Frank Pastore Interviews
April 17, 2012
This is basic human evil that explains why the world runs like it does: the readiness of people to hurt others is the rock bottom of what sin is in human reality. And it is magnified when social forces of self-righteousness (e.g. Pharisaism or conservative Islam) justify doing harm even further. Religion is the strongest force in human society and often for evil of supporting the already-powerful.
Knowledge eliminates double-mindedness
There is a God and he makes His presence available to those who count on Him and leads them and teaches them.
If you don't seek the knowledge of Algebra or anything that complex or more complex, you won't get it.
If God showed up in His full glory, you could kiss your free will goodbye. That is why God veils Himself: so people don't have to choose Him. He has to be sought. It's why Jesus kept His Messianic status secret to some degree. We have to seek Him.
How do I know God answers prayer? Continuous engagement is required for knowledge, so keep praying and testing and verifying.
We also learn to recognize God's voice. It has a different quality that other 'voices'.
1. Lord, teach me how to hear Your voice.
January 6, 2012
[Dallas has some sweet comments about Xmas to open this show.]
You have to seek knowledge, especially the upper reaches called wisdom.
12:32
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
You begin to get smart when you realize what God thinks about you really matters.
What is our mind set on that allows our body to function automatically for our good?
be transformed by the renewing of your mind
when you see yourself in a different way, different pathways open up
grace says stop trying and listen. Jesus wants to make our life easier, not harder (but we have to submit to His way).
as a Xian, I trust and follow Jesus and He brings me to God
Heaven is here now. that's why Rom 8.28 is at work. that's why God is taking care of us more than the birds and the flowers.
Just do the next right thing and you will have to trust God.
May 18, 2011
when we forgive, we are trusting God, leaving the justice and results with Him
sentimentalism is acting on the basis of your feelings (or, by extension, the feelings of others). love is acting on the basis of will -- what is good for your neighbor and also for you
[This comes into effect for most of us, very closely, in our relationships with our spouse and our children. And, for those of us who are Christian, we are grateful that we can rely on God for guidance and strength in acting in love.]
Most alcoholics are sentimentalists of one sort or another, looking for a feeling.
[probably goes for addicts in general]
pay attention. act before you get emotional (proactively)
March 9, 2010
Some people we think are wrong may be received of God and God may be blessing them. God is often where we think He isn't.
Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret, C. T. Studd, Elisabeth Elliot's Through the Gates of Splendor, Dawson Trottman (Daws), and F. B. Myers' Secret of Guidance
February 11, 2010
January 15, 2010
[what knowledge am I seeking, analogously to studying Algebra?]
love people and listen, care for them, ask questions that might be helpful
Would you like there to be a god?
What kind of person do you want to be?
What is your idea of the good person? Who is one?
DW: I have the joy of studying people who were good.
November 16, 2009
flesh: natural human abilities in social setting
mortification of the flesh is to live your life relying on God instead of your natural abilities
flesh is fine when subordinated to the Spirit
heart is the executive center of the self
the world is flesh organized, historically developed against God
3 classic temptations: lust of flesh, lust of eyes, pride of life
problem today is we don't know that we have a will distinct from our desires
If I live just in terms of what I want, my condition is hopeless
[we all know this when it comes to children and when it comes to achievement -- all of the lesser goods you have to give up to attain a greater good. but we will not see it when it comes to deeper, more important things.
we have to start with the thoughts]
the road to hell is not paved with good intentions but with good wishes
[defined this way] a wish is not a choice
you have to want to not want what you want
very few people succeed with achievements that require discipline -- practicing piano or soccer, e.g. -- without learning to like the discipline that is required, the practice or the training
so you have to learn to like studying the Scriptures or serving others or worship
[what are the parts you can like? how can you get better? how can you get smarter?]
if you don't want to pay your bills, you'll probably be bad at it. how can you find ways to like it more? some people like paying their bills and feel pride about it.
willpower only works when properly applied. it won't work alone. willpower is applied to means.
disciplines always work by indirection
Jesus: If something in your life is more important than following and learning from and depending on me then you can't live eternal life. (Jn 3.3)
always start with the next right thing. decide always to do what is right and it will drive you to dependence on God.
[could this be the selling everything to buy the field with the treasure?
I must decide and learn to do the next right thing even when I don't feel like it, in dependence on God]
don't try to keep the law but try to come the kind of person who keeps it
God will come to your aid and teach you the goodness of the Law
Sinners are boring. Want to be original? Be a saint.
September 11, 2009
people don't get what they want and they're disappointed and angry and then they're reading to hurt people
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