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OceanFront Writings Archive: This is a collection of my 
writings - unedited selections from my prayers and thoughts
about Scripture. Let me know if you would like to see more.

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Spring Quarter, 2002

The Greek word for inheritance in Colossians 1:12 is kleerou, which means something like a portion. The root of this word is klao, which means to break, and is normally used in reference to the breaking of bread.  So it's the whole idea of breaking bread at the dinner table, when a piece of bread was passed out to each person (each member of the family or fellowship).  Jesus claimed to be the bread of life, broke bread with the disciples and said, ‘This is my body, broken for you’, and then His body was broken.  What then is the inheritance of the saints?  Is it not Christ Himself?  'He has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light'.  We are now in this kingdom of light, for He has transferred us into this kingdom from the domain of darkness; we have new citizenship in this new kingdom.  I don't know whether the inheritance is a future one, for which we are to wait patiently and with endurance as we are strengthened with His strength (v. 11) - or if it is an inheritance that we have already received (or can receive).  In that case He has indeed given Himself to us, as the bread that was broken for us, and that is our inheritance.  Even now, He has given Himself to dwell within us, and in Christ 'are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.'  The same power that conquered the grave and raised Jesus back to life is now at work within us - giving us new spiritual life, raising us from the dead.  Lord, it's almost too good to be true, but Your word says that such power, strength, wisdom and knowledge are offered in Christ to dwell within us.  In You is all knowledge; furthur, in You is understanding, and the strength that we may live lives worthy of the Lord and may please You in every way, being strengthed according to Your glorious might.  I praise You, Lord, for Your word, and for Your strength which is at work in me - for the Son which dwells in me and the Spirit that indwells.  Oh God of all greatness and power, You offer Yourself as the inheritance of those who would lay down their arms and surrender to You - all glory to You!  To You alone be all praise and glory, power and majesty, honor and strength.  

“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness…”.  The word for dominion is exousias, which can also be translated ‘power’; but it specifically refers to jurisdiction or ‘delegated influence’.  Isn’t it great that the power of darkness (Satan’s power) is but delegated authority, when Christ offers His own strength for us?  He doesn’t just say, ‘Here is some authority – go use it well’.  It is His power being exerted in us, by Him, not by us.

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Let Us Listen
Spring Quarter, 2002

C
Let us listen
Am
Let us listen
Fmaj7
Let us hear Your words oh Lord
G6
And walk in Your truth

So Lord, cleanse me
Cleanse me
Renew me by Your Spirit

We once were foolish
We once were ashamed
We once walked in the darkness
Now we sing in Your light

You have cleansed us
Cleansed us
Renewed us by Your Spirit
Again and again

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Spring Quarter, 2002

Just when I thought it could not get any better
You just pour the glory forth
Streaming through the air
Screaming with wonder of its Maker


I should act based on the interests of Amy rather than my selfish desires.
Lord, make those one and the same.

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Spring Quarter, 2002

Lord, I will wait
But strengthen me as I do
Draw me, remind me
To wait on my knees

Cause me to seek You boldly and with passion
Call me with Your irresistible voice
Let me make You my daily choice

Lord, let her be a vessel of Your love
Unendingly
Lord, let me be a vessel of Your love
Without fail


Lord, thanks for meeting me tonight
You never fail
Thanks for this time to worship, to sing, to write
To love

However You have gifted me, Lord
May I use it for Your glory
By Your strength within me

It's not that I'm better with You, Lord
It's that I'm alive with You
You are alive in me

I've been transferred
from the kingdom of darkness
into the kingdom of light
been made new
the old things have passed away
You are the new thing, Jesus

I am now called a child of God
Forgiven, righteous, loved

I’m glad that I’m not expected to ever repay
What You’ve done for me
So I will simply lay myself before You
For all eternity

I will play for You, I will sing for my King
You alone shall I praise
Instill within me the ability to play well
To use my voice and my hands as instruments of righteousness

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Winter Quarter, 2002

What is the wisdom that I can take
To the next stages of my life?
What priceless pearls have I gleaned
That I can recall to mind?

The Lord is my Shepherd
All that is really meaningful is found in Him
Trusting in anything else will only lead to problems ultimately
(i.e. myself, my pride, talents, dreams and abilities, money, or other blessings)

Take it from me – one who has walked the wrong road more than once – who has taken pride in blessings, longed for more when perfection and all I could ever want is continually right before my very face to be taken hold of (in Christ).

I don’t want to be spiritual or good so that I can come off as being better than someone else; I want to be spiritual (and holy) so that I can lay a hold of Christ Himself.  For I have glimpsed His glory and His beauty – and though I have turned to other things for joy, what I have seen compels me on towards Him – it is indeed His love that makes me sing.

