On getting "saved"

One of the most influential (when it comes to my spiritual journey) books I have ever read was called "No Compromise" and it was the life story of a pretty famous Christian singer back in the 70's and early 80's. It's not the best written book I have ever read, but I found the story fascinating. It was really neat to see the kind of difference one person can make when he or she is striving to be fully in the hands of our Lord.

One of the things I loved about this book was the description of these key "wake up" moments in Keith's life. God would rock him spiritually and he'd come to this conclusion where he would learn something so big or great about God that he was uncertain in the time before this revelation whether or not he was really "saved." The statement was something like this, "I don't know what I was before tonight but wow, now I know I am a follower if Jesus."

I had one of those moments tonight. I make it no secret that the thing I miss the most about living in the states (other than our families of course) is our home church, Crosspointe. I pretty much love everything about it. And I really, really miss the way God used that church as a huge part of my spiritual journey for about 10 years-- basically, all of my adult life.

One of the main reasons I miss the church is that we just don't have the same access to really good teaching. I consider both Jonathan and Steve excellent pastors and I really just miss them. Adjusting to a new culture makes church a challenge, but I am getting there. Slowly. Very slowly. Very, very slowly.

But tonight, God did something that rocked my world. He allowed a great teacher, my husband, Nick Mangine, to deliver a message that cut me right to the heart. You can read the jist of the message here: http://i-jat.blogspot.com/2010/08/run-not-race.html

One of the points he made towards the end, and this isn't on his outline was something like this-- "if the image you have of God is the same image you had of him 5 years ago, then than's probably not God." His point was that we never arrive, but we're always following. Over time, as we walk with him, our view of who he is changes. And if you're truly walking WITH him, you are closer to his heart and you will have more of these discoveries/convictions/moments of pure undiluted adoration. It's all a part of the package.

I've been somewhat spiritually lax lately. Nick's message was veery convicting. These kinds of thoughts bombarded me--- I am not truly following God, just sort of wandering somewhere in his general vicinity. I am often tripped up by the "next thing" that I just "have to" get to. I am impeded also by my past and distracted by my need for approval. These things aren't going to cut it if I want to walk the talk I claim.

I am so thankful for Nick's wisdom tonight. And I am thankful that God cared enough about the dirty condition of my heart to convict me of my sin so that I can turn to him for his grace... Once again.