OK, so as a clarification to the last entry: I apologize for any harshness, criticism, or condemnation that might have resulted from what I wrote or quoted. My motive is never to discourage or say, "we're so wrong, we've missed the mark!" although my personality sometimes has a strong tendency to proceed in that direction. I'm sorry about that. I want to say that whatever our relationship is with the Lord, one thing is clear - he loves us dearly, and that the greatest part of belonging to him is that we can always trust in his faithfulness, patience, and kindness toward us. No matter how we choose to approach this life he's given us, his promises are totally clear - one, there is NO condemnation for anyone in Christ, two, our awesome God uses ALL things for the good of those who love him, and three - that he who began a good work in us will continue it to the end. That's the foundation of love that we can rest on, truly an anchor for our souls. Having said that .... We do face decisions and choices every day, and the Lord is so awesome - he gives us free choice on how we spend our time. In light of that, we are always rooted in God's kindness - there are good choices, and then there are better choices, and for those who are willing, there is God's best for our lives. And its this very reason why the apostle Paul says, "everyone who competes in the games go into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. " He's a focused warrior, man. Completely. Sold. Out. He KNOWS for what he runs for and he's goin for it, he's going to win this race. Paul is a man who's made the decision - "I'm goin for it, I've put my hand to the plow, and I ain't lookin back. I love you Jesus and I'll do anything you ask. Here I am Lord, send me!" I've seen many many Christians whose lives have settled into mediocrity, where the "weeds of the cares of life" have come in and choked the life of God, where the forgetting what is behind and pressing on for the goal has been replaced by a coasting thru till its time to go home. A life where the sweet communion and connection with the Lord is cut off and replaced by the dull drone of worldly affections. And in my life, making the choice to coast on instead of pressing into God's kingdom inevitably allows me to be moulded into the world's hands. The mystery of it all is that pressing into the kingdom of God often requires a rather difficult choice to simply rest and wait before God. Ironically, letting the peace of the Lord reign in our hearts can be the more difficult choice of our will, and coasting on in fatalistically (the whole God loves me but I can't help what happens) leads to dissatisfaction and emptiness of soul. We are exhorted to fight the good fight of the faith, to love and be loved, and to not forsake meeting together - for the good of our own souls, for the good of each other, and for the kingdom of God to advance (peace, joy & righteousness, oh yeah!). This is the will of God, may we be the agents of the Lord who are willing to bring it in.