Manifestations of Pride & Humility

As some may know, I am currently pursuing a M. Div. in Biblical Counseling at Southern Seminary.  At first I was a bit nervous as to how I would like it, since all I've really known is Psychology and Christian Counseling, but let me tell you... I AM LOVIN' IT!! Every class hour (well 3 hours) is just full of sweet, God exalting truth.  To see the Word handled rightly and shaping the hearts of people is such a great sight!  

Last week we went over having a Christ-like attitude and it was one of the more convicting classes of my academic life! Below are the list we were given for how we can see the manifestations of pride and humility in our lives.  Read them, ponder them, pray through them... it will be for you good.  They are convicting lists, but be encouraged that Jesus is the redeemer of your sin.   

Blessings with you all. 

Manifestations of Pride

1. Complaining against or passing judgement on God (Number 14:1-4, 9 11; Romans 9:20)

- Proud response to what God has ordained in your life

2. Lack of gratitude (2 Chron. 32:25)

- We who are saved should be the most thankful people on earth

3. Anger (Prov. 28:25; Matt. 20:1-16) 

4. Seeing yourself as better than others (Luke 7:36-50)

5. Having an inflated view of your importance, gifts, abilities (Acts 12:21-23) 

6. Being focused on the lack of your gifts and abilities (1 Cor. 12:14-25)

7. Perfectionism (Matthew 23:21-28) 

8. Talking too much (Prov. 10:19)

9. Talking too much about yourself (Prov. 27:2; Gal. 6:3) 

- G.K. Chesterton: You are like the donkey who thinks all the shouts and palms are for him rather than who he carries

10. Seeking independence or control (1 Cor. 1:10-13; Eph. 5:21)

- We are dependent on Christ and need the Body 

11. Being consumes with what others thing (Gal. 1:10)

12. Being unteachable (Prov. 19:20; John 9:13-34)

13. Being devastated or angered by criticism (Prov. 13:1)

14. Being sarcastic, hurtful, degrading, talking down to people (Prov. 12:18, 24) 

15. A lack of service (Gal. 5:13, Eph. 2:10) 

16. A lack of compassion (Matthew 5:7, 18:23-35)

17. Being defensive or blame-shifting (Genesis 3:12-13; Prov. 12:1)

18. A lack of admitting when you are wrong (Prov. 10:17)

19. A lack of asking for forgiveness (Matthew 5:23-24)

20. A lack of Biblical prayer (Luke 18:10-14)

21. Resisting authority or being disrespectful (1 Peter 2:13-17) 

22. Voicing preferences or opinions when not asked for (Philippians 2:1-4)

23. Minimizing your own sin and shortcomings (Matt 7:3-5)

- I have the speck, you have the log

24. Maximizing other's sin and shortcomings (Matt 7:3-5; Luke 18:9-14)

25. Being impatient or irritable with others (Eph 4:31-32) 

26. Being jealous or envious (1 Corinthians 13:4)

27. Using others (Matt 7:12; Phillippians 2:3-4) 

28. Being deceitful by covering up sins, faults, and mistakes (Prov. 11:3, 28:13)

29. Using attention-getting tactics (1 Peter 3:3-4)

30. Not having close relationships (Prov. 18:1-2; Hebrews 10:24-25)

31. Etc. 

Manifestations of Humility 

1. Recognizing and trusting God's character (Psalm 119:66)

2. Seeing yourself as having no right to question or judge an Almighty and Perfect God (Psalm 145: 17; Romans 9:19-23) 

- You can ask Him questions, but don't put him up on the stand and think you're the judge

3. Focusing on Christ (Philippians 1:21; Hebrews 12:1-2)

4. Biblical praying and a great deal of it (1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Tim. 2:1-2)

5. Being overwhelmed with God's undeserved grace and goodness toward you (Psalm 116:12-19)

6. Thankfulness and gratitude in general toward others (1 Thess. 5:18)

7. Being gentle and patient (Colossians 3:12-14)

8. Seeing yourself as no better than others (Romans 12:16: Eph 3:8)

9. Having an accurate view of your gifts and abilities (Rom. 12:3) 

10. Being a good listener (James 1:19; Phillip. 2:3-4)

11. Talking about others only if it is good or for their good (Prov 11:13) 

12. Being gladly submissive and obedient to those in authority (Rom 12:1-2, 13:1-2)

13. Preferring others over yourself (Romans 12:10)

14. Being thankful for criticism or reproof (Prov. 9:8, 27:5-6) 

15. Having a teachable spirit (Prov. 9:9)

16. Seeking always to build up others (Ephesians 4:20) 

17. Serving (Gal 5:13) 

18. Quickness in admitting when you are wrong (Prov. 29:23) 

- Mark of spiritual maturity is how quickly you deal with sin 

19. A quickness in granting and asking for forgiveness (Col. 3:12-14) 

20. Repenting of sine as a way of life (Col. 3:1-4; 1 Tim 4:7-9)

- Always turning form sin and to Christ 

21. Minimizing others' sins or shortcomings in comparison to one's own (Matt 7:3-4) 

22. Being genuinely glad for others (Romans 12:15) 

- Rejoicing with those who rejoice, especially when it is something that would have benefitted you

23. Being honest and open about who you are and the areas in which you need growth (Phillip. 3:12-14; Gal. 6:2) 

24. Possessing close relationships (Acts 20:31-38) 

25. Etc.  

Dr. Mohler & Hot Dogs...

