7 Problematic Distractions

Distractions! Distractions! Distractions!

Perry Noble describes 7 distractions that a Christian must be careful of lest he falls into one of them.

This post reminds me of Andy Stanley's statements on the Principles of the Path, which goes something like this:

Anything that grabs our attention, influences our direction, which in turn determines our destination.

Direction, not intention, determines our destination.

So, if you do not want to end up in a destination that you never wanted to in the first place (for example, broken marriages, failed exams, become enslaved by sins, etc), then be very mindful of the things, the people, the issues, etc that capture your attention, as well as those that you decidedly pay or not pay attention to.

Because these things will in turn influence the direction you are heading (a path you are taking, a spiritual downhill, a growing addiction, etc)!

Beware of these 7 'P's, the 7 'p'roblematic distractions that can potentially capture your attention, and in turn, influence the direction you are heading:

1. Pleasure
2. Pride
3. Procrastination
4. People – Someone is always going to not like what you do, who you are and what you stand for…always! (Galatians 1:10)
5. Performance – One of the greatest problems with success is that leaders can actually begin to believe that they are the ones that caused success to happen
6. Problems - We can’t view problems as God’s punishment…but rather we must view them as God’s preparation! David didn’t see the lion and the bear as a problem but rather he viewed them as opportunities to prepare him for the greater problems in life (I Samuel 17:33-37)
7. Passion - Passion can be a distraction when we use it to run over people rather than lead them!

Read more.

Father Jacob's Message on Developing Intimacy With God

As always, Father Jacob, or Father J as we fondly known him from students' days, shared with much zeal and enthusiasm - his usual way and charisma, typical of a soldier's style (since he was an ex-army).

Father J's message on developing intimacy with God is as simple as ABC. Indeed ABC - A: ask in prayer, B - Bible reading everyday, C - Church attendance. He is one who lives out his message more than preaches out his message.

I was particularly challenged by his waking up everyday 5.30 am, when hearing the azan for the Muslims to pray, he also wakes up to pray. It is always easy to start something, but to persist and to do it everyday is the real challenge. Don't believe? Try reading the entire bible in a year.

Do I find it a routine sometimes when I discipline myself to complete the bible reading in a year? Yes indeed. There are times when I feel it is more of a chore to read through, but that is part and parcel of disciplining ourselves.

I am also very challenged when he said something like rain or shine, holiday or no holiday, he must read his bible for that day before starting his work. Without finish reading what he has to read, he will not start. Can we learn from him? An ex-army has shown the way, and the way may be tough, but in the end, it is worth it...for the more you get to know God, the more He reveals Himself to you.