Dictionary.com defines the word "survey" like this: to view in detail, esp. to inspect, examine, or appraise formally or officially in order to ascertain condition, value, etc.
When someone surveys something, they are searching it out in detail, they are examining all the parts of it in order to get a view of what it is...and if you are a good surveyer, you will also see what it means for that which surrounds it, if you will, the value of it.
As I was sitting at my desk today, I was listening to the song "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" as sung by Kathryn Scott. I was moved to the point of tears as I sat and listened to the words of a surveyor who managed to not only see the cross but more importantly the Saviour Jesus Christ who died on it. To say that the writer only saw the value of the cross to him is a gross understatement I think, as the words in the song convey a deeper message... one that begs all those who call themselves followers of Jesus to give undying devotion to Him.
As I survey the wondrous cross, as I look at it in detail, I realize that I do not formally ascertain the condition of it or Jesus, but rather the condition of myself... Then my gaze is thrust upon a love I can not fathom... and I am drawn to my knees by this kind of love; a love that truly does demand my life, my soul, my all.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Strange calls...
As I was about to sit down and write this, I had an experience that just confirmed to me what I had been thinking about writing...
The phone rang, and I picked it up as normal, "Faith Covenant Church," and it was a lady asking for the pastor. Now, when you work for a church, you know that these phone calls are either people looking for money, or they are really strange...they are not usually looking for the start times of church on Sunday.
I told her that he wasn't here, because I was tired (coming from my job at Starbucks) and did not want to deal with her, but I said I'd take a message. Well I got more than I bargained for. This was her message,
"You need to pray for Canada. You need to pray for Canada and the U.S. Canada is in great trouble. There is a lady here named Cindy. It's short for Cinderella, and she a witch. She is here in Winnipeg and is practicing her witchcraft right here in the city. You need to pray for Canada, she's gonna kill everyone! She is going to kill both white and black people. You need to pray!"
How many of you want to be in church ministry now?
I'll tell you, it never ceases to amaze me the uniqueness of human beings. I told the lady that I would pray, but in my mind I was wondering "WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS?"
Regardless of if what she was saying was true or not, there is a deep truth that speaks in a loud voice for me, the truth that I was planning on writing about before the phone call....
We need Jesus, people. We need Jesus!
As thanksgiving came this last weekend, we were all reminded of all that we have, and hopefully reminded that we did not earn all that we have...that we were given gifts gracefully by God.
We are fragile people in need of a Savior.... So yes, pray for Canada, pray for the U.S. and countries like ours in abundance, that we would not forget how fragile we are, how much we need God.
When we recognize our weakness, it puts us in a posture of thanksgiving and humility... and I believe this is the posture that frees us from the chains of autonomy, a state that leaves us dissatisfied.
There is freedom waiting for those who humble themselves and pray.
Lord, let me never forget all your benefits...may I never cease to give you the honor and praise always.
The phone rang, and I picked it up as normal, "Faith Covenant Church," and it was a lady asking for the pastor. Now, when you work for a church, you know that these phone calls are either people looking for money, or they are really strange...they are not usually looking for the start times of church on Sunday.
I told her that he wasn't here, because I was tired (coming from my job at Starbucks) and did not want to deal with her, but I said I'd take a message. Well I got more than I bargained for. This was her message,
"You need to pray for Canada. You need to pray for Canada and the U.S. Canada is in great trouble. There is a lady here named Cindy. It's short for Cinderella, and she a witch. She is here in Winnipeg and is practicing her witchcraft right here in the city. You need to pray for Canada, she's gonna kill everyone! She is going to kill both white and black people. You need to pray!"
How many of you want to be in church ministry now?
I'll tell you, it never ceases to amaze me the uniqueness of human beings. I told the lady that I would pray, but in my mind I was wondering "WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS?"
Regardless of if what she was saying was true or not, there is a deep truth that speaks in a loud voice for me, the truth that I was planning on writing about before the phone call....
We need Jesus, people. We need Jesus!
As thanksgiving came this last weekend, we were all reminded of all that we have, and hopefully reminded that we did not earn all that we have...that we were given gifts gracefully by God.
We are fragile people in need of a Savior.... So yes, pray for Canada, pray for the U.S. and countries like ours in abundance, that we would not forget how fragile we are, how much we need God.
When we recognize our weakness, it puts us in a posture of thanksgiving and humility... and I believe this is the posture that frees us from the chains of autonomy, a state that leaves us dissatisfied.
There is freedom waiting for those who humble themselves and pray.
Lord, let me never forget all your benefits...may I never cease to give you the honor and praise always.
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