tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693186638789533262.post3067147300994262192..comments2023-04-28T01:19:09.287-07:00Comments on A Bible Blog: James 1:17 The Gifts of GodDimplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08313315926201426600noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693186638789533262.post-13807313010263328432011-08-20T19:34:13.257-07:002011-08-20T19:34:13.257-07:00Beth Ann,
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. T...Beth Ann,<br />Thank you for your thoughtful comment. There is, indeed, legitimate pleasure in doing things well, if we give God the glory He is due. That is the issue. But when I accept men's praise, and neglect to praise God, I am in sin. That is what caused Herod's death, which is recorded in Acts 12:21-23. It is not a sin to enjoy bringing joy to others. It is a sin to take the praise entirely to oneself.Dimplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08313315926201426600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693186638789533262.post-63556187377002524642011-08-20T19:01:49.605-07:002011-08-20T19:01:49.605-07:00What if it's not your fallen nature but a real...What if it's not your fallen nature but a really good, God given enjoyment of the work of your hands? There is a joy in making something and something beautifully holy about taking joy in it. It's not pride to do so. What greater praise of the creator could there be than for his beloved creature to really enjoy the gift he's given her? Of course we can't take all the credit, but YOU made that shawl. It's part of being made in his image. <br /><br />A couple years ago, I made a really complicated lace shawl for a dear friend of mine. It was the work of many months. I had to cast the thing on three times before I got it right, and it was more than 300 stitches to cast on. It was hard to learn the pattern, it was lace weight yarn on tiny needles. Whenever I see her wearing the shawl, I feel nothing but joy and the best kind of pride. It's not the kind of pride that thinks I'm all that and a bag of chips. It's the sort of pride that remembers the hours spent, the perseverance required, the love that went into it. It taught me many lessons about myself and about God. And when I see that beautiful thing, I am reminded of all of it. I enjoy the beauty of the thing itself. There is no part of me that feels a lack of gratitude or love for God in it. Part of my joy is the delight he takes in it as well. Eric Liddel said, "God made me fast. And when I run, I feel his pleasure." God made you handy, and when you create, perhaps you are feeling his pleasure too. What if it isn't a sin to enjoy bringing joy to other people? What if you could just feel his pleasure? Because he certainly is pleased when we his children enjoy his beautiful gifts. Just a thought.Beth Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18023405917546368799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693186638789533262.post-65425098415498014162011-08-16T18:28:09.532-07:002011-08-16T18:28:09.532-07:00I needed that reminder. Thank you.I needed that reminder. Thank you.Jessica Renshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06772797916085422429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693186638789533262.post-13532608741688501042011-08-16T13:26:03.764-07:002011-08-16T13:26:03.764-07:00And the wise woman that you are you lift your voic...And the wise woman that you are you lift your voice to Him in praise and thanksgiving. I appreciate your sharing your insight.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com