Musings with PWC

What kind of spiritual person are you?  Where are your weaknesses? What are your shortcomings? Knowing your spiritual self is spiritual self-awareness.  This means understanding the areas of your spiritual life that need improvement or development.   One way you know you are stuck is if you read this and respond, “What on earth are you writing about?”  Too often, believers surrender to Christ and, in the first few years, readjust their lives around some Godly principles.  Then, they culturalize their Christianity.  They have a list of things they do.  They have a list of things they don’t know.  It’s kind of a nice, clean package.   But daily conversion is unknown. Part of soul care is knowing yourself.  Now, there are two extremes to be avoided.   One is grading or marking yourself incessantly. This is often associated with comparison.  Comparing your spirituality with another is ve...

It is my favourite series of parables—Luke 15.  Three stories of being found. The Lost Sheep is found. The Lost Coin is found. The Lost Son is welcomed home. You might recall the great text of the younger son coming to his senses: Luke 15:17-20 (NIV) “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. He came to his senses and decided to head back home and ask his father for a job.  It seemed reasonable to him, after all; he messes up pretty badly.  While he was a long way off, his father, apparently looking and waiting for him, sees him. Luke 15:20 (NIV) “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he r...

Well, it happened again today.  I went to church, and God showed up.  No, I mean he really showed up! Let me tell you about it—quickly.  We did the church things.  You know, announcements, worship and preaching.  These were done like in most churches, and I sat and participated. Was God there?  Well, yes, He was. We were doing all the right things at the right time.  Appropriate raising of hands.  Sitting with minds fixed on the preacher.  Offering the odd “Amen” or risking a good “Hallelujah."   You know, all the stuff we are supposed to do in church. But then, God showed up.  Let me tell you what happened. An elderly lady was sitting in the front row.  I’m old—she was ‘elderly.’  She had done an okay job of cleaning herself up and getting ready for church—except for the back of her head.  She missed brushing her hair.  It was all over the place.  Brushed on the sides—but pretty messy at the back....

My presence is continual, if you will notice. But you are busy with your own life and your own agenda. It is my joy to watch you grow and enjoy your life. It is my joy to watch your tears and pain because they are allowed by Me. It is my joy to watch your thrills. I laugh when you’re thrilled. It is my joy to watch your misunderstandings; you will always misunderstand. Get used to it! It is my joy to watch your realizations of your nothingness and My everythingness. That results in more of My presence permeating your life. All the things you chase after are passing, but that doesn’t mean they are evil or bad; they are gifts from Me to you.  However, setting your whole heart on those pleasures will ultimately fail you and leave you in deeper pain. It is a matter of priorities and balance. When you seek Me first, all that you need and many of your desires will be added to you. The more you seek Me, the more presence you will live in and with. And, the richer, the fuller...

  John 21:20-23 (NIV) 20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said,  “ Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked,  “ Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus answered,  “ If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said,  “ If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”   God has designed a spiritual discipline, a spiritual journey, and a spiritual lesson plan specifically for you. There are basic universal principles of spirituality and spiritual growth, but God is crafting you specifically.   1.         Learn principles of spirituality. 2.        ...

  Saint Teresa wrote:    “Solo Dios Basta, God alone is enough.” __________________________________________    Lord, forgive me.  I think I need more.  I think I need success (whatever that means?). My lists of needs tend to be related to my idols. What kind of idol do I worship? My life? My money? My ministry? My reputation? My well-being? My house? Well, you know, Lord, the list is as endless as there are people.   Solo Dios Basta! Oh Lord, this is where I want to live! This is where I want to be. Enough already!  All this chasing after mere temporary things.   Saint Teresa: Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. Those who cling to God. Will lack nothing. Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. God alone is enough.   Solo Dios Basta!