The Song of Simeon, Part A

i just had a discussion with a buddy of mine tonight that is the flip-side of the coin in regards to what you are talking about at approximately 14:30 of the message and on a bit. you are talking about the notions we create of God which actually turn out to be an idol. the discussion i had with my buddy was about the notions i create of what God wants me to be. what started it was him telling me to read psalm 119 and how i should make it my prayer. it sounded like good advice, so a couple of days later i got started on the reading part. what i was quickly confronted by is the fact that i am nowhere near, in my estimation, where the writer is. and not only that, but i also had thoughts of not really being sure i wanted to be that person. those thoughts really freaked me out because then i started worrying about the state of my salvation. if i don't even really want to be that person than am i even saved to begin with? i mean, i have been very sincere about living for God, but it was based on my notions of what living for God was. psalm 119 is a tough pill to swallow. well, it was all food for thought. bottom line is my salvation is secure in Christ Jesus because God promised it was. the psalm 119 hiccup just goes to show that apart from God, i am not even capable of wanting to do right, therefore i bring nothing to the table but a bunch of broken pieces that need desperately to be put back together by the one who created them. i think i'm starting to get a feel for this gracious gratitude thing you were talking about. i can't wait until the pot begins to boil over in my prayers like those puritan fellows you are always going on about. and like you said, "God is never the author of unfinished business when it comes to his children."