Across the Deep Blue

In a few hours I'll be off across the Atlantic. It has been an odd trip so far, but definitely eye opening. A lot of praying, reading, waiting in lines and feeling unsettled. All this has led to some great soul work in preparation for my trip. The biggest is God continuing to work on me to let go and let Him be in charge. Thank you for your prayers!

1 leg down

A fitting quote from my wife. Landed in Chicago! Some food in my belly and now to check in with the next flight. I'm feeling more anxious now (or it could be the Chinese's I had for lunch). Either way, the adventure continues! Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes. It means a lot.

Stuck!

Wow! Stuck in Louisville. Plane we were on broke as we left the gate. Standing in line to get rebooked. The long layover in Chicago seems like a great blessing. Not stressed, just along for the ride. View is great from back here. :-D

Two Days

Only 2 days.  Bags are packed (mostly).  Plans are made best they can be.  And now we wait.

As the time gets closer I am reminded about how God is served.  It's a lot like being on a roller coaster.  In getting on a roller coaster, my part in the making the ride happen ride ended as soon as I sat down.  The car is climbing the hill and I cannot stop it.  I cannot steer it.  I am not in control.  That's what serving God should be like.  A complete yielding of self to Him.  And it is tough.

Jesus modeled this in John 5:30.  Doing the will of the Father, not His own.  And that's the catch.  We still have a choice.  The truth is we are not on a roller coaster.  Life is more like a car.  We have the choice to drive.  The choice of where to sit.  The choice to change our mind at any point in the ride.  It would be a lot easier if it was a roller coaster because then a one-time choice would set the path.

I am seeing this as I have a sense of calm.  Calm about travel.  Calm about the messages to be presented.  Calm about my family.   Calm as I seek Him.

Friends, let go of the wheel and get in the backseat.  Let God drive!  

Countdown

Its almost here!  After months of prayer and planning I leave soon.  Real soon.

I think about the great unknown that lies ahead of us.  How will God use this trip?  What harvest is there?  Will we be available for His use?

My plan is to write some updates when I get into country.  Thanks for sharing in the adventure!

Reliance

I am not sure what this trip will bring.  In my life I am continually being taught and reminded of the lesson of reliance.  Only Him, only you Jesus.

The reality of being used so much is setting in now.  Hard to hold on to the truth that if I remain available, God will do great things through me.  Just writing that sentence is incredible.  A small man from Kentucky going to such a large place, to share with so many, for God's glory.  Amazing and yet scary.  Scary because I know my flesh may creep in.  What I mean is that there is room for pride, arrogance, and self-glorification.  If those begin to show, the message is suddenly mine, not His.

However, if God keeps me broken, relying only on Him, there is no room for pride.


Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?   Matthew 6:25-7

4 Deadly Questions

For encouragement and teaching I ask the 4 deadly questions.  These questions are fantastic for any evangelical engaging in a conversation.  Usually the follower of Jesus asks these questions to get to the heart of a non-believer they are talking to.  What if the tables are turned?  In talking about Jesus as the Savior, the only way to eternal life, the forgiver of sins, our physician, our King; How would you answer these 4 questions?

The 4 Deadly Questions

1) "What do you mean by that?"

2) "How do you know that is true?"

3) "Where do you get your information?"

4) "What happens if you are wrong?"

This is my topic for the first conference.  Please pray for 1 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Timothy 3:16 moments.