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Post by sarah on Feb 7, 2007 21:59:58 GMT -8
11/05:
I love chapter 4 especially the last part from vs 8 on. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal"
Paul goes on to talk about some of his "light and momentary troubles" in chapter 6 and I think later in this book as well. Really puts my tendency to whine in perspective. I also like the theme of self sacrifice and the concept of laying your life down so that others can know truth.
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Post by michelle on Feb 7, 2007 22:16:29 GMT -8
11/05:
I'm not sure why, but I've been completely uninspired by 2 Corinthians thus far. I guess it's hard for me to come off a book that is as "loud" as 1 Corinthians and move to something as "quiet" as 2 Corinthians. While it has a lot of great things to say, the tone feels so ordinary. I've been forcing myself to continue to read, but there's not a lot I have to say about the chapters.
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Post by Josh on Feb 7, 2007 22:18:25 GMT -8
11/05:
Apparently you much prefer being yelled at!
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Post by michelle on Feb 7, 2007 22:20:00 GMT -8
11/05:
Actually, Josh, I don't think you are far off. It's funny because when I read passages that are to provide comfort or encouragement to churches, it doesn't really do much for me. I guess part of it is that I've never needed much encouragement from people when times are rough. When relatives have died or relationships ended, I've never needed people to say "Everything will be fine" or "They're in a better place." Actually, it kind of drives me crazy. During those times, my faith in the ability of things to "work themselves out" is my strength, not people's words. I guess with 1 Cor. it felt more like Paul was giving them a list of things they were doing right and wrong. I can relate to that much more easily.
Hmmm...now I'm going to have to reflect on my origin of family to see if that is related to how I grew up.
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Post by Josh on Feb 7, 2007 22:20:31 GMT -8
11/05:
Whining-- you said it, Sarah! I feel that this time reading this passage I need to not just realize how insignificant my troubles usually are in comparison to Paul's, but actually start acting on that realization. What decisions can we make this week to look beyond our inconveniences-- even our tendencies to despair? I can definitely think of a few for myself-- this would be a good passage to tape to the front dashboard or something.
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