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Search my heart O God
"The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind..." Jer 17:9-10
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me." Ps 51:10
Tim Challies' article here on the Ted Haggard scandal shook me to the core as I read it today. It literally drove me to my knees. Please read it prayerfully. - Pastor John Samson
Posted by John Samson on November 6, 2006 12:29 PM
Comments
what drove you to your knees....drove me to my tears... How powerful that was...
Thank You
Posted by: Terri | November 7, 2006 12:10 AM
Terri,
What drove me to my knees?
2 Things:
1) The article brought me face to face with my my own (rather than Ted Haggard's) dismal and dark depravity. My response to it was a heartfelt prayer that God would search my heart and eliminate the ugly and deep rooted springs of sin still all too present. This is done knowing that Christ alone is the remedy for sin, both in terms of Him being the only Savior, and also in the application of His death, burial and resurrection in my own heart and life, as the Holy Spirit works His work of sanctification. Thank God, one day this struggle with the ugliness of my flesh will be over. Until then, I am called to go to the battle each day - the Spirit against the flesh in all out war (Gal 5:17). Tim's article provoked me to renew and maintain a greater vigilance in this regard, for the subtleties and deceit of the heart are immense and only the Lord can show each of us 1) our dreadful condition; 2) the grace to cover both the penalty for our sin (in the cross of Christ); 3) the grace that works in us to change our hearts to make us more like Christ. Create in me a clean heart O God.
2) The article provoked me to pray more fervently for my brother in Christ, Ted Haggard... the New Life Church in Colorado Springs (I visited the church once, not to attend a servioce, but simply to view the world missions 24 hour prayer building, which, I have to say, was a very positive experience. It was clear that this church was very serious about praying for our world, and I found it deeply convicting when I compared my own life and even the way prayer was structured at my own church) ... and for Ted's precious family. I can't even imagine how they might be suffering right now. The road ahead is going to be painful, I am sure. May God keep, guide and protect each one of them.
Posted by: John Samson | November 7, 2006 10:48 AM
I think an even more astute article in CT today ...
http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2006/11/the_haggard_tru.html
Posted by: Hadyn | November 7, 2006 11:47 AM
More excellent observations on the situation come from Rick Philips at http://www.reformation21.com/Reformation_21_Blog/Reformation_21_Blog/58/vobId__4583/
Posted by: Norm | November 9, 2006 11:47 AM
Thank you for that...It wasn't a question though...I was trying to express that the same thing that drove you to your knees drove me to my tears. But I suppose you were trying to tell me what it was exactly that drove you to your knees...perhaps a comparative not leaving anything to assumption..I think we were on the same level of thinking though...
I really enjoy seeing the depth of love you have for God...and the anointing you possess...I love seeing God's people in awe of Him.
Again, Thank you.
Terri
Posted by: Terri | November 10, 2006 08:01 PM
IT IS WELL
Posted by: JOHN COATES | March 1, 2008 07:24 PM