Song Time: "The River" (2002)

"The River"
Chris Tomlin

 When I was held up in chains
The river was free
When I was covered in stains
The river was clean
When I was losing my way
The river found me

I can see the river
I can feel the river
I'm letting go of all I hold onto
Let it wash away

When we were broken inside
The river was love
When we were thirsty and dry
You were more than enough
When we were drowning in lies
The river saved us

I'm dancing in the river
And I'll be here forever
I'm letting go of everything but You
Carry me away

Carry me away...
 

 

So, I was at Roxbury Holiness Camp last week, and the morning speaker on Saturday brought this song to mind as I listened.  He had talked about holiness, and how it affects us, the previous day.  He said that we must spend time with God to become more like Him, though our association with Him.  We must communicate with God on a highly regular basis and just "hang out"/tarry with Him; the more time spent in God's presence, the holier we will become.  The pastor's sermon on this morning was even deeper...

He directed us to an obscure passage in the midst of Ezekiel, that talked about a vision received by the prophet.  As we read the passage, I was not initially sure what was going to be discussed, and wow was it pertinent to life.  The Scripture was from chapter 47 verses 1-6. Looking at this recorded vision shows the connect to and meaning of this song.

Notice that the river in the passage comes from the Temple (the Dwelling Place of the Most High God) and represents His will and presence.  If you interpret the message of the vision, without looking later in the chapter, you will see the need for us to step out into the deep, into the fullness of God's mercy, grace, and direction. Ezekiel followed the man into the depths as he measured the distance from the relative "safety" of the shore/bank. 

Each of the first three measurements took the prophet to a place in the river where he could securely stand on his own, remaining connected to the bank and shoreline.  It surely was more difficult to stand as the water was deeper and deeper and the swiftness increased.  Greater trust was either placed in the firmness of the riverbed, or the flow of the river.  Remaining grounded in the mud, does not disqualify us from God's grace, as we enter it when we step into the river of his provision and guidance.  Entering is a good first step, but as we become mature Christians, we must experience a greater fulfillment of God's mercy as we spend more time in the presence of His Holy Spirit.  However, there is a time in which we must relinquish self-determination and self-reliance and Fully Rely on God, by letting go of all we hold onto, and stepping into the unreachable depths of the ever-flowing river.

There is a point in our lives, both mental and spiritual, when we reach the place to give up control of every part of our being.  This part may come once; it may occur many times.  The decision may be hard or easy; it takes trust and commitment, but mostly trust.  Allowing the presence of God to be all around us, in us, and through us, will give us more than enough.  We just need to be willing to let go of the shoreline, launch out into the deep and fully trust in God's deliverance and provision.  We may not know where the flow of the river will take us, what will occur in our lives, but we are told not to worry. (Matthew 6:25-34)  God will take care of us.

The choice should not be difficult, but our desire to stay connected with the world and our sinful nature prevents total commitment to God's holy will.  Our God is always with us, in spite of our connection with what he hates (sin); He will reach out to you until you plunge into the uncrossable, unfathomable depths of his mercy, grace, and love.  The peace and tranquility of the fullness of God can be felt when we "flow with the go" of the mighty river flowing from the presence of God.  His will is good, pleasing, and perfect (Romans 12:1-2).  It is then that you will be surrendered to the direction of his way, to make you what you ought to be.  Step into the ever-flowing, ever-changing river of God's divine, omnipotent presence.

 

Oh, let us launch out on this ocean so broad,
Where floods of salvation o’erflow;
Oh, let us be lost in the mercy of God,
Till the depths of His fullness we know.

Prayer Redux

So this last week was Roxbury Holiness Campmeeting.  As much as I want to talk about the fullness of my week, it is best that I wait until I have had time to more fully understand those words spoken in the many sessions.  One thing that I do understand is that the power of prayer is how God moves. I have desired to attend a full week of Camp for awhile now, and participate in the prayer team.

The Prayer team meets twice a day during camp, at 830 and at 1800, to pray for the entire camp and reflect the importance of prayer both during the week and after our time there.  Everyday many people attended the prayer services to pray for the camp:  the speakers, the director, the attenders, the staff, and most importantly the guiding of the Holy Spirit.  It is that dedication to prayer and thanksgiving that has made the Camp a place where people meet God and find his direction.

I cannot say that I received that direction fully, but I can say that this past week has given me a deeper appreciation for the need to talk to God, and one prayer time, after Saturday evening service, has renewed my faith in the next generation of Christians, although I am still not sure I can worship with them, but that is a different story.

