tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32409799.post1294271364896454912..comments2023-05-20T10:45:37.512-04:00Comments on I Espresso'd Myself...: Hell Has Frozen Over...The FinaleJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02446881920335636022noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32409799.post-90506691063475892572007-12-19T08:52:00.000-05:002007-12-19T08:52:00.000-05:00Thanks for the glimpse into how you were finally a...Thanks for the glimpse into how you were finally able to cut loose the things that were hindering your walk. Though we are called to die to self daily, sometimes that's a difficult proposition when in the midst of strife and conflict at the hands of people who we consider our brothers and sisters in Christ. <BR/><BR/>While we should rightfully expect to be treated better by those who claim Christ as Savior and Lord, it is often true - and sadly so - that we get treated the worst by our fellow Christians. The words to a very old song come to mind... "you always hurt the one you love..." It's true in family, it's true in romance, and unfortunately it's true in the church.<BR/><BR/>But as we've all probably learned, either the hard way or the easy way, if we do indeed make every effort to die to self each and every day (in other words, putting our desires, wants and needs aside and determining in our hearts to put God and others first), those wounds are not allowed to fester and grow into something that is extremely difficult to overcome. Unfortunately, it often takes distancing oneself from the situation (that is, leaving that particular venue of ministry) in order for that to happen. I know that's been true in my own life and ministry.<BR/><BR/>But rather than song lyrics, the words of Jesus Himself show the way... "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14744828324473793583noreply@blogger.com