I’m Distracted By The Noise
I’m so excited about the new series we are starting at Cross Point Nashville this Sunday. Almost everything I ever write comes from something God is teaching me in my own personal life. This has never been more true than with this series.
I desperately want to learn how to know God in a more intimate way. My personal life with Christ is not where it needs to be and I have allowed the noise of this world to distract and dissuade me from that pursuit.
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/1086055]
How about you? I would love for you to help me with this series by telling me what things in your life are distracting you from pursuing a more intimate relationship with God.
without wax,
Pete
79 Comments:
Lack of trust and patience somedays. I try and take back the things that I have given God because it’s not happening fast enough, I’m not making enough, my problem hasn’t gone away…..a number of other stupid reasons.
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jason
6:44 pm
I struggle daily with being caught up in life… soccer games, bike rides, vacations, my job, my favorite TV show, etc…. the list can go on and on… basically I feel that I am putting other things in front of God on a daily basis – preventing me from having a more personal relationship. Do I want to live this way… NO… is this where I am right now in my walk? yes…
I think some of this has to do with the fact that I also struggle daily with the fact that my wife does not believe in Jesus. She believes in God, but organized religion along with the “hypocrite Christian” has kept her away. Not wanting to put words in her mouth, but one of her favorite quotes might be, “If it weren’t for Christians, I’d be a Christian.– Mahatma Ghandi”
So… what is keeping me from having a more personal relationship – I humbly say me…who do I blame – others…ugh… why did I respond…
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Michael
7:00 pm
My biggest ‘distraction’ is activity. I am doing a Bible study by Beth Moore called ‘Breaking Free’ and one of the first things she touched on was the ‘captivity of activity’. I often, more often than I would truly like to admit, begin a ministry to serve God. Then, at some point, it turns into me just being ‘busy’. I have really had to step away from some things and truly allow God to direct my path. When I do, I find I have more time for Him. You know..Him…the one I am SUPPOSED to be serving in the first place;) Funny how that works!
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Heather
7:13 pm
Sweet video. Sounds like a great series. Do you have your current or past series online anywhere (mp3 or video)?
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bradruggles
7:24 pm
Pete, What a great series idea…wish I could be there, but I am too BUSY!!!! J/K
First you should know that I am a HOME BODY!!! I love being at home. I love working in my garden. I love sitting on the porch drinking coffee. But I also love watching my kids play ball, though admittedly I often wonder if parents devote so much time to their kids activities to amke up for their own childhood? Maybe if some of us childbearing adults would commit to some form of recreation each week night we ourselves would feel refreashed…unfortunately my calendar is filled with Little League.
Anyway, as for distractions, blogging, email, internet in general, all play a part. But the good thing is that often, I am drawn to the cross through my internet usage. I have built with some really great relationships with people who love the Lord and desire to live for Him. I can not totally discount this medium…maybe I just need to better regulate my time online.
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April
7:25 pm
My lack of understanding who God is, why he would want a relationship with me. Life. Work. Play. Total surrender. Pride. Me.
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Anonymous
7:27 pm
Very cool Promo!
The only thing that truly distracts me from God is my own selfishness. Technology and activity can definitely distract my time, but I can still find God in it. When I am seeking my own gain is when my eyes drift away from God. When I look to worship myself, instead of Him is when I cease to move towards Him.
I work on that everyday.
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inWorship
7:29 pm
Looking forward to this series. Matthew and I have miss CP the past few weeks. My noise is my to do list – the things I “have to” get done. Work commitments, laundry, pay the bills, get the nursery ready, grocery shopping… the list goes on and on. Somehow, making time for my faith always is the item on the list that never gets crossed out.
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Jessica Turner
7:29 pm
i love the line, im addicted to on, and afraid to find out stuff about myself if i turn it off.
moving stuff.
thank you. i really needed to see a video like this.
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Kyle King
7:30 pm
lack of patience and being discontent really keep me distracted.
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Crystal Renaud
7:30 pm
Just figured out what that video reminded me of…parts of that reminded me of the video from The Ring (freaky movie).
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bradruggles
7:32 pm
I get distracted by “doing.” What should I be doing? Where should I be? What’s left on my list? All of these things when I should be sitting quietly and enjoying being alone with Christ.
