Posts tagged Me

Here’s the thing that I have realized about confession : it takes time to do it properly. God showed me today that just because I say “I’m sorry,” after I screw up I’m not necessarily out of the water. God’s standard is higher than that. Because at the heart of all my sins I am damaging my relationship with Him, I must spend the time necessary to rebuild.

Lately I have felt like I’ve hit a brick wall when it comes to trying to accomplish all the things that I know I need to be doing. So tonight I prayed a prayer of frustration and asked God what the problem was. He told me it was sin. So I said, “Holy Spirit, tell me what my sin is.” And, He did. He revealed to me a few things which I had been holding on to and so I confessed them. I felt an immediate difference and then divine reassurance that I was right where I needed to be. God promised success in the area of my struggle and even blessing.

I am thankful that Christ is still showing up and, like the woman at the well, telling us all the things that we have done wrong. It may seem counterintuitive to those who have never experienced it, but in that wonderfully paradoxical way that God works, it is the most freeing and wonderful place to be.

This past weekend has been a great time of relaxation and reflection. Looking back on 2010 offered me the opportunity to appreciate all the blessings God bestowed upon us.

1. I am thankful for the new opportunity to work with Christian Challenge and all the great people on staff in the metro area who are quickly becoming really good friends.
2. I am thankful for the chance to meet students and share my faith.
3. I am thankful for the chance to meet some amazing people and share the ministry with them.
4. I am thankful for the time with my wife which grew us closer this year than even before.
5. I am thankful for the young adult ministry (Chain Reaction) at Tempe Christian Church which has continued now for a full year.
6. I am thankful for relationships which a year ago I thought were over and are instead blossoming anew.
7. I am thankful for growth in my personal spiritual life and closeness to God.
8. I am thankful for the blessings of immediate and extended family.

Overall, 2010 has been a very rapid-paced year with much changing. My hope is that 2011 will be a year of stability and deep growth which will bear long-lasting spiritual fruit.

Jeff.