Spiritual snipers

Was listening to Mark Driscoll, during the Desiring God 2008 Conference, delivered this talk. It is a strong-worded sermon, talking about feeding sheep, rebuking the swine, shooting the wolves, criticize the dogs and praying for the shepherds. He addresses the good Christian. The bad Christians. The false teachers and hypocrites. The religious self-righteous. The leaders. It's long, but worth listening to.

My thoughts
It's hard to not fall into one of these extremes. It involves continually examining yourself and figuring out where you stand. It involves knowing the Scriptures and what you believe in and not just repeat what you hear on TV, at church or from your peers. It involves keeping Romans 14 and 2 Timothy 3 close at hand.

I don't necessarily agree with where you were, sometimes I wonder where you at...but I am hopeful about where you are going. 

-John Piper

Growing and supporting your close ones involves love and gentleness. But also with firmness. It involves teaching and encouraging. And most importantly, hope in their future. Refining a metal is a multi-step process. Sometimes the desire for God will come easily. Sometimes it's hard and we'll need to examine ourselves.

As I mentioned during the NCC (the workshops, "no-name cell"...yes, it's a sucky name. We're still thinking -_-) introduction night at CCF a few weeks back, one of the more inspiring quotes I've heard in recent times is something I read from someone's gtalk tag:

Christians are just sinners that get back up. 

We're not that different than everyone else. We just happen to have reason for hope.