THOUGHT FOR TODAY: We should choose to resolve our dissonance with a change in our prayer life and not our beliefs. But there’s a difference between praying and prayer. This was in a “Heart to Hearts” several years ago: ”Just praying more will, for most of us become a duty; another discipline; in some cases one more accomplishment to be spiritually proud of.”
I met up with Marc Garrett in Houston and we had a nice visit…. Before I left Seis Nicolas and I had a serious talk with Beto. I told him we need him on our team but when an employee has a bad attitude it affects the rest—and that he needs to change. He has documentation that he has developed diabetes and says that is the reason for his mood changes. We’ll see…. Yesterday Cheryl, Jeff and I were in Fayetteville AR where Marisa had a show last night. I was great to see her and Ben….The new physician was to start seeing patients at the Mission Center today.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: We should choose to resolve our dissonance with a change in our prayer life and not our beliefs. But there’s a difference between praying and prayer. This was in a “Heart to Hearts” several years ago: ”Just praying more will, for most of us become a duty; another discipline; in some cases one more accomplishment to be spiritually proud of.” Pablo Diaz came from San Pedro to preach today; attendance was down from the massive 25 or so we had last week. Afterward the Paz family and I asked him for his thoughts about being our pastor. He's not as near a decision as I thought; needs more dialogue with his pastor and leaders of his denomination....The new roof is on but they didn't use enough screws. Luis is pursuing that. George will begin resurfacing the floor in a couple of weeks.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Dissonance theory would predict one of two responses when there is a difference between our expressed belief about prayer and our prayer life -- change one or the other. I think we Believers have come up with a third option: just try not to think about it.This may seem safer, but really it's not. A serious problem should be faced head-on; you're not likely to solve it looking out of the corner of your eye. (I've gotten behind because my computer is down). Oscar came
for a visit today. Says he's feeling better but the opening in his neck has not closed. Makes it hard for him to breathe. I gave him my last 4 copies of the Cross and the Switchblade and a photo of the 23 guys that came forward at the church that night; we will have a showing of the Nicky Cruz film June 11. We had to change church from 3pm to 10 am tomorrow so Nick and I took to the streets of Sies today with invitation. THOUGHT FOR TODAY: In 1957 psychologist Leon Festinger published his theory of Cognitive Dissonance which says when there is a difference between an expressed belief and accompanying behavior we experience tension. In an attempt to relieve that tension we will attempt to change either the behavior or the belief. For example, if we say prayer changes things and yet we pray very little, the theory predicts we will either begin to pray more or we will change our belief about prayer. What do you think? |