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Help Me To Stand
Winter Quarter, 2002

D                      Gmaj7
I guess I have nothing to be sad about, Lord
D                                      Gmaj7
Nothing my mind hasn’t convinced me was best
D                        Gmaj7
A hundred times

Oh Lord, I am like the tumbleweed
Blown to and fro by even small breezes
Like a wave of the sea

Chorus:
       D/F#                    G
Help me to stand in You my Lord
       D/F#                 G
My refuge through every storm
               D/F#                G                A7sus4   A7
Through every twist and every turn of life
D/F#                            G
Be my strength, Lord, be my Rock
           D/F#                     G
That stands secure and that stands firm
       D/F#                     G                A7sus4   A7
Help me find my foundation in Your love

                     G                        D
And then to love, to love likewise
                     G                                      D
With the strength and wisdom You provide

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Winter Quarter, 2002

Here I am
Waiting on my knees
If I must be patient
Then I will wait on my knees

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Winter Quarter, 2002

You Alone
Jude Doxology
Heart of Worship
My God, my Savior


You have taught me so much, Lord.

I have thought things were right that turned out to be wrong; but some things I still know for certain.  Lord, all praise to You, the author of truth itself; praise to You for pouring out Yourself that I could see and know You.



Can people really believe that acceptance is the only thing of value?  Can they really be so immersed in postmodern thought that any absolute truth claim is offensive? Or perhaps there’s an issue in the heart that, for whatever earthly reason, takes offense to Christian claims of truth.  Surely they don’t believe that we are wrong for claiming absolute values. Aside from the basic contradiction that is innate with this absolute claim of relativism, all logic, I believe, points us away form this.  Yes, in one sense, people’s judgmental values have caused wars and sufferings.  But are these wars really caused by belief in absolute morals, or just a symptom of some other fault within mankind?  If Jonathon has indeed found the truth, found peace and love, in a personal relationship with God, then wouldn’t it be cruel for him not to want to share that?  If I live in a race of nomads that wander in the desert and are longing for water, can you really blame someone for wanting to bring his friends and family when he finds an oasis, with enough water for all?  Perhaps, indeed, many people around the world don’t care about the salvation that Jonathon, and Christ, talked about.  But if so, this is a grief greater than that caused by any war, for if the desire for truth, for peace, is really dead, then that it a horrible sign.  I know that many people do desire truth, and that many people long for peace – not just momentary satisfaction or empty substitutes, but real satisfaction and real peace that soothes the soul.  I believe that the only thing that can fulfill this basic human desire is the Creator of our hearts, who can bring lasting and enduring peace.  Upon finding Him, we will then be able to say, ‘Yes, this is what I desired all along!’  Whether or not others choose to accept this doesn’t affect its truth; while I do want them to find this peace that surpasses all understanding, it’s a choice that we each individually must make: to receive this offer from a graceful God, or to reject Him.  “There are only two kinds of people in the end – those who say to God ‘Thy will be done’, and those to whom God says ‘thy will be done’.”

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Winter Quarter, 2002

Oh Lord, Your grace is amazing, Your love unchanging; it has awed me once again.  I stand amazed that I stand at all, amazed that I stand wrapped in Your love, prodded on by Your Spirit.  You haven’t given up on me; You’ve revealed Your truth to me.  Shimmering glimpses of light refract off of the waves, as the serene night scene wraps itself around me.  A world of potential unveils beauty that makes me wonder why I don’t see it more often.  The window of beauty has been opened; perhaps it’s the veil upon my heart that has been lifted, blown up by the wind of Your Holy Spirit.  You have blessed me with fellowship and plenty of opportunities to hang out with people.  As I’ve led worship I’ve begun to feel less ineffective; actually I know that You will use me the rest of my days.  I don’t want to misuse the gifts and the grace You’ve given me; by Your strength, Lord, help me to use it all for You.  Inspire me again to write songs, to sing truly the praise You stir in my heart.  I have had several song fragments that You’ve blessed me with lately, but I don’t think I’ll be able to remember them. Perhaps they were but momentary blessings that should not be clung to.  Lord, if You will, bless me with a song that will endure and that will help others to truly worship You. I am willing and longing to be the pen, the voice, the hands, that You speak through.

Lord, work in Sarah’s heart; help her to rest in Your love, in Your goodness, in Your grace.  Let nothing - no fear, concern, sadness, or sin - come between her and You.  Overwhelm her heart with Your Spirit; comfort her with Your love.  Lord, as You smile upon her, bring her Your blessings, even if it be through trials.

I want to depend on You through all trials and situations.  Actually, the hardest thing for me has been depending on You through the easy times, for complacency and laziness has pulled me from You more than pain or other trials have.  It seems that pain and trials have caused me to cling to You, to trust more in You, to be reminded of Your call in my life and my desire to live accordingly, whereas complacency has allowed me to drift from You in subtle ways rather than obvious.  But Lord, You have kept me close to You, and You have brought me back.  Let me love with Your love, and reach out with Your strength to all You put in my path.  Let me truly be a light for You, forsaking all that I have to follow You with my whole heart.  

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Winter Quarter, 2002

Mysterious
Deep, unknown, reaching far and wide
The deep hue of the ocean tonight
Hints of historical battles
Of adventures come and gone
Hints of heroic possibilities
Of dreams risen and fallen
And risen again

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Winter Quarter, 2002

Oh Lord,
My God and my King
My Savior, my delight
You have brought me back again

You have captured my heart again
Stormed me with Your love
Overwhelmed my foolish wayward desires
Drawn me to rest in You

Whom have I besides You, Lord
A lover, strength in weakness
A protector, shelter through the storms
Whom have I but You?

