tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543355.post112845085621368558..comments2023-11-15T17:55:18.051-05:00Comments on MarkDaniels.Blogspot.com: Discouragement and 'Mr. Nice Guy'Mark Danielshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18205344762960756655noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543355.post-1128545295394033562005-10-05T16:48:00.000-04:002005-10-05T16:48:00.000-04:00A psychologist friend of mine makes a distinction ...A psychologist friend of mine makes a distinction between a "strong" ego and a "weak" ego.<BR/><BR/>I appreciate the terminology because we too often confuse a solid sense of self-worth with pride (which, of course, is unacceptable to a Christian).<BR/><BR/>Jesus was "lowly in heart" (Mt. 11:29) but he clearly had a strong ego. He could withstand criticism, and he could withstand the demands of others when they were a distraction from his God-given priorities.<BR/><BR/>Mark 1:35ff. is a case in point. Everyone is searching for Jesus; but he has retreated to a lonely place to pray. And then he announces that he's moving on to the next town. Those who are searching for him are out of luck, at least for the time being. Someone with a weak ego couldn't have made that choice.<BR/><BR/>But a strong ego is not equivalent to pride. It's more of an inner compass, oriented to carrying out God's will. This necessarily involves prioritizing our activities: choosing the best over the good, and the important over the urgent.<BR/>Qstchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04018824090441668781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543355.post-1128517335318016692005-10-05T09:02:00.000-04:002005-10-05T09:02:00.000-04:00Having read many philosophers, I truly believe tha...Having read many philosophers, I truly believe that no act is completely selfless. That said, this story is heart-breaking.<BR/><BR/>"The Giving Tree" is a perfect example for this situation.Tristahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09330672173849584394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543355.post-1128487583420714632005-10-05T00:46:00.000-04:002005-10-05T00:46:00.000-04:00I'm reading "No More Christian Nice Guy" now and i...I'm reading "No More Christian Nice Guy" now and it covers this pretty well. Jesus was not a 'nice guy' by today's standards. Way too many Christians think they have to be doormats in order to be seen as Christians, when what they're really doing is showing unbelievers that being a Christian is weak.<BR/><BR/>Great post!Natalie Josthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06447376028539595522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543355.post-1128486545745850482005-10-05T00:29:00.000-04:002005-10-05T00:29:00.000-04:00ME:I think that you're absolutely right that the c...ME:<BR/>I think that you're absolutely right that the central issue is motive.<BR/><BR/>None of us ever acts out of purely altruistic or loving motives, to be sure. And it's the rare individual who is so given over to evil that they act solely out of base and sinful motives.<BR/><BR/>But there is a general direction in our motives and our actions. It's to that that we need to attend and about which, I think, must be prayerful.<BR/><BR/>I'm excited to read what you'll be posting!<BR/><BR/>MarkMark Danielshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18205344762960756655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543355.post-1128481469194636632005-10-04T23:04:00.000-04:002005-10-04T23:04:00.000-04:00I've had a continuing conversation with myself ove...I've had a continuing conversation with myself over Shel Silverstein's book, "The Giving Tree," for about 20 years. At what point does the tree become a victim. This becomes a bigger and bigger question in my mind as our culture becomes so "victim-friendly." Jesus was not a victim.<BR/><BR/>The only conclusion I can come to is that the answer is in the mind of the (in this case) the tree. <BR/><BR/>It is not what you do, but your reasons for doing it. A wise woman I know often says, "There is no act of mercy that does not go both ways." I recognized that as true the first time she said it to me.<BR/><BR/>I think I've just discovered what tonight's post is going to be about. Thank you Mark. :)<BR/>Liz"ME" Liz Strausshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10711283307459944821noreply@blogger.com