Wow - through many many many outlets this message has come to me! On my own, watching TV, listening, thinking, stewing, experiencing, and today in my reading of scripture from Jeremiah. I’m going to put in two versions, the version I read from the Message (A paraphrase) and from the NIV Bible, which deciphers word for word, as apposed to the general statement. I like both versions for different reasons:

I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own;
it is not for man to direct his steps.
Correct me, Lord, but only with justice—
not in your anger,
lest you reduce me to nothing.

Jeremiah 10:23-24, NIV

I know, GOD, that mere mortals
can’t run their own lives,
That men and women
don’t have what it takes to take charge of life.
So correct us, GOD, as you see best.
Don’t lose your temper. That would be the end of us.

Jeremiah 10:23-24, Message

I know a few of you who are my friends might be offended - but in my experience, especially of late and most especially matters that are important in the relations of people I have found one thing to be true: I am inept of purity and perfection.

Whenever I try in to rationalize with my human brain what will bring the desired outcome - I fail and I fail bad. Things work out terrible and worse then I ever wanted.

But I assure you that every time I have called out to God for His strength, when I have surrendered to His might and His wisdom, everything I truly turn over to the will of God - I mean EVERYTHING I release from my faulty intellect turn out for the BEST.

Every time I touch something with my human, self-serving, ignorant and flesh centred being turns to ash, leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Sometimes even, when I go to the things I have destroyed, and ask God to redeem it, the bad taste in my mouth lingers and I’m reluctant even to go on - but once I get past the fear of relinquishing control, handing to God and allowing him to work through me and in my life - I’m NEVER sorry for it.