The Truth Endures Forever

After my trip to the Biblical Counseling Seminar, there have been lots of things swirling through my head. Too many to even get down on paper (so to speak). I think by far the one that has stuck in my head is the way that one single Biblical truth can carry through to every aspect of our lives.

It was truly a "duh" moment but sitting there listening to speaker after speaker telling about various situations bringing glory to God was amazing. For instance, if we truly believe that our lives are to glorify the Lord then is it not true that we are to glorify Him in everything? Our relationships, marriages, daily life,child rearing,caring for elderly parents, personal relationship with God? At work, play, ball fields, grocery stores, church? In the midst of illness, broken cars, family tragedy, unemployment, cancer, death? Think about it.....

Another of my favorite "duh" moments was realizing that if God's grace is sufficient then it is sufficient in all things. His grace will sustain us in anything and everything that happens. Scripture does not say "His grace is suffienct except when enduring trials. Or except in illness. Or except in death. His grace is sufficient in ALL things. Sometimes it is just good to be reminded of this truth.

It is not the circumstances that glorify the Lord it is our reaction to them. If we choose to react negatively then we have lost that opportunity to bring glory to God. However, if we believe that His grace is sufficient and we trust His Word then our actions and reactions will be a witness to those around us of the grace of God.

The next time difficult circumstances come your way, don't be in a big hurry to pray that they go away. Embrace them and see them as an opportunity to bring glory to Him. Trials bring us to our knees. When we are weak, then He is strong.

Leaving Corey in God’s Hands

Saying good bye is never easy. Distance makes it harder. When we saw our foster grandchild at Christmas time we did not expect that it would be our last time to have him in our home. But it was. Corey and his sister, Dawn will be returned to his father and grandmother tomorrow. Social Services thinks this is best for him. I must say that I do not agree. It is one thing to return a child to a parent who has repented and changed but another to send the child back into the same situation. Unfortunately, we don’t get to make the decision. Therefore, we must trust God.

I can’t help but know that Romans 8:28-29 is true. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren;.

We know that God causes all things to work together for our good and His glory for those who love God. Angie and Jeremy love God and trust Him with their lives. This last year has brought many frustrations and heartaches for them. It has also served to stretch their faith and trust in the Almighty. They have nothing to be ashamed of. They have opened their home and their heart to a child that is not their own. This is far more than the average family would do. Angie and Jeremy and the kids have done their best to instill in Corey the things of the Lord. Things a 3 year old can grasp and comprehend.

Now the real test comes. They (we) must leave him in the hands of their God and Father. We do not know what the future holds for Corey, but we do know who holds his future. And that is comforting. Angie and Jeremy can only do so much and then the rest is up to God. He has a plan for Corey that we don’t understand. Nonetheless it is His plan. If we are going to trust God, then we must trust Him with everything. And so we trust Him with Corey.

I pray Grandma and Poppy will once again see you, Corey. Good bye for now little guy. We will miss you.

God's Word - Amazing

I can't begin to count the times I have been told by preachers and friends that God's Word is all we need. It is one of those statements you hear and go "yes, I know" and move on. To attend the Nashville Conference on the Church and Theology and hear these great men of God stress the importance of sharing the Word and then coming to this Conference for Biblical Counseling and hearing how the Word alone impacts lives is almost overwhelming.

It's not that I have never read the Word or studied the Word before. It's that the Lord has given me a renewed excitement and appreciation for His Word. It does contain all we need for life and godliness. We just have it open it, read it and apply it. How often do we take the Word for granted. Something we carry to church, something we read before breakfast or in a time of trial. Do we really see it for what it is? The inspired Word Of God! Spoken by Him for us! does that not excite your soul?

I encourage you to crack it open. Take a new look at the scriptures we hear so often. The one that always pop into our minds and give them and examination. I promise you His Word speaks. Do we listen?

Just Me and God in Indiana

I am in Lafayette Indiana for the week......alone......freezing....tired......did I mention alone. It has been quite an exciting weekend! The conference at our church was amazing. The preparations drained nearly every ounce of strength from me but well worth it.

Now I am cramming more information in my small brain with a week of training for biblical counseling. while I have looked forward to this trip for several months, I did not anticipate the loniness. Mark has always gone everywhere with me. This is my first trip alone. Just me and God. It is pulling at my heart to be without both families. With out my own family and my church family.

I left on Andrea's birthday. Every year it seems that her birthday gets upstaged by something. This year it was the combination of the Nashville Conference on the Church and Theology and this trip for me. While I know she understands it still bothers me. Mark and I neither one sleep well without the other. I know. We are pitiful. But he is my companion and I am lost without him. So it is just me and God. Taking it one day, one session at a time.