The World is Flat

Yes it would appear that the world is flat and getting flatter, but not only in the way that Thomas Friedman and multi-national companies describe it.

the world is flat - there is a level playing field for everyone.
the world is flat - the basement shop has as many customers world-wide as his biggest competitor
the world is flat - the criminal has as many rights as his victim
the world is flat - the 12 year old movie producer has as big an audience as the biggest Hollywood producer.
the world is flat - pornography flows as quickly and freely around the world as the news
the world is flat - much, if not all of your personal information is readily available to others, and theirs to you.
the world is flat - not going at a green light incites more reaction than running a red light.
the world is flat - intolerance is not tolerated
the world is flat - not accepting is unacceptable
the world is flat - for those who have been flattened

but what about for those who go about the world doing the flattening? those who reduce everyone to the lowest common level? to their level? why do we submit the right to them to choose what is to be tolerated and accepted?

While freedom opposing communism is quite successful at making everyone equally poor financially, a universal flattening capitalistic force seems to be quite successful at making everyone equally poor morally.

Will I succumb and have not only my accent, but my morals as well, flattened so that they are neutral, unoffensive, and completely indistinguishable from the flattener?

Renovare: Week 35 Dec 25-31

John Wesley - Christian Perfection

Beware the danger of pride. Much grace does not imply much enlightenment. Own any fault we have.

Beware of the daughter of pride: enthusiasm ( hastily ascribing everything to God ) You are in danger of enthusiasm every time you depart even a little from the scriptures.

Beware the danger of antinomianism, the believe that there is no need for laws in the life of the believer. Do not call others "legalists" for trying to live as scripture teaches.

Beware the sin of omission , that is failing to do good at every opportunity.

Beware desiring anything other than God.

Beware of a dividing spirit, ceasing to have a reciprocal love for one another.

Renovare: Week 34 Dec 18-24

Elizabeth O'Connor - Letters to Sacred Pilgrims

"We covenant with Christ and one another to give proportionately beginning with a tithe of our incomes.

"We will not be able to advance in the Christian faith until we have dealt at another level with the material.

Renovare: Week 33 Dec 11-17

Jeremy Taylor - The Grace of Humility

1. Do not think better of yourself because of any outward circumstance.
   
2. Humility does not consist in criticizing yourself - but keeping a realistic opinion of yourself
   
3. Be content that others think the same of you.
   
4. Nurture a love to do good things in secret
   
5. Never be ashamed of your birth, your parents , your occupation or your present employment.
   
6. Never say anything that will provoke praise or elicit compliments from others.
   
7. When you do receive praise for something take it indifferently and return it to God.
   
8. Make a good name for yourself by being a person of virtue and humility.
   
9. Do not take pride in any praise given to you.
   
10. Do not ask others your faults with the purpose of having others tell you your good qualities.
    
11. When you are slighted by someone, do not harbor any secret anger.
    
12. Do not entertain any of the devil's whispers of pride. ( dreams of greatness )
    
13. Take an active part in the praising of others.
    
14. Be content when you see or hear that others are doing well.
    
15. Never compare yourself with others unless it be to advance your impression of them and lower your impression of yourself.
    
16. Do not constantly try to excuse all of your mistakes.
    
17. Give God thanks for every weakness, fault and imperfection.
    
18. Do not expose others weakness in order to make them feel less able than you.
    
19. What is most important to God is that we submit ourselves and all that we have to him.
    

Humility begins as a gift from God, but it is increased as a habit we develop. That is, humility is increased by exercising it.