Dear Friends in Christ, Several of you asked about the free verse confessional prayer from Sunday's message. It was written by Paul Tripp. It seems an appropriate prayer for us as we contemplate the new year and seek to live in obedience to God's Spirit. Dr. Davis Chappell
"I hate to wait. I have places to go, people to see, things to do. I love me and I have a wonderful plan for my life. I hate to wait. I don't like obstacles in my way, or people that disagree, or processes that take too long. I hate to wait. I don't like lines or traffic or delayed appointments or tardy people. I hate to wait. I wake up every day with an agenda. I know what I want to accomplish, how I want it done, where I want it done, when I want it done, who I want to do it and why it has to be done that way. I hate to wait, because I am the one having to wait. I don't mind that You have to wait, but I don't want to have to wait on You. I hate to wait, because I want to be the center of my universe. I want to be my own sovereign. When I forget Your plan, when I lose sight of Your will, when I begin to think that my life belongs to me, when I fall prey to the delusion that I am wiser than You, and my way is better than Yours, then I hate to wait, and I curse the obstacles in my way.
But You are sovereign and You are good, loving, gracious, kind and mighty, filled with compassion, overflowing with mercy. You bought me with the price of Your Son. You forgave me and the cost was His death. For all my attempts at independent wisdom and self-sovereignty the truth is - my life does not belong to me. So once more I fall to my knees. Once more, I open my hands, give my life back to You and say, 'You do in, with and through me what you think is best, and I will follow, and when your wisdom and grace require it, I will be willing to wait." Finally, it was good to welcome new members Peggy and Ashely Williams, Graham LeBreton, Rochelle LeFlore, Dan and Alice Gainesand, and Claira Roth. Welcome to our church community. See you Sunday.
Davis