{"id":1438,"date":"2023-01-23T13:48:32","date_gmt":"2023-01-23T17:48:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curwensvillealliance.org\/podcasts\/?p=1438"},"modified":"2023-01-23T13:48:32","modified_gmt":"2023-01-23T17:48:32","slug":"the-cynicism-circuit-dangerous-side-roads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.curwensvillealliance.org\/podcasts\/?p=1438","title":{"rendered":"The Cynicism Circuit :: DANGEROUS SIDE ROADS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 1\/22\/23 by Pastor Steve Shields. <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Cynics are on a cycle<\/strong> that starts with a disappointment<\/strong>, which leads to discontentment with life. Then they decide to protect themselves, which leads to a cynical spirit. Then a negative experience happens, which leads to disappointment, and the cycle continues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cynicism effects your faith<\/strong>. It causes some to jump ship. <\/strong> It causes some to stay put but to stop hoping. <\/strong> Disenchantment robs their faith of its enchantment. It causes some to erase the miraculous from their faith. <\/strong> They and their faith are dis-enchanted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The use of enchantment is to speak of the opposite of mundane. <\/strong>Mundane is lacking interest or excitement or of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our faith is enchanted.<\/strong> Our faith is founded on the supernatural. A virgin birth is not mundane.<\/strong> Our faith is enacted by the miraculous. The atoning work of Christ on the cross, and His resurrection is anything but mundane.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our faith is of the Spirit of God. Communicating with God in Spirit and in truth is not mundane. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What factors contribute to disenchantment? Arrogance, ignorance and fear all contribute to disenchantment. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What steps can we take toward re-enchantment? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drill down to what Christian faith is. Real Christian faith is found at the cross. <\/strong>At the cross, Jesus loved his neighbor as Himself, His enemies and His Father in heaven. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look into your own heart.<\/strong> The problem of many who are disenchanted is not their lack of faith, but their abundance of arrogance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radically open your heart to wonder.<\/strong> Release God from your demands. Look for the miracles and expect them. <\/p>\n