So here it is - three days since my last blog post! WOW! I have much to share…

I’ve picked up the last Bible study book that I never finished (Couples in the Bible) and have begun to do a lesson each week. I completed lesson three last week (see…I have a habit of starting things and not finishing them…) and it made me chuckle…okay, laugh out loud really. Why? It was the story of Lot and his wife. In a nutshell, Abraham and Lot were of the same family and when their households became too large to travel together, Abraham let Lot choose where he wanted to settle first. Of course, Lot chose the most fertile land near Sodom (a thriving but sinful city) and Abraham got stuck with the leftovers. Later, when God sent angels to warn Lot and his family to flee before God destroyed the town, Lot was hesitant. Even his wife looked back at the city as they were leaving (she was then turned into a pilar of salt!). Lot loved God but still gave into worldly desires. He was double-minded.

Geez…how many times has my lack of faith caused me to focus on worldly things (you know, the “oh I can do it myself”) rather than on God and His promise? Or, how many times have I chosen to do things I wanted to do rather than choosing to pray or do things God’s way? Tooooo many to count! Lord, I thank You for your grace!

So then Sunday morning rolls around. We went with my friend, Carrie (who has three boys about a year or two ahead of each of my girls). What was the pastor preaching about? Choosing the way we live. Philippians 2:13 says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (NLT) But still, we have free will…the choice is up to us. Our lives can either be self-centered (focusing on our wants and desires) or our lives can be God centered (having confidence and utmost faith in God).

Wow, when God wants to make a point, He doesn’t hold back!

So after these many convictions from God about what I’m choosing in my life, I’m confused…lol. Honestly, I felt convicted to not blog as much or spend as much time on the computer in order to make time with God in prayer…I got that one, really, I did. But these extra two convictions…my Bible study just HAPPENED to be about separating from the world and the pastor’s sermon just HAPPENED to be about who’s way we can choose to follow in our lives. I think not. God is really orchestrating something here and I just have to find out what. Lord, I pray you open my eyes to what it is You want me to see. And as it says in Philippians 2:13, please continue to give me the desire to do your will!

We missed church this past Sunday, since we got in around 1:30am from Wyoming. I’m so thankful our church has online sermons to “catch up.” Tonight, I decided to tune into what I had missed…I was SO excited to find a video sermon rather than just an audio! How cool?!! I’m always telling people how much fun our church is…how casual, down to earth, & not the type to start busting-a-Bible-over-your-head-so-you’ll-do-this-or-else-face-the-wrath-of-God! If you have about a half hour to spare, I really encourage you to listen and watch what Pastor Mike has to say about trials and temptations as talked about in the Book of James. Then you can see why I am so thankful to belong to Grace Community

http://gracecommunity.com/messages/downloads/Sermon_Jan_06,_2008.html