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NOTE: This article was originally written as a response to my daughter regarding a conversation that we had. You made the comment regarding Sissel's song, "Choices", that what she had to say was "so simple yet so meaningful". CLICK for the Song or the Talk. This thought came to mind, "The truly great take the complicated issues of life and make them simple. The small take the simple issues of life and make them complicated". True Wisdom is like that, as Jesus Himself constantly showed forth. Something that God is working in me NOW is the concept of "Perspective". I believe that was what the sermon you mentioned last Sunday was about. I only listened to a small part because the topic is one that I have reflected on and considered for MANY years - that Truth and Reality -- for the INDIVIDUAL -- is a matter of our personal perspective !! Jim Durkin taught much on this - having our minds renewed and our lives conformed to the image and the mind of Christ - and of what he termed, "The Bold Confession" !! We (Christians) laugh at "New Agers" and consider everything that they believe as demonic deception, yet in SOME areas, they have a better grasp on "spiritual realities" than do many Christians. This topic is one of their mainstays !! Bear in mind, I am NOT talking about "Ultimate Reality" here (as viewed from God's perspective), but "Working Reality" as viewed from OUR everyday perspective. You know, the old "glass half full/empty" routine. It IS true that if we have a "Life is a pit of damnation - everyone is evil, selfish, and going to Hell - and all the world is against and out to use me" mentality -- Life (God) is going to reward you according to your "faith". If, on the other hand, you believe that "God is with me, Life is full of possibilities, everyone is working within the limits of their capabilities, and if I look for the good in life and others, I will find it" - Life (God) will ALSO reward you according to your "Faith". The statement "as are the people, such is their god" suggests that a group's (or individual's) beliefs and behaviors about a deity are a reflection of their own values and character. It implies that people create "gods" in their own image, often with attributes that mirror their own flaws and desires. Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and who makes known through us the fragrance that consists of the knowledge of him in every place. For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing -- to the latter an odor from death to death, but to the former a fragrance from life to life. ** (2 Cor 2:14-16 You prove to be loyal to one who is faithful; you prove to be trustworthy to one who is innocent; you prove to be reliable to one who is blameless -- but you prove to be deceptive to one who is perverse. ** Ps 18:25,26 As these scripture verses state, how WE perceive God is how He will ACTUALLY be (to US). To the lost and wicked, He will be a God of Anger and Wrath - to the redeemed, He will be a God of Grace and Love. It all depends upon which principle they are operating in - The Light or the Darkness !! In the beginning, ALL (including mankind) was created with the two aspects of God (Light and Darkness) in harmony and union. They worked together, each contributing their necessary property. When mankind separated from God, the harmony and union within the material world and himself was broken. Light and Darkness became distinct and separate principles and properties. The principle of "sowing and reaping" works equally in BOTH the earthly as well as the spiritual realms. If we sow (will) to the carnal and earthly within us (the Darkness), we will reap (spiritual) death. If, on the other hand, we sow (will) to the Light, we will reap harmony with God's Spirit and the resultant blessing. You stated in one of our recent conversations that Sissel SHOULD have a good outlook on life considering the "Privileged Life" that she has led !! I believe that this statement somewhat misses the point. From what I have read and observed about Sissel from her concerts, interviews, stage performances and talks - she has led a "Privileged Life" BECAUSE of her outlook and philosophy of life. She started from a very simple and average family and background. She has stated that (from her youth) she has confidence in the gifting and purpose that God has given to her (singing), she believes in and loves people (and THEY love her in return) and she tries to look FORWARD with Expectation, Faith and Hope (and not BACKWARD with regret). Her (positive) Dream is continually before her eyes, and she has and continues to pursue it with ALL of her Heart and Mind! God certainly GAVE to her an abundance of Charisma, Gifting and Talent - but she has WORKED very hard over the years developing, growing, perfecting - and learning how to utilize these to their utmost ! I guess they are like seeds -- if you want a good, bountiful crop, the seedlings need to be cultivated and nurtured. Otherwise, they will simply wither and die !! Sissel has grown from a small-town Girl into a Cosmopolitan, Sophisticated Lady. I believe that it is the end-product of the above mentioned qualities that shows forth in Sissel's life. It is THIS that I (and SO many others) admire so much and am drawn toward. It is a VERY rare commodity in today's world, even among Christians !! I know that I (and I think you and Maria also) are not only "glass half empty" personalities - but "glass three-quarters empty" types !! When I look at what THIS mentality has wrought in my life - I don't like it very much !! I would MUCH sooner have the life-view and results that Sissel has achieved, even if, in SOME areas, I believe that she has gone too far in HER direction. By this, I mean I think that she is reluctant - or perhaps unable - to face and accept the concept and reality of the alienation of Mankind from God, and the resultant REAL Evil and Sin in people and in the world. Click [ HERE ] to read an "Open Question for Sissel" regarding HER "Life Perspective". |
