and the WAR rages on....

What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.

But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?

The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

Romans 7 :15-25 (MSG)

dare to DREAM

We were created to dream, to desire, to delight. Yes, we must first surrender our dreams to God's control, but we give them up to Him only to discover that He hands them back to us bigger and better than they were before! "God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us!" (Eph 3:20)
Lord, may I be a dreamer of YOUR dreams.

you lead me in - to your courts
surround me with your love
I walk with you, I do not fear...

in this place
dreams are made
in this place - where you are
carry me here
in your arms of love
draw me close to you
I want to be where you are

you carry me, you are my strength
I've learned to trust in you
and once again I'm reaching out...

Click on the CD below to listen to a clip of this song
(it is the one entitled "Carry Me")

Quiz Results

I am Ephesians.
Joel Haas is Lamentations.Which book of the Bible are you?

burnin'

started rubbing sticks together

thought a spark would take forever

never dreamt this fire would appear

when Moses saw the bush in flames

and heard the branches speak his name

I wonder if he felt this kind of fear

'cause I'm burnin'

yeah, I'm burnin'

and I know I'm gonna blister in these flames

so I'll stay here

til this smoke clears

and I'll find You in the ashes that remain

used to be that I could say

my faith was one arm's length away

from any flame that ever felt too warm

asked for matches, but I received

a gallon full of gasoline

now my cozy campfire days are gone

knock with caution at the door

they said, beware of what you're praying for

so I'll stand here with my whole desire

in the middle of this forest fire

til I've nothing left to show

and new life begins to grow...

~Nichole Nordeman~Wide Eyed~Burnin'~