Thursday, January 19, 2012

Who do we think we are?

Everybody is making big plans, discovering how to create a life of their own, planning big, dreaming bigger. And don't get me wrong, I think its sweet.  I'm really excited to hopefully be blogging from England nine months from now. But just a thought. Who are we to say what so surely what we're doing six months from now? Its only thanks to God's abundant grace that we woke up this morning,  never mind send us half way across the world! I mean whose to say God wont call me home before I can even book a plane ticket?  Or maybe Christ will return tonight,  and all of our plans will be totally shaken. I mean, everything we do, is only because God has decided to let us do it, right? I know we all have free will, and God didn't will us to sin all of the times we have, but he could radically change out lives whenever he decides too. So I'm not saying I don't want to make plans anymore, I think God gave us a brain for that reason, but I think its really important to not only pray about ALL of my plans, but to remember that all I do is only because God chose to let me do it.
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

So yes, as you have probably heard, Lord willing, I will be going to England in the fall.  An yes I a ever so excited, and cannot stop thinking about how great it will be, if God so chooses to keep me around long enough to go there. But for now, I want to commit to keep praying about it, and trying to follow in his will, as I go out and make my life my own. Your prayers would be much appreciated in this also, as I really need God to be in control of this situation.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Grace.

I've lost track of all the "I love you's" I've heard said.
I've lost track of all the meals I've had placed on my table.
I've lost track of all the people that have prayed with me.
I've lost track of all the bible studies I've attended. 
I've lost track of all the times I've gone to sleep in a warm bed.
I've lost track of all the people I've had the opportunity to pray for.
I've lost track of all the days I've spent getting a free quality education.
I've lost track of all the clothes I have had the money to buy.
I've lost track of all the places I've visited.
I've lost track of all the times I've gotten in a vehicle, to go somewhere I could walk.

I've lost track of all the times I've sinned: Lied, cheated, gossiped, stolen, judged,  and so much more.. deserving only death.

And somehow I'm still blessed enough to have all this. If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.