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Emily
7:42 pm
Life is a balancing act. We choose to allow things to tip the scales. It may start out innocently, as most addictions do, then they/it becomes a false necessity/security.
1 Cor 10:23 says “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial.”
A good rule to live by. The things that i have let distract me, in and of themselves, are not bad – I have just misused them. the error started with me.
and what you said Pete here is right on…
“I’m afraid of what I’ll discover about myself if i turn it off”
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tam
7:49 pm
this is the kind of series idea that connects, pete. thank you for teaching and leading out of the overflow. can’t wait to see how God uses this.
this is weird…and i’ll probably fumble it up. but i think the thing that distracts me the most is the box that i think God should fit into or that i should fit into if i am going to really know intimacy with Him.
it’s like i think the only time i can have intimate communion with God is in a “quiet time,” when the reality is that God is everywhere and at work in and around me at all times. sure, there are times when i need to retreat and i need to develop those disciplines all the more, but i miss so much of what God has for me when i leave it at that.
sometimes the best thing i can do to refresh my intimacy with God is completely change the routine…because the routine can be as much of a distraction as anything else. a routine of spiritual disciplines without obedience is fruitless and distracting.
like i said, i fumbled through that…but hey, not everyone can be pete wilson!
blessings on you, bro!
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jay hardwick
7:51 pm
I think that I am often most distracted in life by the “what if’s” – in other words, I am a worrier, and I worry about things that may or may not happen. I so often find myself caught up in what could happen that I forget to live in today — and to remember that I need to take care of my spiritual self/God relationship today as well. I think this will be a great series..will you have it available via podcast? (This is something our church has gone to and has been a great help in times we have had to be away from our church family.)
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Jill
7:57 pm
GREAT teaser! I can’t wait to see what God does through this series. Thanks Pete!
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Jonathan Hopson
8:08 pm
Here is the vimeo code if you’re trying to post this video on a wordpress blog. It’s [vimeo http://vimeo.com/1086055
That should do it. If you’re not on wordpress then you can simply copy the code that vimeo gives you when you click the “share” button.
Thanks for helping us get the word out about the new series!
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Pete Wilson
8:11 pm
@inworship Dude, you are so right. My “selfishness” is one of my biggest enemies.
I’m loving this discussion!
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Pete Wilson
8:12 pm
Can’t wait for the new series.
Now if only Judas Icarus would grace us with their presence on what we are doing wrong as a church my day will be complete.
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Giant Idiot
8:44 pm
me.
i distract me.
my blackberry buzzed three times just watching this video.
what do i feel the need to be connected?
i’m addicted to knowing i matter to someone…knowing that i’m needed…every buzz from my blackberry is like a hit of affirmation that courses through my veins, straight to my heart. it is medicating something…and without it, i feel sick.
so what is it that it’s medicating?
i don’t know…
i need to find out.
dang.
thanks, pete.
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anne jackson
8:47 pm
Pete,
This is going to be a great series. I appreciate how you bring to the table the issues with which you personally struggle. It’s a great approach because if you’re dealing with it, we’re all likely right there with you. I’m looking forward to hearing your messages…
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Charlie Neese
8:48 pm
I agree with everyone. I think what distracts me the most is my own selfish perspective. I can choose to see God in all things or in nothing. My kids are out in the pool swimming as I write… I can hear them splashing and yelling… having a great time. I can choose to ignore the sweet sounds of joy and love. I can choose to overlook and not give God thanks that they’re playing nicely together and not bickering or I can pause right now and love on Him for loving us! It’s the little things that matter the most to me. Help me see you in the little things… the big things seem to come easier!
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Michelle
8:52 pm
Selfishness…
I guess when I want me time on the computer….time alone to relax….something new….to go out to eat…etc. The things that I WANT..all about me. What a great series. I will be watching and waiting to see how it goes. I’m sure it will touch the core issues of so many.
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Jen
8:54 pm
Anne – I think you were talking about me in your comments. The busyness makes me feel like I matter… that I’m important… that somebody needs me.
