tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405786207257783767.post1615482052125466138..comments2011-11-23T23:28:29.232-08:00Comments on The One With A Beard: A Parable in First Persontheone withabeardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05857029793959512650noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405786207257783767.post-60281894207385736962009-12-20T23:54:59.482-08:002009-12-20T23:54:59.482-08:00this really strikes a chord with me. so often i fe...this really strikes a chord with me. so often i feel we miss the point b/c we like the idea of doing something for God and then pat ourselves on the back, pleased as punch for how well we were able to serve, bless others, give sacrificially, etc.<br /><br />not that it's always bad to feel good about doing those things. we should feel good. the question is why do we feel good though? is it because we like the affirmation or because we are actually serving God? can we serve without always expecting to be rewarded for it? might we be really motivated by self satisfaction that comes with telling ourselves how great we are because we were able to make joe schmo's life easier today by something we did?<br /><br />none of us are so saint-like or perfect that we would not struggle with wanting some kind of acknowledgment for serving others or bitterness when it doesn't happen. i hope, though, that we would check our motives and strive to serve others despite the potential cost anyways, because at the end of the day, it's not about building ourselves up, but proclaiming Christ and serving HIM.Brendanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405786207257783767.post-11486602032092152832009-11-29T19:49:02.889-08:002009-11-29T19:49:02.889-08:00Missing the point. The goal was accomplished, but ...Missing the point. The goal was accomplished, but the rhetorical "I" (used in honor of Romans 7) wanted more affirmation.theone withabeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05857029793959512650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405786207257783767.post-31974366423801382042009-11-29T12:03:47.855-08:002009-11-29T12:03:47.855-08:00Dusting off your sandals or missing the point?Dusting off your sandals or missing the point?Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06714814037490008824noreply@blogger.com