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Winter Quarter, 2002

Lord, what beauty.  Thanks, Lord, for bringing me back to where I can see and enjoy the wonders of Your creation.  Bring me now to where I can enjoy the wonders of Your presence and Your word as well; I seem to have gone away from that.  Lord, being wrapped in your love, following Your Spirit, hearing Your voice – what is better than these things?  Nothing.  I believe that these things are what is truly worthwhile in this life; what I’ve tasted of them confirms this.  For Your word has delighted me, it has made me aware of sins, it has steered me to a more holy walk with You.  Your word has shown me truth and clarified my thinking; it has delighted my mind, and Your presence, Lord, has delighted my soul.  You’ve blessed me with times of worship, where my emotions are crying out through song and through music.  You’ve blessed me with times of prayer, of resting in You, finding comfort in the shadow of Your wings, letting Your heart infiltrate mine and letting my desires become as Yours.  You have revealed parts of Your will to me, You have used me to speak to others, You have taught me intellectually and experientially of Your Spirit dwelling within me and how I am to live according to it.  Lord, I know these things are true, and for them I give You thanks and praise.  But what are You trying to teach me now?  Are you trying to whisper something to me, or are You simply whispering my name?  Here I am, Lord, again at Your feet.  Speak, and open Your servant’s ears, that I may hear and obey.

How green the ocean waters seem at this sunset hour.  How delightful the seal which frolics among the rocks.  How comforting the crash of the waves.  How stimulating to the senses the smell of the salt air, the occasional cries of seagulls, the ocean breeze which wafts in through my window.  The world all seems very tame right now – the very ocean seems displayed for our enjoyment.




Cmaj7
I see Your glory
D6sus4                           Em
Proclaimed in creation
I see Your glory
Proclaimed in redemption

You bore our sin
When you died upon the cross
Your mercy is made known
And Righteousness upheld

Em
For Holy is the Lord
Cmaj7    D6sus4
Holy is the Lamb of God

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Winter Quarter, 2002

Perhaps the test of religious experience is told over time – if your life reflects the experience.  If an experience is a genuine encounter with God, and if you regularly hear from God, then this will surely be reflected by a changed life, a life that over the passage of time, stands the test of time (“bearing fruit in every good work…”).

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Winter Quarter, 2002

Colossian 1:15-20

Who Jesus is:

  • the image of the invisible God
  • the firstborn over all creation
  • before all things
  • the head of the body (the church)
  • the beginning
  • the firstborn from among the dead
  • supreme in all things

What Jesus has done (and does):
  • created all things
  • holds all things together
  • rose from the dead
  • shed His blood on the cross
  • reconciled all things to God, making peace


Colossians 1:3-14

Paul’s prayer for them:
  • thankful (1:3)
    • because he’s heard of their faith and love (1:4)
  • that they may be filled with the knowledge of His will (1:9)  =>
  • that they may live a life worthy of the Lord, please Him in every way
    • bearing fruit in every good work
    • growing in the knowledge of God
    • being strengthened with all power (according to His might)
      • so they may have great endurance and patience
    • joyfully giving thanks to God the Father through Him
  • be encouraged in heart (2:2)
  • be united in love
    • so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding
      • in order that they may know the mystery of God (Christ)
    • so that they may not be deceived by fine-sounding arguments (2:4)


a theme
1:11 - being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might…
1:27 - … the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory
1:29 - to this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me
2:7 – rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught …
2:10 – and you have been given fullness in Christ …
3:10 – and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator

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Winter Quarter, 2002

Elijah prayed that there would be no rain – and there was no rain for several years.  James says that we ought to pray like Elijah and have a similar faith in prayer.  Elijah’s prayer was simply God’s work, His discipline upon Israel for turning away from His commands.  Ahab had brought the worship of Baal, a god of fertility, into Israel; God’s discipline was exercised through taking away the fertility of the land, that they may see that however hard they pray to Baal, he will not be able to provide.  So if we are to pray like Elijah, what we pray for must not be simply things we desire, but rather what God desires to do.  What we pray for must be determined by what God tells us to pray for (as the Spirit intercedes) and by what God desires, not just by what we desire.  I believe it is true that God will change our desires, and give us desires so that we can pursue Him and have our desires satisfied at the same time.  But this means that we must also take time to listen, that we must be willing to set aside our desires, that we must spend time soaking ourselves in His word and in prayer, that our thoughts, mindset and desires may be more like His thoughts, mindset and desires.  Lord, reveal to me what to pray for, what Your work through me will involve, that I may pray with faith, knowing that I will have what I desire, as my desires are transformed and be made anew by You.

Elijah also was fed by You throughout the drought by ravens and a brook which God revealed to him.  The all-Sustaining Provider provided for all his needs in the meanwhile, as his ministry was being prepared.  Lord, I know that You will likewise provide for all my needs.  Lord, let me respond faithfully to You, obeying Your commands and heeding Your call, not turning away to the right nor to the left, finding my strength in You.

