What's your score?

So following up from the last question, today's post is a real easy one.  In the comments below, just put what your average result was for question #1. If that's all the time you have for (and remember, it will only take you 2 - 3 minutes), great.  If you've got a couple minutes on top of that, add whether you think your score is accurate.

My score:  1.15.

Two minutes

Look at question 1 of this week's personal study.  It asks you to rate several statements and then tally your score to determine to what degree you are a people pleaser.  It will literally take you two minutes.  I know this because I timed myself.  Two minutes and 14 seconds, to be exact, was the time it took me to answer the questions, add up my points and average them out to find that I am "occasionally a people pleaser."

So, as you read this, pause and take 2 minutes...I'll give you three if you need it, to grab your study and complete the questions.

Done?  Good.  Would you say your average response number seems true of you?  Why or why not?

For me, I'm a bit surprised I'm not in the category of "frequently a people pleaser."  Maybe I answered some of the questions a certain way to please myself and give myself a lower average :-)

Seriously slacking

Hey everyone.  So, I've been seriously slacking with this blog. It's certainly been longer than I would like from the last post published about our study. So...back on the wagon!!  As we prepare for session 4, Pleasing God, think about the following quote:

The Christian who care only for God's approval lives free of the tyranny of conformist pressures, relaxed under the steady direction of the God who loves us and gives himself for us.  Those who try to please the world by their good behavior very quickly find themselves under the unkind surveillance of a thousand critics.   --Eugene H. Peterson, A Year With Jesus

Take five minutes to be still and think about this quote.  Put into practice what we've been learning through this study!

Everything

The passage from Psalm 127 repeatedly stresses the futility of self reliance -- anything not undertaken in partnership with God is "wasted," no good," and "useless." In contrast to working anxiously to provide for ourselves, God invites us to be his loved ones, to rely on his provision, and to demonstrate our trust by accepting his gift of rest.

How does self-reliance evidence itself in the choices you make about things like how to spend your time, how hard your work, or how anxious you feel about your security?

For me, there's definitely a fair amount of self-reliance going on in my life!  Working in partnership with God, more so relying on God, is something that I have to think about and make a concerted effort.  Wouldn't it be nice if it became second nature? I can only imagine how much more peaceful and "zen" my life might be.  Meditating on this idea makes me think of a song that Rob sings at church sometimes..."Everything". Take note of the lyrics below - God should even be in our sleeping and our resting.  This song is all about relying on God, and less on yourself.

God in my living,
there in my breathing
God in my waking,
God in my sleeping
God in my resting,
there in my working
God in my thinking,
God in my speaking

Be my everything, be my everything Be my everything, be my everything

God in my hoping,
there in my dreaming
God in my watching,
God in my waiting
God in my laughing,
there in my weeping
God in my hurting,
God in my healing

Be my everything, be my everything Be my everything, be my everything

Christ in me, Christ in me Christ in me, the hope of glory You are everything
Christ in me, Christ in me Christ in me, the hope of glory Be my everything

Be my everything, be my everything Be my everything, be my everything Be my everything, be my everything Be my everything, be my everything

God in my hoping,
there in my dreaming
God in my watching,
God in my waiting
God in my laughing,
there in my weeping
God in my hurting,
God in my healing

Be my everything, be my everything Be my everything, be my everything
Be my everything, be my everything Be my everything, be my everything Be my everything, be my everything Be my everything, be my everything

Christ in me, Christ in me Christ in me, the hope of glory You are everything
You are everything, You are everything You are everything, You are everything

Jesus, everything, Jesus, everything Jesus, everything, Jesus everything