Abuse of the Cross

A few weeks back I went to an MCO(Medical Campus Outreach) conference.  The topic was engaging brokenness.  Something the speaker was telling us has recently recurred to me.  He said that the only way to abuse the cross of Christ is by not coming to it and by not bringing your dirt and filth and worries and problems and pains.  The only way to abuse the Cross is not to use it and not to believe that it is capable of fixing your mess.  I all too often think, "I screwed up and now I have to fix it."  This is not the Gospel.  But functionally it's how a lot of Christians live their lives, they say "Ok now I'm a Christian, I'm on my own."  I believe it is all too easy to get bogged down in the sin of this world and find yourself battling with self and saying "I should know better!"  But the truth of the matter is, we still sin, we still need Jesus.  Why this is SO hard for me to grasp, I don't know...but I do know that when God looks at me, He sees perfection, and that is my motivation to continue forward...that is how I've looked to God ever since the day I became a Christian.  Now my sin does in fact create that separation between myself and God again, but I need to repent and trust again, and MOVE FORWARD! Not get bogged down in my past sins.  Here are two songs that have been very integral in me moving past my failures.

This is "How He loves us" and the line in particular that I cling to is:  "I don't have time to maintain these regrets when i think about how He loves us."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWgeUrD4MHI

This is "Hindsight" by John Reuben and the more I listen to it the more I hear what my heart feels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKaHaUGNhQ0


enjoy

Run

He saved me from self destruction,

From the world’s corruption,

My sick heart’s had reconstruction,

My mind is clear, on things above

Feet running that race of love

Eyes fixed, on what can’t be seen

Soul washed the whitest clean

My strength is found in Utmost Joy

The castle falls

As I sit and watch the world I built,

Crumble round me, I feel the weight of guilt

Darkness surrounds me, quietly yet violently

I can't stop it, my life asunder

The storm threatens in thunder

I can't escape this fear I’m under

No amount of work, no toil or strain

Can save me from this pain

My life shatters, my heart breaks

Nothing matters, all my mistakes

My life shatters, my body aches

Nothing matters, but highest stakes

The pain sears worse than fire,

My soul aflame, with broken desire

I know there’s peace, there’s care

I just gotta find it, find it somewhere

I know I can’t, I’m just chasing air

I am worthless, without purpose

I am useless, falling amiss

Ignorance, it used to be bliss

Peace is coming, and already came

He’s taken away my shame

My life He’s here to renew, to reclaim

In Him I have clear direction, a clear aim

My purpose He gave,

I am now a joyful slave

He’s the potter, I’m the clay

My pain He took away

My purpose is this

And I don’t want to miss

To see His love

And show to all below and above

Make me stand

I only have one problem, sin
I know in the end it can't win.

But sometimes i believe it's lies,
O Lord please hear my sighs.

You know i cant do this on my own
Please let your paths be known.

Give me the wisdom that i need
the Boldness to make decisions with speed
To be a man after you're heart

Not after my own selfish greed

My God you know I'm weak
Be my strength, hold my hand
And when i can't, make me stand

Joyfully

Lord I pray for wisdom, that the path I’ve chosen

Is the one you’ve planned for me

The one that’s for my life been woven

That you would guide my direction

Using my desires and affection

Tempered with wisdom and discretion

Lord I pray you go before me

Tearing down mountains and making paths

Give me peace and serenity

My heart be found in you first and foremostly

That I would delight in you joyfully!