I have to admit, I long to be with someone. Someone who loves God; who loves me in view of my insufficiencies; who will serve with me in youth ministry and wherever God calls us; who will love my family, no matter how crazy they might be.
As one of my former posts said, I'm reading the book called Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. This last chapter was called "Romance: Meeting Girls is Easy." And while that is true, meeting girls is easy, I have a hard time trying to connect with people of the opposite sex.
Something I am very passionate about and really want to happen in my future is to be a husband and a father. I can't wait to play catch with my son in the front yard, give my little girl her first dress, drop my child off at their first day of school, or go to my son's graduation. Those are things I can't wait for. In my family life and ministry class my professor started tearing up when talking about growing with his spouse and being able to see Jesus in her. I can't wait for that either. Yet, I don't even have a girlfriend. Is there something wrong with me? No.
I am in that period of life where a lot of what I think about is relationships. Who do I like? Why do I like her? What does she think of me? How can I spend some quality time with her? What are my motivations for being in a relationship? How do I make God the foundation of a relationship with a girl? How do I keep God at the center of that relationship? Am I honoring God through my relationships to females? Am I in the right place with God to start dating? Do I seek to be fulfilled by a woman more than I do God? Which one do I seek first? Soo many more questions run through my head.
So often I think about such things and they consume my worries, the worrying brings me pain.
Yesterday I was reading some verses in Romans 5. Verses 1-5 say, "Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Also through Him, we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, be we alse rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
It is so great that God gives us grace and peace through Jesus Christ and that we get to rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. But then it gets confusing. Rejoice in our affliction? You see, God wants us to rejoice in Him when we face our afflictions because it makes us grow in Him. When we endure through our suffering, we grow in our character, and that character produces the hope that God has poured out in love on us through the Holy Spirit... which does not disappoint! How great is that?!
Lord,
In these times of wondering who you will bring me to, to be in love with for the rest of my life, I rejoice in you and your faithfulness. I rejoice in the hope that you have given me in Christ. Lord, I long to be with her, and I long to be with you, but help me to seek first your Kingdom and righteousness above all things. Lord thank you for your grace and your peace in this time of worry and wonder. Thank you sooooo much God!
In the name of Jesus Christ I pray,
Amen.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The day of a new age!
So literally, I'm writing about this past weekend, and how I turned 21.
Friday I celibrated my birthday with about 25 super awesome people! Some could also not come, so that was dissapointing, but we had the best time. We first departed and went up to Mt. Shasta City, CA to go ice skating at the Siskiyou Ice Rink. We had a great time flying around in a giant circle, playing tag, having katie tam knock us over, skating together, figuring out how to skate backwards, racing, and just plain joyful glee!
One of the funniest parts was when we asked this lady to take a group picture of us. She turned around and noticed a big group, so she exclaimed, "WOW THIS IS A BIG GROUP!!! WHAT ARE YOU HERE FOR?!?!" Someone informed them that, "It is James' Birthday!" She then joyfully said, "OH! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!!!" everyone errupted. Then she was telling us to scoot in tight so that "Dave can remember this for the rest of his life!" And before she took the picture she said, "Okay, everybody say, 'Happy Birthday DAVE!'" to which everyone errupted in laughter again and nobody could correct her. It was soo funny!
We then went to the local pizza parlor and had some delicious pizza. I got an awesome shirt from Katie Tam that says "I *heart* skinks" on the front and "RIP Azor" on the back (Azor was my pet skink, and Katie told me she was gonna make me the shirt when i told her i was going to make her a name plate, and when i did, she decided that was what she was going to make me for my birthday). Jenna prayed over me, which was awesome, and I never thanked her. Danae wrote me a very uplifting and encouraging letter, which I was also very thankful for. I also received cards from Dana, Matt and Aubrey. The gifts were great, but the presence of all of these people are what made the night what it was.
Some interesting events transpired over the next two days, and then monday came (my actual birthday).
My parents and younger brother had planned to come up to hang out with me and my friends. We ended up going to Casa Ramos for lunch and my parents ended up picking up the whole bill for everyone there, which was very generous of them, and much appreciated by all who were there. We had a great time and it seemed like my little brother had a great time hanging out with my friends and joking around with them. After lunch my younger brother and I went to play softball with some of the guys down at the middle school down the road, while my parents watched and cheered us on. We had a great time!
All in all, this past weekend and celebrating my birthday with all of those people was totally awesome. It is good to know that I am spending my time with Godly people who are a positive influence in my life while I grow and mature in my faith. I appreciate every one of them and I am so glad that each of them have been placed in my life.
