Mirror, Mirror
Discover Your True Identity In Christ
Published on 17. December 2012
160 pages
978-1-84474-775-7 (ISBN)
Description
Our identity or self-image is a bit like looking in a mirror. We see our reflection and make judgments about ourselves. However, the 'mirror' we use tends to be the world around us: how do I compare with others and what do they think of me?
But there is another mirror we can use - the mirror we should use. James 1:23 - 24 tells us that the Bible, God's word, is like a mirror. We look into it and see what we are really like. Here is a description, not from culture, but from God.
The world tells us that we need a good self-image. The Bible says that we need a right self-image.
With a pastor's heart, Graham Beynon, minister at Avenue Community Church in Leicester, helps us realign our thinking.
But there is another mirror we can use - the mirror we should use. James 1:23 - 24 tells us that the Bible, God's word, is like a mirror. We look into it and see what we are really like. Here is a description, not from culture, but from God.
The world tells us that we need a good self-image. The Bible says that we need a right self-image.
With a pastor's heart, Graham Beynon, minister at Avenue Community Church in Leicester, helps us realign our thinking.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Nottingham
United Kingdom
Product notice
Reflowable
ISBN-13
978-1-84474-775-7 (9781844747757)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
09/2008
Inter-Varsity Press
€16.50
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
Graham Beynon is pastor of Grace Church, Cambridge, and also Director of Independent Ministry Training at Oak Hill Theological College.
Graham was previously an audiological scientist working with hearing and balance disorders. He then moved to pastor churches in Cambridge and Leicester. He has particularly been involved in leading church plants. He is married to Charis and they have three children. In his spare time he enjoys watching TV with his wife, walking with their dog, trying his hand at DIY, watching sport and playing 5-a-side football.
Graham was previously an audiological scientist working with hearing and balance disorders. He then moved to pastor churches in Cambridge and Leicester. He has particularly been involved in leading church plants. He is married to Charis and they have three children. In his spare time he enjoys watching TV with his wife, walking with their dog, trying his hand at DIY, watching sport and playing 5-a-side football.
Content
- Intro
- Mirror, Mirror
- Contents
- Foreword
- Preface
- 1. Looking in the mirror
- The issue of our day
- A painful issue
- An issue for everyone
- Identity coming to the surface
- Coming to the surface of the Christian life
- The life on show
- Identity and Christians
- Looking in the mirror
- Questions for reflection or discussion
- 2. Taking the lid off
- Building a self-image
- Components of self-image
- Your performance of roles
- Your 'pedigree'
- Your acceptability to others
- Your significance
- Variations in self-image
- Variations in what we think is important
- Variations over time
- Variations between situations
- Variation in the conclusions we draw
- Mirrors and glasses
- Background issues
- Which way forward?
- Deceive yourself
- Reinvent yourself
- Understand yourself
- Think badly of yourself
- Think well of yourself
- Think biblically about yourself!
- Questions for reflection or discussion
- 3. The original design
- We're lucky
- We're gods
- We're what we can offer
- Back to the beginning
- Begin with God, not us
- Image means what?
- Living in the real world
- Humble dignity
- We're only an image...
- ... but the image of God
- The value we have
- When I think about it, it's amazing!
- True for everyone
- Looking in the mirror
- Questions for reflection or discussion
- 4. The shameful admission
- The awful nature of sin
- The awful results of sin
- 'Well, I'm not perfect, but...'
- Dangerous territory
- True and false shame
- Biblical reasons for a low self-image
- Standing before God
- Standing before other people
- Looking in the mirror
- Questions for reflection or discussion
- 5. The new beginning
- The parable of the amazing Father
- The past is gone
- The new has come
- Humble dignity regained
- God taking delight in us
- I can't believe it
- Is this really real?
- Questions for reflection or discussion
- 6. Accepting acceptance
- Orientation is everything
- What does Jesus' death tell us?
- Accepting acceptance
- Ultimate security
- Ultimate stability
- Loving the adulterer (that's you, by the way)
- Accepting acceptance in practice
- You just need to accept yourself for who you are
- I can't forgive myself
- God accepts me as I am
- Looking in the mirror
- Questions for reflection or discussion
- 7. Living the new life
- How should I feel today?
- Living to please God
- I obeyed God...well actually, God did
- What about all that sin in my life?
- Don't start climbing ladders with God
- Reflecting on a bad day
- Such a gifted child
- Passing on grace
- I worked hard...well actually, God did
- Good and faithful servants
- Looking in the mirror
- Questions for reflection or discussion
- 8. The re-orientated life
- The Christ-centred life
- Glorifying Jesus
- The other-centred life
- Need people less, love people more
- Life together as God's people
- Attitudes to one another
- Feedback loops
- Somewhere I can be a sinner
- Questions for reflection or discussion
- 9. Working it out
- Review time
- Personal action plan
- Combating the negative
- Reinforcing the positive
- Living in the real world
- Praise or criticism
- Success or failure
- Living in relationships
- Our appearance
- Renew your mind
- Questions for reflection or discussion
- Conclusion
- Notes
- Chapter 1 Looking in the mirror
- Chapter 2 Taking the lid off
- Chapter 3 The original design
- Chapter 4 The shameful admission
- Chapter 5 The new beginning
- Chapter 6 Accepting acceptance
- Chapter 7 Living the new life
- Chapter 8 The re-orientated life
- Chapter 9 Working it out
