What Does God Want from Us?
November 11, 2009
ConneXions Class 11/14/09, 9:30 AM
Facilitator: Jeff Griswold
Topic: What does God want from us?
Does he want our time, money, worship, respect or trust? We’ll look at why or perhaps why not.
Jeff resides in Bend and enjoys living every minute in the shadow of his two favorite blonds: his wife Jennifer, and his daughter Klare Bella. Less important, Jeff is the founding member of the investment advisory firm, Merit Wealth Management, LLC. Jeff tries to never miss the opportunity to ask a good question. In fact, he spends much of his time at home, at work, and with God doing just that.
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to read the rest from this author. Marc is a local writer, musician, and physician. He is a regular contributor to ConneXions and has written reviews for Spectrum: Adventist Forum. He loves words and music, windsurfing, and going on adventures with Janine and the kids.(Read more from this author) 
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3 Responses to “What Does God Want from Us?”
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Jeff,
Great job leading us yesterday. Thank you and thanks for an interesting topic.
I was thinking this morning about some of the words we put on the board yesterday. As I relate to my views of a good God, I was drawn to parallelisms of my relationship with my father. I love him, respect him, desire him, and seek his wisdom to guide me. I would hope that some day my children will do the same of me and I expect that is similar to what God would desire of me.
I was also thinking about why I show up at church and why I go to the connections class. It is not because I’m demanded to. For me, when something is demanded it means there are consequences and those consequences are something that I would fear or at least dislike very much. It is equivalent to being forced. I don’t fear much in this life and I fear even less in the next life. I would not go to church or worship because it was demanded of me. I consider it a choice and each sabbath, I wake up and make that choice. I go out of desire. If I were God, I would be most pleased if my children ran to me out of desire not out of demand and certainly not out of fear. Otherwise, it would be a hollow relationship at best.
This morning I was reading and came accross a quote from Benjamin Franklin in a letter to the president of Yale University. I’ll share it here for thought or for discussion. I sort of liked it.
“Here is my creed: I belive in one God, the Creator of the universe. That he governs it by his providence. That He ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable service we render to him is in doiong good to his other children. That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. These I take to be the fundamental points in all sound religion.”
Respectfully submitted – Bill L
And another thing: Great music at First Serve! It amazes me and picks me up. I don’t understand it but I do love it. Thanks to all those who put forth the effort to make it happen. It has been truly wonderful IMO.
Bill. Love the Ben F. quote. A sound summation.
Speaking of sound, I enjoyed helping out with music as much you enjoyed listening.
See you at Band of Brothers!