In my last blog post, I noted that prayer has three main parts.  Giving little coverage to the importance of being thankful to God.  In our times of petition, we should not really "demand" things of God; asking is not always the best way either.  Instead, we should thank God that he is going to fulfill his will in each of our lives.  We must know that he is willing to allow the Holy Spirit to work in mysterious ways, and we must thank Him for his omnipotence and omniscience in answering our prayers.

One of the evening sessions of prayer was spent with this idea in mind, that we must thank God for what he will do.  He is beyond awesome, he knows what we need, and when we offered our meager thanks for his effective working, the moving of the Holy Spirit, and the touching of hearts to hear God's voice, boy did He answer.  We placed our trust in God to work according to his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13) and that he could affect each life in the Camp and outside.  His incomparable glory was shown each day after in an even more powerful way.

The next morning we all prayed around the alter of the Main Tabernacle, in the seats, and on the platform for the service, and God continued his incredible work.  People came offering their lives in service to God, their wholeness for his holiness, and their actions for his purpose.  The speakers spoke words given by God and the services were directed by the Spirit that walked the aisles and pew-rows.  Many more continued to flow toward the front each evening and even in the afternoon sessions.  A number made first-time commitments to allow God control in their lives, more came to rededicate their lives, and some came for further grace. 

I sat on the center-front pew for ever service and witnessed the full alter every night.  I saw the prayer warriors being directed by the Spirit of the Lord:  how to pray, for whom to pray, what to pray for, and when to sit in silence.  I sat in my bench crying out to God in prayer and asking for his work to be done in the hearts of those that approached the alter.  Many souls found liberty, guidance, and direction as they fell to their knees before God.  This action was happening before we had this "thanks-focused" prayer time.  It was humbling to be a part of it.

My point in this description, is not to bring glory to the Camp and to uphold the ability of the speaker, but rather to show the affectiveness of God when we give up control and allow him to work. We can fill the earth with glorious testimony when we seek His face and allow God's will to be done.  God is great and he does marvelous things.  It is easy to pray in thanksgiving for what God had done, but it is much harder to thank him for what he will do.  We must always remember to have a Spirit of adoration and thanks as we come to converse with God.  He will hear and answer prayers.



My personal testimony is of this holds true.  I mentioned that I sat in the front for each service and prayed during each alter-call.  On Saturday evening, I was in intense prayer for a personal friend and prayer team member, and had paused from praying to gather my thoughts, and I felt a tap on my shoulder ask someone asked if she could pray for me. Needless to say, I said yes, and a teenager stepped around the corner and sat next to me.  She commented on seeing me worship and pray and started praying for me.  Saying how she saw in me a passion for God's work, a desire to serve and live for God, and a love for people...boom, not just welling up with tears, but a stream built up.  She continued to pray, but I have no idea what it was about, until she stopped and asked for a specific request.  Sadly embarrassment kicked in, and I did not ask for a deep, hidden request.  I instead asked her to pray for my future and a job.  But wow, she prayed a powerful prayer in humility before God, asking with expectation.

She just sat with me for a time after, in silence, as what she had done sunk in.  The Spirit of God had moved in her, and a greater work than she understood, began in me.  I did find out her name, and that she was leaving the next day, but she went off to pray for another before I could chat with her more, and thank Hannah Murray.  I saw her talking and praying with another girl later, but never got the chance to talk that night, sad that I would not see her again, unless she was at prayer the next day. 

Although she didn't make it, I managed, by the grace of God, to get in the lunch line with her(Sunday lunch lines are looong at Roxbury)!  I was able to find out more about her and thank her officially.  I didn't tell her all that her prayer meant to me, but I was able to relay it through our conversation.  As we ate, I even found out about her trouble narrowing her decision about future plans.  We finished lunch and I offered to reciprocate her action, and pray for her.  I am not sure I was as affective, in touching her heart, as she was with her prayer, but I do know that she left joyfully.  I may not ever see her again (at least until next year), but I do know we had a positive encounter with God both times.

That encounter, along with the word of God given by the speakers, has renewed my faith in the next generation and brought about other mental changes. I know I am not fully sanctified to God, I have not fully entrusted my whole life to God, and my prayer time, is going to improve.  My desire to serve others has strongly increased.  My resolutions, as going to be a success, I a going to have better communion with God, and my prayers will thank him for what He has done, what God is doing, and what He will do in/with my life.  I am starting again, on the personal level, but thanks to God prompting a young girl to pray for me, positive changes will take place.  Praise be to God!  My soul has been awakened.

