It has been a while now since I have written on my blog. I just wanted to update that I have some exciting things planned out. I originally started this blog as a place to just write life experiences. I found it difficult to always write about a particular self-experience without elevating myself or thinking too highly of the experiences. I then started to write book reviews, post links to videos, and present quotes from books that I have read while still writing about life. I realized that the blog started to become unorganized. I didn’t set out to write anything with consistency.

These past couple of weeks, I have sat down and thought through what I want my blog to look like going forward. I have decided to still write on life experiences when they arise. I also will still be reviewing books. I will review books that catch my eye. Most of these books will be books that draw me deeper. They will be books that point me to Christ and help me to treasure and savor Him. Others will be books that I think the church should avoid or read with caution. There will also be book giveaways from time to time. I will also frequently post quotes to the blog that I find stir my affections for Christ and the gospel.

Lastly, I have been working on some series to start. This is the element of the blog that has really been missing. I want to write on relevant topics that stir our affections for Christ.

My aim in all of this is to glorify God. I want my blog to be a place that is gospel-centered and Christ-exalting. I can’t wait to launch some of this new stuff.

If you have any ideas or want me to write on a specific topic, feel free to leave me a comment. I would love to hear your feedback.

Matt.

This past Sunday, in my sermon, I told a story concerning the apostle John. It is a beautiful story that gives us deeper insight to the life of John. I thought I would share it on here as well. My prayer is that you would be encouraged by the following. It is taken from Ecclesiastical History by Eusebius.

“Listen to a story that is no fiction, but a real history, handed down and carefully preserved, respecting the apostle John. For after the tyrant was dead, coming from the isle of Patmos to Ephesus, he went also, when called, to the neighboring regions of the Gentiles; in some to appoint bishops, in some to institute entire new churches, in others to appoint to the ministry some one of those that were pointed out by the Holy Ghost. When he came, therefore, to one of those cities, at no great distance, of which some also give the name, and had in other respects consoled his brethren, he at last turned towards the bishop ordained (appointed), and seeing a youth of fine stature, graceful countenance, and ardent mind, he said, ‘Him I commend to you with all earnestness, in the presence of the church and of Christ.’ The bishop having taken him and promised all, he repeated and testified the same thing, and then returned to Ephesus. The presbyter taking the youth home educated, restrained, and cherished him, and at length baptized him. After this he relaxed exercising his former care and vigilance, as if he had now committed him to a perfect safeguard in the seal of the Lord. But certain idle, dissolute fellows, familiar with every kind of wickedness, unhappily attach themselves to him, thus prematurely freed from restraint. At first they lead him on by expensive entertainments. Then going out at night to plunder, they take him with them. Next, they encourage him to something greater, and gradually becoming accustomed to their ways in his enterprising spirit, like an unbridled and powerful steed that has struck out of the right way, biting the curb, he rushed with so much the greater impetuosity towards the precipice. At length renouncing the salvation of God, he contemplated no trifling offense, but having committed some great crime, since he was now once ruined, he expected to suffer equally with the rest. Taking, therefore, these same associates, and forming them into a band of robbers, he became their captain, surpassing them all in violence, blood, and cruelty. Time elapsed, and on a certain occasion they send for John. The apostle, after appointing those other matters for which he came, said, ‘Come, bishop, return me my deposit, which I and Christ committed to thee, in the presence of the church over which thou dost preside,’ The bishop at first, indeed, was confounded, thinking that he was insidiously charged for money which he had not received; and yet he could neither give credit respecting that which he had not, nor yet disbelieve John. But when he said, ‘I demand the young man, and the soul of a brother,’ the old man, groaning heavily and also weeping, said, ‘He is dead,’ ‘How, and what death?’ ‘He is dead to God,’ said he. ‘He has turned out wicked and abandoned, and at last a robber; and now, instead of the church, he has beset the mountain with a band like himself.’ The apostle, on hearing this tore his garment, and beating his head with great lamentation, said, ‘I left a fine keeper of a brother’s soul! But let a horse now be got ready, and someone to guide me on my way.’ He rode as he was, away from the church, and coming to the country, was taken prisoner by the outguard of the banditti. He neither attempted, however, to flee, nor refused to be taken; but cried out, ‘For this very purpose am I come; conduct me to your captain.’ He, in the meantime, stood waiting, armed as he was. But as he recognized John advancing towards him, overcome with shame he turned about to flee. The apostle, however, pursued him with all his might, forgetful of his age, and crying out, ‘Why dost thou fly, my son, from me, thy father; thy defenseless, aged father? Have compassion on me, my son; fear not. Thou still hast hope of life. I will intercede with Christ for thee, as Christ for us. I will give my life for thine. Stay; believe Christ hath sent me.’ Hearing this, he at first stopped with downcast looks. Then he threw away his arms; then trembling, lamented bitterly, and embracing the old man as he came up, attempted to plead for himself with his lamentations, as much as he was able; as if baptized a second time with his own tears, and only concealing his right hand. But the apostle pledging himself, and solemnly assuring him, that he had found pardon for him in his prayers at the hands of Christ, praying, on his bended knees, and kissing his right hand as cleansed from all iniquity, conducted him back again to the church. Then supplicating with frequent prayers contending with constant fastings, and softening down his mind with various consolatory declarations, he did not leave him as it is said, until he had restored him to the church. Affording a powerful example of true repentance, and a great evidence of a regeneration, a trophy of visible resurrection.” – Eusebius

