Griff @ CU

Two weeks ago I had my toe jammed in the front of my shoe while playing an indoor soccer game with the intramural league. It collected blood underneath it. Last week, I went to chapel Monday and while there I bumped into a pew and the blood and fluid underneath the nail slowly drained from it throughout the day.T The nail was then white underneath (or what appeared to me as transparent). I thought the toenail had disconnected from the nail bed except for the tip. I have had past experiences with ingrown toenails or getting them removed and knew I needed to see a Doctor. This past Tuesday, I went to the Dr. Frank (a podiatrist in Centerville: excellent if anyone needs one). He sent me away with some antibiotics telling me I had an infection indicated by the bacteria underneath the nail (that white stuff) and some inflammation around the root of the nail. Thursday, I got an inside sliver of the nail removed and although I didn’t get that on video, I did get recount it.

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The reason why we do certain things recieves derivation from motivation. Motivation is “the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior” (OneLook). Simply put, motivation is why we do things. Motivation is critically important to our actions because anything can be corrupted by the heart. For example, testimony can be used to draw attention to one’s self or even as a tool for gossip. Both of these, whether or not they are intentional or not, can be destructive to the speaker’s credibility and/or words. Today at Cedarville our chapel was our testimony chapel, where there are microphones positioned in various locations and the chapel and people can, at their leisure, approach them and speak what God has placed on their heart or how/what He has grown/shown them this year. Last night I posted on the joy and importance in testimony and now I find myself not reexamining my views, but adding to my beliefs.

To resume, testimony can be used as a tool against the kingdom. “What’s at the heart” is where the problem lies. In order to fix this, we need to keep our hearts freshly focused on Christ. We do this via prayer. It is an everyday battle out there. No days off allowed! Because of the world we live in, we have to daily equip ourselves with the armor and weapons God provides for us. I hope and pray that you will join me in the challenge I place before myself: examine my words carefully and my heart even more so.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8 ESV)

Fernando Ortega has a great version of this song (iTunes). The lyrics are below. Very powerful!

What Wondrous Love Is This
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this
That caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down
Beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb I will sing; 
To God and to the Lamb, 
Who is the great I AM, 
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free 
I’ll sing His love for me,
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And through eternity I’ll sing on.

Christ is great! Is He not? We are truly free from death and will sing with the millions!

“I don’t want to go to chapel and hear about how God has worked in people’s lives,” has been running through my head all day. Granted, not in those words specifically, but deep down, that’s what I have been thinking. When I realized this (while sitting in a tree by the lake listening to my iPod), I suddenly was brought back to the testimony chapel from the first semester. I walked to the microphone and spoke. What I said only took about thirty seconds, but it was a resounding piece of truth from my heart: “I had the great oppurtunity to visit Jamaica this summer on a mission trip. While there, I was able to witness God working in the lives of the people there but also discover a newfound appreciation for testimony and how that alongside the Gospel are our two greatest assets to evangelize. If anyone would like, I love to really hear how you are doing. To be able to share in the joy of your salvation would be an honor.” In light of my recent attitude, it seems like a total shift in thought.

There’s the problem: my attitude. Why would I, the man who himself discovered the joy and importance of testimony this past summer, be so jaded in regard to testimony like I needed a break from it? I am unsatisfied in my savior. That sad answer is the sad truth. Since I have come to Cedarville, I have seen growth, both emotional and spiritual; however, I have noticed a serious decline in spiritual discipline and have noted this as a point of spiritual stagnation (perhaps better referred as decay). Those two statements seem contradictory, but my growth has been slowly obtained via God tugging at my heart to listen to Him. Right now is the culmination of His entreatment. I rejoice in saying that this is just the beginning. My attitude needs change.

How stubborn am I to be hearing sermons about evangelism, wearing shirts that say “Body piercing saved my life,” and acting as if steadfastly interested in the Gospel? 

“‘ But my people did not listen to my voice;

Israel would not submit to me.

‘So I gave them over to their stubborn

hearts,

to follow their own counsels.”

(Psalm 81: 11-12 ESV)

I am so stubborn that I trust my own wisdom over that of the Lord’s.

“Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:34 ESV)

I am as a drunk. I do not know my way. For this reason I need my God and need to share with others this great joy and importance of testimony.

Do you see this Cross?

It means I am forgiven.

Undeserving…

Sorry…I have been kind of busy lately. I know lame. It’s not like I have any classes or anything. I will try and post some stuff this weekend, but, until then, here is a video to tide you over. Of course it is stupid.

Download Speed: 3223 kbps (402.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 335 kbps (41.9 KB/sec transfer rate)

About the same as my house. Not as much as I expected, LAN connection might be faster. I think its a 802.11B router, which could explain a lower speed.

This is completely and entirely pointless. Quite accidental actually. Enjoy…