Obedience or Guided by the Holy Spirit

Found on a blog from 2010 about obedience hurts.  Its thought provoking, a little different but I can’t deny it hits the mark.  I truly believe we are to live under the mercy and grace of God.

"Obedience plays no role in the life of believer. The minute somebody tells you that you must “obey God,” you have met somebody who is a slave to sin. Why? Because in order to be obedient you must define what it is that you must be obedient to. And that leads you to putting yourself under law. “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace (Romans 6:14).” The Christian life is one of trust and dependence on the indwelling Holy Spirit, not one of repentance and obedience to rules and laws designed to modify our behavior. The more “law” we subject ourselves to the more sin we will stir up. Therefore, we become mastered by it. That is why the Bible says that “the power of sin is the law (1 Corinthians 15:56).” Laws, rules, tenants, precepts and principles are not what guide a Christian. It is the grace of God that “teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:12).” The sooner we trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us from within the quicker we will stop relying on our flesh’s inability to be obedient."

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Why working harder or longer maynot be effective.

In “The Productivity of Working Hours” by John Pencavel, Department of Economics, Stanford University.  Observations on munition workers, most of them women, are organized to examine the relationship between their output and their working hours. The relationship is nonlinear:  below an hours threshold, output is proportional to hours; above a threshold, output rises at a decreasing rate as hours increase. Implications of these results for the estimation of labor supply functions are taken up. The findings also link up with current research on the effects of long working hours on accidents and injuries. Looking at findings like these, we come away with  the reasons we give for working more are wrong.  We should take time off from work to avoid stressors, take time with family, relax and renew our minds.  Allowing the brain to go through regular rest and stimulation cycles prepares your body for optimal activity. 

I Am that I Am

“God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM.  This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"  (Exodus 3:14)

When Moses stood before God at the Burning Bush inquiring about His name, God understood how important it was that Moses was able to reveal to the Israelites this important piece of information.

In response, God told Moses ‘Ehye Asher Ehye’ (אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה ) or simply ‘Ehye’ ( אֶהְיֶה ).

In most English Bibles this name is translated as “I Am Who I Am” or simply “I Am. (Exodus 3:14)” 

As in all the names that God uses to reveal Himself, this key name of God tells us some essential information about who He is.

The Hebrew alphabet gives a clue to the meaning behind this name.  

The fact that it begins with Aleph (אֶ), the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, is indicative of the future tense.  Therefore this name can be translated ‘I Will Be Who I Will Be.’ 

We have the power to change ourselves

If you want to make a good impact on the world around you, you need to focus on changing your internal beliefs and reactions to what happens to you.  As we reflect on how we handle the challenges that come against us everyday, reacting in a negative manner, only increases our anxiety and creates fear.  Practice a proactive response to these challenges, this will neutralize the impact or reward you get.  Time is the space between response and reward,  so if you are proactive with positive actions, regardless of what you encounter, you will learn from the experience and gain capability to handle greater challenges.

Bible for our Jewish friends.

Coaching: My Boys Gymnastics Team

Congratulations on my boy's for a great meet on January 29 at Eric Will's gym. A big pat on the back for Sean for placing FIRST in his level age division. He is our very first competitive gymnast to place FIRST at a sanctioned USAG meet! We are all very proud of you, Sean!!

Next competition will be Sunday and Monday Feb 19 and 20 at Azarian Gym in Aliso Viejo.