post = new

I'm working on a new post.  It's an open letter to my home church and her sister churches.  I actually wrote it a while back and just recently found it again.  Since I wrote it with scripture in mind, I am now typing it up as a blog post and linking in a verse to each phrase; as appropriate.  Since there will be so many links [twenty-two so far and I'm only a third of the way done] I'm going to be using link titles [like this: Nifflas Games], that way you can know which verse I'm referencing before you click the link.  I encourage people to read the verses in multiple versions, though I personally prefer the NIV and NKJV.  Hopefully I will finish the letter later today, though no guarentees.

In other news; spring break was awesome.  I went to Disneyland [happiest place on Earth...I still reserve judgment on that assertion], raced go-karts at Boomers [very fun], hiked Bishop's peak, went to the drive-in movie theater [we saw Monsters vs Aliens and Race to Witch Mountain...the first was funny, the second was alright] and spent a day in Monterey at the aquarium.  Overall a great week.  Plus I caught up on sleep and got to enjoy much good fellowship [and BBQs!].  Praise God.  Done.

*Jaiqu

Ebenezer = help

Before Ebenezer was a character in the play 'A Christmas Carol', before 'hum-bug' or the muppets, Ebenezer was the name of a rock.  Ebenezer literally translates 'Stone of Help.'  It's found in 1 Samuel 7.

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far the LORD has helped us.' " - 1 Samuel 7:12

This is the same passage refered to in that famous hymn 'Come Thou Fount' when it sings "Here I raise my Ebenezer / Here by Thy great help I’ve come."

So here I raise my Ebenezer.  YHWH has helped me thus far.  He has carried me through this quarter and has each day provided for my daily needs.

Praise God.  Done.

*Jaiqu

correction = good

"Do not grow weary in doing good" (2 Thessalonians 3:13).  I so easily grow weary.  Again; "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows.  The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Galatians 6:7-10).

Today, on my way to hang out with a friend who has been sick all week, I passed through farmer's market.  At the end of the street was a hungry beggar (or so I deduced from the words on his sign).  I had half a pulled pork sandwich, fresh from Firestone's, in my backpack.  I could have given the man my sandwich and shared the gospel with him.  He might be my brother in Christ, but I won't know because I passed him by...I somehow thought that my friend could not wait an extra fifteen minutes.  How much more valuable is the gospel than fifteen minutes more with a friend?  I was so blasphemous as to think that I was doing good in entertaining my friend when my real purpose here is not to please men but God.  How is it that I had grown so weary of doing good that it was an annoyance for me to take the time to share the gospel?  The gospel is the good news of repentence unto the forgiveness of sins.   If I have been saved through hearing the gospel, how is it that I am hesitant to speak the gospel?  I have not yet understood the gospel aright.  For if I understood the gospel correctly, I would want nothing but to freely share it with all who would hear.  I would shout it out and not hold it back.

But instead of reaping blessing I reap bitterness and anger.  I grow callous and hard-hearted.  I spite and complain.  This is not my desire but the product of my wandering focus, my wayward heart.  So I, again, must get down on my knees and pray;

"Father God,

Forgive me for being self-centered.  Forgive me for being inward and outward focused instead of being upward focused.  Forgive me for my pride, my anger, my spite and my waywardness.

I praise you that you love me despite my inability to stay focused on you.  Thank you for rescuing me from the power of sin.  Thank you for salvation.  Thank you for constantly providing for me; physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

Circumcise my heart.  Cleanse my heart from any evil desire and plant right desires within me.  Cause me to stay focused on you.  Do not let me forget your lovingkindness.  For you are God.

Grant me wisdom and discernment; teach me to love rightly, that I might please you.

Your glory shines forever.  Blessed is your name in all the earth.

I pray this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen."

Done.

*Jaiqu

alive = still

I am still alive...barely.  I would write a blog about the effects of sleep deprivation on the body...but I'm too sleep deprived to think.  I guess that's one effect.  The quarter is almost over.  Just eight more days then I'm done [hopefully].  Everyone please pray that I survive through this week.  God is so good.  It's only because of Him that I have made it this far.  I can't wait for Hume Lake next weekend and spring break two weeks from now.  Oh, and Portland a couple weeks after that! And Felipe's wedding the weekend before that.  Wow I have a lot of cool stuff coming up...I just need to survive five more days to get to the first of it.  Praise God.  Done.

*Jaiqu