'as long as You are glorified'

i've really been appreciating the truth in this song recently. i know that God is good... i've seen it many times. but i don't always believe it in my present circumstances.

its good to be reminded that God IS good, and everything He does is in orchestration of His perfect, loving, good plan for our lives. my desire for my own comfort in this life wars in my mind with God's design of sometimes using difficulties as a chisel on my heart in my sanctification. but though i sometimes cease to belive and falter in my praise... He is faithful... and ALWAYS good.

'as long as You are glorified'
mark altrogge

shall i take from Your hand your blessings
yet not welcome any pain
shall i thank You for days of sunshine
yet grumble in days of rain
shall i love You in times of plenty
then leave You in days of drought?
shall i trust when i reap a harvest
but when winter winds blow, then doubt?

oh let Your will be done in me
in Your love i will abide
oh i long for nothing else, as long
as You are glorified

are You good only when i prosper
and true only when i'm filled?
are You King only when i'm carefree
and God only when well?
You are good when i'm poor and needy
You are true when i'm parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You're still God in the darkest night

(c) 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

are we penetrating the world?

so i just came across this quote from Bill Hull in my prep for lifegroup tonight (my church's name for small groups). i have no time to expound on what i'm thinking about it, but i will pose a question. for those of us who go to corporate worship on sunday mornings at our church... what are we doing with what we're being taught? are we leaving with intention to grow in grace with the truth we've just heard, that we may affect the world for the glory of Christ and the salvation of the lost?

'the test of a congregation, apart from personal holiness, is how effectively members penetrate the world. american churches are filled with pew-sitting, sermon-tasting, spiritual schizophrenics, whose belief and behavior are not congruent.' - Bill Hull

in all honesty, that cuts me deeper than i want to admit. oh that, for the fame of Christ and the glory of His Gospel, we as a church would prove this wrong...