Monday, May 25, 2009

What I've been learning...

Why is there so little anxiety to get time to pray? It is the want of these solitary hours that not only injures our own growth in grace but makes us such unprofitable members of the church of Christ, and that renders our lives useless.

It is not in society - even Christian society - that the soul grows most rapidly and vigorously. In one single quiet hour of prayer it will often make more progress than in days of company with others. It is in the desert that dew falls freshest and the air is purest. So with the soul. It is when none but God is nigh; when His presence alone, like the desert air in which there is mingled no noxious breath of man, surrounds and pervades the soul; it is then that the eye gets the clearest, simplest view of eternal certainties; it is then that the soul gathers in wondrous refreshment and power and energy.

And so it is also in this way that we become truly useful to others. It is when coming out fresh from communication with God that we go forth to do His work successfully.

Horatius Bonar, Words to Winners of Souls

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

"Give Me Courage"

God loves me for me. What a concept? I can't believe I serve a good God who cherishes me in such a way to love me unconditionally. People talk about this concept all of the time, but once you experience it for yourself, there is no turning back.

As I have realized this, I see and feel God pushing me further. There are new endeavors coming my way that ignite in me excitement, but also fear. I have realized that I have been afraid to be myself the past few years, if not all my life. In the last few months God has shown me that I am not to fear man and that He has given me a mouth to speak and life to represent Him.

He has shown me the importance of being fully known by Him. So often as we follow Christ we are burdened by what we must do, but God loves us and wants to know us. As I experience Him, I am burdened to tell of His love.

As I began to realize these things about God and my identity in Him, I realized that I needed to pursue my dreams. Yes, my dreams might be unique and a little off the wall, but they are God given ones that I must run after. This blog is one small step in pursuing the passions He has given me. I know God has given me things to say, but I just need the courage to say them. Lord give me the courage.