But that’s not what I meant at all. I think something insidious has creeped into the church that says very quietly underneath all we do: “It’s all about me, Jesus…” We hear that He came to make us rich, to make our lives work, or to save us from hell. The last is true, but the focus is still US. God’s goal ALWAYS is His glory first.

John Piper (and he learned it from Jonathan Edwards) taught me that “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” What that means to me is that when I focus on Jesus, on the amazing person HE is, I will find that He is the only thing that satisfies (my Holiday). Service and sanctification flow from that love relationship - they don’t precede it. When I turn to Jesus to fufill me, that glorifies God because it honors Him as the utmost source of my happiness.

And of course, when I am tight with Jesus, when He is my satisfaction, I don’t need to take from others, I can give to them.

PS I am part Irish too. I have red head (I hear from the Today show that there will be no more of us in 100 years… just about the time your daughter is dating)

The Pistol fires back: Glad to see a spritiual friendship forming here. You are two of my favorite gospel bloggers.

I think that this statement also holds true in our relationships with others as well.  Not necessarily always the case, but, important when people need lifting up or support.  There is sometimes a greater need to put off our selves for the sake of souls needing validation that they are loved and concerned.

The Pistol fires back: Very well said.