from monday's summer conversation with chuck degroat

He delights in you
you're not a failure in His eyes (yes even in your wretchedness)

Blessed are you when you come to the end of yourself (poor in spirit)

Blessed are those who bring all the inward junk (secrets) to the outside (mourning)
-in church there's no room for failure or dips. failure causes us to feel SHAME. there's no space at all for sin

The way of the cross is downward mobility (meekness)- blessed are you when you don't have it all together

We are sojourners and aliens here. addiction is self-satisfying/pleasing and we have multiple addictions. We don't need to self-satiate but hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Blessed are those who get into the mess of others. Who by default wants to do that? Having your stomach turned, your innards moved on behalf of someone else is inconvenient!

We live divided, compartmentalized lives- the part people see and want and then the other parts we don't divulge. Don't want to feel exposed. Being pure in heart is to have an undivided heart. Not presenting this false self.. Blessed are you when living from your core.

Blessed are those hungry for shalom, called to bring people together.

Blessed to be persecuted for His cause.

I try to be an honest and transparent person. I fail at this too, wanting to make myself look good.

We want connection and to feel valued and loved, even if the places we seek it cause us to feel terrible afterward.

Sometimes God in His wisdom runs you into a huge brick wall to slow your momentum and teach you what He values.

He defines blessing differently

Failure being a PART of the spiritual growth (rather than a major setback?)

What if the suffering is a sign of faith, not a lack thereof.

We are desperately needy of a Saviour.

So be of good cheer and take heart, O my soul (see John 16:33)!! God will use my failure for my growth in Him, He delights in me, and (thanks to Jesus) doesn't view me as a horrible failure.


Here's an insightful article that's somewhat related:
http://www.slate.com/id/2224932/

(credit on finding this article ascribed to L'bert)