Renouncing FOR the throne

I heard recently that the problem with asking forgiveness for a sin and going back and committing again is a common thing. The difference with people who don't ever do it again is that they RENOUNCE the sin rather than just REPENT of the sin. How very interesting. Before I got married, my husband made it clear that he thought cigarette smoking was a disgusting habit. I didn't tell him, but I would puff a few while downing the occasional drink. Because I wanted him more than the cigarettes I went home and trashed a nearly full pack of lovely mint clove cigarettes. I still think about smoking. I have even had a problem with secreting a smoke here and there. But I always repent and get back on the straight and narrow. If I could do this for my earthly husband, why not God who I am supposed to be married with spiritually? I hope that very soon my sins will be like that nearly full pack of cigarettes and end up in the bottom of a landfill never to be seen again.

Slop Bucket Christianity

I have never identified with Lot's wife before. As a child hearing the story, I was amazed at how stupid she could be to turn around and do the thing God said specifically not to do. How many times have I done that in my own life? I woke up with my heart pounding several nights ago. I was still in that half fog state of dreaming. I was in the middle of conversation with God. He was telling me that I had been like Lot's wife. Here I am, a confirmed Christian. I am looking back on the evil I have done and longing for it again. So many people have told me that watching Sex in the City is not a terrible thing. It is, though. If I want to be close to Jesus in relationship, I should sever ties with all that is evil. It's not the sex that's evil. It's the foul language and the raunchy behavior. It's not just the show, either. It's me, not looking forward to all I have been promised by my heavenly father, instead dwelling on the past. My earthy father calls that being a slop-bucket Christian. Constantly going back and digging up sins that have long since been forgiven. Or worse, in my case, wanting to go back to those sins and do them again.

But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools. Psalm 39:7,8