What did “self help” books look like four hundred years ago? St. Francis de Sales wrote a good one. The title prepares you for the content: “Introduction to the Devout Life”. This is not going to be on the “feel good” shelf. “How can I be my best self?” is not a new question. In fact, it’s more of a quest than a question. The answer engages all of our faculties. In order to live according to God’s plan and purpose for our lives, we need a change of heart and also a change in our desires. Many of the classic writers referred to these desires as “affections”. It’s not easy to change our affections. St. Francis de Sales prescribed mediation in the presence of God. Here is an example of one of the meditations:
God did not bring you into the world because He had need of you…but solely that He might show forth His Goodness in you, giving you His Grace and Glory. And to this end He gave you understanding that you might know Him, memory that you might think of Him, a will that you might love Him, imagination that you might realize His mercies, sight that you might behold the marvels of His works, speech that you might praise Him, and so on with all your other faculties.
About Me
- Paul Metler, Ph.D.
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- Hello. Thanks for stopping by. If you care to read about what's crossing my mind or sticking in my heart I welcome you to my latest post. So, I hope you enjoy my ramblings. More importantly, I hope I can encourage you to join me in my quest to be a faithful follower of my Lord Jesus Christ.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
What were you thinking?
God Almighty has entrusted us with the use of reason, and we use it to the disorder and corruption of our nature. We reason ourselves into all kinds of folly and misery, and make our lives the sport of foolish and extravagant passions.
William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (1729)
If William Law thought decisions were foolish in the 1720's, what would he think about decisions today? I'm pretty sure our lives are filled with a bit more foolish and extravagant passions today than what Law observed 300 years ago. Before his description of the end result of our abuse of reason, Law took note of the fact that Almighty God has entrusted us with the use of reason. In other words, our ability to make reasoned choices is a gift from God. We are "free" to abuse it if we choose. We can use reason to build our character through choices that honor God or we can choose to corrupt our nature. Sadly, there is no shortage of misery and folly. How much is the result of our own reasoning?
William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (1729)
If William Law thought decisions were foolish in the 1720's, what would he think about decisions today? I'm pretty sure our lives are filled with a bit more foolish and extravagant passions today than what Law observed 300 years ago. Before his description of the end result of our abuse of reason, Law took note of the fact that Almighty God has entrusted us with the use of reason. In other words, our ability to make reasoned choices is a gift from God. We are "free" to abuse it if we choose. We can use reason to build our character through choices that honor God or we can choose to corrupt our nature. Sadly, there is no shortage of misery and folly. How much is the result of our own reasoning?
Monday, August 15, 2011
Begin with the end in mind
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2
I’m not sure when I first heard or read Stephen Covey’s Habit 2 - “Begin with the end in mind”, but it has stuck in my memory. Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” was a bestseller when it was released back in 1989. It is a catchy phrase that serves as a practical reminder of the power of vision and importance of transformation. No matter what we are today, we are not yet all that we can be. No matter where we are in our journey, our destination has not yet been fully realized. In some ways, Covey was restating the wisdom of the epistle written by the beloved disciple. John begins with an affirmation of “who” we are and “whose” we are. We are the children of God. It’s a great comfort for us to know that we are the children of God today. Yet, our vision has not been fully realized. It’s not possible for us to grasp the full reality of our future with God today. We can look forward with great anticipation to the day that we will see Christ. Now, our perspective is limited. Then, our vision will be clear. “We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as he is”. Begin each day with the end in mind and be inspired to become more like Jesus.
I’m not sure when I first heard or read Stephen Covey’s Habit 2 - “Begin with the end in mind”, but it has stuck in my memory. Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” was a bestseller when it was released back in 1989. It is a catchy phrase that serves as a practical reminder of the power of vision and importance of transformation. No matter what we are today, we are not yet all that we can be. No matter where we are in our journey, our destination has not yet been fully realized. In some ways, Covey was restating the wisdom of the epistle written by the beloved disciple. John begins with an affirmation of “who” we are and “whose” we are. We are the children of God. It’s a great comfort for us to know that we are the children of God today. Yet, our vision has not been fully realized. It’s not possible for us to grasp the full reality of our future with God today. We can look forward with great anticipation to the day that we will see Christ. Now, our perspective is limited. Then, our vision will be clear. “We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as he is”. Begin each day with the end in mind and be inspired to become more like Jesus.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Prayer for Transformation
I enjoy reading prayers from various writers and traditions. The following prayer from "Common Prayer: A liturgy for ordinary radicals" explores many of the elements of change.
Lord, help me now to unclutter my life, to organize myself in the direction of simplicity. Lord, teach me to listen to my heart, teach me to welcome change, instead of fearing it. Lord, I give you these stirrings inside me. I give you my discontent. I give you my restlessness. I give you my doubt. I give you my despair. I give you all the longings I hold inside. Help me to listen to these signs of change, of growth; help me to listen seriously and follow where they lead through the breathtaking empty space of an open door.
