7/19/11
I am starting up again, starting to blog. It has been a while since I felt like writing. A lot has happened in the last 18 months. Maybe I just want to write, maybe I have something to say, or maybe it is a little bit of both.
I have been dealing with sin for a while. In the process I have learned about the seduction of sin and just how sweet it is. I have also learned how easy it is to hide from people. People who love you and care about you don’t pick it up. Before you get the totally wrong idea, let me confess. My sin is idolatry. I have another god before the GOD. I have put this god first. I have not worshiped this god but I have given this god a higher place of priority in my life. This has grieved my Lord.
It took me a long time to see this. My form of idolatry is totally acceptable in the culture we live in. For a long time I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong. But I was. My Lord is a jealous Lord and he would not put up with it for long. (Exodus 20:5). My bridegroom wanted his bride back.
And when I saw the sin, o man I was overwhelmed with sorrow and self recrimination. I spent some time in this place of sorrow. But here comes the seduction. Even then I wanted the sin back. And the battle started. That internal struggle that happens when sin is so sweet we do not want to give it up. My head – my past teaching was telling me to walk away. My desire was telling me nothing is wrong. The battle still rages. It is painful and ugly. Most days I win the battle but some days I don’t. And when I don’t, the sin is still very sweet.
That is how people live in sin for so long. A lot of sin is sweet and we desire it.
Where is God in all this? He is waiting and loving (grace - sweet grace). My bridegroom knows I have to walk back to him freely and with full desire. Not halfway but totally. He is faithful to me even when I have been unfaithful to him. He has given me the tools to use to walk away. The question is will I use them every day, every hour, every minute if I need to...T
Showing posts with label Character. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Character. Show all posts
The Hole
December 29, 2009
OK – I suppose I have to start writing again. The last 6 months I have been in my hole of grief, anger confusion, acceptance and hope. It’s time to come out and start living again.
The church – Stonemill Church – is gone but THE CHURCH is still there. Remember, "the gates of hell shall not prevail …..” Many of my church family will move on to other church family’s but many will join The Bridge Church, who opened their arms to all of us. The time has come to move on. There is only so long you can stay in that hole….T
OK – I suppose I have to start writing again. The last 6 months I have been in my hole of grief, anger confusion, acceptance and hope. It’s time to come out and start living again.
The church – Stonemill Church – is gone but THE CHURCH is still there. Remember, "the gates of hell shall not prevail …..” Many of my church family will move on to other church family’s but many will join The Bridge Church, who opened their arms to all of us. The time has come to move on. There is only so long you can stay in that hole….T
Downward Spiral
May 19, 2009
Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings.
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade
Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day
Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
Casting Crown
So it is when we fall into sin.
This type of fall is very seldom quickly. Slowly, in small tiny bites godly character to eaten away and sin becomes the norm. Maybe it is “small” lies, maybe it is a quick look at that internet site, or maybe it is letting you anger fly. Whatever the compromise, whatever the deliberate looking away, whatever the oversight, before you know it you have fallen into a downward spiral of sin and a major chunk of your Christian character falls off.
Can it be stopped? How do you stop the downward spiral you have found yourself in? Here are a few practical steps;
- Take a few minutes and totally examine your life – your habits, your thoughts, your daytimer, and your checkbook. These activities will give you a clue concerning your spiral.
- Be fearless in this – don’t lie to yourself. Ask yourself the hard tough questions.
- Confess any and all sin before the Lord.
- Repent and make a plan of repentance. Ask the Lord to restore your intimate relationship with him.
- Find a accountability partner and meet regularly
Patience
I have to tell you, patience is not my strong suit. I recently took a spiritual growth assessment that our church gives and as usual, patience was right there at the bottom of the list. The assessment was fairly comprehensive and in the area of patience it covered patient with family members, patiently waiting on God's answers and timing, extending patience (grace) to others, and patiently waiting in Atlanta traffic. I struggle at any point in time with any of these - usually not all at the same time.
The thing about patience is that it is really self-control. Katie Brazelton in her book Character Makeover says "patience is an outwardly displayed character quality that results from the inward character quality of self-control."
She wasn't the only one to link these two fruits of the spirit. Peter said,
Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. 2 Peter 1:6 NLT
The thing about patience is that it is really self-control. Katie Brazelton in her book Character Makeover says "patience is an outwardly displayed character quality that results from the inward character quality of self-control."
She wasn't the only one to link these two fruits of the spirit. Peter said,
Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. 2 Peter 1:6 NLT
It is also amazing how often endurance and patience are linked together too.
So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 2 Corin. 1:6 (NLT)
I am John, your brother. In Jesus we are partners in suffering and in the Kingdom and in patient endurance. ...Rev. 1:9 (NLT)
If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints. Rev. 13:10 (NIV)
Self-control, patience and endurance - these are the character traits that should mark God's children. This was expected over 2000 years ago and it is still expected today.
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