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“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott

“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott

Thoughts on Sanctification

George 0 Comments

I don’t hear the term sanctification much today. In fact, the word sanctification has been largely absent in most of my Christian experience. Having taken some time to investigate sanctification, it became apparent to me that sanctification is and has been a large part of my spiritual journey. For what ever reason, the word sanctification has been replaced by a whole host of phrases and words that I commonly hear and use. Here are few words I believe are synonymous with sanctification: holiness … perfection … transformation … purity … eternal life … saint, et al.

Here are some phrases that seem to be synonymous: … being Jesus in the world, …living out the kingdom of God on this earth, … following Jesus, … living for Jesus, … being a Godly person, … living a life that pleases God, … living a Christ-like life,  et al.

Perhaps the word sanctification is too theological for our post-modern age with its tendency to more casual and familiar relationships with God, I am not sure. But I am certain, sanctification is a big deal and I need to understand it more deeply. A significant part of my journey is the “fleshing out” of those words and terms above. For example, the idea of “being Jesus in the world” is the focus of much prayer and study and many conversations. I am convinced that a more truthful and deeper understanding of sanctification will implicitly give clarity to what “being Jesus in the world” looks like when it is lived out. The point is not that I need to use the word sanctification but that I need to immerse myself in the reality of God’s action in our lives as his redeemed children.

It’s Lacey’s Birthday

George 0 Comments

It seems as if it was only yesterday that I was wishing Lacey happy birthday and here it is again. Lacey is our “Extreme” granddaughter. Her Facebook profile picture says it all. This gal is always looking for a challenge and is fearless. I am proud of her and look for her to make her special place in this world.

I hope you had a wonderful day. Happy Birthday.

Congratulations Jerod & WJMS Academic Team

George 0 Comments

2010 Governor’s Cup State Finals
Middle Grades
Quick Recall

Rank
Team
1
Pikeville High School
2
West Jessamine Middle School
3
Johnson County Middle School
4
Belfry Middle School

We attended the Governor’s Cup Academic State Championships in Louisville Sunday and Monday. Jerod is a member of the West Jessamine Middle School Academic Team. They finished 2nd in the state. Jerod also qualified for testing competition in Language Arts. Great job!

Thoughts on Life as a Journey

George 0 Comments

Here are some thoughts I put together about life as a journey for a recent correspondence.

I believe our lives are a journey. A healthy life is characterized by growth and change. Each day holds the prospect of adventure and discovery. Life is not defined by seeking a safe place and hunkering down insulated and protected from the world around us. Each of us possesses a deep longing to go home. To find our way to that place that we were created for. The pathway we take is not always pleasant and there are dangers to be dealt with. But, there are many beautiful experiences along the way. Wonderful relationships with people. Beautiful sights and sounds and smells.

We do not travel alone. Our creator leads us and watches over us. He gives all that we need for our journey. We meet many people along the way. Some of them join us our journey. Some we encounter briefly. Some encourage us and offer provision of our journey. Others do not understand and become enemies bent on disrupting our pilgrimage. No matter what happens to us along the way, we continue to travel toward our destination because we trust our creator who loves us and will not abandon us on our journey. He has promised us life.

Learning About Sanctification

George 0 Comments

As I embrace the reality of sanctification, it is clear from the beginning that a proper understanding of sanctification is center in our understanding of the Gospel. Consider the following quote from “The Everyday Gospel”

I once assumed the gospel was simply what non-Christians must believe in order to be saved, while afterward we advance to deeper theological waters. But I’ve come to realize that the gospel isn’t the first step in a stairway of truths, but more like the hub in a wheel of truth. As Tim Keller explains it, the gospel isn’t simply the ABCs of Christianity, but the A-through-Z. In other words, once God rescues sinners, his plan isn’t to steer them beyond the gospel, but to move them more deeply into it.
…After meditating on Paul’s words, a friend told me that all our problems in life stem from our failure to apply the gospel. This means I can’t really move forward unless I learn more thoroughly the gospel’s content and how to apply it to all of life. Real change does not and cannot come independently of the gospel. God intends his Good News in Christ to mold and shape us at every point and in every way. It increasingly defines the way we think, feel, and live.