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Jenni Catron
8:58 pm
I have been the most distracted by trying to make myself more pleasing to God. Fretting and stewing over all the things wrong with me. I am learning to trust He can handle it.
He’s got it covered. Literally.
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tawny
9:02 pm
If you are trying to use the vimeo link, try this one:
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/1086055
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Jenni Catron
9:11 pm
Ok, that didn’t work either… to use the vimeo link you have to make sure there is a ] (bracket) at the end of the link as well. For some reason it’s deleting it when we post a comment.
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Jenni Catron
9:12 pm
Anne hit the nail on the head for my life too. I am a needy girl. I can’t be forgotten. I can’t be ignored.
Also – busy. And when I’m not busy, I’m online.
I read the Bible daily, but sometimes just to get through my alloted reading for the day. I pray off & on all day long, but sometimes it’s just to complain.
I struggle with trust regarding my pregnancy.
Heidi Reed
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candidchatter
9:37 pm
We had this discussion in our small group a couple weeks ago. For lots of people it’s hard to turn your mind “off.” Even when sitting quietly, no other noise, trying to concentrate on just my breathing I find it hard for my mind not to wander to various things.
In college I took a creative processes class. It met twice a week and before each class the instructor made us create what is called a mandala. Mandala is a sanskrit word and has come to describe any type of geometric chart or pattern that represents the cosmos symbolically or metaphorically. It is used in the hindu and buddhist religions as an aid to meditation. You make a point in the center of a piece of paper and draw a large circle (with a protractor perhaps). Then you draw, color, sketch some sort of geometric pattern. I never would’ve believed it, but while making mandala’s I found that a lot of those various thoughts and noise in my head went away. I definitely felt closer to God at times while doing them or staring at them. If you’re interested in learning more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala
Sorry for the long reply!
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olsonar
9:43 pm
Anne did hit the nail on the head!
I just was thinking the other day about how I check my personal email every 20 minutes, refresh my work email every second, lol, and it is all because I want to feel as if I matter. That people care. It truly is a selfish mindset that I CRAVE.
So tonight I am going to try to go home and not jump on the computer and see if I have any facebook/myspace comments or emails! And tomorrow I will share my withdraws, lol!
It is nice to know other people struggle with this. Lord help us to find the off button and to CRAVE silence and be still in your presence.
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Miranda
10:20 pm
I can’t wait for this series and will watch the video when I get home from Small Group tonight. I think that my schedule is distracting me keeping me from being closer to God. I hope that summer will allow me to relax and chill and spend time with Him.
On another note, I just started a blog (finally) after praying about it for a month or so. I know it’s going to also distract me, but hopefully will allow me to be inspired by what God says to me via my readers THUS a “good” distraction. Is that an oxymoron? LOL
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loridknerr
11:10 pm
If I am being honest, it is me. Somewhere between being a mom, a wife, a friend, a servant or volunteer and I lose time. I mean sure, those are all important things but there are days I simply miss the opportunity to be God’s. I fill my day with the best of intentions. I find that I grow weary after missing time with Him, though. I think what is so hard for me is that there are days that I try to justify it, try to make excuses. You know, I served at church today or went to small group so I don’t really need that quiet time. What a mistake! I am the kind of person that needs to talk to people, keep in touch, and then I feel in touch with them. The same is true of my relationship with God. When I check out, even for a couple days, I feel it deeply. I can’t wait for this series!
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fullofboys
11:33 pm
@olsonar I’m intrigued.
@candidchatter We are praying for your pregnancy.
@everyone I absolutely love everyone’s willingness to be so authentic here. This is going to be a great journey we’re going to take together this summer!
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Pete Wilson
11:58 pm
Every thing distracts me. My priorities stink! Those things I know I should do, I don’t do and those things I know I shouldn’t do, I do!
Move over Paul, you’ve got company!
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Jack
12:06 am
Wow – this series looks incredible. Maybe it’s time to visit your church(My daughter Reagan went to preschool with Jett last year.) I love what Anne said – all so true. I also get distracted by overthinking things in an attempt to really understand when what I really need to do is just sit in His presence and listen. I get distracted by my kids and husband wanting them to fill the places only God can. And I try so hard to people please and to be liked that I sometimes do not offer authenticity but rather what I think people want me to be.
