Comments on: If You Only Make One Resolution… http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2009/12/if-you-only-make-one-resolution.html Connecting God's Truth to Real Life Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:35:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: JackW http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2009/12/if-you-only-make-one-resolution.html/comment-page-1#comment-19435 JackW Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:34:56 +0000 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/?p=3690#comment-19435 Best book I've read on the Gospel is The World-Tilting Gospel by Dan Phillips. Readable and comprehensive. Best book I’ve read on the Gospel is The World-Tilting Gospel by Dan Phillips. Readable and comprehensive.

]]> By: Dave Wilson http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2009/12/if-you-only-make-one-resolution.html/comment-page-1#comment-8526 Dave Wilson Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:19:30 +0000 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/?p=3690#comment-8526 Stephen, Based on your affinity for preserved animal flesh, I thought you might appreciate a link to true cured delight -- Bacon Jam! <a href="http://www.uncrate.com/men/culture/food/bacon-jam/" target="_blank">http://www.uncrate.com/men/culture/food/bacon-jam...</a> Bon apetit! Dave Stephen,

Based on your affinity for preserved animal flesh, I thought you might appreciate a link to true cured delight — Bacon Jam!

http://www.uncrate.com/men/culture/food/bacon-jam...

Bon apetit!
Dave

]]> By: Stephen Altrogge http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2009/12/if-you-only-make-one-resolution.html/comment-page-1#comment-8475 Stephen Altrogge Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:54:43 +0000 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/?p=3690#comment-8475 I agree. The task seems simple, but when you get down to it, growing in our passion for the gospel takes concerted effort. I agree. The task seems simple, but when you get down to it, growing in our passion for the gospel takes concerted effort.

]]> By: bondChristian http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2009/12/if-you-only-make-one-resolution.html/comment-page-1#comment-8474 bondChristian Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:43:25 +0000 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/?p=3690#comment-8474 Oddly enough, I don't like salami that much - I'm more of a pepperoni person. So the salami goal might be more achievable for me than you. The other resolution, though... well, it's more difficult. I believe I will be closer to God next year than this year and growing closer to Him next year shouldn't be that difficult considering my failings this year. Still, I know what you mean. Drawing closer to Jesus and understanding the gospel more fully should always be our goal. In fact, it should not even be a priority because "priority" implies others afterward. Growing in Christ should be the sole mission. That's when the reality of it set in... at least for me. That's when I realize how difficult but important this task is. -Marshall Jones Jr. Oddly enough, I don’t like salami that much – I’m more of a pepperoni person. So the salami goal might be more achievable for me than you.

The other resolution, though… well, it’s more difficult. I believe I will be closer to God next year than this year and growing closer to Him next year shouldn’t be that difficult considering my failings this year. Still, I know what you mean.

Drawing closer to Jesus and understanding the gospel more fully should always be our goal. In fact, it should not even be a priority because “priority” implies others afterward. Growing in Christ should be the sole mission.

That’s when the reality of it set in… at least for me. That’s when I realize how difficult but important this task is.

-Marshall Jones Jr.

]]> By: Stephen Altrogge http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2009/12/if-you-only-make-one-resolution.html/comment-page-1#comment-8472 Stephen Altrogge Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:39:27 +0000 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/?p=3690#comment-8472 Rehearsing the gospel! I love it! Thanks for sharing this. Rehearsing the gospel! I love it! Thanks for sharing this.

]]> By: Stephen Altrogge http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2009/12/if-you-only-make-one-resolution.html/comment-page-1#comment-8471 Stephen Altrogge Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:38:53 +0000 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/?p=3690#comment-8471 Lorraine - You're right, there is a sort of tension between living in the good of the gospel, and always striving to be more like Christ. I think though, that if we're not first grounded in the goodness of the gospel, we'll never make real progress in becoming like Christ. Rather, we'll always have a vague feeling that God isn't pleased with us. The gospel frees us to admit our sins because we know that they're forgiven, and then press on into holiness. Thanks for commenting! Lorraine – You’re right, there is a sort of tension between living in the good of the gospel, and always striving to be more like Christ. I think though, that if we’re not first grounded in the goodness of the gospel, we’ll never make real progress in becoming like Christ. Rather, we’ll always have a vague feeling that God isn’t pleased with us. The gospel frees us to admit our sins because we know that they’re forgiven, and then press on into holiness.

