what's @ the core?

I believe John Ortberg is one of the most blessed conveyors of scripture alive today. This gift, alongside his vulnerability & ability to bring a challenge makes him a must read/listen to for me.

Only once have I had this pleasure 'in the flesh' - it was back in 2008, the experience lives on in my life. That day he spoke about us all having different levels of convictions...

Public convictions

these are things we say (though not necessarily believe) because we know that they are the correct things to say. Whether or not we live them out is another matter

Private convictions

these are things we say & hope/believe are true of us & our behaviour

Core convictions

these are the things we truly believe & this is shown in the way that we act - there is a consistency borne out of our inner existence

Whilst having been a people watcher for some time, this past week I became aware of a couple of occasions when I was the one being looked at or looked to.

It has made me far more sensitive to some recent scripture readings...

Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they're not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul                    2 Tim 2 (MSG)

I could almost pick a verse at random from James but how about two from chapter 3 (MSG)...

Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts (verse 13) 

Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings (verse 17)

All of us are constantly in a spotlight - if not from others, then from Him. We may be able to fool others (though less of the time than we think), we may try & fool ourselves (though I'm increasingly unsure why we'd bother), we can not fool Him.

I feel it's time for some of my convictions to shift so that my actions more often match my words - elsewhere in James it suggests we 'Get serious'.

August is just around the corner & that provides me an ideal opportunity to reflect. It's one I intend to take - I'd love for you to do likewise in your own way.

May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work and enliven your speech

Be blessed

Jonathan

going a bit too well??

Those in regular conversations with me, know that 'fix' is a part of my make-up & vocabulary. I'm mindful that if not careful it can be both damaging (to me & others) in 'unfixable' situations & bring me uncomfortably close to 'playing' God's role.

This past week has built on the few that have gone before it & has been incredible. So much so, that I'm loathe to try & talk about it or explain it. It has seen plenty of 'fix' & in some cases, issues that have been around for years being resolved in days.

My part in this does not feel out of line with God's plan & purpose, but given my potential defaults, I want to keep myself in check. I'm doubly mindful, given a recent challenge via 1 Corinthians 3...

A couple of times this week, things have not 'gone my way', my reaction has been interesting - further 'work' required, I guess!!

I've also been doing some more thinking around my August existence & have added two more things to my intentional approach...

1. In 3 wants & isolation I mentioned pride & vanity - both are massive parts of me & I've decided to try & blog some of my journey during this quieter reflective time. I have set up a PandV category!
2. Alongside this, a desire for more depth than I'd always go for has brought me to a SOAPing plan during August. Again, there's a new category & it will be populated during the coming weeks

One final thought that struck me whilst reading Philippians...

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life (Phil 4:6-7 MSG)

These verses encourage us to pray about our worries. They don't say that when we do that our worries are 'fixed', they do say that when we do that we are settled by God's wholeness as it displaces worry at the centre of your life.

In times of worry, rather than looking for 'fixes', what I need to do is recalibrate & centre on God. When I do, His promises to me become more prominent & powerful in my life.

Q: Where might you need to hear this today?

Q: What promise from God do you need to remind yourself of? 

I feel sufficient ramblings have been endured - weekend well everybody

Jonathan