In my last post, I focused on a slave girl from II Kings 5. It is truly a story of grace and forgiveness. We looked at the first five verses of the story. Feel free to check it out. We continue the story in verse six where we now focus on Naaman.

 Naaman was commander of the Syrian army. He was well respected with the king and people. He was a man in high honor. Yet their was one flaw with Naaman. He was a leper. Despite all his success in the army, he was wasting away. It was common knowledge that leprosy didn’t end well for the people who had it. Naaman needed a miracle. God would provide this miracle starting with a young Israelite girl, Naaman’s slave. The girl told Naaman’s wife that there was a prophet in Israel who could heal Naaman. Naaman longing to be healed, jumped at the opportunity. He talked to his king and received a letter for the king of Israel. He then journeyed to Israel, to the king, to find healing. He took with him tons of gifts.

5And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. 6And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” 7And when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me.” 

 After arriving to the king, Naaman didn’t find healing. Rather, the king of Israel seemed to be displeased with Naaman. He thought it was a trick. He thought Naaman was trying to quarrel with Israel. After all, he was a high ranking commander. The truth is Naaman didn’t pay much attention to the details of what the little girl said. She told him their was a prophet in Israel who could heal him. Instead he went to the king supposing that he could heal him. The king tears his clothes in reaction. However Elisha hears about this and sends for Naaman. Naaman packs up his gifts and heads to Elisha.

8But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. 10And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” 11But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. 12Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. 

 Naaman has finally arrived at Elisha’s house. He is greeted by Naaman’s servants and told to wash in the Jordan seven times, and his flesh would be restored and he would be clean. The prescription for a cure is given. Yet Naaman gets angry. What is happening here? Why was Naaman angry? Remember that Naaman was a man with honor and valor. He was well respected. He was a man of pride. He went to Elisha to see Elisha, not his servants! It would be safe to say that Naaman was never treated this way in Syria. So aside from whatever the servants just spoke, Naaman could care less. He was already upset. His pride had been hurt. He wanted Elisha to come to him in person and call down for Elisha’s God to heal him. He wanted some visible miracle. He didn’t get that. He got servants instead. He was not pleased with the message the servants brought either. A ritual cleansing? Washing in a river? Really? Naaman responds by asking if the rivers of Israel were better than that of Syria. You can sense the sarcasm in his voice as he responds. Naaman is angry and decides to go away rather than be treated with “disrespect”.

