I am a wretched saint engaged in the beautiful fight. Join me.

Wretched . . .

in that I constantly do the things I do not want to do. Battling addictive natures, sinful habits in the familiar company of other flawed men who wrote of their deep struggles. Roman 7:15-25 (mouseover verse to see).

A Saint . . .

in that I have been declared one by someone who has the authority to do so. It is a position permanently given to me, even when I fail miserably. Ephesians 2:19  | Romans 1:7 (mouseover)

In the Beautiful Fight . . .

between my own desires and what God is doing in me. The Orthodox Fathers translated the Paul’s,  ” I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) as “I have fought the beautiful fight.” The fight is brutal and bloody, yet beautiful, as the very pull the Spirit within us toward Christlikeness is a sign there is hope, even when we feel pummeled. To fight is to a sign of life.

Why write the blog?

Writing has always been clarifying, confessional, and cathartic for me. I need it as part of my recovery. Additionally, I hope some of the challenges and insights help you to not feel alone and encourage you in your beautiful fight–whether overcoming an addiction or warring against the sin nature.  Together, we can trust Him to march us out of the mire toward the full victory of being transformed into the likeness of Christ, even as we are already united with Him through His death, resurrection and ascension. And soon, my fellow wretched saints, at His return we can put down arms and be done with this battle between our wretchedness and our sainthood. Glory be to God!