This past Sunday hurricane Ike found it's way to Louisville.  Don't ask me how it happened, but we for sure experienced 60 to 100 mph winds!! It was nuts!!! On the way back from church I was trying to think positive about all of the debris and began to imagine that all of the trees were just happy to see Katherine and me coming down the road. So in stead of not showing their emotion, they were shaking with joy and throwing leaves like confetti.  Hmmm, if only that was the truth :)  In reality it caused quite a problem and we ended up losing power for a few days.  Some parts of Louisville are still without and seems will be for about 10 more days. Eek!!  

A similar thing happened during my second year at Northwestern so I figured if I did it once I could do it again.  This time however was a bit different. I didn't have my wonderful roommies and friends from below to hang out with at the Haas house, but Southern actually serves you food!!!! Yes in 3 days without power at Northwestern, no meals.  In 4 hours without power at Southern we got a lovely hot dog dinner cooked by none other than Dr. Mohler (President of Southern & pretty much a big deal in my book), Mrs. Mohler (one of the ultimate BWs of our day), and Denny Burk (Dean of students at Boyce College).   It was humbling to say the least.  Get a hot dog from Dr. Mohler, get a drink from Dr. Moore.  WHAT IS THIS PLACE?!!! Well whatever it is I must say I like it!!! 

Everything on campus is up and running as normal, but they still will have no class this week. If you think about it, please be praying for me to use this time wisely. The Lord has blessed me with some great friends and I can be very tempted by socializing.  Pray that I would be a diligent steward of this time and get ahead on my work! 

Grace & Peace to you all, 

Alia

Equality Day...

On Saturday, August 23rd, I attend "Equality Day" at the Frazier International History Museum.  It was a day to remember and celebrate the advances made for women in this country, particularly those related to feminism.  

Now, if you

 know me, you know that a feminist is something I quite frankly am not.  So you could be thinking to yourself, "why is she going to such an event?" Well I think that it is good to see the other side of things and take in how they are communicating their position.  This event was not some bombastic protest,but instead was a main streamed feminist message for women of all ages. (side note:  I also went because now that I live near Courtney I have someone else who enjoys this stuff! YAY!!!)

When we first entered the museum I was disappointed at how little information was really up about the various movements.  I had expected more special displays. Instead there were really just some monologues about women throughout American history, crafts, and gift shop items that pertained to the event.  

The first thing we experienced was a monologue on the Suffragette movement of the early 1900's.  In my opinion this is the not-so-controversial wave of feminism since the belief of women being able to vote and hold property applies to thoughts outside of feminism.  I was worried, however, by something she said at the beginning of the presentation.  I don't remember it all word for word, which is a shame, but she basically eluded to the point that one day young women would not remember a world where they could not do the various things the suffragette movement fought for.  Which today is very true.  Sadly though that is also true for the waves of feminism that followed. 

 In our country we have mass amounts of young women that act and think just as the feminist agenda would have wanted.  These girls would most likely not identify themselves as feminists, but that is sadly how mainstream it has become.  For example: the women of Sex in the City are loved by a wide range of women for their sexual aggressiveness and self-fulfilling outlook on life.  This to me is a great tragedy.  Our women see the pleasures of self and perverse sexuality as the ideal. 

Another tragedy I saw was the fight for ones rights.  Yes, in some instances a person's rights need to be fought for (e.g. The Jewish people in World War II, the children of Northern Uganda, the Dalit of India, etc.), but this does not fit that category for me.  It seems to lean more toward a heart of selfish entitlement than basic human need.  Frankly I don't want to act more like a man (not saying men should even act in the ways these women do). I want to be a woman, and not the kind that puts others down so I can get ahead.  I want to be a Biblical woman that focuses more on dyeing to self and thinking about the needs of others.  As sinful people all our wants are not good and many times the more selfish we are, the more those around us suffer.  The more we want the aggressive sexuality, the less we want the children that result from it.  The more we value the youthful beauty, the less we encourage young girls to find the worth in heart that is pleasing to the Lord.  

So to close out this some what scattered thinking blog, I leave you with one of my favorite Elisabeth Elliot quotes from the book that began my interest in this topic: 

What sort of world might it have been if Eve had refused the Serpent's offer and had said instead, "Let me not be like God.  Let me be what I was made to be --- let me be a woman"?(p. 16, Let Me Be A Woman)

  

The Word In Flesh...

This will be a shorter post than my first since I have class in about 33 minutes, but thanks to Geoffrey Thomas I do no think it's lack in length will cause a lack in depth. 

