Fast Lane or Right Path

We have a discussion on Psalm 1 today and the topic of discussion was Fast Lane or Right Path.

We admit being on the right path is the way, but my question and observation is we still try to fast lane, many a times, 'if we can'.

Though hard to admit, but think about it.
If if our normal day to day dealings, we still tend to think about taking the Fast Lane and do tend to take the Fast Lane, what makes we think when it comes to spiritual matters, we don't adopt the same attitiude.

If we claim we don't, two possibilities (in my opnion)
1) We are hypocrites, or
2) We act 'too right' with God.

Minding Your Own Business

You were walking and minding your own business, very happily.
Soon, those around started adding this, that,to you, and subtracting this, that from you. And no longer you can mind your own business.

Sinning twice

We sin twice whenever...

Before - we sin because we don't think God can or will... just like Eve and Adam.
After - we sin because we don't think God will... God will not forgive me, I am so sinful.

Carly Simon "You're so vain, you probably think it is about you."

Secondhand (Alan Jones)

Alan Jones -

One of our problems is that very few of us have developed any distinctive personal life. Everything about us seems secondhand, even our emotions. In many cases we have to reply on secondhand info in order to function. I accept the word of a physician, a scientist, a farmer, on trust. I do not like to do this. I have to because they possess vital knowledge of living which I am ignorant.
Secondhand info concerning the state of my kidneys, the effects of cholestrol, the raising of chickens, I can live with.

BUT when it comes to question of meaning, purpose and death, secondhand information will not do.
I Cannot survive in a secondhand faith in a secondhand God.
There has to be a personal word, a unique confrontation, if I am to come alive.

Is it the ice or is it us?

Is it our faith in the ice or is it the ice which saves us when we skate across the lake in winter?

It is the ice that saves us, and it is our faith in the ice to bring us to skate.

Faith - God gives and we receive.

Sins - BC and AD

Sins - Before Christ and After Christ.

Being a Christian for more than ten years, though I may not be sinless and am to sin less, but do I really sin less or do the sins transform?

Consider what we considered as sins before we are believer, those sins we struggled with and have victory over.
I trust we do "crucify" some of the obvious one - such as premarital sex, orgies, adultery, reading/watching pornography, drunkardness, drugs, smoking (?), malicious sensless gossips, cruelty, occult/witchcraft.

Have we really sinned no more, sin less or have sins (subtly) changed their manifestations. "We don't do those sins anymore, but we do these sins now - and in the name of Christ."

I have heard behaviour is a learnd response (towards envioronment and people) and is goal directed.
Have we really crucified the sins or have we changed our sinful habits (according to the envioronment and people)?

What have we crucified and what are we really to crucify?

How about Mary? - The Urgent, Good and the Needful

In the story of Luke 10:38-42.
We ususally make a comparison of Martha and Mary, or Mary over Martha, or just focus on Martha, because many a times we are in the shoes of Martha.

How about Mary?
Jesus has commended Mary for sitting at His feet and listening to what He has said.
We have imagined a position of bliss, sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to Him, while Martha was busily preparing.

We also think does Mary really deserve the compliments of Jesus. Is it overrated? Is Jesus just in his compliments?

Is it so easy to be the position of Mary?
I think not. Why?

(Of course, we have to believe Mary is not a natural skiver.)


First, we are "doing" being. We also strive to do something. To be able to pull ourselves away from such internal pressures to restrain ourselves from doing something is not so easy.

Imagine further, a troop of guests just arrived at their home. It is not just Jesus, it is Jesus (!!!) and his disciples. If some VIPs arrive at our homes, church or offices, will we be able to do just the "minimal"? Don't we yearn to do something to make sure they feel welcome and taken care of?

So I don't think it is easy for Mary as well.


Also, Martha, Mary's elder sister was expecting (or demading) Mary to help out and has even made a "complain" to Jesus (their VIP guest) about Mary for not helping.

Imagine you are Mary and you know your elder sister Martha is so very busy preparing and calling out to you to help. It could be the needs of the church, the ministry or another brother and sister in Christ screaming at you. How to face such genuine external pressures when the other party may not understand our "inaction"?


I think the internal and external pressures of Mary was great and the wisdom to know how to deal with it is not easy one.

So I believe Jesus is indeed right in saying "... only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."