While reading John Piper's "Desiring God" last night (Ch. 3 on Worship), I came across this statement: The lowest stage of worship - where all genuine worship starts, and where it often returns for a dark season - is the barrenness of soul that scarcely feels any longing, and yet is still granted the grace of repentant sorrow for  having so little love...   I hate to admit it but that describes me in such vivid terms right now.  I feel that I am passing through that dark season (actually it feels like I have been for the past few years). 
Must admit though - today felt a fleeting spark as I worshiped with my family at BAFBC and reflected on Him.  Was pointed to Him - to "turn my eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face".  I know that barrenness is a season;  I also know that His time is not my time.  For reasons known only to Him (as Moses says - the secret things belong to God), He has caused me to linger here.  Debra and I talk all the time about what are we supposed to be learning.  Honestly, I don't know but I hope to be able to express more in the days ahead about what I believe He is teaching me. 

HE > me

A Fresh Look at Grace

Began reading tonight in Jerry Bridges' book "Growing Your Faith". Though mainly for new believers, it is also for those who find themselves (like me) maybe dry and in need of refreshing. In the first chapter, Bridges defines for us that grace is not us trying to earn God's favor or seeking His approval but rather, it is our recognition of what He has already done for us. He defines grace as "God's favor THROUGH Christ to people who deserve His disfavor." How quickly we forget that we are sinners who deserve His wrath. Somehow, we think we deserve His grace. This definition rightly reminds us this is wrong thinking. It is through (because of; on account of) Christ and His work on the cross. He became a "curse" for us (Gal. 3:13) He bore our curse and earned our blessing (p. 19) Or, as Paul said, "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." Or as Johnny Mac says, "He became like us so that we might become like Him." Grace is what He has done for us at the cross - period. It is this grace - helps us; strengthens us; builds up; saves us.
The key to understanding this is seeing it as two bookends: Bookend 1 - the righteousness of Christ. Our standing before God is not on what we have done but what He has and is doing in us. Bookend 2 - the power of Christ. Our power to live comes not thru our efforts but His work in us - His strength. He is our power source. What brings these together? Dependence - not on self but on Him and His work on my behalf that I accept by faith.
The question is: do I really want to grow spiritually? Though I say yes - I must know that God desires me to grow as well and my growth is not dependent on my effort alone but rather my submission to Him to let Him work in and through me.

Working on being Grace - full!!
coach4christ

Fanaticism

Let the arguing commence!! Should Oklahoma State jump Alabama and get a chance to play LSU in BCS National Championship? My answer - without hesitation - YES!! I know OSU lost to Iowa State but don't forget that earlier that day, the OSU family lost two coaches in a plane crash. I know that they will not use that as an excuse but there is no way that it did NOT effect them emotionally. And, it is hard to play your best when your emotions are out of whack. That's one reason. Second, Alabama had its chance and she fell short. Period - end of story.

But, in the grand scheme of things, it is amazing to me how much emotion the regular fan puts into the game. Favorite team loses and well, the refs were just horrible or the coach needs to be fired, or etc., etc. Why do they do this? PASSION! People get passionate about their teams. It drives them to make complete fools of themselves (i.e., painting their bodies/ screaming like crazy, etc.). They don't care what people think about them - they are a fan!!

Yet, when it comes to following Christ and telling others, we (and understand, I mean me more than anyone) clam up because we don't want to embarrass ourselves or be made to look foolish. What's the point? We go crazy for something that has no bearing on eternity but we act like its the end of world - and what truly matters doesn't move us at all!! Go Jesus??!! Just a thought!

The Greatness of Freedom

As we celebrate July 4 today and remember that our founding fathers literally put their lives at risk in the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we must also think about the freedom purchased for us at the Cross. Like the colonists, we were under an oppressive regime. The Captain of our salvation paid our penalty and set us free with His declaration - It is finished!! It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Free from sin; free from death. Praise Him for His work for us. We must never forget that though our salvation is free - it cost a great price. Oh, how we must not take that for granted; like we must not take our nation's freedom for granted. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!!