Disappointment vs. Hope

The first chapter of The Life I’ve Always Wanted is entitled “We Shall Morph Indeed” – The Hope of Transformation.

Ortberg suggests that disappointment with ourselves can come from many sources but the deeper problem is “my failure to be the person God had in mind when he created me.”

“I am in a state of dis-appointment.  I am missing the life that I was appointed by God to live.”

This is where I could happily reside – perpetual disappointment.  Most recently I have been wondering whether I can ever change, I’m not where I want to be but I just can’t seem to find a way out.  No matter how hard I try I just can’t seem to alter the way I am and generate the passion, faith and commitment I would like to possess.  I came to my senses the other day and realised that for me this change is impossible, I simply can’t do it.  But it’s not my job.  God is the only one who can change me in this way and I guess my role in the partnership is to live a life which makes it as easy as possible for God to get on and do the changing stuff.

“The possibility of transformation is the essence of hope”

I need to learn to wrestle more with hope than simply embrace my dis-appointment.  Dis-appointment will not always win the struggle.  Change is possible… I hope.

The Life I’ve Always Wanted

The postman delivered my copy of John Ortberg’s “The Life You’ve Always Wanted” today.  Recently I have read books and found them challenging, uncomfortable, inspiring and motivating.  However, the words of wisdom seem to go in one eye and out the other failing to stop and reside somewhere in between.  So I thought I would try and blog as I work my way through this one.

The book was recommended during last Sunday’s sermon and it has the subtitle “Spiritual disciplines for ordinary people”, I’ve only read the preface so far but it is resonating already.  “If you have ever been frustrated with what you know of spiritual life, ever wondered if real change is possible, ever felt confused or stuck – you’re my kind of person.  I wrote this book for you.”

That’s me, that’s my experience – bring it on.

Believing Obedience

Have started my next Tom Wright book (see previous post) – have gone for Romans and John this time.  I’m finding his translation really helpful, a breath of fresh air really.  What is it all about, being a follower of Christ, a Christian?  “Believing Obedience” from Romans chapter 1 verse 5 sums it up quite nicely for me.  It requires faith to believe but also some sort of response which involves submission and surrender to the King of all things.  Nice one Tom.

Through the roof

I'm reading a book by Bishop Tom Wright called Mark for Everyone. Its a commentary on the Gospel of Mark but he has written his own translation and his comments are fresh and insightful. He suggests that the house in the story of the healing of the paralytic from Mark 2:1-12 was probably Jesus' own house… I hadn't thought about it like that before.

Da Vinci

Read the Da Vinci code whilst in Switzerland. I enjoyed it, although I thought the beginning was much better than the ending. Lots of very controversial stuff in the middle and I have to be honest and confess my ignorance concerning the origins of the bible. Will have to do some research and this seems like a good place to start… Useful article on the da Vinci Code by respected British Bishop Tom Wright (thanks Steve!)