Sin and its detrimental effect

I went to "The Orchard" Evangelical Free Church up in Arlington Heights today.
Their pastor had this quote today as he taught from Mark 1:40-45.

"Leprosy does to the body what sin does to the soul. Leprosy causes loss of feeling and then loss of function on our body.Sin also causes loss of feeling and loss of function on our souls."

~Colin Smith

Impoverished Christian Walk

I was reading tonight in Chamber's "My Utmost for His Highest".
Today's section had this quote in it:

"The reason some of us are such poor specimens of Christianity is because we have no Almighty Christ. We have Christian attributes and experiences, but there is no abandonment to Jesus Christ."

120 hrs finished

Praise God for His great grace, His incredible goodness, His amazing love. I finished my five day fast on Friday night. It was interesting week altogether, some great highs and some lows. One thing for sure I really was relying on God to give me the energy for each day because by Tuesday I felt like I had zero.
I really missed the fellowship around meals. I even went twice to dinner just to talk. This of course was not easy because you are sitting around food but it was a good time of conversation.

Thank you to you who were praying for me this last week.

Fast 86 hrs

Praise God, last night after I got done studying. I was able to join the Student Missionary Fellowship group for a time of prayer and singing. Oh how it was a joy to be able to focus on Christ last night. It was such a God send; his timing is perfect. He knew that in the middle of this week what I needed was to be encouraged and challenged to gaze upon the greatness of King Jesus. "For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross. And you who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him." Col.1:19-22

Fasting 72hr mark

Well so far it has been an interesting experience. Have had hardly no hunger pains, even the first day. Have found that I lack energy, and I cannot believe how cold my hands are. There have been some difficult times of concentrating.
Tonight I felt a real need for community so I went down to the dinning hall and sat at my floors table. I can't say that it was difficult sitting and talking with everyone eating, but being honest I will have to say that I definitely had food going through my mind more than once.
I am missing being able to work out. Since I don't have enough energy to say go swim or run.

On the spiritual side of things. I am still focusing on those five areas, but I have also added to making a list of people that come to my mind while I am praying for other things. I was able from memory to record all 30 of the names of the guys on my floor in order of their room and roommate.

Additional Requests:
Seeking a more intimate community to engage in.
Deciding on a church.
Searching for a job in Chicago.
Relationships

I have had some great times in the word over the last few days. Reading in Exodus concerning Israel Egypt and the Plagues. Also have spent some great times in the Psalms. I went through Ps 119- oh how I long to have my view of God's Word be the same as the psalmist.

Fasting

This week I am going to be fasting. This is sure to be a very challenging thing but I hope that through it I will learn more about my Savior. I am committing to this after a challenging message was given during founders week here at moody. Mark Jobe spoke on having a holy hunger for God. I am seeking the heart of God this week in these areas:
More of a hunger for God and His Word and an increased devotion in prayer
God's provision for this summer trip to Japan
Praise and Thankfulness in remember all that He has done for me
A fuller awareness of who I am in Christ
For His wisdom and discernment

This is my outline for the week. Starting at sundown tonight I plan, Lord willing, to fast until Friday at sundown. This is a complete food fast, so I will only be consuming water and some juice if necessary. Please pray that I would remain strong and focused this week. Pray that Satan would not use this time to increase temptation in my life and pray that in these five areas I would grow in my understanding and the application of in my life.

Random quote

Think Theologically
Engage Globally
Live Biblically

I saw this today on an advertisement for Gordon Conwell Seminary.

It made me think how this is not just a call for our pastors and theologians.
This really is the Biblical call for all of us.

Excerpt from " For the Love of God"

This is an excerpt from Feb. 10th's reading from D.A. Carson's " The Love or God"

Written on Mark 13.
"Those who are impressed by mighty buildings and spectacular human accomplishments could profitably think through the account of the tower of Babel (Gen. 11). Doubtless there were some then who were impressed by the edifice. But God, looking at the human heart and the reasons for the building, saw it as one more evidence of insufferable hubris.
In much the same way, we too are called to understand and evaluate our culture from God’s perspective. Because human beings are made in the image of God, there is much that we can do that is worthy and admirable. Theologically speaking, this is the product of “common grace.”But it is possible to be far too impressed by wealth, power, architecture, fame, learning, physical prowess, and technology, with the result that we do not think through the moral and spiritual dimensions of the world around us. We may see the glory, and overlook the shame; we may detect human accomplishments, and neglect the undergirding idolatry; in short, we may be impressed by all that impresses God’s fallen image-bearers, but fail to assess these realities in the light of the cross and in the light of eternity. We would do far better to follow the examples of Jesus and Paul."