 See, God knew that Naaman came to be healed of leprosy. He knew that Naaman’s greatest desire at that moment was to be rid of the disease that he had tried so hard to cure. He knew Naaman wanted to be healed. But God always knew that cleansing his leprosy was not Naaman’s greatest need. It may have been Naaman’s greatest desire but not his greatest need. Naaman’s greatest need was a heart change. God saw the heart of Naaman. He saw a man with a leprous heart. Naaman’s heart was a heart full of pride. Naaman went to Elisha to be healed of his leprosy. Little did he know that God was going to give him so much more.

13But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 14So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 

 I love Naaman’s servants response. They beg with him. They tell him it is a great word. They believe what Elisha has said to them. But Naaman heard a ritual cleansing. He heard dip seven times in a river. What he didn’t seem to hear was that God would restore his flesh. His servants point this out for us. They say “Did Elisha only say wash and be clean; did he only prescribe you a ritual? No, he said so much more.” After hearing his servants, Naaman decides to go to the river. He dips seven times and is restored like the flesh of a little child. We often miss what is happening here. But in the Hebrew text there is a word play. The author of II Kings is pointing us back to the little girl and her faith. What an awesome thing. Naaman was healed. He no longer has leprosy. But did his heart change? You may be asking how I even know this is a story about the heart. Let’s continue to read further.

15Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.” 16But he said, “As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused. 17Then Naaman said, “If not, please let there be given to your servant two mules’ load of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the LORD. 18In this matter may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this matter.” 

Naaman knew that it was the God of Israel who had healed him. Yet according to his culture you had to pay for grace. He still didn’t understand the radical grace he just received. He had brought tons of gifts. He thought he needed to pay someone. He tries to pay Elisha. However, Elisha knew that it was God who healed Naaman. Elisha needed to teach Naaman that grace is free. He can’t pay for grace. So Elisha continues to tell Naaman no. Instead he sends Naaman back to Syria with all his gifts. In a short amount of time, Naaman experienced a life and heart change. He was different. And yet you may still be asking for confirmation on the whole heart thing. Here is how I know this story is about so much more than just a cleansing of leprosy.

19He said to him, “Go in peace.” But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, 20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” 21So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” 22And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’” 23And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi. 24And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. 25He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” 26But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? 27Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow. 

Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, saw Elisha turn down Naaman’s gifts. He couldn’t believe it. Instead of rejoicing in grace, Gehazi’s heart is displayed for us. Why didn’t the author just end with the healing of Naaman? Why did he tell us about this story? The author wanted to make sure we knew that this is a story about heart change and not just a physical healing. In Gehazi we see a heart full of greed. He chases after Naaman and lies to him. He says that Elisha does want some gifts after all. Naaman gives some gifts to Gehazi. As Gehazi comes back home, Elisha asks him where he went. Gehazi lies to him. Elisha is not fooled. He saw right through Gehazi’s lies. He saw the heart full of greed. As a result of his heart, Naaman’s leprosy is transferred to Gehazi. What a stunning change of events.

 This is how I know that the story of Naaman is about a heart change. Naaman went to Elisha to be healed physically. God gave him so much more. And years later God would send Jesus into the world so that this same heart change would be possible for everyone. He would be the substitute for our sins. He would bore our wrath so that we could have His righteousness. We can be confident that God will see and meet our greatest need when we go to him. We may go to him with our greatest desires but he will always see our greatest needs. Let us approach the throne of grace boldly. We have a merciful high priest who is interceding on our behalf. Like, Naaman, God can change our heart. He can remove our leprosy of pride and sin. This is a story of Amazing Grace! I pray that Grace is never less than amazing in our lives.

