Confession « Journeyman Journal

Cling to Him

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

Time for a little confession. This past week has been especially busy (no, that’s not the confession). What has paid the price? Mostly my time with God (there it is). I have been spending “time” with Him, but not the kind of focused attention that He deserves…my mind has been on other things.

This weekend we took our usual Labor Day camping weekend trip up to Como. As usual, it was good time with family and friends. And it was relaxing…something I needed, but that I am paying for now since I still have a big paper due in my class. During the one good time I spent with God this weekend I was confessing how I have been neglecting my relationship with Him. And as usual, He gave me something to chew on in return. Here it is:

As a loincloth clings to a man’s waist,
so I created Judah and Israel [and David] to cling to me, says the Lord.
They were to be my people, my pride, my glory—an honor to my name.
But they would not listen to me.
Jeremiah 13:11, NLT

Yes, I made a little personal addition there…but that is how God spoke to me. I was made to cling to Him.

Do I always do it? No.
Do I often? Guilty again.
Am I learning? Yes.

So today, in the midst of the busyness and craziness of life I am trying to cling to Him and turn to Him more and more. How about you? Do you cling to God when life gets crazy? Or do you cling to something else?

03.09.2008 Devotional, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings No Comments

My “Good” Addiction

Saturday, June 14th, 2008

Confession is good for the soul…right? Well,here is my confession for the day…

I am addicted to Bibles!

There…I said it. Now, I know what you may be thinking: “What? Addicted to Bibles?” You heard me right, I’m officially addicted to Bibles. Taking me anywhere near a Bible bookstore is just plain dangerous. At last count I had somewhere in the neighborhood of 20+ Bibles. Sure, I have different versions and many of them have a different purpose (study, etc). But deep down that’s not the real reason I like buying Bibles…no matter how “holy” it might sound.

I even got a new one that ”I just had to have” today. This despite the fact that I got the “perfect” Bible for Christmas (and I do still love that Bible…by far my favorite!). Why did I get this new Bible? Ready for it? Because it looked cool! On the practical side (a.k.a.: my justification) it is smaller than my good Bible and I can take it places I wouldn’t take my good one (like hunting and camping). Never mind the fact that I certainly have other Bibles that fit that same bill.

What’s worse is that I also think I’m becoming a Bible snoob! It has to be cool, or have good leather, be a good version, et al. Use a pulpit Bible?? Who would even suggest such a thing! I know there are MUCH worse addictions in life (and I have one or two of those as well), but I just had to let someone know. So now you know…I’ll see you at the bookstore…you can probably find me in the Bible section (or looking for the latest Nooma video).

14.06.2008 Books, Hobbies, Misc Ramblings 1 Comment

Confession of Prayer

Saturday, April 19th, 2008

Tommorow I am teaching the third session in the Holy Habits series at church and it will be the most difficult for me by far. The session is called: Prayer & Confession.

So here is my confession: My prayer life sucks! (Yes, I know that’s a little sacrilegious). I have studied the topic, studied The Lord’s Prayer, read book after book, and tried just about every method I can get my hands on…but it till sucks.

There will be times when it’s okay, but it never seems to last for long. Improving my prayer life is even one of my goals for 2008…but it continues to elude me. And I don’t know why. I long for the intimacy of a deep, ric, dynamic prayer life but it is a constant struggle for me.

I know that sometimes I try too hard. Other times I don’t try hard enough. My heart and desire is in the right place…I just can’t seem to break through and really communicate with God…hear His voice, speak my heart, and commune with Him.

I’m starting to think this is just my primary struggle in my spiritual journey. And it’s why tomorrow’s class is going to be tough…hopefully I’ll learn something. If you’ve got any methods or stories to share on the topic I’m all ears. Otherwise…pray for me…and I’ll keep trying.