Lord, help me now to unclutter my life, to organize myself in the direction of simplicity. Lord, teach me to listen to my heart, teach me to welcome change, instead of fearing it. Lord, I give you these stirrings inside me. I give you my discontent. I give you my restlessness. I give you my doubt. I give you my despair. I give you all the longings I hold inside. Help me to listen to these signs of change, of growth; help me to listen seriously and follow where they lead through the breathtaking empty space of an open door.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Favorite Food
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
John 4:34
I love to eat. Summer is a great time for eating. I love fresh fruits and vegetables. Yesterday, we had our church picnic. Somehow, fried chicken just tastes better at a picnic. My food experience reaches beyond my taste buds. Really, I do consider the nutritional value of the things I put in my body. Because of my diabetes, there is not a day that goes by that I do not consider the miracle of metabolism at some level. God allows our bodies to translate food into “fuel” and we are able to function because of this miracle. When Jesus said that his food was the do the Father’s will, he was responding to his disciples. They urged Jesus to eat some food. It was a teachable moment. So, Jesus responded with a message through contrast. He contrasted material food, with spiritual nourishment. As always, we can learn from his teaching. It makes me pause. Do I enjoy obedience to the Father as much as I enjoy temporary and tangible things? Am I refreshed and strengthened to the core of my being when I serve the purpose of God on a daily basis? Jesus understood this truth. He shared his understanding so that his disciples then and now could understand. At mealtime today, take time to reflect on the two types of “food” described in John 4.
John 4:34
I love to eat. Summer is a great time for eating. I love fresh fruits and vegetables. Yesterday, we had our church picnic. Somehow, fried chicken just tastes better at a picnic. My food experience reaches beyond my taste buds. Really, I do consider the nutritional value of the things I put in my body. Because of my diabetes, there is not a day that goes by that I do not consider the miracle of metabolism at some level. God allows our bodies to translate food into “fuel” and we are able to function because of this miracle. When Jesus said that his food was the do the Father’s will, he was responding to his disciples. They urged Jesus to eat some food. It was a teachable moment. So, Jesus responded with a message through contrast. He contrasted material food, with spiritual nourishment. As always, we can learn from his teaching. It makes me pause. Do I enjoy obedience to the Father as much as I enjoy temporary and tangible things? Am I refreshed and strengthened to the core of my being when I serve the purpose of God on a daily basis? Jesus understood this truth. He shared his understanding so that his disciples then and now could understand. At mealtime today, take time to reflect on the two types of “food” described in John 4.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Listen and Learn
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:19-20
I love the straightforward approach of James. His writing is easily understood, although it is not always easy to practice. Be quick to listen. Be slow to speak. Anger does not produce righteousness. The implication is that listening will produce more righteousness than anger. It’s hard to argue with that – although if you are prone to anger you probably will anyway. Most of the time when I read the words of James 1:19-20, I have applied them to my relationships with others. I believe that is an accurate application of the verses. However, I believe the principle holds true for our relationship with God. George MacDonald writes that “most Christians learn at an early age how to talk to God, but they did not learn to listen as well.” What would happen if I spent more time listening to God today? What will God reveal through His word to me? What will God reveal to me about the world around me? What will God reveal about the condition of my heart? It’s relatively easy to talk to God. It’s challenging to listen. What does this have to do with anger? Many times our anger rises up when others do not behave the way we desire. Through the years I have had a lot of experience with people who are angry with God. Our anger with God is almost always because God is not behaving the way we desire. When we do all the talking, it’s much easier to grow angry. Practice listening to God. What is God saying through these two verses?
James 1:19-20
I love the straightforward approach of James. His writing is easily understood, although it is not always easy to practice. Be quick to listen. Be slow to speak. Anger does not produce righteousness. The implication is that listening will produce more righteousness than anger. It’s hard to argue with that – although if you are prone to anger you probably will anyway. Most of the time when I read the words of James 1:19-20, I have applied them to my relationships with others. I believe that is an accurate application of the verses. However, I believe the principle holds true for our relationship with God. George MacDonald writes that “most Christians learn at an early age how to talk to God, but they did not learn to listen as well.” What would happen if I spent more time listening to God today? What will God reveal through His word to me? What will God reveal to me about the world around me? What will God reveal about the condition of my heart? It’s relatively easy to talk to God. It’s challenging to listen. What does this have to do with anger? Many times our anger rises up when others do not behave the way we desire. Through the years I have had a lot of experience with people who are angry with God. Our anger with God is almost always because God is not behaving the way we desire. When we do all the talking, it’s much easier to grow angry. Practice listening to God. What is God saying through these two verses?
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