...providing music and scripts that speak His TruthBy the Book
PERCEPTION - A MENTAL IMPRESSIONPerception is a funny thing. How can two people listen to the same sermon, yet get totally different ideas? How can they listen to a singer and one things he is the best thing since sliced bread and the other can hardly stand to listen to him?
Our perceptions are tainted by what we have seen, heard, grew up with and the list goes on. How is it possible to be objective when humans by nature are drawn to the subjective. Even things that seem clear in scripture become sources of great debates for theologians. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe there are concrete absolutes that God lays out in His Word. There are things I can state beyond on shadow of doubt that are standards God expects us to hold to. Unfortunately, many times it is the gray areas that tend to divide God’s kids.
How do we allow for the differences? We need to stick it out! The usual solution is to part ways. Find a group or person that thinks like me and go there. How do we learn if there is no one to challenge what we think. If we all agree on every point (and I don’t think that is even possible) how do we grow? The times I have come across someone who thinks differently than me have been the times I have had to really dig in to defend my view or realize I may be wrong. No one likes to admit they were wrong but the chances of you and I always being right are about as high as me making 3 basketball shots in a row.
The older I get the more I realize how much more listening I need to do. I need to listen more to the people around me. I need to listen more to my wife. I need to listen more to my kids. Most importantly, I need to listen more to God. We have this fear that others may influence us and draw us away from God. I think the bigger fear is... change. I might find out my perceptions and ideas were wrong and I need to change. May we exhibit grace to each other and be open to the Holy Spirit and how He wants us to see the world and others around us.
SCRIPTURE READING
Proverbs 27:17, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
BOTTOM LINE
My perceptions are not universal.
ARCHIVES
The Power of Positive Thinking (March 4, 2008)
How Far Is Too Far? (February 22, 2008)
Good Art vs. Bad Art (February 1, 2008)
The Lost Son (January 15, 2008)
Please, Please, Please (January 1, 2008)
Artist Envy (November 1, 2007)
Don't Bury Your Talent (October 15, 2007)
The Center of Attention (October 1, 2007)
Go Ahead, Jump! (September 15, 2007)
Think, People, Think (September 1, 2007)
You Should Be a Star (August 15, 2007)
Are You Practicing (August 1, 2007)
Everything Has Changed & Nothing Has Changed (June 15, 2007)
Soldier, Slave & Servant (June 1, 2007)
But I Don't Want to Do That! (May 15, 2007)
To Plan or Not To Plan (May 1, 2007)
A Way of Life (April 15, 2007)
The Ugly Stepsister (April 1, 2007)
Give Of Your Best (March 15, 2007)
A "Duh" Moment (March 1, 2007)
What Is My Calling? (February 15, 2007)
Nothing to Say (February 1, 2007)
Polluted by the World (January 15, 2007)
What Motivates You? (January 1, 2007)
Expectations (December 15, 2006)
What's New? (November 15, 2006)
I am Weary, Lord! (November 1, 2006)
Alive or Dead? (October 16, 2006)
The Simple Life (October 1, 2006)
What Can I Say? (September 15, 2006)
Contentment vs. Complacency (September 1, 2006)
100% Obedient (August 15, 2006)
God's Desires? (August 1, 2006)
I'm in Denial! (July 15, 2006)
Singer vs. Musician (July 1, 2006)
Remember Jesus (June 2006)