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Kori
12:24 am
@ Kori If you drop by Cross Point on Sunday make sure you come up and introduce yourself. I would love to meet you. I remember hearing about Reagan!
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Pete Wilson
12:29 am
I love it!
You and Your team have knocked it out of the park again. Great job!
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ncarnes
12:41 am
Strangely enough, my biggest distractions from an intimate relationship with the Lord are the things that I do to “try” to grow close to Him. I know that sounds so strange and as if I am contradicting myself, but I tend to overwhelm myself with a list of things that I MUST do in order to have a “real” relationship with the Lord while all the while missing the relationship part and just focusing on the doing parts.
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Shanda McReynolds
1:37 am
@Shanda Right on! This is a huge issue that we are going to try to tackle in week 2 of sync. I have fallen into that trap many times.
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Pete Wilson
1:48 am
I get so distracted by all of life’s everyday activities. Especially with the kids. Then I tell myself it is fine if I don’t have quite time with God, because I spent all this time with my family. God wants me to take care of my family. Right? But in all reality I should be making God my top priority. Spending time with him should come first. I make the excuse that I have to be in a structured bible study, or I just won’t study his word. When really it is my responsibility no matter what. Can’t wait to hear what you have to say. It should be a great series.
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Leslie
1:50 am
A good friend and I were recently discussing this and came to the conclussion that for us the noise was/is needs. The needs of those around us that we love and care for or have dealings with. Funny that, the meeting of these needs in others is certainly important and it is “good” but at the end of the day or week have often found myself asking, where did I put God? As we discussed this we came to the conclusion that we had it backward. We were working to meet the need first and then seeking God and … well … ran out of time for God. So now looking for ways to turn that around and seek God first and through him meet the needs. Perhaps I’ll be less distracted that way and closer, more intamate with God.
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gsmartin
2:12 am
I will have to echo a lot of the responses here in that I am my own worst obstacle when it comes to my relationship to God. I have been surrounding myself with noise a lot over the last few years. Since this last fall, I have been challenging myself to step back from a lot of activities, and to really pray about what I put into my schedule.
Lately, I’ve been “fasting” from the internet as well – only allowing myself a little time online a few days/week. I don’t really need to be that accessible to everyone.
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justjuli
2:58 am
@Leslie It’s a tough battle. Keep fighting for balance.
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Pete Wilson
3:02 am
What distracts me? Me and my circumstances. I just wrote a short blog post (I think yesterday) about holding on to things, not totally trusting God. I focus on my circumstances and not the God who knows the outcome already. I so want to get it. I know God wants me to go deeper.
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Sheryl
3:05 am
What distracts me? The many forays into Christianity and its myriad noisemakers. Many interpreters of the same Bible. All claiming to know God’s will. Speaking of love and in a lot of cases practicing hate. That is the noise that I hear the loudest. I do not go where I do not feel welcome.
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tasithoughts
3:23 am
I agree with the “have tos”. Somehow my God time doesnt mentally fall into the have tos. I will lose my job if I dont do those have tos for work. I will lose my friends if I dont do those have tos for our friendship. I will live with the consequences of a messy house or not taking care of family if I dont do those have tos and somehow quiet time, personal worship and scripture are always things I know, by grace, that I can just pick back up and so they loose their “have to” status. How sad. Personally, its more than just selfishness…for me, its not knowing what my “noise” really is and understanding that busyness is an addiction.
I’m not a sit still and do nothing kind of girl. Even when I do have opportunity for quiet moments, I cant handle them because I’m not used to them. Even as I type this, I have a live audio of a baseball game running on my computer, I’m reading blogs and the news is on my TV.
I think we are scared of the silence and afraid that we might hear Him say something to us. Even my prayer time is selfish in the way that I praise him, pray for others, lay my personal requests at His feet, say amen and forget that “listen” part and that prayer is a converstaion and two people are involved. He might just have something to say!
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Keisha
3:39 am
I see everything as an opportunity to learn more about God and His will. Even simple days at work.
It seems I start my day off right. I get in the car and drive off to work, yeah there’s traffic, but I’m there praising God my car’s good on gas and how beautiful the sky is.
