The First Question of the Day

For years I asked Troy the same question Saturday after Saturday.  And only recently did he let me know that he does not like that question.  (he should've said something before 20 years)  = ) 

Many times on a Saturday morning when we would wake up I would ask, "What's the plan?"  (unless I knew ahead of time)  Saturday is the only day with activities that are "optional" and open for change.  So I always wanted to know either when we went to bed or when we woke up what the plan for the day was.  Troy, however, is a little more of a "fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants" random kind of guy.  I'm sure my question felt binding to him.  I, on the other hand, want to know what I'm doing every moment of every day.  (I don't want to miss anything)  I'm not spontaneous at all.  I tried it once.  It doesn't work for me.  If I want to be spontaneous...I plan my spontenaity. 

But the question, "What's the plan?",  is not just a good question for what you seek to accomplish in the day's activities but also what you seek to accomplish for God.  If we want to grow in God daily and we want to witness for Him effectively we have to live for Him consciously. 

At the beginning of the day is the best time to ask God, "What's the plan?"  "God, what's Your agenda for me today?  Help me live with my eyes open to the opportunities you present to me today.  Don't let me pass up an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with someone.  Reveal Your Word to me so that my life can be fruitful for the Kingdom of God." 

If we ask God for His plan His plan He'll give it.  Then it's up to us to listen and live it. 

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."  Proverbs 16:3

 

Born Again and Growing

When my granddaughter Emily was born it was an amazing moment...and the moments get even more amazing as she grows.  I've watched her follow me with her eyes, go from smiling to laughing, rolling to crawling to standing and even now...growing hair!  She is a 9 month old wonder in progress! (and beautiful I might add!)

That's the kind of wonder and amazement I see as I watch the new Christians grow in the church.  Their lives are being so powerfully changed by the power of God that it's like they've been born again into new and different people.

In fact, they have been born again.  Because of the power of Jesus Christ, they're not the same people they were a few months ago.  Conversations are different.  Facebook entries are different.  Saturday nights are different.  Friends are different.  Goals for their families are different.  Everything about them is different.  They are brand new people. 

I'm glad to be a part of their lives and I'm excited about seeing what God has in store for these who have newly put their faith and trust in God.  We are already seeing God answer prayers for them.  To God be the glory!!!  

Thank you, God, for such an awesome group of people to pastor!

Look What God Can Do!

Remember the part in the movie Bambi where he's trying to get up on his own wobbly four feet? He tries and tries and keeps at it until he finally figures it out. Then he shouts, "Look what I can do!" He's quite ecstatic at what he's able to do by not giving up.

That's where I am. I'm quite ecstatic at what God is doing by our not giving up. I honestly think the key to our success (through God's doing, of course) is in persistance and waiting. There's a real temptation to give up when we think the wait is too long. But I've witnessed too many answers to prayer to give up. And let me tell you...the end result of presistance and waiting has been better than I could've imagined.

Consequently, that's what this blog is about. It's about what God is doing...and how I see it. I hope you find it encouraging, inspirational and an energetic shot-in-the-arm (minus the pain).

Keep reading this blog and you'll be saying, "Wow! Look what God can do!"