blessed thought

He leadeth me! O blessed thought! O words with heav'nly comfort fraught!  Whate'er I do, where'er I be, Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.

my own plan

One of my dear friends is the mother of a 17 year old who after a recent discussion about life after graduation told her mother "I don't need your plan!  I have my own plan" with all of the attitude you are probably imagining.  When my friend told me this, I laughed and said "that so sounds like me talking to God."  And, the more I reflect on it, unfortunately, the truer it seems to be.

I'm studying Nehemiah right now, and his confidence in leadership strikes me.  When others jeer at him or try to ruin his plans, he stands firm, yes, confident, that the hand of God is with him and that there is a job to be done.

I'm afraid that my responses are not always like Nehemiah's.  It seems sometimes God hands me a plan that looks too hard, and I tell Him "I've got my own plan."  Or, He hands me a plan that appears to be of little importance, and I tell Him "I've got my own plan."  Or, He hands me a plan and when others jeer at me rather than trusting in His ability to work through the situation, I tell Him, "I've got my own plan."

I suppose with Nehemiah's confidence in God's plan it should be no surprise that he led his people in building the long-awaited wall around Jerusalem.

Oh, Lord, forgive my "own plan."  Amen.

workin' it

"Faith is more than belief: it produces its own work. Faith works itself out in love (Gal. 5:6)."  ~ Rollin Grams

day 25

we just had a wonderful Thanksgiving day.  and, there are so many things that i am truly thankful for.  trav and i were chatting today about how it's so nice that i don't have to drive across the cities on these cold, blustery nights, that we get to share this place we call home, and that thanksgiving day starts and ends with him by my side.  but, one of the bonuses of marrying trav that made my thanksgiving day really rich this year, is marrying into his family.  i do so love my in-laws, and i am so blessed to now share their name.

day 25:  so, on this twentififth day of november, thanksgiving day, 2010, i'm thankful for the family i have gained by saying "i do."

day 24

when someone asks me what my favorite class was or who my favorite professor was while i was at Gordon Conwell, i have a hard time limiting it down to one.  i usually can come close to three, but even that is a difficult thing to do.  that said, one of my top three professors is Dr. Gary Parrett and one of the top three classes was a class he taught called Worship and Christian Formation.  though the hope is that most classes transform you in some way, only a few classes did i walk away and say "that just radically changed my life."  Dr. Parrett's course opened my eyes to different forms of worship, Scriptural backing for them, and the need for sensitivity as we engage our culture while not dumbing down our faith.  this course was the beginning of my walk into worship ministry.  and, though i don't know where my road is going, the walk has been good.  my time crafting services and worshiping behind a piano has been rich.  and, even amidst the pain and turmoil i have experienced leading worship in the church, at the thought of it, my heart pines after leading worshipers into the Lord's throne-room once more.

Dr. Parrett was in a devastating accident last summer, and this morning i received this CaringBridge update:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/garyparrett.  oh, friends!  God has done good things. and, in-spite of the pain, is redeeming the situation again and again.

day 24:  today i am thankful for so many things...  a wonderful seminary education that did dramatically change my life; incredible professors who humbly teach tomorrow's (and today's) leaders, the opportunity to lead on earth the activity that we will engage in throughout eternity; Dr. Parrett; God's healing hand; and God's commitment to redeem what is painful and broken with a promise to someday make all things new.  and until then...  we gratefully wait what is yet to come.

day 23

"For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  ~ Hebrews 4:12

day 23:  ...for this i am thankful.

day 22

trav and i had a wonderful weekend with my family down in ioway.  we went down so that he could do some hunting with my bro, and so that we could celebrate my niece's birthday.  i love my family.  and, i love the way they love trav, and he loves them.  i'm thankful for my siblings and their families.  i'm also very thankful for two parents that love me and each other.  and, i love that travis is now my family!

day 22:  i'm so thankful for my family.