Search me, O God

Like sunlight reaches the innermost cracks, crevices, and cubbyholes so does God reach the innermost crevices of our soul.  Throughout Scripture God is referred to as Light.  He is the one true Light.  Just like it's hard to keep out sunlight, it's hard/impossible to keep out the penetrating rays of God's light.  Sure we can try to keep Him out, but it's His very nature to filter straight through our protective barriers.  God is the ultimate Light searching deep into our souls.

The beauty comes when we recognize this and ask Him to reveal what He has found in our soul.  Psalm 139:23-24 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart.  Try me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  The beauty of this prayer is that it opens us up to what God finds when He searches us.  When you pray this be careful though!  It can get a bit uncomfortable.  He will find your anxious thoughts and impure motives.  He is undertaking some work on our soul.  At that point He begins the healing process.  Notice I said He begins it.  The work is His part not ours.  We have done our part by asking Him to "search" and "examine."  In essence it's a matter of being cooperative with Him.

Psalm 139:23-24 is such a powerful prayer if you truly mean it.  Will you pray it?  Will you allow Him access to search your soul?  It really is the only way to true and lasting peace.

GrantJ

Me+Me+Me = Dryness

Quick post here while I wait for the Mahi-Mahi- to get done on the grill :)

Spiritual dryness comes out of nowhere sometimes.  Lately I've been a bit dry.  Ya know, not wanting to read the Word, little prayer, just hum-drum spiritually.  I never see it coming on, but when it does. . .wham!  Anyway, I'm not 100% sure, but I think a significant part of it is selfishness.  Me + Me + Me = spiritual dryness.  By God's grace He will fill me up.  I know dryness is only for a season and the rain will come soon!  God is faithful.  In the meantime, I can't give up doing what I know to do.  -And a significant part of that is simply "being still and knowing that He is God" (Psalm 46:10).

GrantJ

Stamp Your Name

On my drive from Oklahoma City to Dallas today I made an observation.  I noticed the names of two unsightly adult video stores along I-35.  They are two different stores named by the owner's initials.  "Initials, Adult Video."  I found it quite interesting that the owner chose to use his initials and not his full name.  It's quite apparent that deep down he is ashamed of his business.  Why else would he chose initials instead of his full name?  Two different stores, both using initials to conceal their identity.  Contrarily, reputable businesses are more than eager to put their names on a solid product or service (insurance companies, car dealerships, mom & pops.)

As Christ followers we should stamp our name to all our work.  Literal or not, we should do our job (or business) with our name attached.  We need to get out of the practice of doing a job "good enough."  I'm not saying we need to be perfectionists, but we need to do our best.    We are ambassadors of the One who is worthy.

GrantJ

June 16, 2009

June 16th of this year.  Do you remember what you were doing?  I remember it well.  I was giving my resignation at the station.  Tough day?  Yes.  But man, oh man, how we lose perspective.

On June 16th, 2009, Ri Hyon Ok, a 33-year old Christian and mother of three was publicly executed in North Korea for giving away a Bible.

http://www.thebasicsite.org/the-toddcast/86-ri-hyon-ok-wife-mother-hero

Jim Elliot quotes

"Through Gates of Splendor" is the amazing story of Jim Elliot and Nate Saint's aviation ministry to the remote Auca Indian tribe of Ecuador.  The price of trying to reach these savages for the Gospel of Christ cost them their very lives.  It is an inspiring story.  -One that raises several questions of personal reflection.  It has left a profound impact on me.  It is a book of love.  It is the essence of the Gospel.

Here are some quotes from Jim Elliot in the book (which was written by his wife):

"A man is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose."

"When it comes time to die, make sure that all you have left to do is die."

"Wherever you are.  Be all there."

"Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."

Read these again.  Let them sink it.  

GrantJ