How People Change, Tripp--Part 4

Our wrong responses are not forced on us by situations and/or people. They come out of our hearts.

How People Change, Tripp--Part 3

As Christians, we should be the saddest people on earth (because we understand the ravages of sin), and the most joyful people on earth (because we experience the grace of the crucified Christ).

a freebie...

This life, therefore,
is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness,
not health but healing,
not being, but becoming,
not rest but exercise.
We are not yet what we shall be but we are growing toward it;
the process is not finished but it is going on;
this is not the end but it is the road;
all does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified.

By: Martin Luther

How People Change, Tripp--Part 2

Another quote:

Change is not rooted in a body of knowledge, a set of rules, theological outlines or behavioral techniques. It is the result of your heart's transformation (and humble submission) by the risen Lord. As His grace rules our hearts, we can keep His commands.

Praise be to God!

How People Change, Tripp--Part 1

I picked up the book How People Change this afternoon. There have been great nuggets of truth that have been good for me to reflect on and think through. I am going to share one with you now!

Our reactions to our circumstances have consequences. Our responses, whether godly or ungodly, help create a new set of circumstances to deal with. If I get irritated with my son when he doesn't do what I say, I create a new set of circumstances. When I sin, I make the problem worse, even if my son obeys me. When I respond in godly ways, it doesn't guarantee that my son will respond as I would like, but it does ensure that I am not a hindrance to the work of God in his life.

Such a great reminder!

C.S. Lewis on the fleeting pleasures of sin...

We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

Trusting God

I have the privilege of meeting with a dear sister in Christ each week to discuss Jerry Bridges' book Trusting God. The time has been super sweet! Tonight I was reading chapter 3 in preparation for our time together and came across this quote:

Trusting God is not a matter of my feelings but of my will. I never feel like trusting God when adversity strikes, but I can choose to do so even when I don't feel like it. That act of the will, though, must be based on belief, and belief must be based on truth.

I love it! I want to trust like this!