Where is Prayer in Life?

Earlier this year, I wrote a list of expectations and goals for improving myself.  Many people call these resolutions, but being resolved to completely improve takes commitment and time (obviously). One of those goals that I wrote was simply to:  Pray with Expectations.  I wanted to record requests and write results/answers to my prayers in the sense of keeping a prayer journal.

The week before I wrote those goals was a week of prayer and fasting that my church has been completing every year. I was high on my expectations and anticipating quality effort.  My journey has not been as strong as I desired, but prayer must not take a back seat.

Many preachers have written on Prayer:  Andrew Murray wrote The Prayer Life, Charles Spurgeon's many sermons (http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/1039.htm), Jonathan Edwards' "On Corporate Prayer", to  Oswald Chambers, Billy Graham, Warren Wiersbe, Chuck Colson, and others.  Obviously it must be an important part of the Christian life.  We all have heard the Lord's Prayer and have heard statements like "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and they are wonderful mantras. Why should we do these things?

The first thing to address: What is Prayer?

1. Communicating with God
2. Casting your Cares on God
3. Thanking God for His Provisions

Let us take the first part: communication with God.  We don't have to always have are eyes closed, but we must focus on tuning out the distractions.  So the verse indicates that we must always talk with God; we need to commit to him our desire to hear Him.  It is magnificent that he cares for us that he wants us to hear us individually.  It is amazing that the living God desires to speak to us every moment that he commanded us pray without ceasing.  That is the essence of Prayer.

Secondly we must share our cares/troubles/anxieties on God. (1 Peter 5:7).  We have periods of doubt and negative emotions, but we must embrace the care of God and rest in his breast.  Hiding under His wings we can safely abide in God.  God has chosen us to fulfill a purpose, but we must not worry about our lives (Matthew 6).  We may use the Psychologists and Psychiatrists to vent to, to share with, but He is our Rock and in Him we can hide.  Prayer is the way that we can do that-we must hide in  Him (always) and allow his control in our lives.  It may make us nervous, but worry should NOT be a part of our lives.  The constant communication with God can eliminate that over exertion in overthinking.  God has provided us a way and we must follow.

The easiest way to constantly pray is by giving thanks (Philippians 4:4) to God for everything.  I was in Wendy's last week enjoying a Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger (yum!), and as I was near done two families of girls came into the restaurant and sat at the booths in front of me.  They were jolly and happy, but the best part was the fact that the mother got the girls together and thanked God for their meal.  She then proceeded to do the same with the other mother. I wanted to say something to them, and thank them, but I was overcome with nerves. (The opposite of my ferocious fearlessness)   It was awesome to hear it...in North Carolina, with my Clearview friends, I heard it again.  It made me want to write about it.  Thanks is not just for food, it is for ALL the provisions that God gives:  for money, for safety, for life, for all things...  It is a way to commune with God in celebration of everything, rather than demanding things from Him.

Prayer allows us to talk to God.  to share with Him, to thank him.  There are many ways to pray about and things to ask God for, but we must remember to do it.  We can use a formula like the Lord's Prayer or the ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication), or we can talk to God like he is the Father that is there for us, cares for us, and loves us always.  We need not worry, because prayer is just not asking things of God, but communicating with Him and Trusting Him with providing for us and guiding us through the Holy Spirit.  It is incredibly important for us to do, to Pray without Ceasing.



Daily communicate with God and Hope with be with you always.  Placing Hope in God allows us to Pray continually and to Trust His direction for our lives, we just have to ask Him to guide us, let Him do it and constantly commune with Him.  Our Focus must always be on God, and we can make our life a Life of Prayer, not try to fit Prayer in our lives.

Adventures in House-Sitting

Since last Thursday, I have been fortunate to house-sit for my former Learning Center boss.  I got to care for his fish and dog, and go beyond my normal pet caring.  The best part was the A/C during the hottest days of this summer...at least it started out that way.  I had plenty of free time, but rarely used it for growth or reading.  I spent a week wasting time on things that inevitably will be useless in the long-run. Although walking the dog for over a mile twice per day has been helpful, and there were other fun times that created learning experiences.

First, I rescued a bird, and boy was it interesting with a dog.  I learned that I can take apart tubes in the wood furnace, but I cannot put them back together. I discovered that when a bird flutters around that it may not be struggling, but getting into a new position.  I found out that a cornered bird doesn't fly, but cowers until captured.  Yet, I learned to value the life of the bird the way Christ does (Matthew 6:26).

