Saint Patrick's Prayer... and Mine!!

Christ be with me

Christ before me

Christ behind me

Christ in me

Christ beneath me

Christ above me

Christ on my right

Christ on my left

Christ where I lie

Christ where I sit

Christ where I arise

Christ in the heart of every man

who thinks of me

Christ in the mouth of every man

who speaks of me

Christ in every eye that sees me

Christ in every ear that hears me

Salvation is of the Lord.

What is your Paralysis?

A couple of days ago I read Matthew 9:1-8 which talks about how Jesus healed a paralytic man.  We all know the story and focus many times on the faith of the man's friends in bringing him before Jesus.  What God really spoke to me about, though, was the two things that Jesus granted the man: spiritual healing and physical healing.  The teachers of the law were furious at first when Jesus forgave the man's sins.  It wasn't until Jesus said, "Get up, take your mat, and go home" that everyone was "filled with awe and praised God."

It is easy to look at that story and criticize the onlookers lack of faith, their shallowness; but I wonder what that man was happier about: forgiven sins or being able to walk?  Now, the text really says nothing on the matter, so we can't know.  But the question isn't so much, "What mattered most to him?" as "What would matter most to us in the same situation?"  If we could only have one thing, would we wish to have our deepest dreams fulfilled, a new lease on life?  Or would we run home rejoicing that our sins were forgiven and our relationship with God restored?  Now, for those who are reading this and have already had Christ cleanse them from their sin, I think that the same reasoning still applies.  Do we seek Christ for what He can do for us or for who He is to us?  Food for thought.

Resolved

Thinking about New Year's resolutions can either be a scary undertaking or a reason to hope.  Or, if you're like me, it can be a little of both.  Taking on some of my biggest challenges, giving myself freedom to dream, and holding myself to a higher standard are exciting; things I look forward to with anticipation of gaining more ground and growth.  However, they are also scary as I consider the past, littered with broken resolutions, and wonder why I could hope that this year will be any different.  But I'm sure going to try.

Here are a few resources that are encouraging me:

-Reading through Jonathan Edwards resolutions (talk about a high standard!!)  -- http://www.apuritansmind.com/the-christian-walk/jonathan-edwards-resolutions/
-Continuing the process of creating a "Rule of Life", or set of ideals by which I wish to live (made attainable by being divided into practical, measurable goals)
- Reading Jon Acuff's blog posts about what he has termed the "Finish Year"  http://www.jonacuff.com/blog/
- The blessing of being surrounded by many like-minded people who also want to see me succeed and grow.  Based in Mexico as well as the States, these dear friends and family pray for me and keep me accountable.
- And most importantly, I know that God gives second chances.  His mercies are new every morning and every new year.  Since He wants me to mature, God will also give me the strength and encouragement I need along the way... and He is patient and forgiving when I am not perfect.  :-)