Archive for the ‘Confession’ Category

A View From Under the Sand

Posted by Helen On October - 29 - 2008 ADD COMMENTS

I’ve had a few non-encounters recently that I feel compelled to confess. While out shopping, I’ve seen acquaintances that I have avoided. I’m sorry, Lord. Please forgive me.

Two of the people I met and prayed with in bible study. The third I knew from high school. I don’t know what held me back from greeting them. Fear of awkwardness, maybe. I stink at small talk.

Each of the non-encounters left me with a streak of anxiety. I hadn’t seen these people in years. Maybe I wanted to avoid the catching-up or the interruption in my shopping-eating-talking with someone else. Someone with a higher value.

I’ve concluded that the anxiety was spiritual conviction. Partly at acting like a juvenile and partly because I may have missed a chance for blessing. Mine. Hers. I’ll never know on this side.

I know I’ve been a poor witness. I know God would have blessed any choice toward graciousness, in some way. I know now that the encounter offered an opportunity.

God doesn’t need me. He allows me. I don’t know the number of my days, but He does. And I don’t want to miss any more angels He may send my way.

Confession, Helen Hanson

Secret Places of the Heart

Posted by Jayme On April - 13 - 2008 ADD COMMENTS

Psalm 51 is the universal Christian cry of confession, thanks to a wayward king who also possessed a “heart after God.” David’s choice to stay home from battle was his first mistake–he wasn’t where God wanted him. Also, roaming the palace rooftop while he played hooky from war was akin to today’s wayward male surfing the net for eye candy. David knew what he would see from his high perch. No human witnessed David’s sin at this point, but God knew the secret places of David’s heart.

David had already said “yes” in his heart, and he ignored opportunities to turn away from sin. In those early struggles, God provided grace to confess, “I’m wrong–You desire truth in the innermost being; cleanse me and renew me.” Sadly, David didn’t pen those words until after he had unleashed turmoil in his life by choosing to hide parts of his heart from God.

Adultery, murder, lies, irresponsibility, selfishness, failed leadership, fear, and the pursuit of secret momentary pleasure left a path of destruction jeopardizing a kingdom and creating devastation for a number of families. And what about Bathsheba? While she didn’t plan the tryst or even have time to prepare a response to the king’s messengers, I’m convinced she also cherished secret places of sojourning in her heart.

Ever wonder what Bathsheba’s confession to God sounded like? “I’m sorry, Lord, but the king made me do it.” Or, “Well, You know Lord, he said nice things to me, and I was lonely since my husband was gone fighting a war.” Maybe, “I was afraid to say ‘no’ to the most powerful man in the land.”

No, I suspect her confession sounded much like David’s–”Against You and You only I have sinned. Create in me a clean heart, O God.” I’m sure she recognized her own responsibility; she knew she had offended God by neglecting to say “no.” Judging from the truths she later taught her son Solomon, Bathsheba was aware of her inability to make things right. She realized only God could take her mess and clean it up.

As we struggle with our own wandering hearts, David and Bathsheba are our call to yield to His grace in the middle of our self-inflicted messes. Praying through David’s psalm of confession teaches us to surrender to Him each time we find ourselves cherishing sin in our hearts. Confession starts with truth in the places where only God can see–the secret places of the heart.

 

Psalm 44:21: “…He knows the secrets of the heart.”

Confession, Jayme Durant

‘fessin up

Posted by Helen On April - 9 - 2008 ADD COMMENTS

I remember the celluloid treacle called Love Story from 1970, a decent enough year, otherwise. Quick recap: A pair of supercilious college students deign to fall in love and marry. Dad objects to the marriage, cuts off his son and the beloved flow of cash. Wife dies. Dad feels bad. But, they tell us: Love means never having to say you’re sorry.

What a load of twaddle.

When I cause someone I love to hurt, apologizing is merely the first step. I need to know that my behavior hasn’t caused some tectonic shift in our relationship. I want reassurance that I’m still loved and my offense has been forgiven.

Forgiveness comes quicker when I acknowledge my wrong. But in order to not repeat the pain, it’s imperative to hold the violation up to the light and examine it, so I can see it clearly. I need to call it by its proper name.

Anger? Resentment? Jealousy? I want to know it by name, so that I can recognize it the next time it gurgles in my belly, before it simmers in my heart, or seeps from my lips. I want to smother it with God’s holiness before it erodes the layers of love I have spread over the people that I hold dear. When I notice a stirring of unholiness welling within, I have to stop, wherever I am, and ‘fess up to God.

Oh, Lord, please, forgive me. Those are horrible thoughts. I don’t mean them. And if I do, I don’t want to. Please take these from me.

Apologies require confession. Apologies seek forgiveness, personal correction, and restitution of the relationship. I honor God, and that other person, when I lay claim to my deeds and own up to the rift that I created. Others may not forgive me. It’s their call. I still own the responsibility to try. But God has always forgiven me, and His promise tells me that He always will. The gratitude I feel can never compare to the magnitude and generosity of his mercy. That singular notion can reduce me to a puddle.

God knows my heart better than I. He could forgive me unilaterally. But, he wants me to learn to recognize the evil that hibernates in my soul, so that it does not deceive me into sin.

Confession, Helen Hanson

Out of Focus

Posted by Sonjia On April - 6 - 2008 ADD COMMENTS

“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought…” Romans 12:3

I reached to give the dog a pat on the head; only the hard object wasn’t the dog. It was a trashcan.

I wish this were an isolated incident.

At my last eye exam, the doctor told me to read the lowest line possible on the eye chart. I blinked and asked, “What eye chart?”

My 20/20 husband used to think I was joking about my poor vision. After ten years of marriage and my repeated mishaps–mistaking a watermelon for the vacuum cleaner and the laundry hamper for our son–my hubby knows I’m for real. Thankfully, as long as I wear my contact lenses, the world comes into focus so I can distinguish my children from household furnishings.

I know the discomfort, humiliation and danger of blindness.

Unfortunately, my spiritual eyes are as defunct as my physical eyes. I have a skewed picture of the world. I look on myself too highly and on God too lowly. I exchange what’s right for what’s wrong. I look past people’s needs, pain and suffering and focus instead on their weaknesses, shortcomings and flaws. I desperately need corrective lenses for my spiritual vision.

How can I refocus my spiritual eyes? Here are a few ideas to keep me from confusing what matters (my kids) with what doesn’t matter (my bank account).

· Ask God, “What do you want to change in me?”

· This week, read 15 minutes each day in the Bible.

· Memorize a single verse for this month.

· Take one minute at bedtime and jot down one blessing for the day.

· See my entertainment (movies, TV shows, books) through God’s eyes. Am I filling my mind with healthy input?

Please add your ideas or thoughts in the comments section.

Confession, Sonjia Bradshaw

This Week’s Topic: Confession

Posted by Sonjia On April - 6 - 2008 ADD COMMENTS

This week, we’re discussing the second aspect of A.C.T.S. prayer model: Confession.

Feel free to add your comments to the posts. We’d love to hear from you.

Confession, Sonjia Bradshaw