Next, I found that late nights and early mornings only work if you keep moving, but it is not good to do that too often.  I didn't keep moving, except when I was walking the dog or speeding down the highway to get back home before midnight!  From that I learned that I need more patience, less focus on things that make me happy getting done. (Not that I don't enjoy flying down the road.)   I mean I can survive on pizza and Mountain Dew, but I cannot rely on those things to get me through the day and week.  Through, my chats with a new friend, who I have not met, I see that my reliance on God is not the fullest it can be.

I was "set up" with my new friend by a teen that was with me in the Bronx last summer.  She met this girl as a camp counselor, and thought that we might get along.  So after a series of questions and texts,  I was introduced to Amy Sickles.  This introduction has brought about a week of strong, spiritual conversations and perspective discussions.  She is a newer Christian, a self-described "free spirit," and loves life.  Amy wants to please God with all her life, enjoys singing, and is very emotionally driven (in love of others and empathy). We have had wonderful, uplifting conversations about controversial Christian topics:  wife "submission," tattoos, head coverings, compromise, relationships, drinking etc.  It has been interesting to hear some of her perspectives on things, but I don't really agree with her on everything.  One thing that separates us is her free-spirit nature, she has a artful tattoo and things, but for some reason I haven't found it in me to judge her motives, the way I would have a year ago.  However her eccentric nature draws me to her and her opinions.  We have built an interesting friendship, especially since we haven't met in person, but I enjoy the new Christian friend God has given me.  It is amazing how God puts things together for his will (Philippians 2:13).

I still need to learn how to manage my time and or let God manage it for me, but I guess the change of scenery has given me some new things to learn.  I know that I don't give enough "God-time", yet I am getting closer.  As we learned in Church, we need to invite the kingdom of God  to earth as it says in the Lord's Prayer and allow Him to work in us.  We also have to allow him to do his will in all parts of our life.  I am sure I said that before in this blog, but He's Still Working on Me.

A Perception of July the 4th

"It is in the power of every generation to make themselves, in some degree, partakers in the deeds, and in the fame of their ancestors, by adopting their principles, and studying their examples.  Wherever history records the acts of men, the past has more or less influence on the present.  The heart, as well as the understanding, feels the connexion.  There is not only a transmission of ideas and of knowledge, from generation to generation; there is also a traditional communication of sentiments and of feelings.  The mind delights to associate with the spirits that have gone before it; to enter into their counsels to embrace their designs; to feel the impulse of their motives; to enjoy their triumphs, and to hold common sorrow in their misfortunes.  It exults to find itself, not a distinct, confined point of present being, without relation to the past, or the future, but a part of the great chain of existence, which commencing with the origin of our race, and running through its successive generations, binding the present to the past, and even to the future, in mutual attachments, sympathies, and common desires, will hold on to the period, when all sentiments and all affections merely human shall be no more."

--An address delivered before the Washington Benevolent Society, at Portsmouth, July 4, 1812.; Daniel Webster, 

So, what is this generation's perception of the day set aside to celebrate the declaration of independence from Great Britain?  Does it connect to the past; deal with the inherent principals of freedom, liberty, and Christian morality, or embrace a new sentiment that ignores the values and beliefs that made America successful for the past 237 years?  Has modernism clouded our idealism that "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" no longer hold their true nature of being endowed by a Creator?

What is the significance of the 4th to you?

• Is it a time to have fireworks and barbeques?
• Does it show a reverence for the past battles for a people's government (a republic)?
• Is your celebration for the great chain of the principles and examples of our Godly Founders?
• Is it for the hot dogs and hamburgers?
• Is it to wave the red, white, and blue flag and declare freedom?
• Is it to create a common thread  to connect to the morals used to establish this great nation?
• Does it reflect the desire of the Founders to create a nation based on prudence and virtue?
• Is it to celebrate the security the government has afforded you at the price of freedom and liberty?
• Is it to declare America's greatness...
• Afforded by a great Creator?
• Established by "great" leaders?
• Abuse of our great power/responsibility?
• Enacted through military usurpations?
• Added to frivolous pursuits of "happiness"?
• Does it connect to the past?
• Has the meaning of our Founders' actions lost their significance in modern society?

The Founders established the ideology that our nation is free because the power has been afforded to the people, who appoint leaders that can be removed if they abuse their powers:  especially attacking the natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (oops, I mean "property").  However, we have entrusted too much of the burden to protect those rights to our government and its leaders.  It is no longer the sentiment expressed on out coinage "In God We Trust," but rather in our own versions of persona;/individual morality:  "what is right for ME is right" attitude and self-reliance, with a side of "I hope the elected leaders do what is moral and right." 