Then I get into work, ready to do ferverently as unto the Lord. I grab my cup of coffee and check my emails, and there is the tipping point. There is always that one email that reminds me why I went home to my family so promptly the day before.
So I very prayerfully respond to it, and don’t send it. Then I pray some more, and type a few inspiring words. I pray that God gives me peace about the situation, and type a few more words. I contemplate the receiver’s response to what I think God has for them. I pray some more.
Next thing I know, it’s lunch time and I’ve spent 5 hours be distracted by one email.
The Lord says not to be anxious about tomorrow, hasn’t the word already been deposited in us, and don’t we believe that the Holy Spirit will actually help us? Or do we still think that we are all on our own, writing a response to little email?
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visionofadonai
4:21 am
Hmmmmm I would have to say that it’s other people. I think it’s easier to pick up the phone and get an immediate answer than to pray and get one. I also have a bad habit of taking on other people’s stuff and I get overwhelmed with things that suck the life and emotion out of me and then I avoid God.
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Julie
4:27 am
I am so busy figuring out what I want/need to do with my life. I just graduated college and still in need of direction. Am I going to figure out whether I should go to grad school or seminary? Will I find a job? Will I find a wonderful man who will someday be my wonderful husband? This is what distracts me, and like Julie said before me, it’s easier to ask a friend for an immediate answer than to pray and wait for one.
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Sara
4:32 am
i’m embarrassed to even admitt this but one thing the lord is showing me lately is how i am more comfortable with chaos than i am with peace. His peace is uncomfortable for me.
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just sayin
5:16 am
well, I have such a testimony for tonight. i have it on my blog if you care to see it, but the best way for me to sum it up for you is that God is so real. By so real I mean real. the things He promises, He will absolutely come through. He is the only hope we have and the only hope we could ever need. Until we fully trust Him, we are missing out on some of the things He is waiting for us to ask for.
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augustonfire
5:47 am
I just tried to list the things that distract my attention from God and they were so many I don’t even know how to list them, nor can I find that words, and rarely am I ever without words.
THIS hit me between the eyes big time. I am stunned. I am to the point of tears. Thank you for revealing truth. I needed this. I’m going to do something about it. If you guys have a podcast I think I will be subscribing to it promtly for this series.
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Rachel Rowell
6:46 am
I have a “worship disorder” … I worship little ‘g’ gods more than I do the big ‘G’ God. I’m filled from broken cisterns instead of filled with the living water. My choice at the moment but always regretted. I want to worship God in a BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD kind of way. I pray for the inner strength to do it. To push away the easy and pursue the deep. God help me.
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New York Mary
11:33 am
Pastor Pete: You socked me right between the eyes (in a good way). “We are praying…”. My heart is full. Complete (virtual) strangers praying for my baby. It makes me weep.
Thank you isn’t enough, but it will have to do b/c I can’t hug you (and the other part of “we”) from here. I am praying that God will doubly bless those who are praying for us. Expect your socks to be blessed the heck off. You’re awesome!
Heidi Reed
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candidchatter
11:34 am
that wasn’t supposed to be a winkie face… oh well
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candidchatter
11:35 am
“I’m afraid of what I’ll discover about myself if i turn it off” I love this line! It is sooooo true. I struggle with trust that God has our lives in his hands. It was turned on it’s head last year through a church layoff of my husband without warning, rhyme or reason and I wonder how God will redeem what “the locusts have taken away”. I wonder what he is doing during this time and why it is so hard … the not understanding his hand is my noise, the not understanding why we are still running uphill to dig out of a financial hole b/c of what happened …. wondering what God is up to and trusting that “all things work for good”.
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heather
11:43 am
@Heather It’s scary isn’t it? Keep walking with Him. Keep trusting Him. Keep looking for Him even when you feel He is not there. It’s only then that you will actually see that He is, He has been, with you all along!
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Pete Wilson
11:50 am
Pete, Praying for you as you seek not only to lead this series but to actually live it. For there is a huge difference in planning a trip and actually taking it. I have what I call “RQM” – really quiet moments. They mostly happen after times of deep conversations with someone or a group. It is amazing to me how God uses these RQMs to draw me closer to Him. At first – I wanted to resist them. Once I started to really understand their necessity – that changed. I started asking God for more deep conversations that would require RQMs as a result. There’s that whole be careful what you ask for because you just might get it thing… So true. and yet, I would not trade RQMs. Even when they are brought on by intense pain and suffering. For in those moments – I am on the trip with Him carrying me.