2 Kings 5 truly is a story of remarkable grace. We are introduced to a man named Naaman. Naaman is a commander of the Syrian Army. He is a well respected man and in high favor with the King of Syria. But Naaman has one flaw. Naaman was a leper. Leprosy was deadly and certainly incurable by man. This man was in desperate need of a miracle. Little did Naaman know that God was going to give him a miracle beginning with a little girl from Israel who was made his slave.

[5:1] Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. [2] Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman’s wife. [3] She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” [4] So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” [5] And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing.  

In one of the Syrian’s raids, a little girl from Israel was captured and turned slave. This very child, was given to Naaman’s wife to serve her. Imagine for a moment if you are this child. You have been captured by an army who just rampaged and destroyed your city. There is a good chance they killed your family and friends. Not only that but they have now turned you into their servants. To make it worse, the head of the house has leprosy. This Israelite girl knows that lepers shouldn’t be in society. Everyone in Israel knows that they are unclean. And yet she is living in the midst of a leper. So lets add it up. She has lost her family, friends, and home. She has been brought into a new culture and forced to live as a slave. She lives with a leper who commanded the army that destroyed everything she knew; well destroyed everything she knew except her God.

This little girl had every right to seek retribution for what had happened right? Yet that’s not her response. Her response baffles me. Her response makes me marvel at the grace of God. As she is serving Naaman’s wife, she puts on display forgiveness and faith. She desires that Naaman would be cured of leprosy. She knows that her God is the true God, the God who can heal him. So what does she do? She tells Naaman’s wife that he can be healed. She had forgiven Namaan for what he had done. But she didn’t just forgive. She desired to help Naaman. She wanted him to be healed. She wanted him to meet the true living God. This little girl showed immense forgiveness and faith and sure enough Naaman would meet the God of Israel.

Who are you being a little child too? We can only blame our circumstances so long before we need to forgive. This little girl forgave despite her circumstances. Are we pointing people to the one true God who’s grace really is enough? The reason we can do this is Jesus. Jesus forgave us on the cross. When we need help forgiving, let us go to the cross and sit there observing at the depths of how Jesus forgave us.

Stay tuned for Part 2.

I can’t for the life of me understand why we are not preaching weighty truths to our students. Youth Ministry has become a target for laughter when it comes to Theology. We easily connect Youth Ministry and pizza parties, fun games and “lame” illustrations. But what about deep theological topics like the Trinity (yes the Trinity), the glory of God, sanctification, grace, holiness, and on and on I could go. It’s harder to connect those to Youth Ministry. Why?

A few days ago I posted a tweet about making a Moleskine Blank Bible. Since then, a couple people have asked me what a blank Bible is. So here you go.

I came across a blog post by Tony Reinke the other day. That blog post just happened to be on blank Bibles. I had read about Jonathan Edward’s blank Bible but never thought about creating one myself. Reinke provides a guide for the process. He explains the process he undertook in order to create his own. There is also a couple other projects and methods created by others.

So what is a blank Bible?

A blank Bible is essential dismantling a Bible and rebinding it with blank pages in between each page. This allows the reader to take notes inside the Bible. It allows for more room to capture thoughts than a standard Bible does. Jonathan Edwards found value in this. You can see his Bible pictured to the right.

Moleskine Blank Bible?

After reading Reinke’s post, I decided that I wanted to create my own Blank Bible. However, I wanted to make the process my own and do it in a way that I found appealing. After all if I am going to take the time to dismantle and rebind a Bible with pages in between, then I better enjoy writing in it. So I thought about it for a while and decided to make a Moleskine Blank Bible. It seems like everyone is using moleskines these days right? The size and feel just made sense to me. So what I am going to do is dismantle two compact ESV Bibles that I bought at a local bookstore on sale for $5 each. I bought two Bibles because I am going to paste the page into the moleskine. This leaves the backside of the page unusable. The second Bible will have the backside that I need when pasting. I then bought two large plain moleskines. I intend to paste Matthew-Acts in one moleskine to make my first volume. I then hope to paste Paul’s letters in another for the second volume. Eventually, I will have the whole Bible in a few volumes.

