Crossroads Church Blog Thingy

Truth that transforms... or at least makes you think...

Welcome to the Crossroads Church blog.  I started this blog as I'm reading through the Bible and wanted a forum to discuss topics/passages that struck my interest or may have intrigued others.

I've also added categories for leadership and general church stuff.

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peace,

m
 

Control

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This entry was posted on 4/7/2008 8:27 AM and is filed under General.

When I was 12 I got my first cavity in a "permanent" tooth and it drove me nuts.  Despite, what I thought were my best efforts at brushing and even flossing once a year, I still got drilled. 

When I was 17, my girlfriend Sheila broke up with me and I thought I was going to die.  Despite my best efforts at dating and even doing what she wanted to do once a year, I still got dumped. 

In both of those instances and many other times, I thought I had control. Whenever I operate under the delusion that I have control, I am invariably disappointed.

What I'm learning is that while I don't have control, I do have influence.  My actions, my words, my attitudes, make a difference in my life and in the lives of others.  They can influence people toward good or toward evil.  

I think you have the same ability to influence, but not control.  Let's use that influence wisely and lovingly.  If things go well, we can share in the credit, but not assume we had full control.  If things don't go well, we can share in the blame, but not have to shoulder all the responsibility.

 
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    • 4/7/2008 11:33 PM Blog-Dog wrote:
      So, as it relates to "life" then, what is the difference whether we have "influence" or not? If GOD is in control and we don't have control then how does "influence" make a difference?
      Perhaps it is how we (as believers) define "control"......
      I think that when we say (and hopefully truly believe) that HE is in control, we really mean HE is and that we will then live our lives under his guidance and direction. So, our actions, words and attitudes will (or should..) fall in line with HIS expectations and then DO make a difference. The "Words of Life vs. Words of Death" concept fell into play for me this morning. I found myself trying to "be in contol" with a situation regarding a rental car and free upgrades (which I was not getting even though I was supposed to). Had I done it the way I was starting to do it (my way, I wanted to be in control of the situation....) I'm sure it would have ended with "Words of Death." But as it started to unfold, I was convicted that not getting a rental car upgrade was just not worth the possibility of tearing someone down with "words of death." It almost sounds trivial, but even trivial things can be "control" issues. As I think about it, maybe it is mostly trivial things that become "control" things?

      I think, then, that as we allow ourselves to be "controlled" by GOD more and more, then our "influence," too, becomes more and more godly.

      I'm not sure that I agree with the whole "share in the credit... or... share in the blame" comment. Or maybe, I just don't understand what that is actually saying....??
      Reply to this
    • 4/8/2008 8:48 AM donkey kong wrote:
      I totally agree. This is why I have enjoyed pastor Aarons series thus far and cant wait til Sunday to here what else God has to say via Aaron. A former pastor of mine once taught: "There is a God, and I am not Him." While these words are easy to remember and even fun to recite, I must admit that I struggle – to some degree - with this on a daily basis.

      I think that it’s very important for each of us to take responsibility for our actions and words - but at the same time not overestimate our own 'insignificance' (for lack of a better word).

      Realizing that I am not God, I don’t believe that my words and actions could ever 'save' anyone from hell, - but my words and actions (or lack thereof) could very well be ‘keeping’ one heaven.
      Reply to this
    • 4/8/2008 8:52 AM donkey kong wrote:
      correction: my last sentence should have read "... could very well be ‘keeping’ one FROM heaven."
      Reply to this
    • 4/8/2008 7:16 PM Rebel Nazarite wrote:
      quick question

      How does the statement:

      "Realizing that I am not God, I don’t believe that my words and actions could ever 'save' anyone from hell" (of which I believe),

      reconcile with James 5:20?

      Just curious.
      Reply to this
    • 4/9/2008 5:03 AM Ian wrote:
      Author John Ortberg uses a bowling analogy to describe "The Art of Letting Go." When someone is bowling, they often try to control the ball after they let it go. "They wave at it, talk to it, threaten it. They contort their bodies - they lean to one side, hop on one foot, hunch their shoulders. They act as if they had some kind of magic control over an object that is no longer in their hands."

      Ortberg goes on to say that we do have control, or influence, over certain things when bowling; footwork, back swing, aiming and such. But when the ball is out of our hands headed down the lane there's nothing more we can do. Ortberg says to truly enjoy bowling, "When you let go - let it go."
      Reply to this
    • 4/9/2008 8:11 AM mah wrote:
      That's a good analogy and it does help me to reconcile James 5:20 with other Scripture that indiates it is God who draws us like John 6:44. I see this process as a both/and instead of an either/or.

      Is it not incredibly humbling that God should involve us in this process?
      Reply to this
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