Perfected in Weakness

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

When I read the Bible I am honestly so grateful. Grateful I am able to read, and that the word of God is given to us so freely within this 66 book love letter. When I see the love that Paul has for the church in the new testament, I can't help but be glad and seek that kind of love for the church as well- in regards to leaders to look up to and for my own spiritual growth as well. His Christ-like mind is shown even in his letters to the Corinthians when he tells them that he prayed to the Lord about a specific type of weakness and for it to be taken away from him. Yet when Jesus said that His grace is sufficient and that His power is made perfect in Paul's weakness, it shows that Paul still in the flesh had to persevere and his reaction to the response of the plead is all the more beautiful since he, receiving the response (not the one he desired) yet is beautifully glorifying our God. It's not about living your "best life now" it's about living through the pain and struggles in Christ and ultimately glorifying God through it all. If a person, as a self-proclaimed follower of Christ, one does not see the eternal ramifications of disobedience and lack of reverence and fear in the Lord who created all I daresay one is not to call one's self a Christian at all for that matter.. I pray that my fruits of suffering be as Paul's. Where I may glorify Him in the pangs of fleshly weaknesses.

Depraved Soul

My soul writhes within my wretched flesh.
The haze of comfort and self-deception had made me drunk.
Unable to see the dirt upon my heels.
As a whore I have run away from the bridegroom.
To the dust and filth I ran towards and in so doing claimed that is it gold.

Awakened to a humbled state I look to see
The light that I once thought I knew is no where.
Seeking searching hoping that this blinded fool may be wrapped up,
In the loving arms of the beautiful bridegroom.
Blessed is His name that is pure as the clear, light that shines.

From The Visible To Invisible

Going near large bodies of water this past weekend have been sobering in a necessary way that I had not been able to come to on my own this entire week. Is there anything more terrifying yet beautiful as the ocean? Yet even as I stand right in front of it, even as I place my fragile life on the line as to dangle my legs above the dark star-lit ocean my mind could not grasp the mysteries that is of this world I am living on. For example, the waves. Yes, there are waves due to wind and the creatures of the sea moving about. And of course, there are tectonic plates shifting all around the Earth as I write these things. But it does not necessarily explain the fact that it is in sync with not only life under the sea levels but also above it. 

How is every living organism linked unto each other on this solid yet liquid piece of rock that floats in space? With something so articulately moving about in regards to the world and its workings, humans bring the question of "why"? There is purpose in everything. Even an old hammer was created by men to serve a purpose, and with just a few pieces that item was intelligently designed! Water filtration systems are arduously processable and intricately thought out products of human intelligence.. Yet with innumerable nerves in even just the human eye, how much more of an intelligent designer should there be?

"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, 

visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or 

rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him. 

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Colossians 1:16-17

His Works and His Promises

Praise the Lord!

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,

in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.

Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.

He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;

the Lord is gracious and merciful.

He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.

He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.

The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;

they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever.

Holy and awesome is his name!

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

all those who practice it have a good understanding.

His praise endures forever!

Psalm 111