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Winter Quarter, 2002

Lord, help me to be able to crystallize emotions into words, to formulate passion in such a manner as to inspire more passion and capture at least a small piece of the awesome reality of life – of life spent with You, overwhelmed by Your love, captivated by Your beauty, in awe of Your grace.  



I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun
has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it
I see everything else.
--C.S. Lewis


There’s nothing better, Lord, than to sing Your praise
Nothing else could fill my soul

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Winter Quarter, 2002

Lord, You don’t want me just to do things for you – what You really want is me.  You desire to be with me, for me to spend time with You and to find my rest in You.  You long for me to truly find peace in You.  What a wonder that You, the holy God, want this of me.  Perhaps  I could not do any ‘ministry’ for the rest of my life (in terms of the standard things I think of as ministry) but I could sit with You at Your feet  and be pleasing to You.  What You want is not just acts of service, someone who spouts truths and who stumbles through a few songs.  If You just wanted good music You would not call me to be a worship leader and singer; if You just wanted a preacher You would not call me to preach, or teach; if You just wanted a servant You would not call someone as prideful and stubborn as me to do so.  Lord, But You’re calling me to Yourself, to spend time with You, to rest in You.  Help me to do so, Lord, and to keep in mind that it’s not about doing ministry things.  Perhaps I could even be the most effective by just living out Your gospel and letting You dwell within me, leading and refining me, strengthening, encouraging, disciplining me as I find my rest in You.  Surely this should be my focus, and not ‘doing things’, even things done for You  or in Your name or with good intentions.  I think I have felt ineffective partially because of this – for I have not spent much time sitting at Your feet.  I began to do so last quarter; I prayed that You might, in Your grace, fill me with the passion to dig into and study Your word, and You answered by giving me that passion and desire.  Unfortunately, I let the passion dwindle; first by the subtle time-sucking and mind-numbing drab of playing games for hours on end, then sins that distracted my mind from You.  Lord, I know You’re calling me to Your feet and to my knees.  So come and meet me here, Father.  I’m sorry, Lord, that I strayed and stayed away from You.

Your grace has washed me – Your blood has purified me.  I could never stand before You on my own – but You have cleansed me, and given me a righteousness apart from myself, that is of You, Jesus, the lamb that was slain, pure and without blemish.  What a wonder that I’ve been cleansed, truly cleansed, and set apart for good works, for dwelling in Your presence, oh Lord, for preparing my heart as a dwelling place for You.  Lord, whatever within me is impure, lacking, and not of You, purify and fill with what is of You, Your Holy Spirit.  Lord, break down whatever walls that keep me from calling out to You wholeheartedly, anything that I hold back from You, and anything that holds me back from embracing Your forgiveness, healing, and cleansing, that prevents me from living the life of the Spirit.  Spirit, come and fill me in power; I don’t ask for anything except Your presence dwelling within me – in this child of God who has been made holy through the blood of Christ.  No righteousness is of me; this is so that I may rejoice in the fact that I’m incapable of doing any good on my own and that I may depend on Your grace, on Your strength daily working within me, constantly healing, refining, and guiding me.  My salvation is not of me; it is of You, Lord.  To You, Father, be the glory!  To You, Jesus, be all praise; to You, Spirit, be all honor.  You alone, Lord, are worthy – You alone will receive glory forever and ever, as saints, angels and all creation will join together in bringing You glory.  If I say that You are full of Yourself and seek Your own glory, it is because nothing else is worthy; all creation will join with You in singing Your praise.


Through listening to some tapes about worship I have been cut to the heart; I have been brought to a place of tears and repentance, on my knees before You in adoration of Your holiness, of Your worthiness.  Lord, continue to teach me, refining me that I may truly be an example of You, that I may point others to a life that is purely and passionately focused upon You, the author and finisher of our faith, the only One worthy of worship, the One who died for us to reconcile us to Himself, the One who lives within us and is sanctifying us so that we may join with all creation in proclaiming His greatness forever and ever.

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Winter Quarter, 2002

Life a canvas upon which dreams are painted, memories made
I see what could be, what is, and what I dream will be

Somewhere amidst the beauty
Is a hint of a future
A promise of life to come

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Winter Quarter, 2002

Glory calls out to me from the skies
Yes, all around me glory calls out
That I may see and know that He is God
That I may taste and know His goodness

Beauty is proclaimed so boldly
The Maker of the skies created such wondrous sights
That delights my eyes
Acts as a balm to my soul

Lord, as I sit and bask in Your beauty
May I bask in Your presence, too
May I sit with You
May my spirit within me cry out with all creation
To bring You praise, to proclaim Your glory

Oh, to look upon such wondrous sights
Made by the hand of our King
Oh, to dwell in beauty Himself
In love that gives my heart reason to sing
Sing a song that wells up within me
And that I cannot contain

Glory calls out in the ocean’s roar
In the wonders of the sea stirring before me
Yea, all around me I see Your glory

