Filed under: Christianity, Commentary, Real Life, Relevant Life | Tags: failure, Jason Curlee, Keep moving forward, Walt Disney
Often times we view failure as final, but it doesn’t have to be. Failure is part of the process of life. It is only when we personalize it and let it keep us from moving forward do we enable failure to create the negative mindsets within us that keep us from a breakthrough.
This past month I saw a great quote by Walt Disney that had some great advice for us in how we can begin to deal with failure.
“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things – because we’re curious. And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. We’re always exploring and experimenting.” Walt Disney
Mr. Disney said something great to start this quote, “we don’t look backwards for very long“. I can relate to this as every morning I spend about 15 minutes driving on the interstate at around 70 mph. Every now and then I will glance into the rear view mirror, but not for very long. If I keep my gaze locked on that great piece of equipment that can be used in a useful manner something terrible would happen. No, I glance backwards, take stock of what is there and proceed on to my destination.
It is in the moments of facing failure that we have a choice. A choice to believe in what we know as truth: that we are not down but are instead at the moment of a breakthrough.
I can see three points in his great advice that could unlock the breakthrough and demolish the obstacle of failure for you.
1. Keep Moving Forward
2. Open Up New Doors
3. Do New Things
Without elaboration begin to do those three things and watch how you will demolish the obstacle of failure in your life.
Jason Curlee – Making Difference Makers
Filed under: Christianity, Commentary, General, Relevant Life | Tags: Christian Walk, Christianity, Faith, Jimmy Eldridge
There are many things that can be ‘Dangerous’ to your Christian walk. This is by no means an exhaustive list, rather my humble opinion on the ones that can have the most tragic results.
1. Isolation
This is perhaps the most dangerous of all the items listed here aside of the Lack of Devotion. The ‘gathering together’ of fellow Christians helps to keep you encouraged, strengthened. But…be careful to surround yourself with the RIGHT kind of Christian people.
CAUTION:Stay away from negative, legalistic, non-caring people….they will suck the life out of you and leave you exhausted.
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Hebrews 10:23-25
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
2. Doubt/Unbelief
The Christian walk is one based on faith…’duh’…so be wary not to live your Christian life according to your feelings. Emotions will deceive you.
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Hebrews 10:22
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
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Romans 4:20
“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God”
3. Wrong Thinking
Staying focused on negative or wrong things can have disastrous consequences on your spiritual psyche and mind. Remember…this is a spiritual war that we are engaged in and the enemy will attack you where you are most vulnerable.
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Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
4. Misplaced Trust
This is one where I have been involved in much discussion. Understanding that there are those that are set as teachers, pastors and so forth, we should not to ‘blindly’ trust everything that is told to us or preached from the pulpit. We, as Christians, should ‘know for ourselves’ what we believe. Place your trust in God and in His word!
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2 Timothy 2:15
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
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Luke 21:8
“And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.”
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John 16:12-14
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.”
5. Lack of Devotion
This has to be the most dangerous item on this list and probably one of the easiest ‘traps’ to fall into. I have found the times where I have experienced the most growth in my spiritual walk with God has been in those times when I am daily reading His word and journaling what I have read. Journaling daily helps you to ‘look’ for what God is trying to speak to you personally in what you are reading.
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Psalm 119:10-12
“With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.”
I just started reading, “The Mortification of Sin” by John Owen. I am reading a new edition of Owen’s work, edited by Justin Taylor and Kelly Kapic, called “Overcoming Sin and Temptation”
This classic work has been cleaned up of much of it’s archaic language and hard to read prose. Therefore it has become very accessible to the modern reader. Owen’s thoughts and writings are as timely today as they were hundreds of years ago.
What I am reading is rich food for the soul. As followers of Christ we need to be plumping the depths of rich timeless classics such as Owen, Edwards and Bunyan.
Instead, unfortunately, the Christian consumer is throwing down millions of dollars for shallow, superficial, self-help books like Joel Osteen’s latest release.
I doubt if any of Osteen’s books will ever stand the test of time and still be read in hundred years.
Filed under: Christian, Christianity, Commentary, General, Real Life, Relevant Christian, Relevant Life, Revolutionary, Thought for the Day
If you enjoy Relevant Christian and would like to become a contributor…please comment this post.
We are in need of people willing and able to write at least a few posts per month.
I have to warn you tho….this is not for the weak…you will encounter hostiles from time to time here.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Peace,
Jimmy
Filed under: Christian, Christianity, Commentary, General, Real Life, Relevant Christian, Relevant Life
Who cares?
I will trust the Holy Spirit to lead me and guide me into all truth.
Interesting concept huh?
Peace!
Filed under: Christian, Christianity, Commentary, General, Real Life, Relevant Christian, Relevant Life
I ran across this post this morning and though it appropriate to share here.
Check it out!
Filed under: Christianity, Commentary, General | Tags: Commentary, Golden Compass
At our staff meeting last week, our Middle school team leader, Caleb Click, quoted Phillip Pullman (self proclaimed atheist and author of “The Golden Compass- a soon to be released movie based on his book)
Perhaps you or someone you know have received an email forwarded to you by a well-meaning friend stating,
(HT: Snopes)
I got that email 3 times and I know many parents who have received that same email. This email has gotten a lot of parents worked up and ready to boycott this film.
He plans to not just watch the movie with the kids, but afterward they are going to discuss what they saw. As a parent of one of the middle schoolers, I applaud Caleb’s foresight and heart to engage movies such as the “Golden Compass”. It is important to help our youth engage and process the culture they swim in with a self-aware, biblical worldview.
Movies have powerful messages that too often fly under our radar. Sometimes those messages are positive. (i.e. the movie “Enchanted” has a message that affirms the lifelong commitment of marriage and at the same time illustrates the painful consequences of divorce. ) And sometimes a movie such as the “Golden Compass” have a message that runs counter and seeks to undermine our faith.
Mostly likely your children or children in your church are curious or even excited to see this upcoming movie. Instead of boycotting this movie, consider educating yourself about the movie and the books that have inspired it. And see this movie as an opportunity to create a conversation with your youth and train them how to appropriately engage and critique the culture they live in.