MEDITATING ON MY FAILURES( and yours)

Yesterday, while mowing a huge yard, I thought I would use the time of riding the mower to let my heart commune with God. I'll admit that I felt pretty good about my willingness to pray and meditate even while working.

As I began to fellowship with the Lord, I praised Him for His majesty and glory. I thanked Him for His grace toward me and His mercy on me (Oh! How I lean on His mercy). Then, as usual, I began to confess my failures and lament my shortcomings as a child of God and as a preacher of the gospel

Oddly enough, even as I was confessing these things, I was feeling pretty good about myself as I said " I wish I were more spiritual." "I wish I walked closer to you." I wish I had gone further and worked harder in the study of Your Word."

Then, in a flash, this thought came to my mind:" You might not be as spiritual as you wish you were , but you are as spiritual as you want to be." Ouch!

Friends, it appears that I had been neglecting to truly repent of failure in the sanctification process of my spiritual life by comforting myself with the thought that I wish I were better than I am. Jeremiah nailed it when he said:"The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked:..." (Jer.17:9) All this time, I thought I was a pretty sincere fellow. I thought I was really pleasing God by confessing what I wish I were.

The fact is, folks, we mostly are what we want to be. We pray as much and as sincerely as we want to. We display Christ in our lives as much as we really want to. We dig into God's word as much as we really want to. We walk as closely with Him as we really want to.

To say I wish to be what I am unwilling to pay the cost to be, reveals the deep seated depravity and hypocrisy of my heart.

READ THIS POST! NOW!

Pastor Steve Weaver's Blog: God's Greatest Problem (1 John 1:5-2:2)

THIS HAS GOTTA BE THE PROBLEM

I think I have figured out why the multitudes are not flocking to hear me preach. The image at the top is an example of what is in my head while I'm trying to prepare my sermon. The bottom is the result when I get to the pulpit.

This has been a difficult confession, but healing can't start until the disease has been identified.

OLD CHEVY QUIZ

For some reason, I can't seem to make these photos appear in the right order. Nevertheless, I'd like to see who can identify the correct year and body style of these 5 old Chevys. Aside from the model year and cosmetics, there is one major difference in the body style of these cars. What is it?

If you guess right, you won't win anything. However, at least we will know that you have not completely wasted your life.

BE STILL, MY HEART!

Some preachers have trouble with lust in a variety of areas. Mine happens to be in the area of old Chevys. I try not to look, but then I look. I try not to touch, but then I touch. I say that I'll never do it again, but I do. I have sought deliverance, and finally, it seems that the Lord has heard my anguished cry. I'm broke. Now if I could just do something about these tormenting automotive dreams.