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Winter Quarter, 2002

Lord, let Your grace wash over me anew
Let Your love flood my heart
like the winter rains flood the swollen streams

You are beautiful, You are ever faithful
Let Your strength bring me to my knees
And then to stand in Your love

This body of flesh so weak
Come and fill me up with Your might
Let me rejoice at not only Your mercy
But also Your love shown through me
Your strength that has helped me stand

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Winter Quarter, 2002

To be faithful to what You’ve called me to will involve confessing sins to others, being open and vulnerable so that I may live a life of integrity, where my inner life is reflected in the outer.  It is then that I am walking in the light, able to receive His full healing, and humbled by my own sinful state.  It is then that others can be encouraged in the areas they struggle in, that they may give everything over to the Lord and likewise live an integrated life.  It is then that God gets the glory for being a God of grace, who delights to take someone so pitiful as me and to transform me into a vessel of His love, pure and holy, without blemish and free from accusation.

Lord, to You be the glory
Through my own weakness shines Your strength
Without You I would remain as I am
You love me as I am, but too much to leave me that way.

Lord, to You be the glory
For all that I do that is pure
And for all the forgiveness I’ve necessitated

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Winter Quarter, 2002

Blue skies brighten the day
Sunshine dries up the rain

Temptation is not gone
But neither is the strength from above
(Now the strength from within)

Lord, shine upon me with Your wonderful countenance
Be a light which guides me steps and encourages me on
Be the sun which enriches my skin and brings a smile to my face

It is good to walk with You, to be obedient to You
He who follows You uprightly will never be let down
He who falls with You within
Will have the strength to get up again

This has been true in my life – when it’s seemed like I could not rise again
I could not carry on, in my weakness
Then Your strength was shown strong

I praise You, my Lord, for Your unending love
Which is new every morning
I thank You for Your Spirit’s guidance,
A continual direction and object upon which to focus.
Lord, let Your will be known and done in me
Let Your compassion flow through me
Let me know that You dwell within me
Give me Your heart so I can see
So I can have strength, purpose and direction
That I may know I’m following You
Perhaps I already have this
But remind me once again

You have been faithful to me over the years
Moment by moment You are within me
Renewing my mind in Your image
Changing my heart, rooting out sinful areas
Refining me, as You see me clean already

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Winter Quarter, 2002

“This being the state of man (sinful), if God should send him a Redeemer, what must that Redeemer do for him?  Will it be sufficient for him to be the promulger of a new law, to give us a set of excellent precepts?  No: if we could keep them, that alone would not make us happy.  A good conscience brings a man the happiness of being consistent with himself, but not that of being raised above himself into God, which every person will find, after all, is the thing he wants.”  (Charles Wesley, ‘On the Holy Spirit’)

More than being able to follow the rules of holy life, and more than being exempt from punishment and seen as righteous, God himself can live in us – we can be drawn up into Him, as the Holy Spirit (God Himself) dwells within us.  So the gospel is more than just living a life and doing good deeds; and it’s even more than just having our sins atoned for and being forgiven, made right with God.  Both these things are accomplished through God Himself dwelling within us, which is possible just because of the sacrifice of Christ and the continual work of the Holy Spirit allowing us to walk in Him.



I hope that everybody that comes to this house will not leave without saying, ‘Wow, look at God’s glory proclaimed through the view from here’.  Perhaps in the same way that’s how we as Christians should be.  We should be a window through which people cannot help but see the glory of God – a place where they can come and see the love of God manifested within us - His truths, His compassion, and His life ever on our tongues and shown through our actions.

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December, 2002

Lord, prepare the way for our desires to be satisfied with good things - transform our desires and then fill us with Yourself and whatever earthly blessings You desire to bestow us with.  If you call me to be single for the rest of my days, then I will do so with joy.  If not, then I will rejoice!

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December, 2002

Tonight I rose up with the moon
Longing for life
Tonight I sang of what’s gone past
Recalling passion
Tonight I dreamed of what could be
Grasping straws
Tonight I longed for I know not what
Hoping for love


I cannot explain the ways
My heart tracks within me
I know I feel, I could give a guess
How I’ve gone from fellowship

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November, 2002

Oh Lord, I hear the cries of suffering
What can I do?
I hear the aches, the longing hearts
That don’t know Your peace
What would you have me do, Lord?

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November, 2002

Oh Lord, I have been able to draw near and see Your heart for Your people – the heart of a Father that is grieved as His children turn away and sin, that is grieved at the suffering that they go through.  Lord, you have drawn me to pray, to lift up my heart before You and to lay all my desires at Your feet.  Lord, I know that You will bring me the patience to wait for Sarah and for our friendship to grow in Your timing; I know that You will bring opportunities to share Your gospel with people and to love people.  I pray, Father, that You would draw me to continually me in a state of prayer, that I may see more of Your heart.  Thanks for what You have revealed to me!  But let my life be true, and glorifying to You.

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November, 2002

Yes Lord, let me walk in Your truth!  I will obey with my whole heart, strengthened according to Your glorious might, for Your Holy Spirit dwells within me.  God, in all His three-fold fullness, dwells within me.  All glory to You, Lord.


