A New Creature in Christ

There is a young man that my dad has been dealing with in the jail for several months - probably close to a year. My dad is really excited to see the work God is doing in him.
Today when I got home from violin lessons I walked past the living room and dad said "We are going out to dinner with Sean's girlfriend." Dad said she was my age.
We went to dinner at a fabulous Mexican restaurant in town. That has nothing to do with the story I just thought I would throw it in there because I love the place.
We chatted for a while and found out some basic information about each others lives. Dad started asking her about what changes she has noticed in Sean's life the last few months. She was very encouraged. She said she has seen big changes.
My parents were supposed to leave for Indianapolis when we were done with supper. Dad thought the conversations was going so well though he didn't want to cut it off so he invited her to our house.
She came out and the three of us continued our conversations. Actually, I was just there as an other presence. I don't think I added anything to the conversation.
Dad continued to share the Gospel with her in much more depth than he had at the restaurant. She seemed to be very open to what dad was telling her. From things she said I believe God has been preparing her heart for months. At the end she professed faith in Christ. It was so very exciting to watch.
I asked Nikki if she wanted to go for a walk with me. God had given us the most beautiful evening for such an occasion! We walked and talked for a couple of miles. Some just chatting and getting to know each other. Part of the time she had questions for me. Mostly about baptism. I shared my testimony with her and also the testimony of a friend of mine. All in all it was a wonderful evening! I look forward to getting to know her and watching her grow; helping to teach her, and learning myself in the process!

Random thought

Last night I started thinking about a line from a movie that goes something like "If it was the right thing to do you would feel better about it right now." That statement is so true sometimes. We try to rationalize our actions. Making excuses of why it was ok. All the while our conscience is just not not allowing us peace.
But thankfully, when we confess our sins, my God is faithful and just to forgive our sins.

Putting one foot in front of the other - from Greg and Melody

Last night a friend of mine posted on his blog. He just started chemo for the second time - this is his second bout with cancer. He wrote just a little about the struggles and talked about putting one foot in front of the other. His girlfriend's reply was amazing. He has quite a girl. I asked her if I could share it. She laughed and said I could though she didn't think it was anything great. It was great, though. It was a great encouragement to me and I know it will be to other too.

Sometimes I wish I could do more than put one foot in front of the other - literally leap a couple miles ahead and be done with some of the hard things that are in the way. But...I know that He promises to give us strength for the journey. That means we still have to walk it - but we will be able to make it to the end. He "gives strength to the weary" and also "renews their strength". (Isaiah 40) It never runs out and we can't reach an allotment. It is continually renewed.
"Do not fear for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
One foot in front of the other...Not an easy thing to do. It takes faith, knowing that we are heading somewhere and that it is worth pressing on towards. Trust, because we can't see where we are going. "We walk by faith not by sight." But we continue to walk...
Thankfully, you don't have to do this alone. Not only will God always walk beside you, but I'm not going anywhere either! :) <3

Let Me Be a Woman

I finished reading Let Me Be Woman on Monday night. Actually, it was the third time I finished it. Elisabeth Elliot's books just keep getting better each time I read them. There were chapters through out the whole book that I kept wishing I could share with everyone. But since I can't exactly post a whole book I guess that won't work. I strongly recommend it to ladies of any age. There is a ton of stuff in there that would be good for guys to read also - but no guy would read a book by that title unless the front cover was torn off. :)

But anyway….

This is the first "chapter" though it is only a page long. It is so simple and yet so encouraging. I need the reminder sometimes that we do serve...

The God Who Is in Charge

When Walt came to me at Christmastime to ask for your hand I said to him, "There is no one to whom I would so gladly give it. " Then we talked of the long wait you would have if the wedding date was not to be until after your graduation.

"Do you think you can stick it out?" I asked him. and he answered, without hesitation, "Ma'am, I'm a Calvinist!"

He knew that I would understand what he meant by that. You and I are Calvinist too, in that we believe in a God who is in charge, We are not for one moment of our lives at the mercy of chance. Walt saw the timing of his proposal, his own graduation from seminary, your graduation from college, as among the "all things" that work together for good to those who love God. He saw the pattern of duty that lay before you both and took it to be the will of God, so that the power of his own emotion to weaken his resolve was not a threat. He knew, as the psalmist knew, "My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." I am grateful that God has given you a man like that.

While I'm Waiting

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Here is Love

I heard this song only once. The Pettit team sang it when they were in our town a few weeks ago. I thought it was beautiful but since it was only once I didn't think much more about it. Then last night Bethany had the music and lyrics in her bedroom. I read the first verse but I think that was it.
After some tough lessons on trust and God's love tonight I came home and read all the lyrics. When I got to the third and forth verses I just sat and cried. They were exactly what I needed to read.

Here is love, vast as the ocean, Lovingkindness as the flood,When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,Shed for us His precious blood.Who His love will not remember?Who can cease to sing His praise?He can never be forgotten,Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion,Fountains opened deep and wide;Through the floodgates of God’s mercyFlowed a vast and gracious tide.Grace and love, like mighty rivers,Poured incessant from above,And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justiceKissed a guilty world in love.

Let me all Thy love accepting, Love Thee, ever all my days; Let me seek Thy kingdom only And my life be to Thy praise;Thou alone shalt be my glory,Nothing in the world I see.Thou hast cleansed and sanctified me,Thou Thyself hast set me free.

In Thy truth Thou dost direct meBy Thy Spirit through Thy Word; And Thy grace my need is meeting,As I trust in Thee, my Lord. Of Thy fullness Thou art pouringThy great love and power on me,Without measure, full and boundless,Drawing out my heart to Thee.

Happy birthday, Courtney!!!!