Establishing my 'worldview' for my thesis...

Part of my intro for my thesis will cover my 'worldview'. The instructor to my Christian Counseling Care advised me to establish my worldview. The importance at the time didn't seem as relevant as it does today. In formulating a hypothesis to support a need I see, I find that sharing the worldview from where this need and solution come from are a necessity.

In spending time with the Lord today, I got a nugget of what to include in my 'worldview'...this is before reviewing in a counseling book what  worldview includes, but I feel like God showed me a conviction on which I respond to the world around me.

A foundational pillar to my worldview is that the Bible is the ultimate authority. Yes, it is the unfallible Word of God, inspired by God; however to me, it is superior to all things. What this Bible says is what I base every opinion, idea, dream, desire, and goal around. It is the framework to my thinking. In everything, every sermon, words shared, spoken....I turn to the Bible to see if what ha been said is supported by the Word of God.

 

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;

It will not return to Me empty,

Without accomplishing what I desire,

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11

 

In a time of relativism and secular humanism, many times the Word is rejected. How can this be?

This raises the need to look up each word in the following verse to see what we are to do with the Word:

 

"...preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,  and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:2-4

 

I completely and humbly acknowledge that I falter on presentation of this. I am a cut and dry, to the point, 'it is what it is' kind of person. So then, I address things the way I see it. I don't sugar coat. Although I understand the need to 'appeal' better than I do now. Dear Lord, raise me up and mature my deliverance, help me make what You would have me say more palatable without diluting the clear message You intend behind the words I speak.

 

Now, I say that, but then I read this in Proverbs:

 

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but he who hates reproof is stupid.Proverbs 12:1

 

I'm breaking this down in the Hebrew for myself from www.blueletterbible.org:

DISCIPLINE: a) discipline, chastening, correction

KNOWLEDGE: a) knowledge, perception, skill  b) discernment, understanding, wisdom

REPROOF: a) rebuke, correction, reproof, chastisement

 

We gain wisdom and understanding by receiving correction.

 

Now it is important to lay an additional pillar into the foundation of my worldview in that my wholehearted motives in all that I say and do are honestly to see people come to know Jesus Christ. I do believe in that God calls us to be holy as He is holy and I aim in pursuing God with all zeal and passion that is within me. I do not desire to use His grace in vain. Where I can have self-control, I do my best. Where I am faced with temptation, I call on His grace to make me strong when I am weak.

 

 

"....we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain...." 2 Corinthians 6:1

VAIN: a) empty, vain, devoid of truth

 

I want to start rambling on and on about those who blow it and then say, "there's grace, there's grace". There is, and there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. But if we continual error on the side of rationalizing sin, are we IN Christ Jesus?

 

I will say this, the moment I want to make excuses for what I've just been called on the carpet for, I stop and make a mental note to explore that in prayer. When people rebuke me, reject me or my words, I take their actions or reactions to prayer and say, 'Search my heart O God'. If I'm wrong, I need to know. If I'm wrong I need to change.

 

This is just the tip of this worldview iceberg. Other things I need to explore to establish it is:

1. What I believe about God. (I declare that God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, refer to Genesis through Revelation, taking special note in the Book of John.)
2. What I believe about the universe. (Need to identify w/ the 'Gap Theory' or the 6,000 yr. old planet theory. Need to research carbon dating & explain dinosaurs? Although either final determination does not affect salvation and belief in Jesus Christ is Lord!)
3. How we get knowledge & accurate information. Objective truth? The Bible. Divine Revelation? The Holy Spirit. (Both. And both shall coincide, confirm, and compliment, not contradict.)
4. What do I believe about human beings. (God created us in His image. Book of Genesis. Period).
5. How do we determine what is right and wrong. (Oh mercy, here in lies homework, scripture research in original language, scripture support for role of Holy Spirit. My moral standards are based on the Word of God, not defined by worldly culture, society norms, or relativistic acceptance. Again this brings me back to the foundational pillar that the Word of God is the absolute truth, ultimate authority.)

Morals need an absolute truth. Does the 'what is right for you and what is right for me' mentality line up with the Word? Or does 'what is right in God's eyes is what is right for me' seem more biblical? Moreover, knowing what God says and thinks takes precedence over following our desires, correct? Furthermore, reading and studying the Word then takes on a higher priority in our lives, in that what it says sets our values - so we must know what it says, correct?

