Jacob’s Wages: The Cost of Trying Too Hard
There’s a pattern in Jacob’s story, the grandson of Abraham. It’s one that chased me until it brought me to an end. “Grace is not opposed to effort, it is…
Posts by tag
ego
6 posts
I Couldn’t Fix Myself
“God creates out of nothing. Wonderful, you say. Yes, to be sure, but He does what is still more wonderful: He makes saints out of sinners.” — Søren Kierkegaard It…
Recovery, Sweat Lodges, & Preparing for Step 4 Again
Do you believe in change? And, before you answer that, do you still pray? Recently, it’s been another Pauleene pedantic processing season. You’d think this idea that we can arrive…
The War Inside:Psalm 35, Music,& Praising In Pain
David stood as an iconic priest-king archetype, something of a hierophant, a figure who mediated the Divine on behalf of the people. Before all of that, he was first a…
Egongelicalism #1: The Clash of Ego in Evangelicalism
The work of creating an image of myself who already exists, the work of trying to push that up and out while keeping the real me hidden and safe inside, and the work of dealing with communication breakdowns so I can filter Reality for the sake of my Ego is exhausting and unsustainable. From Genesis 1-3 through the Gospels and to Revelation, Ego is humanity’s issue. Jesus's Gospel was clearly an invitation to kill our egos and do the opposite—love.
Don’t let your left hand know – Beyond Show
Do your deeds secretly, say your prayers in secret, and fast in secret. Ensure that you take steps so your intent doesn't become something else. I pray for things or might do a good thing but the intent behind it was selfish, for my security and significance. When I mix up the purpose of prayer, giving, or fasting, I'm turning it into an echo chamber of self-worship. I can't see anything else but me in everything else. So, make sure I take steps so other people won't know.
