tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17688199.post115107823210622144..comments2023-10-22T05:08:56.394-07:00Comments on Extrospectives: One Pure and Simple PassionRob Tombrellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05388654166511931222noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17688199.post-1151436457895621552006-06-27T12:27:00.000-07:002006-06-27T12:27:00.000-07:00I open my Bible, pray for God to open my eyes, and...I open my Bible, pray for God to open my eyes, and feast.<BR/><BR/>I always listen to a good preacher on the way to work.<BR/><BR/>And, I'm never far from a God-centered book I'm working through.pastor justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17688199.post-1151435479123670442006-06-27T12:11:00.000-07:002006-06-27T12:11:00.000-07:00Yeah! Michelle--you are NOW a blogger--aren't you ...Yeah! Michelle--you are NOW a blogger--aren't you so proud? Aren't you glad for another title? Another hat to wear? <BR/><BR/>So far I've heard several things that I should do more...<BR/><BR/>1. Cry out<BR/>2. Use nature <BR/>3. Pray for people<BR/>4. Pray OUT LOUD<BR/>5. Practice spiritual disciplines<BR/><BR/>However, Justin--<BR/><BR/>you have not been specific enough--what do you do? It's 6am and your alarm went off--what do you do to cultivate passion? People are wanting to know.Rob Tombrellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05388654166511931222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17688199.post-1151432039285636282006-06-27T11:13:00.000-07:002006-06-27T11:13:00.000-07:00This is a great question.Usually, the spiritual di...This is a great question.<BR/><BR/>Usually, the spiritual disciplines are the means God uses to stir my affections for Christ. The spiritual disciplines are the way we place ourselves in the way of allurement.<BR/>"Usually" means that the disciplines don't always light my fire. When they don't, I know there is sin in my heart.<BR/><BR/>There needs to be more repenting at our lack of desire for God.pastor justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07638482688179445244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17688199.post-1151324817996223032006-06-26T05:26:00.000-07:002006-06-26T05:26:00.000-07:00Thanks Aaron---"i get to the point where I fall do...Thanks Aaron---"i get to the point where I fall down crying" is the place I think God wants us. The place where passion is stirred is the place of abandoned humility. <BR/><BR/>Chris---thanks for mentioning creation--something I don't do near enough. I need more walks--more times just to stare at the stars or the clouds or a flower until my heart says, "the heavens are declaring Your glory Lord." <BR/><BR/>Me---music plays a central role in stirring up my affections for Christ. It seems to be the place that my mind finds release. Also, I know that something is wrong in my heart if at any given moment I don't want to sing to Christ. So, going for a walk or getting somewhere and just singing a song of praise is extremely helpful in stirring up my heart for Christ. When my heart feels dead this involves what Aaron said--just beating against my chest saying, "God help me!" Then I take a song that I know well--and begin to sing--feelings or not. More often than not--God is pleased to stir up my heart for Him.Rob Tombrellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05388654166511931222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17688199.post-1151117635156110532006-06-23T19:53:00.000-07:002006-06-23T19:53:00.000-07:00I usually, (historically), ignore the voice that c...I usually, (historically), ignore the voice that convicts. Then I delve into more books to make up for the lack of passion, because if reading more books can't fix it, what can? It usually lasts for some time until I realize that the voice is no longer simply talking, but shouting (and the books aren't helping, but possibly hardening my heart). And then I realize that the whole time that I lamented about the absence of God's presence in my life, he has been there, calling to me. Around this time God's presence overwhelms me to the point of tears-- which lead to praise. I think that may be where I am now. <BR/>Kinda like the movie "Luther", I just get to a point where I fall down crying, "Jesus, I am yours, save me!"Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18307591384785715596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17688199.post-1151117535147509572006-06-23T19:52:00.000-07:002006-06-23T19:52:00.000-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18307591384785715596noreply@blogger.com