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Camey
12:39 pm
Thats awesome!! Thats fire!! Man I use to be distracted by video games. My PS3, would be on for hours. Playing Call of Duty and Madden and playing for like 3-4 hours straight. It was hurting my relationship with God, and just recently maybe about 2 weeks now, I have just unplugged it, and put it in a box, and it’s just sitting there. It’s going to sit there, until I hear from God like how I use to hear from him!!
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hernseugene
2:23 pm
http://invitationtotruth.wordpress.com
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Adeel
2:41 pm
I am distracted from building an authentic relationship with God because of my bargaining nature. The deepest part of me is constantly trying to dredge up deals with God. I’ll do this if you do that, and I shouldn’t do that because then God might not do this for me. I know these things a juvenile and it makes me feel that my relationsahip with God is so superficial. Instead of living my life in a way that is pleasing to God simply for the fact that he is my creator, I want to see what he can do for me.
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Cortni
2:44 pm
Wow, where do I begin with all the things I am distracted by. I am distracted by myself getting in the way, my past failures, my lack of knowledge, I could go on and on. I know that all of these things are satan telling me this but at times when I have doubts of myself it feels so real. How God can use me one of the biggest distractions I face.
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Jenny
3:05 pm
Food and Shopping! There you have it! My two addictions that consume my thoughts
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JudiFree.com
3:28 pm
Noise!
Hmmm. Intriguing blog, I’ll be back.
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sirenedestropiques
6:01 pm
~What Distracts Me~
For me this is a really deep question/answer. One that I have been struggling with for some time.
I guess to put it ‘mildly’ my own selfishness and self pity. dang that stings. But it is the heartwrenching truth.
Part of the “self pity” aspect of this distraction is my anger and lack of trust in those around me who portray “they are Christian”, the members of my religion who lied to me (my dh), my FIL who hurt my MIL by his actions and then hurting his own children because of his actions…
In the end the answer is MYSELF…BIG FAT SELF!! I am preventing myself from loving, trusting, ect ect….
Which in turn is hurting not only myself but those around me – my 2 beautiful children.
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Gala
7:42 pm
Sitting here working in my studio while listening to some of my “fav” Crowder music! Collision… “Here it comes… a beautiful collision!” Great song for a anticipated great series! May not only He see us as we are, but may we come to grips with it too! It’s transformation time!
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Michelle Parker
7:45 pm
@Michelle I love me some Crowder!
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Pete Wilson
8:30 pm
wow. i’m excited to dig deep into this series! what distracts me? lots of stuff… it’s even right when i wake up wanting to get on the computer right away and check my email. or when i go downstairs to make breakfast i start cleaning up the kitchen…or listening to the new worship music i just bought on iTunes instead of sitting in silence in prayer.. and that was just the first hour i’ve been awake. too many distractions! i will begin to start praying now that the Lord will make me aware of some things I can begin to start taking out of my life so that I can be in better tune/”synced” with Him
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Linnae Hoppe
8:45 pm
I wonder how many of the things we call distractions are really distractions at all? Perhaps, many of them are simply done with empty intentions rather than full of God intentions. I’m not saying there are things that distract! There definitely are, but what if we started finding God in the midst of things… would we say they are distractions or Godly life opportunities? Just a thought!
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Michelle Parker
8:53 pm
Hey, just discovered your site – sounds like a great upcoming series.
Being a guy, anything that tries to focus brain cells at the same time pretty much paralyzes me. It doesn’t get lost on me that Jesus said to a group of MEN, “Get alone and shut the door.”
I wonder what else He may have added in 2008. Unplug? Turn off?
