"Often what human beings do is so horrible that we can be excused for thinking that all that matters is stopping it. But this is an evasion of the real horror: the heart from which the terrible action comes. In both cases, it is who we are in our thoughts feelings, dispositions, and choices-in the inner life-that counts."
"Love-the genuine inner readiness and longing to secure the good of others."
posted by TK at 6:01 PM
Welcome to our online discussion of Dallas Willard and Jan Johnson's Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice: Experiments in Spiritual Transformation. Each day, Monday-Friday, I will post the title of that day's chapter and maybe an excerpt from the chapter. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, will be to read that day's selection from the book then click on the comment link and add your $.02 to the conversation. If you are a highlighter maybe just share what you highlighted and why you highlighted it. Maybe something really resonated with you as you tackled that day's experiment, share that with us. Maybe, as happened with me, the first time I read the book, God will reveal something to you. Read the comments that others leave, respond to each other, ask for clarification, let someone know you connected with a comment they left. My hope is that working through this book together we will get much more out of it, we might not only grow in Christlikeness but grow closer to each other. If you have any technical difficulties please email me at tkay3atcharterdotnet.
5 Comments:
Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman John 4:14
We all know how poorly women were regarded during this time in history. Women knew their "lack of place" in society. So for her to engage in a conversation with Jesus was huge. It didn't matter that he spoke to her first. And then she spoke back with a question ... she expected an answer from Him, furthering the amount of conversing time. Again, this was huge. I think she saw the face of Love and was drawn to it. I think she heard the voice of Love and was comforted by it.
I know I do not have this kind of love impact on non-Christ followers. I long to have this kind of love naturally flow out of me. The "Jesus kind of Love" that stranges are drawn to. I want to be a well of love that refreshes people I do not know. I want to impact them with Love, impacting them into their eternal life.
Candy
Hey Candy,
We spent a good bit of time talking about just this subject with the Friday Morning Group.
What if instead of concentrating our (read as the church) efforts' on changing people's behaviors we concentrated on loving them like Jesus did? What if we "oozed" the love of Christ?
So a big takeaway for me is there is a lot more at stake with this whole spiritual formation thing than just little ol' me. Christ's heart being formed in me, in each of us, is critical to growing the kingdom of God here and now.
I have a special love for non Christians because they do not know any better. To me it is like not loving someone because they have a disease thats beyond there control. I dont believe it will ever compare to the depth of love God has for us.or it will have the same impact. I have a question why is it easier to give love then it is te receive love? Could it be because I may not love myself the way God Loves me? Or is it because maybe I havent let go of all my skeletons?
Lord please help me Love myself in the way you allow me to Love others and in the way you love us!
In Jesus name AMEN!!!!
Tk,
I thank you for doing this it couldnt have come at a better time in my life. I REALLY enjoy seeing all the comments it helps me to learn more about myself and Jesus. And I like the journey!!!
Thanks Again
43 years of "good behavior" being pounded into me - parents, teachers, bosses....that's a hard habit to break.
Only God's power can change me.
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