Friday I celibrated my birthday with about 25 super awesome people! Some could also not come, so that was dissapointing, but we had the best time. We first departed and went up to Mt. Shasta City, CA to go ice skating at the Siskiyou Ice Rink. We had a great time flying around in a giant circle, playing tag, having katie tam knock us over, skating together, figuring out how to skate backwards, racing, and just plain joyful glee!
One of the funniest parts was when we asked this lady to take a group picture of us. She turned around and noticed a big group, so she exclaimed, "WOW THIS IS A BIG GROUP!!! WHAT ARE YOU HERE FOR?!?!" Someone informed them that, "It is James' Birthday!" She then joyfully said, "OH! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!!!" everyone errupted. Then she was telling us to scoot in tight so that "Dave can remember this for the rest of his life!" And before she took the picture she said, "Okay, everybody say, 'Happy Birthday DAVE!'" to which everyone errupted in laughter again and nobody could correct her. It was soo funny!
We then went to the local pizza parlor and had some delicious pizza. I got an awesome shirt from Katie Tam that says "I *heart* skinks" on the front and "RIP Azor" on the back (Azor was my pet skink, and Katie told me she was gonna make me the shirt when i told her i was going to make her a name plate, and when i did, she decided that was what she was going to make me for my birthday). Jenna prayed over me, which was awesome, and I never thanked her. Danae wrote me a very uplifting and encouraging letter, which I was also very thankful for. I also received cards from Dana, Matt and Aubrey. The gifts were great, but the presence of all of these people are what made the night what it was.
Some interesting events transpired over the next two days, and then monday came (my actual birthday).
My parents and younger brother had planned to come up to hang out with me and my friends. We ended up going to Casa Ramos for lunch and my parents ended up picking up the whole bill for everyone there, which was very generous of them, and much appreciated by all who were there. We had a great time and it seemed like my little brother had a great time hanging out with my friends and joking around with them. After lunch my younger brother and I went to play softball with some of the guys down at the middle school down the road, while my parents watched and cheered us on. We had a great time!
All in all, this past weekend and celebrating my birthday with all of those people was totally awesome. It is good to know that I am spending my time with Godly people who are a positive influence in my life while I grow and mature in my faith. I appreciate every one of them and I am so glad that each of them have been placed in my life.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tough to Swallow
So I read this chapter in a little book called Blue Like Jazz. It talked about how a group of students put aside their pride so that they could reach people during the year's biggest party at their college... through a confession booth.
An unconventional confession booth.
This confession booth was not for the drunk and high students to come and confess the sins they had committed that night. No... it was for this group of 5 or so students to confess that they, as well as many other Christians around the world, had misrepresented Jesus in a horrible way, and for them to apologize for that. It was honesty. Truthfulness. Humbleness. Putting pride aside and serving those in need.
The students attending the party were inspired by their honesty and truthfulness; their humility and humbleness. Not by their pride, their boastfulness, or their hypocritical condemning of the very people they were trying to reach.
In a life where people that are soo proud, that is tough to swallow. It is tough to swallow that people will be most receptive to what I have to say when I put them before myself and with honesty and truthfulness, serve them. Without reservation. Without hesitation.
It is tough to swallow the fact that our savior came in the form of a baby. A baby. And as he grew, he was honest, truthful, but most of all, he was humble. He put the sinners before himself. He loved them unconditionally.
Why is it so hard for us to step out in humbleness and humility so that we can serve others? Why do we care so much about how people will view us? Why on earth would people be more receptive to someone who puts them before himself rather than someone who holds themselves above you?
Does our pride get in the way of us letting Jesus step in? Why? He's better than we ar anyways.
Lord,
Help me to become humble. Humble to the point where I can put all of my pride, and step out in faith, risk myself, the person that people know, so that I can minister to the weak, the poor, the sinners, the masses. Lord take away my pride so that you can be glorified, so that you can shine through me.
In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Your "becoming more humble" servant, James.
An unconventional confession booth.
This confession booth was not for the drunk and high students to come and confess the sins they had committed that night. No... it was for this group of 5 or so students to confess that they, as well as many other Christians around the world, had misrepresented Jesus in a horrible way, and for them to apologize for that. It was honesty. Truthfulness. Humbleness. Putting pride aside and serving those in need.
The students attending the party were inspired by their honesty and truthfulness; their humility and humbleness. Not by their pride, their boastfulness, or their hypocritical condemning of the very people they were trying to reach.
In a life where people that are soo proud, that is tough to swallow. It is tough to swallow that people will be most receptive to what I have to say when I put them before myself and with honesty and truthfulness, serve them. Without reservation. Without hesitation.
It is tough to swallow the fact that our savior came in the form of a baby. A baby. And as he grew, he was honest, truthful, but most of all, he was humble. He put the sinners before himself. He loved them unconditionally.
