Comments on: Measuring Spiritual Formation

By: Best Blogs Ever! » Wayne Cordova Dot Com

Best Blogs Ever! » Wayne Cordova Dot Com — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:41:05 +0000

[...] “Measuring Spiritual Formation” by Pete Wilson [...]

By: Tony York

Tony York — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:07:23 +0000

So… I have been studying the concept of Holiness. This is what I think… we can either practice Superficial Non-conformity or Supernatural Conformity.

When we make our belief system into a list of do’s and don’ts in order to not appear to be like the world, we make it into something superficial. Even if there is a beneficial side to those practices, if we are doing it in order to appear non-conforming, we miss the point.

On the converse, Love, the fruit of the Spirit, sanctification – we can accomplish none of those things in our own power. We have to be Supernaturally conformed to His likeness through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Ultimately, its a matter of who is in control… Superficial Non-Conformity is just another way that we try to be in control of how we live out our faith…. whereas, Supernatural Conformity comes when we recognize that we can’t do it on our own.
.-= Tony York´s last blog ..Collecting Tears: Chapter 1 =-.

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:17:47 +0000

Thanks, Pete. I know I am on the right path to getting where I need to be, but sometimes the process seems to take sooooo long. I just am so thankful that He is more patient than I am.

By: Pete Wilson

Pete Wilson — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:06:26 +0000

@Julie and Keis. I really appreciate you guys being so transparent. While Jesus’ statement to love God and love people was a simple statement it certainly is not simply to execute. I’ll be praying for both of you!

By: Kels

Kels — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:27:45 +0000

I am not feeling all that loving right now. Actually, I am kind of in the middle of a temper tantrum. I feel trapped by a body that just doesn’t cooperate with what I want to do when. Then, I feel trapped by my circumstances-which is where I think my place of ministry is right now-my home. Instead of wanting to love on those people right now, I just want to make them all go away. It certainly isn’t convenient that’s for sure. But then, I guess Jesus’ sacrifce wasn’t all that convenient either? I am physcially fatigued yet plagued with insomnia. I have a 22 month old and a three year old who will be awake in about 3-4 hours and I have yet to be asleep. Will I get a nap tomorrow? Probably not.

By: David

David — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:39:57 +0000

Thanks for the reminder. I keep thinking of what I could do next to form spiritual maturity but you are right we need to work on our love more. I think I have the most difficult time with those who are my family. I am most critical of them but I always feel guilty if I don't show them love. Maybe that is God trying to get through to me. .-= David´s last blog ..Is It OK For A Christian Husband To Gently Beat His Wife? =-.

By: kc

kc — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:07:59 +0000

Pete-I suppose a thousand blogs wouldn’t scratch the surface but how about….
Love God = listening and obeying over and over again
Love People = being open and available to move into someone’s life in any manner God directs.
.-= kc´s last blog ..For those who are in a Battle =-.

By: Pete A.

Pete A. — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:30:12 +0000

You all are asking such good questions, and especially “what does that mean?”

You’re all welcome to see a prelim version of my stab at answering some of that (3,000 verses’ worth), at http://www.sparkleofnature.com.

It asks exactly what the Bible does say “loving our neighbors” means – who they are, their needs, ideas on how to love them. Or at least what I’ve learned so far, since God finally clubbed me over the head enough to make me realize “this is important.” (Don’t even ask how long that took; I was a slow learner.)

Right now a publisher’s looking at it (in a more complete version) but we don’t know yet when to expect it out – maybe a year, we hope? In the meantime you’re welcome to take advantage of this version. It has all the Scriptures; just not all the stories. Hope it’ll help somemone.

By the way, Jesus raised the bar even higher than loving others “as we love ourselves.” That’s our first goal. But in John 13:34-35, and a couple more places nearby, he told us to love each other “as I love you!” That one will give certainly give me a whole lifetime of challenge.

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:59:22 +0000

I’m about to be as transparent as you can be in the anonymity of the internet and say, I suck at this. I have such an issue with people (fear) that dealing with them nearly sends me into an anxiety attack. Ok, a lot of times it does send me into an anxiety attack. I haven’t even figured out how to love me, let alone my neighbor. Funny, but church is the area of one of my greatest struggles. Oy. Sundays are one of the hardest days of my week. I’m working on it, but at this point, I would fail the outward and the inward stuff. It’s hard to love someone when you are not even able to speak to them and touch them? NOT EVEN gonna happen. Sigh, sometimes this walking it out stuff is ridiculously hard when I can sit here and picture Him and His power and glory and know it shouldn’t be this hard.

If I am going to continue being honest, which God only knows why I am putting all of this out here, I would probably be one of those that is hard to love. I know that everything about me screams do not disturb because as someone reminded me today, I have walls up everywhere. Thing is, I want to be loved. I want to believe He could love me. I sooooooooooo want to be able to love others. I just don’t know anymore if it’s ever going to happen or if I’m just stuck.

By: Pearl

Pearl — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:48:38 +0000

Pete, between you and @Amanda my Spiritual Maturity Cloak is suddenly feeling very scratchy and shrinking as we speak. If I'm not truly loving people, am I truly loving God? .-= Pearl´s last blog ..What is God Preparing? =-.