Comments on: Sunday Reflections – Signs! Signs! Everywhere are signs!

By: Kari Scare

Kari Scare — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 17:20:05 +0000

I agree Mark. Unfortunately, that's not the world's view of being enlightened. We need to focus on what we know is true and to live in that.

By: Mark Allman

Mark Allman — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:19:03 +0000

Well said Kari,
Everyone's point of view is different as well as what we are biased towards. I do think the struggle is to make sure we are consistently trying to mold our point of view into God's. I think to be enlightened is to see things as God see's them.

By: Kari Scare

Kari Scare — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:58:13 +0000

Did some praying & meditating on what you wrote, and I think what you're getting at is a crucial point in progressive sanctification or being made holy. We all have our unique points of views/perspectives, and they are what make us wonderfully who we are to a large extent. They fit our gifts and talents and abilities. But when we operate out of our POV and fail to live in God's POV, we start operating in bias and then what we're good and and like and don't like shadows everything we do and think and say, making us unable to appreciate or see or acknowledge another's POV. We fail to be open to see outside of our comfort zones, which is often where God is beckoning us to go with Him. We need to let God change our POV to His. We need to learn to love what He loves and hate what He hates. We need to see through the eyes of grace, mercy and peace. (Maybe this is why Paul starts his letters with these words.) So often, I also hold in contempt those who seem to continually struggle and who don't grow and progress in life, thinking they are just less spiritual than me. I am learning to see that weaknesses really all have the same source and are all a flesh/spirit battle. The more we walk in the Spirit, the less hold they have over us. That's really the only difference. God's Word gives us our focus and shapes our POV into His. That is truly where we learn what to value and what measure we should use. It's all about a focus away from self and toward God. Your turn!

By: Kari Scare

Kari Scare — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 21:20:25 +0000

Mark, I think that I need to think and pray about this more. Know that I am doing that and will respond to what you said. My not feeling good is hampering my thinking a bit. Plus, I think this is an issue I need to let percolate a bit in my spirit.

By: Mark Allman

Mark Allman — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:43:15 +0000

Kari,
This is a challenge as I find it difficult to articulate this well. In Luke 6 we are told not to judge and that the measure we use is the measure that will be used against us. Obviously indicating we all may have different measures or perhaps bias. I think "This bias" is the bias I introduce into everything based on the value I put on certain things. I tend to value those things highly that I am good at, that I like, that I spend time with and so on. I also place less value on those things that I struggle with, are not good at, and not exposed to. So my bias does not prepare me to see that those things that I place less value on either at all or in a good light. They may indeed be worthy and need to be paid attention to. I miss signs because I am lost in my bias.(I've got a plank by the way) I think we tend to view things not as they are but as we are. I have compassion on people who struggle with the things I struggle with and I think I am a pretty forgiven person because I have had to be forgiven alot. I tend to hold in contempt those people that can not handle the things I handle with ease and wonder why they are not "as spiritual". I think that reading God's word is the one great tool that helps define what is "real" in this life and what "matters" and what should be held in high esteem regardless if I am good at it or not or even feel comfortable with it. It teaches me what I should value and the measure I should really use.
What do you think Kari?

By: Kari Scare

Kari Scare — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:20:04 +0000

Explain this more, Mark. What specifically do you mean by "this bias"? I agree that we need to look at how we view things, to think outside of the box (comfort zone?) and to not judge others based on our own biases. Would like to further define the bias aspect though. Think it will make for good discussion.

By: Mark Allman

Mark Allman — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:11:01 +0000

I think it takes discipline to be able to fight against this bias. We have to be willing to look at how we view things and try to understand our own bias so that we can guard against them. We have to try to think outside of our own box we put our-self in. We also must guard against the bias that we judge things based on how we view the world and the tendency to think that everyone should be like us.

By: Kari Scare

Kari Scare — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:09:21 +0000

Those are two very important signs to heed. Strangely, so many people ignore the basic physical signs telling them to slow down. We need spouses & friends to encourage us to listen to those signs. I'm glad I have one that does! Thanks. I'm getting there but still not there. Trying to listen to the signs my body is giving me though.

By: tnealtarver

tnealtarver — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:57:19 +0000

My body is still recovering from a short-term mission trip to Alaska. Extended hours of sunshine (as in it never got dark for the two weeks we were there) plus a big work project meant shorter nights of rest. Cranky and lethargic are two signs that show I'm tired. And Ellen will tell you I'm a much better person when I'm fully rested.

Hope you're on the mend today.

By: Kari Scare

Kari Scare — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:33:07 +0000

Great quote! The question then is, "How do we become prepared to see what we need to see?"