There is always so much more to learn …

I am REALLY enjoying going through the Peacemaker Small Group Study each Tuesday night.

Ken’s teaching is FANTASTIC! Absolutely the opposite of my (probably TOO extemporaneous!) off-the-cuff teaching style … he is the consummate lawyer AND engineer (ordered, careful, logical, no wasted words, doesn’t miss a point) … but he has grace & charm & humility too.

The videos are short and the study guides lend themselves to “real” conversation afterwards.
Really–they are just great! I hope you’ll check them out.

Last night I was particularly struck by how the new edition of The Peacemaker adds in a level to the progression of an idol. (I’m thinking I should alter my teaching notes to add it in.)

Can you spot the addition?

1. A desire (“I want …”) is elevated to

2. A demand (“I will have …”). The demand puts

3. Expectations on others (“Therefore, you’d better …”). The expectations are not met, and so we

4. Sinfully judge others (“I would NEVER do that!” “How COULD she?!” “He INTENTIONALLY meant to hurt me …”). We condemn people in our hearts and with our words and then we

5. Punish them. We sacrifice people on the altar of our idols.

Ooooooh. We were all cringing a bit (a lot!) last night as we saw our hearts.

BUT … we were also REJOICING together because God has made a way for us to be rescued from ourselves! He has given us a way out and He gives us a way out every moment of every day … through Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven.

“If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness!” Psalm 130:3-4

Amen & Amen!
Thank You, God, for sending Jesus to live the life we could never live.
To die the shameful and painful death WE deserve.

We love You, Lord!

Your grateful sheep,
Tara B.