> General Discussions

Slaves to Sin

<< < (3/9) > >>

Kat:
Hi Joe,

I am following you on this.
Another aspect of what Matt. 6:24 is saying, as I see it, is this vsese.

Joh 3:30  "He must increase, but I must decrease."

This is harder to do than it seems.
I have to always remind myself, of where all my understanding is coming from.
I really can't take credit for any of it, tho I find myself wanting to at times.
It seems I have to lower myself to hear Him.
If I am trying to assert myself,
then I lost all creditability.
It is a constant struggle against self.

mercy, peace, and love
Kat

hillsbororiver:
Patrick and Kat,

You both are so right about that, how our idols of the heart sneak right in and attempt to take us back to where we really don't want to be, it is usually a subtle entry and then before we realize it the beast is back on the throne.

Patrick, you make your living with motorcycles, in a highly competitive field, what happens when you lose your technological edge or your motivation? You can't afford to, right? To be in a profession where you really love what you are doing is a gift from God at least from my perspective. I have a good job, I have been blessed in many ways at many times by Him, He has brought me further along professionally than anyone with my background has even a right to fantasize about. On the other hand I have never in my life had a job I can say I loved, that I felt a need to do, they have all bored me in different ways in different degrees. To even take it another step further I can't even tell you what I would want to do if I could choose to do anything at all in any field or profession, He has yet to reveal that to me.

So Patrick I would say that being sincerely thankful to Him, that He gave you a talent and revealed that talent to you so you could make a living with it is a huge blessing. This gift He gave you can be a step toward being a temperate example to others, living in this world as we must at this time but not being of this world, not having an ego because you are very good at what you do in a highly competetive business but grateful that He granted you the ability and blessed your efforts in that field. No telling what your humble example could provide to those around you.

I have always admired even envied those who knew exactly what they were interested in doing to make a living, now I am well into middle age and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. Well, let me clarify that statement, I do very much want to be counted among His faithful, His chosen, but that is His call not mine.

Kat, your experience is so similiar to mine, once I get a new revelation or level of understanding my joy can sometimes be tainted with pride, then He knocks me back down, humbles my wretched soul, I seek His forgiveness so I can get up and back into the race. This all really can tie in with Tim's topic "Come to the Cross" where he (Tim) inquires about Matthew 10:38, and what it means to take up His cross.

I also can relate to Paul who compares this experience to (boxing in some translations) fighting and running in a race, both very physical and demanding enterprises, you must be well trained, disciplined, fit and ready (right Patrick?) if you hope to win the prize. 

1Co 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
 
1Co 9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
 
1Co 9:26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

His Peace and Wisdom to you,

Joe


 

gmik:
Joe, I can relate to the "what do I want to be when I grow up" mind set. I have taught school for over 20 years and still wonder.  In some of my more spiritual phases I have looked at my classes as a ministry and try to help my children in His name.  Then reality usually sets in and I am mad, angry, disappointd in certain students and I actually "forget" about the Lord during school hours.  I run on auto-pilot.

I am off school for a few weeks after my anemia scare and I love it.  I want to be retired and living on the beach in Florida.  I don't want to do anything! No responsibilities, no appointments, no housecleaning or cooking.  I like lazing around, being on the forum, reading or listening to Ray, and that is about all.  Maybe this has something to do with having no energy lately but I am worried it is some kind of "idol of the heart".

I also am envious of others.  Why can't I have a bigger, house, car, budget, yada yada...
Is this just me, and how God made me to be?  Is there something I can do about it or am I stuck this way till God decides to change me?  How much is me, how much is Him??

Oh, sorry I got off on me...not sure why....thanks for listening!

gena

Patrick:
Thanks for the encouraging words, Joe. However, I must explain something.
The racing is not my "source of income"; my source of income is oil & gas well royalties in West TX. I was a Petroleum Engineer.
The racing is a hobby for everyone on our team; everyone but me has a full time job. Yes, all of our expenses are paid and the owner gives us some "lunch money."

 
I agree with you in regards to God giving me the talent and financial means to take off whenever I want to. But, the desire (at the pro level of racing) is fading fast. I really don't know if I'll be doing this next year. I'm tired of traveling (over 50,000 air miles this year).
I have known exactly, since the age of 12, what I wanted to be when I grew up; 35 years later I am still trying to reach that goal. After the last Mobile conference, I asked myself; why are you still struggling to reach that goal and spending every spare dime you have? Don't you think if your desire was a part of God's will for you, you would have reached that goal by now?
My answer to the first question was "because you are a stubborn-hard headed individual" that wants to prove to all of my family that "I can make it in the racing world."
My answer to the second question was maybe. MAYBE?

Living in this world, but not being of this world is an area I struggle with daily. The racing atmosphere is very ugly (lying, stealing, cursing, fighting, adultery, drugs, etc.) at times and sometimes I just want to be out of it. I know that stuff happens in all areas, but do I continue to subject myself to that when I have a choice to get away from it or do I try and be a Light to those folks?
I have laid everything out before God, we'll see what happens.

Thanks again, Joe.
See you in a few weeks at Gainesville.


 

hillsbororiver:
Hi Patrick,

How you could choose motorcycle racing over researching the behavior of fluids in permeable geologic formations is beyond me!  ;)

I am sorry for the assumption I made, but I am very familiar with the baggage that comes with competing or even working with highly motivated testosterone fueled (among other things) guys in a highly measurable environment. At first exhilerating then fading to weariness at some point, sometimes physically (not too mention mentally) it can drain one's spirit. I never had the enduring passion for weightlifting and martial arts that some of my contemporaries had, but between the ages of 23 until my early 30's I would compete on and off, sometimes obsessively and at other times not at at all. I did not have that burning desire to be the very best at it like a true champion or even a top professional needs to have.

He has given you this gift for a reason. It certainly is not a given as to when and where He will use you though, it is always on His time and not ours, we are just told "be ready."

Recognizing His will in some situations is difficult for me as well, sometimes I believe He just leads us along without giving us any indication what is in store along the way, refining our spirit as the trials show themselves in our steps. That I believe is why we are constantly being admonished to be on guard, be aware so the devil doesn't have us for lunch. For me this carnal nature is just beneath the surface, ready to grab the controls when I least expect it.


Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
 
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.



Well Brother, I am looking forward to seeing you in Gainesville on Nov. 4 for the races, I haven't been to one since Daytona back in the 90's I am taking along a gear head engineer type friend along, we are psyched!

Thanks again and God Bless,

Joe

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page