I am reminded of a little sermon Randy Harris gave last year in which he corrilated the church to Balam’s donkey and reminded us that God has given us the church as well to help us clarify perception and reality. So it would seem that our God has provided the means for us to see reality if we would only choose to see, which admittedly seems to be part of my problem.

I guess that is why we also walk with an older brother who knows what it is like to live here on earth. It is good to know we before the Father with an advocate who knows what it is like to live realistically in a world of perceptions. It is also good to know that that same advocate has given us a His Spirit to walk with us toward growth on our path to the Father and the Spirit’s perception, if we are willing to hear, is always more accurate than our own.

The reality is we are not perfect, but our God is and He is rooting for us all the way!

Peace.

Not only do many in the post-modern culture (outside of Christ) hold this view…there are also many in the post-modern culture (inside Christ) that do as well.

The challenge is we need our perceptions to help inform us of our surroundings, especially for things that could possibly bring us joy or harm. But perception alone is not enough.

The best analogy I have for this is in my late twenties as my eyes began to fail.

My perception was the lighting was bad, or that street signs were not crafted well. My perception was that all trees had a green blob on top of the trunk.

The reality was in fact very different..I just could not see it until I received my prescription for my first pair of glasses. It was only then that I saw reality for how it always was even though I could not yet perceive it.

A more accurate statement would be “perception may or may not be reality”

I am reminded of Paul’s comments in 1 Cor. 13:12:

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (NIV)

…and Job’s reminder:

For God does speak—now one way, now another— though man may not perceive it. (Job 33:14, NIV)

Are your self-perceptions accurate?
No…I just pray the eyes of my heart and mind are opened as I am transformed into the image of the Christ.

There’s a Steve Sr. (who may or may not be my dad…) that posts sometimes too.

Estoy confundo!

Peace.

I like Randy Harris’ definition of “spiritual direction”: Listening to God on behalf of another person. In other words, that is asking God to reveal what is real — what He is doing — in a situation.

J.P., there probably is a bit of agenda peeking out through Rubel’s insights. But his “agenda” is well-received on my end because I know he is speaking about something with which he is extremely familiar. Similar to a recovering alcoholic speaking strongly about the dangers of alcoholism. The truth is, “conservative CoC” has also often epitomized sectarianism, while preaching “unity” out of the other side of its mouth — that’s hypocrisy. We all do that, though, so don’t hear me singling out one patch in the quilt. We just need to hold the mirror in front of our own face from time to time.

This troubles me, as “denominational loyalty” is increasingly being used as a code word for “conservative CoC.” Is there a bit of agenda peeking through Rubel’s insights? If I posted, “Fact is ignoring God’s commands, but pretense is being progressive,” how well would that go over?

We are facing a difference of perception versus reality…’
Perhaps rather than facing a difference of perception we are finally listening to and giving validity to the perception others have of our perception of reality?

‘As a Christian I should not have treated you like I just did. But I am also a human. Thank God for his grace!’

> We are facing a difference of perception versus reality…