give him a ride, after his own vehicle
breaks down.

We can taste God in yoghurt and fruit,
that we have for our breakfast.

We can smell God in the fresh air,
immediately after a rainstorm or
in a sea breeze, that brings us cool
relief on a hot summer’s day.

What picture of Christ do you think
people gain from you?

Hopefully, as Christians living in the
Light of God, we reflect a person with
empathy for others and a willingness to
share our blessings and forgiveness with
those in need.

In summary, ALL three modes of our
encounters with God are extensively
interlinked, with each other, too.

have a great day

yogi

:)