Walking One Week at a Time

What a week it has been! Too many projects and not enough time, but God continues to provide as only He can. He is so wonderfully good to us.

• The house He provided
• at the price we were requiring
• in the exact neighborhood we desired
• only minutes from work for both of us
• The ministry opportunities available to us
• at church
• at school
• The recreational activities around us
• Visiting historical sites
• School field trips (Mount Vernon, in a couple of weeks)
• Williams Grove Speedway (literally 10 minutes from the house)

And the list could go on and on. He has shown Himself to be more than loving. Not only does God provide for our needs, but so many seemingly insignificant thing are provided for us that make life so enjoyable. Going to the races last night was not a need, but it sure was an enjoyable blessing. Justin and I were going to go and then we invited Pete and he was able to join us. It may not seem like much to most people, but it was such a blessing.

There are so many projects in the works at school, many of which are related to promotions. I am working on a new newspaper ad; we are planning/preparing for an Open House; posters, flyers, and brochures are being redesigned. At the same time the normal class schedule rolls on.

Through the week I have been reading/listening to the account a David prior to His ascending the throne. To see how God directed and provided for Him -- and that same God is my God. David is such an interesting study. He was no where near perfect and yet when confronted with his sin, he sought forgiveness. May that be my desire -- to seek God's forgiveness when I fail Him.

If I need to to plan for the next month at this exact moment, it would be absolutely overwhelming; however, when I can take a day or a week at a time, I am able to accomplish what He has before for me to do. God continues to provide the the strength and ability to fulfill His will.

Walking with a Different Focus

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence. Col 1:18


This verse helps us to maintain a proper focus. Our world is incredibly selfish and self-centered and it takes work for us to not fall into that mindset. Col. 1:18 tells us that Christ is first, both in time and in position.

• Time: Christ is not a created being; He is before all things. He is the son of God, indeed, He is God. He is ever-existent. He has no beginning and no end. He is before all things and He has the preeminence.
• Position: Jesus Christ has the greatest position. He is first in order of importance, first in priority. He stands supreme over all mankind, over all creation. He is far above even the angels. He is God.

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Col 2:6, 7

If we have been redeemed, God expects us to act like it. Unsaved man will act like unsaved man; Christians should act like Christians. Unfortunately, we often act more like unsaved man that we act like Jesus Christ.

• We do not simply accept the teaching of Christ, we accept Christ Himself. The work of redemption is not acquiescence to a creed, it is a complete, radical, change of being. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (II Cor. 5:17). 
• A change of heart ought result in a change of life. When I truly accept Jesus Christ, I want to please and obey Him. I surrender and submit my will to His. In order to do His will, I need to know His will. That will only happen as I spend time studying His word.
• We are to be firmly rooted in the scripture as a tree planted by the rivers of water (Ps. 1) Being in Christ gives us life and that life gives us the strength, the roots to stand in this world amid the troubles and difficulties we encounter.
• Being in Christ gives us a firm foundation on which to stand in this world. We can not build a house that will endure the storms unless we set a firm foundation. It is God's word (both living and written) that gives us the ability to stand in this world and serve our God. We are not only rooted, we are built up in Him. We have a house built on the Rock.
• Redemption also makes us stablished in the faith. We are confirmed; there is no doubt, no wavering. We can have absolute certainty that He is the one true God and that He is worth of our trust.
• Paul often comments that his readers were taught, now they need to practice. Indeed, that is where we live. It is not that we do not know what to do; we need to practice what we do know.
• We should be abounding with thanksgiving. Are we honestly thankful for all that God has done for us through the work of redemption? I am afraid that often we take His gift for granted. If we are not thankful, do we really value His redemptive work on the cross as we should? Is it simply one more thing that we "believe," but that has not really affected us to the point of change?

If we are going to walk in Christ, we need to value Him above all others and be firmly established in our faith so that the cares of this world do not sway us. Even in scripture, we see examples of those who had Paul, or even Christ Himself, as a teacher and still they turned from Him and followed the path of the world. If we are going to walk Christ-like, we need to commit to Him and submit to Him.Today, again, I want to walk in Him and I trust that you do as well. Make Him the highest priority in life and do ALL to serve and please Him.

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.

Walking Around The Walls

https://plus.google.com/photos/109656897877397331311/albums/5697983902965179809?authkey=CKycyv37qvyr_gE

Well, guess what we have been up to lately! We are currently practicing Extreme Home Makeover, Walker Edition. We are also learning magic -- we made wall unit air conditioners disappear. It amazing how much has been done so far, and yet to think how much work is left. I think the best part is sitting back and watching Becky work. JUST KIDDING! God has given us great weather for the work so far, but winter is actually arriving, at least in regards to temperature. Mucho worko to do-o. Painting starts soon. Can't wait!

Walking with a Purpose

As I was reading in the early chapters of Genesis this week, one thought that struck me was that Abraham wandered aimlessly and yet with a purpose. He did not know where he was going, only that God was directing. He did not have a GPS, not even a roadmap. He could not Google his location and his itinerary was TBA. Yet, he was right where God wanted him. There are times in life that I all of the information and any possible explanation, yet those may very well be the times that God says, "Just trust me." Even if I do not know where I am headed, I can still go forward with the understanding that He knows where I am, where I am going, and and what I am to do as I travel and when I arrive. It is said that "Hindsight is 20-20"; God's foresight is even better than 20-20. When I look back and see the brilliance of His plan, God is able to look forward and see the plan. Abraham lived in a different age, so we cannot view everything through 21st century eyes and understand it, but we can see his ability to enter any situation and try to take control. Sound quite a bit like us today.

Then today I read of God's gift of a son, Lot and Sodom, and Abraham and Isaac's visit to Moriah for a sacrifice. In each case, Abraham HAD to trust God. Abraham had to completely relinquish control and trust God that He would do right. Genesis 18:25 provides a great statement: "Shall not the Judge of the all the earth do right?" I need to trust that God is in control and knows exactly what He is doing.

Another guiding thought for the year, along with the need to be involved in intercessory prayer is this: allow God to be God. He is in control; let Him have control.