While reading "Anne of Green Gables" by L. M. Montgomery the other night, this quote struck me.
"How unfortunate that Anne should have displayed such a temper before Mrs. Rachel Lynde, of all people! Then Marilla suddenly became aware of an uncomfortable and rebuking consciousness that she felt more humiliation over this than sorrow over the discovery of such a serious defect in Anne's disposition."
This book, regarding children's behavior, is concerned primarily about outward acts and never concerned with the heart but it still made me think about my motives in correcting my children. Do I experience sorrow/Do I react because they have hurt my reputation or because they have sinned against the holy God?
Hmmmm.... Certainly something for me to think about.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
What's My Motive?
The following quotes are from "A Quest for More" by Paul David Tripp
" Motive. To live a Christ-centered life means that he really is the reason I do everything I do. I want to know him. I want to be a part of his work on earth. I want to please him with my life. I want to value what he values. I want his purpose for me to define my purpose for myself, I want to follow his words and incarnate his character. I want to be his disciple and represent him like an ambassador so his will shapes my actions, reactions, words, thoughts, and desires. My decisions are more about what pleases him than what pleasures me. I am enthused that I have been selected to be part of his big kingdom, and I want to live in a way that fits with the goals, values, and purposes of it."
"Our thoughts can be so dominated by the necessary tasks of the day, by the difficulties we face, or by the people around us, that we lose our consciousness of the Lord of Glory who has drawn us into his transcendent purposes for the universe... (Christ-centered living) is caring more about his glory than about my schedule. Is is caring that his grace is spread and his fame is known more than I care about the next-sale, the next promotion, an immaculate house, or a fun lunch with my friends. Ask yourself, when you start your day, what fills the eyes of your heart? What "unseen" thing draws and motivates you? Do you see God? Are you drawn towards him? Do you desire that your day be his day? Do you recognize his grace, power, and sovereignty in your life?"
" Motive. To live a Christ-centered life means that he really is the reason I do everything I do. I want to know him. I want to be a part of his work on earth. I want to please him with my life. I want to value what he values. I want his purpose for me to define my purpose for myself, I want to follow his words and incarnate his character. I want to be his disciple and represent him like an ambassador so his will shapes my actions, reactions, words, thoughts, and desires. My decisions are more about what pleases him than what pleasures me. I am enthused that I have been selected to be part of his big kingdom, and I want to live in a way that fits with the goals, values, and purposes of it."
"Our thoughts can be so dominated by the necessary tasks of the day, by the difficulties we face, or by the people around us, that we lose our consciousness of the Lord of Glory who has drawn us into his transcendent purposes for the universe... (Christ-centered living) is caring more about his glory than about my schedule. Is is caring that his grace is spread and his fame is known more than I care about the next-sale, the next promotion, an immaculate house, or a fun lunch with my friends. Ask yourself, when you start your day, what fills the eyes of your heart? What "unseen" thing draws and motivates you? Do you see God? Are you drawn towards him? Do you desire that your day be his day? Do you recognize his grace, power, and sovereignty in your life?"
Trying Something
I thought maybe I would try something new since I can never find the time to blog, or let's be honest... when I have the time, I just don't feel like it. Often, as I am reading (my husband would probably laugh at the "often" part of my statement, but it is actually true) and I think on the things I am reading I begin to compose what I think would be a good blog post in my head. Problem is, it never actually makes it to the blog. So, I've decided to just try to share bits and pieces of the things I am learning. Sometimes I may have something to say about it and sometimes it will just be a quote or verse that will share with you what's on my mind and maybe give you something to think about too. Like I said... I am trying something new. Hopefully I can maintain it, but I don't make any promises.
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