I told my wife a number of months ago that I could only go to film school if the Lord wills it. And will it he certainly seems to be doing. God has acted in the way he usually does by leaving no doubt that it is him who has acted. At the very last minute he provided enough money to meet the tuition requirement and he is providing beyond even what I thought he would.
I will miss the good people I have grown to know and love. Leaving St. Paul for Grand Rapids will be harder than I think. We have a family at Messiah that I have never had at a church before. In fact, Messiah, for me, is a wonderful model of what it is to live in a true Christian community. Even with the various failings it has. If it were perfect it wouldn’t need Jesus, but the congregation does love him. In G.R. I do hope we find a church family as wonderful as Messiah.
Grace and Peace to you.
Been thinking a lot about “what God wills” lately. Here’s what I read from Oswald Chambers a night ago about it (”My Utmost for His Highest”):
How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him? Matthew 7:11
“Jesus is laying down rules of conduct for those who have His Spirit. By the simple argument of these verses He urges us to keep our minds filled with the notion of God’s control behind everything, which means that the disciple must maintain an attitude of perfect trust and an eagerness to ask and to seek….
Keep the notion of the mind of God behind all things strong and growing. Nothing happens in any particular unless God’s will is behind it, therefore you can rest in perfect confidence in Him.”
By: Katie Johnson on July 18, 2008
at 7:04 pm
More from Mr. Chambers on God’s will (”My Utmost for His Highest”, July 20):
“The reality of God’s presence is not dependent on any place, but only dependent upon the determination to set the Lord always before us. Our problems come when we refuse to bank on the reality of His presence. The experience the Psalmist speaks of – “Therefore will we not fear, though . . .” will be ours when once we are based on Reality, not the consciousness of God’s presence but the reality of it – Why, He has been here all the time!
At critical moments it is necessary to ask guidance, but it ought to be unnecessary to be saying always – “O Lord, direct me here, and there.” Of course He will! If our common-sense decisions are not His order, He will press through them and check; then we must be quiet and wait for the direction of His presence.”
By: Katie Johnson on July 25, 2008
at 7:22 pm
In times of difficulty and stress we need to kick back for a moment or two and pray to our Intercessor. God listens, calms us down and helps us.
Been great talking to you even though you have had stressful times in relocation but that’s all settled down now. Can’t wait for Ms. Lucy to start talking on the phone. Look out–soon she’ll demand her own cell phone.
This is a great blog! Love, Dad
By: Ron Sillanpa on August 8, 2008
at 2:00 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with you.You have a great cheering section both within,and beyond space and time.Hang in there!
With much love,
Mike Heitz
By: Michael Heitz on August 11, 2008
at 8:40 pm