Is it really of Value?

A few of you may still be wondering if all the time it takes is really worth it. I truly do believe that this project is of immense value. I often find myself taking notes or journaling while reading. This allows me to channel those thoughts into one area to which I can refer back to at any time. In essence, it is like I am creating my own study Bible with my own notes.

Let me know if you are thinking about making one as well. I would love to know how it turns out and helps you in your walk with Christ. Feel free to contact me if you want more information on how I am making mine. Also check back for a blog post on the completion of  Moleskine Blank Bible Volume 1.

Last week I started a series called Technology and Youth Ministry. The goal of this series is to introduce technology and methods that I am using and find beneficial in youth ministry. In the last post, I looked at how I am using Springpad in ministry. This week I want to introduce you to another application that I find essential for youth pastors and ministers.

Wunderlist

Meet Wunderlist.

What is Wunderlist?

Wunderlist is a free task management system that syncs across platforms in an easy to use fashion. Do you need a way to organize tasks, meetings, or other items? Welcome to Wunderlist. The people at Wunderlist have created apps for Mac, Windows, Ipad, Iphone, and Android. There is also a web app for those who still prefer to use websites over apps. To use Wunderlist, Simply create an account and unlock the world of task management inside Wunderlist.


How I am using Wunderlist


Inside Wunderlist you will find several key features that I find very beneficial. Let me highlight a few of them. The first feature that I frequently use inside of Wunderlist is the “lists” feature. Inside Wunderlist I have created several lists including Bible Study, Students, Book Reviews, Books to Read, and Blog Posts. These lists create the starting point for the next feature that I use in Wunderlist.

Once the lists have been created (you can create any list you want), the next feature is to “add tasks” to Wunderlist. For example, under my “Bible Study” list, I have created several tasks that lay out my teaching series for the current study I am. Inside my Students list, I have created tasks such as “contact and pray for *students name*”. Once I have created a task, I can then set a date and time to complete that task by. I can even choose to set up email and/or push notifications. I also have the ability to “star” the task if it is extremely urgent or important. From this point, Wunderlist organizes my tasks by due date and allows me to quickly sort through tasks that are overdue, due today, or awaiting future completion. Once I have completed a task, I simply check the box and Wunderlist archives the task for me and checks it as complete.

With that said, I have found Wunderlist extremely beneficial in two areas. The first area is organizing my ministry with students. At the beginning of the month, I create an individual task for each one of my students. The task usually involves “contact and pray for *students name*”. As I create the tasks, I also give them a completion date and time along with an email notification. I start with the first day of the month excluding Sat-Mon. I then organize my tasks into three students a day. This helps me ensure that I am praying for and contacting my students throughout the month. It gives me an organized system to stay connected with my students. The second area I have found Wunderlist extremely beneficial is managing “other activities”. When life is constantly going, it is easy to forget about ideas/topic or activities. By creating lists, I create more structure and less chaos. It allows me to intentionally neglect things that I would otherwise waste time on. It also allows me to diligently plan my time preparing Bible studies, reading books and managing my blog. While I have found many uses for Wunderlist, I have only highlighted a few for brevity.

Wrapping It Up


Like Springpad, I constantly find myself using Wunderlist. The accessibility and ease of Wunderlist makes updating it from my phone, mac or ipad a breeze. I pull out my phone add a task and watch Wunderlist sync to the cloud. My tasks are backed up and my information is synced between all of my devices. If you are looking for a way to become more organized try Wunderlist. There is a lot of freedom in the application and it seems like many great features are on the way. If you are the type of person who loves to email and share their tasks, there is also that ability for you. That is a brief overview of how I am using Wunderlist to not only become more effective organizationally but also in my ministry. This has completely changed the way I pray for my students.

If you are looking for a task management system that helps you become more organized check out Wunderlist. It is free and easy to use. It definitely doesn’t hurt to give it a try.