Why is it so hard for us to step out in humbleness and humility so that we can serve others? Why do we care so much about how people will view us? Why on earth would people be more receptive to someone who puts them before himself rather than someone who holds themselves above you?
Does our pride get in the way of us letting Jesus step in? Why? He's better than we ar anyways.
Lord,
Help me to become humble. Humble to the point where I can put all of my pride, and step out in faith, risk myself, the person that people know, so that I can minister to the weak, the poor, the sinners, the masses. Lord take away my pride so that you can be glorified, so that you can shine through me.
In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Your "becoming more humble" servant, James.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Back in Action
Today is the first day of classes for the 09 Spring Semester at Simpson University, and I have to say, I am so excited for this semester. Yesterday I embarked on a journey that would bring me from the Bay Area back up to Redding. First I hitched a ride with Bryan and his mother up to Sacramento, where we unloaded our bags at Katie's apartment and somehow miraculously packed all of our stuff into her small Pontiac Sunfire.
And then the second part of the journey began: Sacramento to Redding.
As soon as the trip began, it ended with the culminating point when we pulled into Simpson blaring "Yeah" by Usher... a classic. You know it is true when people say, "Time flies when you are having fun!
It was so good to see amazing people before we were even out of the car. When we pulled in to the parkinglot, Taylor and Melissa were right infront of us, and welcomed us with hugs! I love hugs!
After the arrival I unpacked for a while, went to dinner, and came back and unpacked till about 8. I made my way over to the Student Lounge to go to a Transfer Student/Student Leader worship hour to kick the year off with our focus on God and Christ. Funny thing was, it was ment for the incoming transfer students, and only three showed up out of like thirty. Most of the people there were returning students, and some of them weren't even student leaders, which was awesome!
I kept telling myself that I was only going to meet some new people, and maybe my future girlfriend/wife, but I think deep down, it was to be in community with people, while being in communion with God. I guess I have that longing to be with people and with God, and it is so awesome to do both at the same time. During this time, we had a chance to pray for others, and I was immediately reminded of how I was hit in the face by God with the passage in Romans that I blogged about a couple of blogs ago. So I asked for prayer for that and that I could become more diligent and intentional in my faith this upcoming semester.
And thus, with only three transfer students there, I did not meet my future girlfriend/wife, but I did get to hang out with and talk to some rad people I hadn't seen in a while: Travis Osbourne, Matt Deacon, Libbie and Jamie Macintosh, John Ewing, Jenna Barney, and some more who I can't remember their names right now. Had some good laughs when Jamie messed up a pick-up-line that has to do with pirates and parrots. And then I pulled it on Libbie... and she had a tummy laugh... which gave her a workout.
Then some other stuff happened where I ended up going to In-and-Out with Nolan and Daniel, and then I went to sleep.
When I woke up, I started going about my morning routine and taking a shower, but before I could even get dressed and go to turn my computer on, I was reminded of what my heart was aching for lastnight... to be more diligent and intentional about my faith (i.e. my thoughts, study of the Bible, prayer life, etc.). So before I did anything else, I got out my Bible and read and prayed. It was awesome, and my hope is that I can begin to do that more and more.
Lord,
Thank you for such a wonderful arrival and day back on campus. Thankyou that I got the time to just slow down before school started and start off with my focus on you and your word. I thank you that you continue to be faithful and righteous in my unfaithfulness and unrighteousness, but it is no excuse for me to continue in my ways. I pray that you would bless this semester for me, and for Simpson and that we would continue to hunger and thirst for you in our daily lives, and not just in hard times. Lord I love you and thank you for reminding me of what I hope for in you, and each day I get to hope for that even more.
In the name of Jesus Christ I pray these things,
Your servant James
And then the second part of the journey began: Sacramento to Redding.
As soon as the trip began, it ended with the culminating point when we pulled into Simpson blaring "Yeah" by Usher... a classic. You know it is true when people say, "Time flies when you are having fun!
It was so good to see amazing people before we were even out of the car. When we pulled in to the parkinglot, Taylor and Melissa were right infront of us, and welcomed us with hugs! I love hugs!
After the arrival I unpacked for a while, went to dinner, and came back and unpacked till about 8. I made my way over to the Student Lounge to go to a Transfer Student/Student Leader worship hour to kick the year off with our focus on God and Christ. Funny thing was, it was ment for the incoming transfer students, and only three showed up out of like thirty. Most of the people there were returning students, and some of them weren't even student leaders, which was awesome!
