False teachers...

One of my favorite past times is to watch the false teachers on the Christian TV stations and dissect their teachings and understand where they are going wrong. I know it's not the most positive of hobbies, but it's something that I find depressing yet fascinating all at the same time. Tonight I saw this guy on tv and the entire time, all he talked about was money and planting a "$1,000 seed" and how much God has blessed him and it was seriously 30 minutes of him talking about himself and how much money he had and how if people didn't give money to his ministry they were allowing Satan to have control of that part of their lives. I couldn't believe it! He then went on to say that not only did God want to give you financial blessings, but that you were to be healthy. Now, I've always heard about how teachers as part of the Faith Movement say that God wants you to be "healthy, wealthy, and wise" but I've never heard anyone blatantly come out in his teaching and cover all those things. The whole time he had his fancy little alligator skin Bible in his hands but never once did he open it and never once did he quote a scripture in its correct context. It breaks my heart to think that there are people who listen to him and feel that this is what God wants from them. They're truly being led astray. This life isn't about us, it's about Him and His glory. I just pray that those who hear these teachings and think they are truth would have their eyes opened and that those who teach this bad doctrine will repent and know the real God. There is so much more I could say with this little rant, but I guess I'll stop here.

An awesome prayer

Ok, so as I was studying today for my Girl's Bible study, I came across this prayer of a Quaker girl who was in her early 20's and I couldn't believe how much it echoed the cries of my heart:

Oh my Father! stretch out your all powerful arm in mercy and free me from the bonds of sin and death which hold me fast! You see that I am tired of trying to be good, that I don’t really try to resist the temptations of the evil one with all my might. And you know that my whole nature rebels against following you and serving you. But, oh Father! strengthen my feeble knees, put a new and holy faith in my heart and bring down my haughty nature to the very dust. You are my only refuge; therefore, listen, I pray you, to my prayer.
I am haughty and full of pride. I shrink from the suffering which I know is waiting for me. I look almost with disgust on the narrow, narrow path which I see lying out before me. I feel that I can never consent to become nothing for your name’s sake. But you, Oh Lord! are able to drive away all pride from every heart. Oh won’t you purify and wholly sanctify my heart and make me willing to become the very least of your servants that you may have all the glory and honor and praise for ever and ever world without end!
—Journal, 1849