The act of purifying by separating from a substance all non essential or unimportant matter; a clearing from scum, dregs; as the refinement of metals. Improving something by making it more sophisticated or effective.
Am I Different? Am I Changing? Am I Growing? Am I Becoming?
Am I Willing to be “Refined?”
Abraham Lincoln said, “I don’t think much of a man who is not wiser than he was yesterday.
Am I willing to put myself through anything? Temporary pain or discomfort must mean nothing to me as long as I can see that the experience will take my life, and those lives around me that I influence to a new level of living.
I am interested in the unknown (as yet) plans and purpose that God has for me.
I am also aware that the only path to the unknown is through breaking the present barriers of my life, and that this is often a painful process.
There is an old Irish proverb I can relate, all too well to….
“You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather is.”
We will continue to plateau or worse fall backwards if we continue to believe, and attempt today’s assignments with yesterday’s tools.
We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid. ~Ben Franklin
Elmer Towns teaching about personal growth said, “If you want to heat up a fireplace poker, you don’t put it across the room from the fire. No, you put it right IN the fire, right next to the hot coals. And the heat transfers. The key to growth is the same for people. To gain “Heat” for growth, (for Refinement) we need to get close to those who are already hot.” Here are a few simple steps to make that happen:
1. Spend time with Great people.
2. Learn their Great Ideas through CDs, DVDs, Blogs, Tweets, Sermons,
3. Visit Great Places that will Inspire you.
4. Attend Great Events that will prompt you to pursue change.
5. Read Great Books.
Remember: Whatever You Do Today, Do It Better Tomorrow!
If you can Handle the Heat Check out the attached Study Tool….
See You In Church
Mark & Deb
Your Comments are our reward….Thanks.