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Dreams, Risk-taking and Spiritual journeys Skip down to "Widening the gate to the Kingdom" |
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On the two stormy days that opened the new year, I providentially read four interesting messages. Together they opened a small window into our postmodern culture and the challenges faced by Christian families. They may seem unrelated at first glance, but consider them with me for a moment:
1. An email pointed to a website titled
2. A Christian mother sent an email asking whether or not she had reason to be concerned about her daughter's interest in a Scandinavian rock group called H.I.M. (His Infernal Majesty). The lyrics to its song, "Gone With The Sin" echo these words:
Whoa, my baby how beautiful you are
Whoa, my darling completely torn apart
You're gone with the sin my baby....
I love your skin oh so white; I love your touch cold as ice
And i love every single tear you cry
I just love the way you lose all your life.
Another song repeats this refrain over and over: "Come on baby... take my hand... Don't fear the Reaper... Baby I'm your man.... We looked backward and said goodbye; We had become like they are.... Come on baby...don't fear the reaper."
3. Later, at our local supermarket, I happened to spot a magazine featuring an article titled "Global sex." Nothing new --- and no longer shocking! Just another reminder that the immorality that brings chaos and corruption to persons as well as nation has now become a cool and acceptable norm in America.
4. I started to read Bruce Wilkinson's new book titled The Dream Maker, which tells its young readers that everyone is born with a Dream that must be pursued. Don't let a "mother" or an "uncle" or any other older or wiser skeptic stand in the way of your personal passion. Let go of the "Familiar," dare to take risks, and fulfill your vision. The much needed parental guidelines that might expose a self-centered "Dream" are dismissed as
Of course, Bruce Wilkinson puts his counsel in a more favorable different context. But there are problems with it. We are told that the source of this universal vision is Dream Giver, but we never learn who he is. Christians and pagans alike can fill in the gaps with their own beliefs or doctrines, for the cross is never mentioned. The only part of the gospel that is implied is "faith" -- but when faith is never grounded in Truth, it's neither saving faith nor victorious faith.
ladieshar
11/08/03 8:15 AM I am not sure
I am not sure what my deepest dream is, but I keep coming back to writing. I have never gone to school to learn to write, but I have dabbled in it with some great results.
I feel that this hidden talent has something to do with my deepest desires and I feel compelled to push further with pen and paper or computer.
After listening to Bruce at Saddleback over the computer I was even more moved to push onward with this small voice. I want to develope what the Lord has handed me.
-----------------------freq47
11/24/03 6:29 AM Dream?
How do I know what my Big Dream is, without getting mixed up with what others big dreams are for me, or even my own deceiving thoughts. http://www.thedreamgiver.com/speak_out/bulletin_boards/messages.cfm?PAGE_ID=57&TOPIC_NO=3Seven stages... the big idea of how to break free a picutre of what it looks like as you pass through seven stages. ..... You are going to know
The Dream Assessment : Discover how your unique personality can help you along the Journey to your Dream! /Are you excited about your Dream Journey, but aren’t sure where to start? DISC and the Dream Assessment will give you the tools you need to pursue and achieve your Big Dream. /To identify your unique personality type, DISC is a simple, effective tool that has been tested and used by millions of people worldwide. The short, online assessment helps you understand what motivates you, your personal strengths and weaknesses, and how you relate to other people. /Once you’ve taken DISC, a Dream Assessment is instantly customized for you based on your personality type. Everyone approaches the Dream Journey differently, and you have a unique way of pursuing your Dreams! Discover more about each stage of your Dream and how you handle the challenges along the way.
The Dream Giver Coach Network : The mission of The Dream Giver Coach Network is to provide professional Coaches whose purpose is to give you unconditional hope, inspiration, and support in discovering and living out your Dream.
The Dream Assessment : http://www.pdiprofile.com/pdi/login.asp?st=TDG
The more we know about ourselves and others, the better we can work with and relate to other people. The Personal DISCernment Inventory® (PDI) helps us understand how and why people are likely to behave in one way or another. This unique educational instrument is based on the time-tested DISC theory that provides powerful insights into your work and social style. It will enable you to discover and define how you view yourself and how you want others to see you. And through that process, you will learn more about the real you - a person who might be slightly different than you thought. The Personal DISCernment Inventory® isn't an exam; there are no "right" or "wrong" answers. It is a tool for helping you discover and analyze your own behavioral style so that you can better adapt your behavior to particular situations and create more productive working and interpersonal relationships with others. The DreamGiver Assessment connects the insights from your DISC profile to your personal Dream Journey. This customized report explores each stage of your Dream and describes the unique challenges you will encounter due to your style's particular strengths and weaknesses. Learn about the major issues in each stage and discover how to successfully navigate the path to fulfilling your Dream. http://www.pdiprofile.com/pdi/DISCBackground.asp?st=TDGOur Mission : The mission of The DreamGiver Coach Network is to provide you with professional DreamGiver Coaches whose purpose is to give you hope, inspiration, and unconditional support in discovering and living out your DREAM http://www.thedreamgivercoachnetwork.com/index.cfm?PAGE_ID=34
How to pray a definite answerable prayer : How to pray a definite answerable prayer Posted 12/08 by GERTRUDE God had long time ago put it in my heart that i should get married and have a big nice prayerful family. How do i pray specially for this to come to pass. Please direct me and give me scriptures
The book is easy to read, uplifting and entertaining. I managed to finish it in little more than one afternoon. Author Wilkinson has a gift for communication and his writing conveys the sense of personal contact. Unfortunately, he has left out some important elements that would have given the book more balance. Not all Big Dreams are to be followed relentlessly. Some dreams are misguided or even delusional. The author meant to say, I think, that certain dreams--dreams from God, dreams of service and ministry--are to be pursued. Dreams of winning the sweepstakes or becoming a world dictator--maybe not. But, he didnt say it. I think he also meant to say that one should exercise discernment in following a Big Dream. Pray about it, get advice from others, ask questions. Is it really a Big Dream or is it just restlessness, a hankering for change. Maybe your purpose in life is right where you find yourself. But author Wilkinson doesnt say that either.