Lord, thank you for letting me stand and rest in You alone – for not letting anything other than Yourself satisfy me.


Oh, how greatly I rejoice at the ending of Crime and Punishment – when Raskolnikov finds Christ, love, and new life.  Through confession, love, and letting go of the past, freedom was found.  Glory to God, who cares for those who suffer, who died to be able to offer Himself as a Comforter, the lifter of souls and the giver of promise – something worth living for!

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November, 2002

Lord, if you are indeed calling me to preach and teach, then let truth be in my heart and on my mind; let my thoughts be pure; let my heart be yearning for You alone; let me speak Your truth boldly and with passion, not straying to falsehood but kept to truth by Your Holy Spirit.

Lord, what am I to do for money now?  It seems like I will need a job to provide for my necessities (and debts) – if so then show me what to do and where to go for that.  If not then provide the resources out of Your abundant provision, and bring opportunity to dive into ministry and to learn more about You.  Lord, I am willing to work with my hands, to not be idle, but to work hard for Your glory, that I may do what You call me to – show me where to go, Lord.  Let me not be in this state of idleness for too long.  Bring me out, prepared to do Your will.  Lord, it’s the best thing I can do to spend time at Your feet, to fall in love with You, to pore over Your word, to pray fervently and persistently – even ceaselessly.  Lord, be my cry in the morning, my praise in the evening – my prayer all the day long.  Lord, You are my Refuge and my Strength – to You will I run when I am idle and when I am overwhelmed.  You are the Lamb of God who was slain for me, to cleanse Your people to be presented spotless before You; to You be the glory!  Oh Lord, hear my cry, and grant me the wisdom to see the direction You are taking me and to take steps of obedience.  Let me not just have knowledge that is unapplied, or just wisdom – but grant me the strength to obey and to make the right choices.  Let me find meaning in everything, and let You be my joy through everything.

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November, 2002

Can you understand me
Do you know where I’m coming from
This love that leaves
No room for letting go

There is some sort of understanding, of knowledge, that only comes by experience.  I could know everything intellectually about love or dating, but have a much fuller understanding after having experienced it.  Some things (i.e. the sin that leads to greater forgiveness) is best left at intellectual ponderings and not experienced; but even that experience can lead to God’s grace.  We can know much about the breadth and width of God’s love, but not have an understanding of what’s it’s like to know this love experientially.  We can know things about God and not know God.  We can know all the theological doctrines that are to be found in this world (or even all that are possible for our minds to grasp), and still not really know God the way a child can, with a simple prayer and acceptance of God’s Fatherly love.  The statement ‘Jesus loves you’ can have profound meaning to someone and might be all they need to hear before they are weeping with joy at this truth.  Lord, let Your truths not strike a deaf ear in me – let them not bounce off of me, but rather sink in and take root, impacting me the way only Truth can.  

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November, 2002

Lord, I’m falling apart without You
I’m empty without Your love
Let me walk in Your love again
Loving every opportunity you bring my way

Bring me out of this place of being alone
Fling me to where You want me

Lord, though I’m alone I’m not lonely
But let me do Your ministry

Let me walk in You, soaking myself in prayer
Basking in Your word, overflowing to the world

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October, 2002

I am so stoked about the glorious love of our Father ... that He would set us free even when we were guilty ... that Christ would be the ransom for our lives, as God bought us back (from slavery to sin) and brought us to Himself, that we could know His love and truly bring Him glory.  Enjoy Him!

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October, 2002

Lord, let me be for the praise of Your glory!  Let my life – all my thoughts, all my words, all my actions – be for You and of You.  You are my all in all, my all sufficient Provider; I rest under the shadow of Your wings (as the ark rested under the wings of the cherubim in Solomon’s temple).  You are all that I need – and I rejoice in that!  You have satisfied me!  I do not have to always have a ‘lust for more’, never satisfied – for in You I have drunk the draught to ease my soul forever.  You are my satisfaction, the object of my deepest longing, my passion, my love; my whole life is for You.  Keep me in this purity, in this place of knowing Your word and Your voice, of walking faithfully, obeying Your commands and trusting in You.  Keep me in this place of growing in knowledge of Your word (and of You), of being blown away by Your Spirit’s working time and again, and knowing Your work is being done, of trust, of faith.  Your strength is what I trust in for my salvation, my sanctification, and my service – let Your strength be manifested in me, as I renew myself in You day by day.

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October, 2002

Father, let me be found resting in You, loving You with my life, and laying myself before You.  I know I have sinned much in my life; I know You have used me for much.  You have transformed me and brought me a long ways – and for this I praise You, Jesus, my Redeemer.  Your word has spoken truth to me time and again.  Even if I wanted to, my arguments against believing in You and for surrendering to You would hold little power, for I’ve seen You working, firsthand.  Thanks for Your word, Lord, and for Your truth; continue to show me more of Your truth as You strengthen me to delve into Your word as if looking for diamonds, treasures for my soul.

One thing that I feel You will call me to, Father, is writing to the saints - encouraging and admonishing the body with written words.  Inspire me to write, Lord, and with knowledge of who to write to.  I would love to have a mass email list that I send my thoughts and prayers to every once in a while.

