The reality of the Christian life is a hard one. We find the wrestling with the dead, old man to be quite a tiresome, life consuming event, yet we long to be consumed by the person of Jesus, the life of the Holy Ghost, and the power of the Father at work in and through us.

In no way am I some sort of expert in living a victorious life (and I think most of the “experts” are only self proclaimed). Still I find solace in the hope that drips from every page of the Bible, the hope of the salvation that will be revealed when Jesus returns for his spotless bride. As I console my self with this hope, I am continually reminded that this is not my individual hope, but the hope for all who would believe in the name of Jesus.

Since this hope is a community hope, I want to exort us in the mids of our Romans 7 lives to pray Romans 8 for ourselves, our loved ones, our congregations, and the Church universal.

Let us pray…

From the Book of Common Prayer:

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comesagain with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen

From the Book of Common Prayer:

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Stuff like this always seems to happen to me. I just started a new job, have allot going on with the church plant I am working on, and I get into an accident. I don’t know how much it will be to repair the car (if it’s even worth fixing that is), but it’s funds that I don’t have.

Grrrrr………

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!

Psalm 27.1, 13-14

It’s hard for me to believe these words when my radiator is leaning back against my fan (I think). But no matter where my radiator sits, no matter the condition of my car, my health, my love life, no matter the odds, no matter the circumstances, I have to believe that these kind of words are true. Otherwise I am left with a crunched up car, worry about getting to work, and nothing to hope for other than a quick death so I can get on to the pearly gates.

So, praise God that no one was hurt. Praise God that I might be able to attend traffic school and not have this count on my record. Praise God that He has seen me through this far with His goodness, and that with the same goodness He will see me through to the completion of the work He has started in and through me, and that He will see me home.

Update 11/4: Praise God that my car still runs! it took a bit of McGuyvering, but my dad and I were able to pull the front out, secure the radiator, and re shape the hood (somewhat). So, my car runs, doesn’t leak, and can still get me to and fro. I know in the eternal scheme of things a car is a small thing, however, it is here and now, in the lad of the living, that I shall first see the great goodness of Yahweh. So, praise God from whom all blessings flow, for He has been good to me.