tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689838439428844486.post375558789676055734..comments2024-03-15T20:15:34.428+13:00Comments on ξενος: Warning: Evangelistic MessageUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689838439428844486.post-80873550658005022372010-03-01T07:57:41.036+13:002010-03-01T07:57:41.036+13:00it isn;t about being miserable but recognising the...<i>it isn;t about being miserable but recognising the cost. all the best things in life require sacrifice, but sacrifice can be a joyfull affair, if it is done for someone or something that you love.</i><br /><br />Yep, I totally agree with that. I think that learning this may be something of a "conversion experience", though. Not a first-faith conversion experience, either. <br /><br />I'm babbling and can't really put this into words; that's usually the time to stop!PamBGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11324370506889227234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689838439428844486.post-20417829974591794642010-02-28T14:11:07.935+13:002010-02-28T14:11:07.935+13:00Absolutely!, but as i hope my message made clear, ...Absolutely!, but as i hope my message made clear, it isn;t about being miserable but recognising the cost. all the best things in life require sacrifice, but sacrifice can be a joyfull affair, if it is done for someone or something that you love. :-) Oh, and God does love you, lots!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17617931507959908006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689838439428844486.post-71156381597306012562010-02-27T03:30:05.382+13:002010-02-27T03:30:05.382+13:00I totally agree with what you say above and I am c...I totally agree with what you say above and I am certainly in theological opposition to any form of prosperity Gospel.<br /><br />I remember a time, though, when I was so beaten down by the church, had heard so many times that I was a worthless sinner headed for hell who God could not possibly love that I really needed to hear that God loved me.<br /><br />So, it is a balance, I think. Agape love is somehow at the center of things. Agape love calls forth sacrifice. Not sacrifice for the sake of sacrifice but sacrifice which puts the needs of others before my own wants. And sacrifice for the sake of righteousness and truth.<br /><br />My church of origin practically taught something along the lines of "If you want to be a teacher/doctor/missionary and you think you'd be fulfilled and enjoy this work, then you'd better choose something else that will make you miserable because God requires sacrifice, not enjoyment." I'm not convinced of that.<br /><br />Jesus knew what God required of him and he sacrificed everything for God's will. In meantime, he was also accused of being a glutton and a drunkard.PamBGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11324370506889227234noreply@blogger.com