17 Comments

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  Comment by Ian McCarthy — May 8, 2011 @ 11:21 pm

  I confess that poster is more historically British than it is historically this Brit!

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  Comment by David — May 9, 2011 @ 3:11 am

  I love it! I’m turning this into my desktop wallpaper.

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  Comment by Kevin Sorensen — May 9, 2011 @ 4:11 am

  I’ve been preaching through 1 Corinthians. Yesterday had us in 1 Cor. 11.17–34, the passage on the Lord’s Supper. However, the surrounding context finds the church at Corinth putting on self and seemingly putting off Christ. They needed this poster hanging from the front of their church!

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  Comment by gumbymonster — May 9, 2011 @ 11:03 am

  Got a question, anyone can answer. Where is the line drawn between denying self and enjoying things in life that God has given?

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  Comment by Jami — May 9, 2011 @ 12:46 pm

  gumbymonster…

  God has certainly given us many wonderful gifts that He wants and encourages us to enjoy. The problem is when we use them in ways that glorify us, rather than Him. Or, when we use them as something we’re “entitled to,” rather than something totally undeserved, but are grateful for (and show that gratitude through our thoughts, words and actions).

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  Comment by Carol — May 9, 2011 @ 1:26 pm

  I agree with Jami…denying self means to serve God and others not seeking ways to serve self. If you are living for God and obedient to Him, He provides your needs, you don’t have to live life always focused on how to please and promote yourself. I’ve seen many people getting caught up in themselves and it’s like being around a celebrity…it’s not a lovely thing being around someone always talking about themselves and what they do…as if there is something great about “them” that needs all of the attention.

  Some people take their “self denial” to an extreme by many ways, even living in a monastic type of setting.

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  Comment by KIM CARMICHAEL — May 9, 2011 @ 5:16 pm

  AMEN—BEEN MEDITATING ON THIS SUBJECT IN SCRIPTURE & PRAYER—<<3

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  Comment by MomLog — May 9, 2011 @ 8:34 pm

  And another AMEN!

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  Comment by Dominic Stockford — May 10, 2011 @ 2:39 am

  Fantastic – I want one for outside my church – where can I get it?

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  Comment by Jim Pemberton — May 10, 2011 @ 1:41 pm

  @gumbymonster

  Jami and Carol both have good answers. I’ll restate in another way and add to their answers:

  Denying yourself doesn’t mean not to enjoy God’s blessings. With the admonition to “follow Christ” it means that we shouldn’t pursue our interests to the exclusion of following Christ. I’ve heard people who cheat on their spouse, for example, say that they believe that God just wants them to be happy. The problem is that what they think will make them happy is in direct opposition to what God has clearly told them not to do.

  But this has another twist. “Denying self” (with the help of the Holy Spirit) is the path to desiring only what God would have for you, that is, to find your satisfaction only in Christ. If only Christ will satisfy you, then not only will you find joy in Him, but all the happiness you ever thought you wanted. And “following Christ”? We pursue that which most captivates us. I’ve seen sports fans get worked up over a game… a GAME. but they do so because it’s what captivates them. If you are captivated by Christ, then following Him will bring you joy.

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  Comment by Deaconness — May 10, 2011 @ 3:52 pm

  @Gumby: These answers are all really good. But to expand a little, I’ll tell you what God showed me years ago. He showed me that I was searching for certain things to please myself (things that had nothing wrong with them). I was not seeking those things above but those upon the earth. Then I came across Ps. 127:2 – “It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.” I didn’t have to seek after pleasure to make my life fun and be fulfilled! A burden was lifted! And HE has brought many fun times and pleasures to me since. Shortly after this realization, my 6-yr-old daughter was bugging me for a Gumby character (this truly is the example I always use!). I tried to explain the principle, but didn’t do so well: “You should just take a nap about it. God will bless you.” So she did! Literally took a nap. A week later, her Uncle Mal bought her a Gumby.

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  Comment by gordo — May 10, 2011 @ 4:12 pm

  @Gumbymonster might want to read Piper’s Desiring God.

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  Comment by gumbymonster — May 10, 2011 @ 5:29 pm

  Thx all. All your answers line up pretty much with what I’ve been pondering. God bless.

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  Comment by Mark — May 27, 2011 @ 9:20 pm

  The best! Keep up the good work.

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  Comment by Angel4JC — June 11, 2011 @ 11:39 pm

  The responses are absolutely spot on and the poster is brilliant!
  I am a Brit or a ‘Brit4JC’ and just came back from England recently and had purchased the original version ‘Stay Calm and Carry On’ It was created during the wartime to boost the ‘morale’ of the British. Yet it was never used, until recently when it was rediscovered.
  I say we should publish this one and put it to good use, being it has eternal ‘moral’ implications!
  All Glory be to God!

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  Comment by Erik — June 14, 2011 @ 12:10 pm

  Absolutely love this poster. Well done.

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  Comment by Chris — July 29, 2011 @ 3:50 pm

  Now THAT would make a good Christian t-shirt.

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