Awesome!

Things I'm Learning (Part 2)

...while reading "Get Out of That Pit!" by Beth Moore.

The Bible is our ultimate authority in life. I would never challenge that fact. We should read it more than any other book and it is a huge way we know God. But I think it is helpful sometimes to listen in on someone else's thoughts and encouragement when they share what they have learned, especially if it's Biblically solid.

Around one o'clock in the morning a few days ago, I finished the last chapter with tears in my eyes. God has saved us for freedom, and according to Him it's possible, even expected. Freedom from chronic procrastination? Apparently so. Freedom from consistent fear of the future? I believe that is God's intention. Of course I'll always sin, but there is a difference. There is sinning and moving on, and then there's walking in darkness stuck in the same old place.

But it takes some effort, which is why I often only get as far as good intentions. Because I want God to change me without any waiting and learning, without having to submit my will. I want instant results. But the reality is that I have to be involved in the process, to seek God, to agree with Him that I cannot stay where I am.

"While you wait for God to work and to manifest your sure deliverance, you wrap yourself around Him as tightly as you possibly can...Bind yourself to Him with everything you've got so that you will ultimately - inevitably - go anywhere He goes...God does not make His home in a pit. Bound to [Him], neither will you." (Moore)


"I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." Psalm 40:1-2


"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

A Prayer

From "The Valley of Vision," a collection of puritan prayers.


...Though my sins rise to heaven, thy merits soar above them;
Though unrighteousness weighs me down to hell, thy righteousness exalts me to thy throne...

...All things in me call for my rejection,
All things in thee plead for my acceptance...

...I am guilty, but pardoned,
lost, but saved,
wandering, but found,
sinning, but cleansed.
Give me perpetual broken-heartedness,
Keep me always clinging to thy cross,
Flood me every moment with descending grace....

Things I'm Learning... (Part 1)

...while reading "Get Out of That Pit!" by Beth Moore:

- She describes a pit as feeling stuck.

- Some bondages/patterns of thinking happen to us because life throws it at us, some we slide into in ignorance or stupidity, some we jump into, knowing full well what we do.

- God is always good. He is unapproachable light and He has no dark side. (Meaning we can trust Him in difficult circumstances. That is an encouraging thought, that God has no dark side. He is not playing games or plotting for our demise.)

- To avoid sliding into a pit, don't just practice innocence, practice integrity. (I have sometimes arrogantly thought that I had integrity because of my innocence, but innocence can be very ignorant and proud without an active commitment to grow in holiness out of love for Christ.)

- Lost innocence can be traded in for integrity. (This is my favorite! In areas where we have fallen, God can bring restoration, and we come out the other side with a new depth of wisdom and integrity, and the ability to help and warn others.)

- We can help someone else climb out of a pit, but we do not have the power to sustain them. Only God can. (Because only He has that kind of wisdom and staying power.)

- Encourage one another and do not let the lie be told that victory is impossible. (Especially with God.)

Change

Today I was looking through my old childhood school journals. Surprisingly enough, or not surprising at all actually, as a kid I enjoyed reading and being at home. I also described myself as someone with the inability to say no for fear of hurting someone's feelings.

I wonder if I've changed at all!

Of course with time my written expression has gone from things like "I like school. I like carrots. I can't wait for the pizza party," to thoughts a little more coherent. But I can still see my current self in that nine year old's reflections.

Something must be different, though, because my world is not so small anymore. Neither is my experience with God limited to my salvation. These things have grown and expanded.

Some parts of our personalities do not change entirely, that is who we are, but I think they can be refined to reflect the character of Christ in us. Scripture says we are being transformed and renewed.

I continually feel God pushing me to widen my circles of interaction and to make decisions for His sake and not just for the sake of those I would hate to disappoint. I'm glad He does, because if initiating change were up to me....

Moping or Trusting?

Tonight in hall devos, Darcy talked about keeping our eyes on what is most important. We tend to hope for the best life we can have: close family and friends, successful endeavors. However, we are not promised any of those things. No one owes us anything. We do however, owe God everything.
I really needed to hear that, because I've been moping around the last few days about the things that I think I should have in my life right now, but don't. And God has been working on my heart, showing me that my life is about Him, about what He is doing, not about seeing my plans come to pass.
I'm glad God is with me and is always working, and that He always does the right thing.

Poetry

Right now for Oral Communication, we are choosing poems to present in class.
I love poetry.


1. Before an Examination (Steven Vincent Benet)

The little letters dance across the page,
Flaunt and retire, and trick the tired eyes;
Sick of the strain, the glaring light, I rise
Yawning and stretching, full of empty rage
At the dull maunderings of a long dead sage,
Fling up the windows, fling aside his lies;
Choosing to breathe, not stifle and be wise,
And let the air pour in upon my cage.
The breeze blows cool and there are stars and stars
Beyond the dark, soft masses of the elms
That whisper things in windy tones and light.
They seem to wheel for dim, celestial wars;
And I -- I hear the clash of silver helms
Ring icy-clear from the far deeps of night.