We have not passed, from generation to generation: the examples of our ancestors, the principles of our past, and the nature to conserve and serve alongside others.  Instead we have declared and independence from our godly past:  for self-satisfaction, for personal pursuits of happiness that we cannot achieve, for hope and security provided by our elected and appointed officials.  God granted our Founders the wisdom and forthrightness to establish a nation where equality was not something to demand, or rewrite, but rather a fact of life due to the liberties we all enjoyed.  Conservative idealism does not stop progress, it only makes us think before we react.  It allows for debate, discussion, and decision-making that considers the great chain of American existence, which was established on moral and righteous grounds.   We must return to what made America good, so that she can continue to be great.

Consider this:
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
― Ronald Reagan

AND

 

“If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be one nation gone under.”
― Ronald Reagan

 

 

AND--LASTLY

The Silent Witness

Last summer, I was just finishing my first week of ministry in the Bronx, sharing with children and teens the importance of the gospel, following Jesus, and loving others through actions, devotion, and preaching the word publically.  We shared with the children in the park and openly witnessed to them about the strength one can find in God.  While greater things are still to be done in that city, (Shout out to Clearview, who just left there this morning!) my job there is seemingly finished.  Although I am sure I could go back sometime...

To go to share the message of the gospel with children and publically preach, is a wonderful thing and a joyous service.  I used to think that was the only way to do it effectively, but I have recently discovered that I unknowingly have become a Silent Witness for God. 

I have always been the one to be ready to give an answer to what I asked or thought (based on 1 Peter 3:15), and while polemics may be effective in releasing emotional outbursts of truth, it does not necessarily convince the skeptic. Yet, voicing what you believe and why God is love is not wrong, it is not always the most effective way.  Rather it can be replaced with living as an example of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1), and listening to the confirmation of the Holy Spirit (Romans 9:1).  This means treating your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit to keep it tidy and clean (1 Cor. 6 esp. v19-20) and living in accordance to the direction of the power, love, and self-discipline provided in that relationship (2 Timothy 1:7).  While most important of those is love, the proof often lies in the self-discipline.

Many people can claim to love others and love God, but they forget the action, which can cause trouble in their relationships (1 John 4 and James 2).  If we do not exercise resistance to things of this world and pretend that it is ok to live in "close proximity" to the lifestyle of the sin, our lives will become clouded easily lead astray. Muddling the Word of God to "fit our needs" is not heeding the guidance of the Spirit and certainly does not come from the Father above.  It may seem what we want at the time, but it is not usually the direction we are being shown.  Instead of gratifying the desires of the flesh, we must actively follow the law of God  (1 John 2:15-17 and 1 John 3:18).

In doing so, we shall become witnesses.  Living by example and not blasting away at a shell of unfaithfulness by throwing words at a wall, can help others see the light of Christ in you.  It is helpful to know God's Word and to Pray for guidance as we P-GROW...(Pray, Go to church, Read God's Word, OBEY God's Word, and Witness).  Sometimes witnessing comes naturally and that is when we become silent witnesses, reaching folks with little effort and helping others to find their way, or rediscover a lost path so that they can move on to God.  While mentoring is a good way to do this, it must also happen in observable action.  Resistance to the world is the best way to do this, calmly avoiding the evil things available around us (1 Peter 3:8-12 and Psalm 34:11-14).  The best way to do that is to live in a way that shuns the desires of lust and greed, while searching for the truth and living in the innocence of God's love.  With this will come wisdom to live and to be at peace with others, then they will be drawn back toward life in Christ. (2 Timothy 2:21-26).

Being a Silent Witness takes effort and commitment. We are made worship God and have been called to Love others.(Matthew 22:34-40) Start with that, and transformation of those around you may take place without you noticing, unless they come to you and ask questions or tell you what your actions mean to them.  It is never too late to start, unless Christ returns before you do...(Philippians 1:6, 9-11).

Let us not be given to complacency, but let us follow the last declaration Jesus left to his disciples in Acts 1:8---"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

 

 

Be the person that counts.

That is the challenge.



A Year in Review

Over this past year, the newness I welcomed some readers to was more of a statement than an actual goal.  It was more a way to get attention for my writings than any other reason.  However as my months in the Bronx and week in Haiti showed me, it was really time to make that a true goal.  Yes, the voice of God is more real, the direction God has for me is more clear, and the breast of God is closer, yet I still have much work to be done before I am a city on a hill for Him.  I looked over the recorded words, from this blog, and noticed a pattern of goals:  some for me personally, for me between others, and most importantly between Me and God.

