REFUSAL TO WORSHIP
A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word "darkness" on the walls of his cell. But God wills our good, and our good is to love Him (with that responsive love proper to creatures) and to love Him we must know Him: and if we know Him, we shall in fact fall on our faces.
—C. S. Lewis, THE PROBLEM OF PAIN, Chapter 3, "Divine Goodness," New York: Macmillan Company, 1948, p. 41. Modern edition—HarperSanFrancisco, 2001, ISBN 0060652969.
Recently I realized that my quiet times or devotionals have been lacking. I have not been intentional about cultivating my relationship with God. A friend of mine whom I used to mentor recently reminded me. It was a simple reminder but not all enlightenment has to be deep and mysterious. Sometimes the simpliest reminder can be the most profound, because of its simplicity. She said that looking at all her faults does not help her change her ways. It is studying the opposite or the character of God that changes who we are. A verse I learned as a child came to mind. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added until you." It is scary to say this but in my neglect to spend quality time with God through a consistant prayer life and bible study, I have "refused" to worship God. The outcome--it has only darkened my sight allowing me to decieve myself that God is not big enough, mighty enough because He has not allowed what I would have Him do in and through my life. Do not be deceived in believing that because you have been a christian most of your life that you are no longer suseptible to stumble and get side tracked from the path God would have you take. "His word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." It is my duty to maintain the oil in the lamp. The oil being Gods word. If it is not in me how am I too see the path? Thanks for the reminder Ash. I am humbled.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Thursday, September 01, 2005
To Have Such Surrender...
What'ere Thy providence denies
I calmly would resign
For Thou art just and good and wise
O bend my will to Thine!
What'ere Thy sacred will ordains
O give me strength to bear;
And let me know my Father reigns
And trust His tender care
If cares and sorrows me surround
Their power why should I fear?
My inward peace they cannot wound
If Thou, God, art near.
~ Anne Steele
I calmly would resign
For Thou art just and good and wise
O bend my will to Thine!
What'ere Thy sacred will ordains
O give me strength to bear;
And let me know my Father reigns
And trust His tender care
If cares and sorrows me surround
Their power why should I fear?
My inward peace they cannot wound
If Thou, God, art near.
~ Anne Steele
Monday, August 08, 2005
Change is in the Air...
I don't really know what to write. It has been some time since I have updated my blog. Summer is so full of activities and ministries. I don't know where one ends and the next begins. I can't wait till school starts...not for me...for my youth at church. They'll be so busy with homework, I'll finally have some time to breathe. Knowing me I'm sure I'll find something to take up that time.
I do have some wonderful news, I'll be visiting my folks at the end of this month. Everybody with be there. Christmas was the last time I saw everyone. I did talk to my neice Hannah last week. Mom and I tried to teach her to say Aunt Christa. All I could hear was "aaahh Tita". Close enough for me. This weekend my mother mentioned that there were some BSU ministry opportunities in Florida and then asked me if I had thought about moving closer to home. It was hard to answer her without tearing up. Although I love my family so very much, I feel that there is nothing for me there. I wish they would understand. They have been very supportive of me...the family is so spread out I guess they feel they are losing us. That will never happen. I keep trying to prioritize and consider why I am here. I have a great job, which given time will allow me in the near future to save and travel more. I don't know. The thought of possibily moving back to Florida has been on my mind, but everytime I think about it...I dread it. Sigh.
I do have some wonderful news, I'll be visiting my folks at the end of this month. Everybody with be there. Christmas was the last time I saw everyone. I did talk to my neice Hannah last week. Mom and I tried to teach her to say Aunt Christa. All I could hear was "aaahh Tita". Close enough for me. This weekend my mother mentioned that there were some BSU ministry opportunities in Florida and then asked me if I had thought about moving closer to home. It was hard to answer her without tearing up. Although I love my family so very much, I feel that there is nothing for me there. I wish they would understand. They have been very supportive of me...the family is so spread out I guess they feel they are losing us. That will never happen. I keep trying to prioritize and consider why I am here. I have a great job, which given time will allow me in the near future to save and travel more. I don't know. The thought of possibily moving back to Florida has been on my mind, but everytime I think about it...I dread it. Sigh.
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