Sign up now at Wunderlist.

Recently, I was asked how I am using technology in Youth Ministry. I thought I would write a couple posts explaining how I am using technology I find beneficial to my ministry.

Disclaimer: I do not consider myself to be some expert on technology or youth ministry. I just enjoy both and have found technologies and methods that work for me.

Springpad

What is Springpad?

Springpad is a free online application that has really changed the way that I do ministry. In it’s most basic form, Springpad allows the user to create separate notebooks to store information, contacts, and other details. Springpad also has an iphone, ipad, and android app that syncs all your information in the cloud. Whether you update from your computer or phone, your information is stored and updated for all devices. There is currently no mac or pc app other than the web app. However, I hear one is currently being developed. With that said, let me tell you how I am using the device.

How I am Using Springpad


Springpad allows me to create and organize my daily schedule, students, prayer lists, and sermon illustrations/content all in one place. I have created several notebooks such as Students, Sermons, Ministry Ideas, Small Group Games, and Blog Topics. In each of these notebooks, I have complied several notes.

In my Students notebook, I have names of students that I meet with or am in constant contact with. I compile prayer requests, conversations or other information that helps me minister to my student. I have found this beneficial in my prayer life as I pray for my students. It allows me to intentionally pray for requests they have given me. I can easily go back and look to see what God has been doing in their life.

In my Sermons notebook, I clip articles, resources, and illustrations that I run across on the web. I then use the tag feature to give it a specialized tag that I can use in future sermons. This helps me to sift through articles in the future.  Springpad has a web grabber extension for google chrome and other browsers. This makes it easy to clip and copy information for future use. Whether you clip the entire article or just a section, Springpad records the website url and content. It is a great feature.

The other notebooks are fairly simple concepts and speak for themselves. These are a few ways I am using Springpad but certainly not the only way. I am merely highlighting key features that I enjoy and use frequently.

Wrapping it Up

Springpad is of great benefit to me personally and in ministry. Because I am always carrying my phone, I always have access to this information. When I am waiting for a meeting or have some down time, I can easily pull up Springpad. It also provides an easy way for me to capture sermon ideas or blog posts that I don’t want to forget. It allows me to be very intentional with my students and ministry. It also allows me the ability to store great amounts of resources in one area inside a framework that organizes it with simplicity. There is a search function I use frequently to search through my documents and find the information I am looking for. For me, organization is important. Springpad provides the organization that I need.

If you are looking for a way to increase your organization and effectiveness in ministry, give Springpad a try. I use it daily and find it to be very beneficial. I encourage you to try Springpad and make it your own. Find methods and notebook structures that work for you and your personality.

Sign up now at Springpad.

O My Lord,

Let not my ministry be approved only by men,
or merely win the esteem and affections of people;
But do the work of grace in their hearts,
call in thy elect,
seal and edify the regenerate ones,
and command eternal blessings on their souls.
Save me from self-opinion and self-seeking;
Water the hearts of those who hear thy Word,
that seed sown in weakness may be raised in power;
Cause me and those that hear me to behold thee here in the light of special faith,
and hereafter in the blaze of endless glory;
Make my every sermon a means of grace to myself,
and help me to experience the power of thy dying love,
for thy blood is balm,
thy presence bliss,
thy smile heaven,
thy cross the place where truth and mercy meet.
Look upon the doubts and discouragements of my ministry and keep me from self-importance;
I beg pardon for my many sins, omissions, infirmities,
as a man, as a minister;
Command thy blessing on my weak, unworthy labours,
and on the message of salvation given;
Stay with thy people, and may thy presence be their portion and mine.
When I preach to others let not my words be merely elegant and masterly,
my reasoning polished and refined,
my performance powerless and tasteless,
but may I exalt thee and humble sinners.
O Lord of power and grace, all hearts are in thy hands, all events at thy disposal,
Set the seal of thy almighty will upon my ministry.

- Valley of Vision.