This semester I am taking a class called Personal Spiritual Disciplines.  It is a class I have been pumped about since I saw the syllabus this summer.  Just getting the book list was like Christmas in July!  Currently we are reading "Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life" by Donald S. Whitney (one of our professors).  After that I have Pastor John's "Desiring God," Baxter's "The Reformed Pastor" (yay Puritan Paperbacks), and Spurgeon's "Lectures to My Students" to look forward to!

I am not super far into Whitney's book, but already it is doing a number on me.  Last night I finished the chapters about the discipline of spending time in the Word.  At the end of the part one on Bible intake, Whitney closes with one of the most beautiful quotes I have ever read about spending time in God's word.  The very idea of this brought tears to my eyes and only made me more anxious for our long expected Jesus to return!!  May it bless you as well...

Do not expect to master the Bible in day, or a month, or a year.  Rather expect often to be puzzled by it's contents. It is not all equally clear.  Great men of God often feel like absolute novices when they read the Word.  The apostle Peter said that there were some things hard to understand in the epistles of Paul (2 Peter 3:16).  I am glad he wrote those words because I have felt that often.  So do not expect always to get an emotional charge or a feeling of quite peace when you read the Bible.  By the grace of God you may expect that to be a frequent experience, but often you will get no emotional response at all. Let the Word break over your heart and mind again and again as the years go by, and imperceptibly there will come great changes in your attitude and outlook and conduct.  You will probably be the last to recognize these.  Often you will feel very, very small, because increasingly the God of the Bible will become to you wonderfully great. So go on reading it until you can read no longer, and then you will not need the Bible any more, because when your eyes close for the last time in death, and never again read the Word of God in Scripture you will open them to the Word of God in the flesh, that same Jesus of the Bible whom you have known for so long, standing before you to take you for ever to His eternal home. 

-- Geoffrey Thomas, Reading the Bible

Grace & Peace, 

Alia 

 

The Bride Eyes Not Her Garment...

I have now been living at Southern for a full week.  Like many people entering a new phase of life, I had a variety of expectations based on what I thought it would be like.  Currently some (key word) glitter is being cleared from my eyes, but like always I have much to praise the Lord for.  He has already granted my amazing women to connect with, a plethora of solid churches to visit, wonderful books to soak in, a group to keep me accountable in sharing the Gospel, and  a start to some SERIOUS, long needed sanctification.

When I visited Southern last fall and prayed through the decision to apply, I was overwhelmed with this thought, "If you come here, major parts of the flesh are going to go or you are going to go."   I know that may not make sense to anyone but me, so let me break it down.  I had a sense that if I came to Southern I was going to either be greatly sanctified and have to joyfully take all that comes with it, or I was going to have to leave.  There seemed to be no option for complacent living from there on out (not that there was an option before, but you get the point).  It's all in or all out.  Praise the Lord He gave me the desire for all in! What a grace to desire the things of the Lord over the things of the flesh!! 

As of late, Proverbs 31: 30 has really been doing a great work within.  The Lord tells us that "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."  For many years I think I was mainly understanding the "beauty is vain" portion and not fully grasping the idea of charm.  How "charm" is when we point to ourselves and not to the Lord.  When we want to be gloried in, not for the Lord to be gloried in.  Example: when coming here I had this fear of proving myself.  Proving that I could handle class, the big words, being one of two women in a classroom full of men, etc. But really who gets the glory from that?  Me. What a shame! 

The attempt to "prove myself" is still all about me and that is not the Christian life.  As a woman of the Gospel, my life is to point to Christ.  I'm not called to charm those around me (or even myself) into thinking I'm so great, but to show Christ as great. To prove that HE is the strength of my bones, the one that brings understanding and wisdom, the one that has set this captive sinner free.  To Him be all praise, not to Alia. 

This thought was communicated to me again (praise the Lord) this morning.  This time though it was through the hymn "The Sands of Time Are Sinking."  The lyrics are as follows, may they bless you too to gaze not at the crown he giveth, but on His face and pierced hands: 

The sands of time are sinking, 

The dawn of heaven breaks; 

The summer morn I've sighed for - 

The fair, sweet morn awakes:

Dark, dark had been the midnight 

But dayspring is at hand, 

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Emmanuel's land

The king there in His beauty, 

Without a veil is seen:

It were a well-spent journey, 

Though seven deaths lay between:

The Lamb with His fair army, 

Doth on Mount Zion stand, 

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Emmanuel's land 

O Christ, He is the fountain, 

The deep, sweet well of love!

The streams on earth I've tasted

More deep I'll drink above: 

There to an ocean fullness 

His mercy doth expand, 

And glory, glory dwelleth 

In Emmanuel's land. 

The bride eyes not her garment, 

But her dear Bridegrooms face; 

I will not gaze at glory 

But on my King of grace.

Not at the crown He giveth

But on His pierced hand;

The Lamb is all the glory 

Of Emmanuel's Land

O I am my Beloved's 

And my Beloved is mine!

He brings a poor vile sinner

Into His house of wine 

I stand upon His merit - 

I know no other stand, 

No e'en where glory dwelleth

In Emmanuel's land

May the Lord be with you all, 

Alia