September's Ebb

Two blog posts in the same month. I’m breaking all sorts of personal blogging records here…haha

It’s been a big month. School is cranking out the assignments, and it’s been interesting attempting to keep up between work and recreation. Nonetheless, it’s also been a good month. I just want to mention here briefly that I’ve enjoyed meeting with Dave Lewis and listening to Uncle Terry preach the last several weeks, it’s been great hearing God speak through both of them. Of the highlights this past month, one that I find pretty awesome is that, surprisingly, I’ve been able to catch up on the reading of some great books. I’m currently attempting to work through four. Of all those books, one that I’m really enjoying is Jerry Bridges’ book, “Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate”. I bring this book up, because that’s really what’s God’s been speaking to me about lately. Showing me the importance of “Confronting My Sins” not on my own terms of course, but by recognizing them as dealt with via the cross, and reckoning myself as being dead to sin and alive in Christ because of His death and resurrection.

I always find it interesting, that whenever I’m closest to God, I become more perceptive of how I fall so extremely short of God’s standard. I’m thankful that God doesn’t choose to hand out the full punishment that I deserve for the sin I commit on a daily basis. In essence, I’m extremely thankful for God’s grace and mercy! As cliché as that sounds, that is meant in full earnestness. When I look at the section of the Bible where it talks about the evidences of God’s working in a Christian (the fruits of the spirit) and I see that these evidences are, among other things, “love, peace, patient, kindness, gentleness, and self-control” (gal 5:22) it becomes so clear that many times throughout the day, the man I am bears no resemblance to the one that should show forth the witness of God’s work. The times that I am unloving, violent, quarrelsome, impatient, rude, overbearing and uncontrolled throughout the day, whether that manifest itself in my actions or in my spirit, is a vast amount. Paul’s statements that, “Christ came to die for sinners, of whom I am the worst” (I Tim. 1:15) and that he is the “very least of all the Saints” (gal 3:8) are sentiments that I echo in my own life.

What’s sad to me I guess, and this is where the Holy Spirit has been convicting me, has been in those areas of my life that I recognize, or am simply ignorant to, my character falling short and habitually accept it. It really reminds me of my Kidney disease. Whether I recognize it as a problem or simply forget about the problem, if I do not recognize the fact that I have an issue and act accordingly, there will be absolutely no way I can avoid the negative repercussions in my life. Ignorance is not bliss. In the case of sin though, the repercussions are so much more serious. Not only do I incur upon myself negative spiritual and earthly consequences if I do not confront my sin and reckon myself no longer under its authority by standing with Christ, but I miss out on the opportunity to live the fulfilling and satisfying life that only God can provide. Life in Christ is life! Anything else isn’t really living.

I say all this, to point out that this book is one of the things that has encouraged me to really let the Holy Spirit work in my life and convict me of ways that I need to recognize where I need to act like one of the “sons of God’ (jhn 1:12) that I am. It’s just so fundamental to our lives as Christians. Questions I always need to ask myself are, “ Do I hate my sin as much as I hate seeing sin in others?” and “Why do I hate sin? Is it because of a judging nature, or is out of love because it’s robs people of the life God has for them?” It’s the reason I need, everyday, to “look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb 12) to have him illuminate my heart and show me where “He must become greater; I must become less” (Jhn 3:33)! One of the quotes I most enjoyed from the book was “I am a great sinner, but I have a great Savior”. That saying absolutely reflects my experience. It’s incredible when one knows that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ” (romans 8:1) and will “abide ” (jhn 15:4 KJV) in Jesus Christ!

"But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." - Luke 18:13-14


Until Next Time

Catching Up (no pun intended)

So my thoughts ran: “A week? Narcissistic. Two weeks? Blasé. Five months?...that’ll do.” So here I am, five months separated from my last blog post. At this rate, my next blog-break will last a year. It got to the point that I almost completely forgot I had a blog - until I saw my mom looking at it a few days ago….haha

So here I am, two weeks into college life after an amazing summer. It was a different summer, from a personal standpoint, notably in the fact that I fished fewer tournaments. Typically, I fish at least eight… This summer, I think I fished two, probably the lowest amount since I was eleven. With that being said, it was one of the most enjoyable fishing summers I’ve ever had! Instead of the trips consisting of just myself, I got the privilege of going out with people I usually don’t get the chance to go with. It was absolutely amazing to spend more time going out on the lake with people, taking the time to dwell upon God’s creation, hear His voice, and share that experience. The sunsets and sunrises were always, and continue to be, close to my heart. The words of the Psalmist always come to mind: “The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or a word; their voice is silent in the skies; yet their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to all the world”… It’s one of those things were God just continues to remind me that the bottom line is that relationships are all we get to take to heaven.

The other notable event in my summer, and in my current life, has been enjoying time with my siblings. Especially at this time in my life, being able to see Christina continue to grow, develop her personality, discover the world around her, and interact with the rest of my sibs, has undoubtedly been one of the biggest blessings I’ve experienced. The same can be said with my bros. Being able to spend time with them either playing basketball or being in the outdoors, meanwhile getting the chance to watch them become the Godly men that, in many ways I strive to be, has been incredible. I’ve never realized until the last couple years how much I do, and always will, cherish that experience.

So yeah, I think whoever wants to be caught up with my life, should now know my basic highlights. I’ll leave what I’ve been going through, exegetically speaking, for another time….. a good thing about a blog, is that I can be as (to quote olbermann) “dictatorial” as I desire…haha…until next time.

God bless,

Wayne Hartsburg