The Pen and the Sword

I felt strongly impressed of the Holy Spirit a few weeks ago that I really should get back to writing out my prayers.  It slows me down; it exposes how self-centered my prayers can be, and gives the Spirit room to direct my passions toward God’s glory and the Gospel’s advancement, instead of asking for small things and being satisfied playing with mud pies in a slum.

After some time writing this morning, I picked up the Sword to survey Christ’s utter holiness as communicated in Leviticus 1.  I haven’t felt God’s presence so deeply in weeks.  God is so patient with me when I am distracted by lesser things.

Chose This Day Who You Will Serve

You always hear in TV action dramas that if you are ever kidnapped you should talk about your family.  The purpose, as I understand it, is to “humanize” yourself in the eyes of your kidnapper.

I realized about a month ago the degree to which my wicked heart dehumanizes others in situations where I want to be served.  I was getting the oil in my car changed, and walked over to a neighboring KFC to get some lunch.  There was only one woman in line ahead of me, so I made certain assumptions about how long I would be waiting.

I wish I could say that my heart and mind were patient and selfless, but they weren’t.  The woman in line asked every detailed and irrelevant (to me) question about what came with what and how many sides does thus-and-such come with and can I substitute…..wa wa, wa wa wawa wa.

And then I assumed again!

I figured that I would be able to order as soon as the first customer was done yacking, but no.

After another couple of minutes dealing with things, the lady who works there (and is about 30 years my senior) came back to the register, smiled, and said, “I’m so sorry about the wait, hon!  What would you like?”

It felt like my own grandmother was behind the counter, peddling chicken and biscuits.  My attitude changed immediately; it was like she was a real person!  Not just someone to serve me.  My heart wanders so far from where it should be in Christ.

Jesus, please make me a humble servant of all.  Remind me that I’m not a deity; and that if I were, I would be a bad one.

I Babysat (And Lived to Tell the Tale)

Emily and I received the privilege of watching our good friends’ daughters for a few days recently.

While the girls were mostly a blast, we did encounter some attitude from one and a few def-con 4 poopy diapers from the other!  (I really don’t think a smelly diaper will intimidate me ever again.)  I used the word “privilege” earlier because, like most difficult things in life, they are for your own growth and your own good.

I came face to face many times that weekend with the incessant desire to have the world revolve around me.  As it turns out, children seem to revolve around themselves, as well.  (The physics behind all this must be mind-bending.)

Even though Emily and I don’t have children yet, we received this grace: a glimpse into a world where the family’s only hope is to revolve around the Savior.

Jesus, please continue to show me why You are the only one worthy of worship.