Reading a very interesting book on connecting with God and others. See See summary. Dr Crabb identifies in his book, Connecting, four sinful mindsets that we’re often guilty of, and which keeps us from connecting properly. Here goes:-

Sin is independence, a rebellion against God’s authority based on disbelief in his goodness, an independence that creates agendas for our lives that run directly counter to his. Scripture identifies at least four sinful agendas that enliven the flesh:

1. Depending on our own resources to make life work.

2. Reducing the mystery of life to manageable strategies and following them

3. Making it a priority to minimize personal risk

4. Finding satisfaction wherever you can

Four Urges to Kill: p. 104

1. City Building. City builders depend on their own resources to make their lives work. Their commitment to personal adequacy gives rise to urges that block connection.

2. Fire Lighting. Fire lighters reduce the mystery of life to manageable categories of understanding. These categories are useful to the degree they suggest strategies for handling life that have guarenteed outcomes. their commitment to having confidence in their plans occupies them in ways that spoil connections.

3. Wall Whitewashers. Wall whitewashers make it their priority to minimize risk, to protect themselves at all costs against whatever difficulties might frustrate their plans. Their commitment to safety restricts the freedom that connecting requires.

4. Well digging. Well diggers insist on feeling good, now and on their terms. They demand control over their internal experience of wellbeing. Their commitment to satisfaction on demand dulls their awareness of the impact they have on others as they seek their own pleasure. That lack of concern over their impact gets in the way of connecting.

Read the rest in the summary!