Thursday 14 June 2007

Authenticity

If there's a city I want to live in, it's authenticity. Integrity and truth are values and quality characteristics of the best people I know. These are people we trust and depend upon. Who comes to your mind?

I can think of many people who have shared this quality. I am most grateful to them for showing me how to be and what it takes to be authentic. It's best lived through the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the authentic one. He is the one who personifies integrity. We need to be like Him and would do well to start with authenticity.

Philippians 4:8 (MSG)
8 Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jim, I am honored to find the OF bestowal mentioned on TC Speak. We were 'thunderstruck' when it happened, and then further amazed to discover that all the family was in attendance -- all 4 of our children, all grandkids (one who drove all way from Ann Arbor, MI), greatgrandkids, Marje's brothers and spouse from Mass., et al.! This through a conspiracy of Larry Moretz & Priscilla!

Jim, Marjorie and a great host of others are a part of that honor, who have been with encouragement and influence on my life, including your Dad and you. I have presented the Award to the Lord that it may honor Him.

The ordination and commissioning of Jason and Leslie was a blessing to experience. We stand on tiptoe to see how the Lord will further use their great gifts and dedication.

Hope we may have opportunity to see you when you come this way.

2 Cor. 9:8

Henry

Anonymous said...

Thank you for another encouraging piece of writing!!

I am actually writing tonight, not to comment on the piece, but to just share how I'm feeling.

God is GOOD! no, God is GREAT!

We all know that God is great all the time, but somedays we just get up-lifting moments, or times that stand out more than others, and I wanted to share with you, and anyone else who checks out the site, that I'm having one of those days!!!

May we continue to Praise him
in all that we do!!!!

Also, after reading your blog on Sunday June 10th with mention of Jim Cymbala, and reading comments -I have started reading Fresh wind, Fresh Fire - It's Extremly inspiring!!!!!

Thank you again for your words!

God bless

armybarmy said...

a couple of items:
1. I'm not copying you but I just blogged that text today, as well;
2. I'm also blessed to know some choice ones who are depicted in your description of authenticity. Praise God;
3. hat tip on the OF comment by the Colonel! :-) Even if I added a comment mechanism on our blog I doubt we could score that kind of juicy post!
4. 'thunderstruck' is, of course, the classic Wesley word - may we all experience it in our lives and warfare, today.
Praise God all around.
Much grace,
stephenC

Sarah Eldridge said...

Thank you for such an inspirational blog. Integrity has been my word for 2007. I'm to strive for it daily, and pray that God shows me times in my life I've lacked integrity, where I must seek forgiveness.

The best thing about God is that He gives us what we strive (ask) for, and the more I've strived towards being a woman of integrity, the more God has placed in my life shining examples of what it is He requires of me. Genuinely authentic Christians who love Christ and who spend their lives striving to live as He did.

Thank you once again for today's blog. I look forward to your return to Australia!

Blessings,
Sarah

Jim Knaggs said...

Colonel Gariepy - You are truly an amazing man of God. I am grateful to Him to have such a friend.

Anon - Enjoy the presence of God through Cymbala. Good choice.

stephenC - I am honoured that you have taken time to read and comment here.

Sarah - You are a blessing to me and to many. Thank you.