Thanks for commenting!

]]> By: Violet http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2009/12/if-you-only-make-one-resolution.html/comment-page-1#comment-8466 Violet Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:02:45 +0000 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/?p=3690#comment-8466 I'll second the recommendation to Vincent's book! It has truly transformed my life this past year. I have numbered his 31 reasons to rehearse the Gospel each day and read (together with my husband) one each day. After that I read either the prose or poetry narrative of the Gospel. I am newly amazed and energized each day at God's wondrous grace as epitomized in the Gospel. I’ll second the recommendation to Vincent’s book! It has truly transformed my life this past year. I have numbered his 31 reasons to rehearse the Gospel each day and read (together with my husband) one each day. After that I read either the prose or poetry narrative of the Gospel. I am newly amazed and energized each day at God’s wondrous grace as epitomized in the Gospel.

]]> By: Lorraine http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2009/12/if-you-only-make-one-resolution.html/comment-page-1#comment-8465 Lorraine Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:40:39 +0000 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/?p=3690#comment-8465 Thanks for this post Stephen - we are a salami and cheese family too - my husband being Swiss and all... I am encouraged by your post - and also still trying to understand the tension (as perceived by me, at least) between walking in the Spirit - really being led by the Spirit moment by moment so that my thoughts, words, and works are inspired and led by Him, rather than being works of the flesh...I have always seen a bit of a struggle here and have known folks who basically don't even try (ie."make every effort..." eg. 2 Peter 1:5 et al.), saying 'you can't do anything' and just float through life without trying, and those who seem to thrive on "trying" and end up frustrated and defeated with failure (well, I guess we all fall into that category sometimes, eh?!). I would like to resolve to be more self-disciplined in 2010, esp. in the areas of spiritual disciplines - better organized and exeuted prayer life, more and more earnest Bible reading/studying, more opportunities for service/outreach ministry et al. and yes, you're right that this "spiritual growth always starts with being bowled over by the gospel" - I'll meditate on that a bit and see if it clears the skys a bit for me. Thanks Thanks for this post Stephen – we are a salami and cheese family too – my husband being Swiss and all…

I am encouraged by your post – and also still trying to understand the tension (as perceived by me, at least) between walking in the Spirit – really being led by the Spirit moment by moment so that my thoughts, words, and works are inspired and led by Him, rather than being works of the flesh…I have always seen a bit of a struggle here and have known folks who basically don’t even try (ie.”make every effort…” eg. 2 Peter 1:5 et al.), saying ‘you can’t do anything’ and just float through life without trying, and those who seem to thrive on “trying” and end up frustrated and defeated with failure (well, I guess we all fall into that category sometimes, eh?!).

I would like to resolve to be more self-disciplined in 2010, esp. in the areas of spiritual disciplines – better organized and exeuted prayer life, more and more earnest Bible reading/studying, more opportunities for service/outreach ministry et al. and yes, you’re right that this “spiritual growth always starts with being bowled over by the gospel” – I’ll meditate on that a bit and see if it clears the skys a bit for me.
Thanks

]]> By: Stephen Altrogge http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2009/12/if-you-only-make-one-resolution.html/comment-page-1#comment-8464 Stephen Altrogge Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:14:26 +0000 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/?p=3690#comment-8464 You're right Rob, the book is awesome. Is everyone hearing this? Listen to Rob and go buy the book. You’re right Rob, the book is awesome. Is everyone hearing this? Listen to Rob and go buy the book.

]]> By: Rob http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2009/12/if-you-only-make-one-resolution.html/comment-page-1#comment-8462 Rob Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:50:15 +0000 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/?p=3690#comment-8462 That is one of the best most transforming books I have read in a long time. Milton Vincent hits the nail on the head. May we all come to know the gospel better in 2010! Thanks for this post! That is one of the best most transforming books I have read in a long time. Milton Vincent hits the nail on the head. May we all come to know the gospel better in 2010! Thanks for this post!

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