Search me, O God, and know my heart today;

Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray;

See if there be some wicked way in me;

Cleanse me from ev'ry sin, and set me free.

I praise Thee Lord, for cleansing me from sin;

Fulfill Thy Word, and make me pure within;

Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame;

Grant my desire to magnify They name.

Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;

Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine;

Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;

I now surrender; Lord in me abide

O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee;

Send a revival, start the work in me;

Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need;

For blessing now, O Lord, I humbly plead.

--J. Edwin Orr

BECAUSE HE IS RISEN I live, I live, because he is risen

I live, I live, with power over sin

I live, I live, because he is risen I

live, I live, to worship him

Thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus!

Because you're alive,

because you're alive,

because you're alive, I live!

It's very exciting to sit back and watch God work. I wish that we'd just learn to relax and wait and to not get in His way. He is moving and it is awesome. When we get out of the way and finally say "yes", He works!

We had a wonderful ladies breakfast at church yesterday morning. We had several new ladies and we had a great lesson on God's hiding from us. We had wonderful discussion and the Holy Spirit led me to think of things I had not previously thought of. To top it off, the songs we sang at church this morning actually spoke to many of the things that were discussed. God was certainly driving home the message of His majesty and holiness.

I'm excited to see the new things He is going to do!!

Politics is still an interesting aspect of my life. I've learned that it can be very rewarding and at the same time, it can be extremely disheartening. When you maintain the status quo, it is somewhat discouraging, but when you step out ethically and take the high road, it can be a lot of fun. I must admit, though, that I'll be glad to not spend so much time on it and be able to focus more on church things. There is a lot of work to be done for the women of our church and I'm finally feeling focused.

A verse for today:

Isaiah 6:1b (NIV)
I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.

He is exalted! He is mighty! He is GOD!!

Pride...

Pride=
Title: Holman Bible Dictionary
Author:
PRIDE Undue confidence in and attention to one’s own skills, accomplishments, state, possessions, or position. Pride is easier to recognize than to define, easier to recognize in others than in oneself. Many biblical words describe this concept, each with its own emphasis. Some of the synonyms for pride include arrogance, presumption, conceit, self-satisfaction, boasting, and high-mindedness. It is the opposite of humility, the proper attitude one should have in relation to God. Pride is rebellion against God because it attributes to self the honor and glory due to God alone. Proud persons do not think it necessary to ask forgiveness because they do not admit their sinful condition. This attitude toward God finds expression in one’s attitude toward others, often causing people to have a low estimate of the ability and worth of others and therefore to treat them with either contempt or cruelty. Some have considered pride to be the root and essence of sin. Others consider it to be sin in its final form. In either case, it is a grievous sin.

Pride is a sin I've struggled with. I believe that if we were all honest, we would all have to confess to certain level of pride. It can be a real struggle for me, though. You see, my spiritual gifts are pastor/shepherd and exhortation. I see others sin, I want to point it out and encourage them to seek God's merciful forgiveness. I want to encourage them to seek God's best for their life, to live out their faith, to trust God's Word and take Him at His Word. But, I often question my motives. Is it for God's glory or my own? Most of the time, I believe that it is for God's glory, but sometimes I see that it is for my own. Lord, please forgive me. Help me to use my gifts for Your glory, not my own!

It's so easy to get caught up in our own agenda. To have all the answers to everyone's problems, to think we can fix everything. But, I don't think that we are supposed to fix everything. If we did, we'd get in God's way. He wouldn't be able to work in people's lives in a way that brings growth and maturity.

James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Trials are important in our lives. They are there for a purpose. They cause us to mature, they cause us to run to God, they cause us to discover what is important in our lives, they help us to see spiritually. Just as Jesus was led to the desert by the Holy Spirit to be tested by Satan, I believe that we are led into the desert to be tested. The desert is not always a bad place. Growth and maturity are often in the desert. The desert causes us to hunger and thirst. The only place to turn is to the ONE that can give us spiritual water and bread. Jesus!

He is doing amazing things in my life right now, granting me focus and purpose. I'm excited to see what He is going to do and I want to be a willing participant and servant--without pride.

Just making sure Picasa is really working! Liberty is enjoying a quick nap in a strange position!! I'll be back shortly to do a better update!