The New Plan

There was a time in my life when I thought I had it all figured out. I thought I had "the plan", and the skills to make it happen. I thought I was smart and because of that, life would be smooth sailing. God had another plan for me. It was not a plan of smooth seas, self reliance, and self confidence. It was a perfect plan--one that would bring my face down before my Creator, humbly crying out to my God who is mighty to save. His plan was simply to show me my own depravity, my own inability to even control my own life, and my need for Him. In keeping with the title of this blog, He showed me my wretched heart, and the wretched state of a life without Him.

And now He is calling me to a new plan. I know enough to know that I will never fully understand this plan until it is complete and I pass from this world into eternity. I know enough to know that He desires that I look to Him for the answer to every question (Proverbs 3:5-6), the comfort for every need (2 Corinthians 1:3-4), and the strength to run this race to the end (Hebrews 12:1).

The plan now is to continue to daily come face to face with the Lord (Psalm 27:8) through His word, prayer, and worship, that in the light of His glory, my darkness may be turned to light (John 8:12) and my mind may be renewed (Romans 12:2). The plan is to learn His word, and to hide it in my heart, that I might not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11). The plan is to learn to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit within me, teaching me, guiding me, and helping me to walk uprightly (John 14:26). The plan is to serve the Lord, me and my household (Joshua 24:15). The plan is to be more like Jesus.

I do recognize that I have just jumped all over the Bible, and would ask only that you bear with me as I seek the Lord on what this blog will become. Right now I am zealous, perhaps without knowledge, desiring only to share my thoughts on the things Jesus Christ has done for me and revealed to me about myself. I pray always as I post, that those who read this might be encouraged and drawn only closer to the Lord.

"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as [is] the manner of some, but exhorting [one another], and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

In the Beginning...

Seven years and a few months ago I took the plunge. My wife and I were baptized together in the York River at Yorktown, VA. Through an amazing series of events, we had come to find the truth of Jesus Christ. It was an extremely difficult time for us--with a marriage that was on the verge of destruction, friends that were pulling us in various directions (not good ones), and hearts that were every kind of selfish and just plain old wretched. By the grace of God, He revealed Himself to us, and through His word and by the example of a couple of faithful servants, we found ourselves falling into the arms of a loving and graceful God. That was the beginning.

Let me just explain the title of this blog...you may think it odd that I call myself a wretched man. I'm sure there are some reading this who fully understand the depravity of the human condition. The title is inspired by a couple of my brothers in Christ who use this word often... Others reading this may think I am a weak-minded fool and destined for utter failure in life (because we so value self-esteem today). Most will probably fall somewhere in between, wondering a little about my sanity, but maybe just a little curious about my point of view. Plus, I just love saying the word "wretched"- it just sounds awesome!

The reason for this blog is simple: I love to write, and lately (finally), growing my personal relationship with the Lord has become my priority in life. I've finally learned (although I still forget sometimes) that I can't do anything right on my own. It's all got to be Him, through His grace and salvation through Jesus Christ. I've read a few things as I traverse the internet, and often I find that "Christians" are tearing each other to shreds with their comments, and of course unbelievers always have things to say too, but I hope this blog will not end up that way. My intention is solely to encourage other believers, each in his or her own relationship with the Lord.

Daily reminding myself of my wretchedness as I spend time in fellowship with the Creator of the universe, I pray, will keep my posts completely humble. If you see anything other than Christ in me as you read my words, please forgive me. It's a little scary publishing my heart for the whole world to see, but I've learned (again, finally), that what other people think is not really that important.

My prayer is that you will be encouraged as we "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18