Romans 7:24

Romans 7:24

The longer I live and the more I read and study the Word, the more I understand this verse. The thing is I am not sure how good a thing that is. I mean obviously on one level it is good. But at the same time, it really does bother me just like it bothered Paul.

This may be a shock for some of you, for others you couldn't agree more, but I am a vile rotten, worthless man. I still shake my head in disbelief that God has chosen to save me and use me.

The crazy thing is that the more i feel this way, the more i realize how much more there is to my fallen nature than i even realize now. (You might have to read that twice, but you'll get it) It's like the most terrible ice berg in the most terrible dream that wont end; either one of them. the more that is exposed only show just how much more is still to be exposed.

This is why we can call the Gospel, the Gospel (literally "the good news") The Bible paints a terribly bleak and hopeless picture of man after the fall and w/o Christ, so the good news of the Gospel comes as SUCH a relief when you've finally come to grips with the reality of our situation.

The one thing that this understanding also does for me that I am so very encouraged about; is that it makes Heaven so much more sweeter! It makes the coming reality of perfection and rest from sin so wonderful! (Even as i sit here and try to come up with words to describe it, they fail me, its too wonderful an idea)

Once we've realized our wretchedness, given up our foolishness, and embraced the graciousness of God's goodness and mercy there is sweetness even in something as bitter as knowing how nasty i really am.

Really guys... How awesome is that, that even something as depressing and terrible as understanding our sinfulness can also be a source of encouragement and hope.

YHWH is GOOD!

A Couple of Pictures from the last year of my life. (Which is about to change in ways I don't even know)

This is the state I spend most of my life in... "HUH?!"

My Sister-in-Law's wedding day. Can you tell how much I enjoy being dressed up? My wife is soooo hot!

This one of my favorite things about our house. We see sun sets like this all the time from our kitchen.

My favorite place in the upstate.

I love to do this, my dog hates it, and my wife is usually yelling at me to put him down. :)

Guess which one is mine...

Christmas Cheer!!

It actually SNOWED!! That is our leaning snow man... He was going to be a pregnant snow woman, but then my hands got cold.

I really like all the cool things i can do with our new camera. I dont know how well it turned out here with it being scaled down, but this shot was about a 2 sec exposure of huge snow-flakes.

And now for my theological content...

Why did Christ hang out with sinners and people of ill repute? The obvious answer is so He could minister to the sick and those who knew they were in need of spiritual help. But do you think He also knew that it would really tick off the religious establishment and help to polarize the pride of false/man-centered religion. And where is the balance between making sure we aren't offending our brother or sister in Christ and following the example of our Lord.