We are not meant to be seen as God's perfect, bright-shining examples, but to be seen as the everyday essence of ordinary life exhibiting the miracle of His grace. Drudgery is the test of genuine character. The greatest hindrance in our spiritual life is that we will only look for big things to do. Yet, "Jesus...took a towel and...began to wash the disciples' feet..." (John 13: 3-5).
-My Utmost for His Highest

This is part of a blog by David's friend Graeme that I wanted to...borrow.
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Monday, May 22, 2006

on being an ass

"I have just returned from a party of which I was the life and soul; wit poured from my lips, everyone laughed and admired me - but i went away...and I wanted to shoot myself." ~Soren Kierkegarrd "Journals"

"As often as I have been among men, I have returned home a lesser man." ~ St. Thomas A Kempis "Imitation of Christ"

In a sense it is amazing how the brain works inside a man to be able to be witty and quick - but in the grand scheme it is just a DISTRACTION from the GLORY of our Savior and God. We need to take this life more serious, not to get drunk in our humor or in our wealth or entertainment. Christ should CONSTANTLY be on our hearts and minds.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful in building up others according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen...Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, JUST AS in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4: 29/32

"Who has a fiercer struggle than he who strives to conquer himself?" Wisdom X, 12

Do we really regard the approval of men in such high regard? why?
"Oh how swiftly the glory of this world passes away!"

And from here we can go on to talk about the eternality of choice- and how we can either say and do things that have eternal value or are eternally worthless. We must come to the realization that everything is one of those options.
It puts our actions into a serious perspective.
~Gp
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I don't know how I can so easily forget day after day the importance of what I say. It's so easy, especially around friends, to speak of things that in no way build up others according to their needs and in no way bring glory to God. As one who believes that Jesus is who he is, I need to not so often talk about things that are so "eternally worthless".

I've had a very disburbed spirit for the past couple of days. I've needed time alone with God. He told me, "Be still, and know that I am God." Over and over and over again. A couple passages from Scripture have stuck out to me. One is Nehemiah 8:10 which tells me the joy of the Lord is my strength. Another is Hebrews 3:12-14 which says, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first."
God has shown me how much I need Him and I know He's there and I know He loves me and I know His joy is my strength.

I want to walk as a child of the Light
I want to follow Jesus
God set the stars to give light to the world
The Star of my life is Jesus.

In Him there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The lamb is the Light of the city of God
Shine in my heart Lord Jesus.

I want to see the Brightness of God
I want to look at Jesus
Clear Son of righteousness shine on my path
And show me the way to the Father.

In Him there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The lamb is the Light of the city of God
Shine in my heart Lord Jesus.

I'm looking for the coming of Christ
I want to be with Jesus
When we have run, with patience, the race
We shall know the joy of Jesus.

In Him there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The lamb is the Light of the city of God
Shine in my heart Lord Jesus!!