Who Do You Think You Are by Mark Driscoll

Mark Driscoll uses Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus as a outline for exploring our identity in Christ.  This book seeks to dispel some of the myths that we might form about ourselves based on our experiences by detailing Biblical truth as a foundation for how God see's us

I really appreciated the structure of this book, being based on scripture it moves from a sentimental 'God loves us' book and moves to a book of foundational truths that can free you and I in areas of our lives where we may have been bound in the past

This book was really interesting, I enjoyed the mix between stories and doctrine. It's a book that you could use as a bed time read, but it also includes some really good sections that helped me to describe my doctrine more clearly (The section on spiritual gifts). In that sense, If I were to sum it up, I'd say it balances inspiration and theology really well.

I didn't agree with everything that Pastor Mark wrote, but I did agree with most of it. I felt it was conveyed really effectively. It has kept my attention and has re-iterated some of the things that I am free to do and be through Jesus

One particular area that has blessed me is the reminder that I am a child of God, a co-heir with Christ. That is my identity and I should be secure and safe in that identity regardless of what other people say, do or think

I recommend this book, it's definitely worth a read

Approval

This really helped me today...

For so long I've considered my identity as a sinner, and the feeling of guilt associated with this identity has driven me to try and achieve and succeed in order to gain approval from God.

I know I'm not alone....

So many Christians, feel they have to gain approval from God. 

How does this work with the knowledge, that we can't do any more to make God love us more?

Today, I was listening to a sermon and this has communicated so succinctly what I have been dwelling on in my mind for some time...

We don't live for God's approval
We live from God's approval

I've been living for God's approval, yet God already approves.
This thought alongside this tremendous scripture has been a refreshing truth in my day! 

Do not fear, Zion do not let your hands hang limp.
¹⁷ The Lord your God is with you  the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing

Be Thankful

Thankfulness, Gratitude, appreciation....

I've been dwelling in this area for some time now and thinking about what it means to be thankful. 

It's a theme that pops up throughout scripture. A right response to a righteous God is to... be thankful.

1 Chronicles 29:13 
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

Psalm 95:2 
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

Psalm 100:4 
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

1 Corinthians 15:57 
57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:6 
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Colossians 3:17 
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

But, how often do we fall into autopilot. We complain about what we have, we want more, we compare ourselves to others...

This year I'm committing to being thankful. Thankful, because everything I am and have is not my own, but is God's. 

This year I'm going to 'count my blessings' not other people's

I'm going to be thankful for what I do have, not questioning why I don't have

Why not join me in being thankful...

Looking Ahead

It's getting to that time of year when, even before Christmas, I'm thinking to the New Year.

What will 2013 hold? Can it top 2012? 
For us it will include a new baby, a new house (hopefully) and lots of changes, it's going to be a big year! 

So, I find myself thinking resolutions. I really love the idea of resolutions. At the beginning of a new year, the opportunity to resolve to do something new or do something differently. As with most people, I start off with really good intentions, I start forming a new routine or habit and then something changes or happens and the resolution goes out of the window.  

Why is this? Why are New Year Resolutions so difficult to keep to?
Are we too busy to do new or different things?
Do we aspire too high and then can't reach?
Do we aim to low and lack motivation to see the resolution through?

As I was getting up this morning, I was thinking about all of this and decided that this year my resolutions are going to be slightly different.

In the past, I've always resolved to DO stuff. Join a gym, read the Bible more, spend more time with friends etc. All of which is great and I would like to do more of.

But, this year instead of resolving to do more, I'm going to resolve to be more
Instead of resolving to change activities, I'm going to resolve to change attitudes

Attitudes is a funny one, because we can often see what needs changing in other people's attitudes before we can see what needs to change in our own.

"I wish that person could be more positive"
"If only they'd listen"
"They just never stop talking"
"They always subtly complain"

So, this year, I'm going to look at myself and ask God, what needs changing in my attitude? 
How can I be more Christlike?
How can I be more graceful?
How can I be the person I am created and called to be?

Will you resolve with me this year to not just add or change activities, but to be and grow attitudes?