Stephen Anthony Ray

Deuteronomy 6:4-6 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.”

Basically Lord, let me surrender all that I am to you. My struggles and my victories. My emotions and my character. My desires. My failures. Everything, Lord. I don’t want to hold it back anymore. It’s yours. Take it. Use it. Forget it. Whatever you do, I’ll accept it. I just don’t want it anymore. I don’t want it anymore.

All I want is you. All I need is you. Please, Lord, take it all. And in exchange, give me Jesus…give me you.

SRay

The Bible says that “many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” And here, all this time, I’ve been trying to figure out what I want - what he wants. I think that maybe he just wants a yes first (Thank you SuperSummer speaker). Revelation comes later. I mean, really - can I really be satisfied trying to do something outside of what God has called me to do? The simple answer is “no”. And why? Because it would contradict my design. Dolphins love to swim. Good thing, too…seeing as they are designed for it and not much else. And we don’t see them trying to walk around or attend classes at school. Why? It negates their design. Why, then, would I negate mine and try to find my own. There’s no satisfaction in it. I certainly don’t want to sound boring and communist. It’s not like God has destined all his children to sucky stuff. On the contrary (John 10:10). Abundant life is our destiny. The problem is that we seek abundant life on our own…and come up short. We get the “well ok” life.

SRay

Well we just got back from Glorieta, New Mexico yesterday after one of the most spiritually uplifting times in my entire life. Although I was there as an adult sponsor for our students, God used the time to edify me as well, not to mention re-ignite my passion for students coming to fully know Christ.

I love times like camp because they serve to remind me of God’s good plans for his children, plans that are often eclipsed because we are so accustomed to accepting less. So keep me honest, ok? It’s time for Park Hill to reach places unimaginable through God’s grace and purpose. It’s time for our students to know God on a level that was thought to be attained only by monks and nuns. It’s time for God’s name to be glorified again, not shun and shamed by those who don’t know him (and those who do).

It won’t be easy because unfortunately, the down side of experiences like camp is that it leaves people in a place that seems so much lower than the high time just experienced. But the thing that keeps me going is the wonderful knowledge that what just went on at Camp can be an everyday thing in our hearts. God intends good things for children. The question is: will we let him work? Time will tell.

SRay

Holy Father

Thank you for this rainy morning. It reminds me that some days have to be dark and cold and wet in order to have the days that are bright and warm and filled with your presence. I welcome both, Lord. If it is what you will, then I surrender. I love you, Father. With all my heart and soul and strength will I worship you. Amen.

SRay