Introspection

Introspection. A powerful ally or a daunting enemy. Choose introspection to narrow the wide gambit of areas for self-improvement. Focus on one or two key elements of your findings that you sincerely wish to change. This will transform your entire being a little at a time. It can become really easy to get overwhelmed trying to be a better person, a more solid person of God especially. It's so easy to put tons of pressure on yourself expecting instant change when all you think about is that "The Power of God" is at work and Salvation is instant, so therefore, you should be able to be revolutionized instantly! How misleading this train of thought is!
Looking throughout the Bible, you see many examples of people of God that God had to wait on to fulfill their destiny. This is because they needed to grow into what He envisioned for them. Moses had a great calling on his life. He also argued with God every step of the way as to why he couldn't do it. Jonah was a preacher and a prophet for God. His life was a wreck. If God is speaking through you, He clearly is at work in your life. I'm not saying that you should give yourself excuses to live a "Comfortable Walk" by only doing some of what you know you should do; I'm saying that it doesn't happen overnight (like salvation). The thing is, when that instantaneous transformation of God coming into your heart happens, that's "God's work on you". Changing into a powerful warrior of Christ is partially "Your work on you". Big difference.
So use introspection to mold yourself into a more complete Christian. Take full advantage of the ability to single things out that you want to attack or strengthen. God will provide ample opportunity to see what else needs to be changed when you finally run out of the obvious. Seek wisdom from Him and you will find it.

Good Times

What follows is an excerpt from the book "America is too young to die", by Leonard Ravenhill (author of Why Revival Tarries). It describes these present times, although it was written in 1979. What follows is all too common now, ten fold more than when written (and in just 28 short years!). Take a look around. There's something happening here.

"In this day of thin theology, gospel peddlers (I hardly dare call them
evangelists) have accented free grace until some such teaching has become a
disgrace.
Men will not always say in clear words what they imply in their
teaching. But the average evangelist, with his eyes on the crowd or on the offering, has a 'gospel' which, in Paul's words, is 'another gospel.'
It goes something like this:
You have done wrong (the ugly word 'sinned' is omitted), this will ruin
your life (not, 'sin will cast you into hell'); come and tell God you are
sorry (not, 'bring forth fruit therefore meet for repentance'). Now don't
sob like that (though God says 'a broken and a contrite heart'), the Lord
understands; now that you have prayed, all is well. Just think of it this
way; your name is now written in the Book of Life. You will have a mansion
over the hilltop, a crown and free ticket to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb
and will be a ruler over five cities.
This, if it were true, would classify for the title, 'The Great
Give-Away.'"

Pride

Pride. What do think of when you think of pride? We tend to think of pride as something that we should avoid. A sin that entangles. And it is. I was thinking about pride today, with its ensnaring characteristics, and wondering. If pride is so sly and so capable of sneaking up on us, then there must be other areas of sin where pride is the root cause; however hidden. For example, pride generally must be a ruling element in order for one to take offense. There must be something to offend, and pride is usually it. Without pride, you often wouldn't get offended when "You had every right to".
It's pride that keeps us from being healthier, happier Christians, we all know that. But in subtle ways it works that truth. We fake stuff for the sake of pride, especially around other Christians, like it was a competition! At church when someone asks how we're doing, pride helps us grin like a used car salesman and say, "Blessed and highly favored", but without living it, without even believing it. We can be struggling inside, only to keep up an illusion meant to show everyone that we're still doing okay. Like it's weak of us to need help. At church of all places! (Stupendous is the sin that can cause you to not seek support at church!!) Really though, it just keeps up walls. Walls that we trap ourselves behind and that are difficult to see over, let alone to break down. Because the longer you keep up an illusion, the harder it is to be open, to be real again.
Pride is the invisible dominator. It's power is strengthened the longer it is allowed to take hold on us. We all know of obvious examples of pride, but it likes us to only focus on those factors, ignoring the sick damage it can cause over time when hidden as a fuel for other sins. A gateway to loneliness, it divides and conquers more than other sin. Its specialty is separation, not just from God, but fellow man. Let's raise our guard, absolutely abhor pride, and make it weak. This will create synergy amongst us. You can't put a price on the benefits of that.

Starting Point

I've had a Spiritual Awakening really recently. I'm sure people have them all the time; of one kind or another. It doesn't really matter, it only matters that I feel it is critical to write some things down consistently, at least for the time being. Going into this, I don't know who this is for (possibly just me) or even why it is so important. I do know that this is something I must be devoted to. I will not stop. I will not hold back.
To some of you who know me, you very well may think that you know me (that's funny sounding). You may have opinions of my faults, my weaknesses, my isms. The fact is, If you met me during or after 2002, you don't know me. I haven't known me since then.
I'm not sure even now how to begin this journey, and I don't expect everyone to read it all everytime I post something. It's okay. I'll still do it even if I am the only one who sees it. I don't even know how or when this will end, but it needs to be done. And it needs to not stop. I think that I want people to take it in, and do whatever they need to with it. I think.
None of what I've just said really matters, but this one thing does; When you allow God to demolish strongholds that have defined your life and your very self, all that is left is clay that He can use. I am that clay. All the bitterness, rage, hatred, pride, deception and chaos are gone from me. All that is left now is a willing vessel that God can use, that He can shape to His concept, His vision, His Likeness.

Today I wanted to talk about church. I wanted to talk about what church is to you, what it is to me, and what it should be for everyone. I wanted to talk about people who become complacent. I have many things inside that I must say; they need to come out. I am not capable of holding it in. I am not capable of holding it in! But restraint will be shown, if anything, for the purpose of too much meat not being as effective as it could be. Its effectiveness is nullified a bit in too large a dose. People need time to reflect on whatever they digest if they are to get the most capacity. So that is all I'm going to write today. Well, besides this: Take yourself out of the equation, and be shocked by what God can do.