Wouldn't it be nice to have a handy little formula for discerning God's will, a spiritual e=mc2? You're in luck! Deacon Tim gives us just such a formula today. Before you get too excited, though, there is one caveat - you still have to know when to use it. Ahhh, the spiritual life - God keeps it interesting, doesn't He?!
Just for fun, we're having a Two Edge Talk contest! On today's podcast, there's an embedded, accidental hint about Deacon Tim's household. The first person to tell us what it is wins a book! Tell us your answer in the comments section.
Hi Cyndi and Deacon Tim
I enjoy your podcast. Keep up the great work!
Renee
Hou, TX
contest - Deacon Tim's dog joined you today.
Posted by: Renee | October 22, 2007 at 04:35 PM
You laid out my favorite path for discernment. My only problem is that God already said no to that. (I got my own sermon to answer that prayer.) Now I just have to figure out if I'm running late or on track for what I'm pretty sure I'm suppose to do. I know we aren't suppose to ask for signs but the good Lord has blessed my poor intellect with billboards. Did He tell you to hurry me along? lol
Posted by: yabby | October 22, 2007 at 05:37 PM
Tim, Cyndi;
I can't tell you how timely, how significant, how of the Holy Spirit, your words have been in my life, today. Thank you for 'keeping in step with the Spirit,' and speaking Jesus' words to me. You guys are a blessing to this presbyterian pastor. May the Lord continue to bless you and yours.
grace & peace,
dm
Posted by: Dave | October 22, 2007 at 09:42 PM
You two are an incredible team. Loved the part about how God may send difficult situations to us - all for our good!
Posted by: Lori Hahn | October 22, 2007 at 10:24 PM
Renee - You're our winner! Since I do our interviews by phone, we had an "extra" in the podcast this week! Tell us what spiritual questions interest you - are you Catholic, by chance? The Holy Spirit and I are going to pick out the perfect book from my library. Click my name to email me your address. Thanks for entering and listening!
Peace,
Cyndi
Posted by: Cyndi | October 22, 2007 at 10:28 PM
Yabby, I'm not quite sure I understand - did God say no to this path of discernment? Divine billboards? We want to hear the rest of the story!
Posted by: Cyndi | October 22, 2007 at 10:30 PM
Cyndi, I prayed and asked God to tell my husband what we should do and the next day at Mass the whole sermon was about how Mother Teresa was told what to do and then left on her own to do it. There were a couple extra factors that made that sermon answer my question but that joined in told me not to lean on others this time.
Billboards, I have recently been trying to determine how and when I am suppose to follow the path, and then your podcast is in part about timing. I think that the good Lord is using you both to answer multiple people :)
Yabby
Posted by: yabby | October 23, 2007 at 01:01 AM
Yabby, it sounds like you have a finely-tuned spirit for discerning God speaking to you. Deacon Tim's spiritual formula has to be used judiciously; sometimes others aren't to make a decision for you, and your spiritual radar picked up on just such an example in your own life. I'm sure you've gotten to this level of discernment through much prayer and listening - good work!
Peace be with you, and thanks for your encouragement!
Cynd
Posted by: Cyndi | October 23, 2007 at 07:43 AM
I'm in agreement with all the other comments. This podcast was especially apropos this week. But it also aroused a question: What happens when your discernment/hearing from the Lord clashes with another's? What about the person who, through your ear with God, is obviously not hearing form God but thinks they are?
Posted by: Barb | October 26, 2007 at 08:17 AM
To Barb's question, it depends somewhat on who the person is who disagrees. If the person with a different perspective is in authority over the one who has to make the final decision, that has to be considered, though the view of the one in authority is not always determinative, especially in matters of conscience. If the other person is a spouse, that can be an important consideration as well because of the importance of unity in marriage, but again this is not determinative. I'm not sure what you mean by "through your ear with God," but in general another person can't presume to know for sure what God wants someone to do. I have strong feelings at times what can be ruled out for another person's decision, but I would not presume to know what positive options could be chosen.
Posted by: Deacon Tim | October 27, 2007 at 07:24 PM