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Andy Wood
3:33 am
Pete,I think your new series will be a powerful one.In my life experience with family friends and my self have suffered from addiction of substance abuse.God has worked on me and blessed me,I am listening hard for HIS guidance to share my belief that God has walked with me and talked with me through these strong holds in my life.I want to reach those still lost in there addiction. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend Cross Point any more for a while as I am on my way to my new home in San Diego.I lived in Nashville my whole life and desired a change.I am looking at 40 soon .If I knew then what I know now.It is all in Gods time.I will miss Cross Point.I have lots of friends from my small group I will be keeping in touch with. In Flagstaff Arizona today I was involved in a mild finder bender (my fault) I had been having strong urges to feed my addiction that had not happened for a long time.God let me roll right in the back of a 1981 Chevy pick up.This erased those sabotaging thoughts immediately.The man in the truck was very understanding.As we exchanged info his pastor just happened to come by & stop to see that all was okay.The pastor asked if I would like a drink of water .I graciously accepted.The bottle of water had a message on it. “Every one who drinks this water will be thirsty again But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst.Indeed the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life Jesus” I needed that message. I have attended Cross Point since Gower Pete you have an amazing gift of delivering a message.I will miss hearing them.Thanks
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Vicki
5:19 am
All the things that need to get done. I feel constantly 7 steps ahead of being in the moment with God or 10 steps behind. I am never ever ever in the moment. The time difference and the work we are doing here makes it frustrating to build or keep relationships for us…but really, those are just excuses for me to be “busy” because I know that if I was living a for real relationship with God, I would be more settled.
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kristiapplesauce
5:43 am
@Vicki We are going to miss you so much. We’ll be praying for your transition to San Diego.
@Kristiapplesauce You nailed me with that comment. It’s so true. I need to learn to be in the “moment” with God!
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Pete Wilson
11:04 am
hi pete. one thing that distracts me from a more intimate relationship with Christ is my husband, or relationships in general. now, my husband would never intend to be a distraction – it’s not his fault. what i’m trying to say is that it is SO much easier for me to rely on my husband, talk to him, ask for his help, his advice, trust in his strength, etc. when what i should really be doing is crying out to Jesus…resting in Him.
basically, it’s easier for me to place my hope in what is seen, rather than what is unseen. so i get distracted from my First Love and, instead, tend to fall into the arms of the human love that God has blessed me with.
praise Jesus that He constantly beckons me to follow Him, inspite of my efforts to the contrary!
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rachel white
1:39 pm
Rules – really “perceived” rules. I grew up in church and have known Jesus since childhood. A couple that were huge perceived rules for me that really hindered me for well over 20 years:
1. I thought I that when I pray it must be, eyes closed, kneeling. Early on, it was never taught to me that I could have a conversation with Jesus anytime, and He wanted me to. Are there times for the above, absolutely. But how freeing to know that it is not irreverent to “talk with” God.
2. The really big one. I thought everyone in position in the church from pastors, their wives, piano, elders, ushers were perfect. They never sinned, because I never saw it and they never said it. I cannot tell you how many times I have been to the altar because I thought I did not ask for forgiveness right, I missed something. The first time I heard a pastor say he wasn’t perfect was a turning point in my life.
All that to say, distraction, not being told the truth, it really is so simple…
Sorry for the long comment. I hope it applies to what you were asking.
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hislifeformine
5:30 pm
Guilty. This is certainly a generational and dare I say civilizational problem.
Congrats to you and your team on a touching video.
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compassioninpolitics
10:59 pm
hi, my name is Aaron……and I am an on-aholic
this past weekend, I spent the evening with an alcoholic. your video got me thinking. my addiction is really not all that different than his. my addiction to “on” might not kill me like an addiction to alcohol or drugs, but it could harm my family, damage my relationships, and prevent me from having a more intimate relationship with God
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Aaron
1:59 am
The biggest distraction of all for me is quite possibly the time & energy I spend trying to persue a better relationship with my husband & get along with my in-laws. Sometimes I get so caught up in this that I forget to look to Him for help! Another big distraction that has been weighing heavily on me lately is that I don’t feel like I fit in at the old church I used to go to & I’m really nervous about trying another. I seen to use the fact that our 5 small children would be difficult to take along to church, but really I just feel like I may not be warmly welcomed. This surely doesn’t help matters any.
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J
4:20 am
Thank You For keeping it on target!
Best Regards
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myspace train
12:11 am
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