Comments on: Variation on a Theme http://randywray.com/2005/03/30/variation-on-a-theme/ Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:55:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ebyboy http://randywray.com/2005/03/30/variation-on-a-theme/comment-page-1/#comment-41 Ebyboy Fri, 01 Apr 2005 04:19:00 +0000 http://www.randywray.com/?p=16#comment-41 There are many reasons why we struggle with our spiritual lives. One being that we SHOULD struggle. The bible says we are working out our faith with fear and trembling. Taken with the admonition that he who thinks he stands should take heed lest he fall clearly depict that a certain uncertainty is essential for building our faith and keeping us from thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to. There is also the contradiction of our existence which plays a considearble role. We are spiritual beings who inhabit limited and earthly bodies that the bible notes is corruptible. In essence there is a profound struggle going on and sometimes the weariness seeps into our spirit. And sometimes it is just God's signal to us to approach him for renewal, refreshment and replenishment. A call to deeper intimacy with God. There are many reasons why we struggle with our spiritual lives. One being that we SHOULD struggle. The bible says we are working out our faith with fear and trembling. Taken with the admonition that he who thinks he stands should take heed lest he fall clearly depict that a certain uncertainty is essential for building our faith and keeping us from thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to.

There is also the contradiction of our existence which plays a considearble role. We are spiritual beings who inhabit limited and earthly bodies that the bible notes is corruptible. In essence there is a profound struggle going on and sometimes the weariness seeps into our spirit.

And sometimes it is just God’s signal to us to approach him for renewal, refreshment and replenishment. A call to deeper intimacy with God.

]]> By: BeOneTraveler http://randywray.com/2005/03/30/variation-on-a-theme/comment-page-1/#comment-40 BeOneTraveler Thu, 31 Mar 2005 15:05:00 +0000 http://www.randywray.com/?p=16#comment-40 I agree with thurman8er: recognizing the thirst in the spiritual life means the spiritual life exists. Sanctification is a process (a trite expression for those living in the DC area, but still). Which is one way of saying that believers will have trials ("Consider it pure joy..."). The blessing is in realizing you need to address the issue ("Whatever is good...think on these things"). I agree with thurman8er: recognizing the thirst in the spiritual life means the spiritual life exists. Sanctification is a process (a trite expression for those living in the DC area, but still). Which is one way of saying that believers will have trials (“Consider it pure joy…”).

The blessing is in realizing you need to address the issue (“Whatever is good…think on these things”).

]]> By: Hopeful http://randywray.com/2005/03/30/variation-on-a-theme/comment-page-1/#comment-39 Hopeful Thu, 31 Mar 2005 00:49:00 +0000 http://www.randywray.com/?p=16#comment-39 When I’m having one of those everlasting Mondays I tend to become a very mean person. In an attempt to stay on my best behavior I shut out the world. I’ve learned over time that just shutting out the world doesn’t help my attitude, just the people around me. Now when I’m having one of my joyful days I shut out the world in a more spiritual way. I lesson to Christian music very very very load, I have so much fun…and I end up in my own little world. I have a girl friend, she grow up in the church…. however fell away because of differences with her family. I think she has every self-help book ever published. She’s always giving us the new insight to her soul (since she always finding herself); I always listen and say OK. On day I came home from work in a really bad mood (I was so upset I cried), she came over to cheer me up (along with many extracts from her many books). When she came in I was dancing around the house in my own little world, just as happy as I could be. She didn’t understand, and I really couldn’t explain why I was suddenly so happy; but she did understand enough to go to church that Sunday. It’s now’s been three weeks in a row…..pray for her (Anita). When I’m having one of those everlasting Mondays I tend to become a very mean person. In an attempt to stay on my best behavior I shut out the world. I’ve learned over time that just shutting out the world doesn’t help my attitude, just the people around me. Now when I’m having one of my joyful days I shut out the world in a more spiritual way. I lesson to Christian music very very very load, I have so much fun…and I end up in my own little world.

I have a girl friend, she grow up in the church…. however fell away because of differences with her family. I think she has every self-help book ever published. She’s always giving us the new insight to her soul (since she always finding herself); I always listen and say OK.

On day I came home from work in a really bad mood (I was so upset I cried), she came over to cheer me up (along with many extracts from her many books). When she came in I was dancing around the house in my own little world, just as happy as I could be. She didn’t understand, and I really couldn’t explain why I was suddenly so happy; but she did understand enough to go to church that Sunday.

It’s now’s been three weeks in a row…..pray for her (Anita).

]]> By: Thurman8er http://randywray.com/2005/03/30/variation-on-a-theme/comment-page-1/#comment-38 Thurman8er Wed, 30 Mar 2005 23:22:00 +0000 http://www.randywray.com/?p=16#comment-38 Lynn and Robin Button were over for dinner last night and we were talking about acknowledging the spiritual life. We all know people who don't have a relationship with God because they refuse to admit or dwell on the truth that there is a world beyond this physical one. And we were saying that even at times when we struggle with our spiritual lives, it is SO much better than not having one at all. Whether they last for days or years (and I DID have one go that long), God always pulls me out of my spiritual slumps. I never expect it, and am always surprised by how He does it. But it's never me. It's always Him. I love you, brother. I'm so glad Sandra pointed me to your blog so I could reestablish that. Lynn and Robin Button were over for dinner last night and we were talking about acknowledging the spiritual life. We all know people who don’t have a relationship with God because they refuse to admit or dwell on the truth that there is a world beyond this physical one. And we were saying that even at times when we struggle with our spiritual lives, it is SO much better than not having one at all.

Whether they last for days or years (and I DID have one go that long), God always pulls me out of my spiritual slumps. I never expect it, and am always surprised by how He does it. But it’s never me. It’s always Him.

I love you, brother. I’m so glad Sandra pointed me to your blog so I could reestablish that.

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