Waking (Walking), While Going Nowhere

It is amazing how sometimes God forces you to stop and taste the coffee.  According to Robert Burns, “The best laid schemes of mice and men go often askew.” To that I say, “Amen, and amen.” 

The last few days (weeks actually) have been choreographed commotion. Spirit Week & Homecoming, house prep and then moving, planning and prep for the BJU Teacher Recruitment Conference. It has been absolutely non-stop, but all of the pieces were fitting together nicely. NOTICE: “were.” 

We moved to the new casa on Saturday, I taught Sunday School on Sunday morning and let immediately for Baltimore to fly to Greenville. HA HA HA! I made it to BWI, the first leg went fine and I was in Philly. Then came the wonderful news that the Philly-Greenville flight was cancelled due to maintenance. After examining the options, I decided to fly early Monday to Charlotte, NC, take a car from there to BJU and still have plenty of time to get set up w/o being rushed. An airline that shall remain unnamed (US Airways) put me up in a hotel, I arranged a 3:30 wakeup call and proceeded to rearrange all of my arrangements (housing, rental cars, etc.). 

I awoke on time, got to the airport, got my flight and completed a rather uneventful flight to Charlotte. Upon landing, I hustled to baggage claim only to see much nothing happening. Finally, the belt began to move and my suitcase was the first bag off. Things were looking great. All I needed was the tabletop display for the school and I would be on my way. Then the belt stopped. And stayed stopped. One bag. The airplane carried one bag?! I went to the baggage office to check and sure enough, my display was on the next flight in from Philly (cue 3:30 wakeup call here). Remember, I am in Charlotte only because I could arrive, get a car, drive the 100+ miles to Greenville before a flight with room for me would arrive in Greenville. The unnamed airlines (US Airways) is willing to fly the bag to Greenville (arriving sometime before the turn of the century) and deliver it to BJU (when they get around to it), so here I sit in Charlotte waiting for a display because I still think I am faster than a plane (at least faster than some unnamed airlines [US Airways]). So back to the coffee. At least Starbucks was on the correct side of the security checkpoint.

I guess if I regularly tell folks that God is sovereign over everything, I must allow Him to control travel details. He knows what is best and does all things for His glory, even when I do not understand. I must simply trust His ability to govern the affairs of man. So here I sit, coffee cup in hand. Enjoy!

Walking in Fellowship

I have lately been listening/reading to the book of Leviticus. It is interesting to me that so much of what God has told Israel in the book is not about them, but about Him. The various commands and laws are not necessarily intended to limit them, but to cause the people of Israel to know that God is separate and different -- He is holy. He wants the best; nothing less shall be in His presence. Then we see that He has made a way that allows us to stand in His presence. I love reading in Hebrews (especially ch.4) that we have the right to go before Him and enter boldly into His presence. He can even ask of Him to have needs meet.

• He is a holy God, far above man.
• He cannot allow sin in His presence.
• We have little/nothing to offer. We are sinners.
• He made THE way that allows our sin to be forgiven.
• He allows imperfect, sinful man into His presence that we might have the forgiveness of sin.
• He seeks regular fellowship with us.

At first glance, one would think that we had no hope, yet He has chosen to love us and we reap the benefits of that relationship. Sometimes we think that everything is about us -- how does the "guideline" impact me? Really, the question should be what does the "guideline" reveal of my God? When I go to someone's home, if they ask that shoes come off, I probably comply. If a holy, yet loving God, asks me to do something I would not usually do, why should I not comply? The only reason would be if I place too great a value on myself and too little value on my God. Otherwise, obedience is such a little matter. There is no inconvenience when I value the fellowship that obedience makes available.

In Colossians, and elsewhere in His letters, Paul makes a statement similar to this: If you have received Christ, walk like you have. My daily life should reflect the God I claim to love and follow. If I truly value Him, I will seek to love and serve Him. Simple enough, yet difficult indeed. So today, I shall seek to live in a way that reflects a love for my God. Life is not about me; it is about Him.

Walking Around the House

For the last few weeks, every possible moment has been spent at the new casa. We have had quite the work crew there, especially on Saturdays. Pictures maybe seen here. God has geatly blessed by allowing family members to have the talents and skills to assist in the renovation project. Almost feels like an Extreme Home Makeover. In the last two weeks we have turned a great corner:

• Painting is mostly done -- touch-up is left
• HVAC unit has been installed
• Carpet was installed
• Hardwood floors are being finished

It seems as if the place is getting close to move-in ready. That is probably good, as we plan to move next weekend. I intend to post pictures and perhaps even a video tour this next week. Life has been fairly busy lately, so I have not kept up with that part of life. I think I have two weeks worth of pics to upload yet; maybe tomorrow afternoon I can get to that, providing I finish a HUGE project I am working on. Oh well,we shall see.