Comments on: When to break the rules

By: LisaNotes

LisaNotes — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 18:41:01 +0000

In reply to floyd. Yeah, legalism is still a struggle for me, both within and without. It's easier for me to spot legalism in others; harder to spot in myself, but I know it's ugly in both places....

By: LisaNotes

LisaNotes — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 18:40:02 +0000

In reply to Caleb Suko. Ooh, I bet you do have tons of these kinds of situations in Ukraine! Such a different context so I’d be totally lost in how to negotiate them. I’m glad God has you there because I know you lean into his wisdom. Blessings to you, brother!

By: floyd

floyd — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 17:09:23 +0000

Amen, Lisa. Nothing turns off the Light of God to the world like legalism. I’m with you.

By: Caleb Suko

Caleb Suko — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 15:25:47 +0000

Yes the struggle is huge especially here in Ukraine where you’re expected to break the rules and to pay bribes or take bribes in almost every sphere of life. It’s a huge tension and it requires a lot of wisdom.

By: LisaNotes

LisaNotes — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 23:10:19 +0000

In reply to June.

Excellent, June—err on the side of giving too much instead of too little. (And you’re right…you can never have too much TP, ha.) Thankful that Jesus knows our hearts! And gives us grace every day when our hearts are pure and when they are not.

By: LisaNotes

LisaNotes — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 23:08:22 +0000

In reply to Julie Joiner. If this is a struggle for you too, Julie, then I feel okay struggling with it myself. :) You're so right that we need to give grace to ourselves as well as others. We'll never find the perfect balance but God fills in the gaps with his own grace on us.

By: LisaNotes

LisaNotes — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 22:55:50 +0000

In reply to Jean Wise. Your question is one I think of too, Jean: If I give an extra here, does that mean someone else won't get it there? Grace and guidance, Lord. Even in small matters like toilet paper (which doesn't feel like such a small matter to me when I run out!). Happy New Year, Jean!

By: LisaNotes

LisaNotes — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 22:54:26 +0000

In reply to Melody.

“If they eat, they need it.” ha. Love that, Melody! Truth. 🙂 I’m glad you were blessed as you were a blessing to this woman! Yes, there but by the grace of God go each of us. Thank you, Lord, for the way you’ve blessed us…may we pass it on to others!

By: June

June — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 19:17:00 +0000

I’m sure it’s very difficult to discern when there is a legitimate need and when people are trying to take advantage. Jesus, of course, knew the heart of a man. We have to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us. And because our “self” is involved in that process, we don’t always hear, or listen. In this case, I think I’d rather err on the side of giving someone more TP than they really need (can you ever have too much TP?) 😉 Great reminder, Lisa, God isn’t confined to a box and sometimes we shouldn’t be either.

By: Julie Joiner

Julie Joiner — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 15:59:17 +0000

I am often conflicted by this. I am a therapist and there are all kinds of necessary rules, but sometimes we must make judgement calls. It is a challenge for me, though I am not literal or rigid in my personal life about rules (at least I do not think so), I struggle when it comes to my work. Though I don’t think I am overly black and white in my personal life, I often have guilt about not doing things the way “I think I should,” at least by somebody’s rules. Maybe I need therapy. : ) One thing I have to remind myself of is the heart’s intent. When our intentions are right “relationship before rules” then there must be grace for ourselves and others as we try our best to serve flexing rules as needed. The expectation of perfection can paralyze us and rob us of the joy in serving. Julie