What I'm Learning

Yes, Dear Reader, I do exist! I have not moved, expired, retired, quit, or disappeared. Quite the contrary! I'm alive and well. And, I have learned a lot about myself.

As you know, the season of Lent began last Wednesday. And, I must admit, I have to get back on the horse with what I chose to forsake for the 40 days. Yet, the experiences I've had just in the last six days have been worth more than I could dare to ask or hope for.

To start, I began with Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" This prayer can be dangerous, as God desires to show us the garbage so that we can draw closer to Him. I also have been reminded on a daily basis of Matthew 23:25, 26, where Jesus declares, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean." I received practical application of these verses over Christmas when I saw a coffee cup at my grandparents' house, and how my Grandmother has to use undiluted bleach to clean the cups. I have been reminded at how self-indulgent and greedy I am for wanting, whether explicitly or implicitly to be considered "clean" when I'm really stained and cluttered on the inside and in need of the undiluted word of God to cleanse me. Yet, God is faithful to forgive me of my sins when he brings them to the surface (1 John 1:9). Amen!

I haven't been anywhere in the word as much because these verses keep circulating in my mind. However, I recently downloaded a song that has become the perfect prayer for me during these last few days. It's by an artist that I've recently found named Justin McRoberts. The song is from an EP from a few years ago. The song is called, "More Than Anything." It's beauty is found in its simplicity and poignancy. Here are the lyrics:

Father forgive me for thinking only of myself


Make mine a heart that clings to You

Father unbind me from every secret sin I hold

Make mine a heart that says to You

Lord I want to be Yours

More than anything

More than anything in this world


I want to live in love with You.

At some point, I really need to blog about the last few months and how I've learned a lot about God, others, and myself. Reader, I would love to hear your thoughts, too.