 

Upon researching this and establishing it, I need to test this, (as per a book CHRISTIAN COUNSELING, A Comprehensive Guide by Gary Collins, page 87):

•  Use reason. (How about I use the Bible? Is reason of flesh? If the Word is the framework of my standards, then there is natural consistency, since God is not a God of confusion and is one of order. - Note: need scripture).
• Look at evidence. (Historically men and women of God have fruits of the Spirit, gifts of the Spirit, and signs and wonders that confirm the Spirit of God within them. - Need to qualify.)
• Check with others. (Proves need for accountability. Another value that needs to be formulated into my worldview. Highly agree. Although, outside of non-Christian, unbelieving individuals, I hope not to find others who would disagree that the Word of God is the absolute truth.)
• Test against experience. (Historically, what the Old Testament claimed/held to/prophesied, came to pass over time, recorded in the New Testament. Time will honestly tell, which in a time of such uncertainty, I see how holding to what the Word of God says is even more imperative in these perilous times.)
• Consider whether it feels right. (This is subjective. Although for the believer, one depends upon the Holy Spirit to convict and help and guide. This does allow for more subjectivity due to the individuals sensitive to the Spirit, and whether or not they are walking in the Spirit - Romans 8:4 says, " so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." Another opportunity to point to the Word of God - John 1:1-5 - which, when read, stated, and established, can we hold to any other worldview?
• Test it out. (Again, time proves the Word of God is the most consistent pillar of a worldview.)
• Change cautiously. (Holding to the Word of God is the absolute truth in which to form any and all opinions, values, priorities, and goals upon, woe to me if I were to change my worldview.)

 

I know that everything God does will remain forever;

there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it...

Ecclesiastes 3:14

 

And so with that, I must commence upon my day, although, this will continue to be developed and established further.

 

God bless you as you seek God and establish your worldview.

Is it based on what the world, media, prestigious philosophers say?

Or upon the unchangeable, unshakeable Word of God?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want my dreams to be HIS dreams

Do you dream?
I do.

I lay before the Lord begging Him for certain things to happen in my life. Although for me, at the center of my requests is the consideration of what is best for my family and God's will for my life.

My husband and our boys are so dear to me, no words can fully express how much I love them. And their state of being and health is at the forefront of my mind when I pray and dream. I do not ask for things that would take me away from them. I do not ask for things that would compromise our relationship, or my responsibilities to take care of them all.

I ask for things that would allow us more time together, better environments to live in, and spiritually encouraging activities.

At the heart of our requests are our motives.

My goal in my dreaming is for it to never be all about me.

Godliness with contentment is great gain, the Word says.

My dreams are for a life that will allow my asthmatic son to breathe better, both my boys to get the best K-College education, my husband to be encouraged in his walk with God and endure the least amount of stress as possible...and for me to be able to serve God in the way that He calls me.

I love my family. After my walk and relationship with God, they are my next priority, and then my health and ministry. My dreams are centered on what is best for us all...not what Jennifer wants.

Wants and needs are two different things. I love receiving what I need from God. He promises to give us our needs. But across the pages of the Bible are warnings to not get caught up in money, riches, popularity, etc. So those things are never part of my requests.

I do love the Lord so much. So much so that some react to me as though I'm ridiculous for how much I do...but if I am going to pass down an unswerving faith to my kids in this materialistic, lust-filled, selfish world...I better be pretty radical in my commitment to Christ. I always pray that my boys will be men of God who will pioneer ministry and make uncompromising commitments to Christ into the future. For who will raise our grandkids in the Lord?

My dreams take all that into account. If my goal is to raise men of God who will chase God, how can I give them an example of chasing fame and fortune...chasing prestige, power, and popularity?

Now, if while I live sold out to Christ and commit to fulfilling all that He calls me to, and all that happens, then you will find me on my face again, asking God to not let any of it compromise my relationship with Him....to not let it rip my family off of my time and attention, to not let it interfere with who I am in Him, and even changed me from a friendly caring person to a selfish, boastful person.

I do not want anything of this world that would interfere or attempt to lure me away from my most prized possessions (my boys), most important relationship on earth (my husband), and my most crucial foundation of living (my Jesus, my God).

Folks, let go of what the world says you need. Even well-meaning Christians out there have messages that honestly contradict what the Word says.

Be:
A student of the Bible,
A disciple of Christ, 
A follower of God's leading.

Let go of what interferes in your most important relationships in heaven and on earth. Our children will take your torch and carry it on...and what will they reflect to people when you are gone? Will they carry on your godly values and character? Instill in them what God instills in you, and He will insure your godly heritage continues!