A couple of self exams

Wesley's self-examination quiz

Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
Do I confidentially pass on to others what has been said to me in confidence?
Can I be trusted?
Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?
Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
Did the Bible live in me today?
Do I give the Bible time to speak to me every day?
Am I enjoying prayer?
When did I last speak to someone else of my faith? [
Do I pray about the money I spend?
Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
Do I disobey God in anything?
Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
Am I defeated in any part of my life?
Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?
How do I spend my spare time?
Am I proud?
Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?
Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?
Do I grumble or complain constantly?
Is Christ real to me?
"Encourage one another daily . . . so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." -- Hebrews 3:13

source: http://david.snu.edu/~hculbert.fs/selfexam.htm

Test for Self-Examination

The following questions are taken from Salvation Army Orders and Regulations for Soldiers, 1950:
Am I habitually guilty of any known sin? Do I practice or allow myself in any thought, word or deed which I know to be wrong?
Am I the master of my bodily appetites so as to have no condemnation? Do I allow myself in any indulgence that hurts my holiness, growth, obedience, or usefulness?
Are my thoughts and feelings such that I wouldn't be ashamed to hear them published before God?
Does the influence of the world cause me to act, or feel or say things that do not show the love of God?
Am I doing all in my power for the salvation of sinners?
Am I fulfilling the vows and promises I have made before God in the past?
Does what I do as a Christian match what I say about being a Christian?
Am I conscious of any pride in my life?
Do I conform to the fashions and customs of this world or do I show that I despise them?
Am I in danger of being carried away with worldly desires to be rich or admired?


Source: http://www.geocities.com/templemissions/book/selfexam.html

Ladle

This metaphor of a ladle has been sticking around in my minds eye these past couple of months.

I picture this big metal pot, full to the brim of cool, refreshing spring water. I see it in the distance. I see a faceless man standing next to it, holding a silver ladle in his hand.

I have walked out the shadows, beaten, bloodied, hot, dirty and extremely thirsty. I have no clue where I have been but I keep walking towards the faceless man.

I see a mug on the table as I draw closer. The faceless man takes the mug into his right hand and begins to dip the ladle into the metal pot with his left hand. He slowly plunges the ladle deep into the pot and pulls it out slowly.

The water is cascading over the edges of the ladle, back into the pot. The action of the falling water causes it to push out over the edge of the metal pot and on to the table itself.

The faceless man hands me the mug of refreshing water. I take it. He disappears.

I am alone with the mug and the water.

He didn’t ask me a thing about where I had been or what I was doing. The faceless man knew I had a need. And he met it. And he was gone.

I have been on the receiving end of that ladle of grace numerous times.

I am working on the giving end...dispensing without question or hesitation.

How about you?