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October, 2002

Lord, let Your people be found in You – resting in You, believing in You, walking in You, expecting great things from You.  Lord, let us be transformed in our weakness, in our weak-minded doubt – let us cry out to You with whole hearted and trusting surrender.  Strip away whatever desires, stubbornness, or pride that may keep us from doing this.  Lord, use me to rebuild Your church, to point people to renewed walks with Your Spirit, to expect great things from You; however this vessel can be filled and emptied for Your glory, may it be so.  If I think about the task, it seems too great for me – even small things find me weak and doubting.  But it is Your strength, after all, which can do these things; Your strength which has enabled me to have the faith to allow You to dwell in me and sanctify me, Your strength which has allowed me to walk and grow in knowledge of You, pleasing You, and bearing fruit.  

Refine my doctrine Father, that I might not lead Your people astray with a ‘wind of teaching’, but that I may teach Your truth in love and take part in Your work of building the church to unity in ‘attaining to the whole measure of Christ’.  Let me, in all things, grow up into Him who is the Head (Christ).  Lord, let us together grow up into Christ, that Christ may fill the church and be proclaimed completely and truly through us.  Lord, let me do my part, the work You call me to ‘through the working of Your power’, to build the body up in love.  ‘We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.  To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me.’  Paul’s main end here (of his ministry) was building the church up in the unity of knowing Christ.

The point of the church, ultimately, is to get out of the way – so that Christ may be seen.  When the different components of the body of Christ become perfect (reflecting unique parts of the glory of God), they are not perfect so that the world may see the individual parts.  They are perfect (presented as perfect) because what is seen is not the church, but Christ!  Lord, let Christ be seen through Your church; may Your will in this be done.  Jesus, be glorified as we strive to get out of the way of let You be manifested through us.

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October, 2002

Lord, you’ve stirred my heart with passion; I want to sing of the wonders of being in this world, of being in relationships, of knowing Your love.  I want to bask in Your truth and thoughtful renditions of it.  I am so glad to be alive – this opportunity even just to live, but also to enjoy life and experience the blessings of friendships and music and laughter and sunshine and the ocean and birds and sunsets – causes my heart to rejoice.  Thank you, Father, for giving me the peace of mind (through my rebirth in You, Jesus) to truly enjoy You and Your creation.  I love You, Lord – help me to love You with all of my life.  I want to let my life be a joyful expression of Your love for me, that brings You glory.

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October, 2002

Lord, can I write the truths you’ve pressed upon my heart, that have come as I’ve rested in Your presence, rejoiced in Your word, and worshipped at Your feet?  Shall I tell of the unsearchable riches of Christ, the incomparable power of God for those that believe (the same power that rose Christ from the dead and raised Him to heavenly places), the love of Christ (high, wide, deep, and long) that surpasses all knowledge (spoken of in Ephesians)? Shall I tell of Christ dwelling in me richly, of being filled to the measure of all the fullness of God, the church being the fullness of Him who fills everything – and how these things are only made possible because of Your strength, out of Your glorious riches, lavished upon us?  Shall I tell of the grace bestowed upon Paul, calling he about whom there was nothing special to the extra-ordinary task of preaching the ‘unsearchable riches of Christ’?  Or his prayer that we may know that ‘love that surpasses understanding’?  How can it be, Lord, that such wondrous things are promised to us and actualized and accomplished in us?  The question is not whether we deserve it; it is so obvious that we don’t and never could.  The amazing thing is that it’s impossible – we are not capable.  I, especially, am not capable – but that does not hinder Your work from being done.  If You indeed call me to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, to make known the administration of this mystery, then I will do so, Lord, not because I can, but because You can.  I will wait expectantly for You to rise up and work wonders through me.  Even Christ being able to dwell in me is only possible because of how You’ve strengthened me in my inner being to have faith.  You have cleansed and equipped me – Lord, show me what ministry You are calling me to.  Here I am to listen, Lord, with all my life.  I will expect You to do great and awesome things through me (and in me) – and this only because of Your faithfulness.  I know that the Bible is full of You taking ordinary people and using them for extra-ordinary purposes – transforming the lowly to be vessels and examples of Your truth.  I will be the same – a clumsy, stuttering, useless vessel that is used to serve the King and reach the world.  Thanks, Lord, for this amazing truth, and Your heart to take those who cannot give anything good to You, and to flow Yourself through them to accomplish Your purposes, oh Loving God of mercy and power, justice and truth.

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October, 2002

Lord, thank you for the blessings of family, of having happy memories to cherish.  Father, let me be a light to the world, a beacon of Your grace and truth – thanks for the encouragement and blessing and example that family has always been to me.  Be glorified, my Father, in all that I do.

