Some more thoughts about confession

Check these out:

Anonymity is sometimes a sanctuary for truth. So a Oklahoma church discovered when it created mysecret.tv as a sort of anonymous internet confessional. Set up just a month ago, the site has already received more than 150,000 hits and 1,500 confessions, says LifeChurch pastor Craig Groeschel. Though "Absolution is not part of the bargain, just the beginning of release... We confess to God for forgiveness but to each other for healing... Secrets isolate you, and keep you away from God, from those people closest to you.”

Don’t believe me: visit http://www.mysecret.tv

Groeschel said he knew the handshakes and smiles each weekend probably hid a lot of personal pain. But he has been stunned by the weight of the confessions: molestings, abuse, secret affairs. Because the site is anonymous, the church has no immediate way of reaching out to any who responded.

And...

Man confesses to 1953 hit-and-run
February 25, 2007

A man received a suspended jail sentence after confessing to running down an elderly churchgoer with a car, then leaving the scene more than half a century ago.
Verlyn Brady, 77, pleaded guilty yesterday to reckless driving in the 1953 hit-and-run death of George Lewis Dalton in this small, southwest Virginia town.
Brady said he wondered for years whether it was a deer or a person he struck one October night. He waited until last summer, just before he underwent open heart surgery, to contact authorities.
Dalton, 74, and his wife were crossing a road in front of their home about 3 kilometres south of Hillsville on their way to church when he was killed. The driver disappeared into the darkness.

We should allow God to search our heart and life and to allow the Holy Spirit to bring brokenness and repentance.

Perhaps this explains why “newbie Christians” are often the most effective evangelists. They are still vividly aware of their need for grace, readily admit their weaknesses, know they are still in process, and have yet to put on their pious mask. 

This is a hard muse...but keep truckin’

Confession shines the light of truth on our brokenness and invites others to join us in our struggle. But, what is God’ purpose for brokenness? Muse a time on 2 Samuel 12:18-24 to discover three. That I may:

· Recognize God’s sovereignty (vv. 18-19)

· Discover that recovery is critical (vv. 20-23)

· Receive reassurance from God (vv. 24)

As we complete our time together musing about Miller’s confession booth, one may have some more questions about brokenness. I think we can examine the lives of many biblical characters for some insight and guidance. For example:

· Peter and Broken faithfulness toward Jesus (John 18:12-27; 21:15-17)

· Paul and Broken health (2 Corinthians 11:30-33; 12:1-10)

· Jacob and Broken relationships (Gen 27:30-41; 32:9-12; 33:1-11)

· Moses and Broken behavior (Exodus 2:11-25; 3:1-10)

· Rehab and broken morality (Joshua 2:1-24)

· David and broken fidelity (2 Samuel 12:1-31)

· The Demoniac and broken emotions (Luke 8:26-39)

Before we get too depressed---remember....grace...grace...grace...His grace is sufficient!

Have you ever been placed in a situation that seemed too much to handle? How has God handled your brokenness or choices in life to affect someone else? What broken area(s) of your life is God challenging you to deal right now?

Join me Lofters and rejoice in SonicFlood’s song:

Stir in me, a fire that the world can not explain
I come to worship you.
Stir in me, a passion that my heart can not contain
I come to worship you.
Chorus:
Hold me, break me, mold me and make me more and more like you,
I come to worship you.
to love you, fear you draw ever near you as I worship you,
I come to worship you, oh Lord

Miller is right; confession is good for the soul; it was liberating for him ‘cause he was out of the closet---a real Christian. Selah

Peace,

Bob