Abba’s Child « Journeyman Journal

Ouch

Friday, June 26th, 2009

I have mentioned before that I have been reading Abba’s Child by Brennan Manning as part of my morning routine, and couple weeks ago I read a statement he made that me say “OUCH!” (I even wrote that in the margin). It’s one of those truisms that hurts because it’s true. And it’s a statement I wish I had made myself…but I give credit where it’s due.

Here’s the statement (from page 129):

The number of people who have fled the church because it is too patient or compassionate is negligible; the number who have fled because they find it too unforgiving is tragic.

Like I said “Ouch!” It hurts because there is to much truth here. And I am sure I have contributed to the problem, but I am determined to do my part to be “too” patient and compassionate instead of too unforgiving. This is the same issue that Jesus confronted and it plagues the church yet today.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can all do our part to love one another and show compassion to a world that’s dying for a little love.

26.06.2009 Church, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

Gentle Change

Sunday, May 31st, 2009

I had a great time with God this morning. The hotel room is quiet; I have a diet Pepsi at my side…and God was speaking (and perhaps more importantly…I was listening). I am currently walking through the book of Jeremiah and reading Abba’s Child by Brennan Manning. This morning they came together.

Manning was talking about how often we treat “life like as a series of disconnected episodes” with no meaning or value to them. But nothing could be further from the truth. We are just looking in the wrong place for the meaning and value (or ignoring it altogether after a lifetime of disappointment):

The dark riddle of life is illuminated in Jesus; the meaning, purpose, and goal of everything that happens to us, and the way to make it all count can be learned only from the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

All day and every day we are being reshaped into the image of Christ. Everything that happens to us is designed to this end. (Abba’s Child, page 108).

Life is about being transformed into the image of Christ. Life is not a mistake of circumstances. Life doesn’t just happen. It is designed and used by God with our best interests at heart. And Jeremiah understood this. In the midst of God railing about the destructive influence of idols, Jeremiah prays this prayer:

I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own.
We are not able to plan our own course.
So correct me, LORD, but please be gentle.
Jeremiah 10:23-24a, NLT

That is my prayer this morning. I know God is at work changing me into His image. And it’s hard work…I’m stubborn and thick-headed. I want Him to correct, change, and transform me. I just pray that He will be gentle in doing it and that I will be more aware of the intentionality of His purpose in my life. Life is NOT haphazard. God is using my life to change me…gently.

31.05.2009 Devotional, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Beloved of God

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

As part of my time alone with God in the morning I have been reading the book Abba’s Child by Brennan Manning (thanks to a recommendation by Natalie Witcher—read her blog). A few weeks ago one of the chapters in the book hit me pretty hard…God used it (and is still using it) to shift some of my old paradigms about how I look at God’s love for me. He asks this great question that I am still wrestling with:

How would you respond if I asked you this question: Do you honestly believe that God likes you, not just loves you because theologically God has to love you? (Abba’s Child, page 64)

That’s a great question…do I really believe God loves me…or that He even likes me? Not because He has to…but because He just does? I have difficulty answering this question; I don’t like my answer. But the truth is, God does love us. Period. End of story…

God loves who we really are—whether we like it or not. (page 22)

Thank God for that one…but I wonder how many of us actually believe it. I wonder how much I actually believe it.

My Father’s Arms

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

I just started reading a book by Brennan Manning called Abba’s Child. It was recommended by one of my favorite bloggers, Natalie Witcher (if you haven’t…please check out her site). And I have not been the slightest disappointed (and I am only into the second chapter so far). In the very first chapter, Manning makes a statement that has stuck with me all week…it is still working on me:

“God’s sorrow lies in our refusal to approach Him when we have sinned and failed. A “slip” for an alcoholic is a terrifying experience. The obsession of the mind and body with booze returns with the wild furry of a sudden storm in springtime. When the person sobers up, he or she is devastated. I had two options: yield once again to guilt, fear, and depression; or rush into the arms of my heavenly Father—choose to live as victim of my disease; or choose to trust in Abba’s immutable love.” (page 20, emphasis added).

Alcoholism isn’t my particular “demon” but I understand the choice Manning is illustrating here. And I too seldom run into the arms of my heavenly Father. I turn to the wrong stuff instead of turning to God. I’m not sure I even know how to run into His arms…but it’s my heart’s desire and something I am asking Him to teach me. It isn’t natural…it isn’t my first instinct. But it’s what I need.

So God and I are working on it. I am learning to trust in His “immutable love”; I am learning to run into His arms; I am learning to be His child. I just wish I wasn’t always such a slow learner!