So. It’s time to grow. It’s time to find discipline and learn something. Why do we hum and haw when the WORD OF THE LORD is so rich? I am sick of ‘not wanting’ to. I am going to want to. There is power in prayer. I pray for the desire, and the Lord will meet me here, right?

 Right. It was laid on my heart that it may be time to read something other than the New Testament promises and applicable letters of Paul. It is time to start seeing/looking for some perspective. My wife tells me all (or most) new Christians have their “New Testament phase.” Well, I am tired of trying to be smart and learn missionary journeys, church models, and techniques for successful spiritual warfare. Don’t misunderstand me: those things, each of them, are pure gold, and delight the Lord I am sure. My season is changing. I feel a sense of ‘long-haul’ syndrome coming on. I need promises. Old ones. I need whispers. Old ones. I need God-breathed, recorded, tested, proven TRUTH.

  So, where do you go for OLD? How ’bout the OLD Testament? Here’s a fun fact: Jeff memorized all books of the Bible for Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Confirmation Classes (genesis, exodus, leviticus, numbers, deuteronomy, etc. etc.) but has never even read or CONSIDERED reading some of them! Which ones you say? Joel. Obadiah. Jeremiah. Isaiah. Too long. Too insignificant. That’s what the lie/fear has been anyway. My confessions are pure, and it is time to dispell and disarm the enemy. I am reading Jeremiah. That’s it. It’s settled.

 [Mind you, this decision was made days ago, and has taken a few days to get over that last little hump of getting started. Now, with the help of my wonderful, encouraging, determined wife-we begin.]

 I study the blueprint/megatheme/overview notes before embarking on any journey in my NIV, partially to procrastinate just a little bit more, partially to prepare myself for what is ahead. I think, with the length and gerth of the book of Jeremiah, I may find myself referring back to this page often. One of the keynote sentences that spoke to my heart and convinced me that this is where the Lord would have me begin is as follows: “Don’t settle for half measures in removing sin.” I have been blessed to study I and II Samuel (moreso the latter) and some of I Kings, and know the imminent fall of Judah that is rapidly approaching. I knew of King Josiah, but not of his attempts to turn his people to repentence. Apparently I hadn’t heard of that becuase the attempts were half-hearted and unsuccessful. To state my point: I am Josiah. I stand ready to claim victory in the battles with more than one addiction, and do not mean to half-heartedly claim this victory. I want it all. I acknowledge that I can only do this through Christ.

Jeremiah 1:6b “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” [words of Jeremiah]

    This is interesting that the Lord starts out this way particularly because I have played the ‘baby Christian’ card I think to the fullest of its applicability. It is time to stand up and speak the words and truths the Lord is going to give to me. It is time to overcome my doubt in myself and stand firm in my faith in HIM. My next point: I am Jeremiah. I feel like the Lord desires to use me to speak to people in Seattle just the same as he desired Jeremiah, but similarly, my fear and inexperience, and lack of a certified collegiate diploma, lack of confidence, and now lack of devotion/discipline is beginning to stand in my own way. I am going to study Jeremiah for his persistence in the face of persecution, his faithfulness despite lack of acknowledgement by the people he was prophecying to, and the assurance he had in knowing the love of the Lord was his.

To be continued…