I saw that some changes were done well, other are near completed, more are only kinda, half done, and some are not even close to where they should be.  It is a sad reality that I returned to some complacency, because many of the steps to reach the big goals were set aside, even though some are  foundational.  Yet, I know that I am on my way to a positive transformation.

A week or two ago, I was talking to a friend who mentioned that "it's just going to take time" and that I might just have to more fully listen to God to make sure that things are working in the right direction.  I know that God is at my side to help and carry me though this time of change and shifting, but I need to get more steps in the Near Done list and out of the NOT Near Done list.  Of course, this is me planning and getting things in order before I act (which is something I am still working on).  At least I have seen changes actually take affect this past year. 

I know I have been Successful in getting some tasks done. I have begun to trust God (still not fully), I am committing my future goals to God, I have returned to P-GROW  (Pray, Read God's Word, Obey God's Word, Witness), and helping/encouraging others is happening.  I have become more other's centered to receive the JOY of God.  I have almost weekly be volunteering at Shippensburg Produce and Outreach on Tuesdays and learning to Pay It Forward.  When doing those things I have found that I naturally encourage them to do the same, and I offer encouragement without even realizing it. I am sure that is the Holy Spirit working within me and allowing me to bare my spiritual gifts, by making them a regular part of my life.

I still need to be patient with others and find peace in my preset circumstances, but the daily blessings of God and my friends are bringing me to add more items to my list of Near Done goals/steps. I am definitely more flexible in ideals and allowing others to share what they believe without fear of judgment from me.  I am allowing God to use this flexibility to guide me in the path of righteousness, and the Holy Spirit to reign in most aspects of my life.  I am surely more proactive in searching out ways that I can use my abilities to help others, but that could use more work, in the same aspect as the full JOY (Jesus first, Yourself last, and Others in between) of loving as Christ does.  I still at times believe that my personal righteousness and emotions must be first, but as the Fruit of the Spirit ripen in my life, and mature, I am getting better at that.

Yet, sometimes I am a usurper of the sovereignty of God on the throne of my heart.  I do not allow the Love of Christ to shine through, in the best way, rather I revert to my old way of manipulation to show people the way I think things should be, based on MY way I see the Scripture to be interpreted, rather than the merciful way God moves.  I reveal skepticism of new things that may be Christ-centered and test the motives of mega-church and modernist/postmodern belief systems (perhaps this is good to maintain [Acts 17]), but I do it in a way that is more about fear than Ferocious Fearlessness. I also asked people to create a Goal of asking What Would Jesus Do? and yet I have failed to be consistent in that too.  It is interesting to read what I wrote and how motivated I was to reintroduce that trend, but yet the fire has faded and the proactiveness I desire has not taken the full effect.  Perhaps more proactive Bible study and personal devotion, Like I did in January would help get these areas of life back on track, especially as I open all the closets of my heart to the Holy Spirit, and allow God to chisel away what must be removed.

Some things that still need removed:  LIST TOOO LOOOOONG.  Yet, I must be honest and share a few.  I certainly still fear failure, and therefore I must not act until I have a plan, in spite of the fact that God asks for faith in the situation.  I must empty myself of self-doubt and fill myself with the fullness of the Holy Spirit and allow Christ to reign in my life, especially because I am NOT always right or righteous in my thoughts and actions.  I must continue to study to show my self approved and set steps to reach the goals that God asks for me.  For he goes before, behind, and beside me every step of the way, I just most open myself to listen in faith, with action, so that I will not overanalyze what he asks. Then I will avoid petty disagreements and arguments (polemics) in both the spiritual and personal aspects of my life.  Once those things, and others, take place.  I can move being risky for God to the Near Done list and surrender all to Him.  Until that time has happened, until I feel that peace in my life, I must remember the words of this song and take actions to put God's plan for me into action.

He's Still Working on Me

 

 

Chorus:
He's still working on me
To make me what I ought to be
It took him just a week to make the moon and stars
The Sun and the Earth and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be
'Cause He's still workin' on me

Repeat Chorus

There really ought to be a sign upon my heart
Don't judge him yet, there's an unfinished part
But I'll be better just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master's loving hands

Repeat Chorus

In the mirror of His word
Reflections that I see
Makes me wonder why He never gave up on me
But He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray
Remember He's the potter; I'm the clay

Repeat Chorus (x2)