Yearning, Knowing and Yearning to Know

Today after a week of abscences from my prayer closet, I see how knowledge can puff up. (1 Corinthians 8:1) When the Spirit shines His light on all the things of my life, He reveals all of the amazing places I could go that day. Opportunities exist to be productive in my place of work, contribute to group discussions, spend time in the body of Christ (the Church), and so much more. There are so many options each day, but on days like today the light shines brightest on a closet in our apartment. That's the place I really wish I could be today. There is nothing inherently evil about what is keeping me from being there right now. For now, you see, is not the time set aside for me to be there. Unfortunately I neglected those times this week and I sit here, not in condemnation. Praise the Lord, I feel no condemnation because my life is hidden in Him now. I feel something else. I feel something that I could only quantify as an ever increasing desire. In other words, a yearning. I have a yearning to communicate with Christ, at the foot of the cross, and in the light of His words.

My motive isn't for head-knowledge, but for the substance of a relationship with Christ. The inner workings of a relationship that is bonded in privacy and intimacy with Him. There are many wonderful people that I have the privlege to say I know. I'm glad to know the likes of men like Andrew Sivulka, the Knowles Brothers, Brad Knueven, Benjamen Burke, Chad Vail, and Zachary Hung. I consider my relationship with my sister, parents, parents in love, new sisters (Suphia and Sara) and grandparents to be invaluable. I have the great pleasure and warm opportunities to grow closer to my wife, Saharh Burke, each day. There are so many more that I am thankful to know that I cannot take the time to write them at this moment. But the gloss of all these relationships grows dim and pale compared to the desire welling up within me to know Christ.

I don't take credit for this desire. It is something that has been planted within me by a power beyond my control. The Holy Spirit has shined His light on my heart and I can literally taste and see how only Jesus can fill what is lacking. Only what Christ inspires can be built on genuine love, truth, and beauty. Only in Christ can those other relationships shine. The only response my heart can muster is a thankfulness and a humble plea for more yearning and more hunger. By His grace, I will meet with Him in a quiet place tomorrow, so that I can fellowship with Him in private. Until then I will continue to seek the whispers of His voice in the crowded bellows of circumstance. Praise Jesus for the hunger that he both creates and quenches. I leave this post with the words of David Crowder.

"Come and listen. Come to the water's edge, all of you, who know and fear the Lord. Come and listen. Come to the water's edge, all of you, who are thirsty come."

Freedom from Comparison and Being Like Everyone Else

I don't remember the first time I compared myself to someone else. I was probably very young and it was probably over something very silly. Maybe someone had a nicer tricycle than I did. Maybe someone was better at using a router in shop class. Perhaps a colleague was better at mock debate in Washington D.C. There's no way I can forget the athletes that were better than me on the court in high school. After reading a Taste & See Article by John Piper, I can see that comparison of myself to another mortal is bondage. It is a unique slavery in that it has the power to hold us back, and drive us forward. Yet, it is still slavery. In the article entitled "What is That to You? You Follow Me!", Piper illustrates the statements of Christ to Peter. (John 21:18-22) Peter had compared himself to another and Jesus quickly cast that bondage aside. "What is it to you?", Jesus said. What is it to me? What power do I have over another? What gain is there in comparable to someone else? When I compare myself to a person, I either put them on a pedastal on which they do not belong or beneath me, which is a place they do not belong either. Performance driven by comparison is slavery. Anything good, comes from the Father of Lights (James 1:17). Anything worth emulating, is simply emulating the character of Christ. What is it to me, what the Lord chooses to do with another?...nothing. There is only the call to follow Jesus.

Lord Jesus, please squelch the comparitive nature within me. I submit it to you. I long to be free from that which entangles and hinders my stroll in the garden with you.

(Hebrews 12:1)
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race MARKED OUT FOR US."

Click here for the Piper article.

Popular Singer/Songwriter Derek Webb Makes His Entire Latest Album Free

I don't see this happen very often, but I'm not going to claim this is the first time either. Derek Webb (formerly with Caedmon's Call), who has released three major albums has decided to release his latest album for free at freederekwebb.com. He asks that those who would've spent money on his cds, spend them on help organizations instead...

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