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Enjoy Life, Enjoy God


Dale Patterson

PERSPECTIVE

June 30, 2011

To follow Christ, to be a Christian, to pursue the kingdom of God teaches us a perspective which is upside down to what we come to expect. 

 
"You have heard that it was said to the people...But I tell you…"
                                                  -- Matthew 5:21f TNIV
 
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus challenges our "street wisdom," our common sense.  His formula is above, and he does it over and again.  The Puritans prayed a prayer similar indicating that following Christ often involves a change of perspective.
 
Let me learn by paradox...that they way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision.
(from The Valley of Vision)
 
We grow to love this change of perspective.
 
Joyfully,
 
Dale Patterson