This project was no different. It seems that it’s impossible to replace just the faucet. Anything I touched… even just in passing… either broke, or started to leak in ways I had never seen before. Before I was done, the pressure fittings at the wall had to be replaced; the shut-off valves, the feed hoses, and the drain, too!
Who knew that grime, crud, and corrosion could be so structural?!?
Aren’t our lives like that, too? When we neglect our spiritual lives, grime, crud, and corrosion builds up. We don’t really notice it until we try to do something about it. But since we are unable to fix our own spiritual problems, all we do is make things worse… our lives seem to spring leaks everywhere. It sure seems easier to not disturb the grime and corrosion… even if our spiritual water pressure is close to zero.
Jesus doesn’t want to scrape the grime, crud, and corrosion off your heart. He doesn’t want to make you spring all kinds of new leaks in your life. If you call him, he won’t fix your heart, he will give you a new heart. A new heart with strong couplings, and connected to the water of life.
You’d think that you might not be able to afford God’s help. The good news is that Jesus has already paid your bill. Besides giving you a new heart, and connecting you to the water of life, he will also connect you in fellowship with others.
So call Him today, and then come connect with us on Sunday… or any other day, for that matter.
Your brother in Christ,
Dave
Dave: I refuse to be daunted. This is my 3rd attempt to send this comment…
ReplyDeleteYes, crud, grime and corrosion can become structural. To go beyond the personal I would add that when Paul talks about the powers and principalities he is referring to structures that have gotten corroded by evil.
Your posting on your health was moving—powerful and honest. 20 years ago, one day when I was so burned out, so stressed that I couldn’t leave the house, my wife made me lie down and sang this song to me:
Rest—the Lord is near,
Refuse to fear, enjoy His love.
Trust—His might power
Fills every hour of all your days.
There is no need for needless worry,
With such a Savior, you have no cause to ever…
Doubt—His perfect word still reassures in every trial!
Rest—the Lord is there,
Lift up your prayer, for He is strong.
Trust—He’ll bring release
And perfect peace will calm your mind.
Call Him if you grow frightened,
Call him with loving care,
He’ll lift your burden and you’ll…
Rest—the Lord is near
Refuse to fear, enjoy His love.
Trust—His mighty power
Fills every hour of all your days.
Rest—the Lord is near
Refuse to fear, enjoy His love.
You can hear it sung at www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-W3B3OUkN0
I'm glad you weren't daunted! ; )
ReplyDeleteDave--I cannot tell you how much I need this post today. Today was a daunting day for me... long hours @ work, frustrating discussions with family.... You helped remind me who to call on & how wonder His New Life can be!
ReplyDeleteThank you
It is always easier to take the "wide" path, the path with the least work. It has been my experience people really would rather live with a problem than have to look inside themselves and admit they should work on something in their life. Like if they break down and say, "Yes, I have an issue I need help with," that might make them unworthy in some way. Instead, they self righteously continue to function pointing their fingers at others so the focus will not be on themselves. We all should clear the grime from our pipes! We ALL need to lean upon the Lord, Proverbs 3:5.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dave!
The thing about corrosion is that we don't necessarily notice it at first, or at all for a long time. Marie's first trumpet was someone else's old trumpet which had been put away without cleaning and oiling it. The moisture from the spit corroded the trumpet and it developed holes, leaking air, making the trumpet less pretty and less useful and taking lots more effort to produce anything at all, and the fruit of the effort was not excellent. When she got a new trumpet, it was so much different that the band director (who didn't know she had gotten a different horn) could tell and stopped the band so he could figure out what was different. The more I lean upon the Lord, the closer I get to Him, the more I know I am grimy and corroded, the more I lean on Him the more He gives forgiveness and cleansing, love and support and strength, and fills my life and heart with JOY... and by the way, the more others can tell there is something different about those people whose joy is in the Lord no matter what their current circumstances may be.
ReplyDeleteI read the first part, skipped the middle, and read the meat. You preached it well. Love you brother. So simple. Isn't it. Well, at least for some... By the way I like what you said about your relationship with your wife. You must have a good one too. How do they put up with us? Man, when that Saint comes marching in, I want to be with that number! I wonder what her number is? Hope sometimes I have one. She makes me think, reminds me of what I truly am, and should be. I need my help meet.
ReplyDelete