Tonight I had dinner at Thai Rama.
Do you see that “Call In Orders Only” sign? Well, so far EVERY time I’ve called in an order – someone answers the phone, asks me to hold, puts the phone down on the counter and never picks it up again. Then for the rest of the night it’s busy! It’s the strangest thing. I then have to drive down there.. order.. and wait. I think that sign is a trick – or some sort of a test.
Before I went in to eat, I realized that there was this GIANT painting in the sky. I took a photograph of it – but it really doesn’t even come close to the original. They never do.
Click Image to Enlarge
Inside Thai Rama, Sean and I were talking about the ways (or way) of realizing the purpose of life.. I didn’t quite realize the purpose of life, but I did realize something. I could sense something shift a bit in my mind. I can’t quite put it into words, but I think that is a good thing – or, that is part of the realization.
Later, we were sitting in my car, in the dark with the engine running, and as he was talking (and explaining and praying) I realized that the conversation we were having had happened so many times in so many forms in so many places for so many years, that truly – in the end – they were words – words are just words. This forever stream of uncountable words. I think I am starting to see something true in the simplicity of action. It’s obvious that action is more important than words, but I’m starting to realize it – starting to believe it.
Earlier today, (I think it was about 10:56am) I realized that every word I say (every word that is heard) is real to the person I’m saying it to. They are listening and processing it.. it has a strange sort of permanence I never realized until today.
These two realizations are not profound. I think that’s the point though.. some days you just realize things that are true and you change a little bit.
While I was inside Thai Rama eating, the beautiful painting faded away into darkness. There’s something true in that. I love that. That makes sense. It would have appeared and faded even if I wasn’t here to see it.
tom 11:13 am on June 27th Permalink | Log in to Reply
I think a lot of the phrases come from biblical statements like, “live by the Spirit” in galatians. or the idea of being the body of Christ to the world and loving others as he would.
Another big one is Col. 1:27- “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” but Paul calls this a MYSTERY, not so much an action or a feeling. Christianeese is an interesting language and if you dont know you could easily say the wrong thing at work.
you can borrow my Christianeese For Dummies book if you want to
Sean 1:36 pm on June 27th Permalink | Log in to Reply
Admitting you do not understand is a good first step towards the pursuit of truth. It is the way of humility and dependance (2 unheralded values in this American culture).
You are not alone. I believe your lack of understanding of such phrases is common to many Christians today, a reflection of the disconnect between leader and layity. I think it is due to lack of discipleship and one on one training along the lines of “follow me even as I follow Christ”.
These phrases describe various aspects of a “pattern” or “way” of living that would have been modelled and taught to christians in the first century. Paul modeled Christ’s way of living to the churches…and his letters call attention to that model when correcting or reminding. Paul would have taught them what it meant to “put on the new self”, or “live by the Spirit” and “keep in step with the Sprit”. PHIL 4:9 (and many others)
We should be able to point back to our fathers (most desirable), mentors (next best), or someone else who taught us to:
- walk by faith not by sight
- “walk”, “pray”, or “worship” in the Spirit
- fight with weapons not fashioned by human hands
- put on the full armor of God
- have the fullness of Christ dwell within
Like many others, unfortunately no one filled this role in my youth. But praise to God for He promises to be faithful where men have failed, to see that the shepherding (mentoring and guiding) gets done.
EZEKIEL 34:11-15
Sean
Etetrysew 6:27 pm on December 5th Permalink | Log in to Reply
mm.. thank you man