Before I left for the National Founders Conference, I was tagged by Gene Bridges. Here’s the deal:
1. Those Tagged will share 5 things they dig about Jesus.
2. Those tagged will tag 5 other bloggers.
3. Those tagged will provide a link in the comments section here of their meme so that others can read them.
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Here’s five things I “dig” about Jesus:
1. Jesus saved me and changed my life. I am a debtor to sovereign grace. I am a worm and a wretch, deserving nothing less than condemnation and eternal punishment for my rebellion and sin. Yet Jesus bore the Father’s wrath and purchased me with His precious blood. He has brought victory of sin, death, and the grave, and I treasure Him as Prophet, Priest, and King.
2. Jesus has governed my life and guided me with every step. His providence has been a sweet comfort in the stormy seasons of my life (which have been many). In both meticulous and exhaustive ways, Jesus has been faithful and true, “with me always” (Matthew 28:20).
3. At a point in my life where a two ministers called me “Absalom” and told me that I was worthless and God would never use me in ministry, Jesus made Himself known to me as an ever present help and Shepherd of my soul. His nearness at certain times in my life was all I had.
4. Jesus has made my happiness and his glory one. As I seek to glorify Jesus in all that I do, he gives me greater enjoyment of Him. Indeed, He has made me happy, and it is my desire to help make others happy in Jesus, giving glory to God.
5. Apart from Jesus, I can do nothing (John 15:5); with Jesus I can do all things (Phil. 4:13). In sum, Jesus is my very life (Col. 3:4; Phil. 1:21), and in death it will be gain because of the resurrection on which I have set my hope.
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Since I am on the tail end of this meme, I think everyone I know has pretty much been tagged. However, many of you who read blogs do not have a blog. I would love to hear what you “dig” about Jesus. Please feel free to share in the comments your thoughts on Jesus as I consider you now “tagged.”
Your turn. 🙂
Absalom? Really?
Man, aren’t you glad God’s God and they’re not?
Really.
It was one of the most painful moments of my life. Yet it was a time when Jesus’ presence was sweetest. Those three hours in that church office was something that marked me – something that God has used to make me ever dependent on Him.
Timmy,
If you do not mind sharing…I think many of the readers of this blog would love to hear that story, and how God has used that moment to shape you.
I hope it is not too presumptive to ask you to share such a personal story. If it is, I apologize and understand your refusal to share.
J.Gray
Hey Timmy,
This is Joshua Hitchcock. I met you at Ninth and O this morning. It was cool to meet you and put a face with a blog. I will be visiting Ninth and O for a while because I really like it there and will probably join at some point as the Lord leads. The link above is to a team blog that I have with my former pastor, church member, childhood friend and others, entitled “The Reformed Mafia.” My personal site is “Theological Thoughts” at http://www.freegraceministries.blogspot.com. I don’t have as much time as I used to for blogging, but I do what I can when I can. There is no consistent theme to either one, basically an overflow from reading, listening, and church issues that are on our minds. Anyway, hope to see you around UPS and share in some ministry there together. be Blessed!
Cool. I’m “tagged.” Since I might be able to get a few folks outside of the SBTS blogosphere, I’ll try blogging this.
Stephen,
Looking forward to your response brother.
Josh,
It was nice meeting you as well. I look forward to reading more from your blog(s). In the meantime, enjoy getting adjusted to third shift!
JGray,
I have been wrestling with your request for most of the day today. I appreciate your interest in hearing more about events in my life. At the very beginning of my blogging experience, I used to write primarily about my life and past experiences. I could do that with the comforts of certain obscurity, knowing that only a small handful of family and friends read my blog. However, things have changed in the past two years, and I am not as comfortable making such personal information public (and permanent).
It is not because I am unwilling to share the story. It is a chapter in my life that God tremendously used to mold me and change me. It is not that I have an bitterness or hard feelings either. I have forgiven those whom I mentioned, and I have nothing personally against them. My concern is how and why people will read it. Some, undoubtedly, will want to read it for gossip or other unwholesome purposes. Others perhaps who knew me at this time of my life will be able to connect the dots and know the details of who, where, when, and why no matter how general I am in writing that. I do not have a huge readership, but those who read this are well-connected, and even the public sharing of this story could wind up in the inbox’s of church members who know nothing about what happened. Moreover, the majority of people in my life don’t know this story, including some of my family and closest friends (at least not the details). Therefore, if I have been reluctant sharing such a painful experience with people I know and trust, you could imagine how uncomfortable I would be sharing this information on a public medium to a majority of strangers who do not know me personally.
However, for those who sincerely would like to know this story in my life, I would be willing to tell you offline via email. Not that I expect much response, but should you be interested, simply email me at outpostministries[at]yahoo[dot]com.
I hope you understand my rationale in doing this. My life story is what it is, and God’s good hand has been faithful to me when I have been faithless. Jesus has been my nearest friend when I felt like an enemy. And I am eternally grateful for the providential placement of beloved friends who have daily prayed for me, instilled hope, and caught my tears.