Bold emphasis is mine.

Lord give me eyes to see and a heart to feel the way you do. Amen

I know the plans I have for you

For I know the plans that I have for you
And you've got to trust me to see them through
All I ask is that you would keep seeking my heart
All I ask is that you would keep seeking my heart
You will find me, when you seek me with all your heart
You will find me, when you seek me with all your heart


This was a song that was written by a Moody student for Founders Week.
It is really catchy and it sticks in your mind. I love the fact that it reminds
me almost of a lulaby. I pray that in the future days when I am struggling with
remember God's providential plan, when it is hard to see the next step, I will be reminded of this song and it's truth will penetrate deep into my heart reminding me of the wonderful providential plan that God has for my life.
May I be found faithful in seeking after the heart of God.

Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer

We sang this song several times this last week during Founders Week.
The words rang out so powerfully that I could not help but be moved to tears.
Oh may this be song be true in my life,
" And at the end of my heart's testing
With Your likeness let me wake"








Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer (Keith Getty and Margaret Becker)

This song was written in 2001 with Margaret Becker, when she agreed to be part of my New Irish Hymns series. I had written a folk melody in the Irish-bluegrass style and had always wanted a hymn that speaks to the subject of suffering. So many of the greatest hymns were written through such experiences, and I felt it was important to make this a key part of our work. Rather than being clichéd or self–obsessed, I wanted to write with a Psalmist-like honesty that clings to the promises of Scripture, that Christ is with us, refining us through our troubles, promising heaven as a real hope to fix our eyes on. —Keith

Chorus:
May this journey bring a blessing
May I rise on wings of faith
And at the end of my heart's testing
With Your likeness let me wake

Verse 1:
Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labor thro' the storm
You have called me to this passage
And I'll follow tho' I'm worn

Verse 2:
Jesus guide me thro' the tempest
Keep my spirit staid and sure
When the midnight meets the morning
Let me love You even more

Verse 3:
Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go
And at the end of this long passage
Let me leave them at Your throne

Super Bowl

How come many of us this weekend have put more time into our plans for the Super Bowl than we did on attending the Lord's Day. I remember even as little as three years ago longing to watch the super bowl commercials. But God has been doing a work in my life and transforming the way that I think about media and my gluttonous consumption of it.

Lord please continue to work in my life and continue to transform my mind to see and think about the world the way God does.

My pastor pointed me to this helpful blog post by C J Mahaney.

Identity???

Who is ______________________? ( Fill in your name )

If you answered this question with your job title or your occupation or a list of possibilities then...

"If who you are is what you do; who will you be when you don’t do that anymore?"
This question was asked last night by Joe Stowell.

What should our answer be? We need to consider our identity as one who is a follower of Jesus. This identity then should drive every area of our life.

A man after God's own heart

This is the theme of Moody's Founders Week this year. What about a man makes him one who can be know as a man after God's own heart? Last night I had the privilege of hearing the President of Moody teach on this idea of what it looks like to be a man after God's own heart. His text was I Samuel chapter 13. His main point was that the distinguishing difference between Saul and David was obedience. He went on to say, "There is no gray area in life when it comes to holiness."
" It is to easy to get comfortable with partial obedience."
" God seeks those who seek His heart"

Whose heart are you seeking?

He also shared an illustration: a low wattage light built still looks very bright in a world which is getting darker and darker.

Think about that, even in the church we compare ourselves with one another and think that we are doing alright. My bulb is brighter than some or than those. But really if we compare our bulb and its brightness and intensity to Jesus we would find that our bulbs are like a nightlight compared to Jesus' spotlight.
How bright is your bulb shining?

A Man Seeking God's Heart

1> Obeys all of God's Word
2> Does not rationalize sin but repents