The Duecks spent months in New York for leukemia treatment with Renee. God called her home to her reward. Donations in Renee's memory may be made at R&M Dueck Family Foundation at Abundance Canada.
Circumstances are not the barometer of God's love and goodness - the cross is.
Below are some very insightful questions drafted by Justin Taylor from Wheaton, Illinois. He suggests that a person ask these questions before writing blog comments. The questions are quite sobering and may help you rethink the comments made about your ex-partners. The questions will be helpful to you, as I know the Word has a special place in your heart.
Are there others out there that have helpful thoughts to share on this point? I would welcome your insights. Paul
1. Am I expressing love for my fellow believers? (John 13:35, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.") 2. Are my words gracious and "seasoned with salt"? (Colossians 4:6, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.") 3. Are my words edifying, appropriate, and grace-giving (Eph. 4:29)?
4. Do my words convey a heart attitude of humility before God, contrition over my sin, and reverential awe at God's Word? (Isa. 66:2, "This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.") 5. Am I "speaking the truth in love"? (Eph. 4:15) 6. Am I "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace"? (Eph. 4:3) 7. Am I pursuing "what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding"? (Rom. 14:19)
8. Am I "slow to speak" and "slow to anger"? (James 1:19) 9. Am I "quick to hear"? (James 1:19) 10. Is the fruit of the Spirit--“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control"--evident in my heart and through my words? (Gal. 5:22-23) 11. Am I increasing in faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love? (2 Pet. 1:5-6) 12. Am I writing with eternal reality in view, remembering that my words will serve on judgment day as evidence about my heart? (Matt. 12:37, "By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.")
Ray,
ReplyDeleteBelow are some very insightful questions drafted by Justin Taylor from Wheaton, Illinois. He suggests that a person ask these questions before writing blog comments. The questions are quite sobering and may help you rethink the comments made about your ex-partners. The questions will be helpful to you, as I know the Word has a special place in your heart.
Are there others out there that have helpful thoughts to share on this point? I would welcome your insights. Paul
1. Am I expressing love for my fellow believers? (John 13:35, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.")
2. Are my words gracious and "seasoned with salt"? (Colossians 4:6, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.")
3. Are my words edifying, appropriate, and grace-giving (Eph. 4:29)?
4. Do my words convey a heart attitude of humility before God, contrition over my sin, and reverential awe at God's Word? (Isa. 66:2, "This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.")
5. Am I "speaking the truth in love"? (Eph. 4:15)
6. Am I "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace"? (Eph. 4:3)
7. Am I pursuing "what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding"? (Rom. 14:19)
8. Am I "slow to speak" and "slow to anger"? (James 1:19)
9. Am I "quick to hear"? (James 1:19)
10. Is the fruit of the Spirit--“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control"--evident in my heart and through my words? (Gal. 5:22-23)
11. Am I increasing in faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love? (2 Pet. 1:5-6)
12. Am I writing with eternal reality in view, remembering that my words will serve on judgment day as evidence about my heart? (Matt. 12:37, "By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.")