Evaluation and Spiritual Changes

When your wrong your wrong, and I have been wrong…a lot! I have lived many years in the wrong, so to speak. I am what you might call an expert on the topic not that I am proud of it!  When we are wrong and we refuse to see it, acknowledge it for what it is, and confess and learn from it, we invite sin into our lives that can embed itself deeply, and be extremely challenging to remove. Some of the things I have done include:

• Minimizing sin
• Allowed destructive thoughts and behavior to rule my life.
• Believed faulty theology because it was more convenient for my lifestyle choices.

Pounding the pulpit on the concepts of grace and atonement is one of the things I tend to do. I have my reasons for that although they could be called suspect. I have also tried to shortcut the process of healing and restoration and ended up right back where I started.

But here, I admit these many errors and continue to pledge my life to one of learning and growing in my love, understanding, knowledge, and dedication to God. I love this place I am in, because I feel so free in comparison to the past and philosophies that only entrenched further difficulty in my life.

I am truthful, empathetic, transparent, focused, denying myself and living in Gods liberal love for me. I have looked my intimidating foe of total destruction squarely in the eyes and cut off its head with the sword of a valiant warrior of God. I have reclaimed my identity as a beloved son of my Heavenly Father.

My heart and mind is focused on truth…

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)

What I have done is undo-able. What I can do now though is totally rely on my God, and not my feeble talents, skills, charisma, gift of gab, or anything else that I have counted on in my arsenal of success. I have abandoned what I thought would bring me joy and happiness in this life, and now I have only one source of strength and hope, it’s Jesus.

Can I say that yes, it is difficult; its a turning of 190 degrees from the direction I was going. I have traveled constantly around a mountain in circles and a dug a deep rut in the process. Yes, I sometimes speak out of turn and do harm others; yes, I can sometimes be drawn back toward that well worn path in moments of weakness, I still live right here on earth alongside of you. But to my Father I run, and I am delivered! I do my best to make things right, and to live in a lifestyle that brings honor to God. I love Jesus, He has saved me and given me hope, and raised me up from the ashes where I dwelt for so long.

To God be the glory, great things HE HAS DONE!