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September, 2002

I feel like this has been a season of my life of preparation and rest.  The last several months I have been emotionally dry for awhile – I have stepped out of the customs and habits I’ve built up in terms of my lifestyle and ministry over my college years.  Maybe I’m coming out of this season changed, with a more mature outlook on worship and walking obedient to the Spirit.  Just as Paul went to Arabia for five years before his ministry and Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days before He dove in to His ministry, perhaps this has been a time of preparation in my life.  I have had much time to rest, and to read Scripture, to read and to meditate on the truths I’ve learned.  I feel like in some ways I am no longer on the front lines of ministry, but merely sending supplies to those who are.  I know that God won’t call me to be in this state, this season of my life, for too long – anything that suggests this cannot be of Him.  For this could be an excuse to not be involved in ministry.  Surely there are chances to minister to people have I have had and do have, some of which I have taken and some of which I have passed up.  And I know this time of preparation should not be an excuse to be lazy, and especially not to sin.  But I think that God has changed my motivation for purity to a more base level of dependence on Him and love for Him, rather than just because of the ministry I’d like to do effectively or the benefits I’d like to reap as a result.  Lord, I know You are refining my heart, training my mind, softening and molding my will.  There have been times where You needed to un-form me (and break me) before You could form me up again in Your image.  Perhaps habits of mind and intellectual pride have been the casualties of this process.  Lord, give me a pure heart, that I may love others with my mind, and use Your knowledge for the edification of Your people and the speaking of Your relevant truths.  Lord, come and meet me – I am waiting on my knees for the ministry You have for me.  I realize that by calling this a time of preparation, I am assuming that what comes after this will be ministry that will be challenging, and that will be different than my expectations, and surely out of my comfort zone at times.  But let my comfort and strength be in You, my Rock and my Refuge, my Strength and my Song!


Whenever I get afraid and begin to worry about doing my part, I need to drop to my knees and pray this to You.  When a tinge of doubt or weakness encroaches upon my mind, or if I am flooded and engulfed by lack of confidence and by ineptness, I need to sing this to You.

My Rock and my Refuge,
My Strength and my Song

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August, 2002

When I work,
Take time each morning (maybe just half an hour) to seek the Lord, to be filled and receive ‘manna’, to be fed by Him.  Also take one day each week as a Sabbath, resting – praying, reading the Word, and writing.  This will be key to my spiritual growth.  Lord, let me be disciplined.  But it‘s not that I’m trying to make myself do what I don’t want to do; I think my body and my spirit yearns for these things also, and to be at rest as will result from that.  I would rather be build up than torn down – I would rather use my time and being and will to build myself up in Christ rather than bring myself down.


I have gone through the long night of loneliness, temptation and grief; I feel like I have passed through the fire and emerged on the other side.  Lord, to walk in Your Spirit – what is better?  To know that I’m in Your hands and will be tomorrow, no matter where I go – what is more comforting?  To breathe the air and walk the streets, to cast sore eyes upon beauties too often overlooked, then raise my gaze from myself unto the Lord – what is better?

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July, 2002

What has happened in my life, Lord?  I did not expect to be here.  Actually I had hoped to be in far better circumstances at this point.  But Lord, even now, if I seek You and humble myself before You, daily emptying myself of me and filing myself with You, then You can still do great things in and through my life.  For a while, going through college, my life changed so dramatically that I could hardly believe where You’d brought me.  But now it seems my growth has leveled off, and the great things I foresaw You doing in my life may have been but idle and proud dreams.  But, the first six months after I graduated were a time of tremendous growth for me in a lot of areas.  These last few months have been not as good.  For I’ve been working full time for the last two months, and although it’s been good living at the Kentucky house for the summer, I have spiritually gone downhill, or at least leveled off.  I have not been involved in leadership or ministry anywhere specifically; this has been a problem for me.  I loved when I was leading bible studies, leading worship at small groups and large groups, and always seeking to encourage my brothers and sisters in the Lord.  I loved the growth that God did in my life through that.  But, what now?  I have phased myself out of PCF because I am graduated; I have not replaced all of those friendships and ministry opportunities with after-college ones.  Lord, is this because there hasn’t been great opportunities, or because I’ve missed them, or because they would take a lot of pursuing to get them?  And perhaps I’ve been away from the heart of God so that I’m not hearing well enough to know where to pursue opportunities.  Lord, challenge me, I pray.  Bring me the opportunities to lead people in worship, to lead a bible study, to share with and love those who don’t know You, to encourage boldly and pray for those who do.  Shake me out of my apathetic state.  Father, I plea to You for You to lift me from this miry pit of despondency, that people may see my changed perspective, the new song that You put in my mouth, and Your love.

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Unending Love
July, 2002

                                     G                               D
The sky has turned to rain, into a shade of gray
                                   Em                                    C
But I just can’t quite shake, this feeling that remains

                            G                                  D
I never knew the day, Would be so far away
                                 Em                             C
But I just can’t complain, Of your forever grace

               Em/B    D       C    Cm
Unending love nurtures me

Shall I cut out the corners of my eyes
Or cast the dross into the skies
The oceans declare what I seem to forget
His Faithfulness and power

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July, 2002

Lord make us an instrument of thy peace
Where there is hatred, let us sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
Where there is sadness, joy

O divine Master, grant that we may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love
For it is in giving that we receive
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life!

--- The Prayer of Saint Francis

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