In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.
“You must lead in following the Father’s will of humbling yourself for others – advice to live by.
“The contents of three ‘tea bags’ have to be changed before the flavor of this family tastes Christlike – still a neat metaphor ”
Summarize Craig‘s own way: (1) What was the ruling lust in his heart and (2) what were the visible manifestations of that ruling lust?
“Craig’s own way was that of the assertive rebel. He wanted to do whatever he wanted regardless of how many rules it meant he had to break.”
Summarize Frank’s own way: (1) What was the ruling lust in his heart and (2) what were the visible manifestations of that ruling lust?
“Frank’s own way was that of the cooperative rebel trying in vain to maintain at least the appearance of perfection in his life.
Finally, summarize Susan‘s own way: (1) what was the ruling lust in her heart and (2) what were the visible manifestations of that ruling lust?
“Susan‘s own way was that of the passive rebel just trying to quietly keep peace between the other two. She tried to make excuses for each to the other and circumvented Frank’s overly strict rules.
Write James 1:14-15 from memory.
“‘But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death.’”
Praise – “You are nurturing, nature, creator, neat, nifty, and nice.”
Repent – “I’m sorry I manage my time so badly.”
Yield – “I will try to let you change the flavor of my ‘tea bag.’”
Dearest Rachel –
After going through the details of last week (well, for you, yesterday’s) homework, there’s not a whole lot to comment upon here, as you’re basically breaking down the characters of a story that isn’t included in this workbook. I’ve no idea about the story you’re talking about, and your answers, correct or not though they might be, offer little in the way of insights into your mind or anything else you were dealing with at the time. It would have been interesting if there was a question as to which one of the characters you (and the others in your class) related to, but it just happens sometimes that there isn’t any personal application on a given day.
I believe the reference you’re making to tea bags has to do with the proverb about how we as humans only prove what we’re made of when we’re in hot water, so to speak. For what it’s worth, I would suppose that your efforts to confirm your parents’ spiritual position was a case of that hot water, considering the resentment they appeared to have toward your inquiries about the faith they didn’t seem to be displaying. Your persistence, while perhaps only marginally successful (as we didn’t know about either of them until such time as you either met them up there or not), showed what you were made of; you continued to ask as long as you couldn’t get a straight answer from them, regardless of their resistance. And once they passed on, you were able to move forward, even without an answer – because at that point, you’d done all you could, and there was no more you could do.
As for the ‘flavor’ of your tea bag, you’ve certainly discussed the issues elsewhere that you believed needed to be changed about your life; the fact that nothing specific was said here doesn’t detract from the fact that you were aware of various shortcomings – which, let’s face it, as long as we’re still human, we’ll all still have. We may be able to modify and improve them, but we’ll never be perfect until we get to where you are.
Which goes for me every bit as much as anyone; and with that being said, I hope that you can continue to keep an eye on me, nudge me in the right direction, and wish me luck along my way, as I’m going to need it.
Letters to Rachel 