I kept telling myself that I was only going to meet some new people, and maybe my future girlfriend/wife, but I think deep down, it was to be in community with people, while being in communion with God. I guess I have that longing to be with people and with God, and it is so awesome to do both at the same time. During this time, we had a chance to pray for others, and I was immediately reminded of how I was hit in the face by God with the passage in Romans that I blogged about a couple of blogs ago. So I asked for prayer for that and that I could become more diligent and intentional in my faith this upcoming semester.
And thus, with only three transfer students there, I did not meet my future girlfriend/wife, but I did get to hang out with and talk to some rad people I hadn't seen in a while: Travis Osbourne, Matt Deacon, Libbie and Jamie Macintosh, John Ewing, Jenna Barney, and some more who I can't remember their names right now. Had some good laughs when Jamie messed up a pick-up-line that has to do with pirates and parrots. And then I pulled it on Libbie... and she had a tummy laugh... which gave her a workout.
Then some other stuff happened where I ended up going to In-and-Out with Nolan and Daniel, and then I went to sleep.
When I woke up, I started going about my morning routine and taking a shower, but before I could even get dressed and go to turn my computer on, I was reminded of what my heart was aching for lastnight... to be more diligent and intentional about my faith (i.e. my thoughts, study of the Bible, prayer life, etc.). So before I did anything else, I got out my Bible and read and prayed. It was awesome, and my hope is that I can begin to do that more and more.
Lord,
Thank you for such a wonderful arrival and day back on campus. Thankyou that I got the time to just slow down before school started and start off with my focus on you and your word. I thank you that you continue to be faithful and righteous in my unfaithfulness and unrighteousness, but it is no excuse for me to continue in my ways. I pray that you would bless this semester for me, and for Simpson and that we would continue to hunger and thirst for you in our daily lives, and not just in hard times. Lord I love you and thank you for reminding me of what I hope for in you, and each day I get to hope for that even more.
In the name of Jesus Christ I pray these things,
Your servant James
Sunday, January 4, 2009
My iPod isn't totally dead!
Some good news.
My iPod still works... but the backlight is broken. I washed it in the washing machine with some clothes. Silly me.
Yesterday night was tough for me. I went to worship team practice with a happy heart, I was going to use Matt's amp and effects pedals because I sent my amp up to Redding with Jenna and Ian, along with the power supply for my PodXTLive (on accident). I left feeling stressed and frustrated and like I didn't want to lead worship in the morning.
I'm kinda one of those people who likes to do his own thing on electric guitar, unless of course there is a general theme or certain riff that makes the song that particular song, and if there is, I do my best to learn it and replicate it and add to the sound of the worship being offered. I guess I like being free to do whatever. But during practice, I didn't feel like I was going to be able to worship with that freedom do what I wanted. The leader kept asking me, "Can you do this?" and "Can you do that?" I assured him a few times that I could and replicated what he wanted, but to me it just didn't fit... maybe I should have said something, but I didn't.
And then came today. And the amp quit working during a couple songs in the first service, in the songs that I was frustrated with. So I got to forget all of my frustrations and just continue to worship with my voice. During the second service I used Brandon's amp, which worked through the whole service, and all those frustrations that I didn't have to deal with in the first service, were lifted and I was able to worship with my guitar during those songs.
God has a way of coming through in all situations, in all our frustrations, and in all our worries.
And sometimes when we least expect it.
My iPod still works... but the backlight is broken. I washed it in the washing machine with some clothes. Silly me.
Yesterday night was tough for me. I went to worship team practice with a happy heart, I was going to use Matt's amp and effects pedals because I sent my amp up to Redding with Jenna and Ian, along with the power supply for my PodXTLive (on accident). I left feeling stressed and frustrated and like I didn't want to lead worship in the morning.
I'm kinda one of those people who likes to do his own thing on electric guitar, unless of course there is a general theme or certain riff that makes the song that particular song, and if there is, I do my best to learn it and replicate it and add to the sound of the worship being offered. I guess I like being free to do whatever. But during practice, I didn't feel like I was going to be able to worship with that freedom do what I wanted. The leader kept asking me, "Can you do this?" and "Can you do that?" I assured him a few times that I could and replicated what he wanted, but to me it just didn't fit... maybe I should have said something, but I didn't.
And then came today. And the amp quit working during a couple songs in the first service, in the songs that I was frustrated with. So I got to forget all of my frustrations and just continue to worship with my voice. During the second service I used Brandon's amp, which worked through the whole service, and all those frustrations that I didn't have to deal with in the first service, were lifted and I was able to worship with my guitar during those songs.
God has a way of coming through in all situations, in all our frustrations, and in all our worries.
And sometimes when we least expect it.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
..wildhorse canyon..
Some of you may be wondering why my blog name is ..wildhorse canyon.. and so I guess I have to tell you since I brought it up. So I obviously just recently made my blog... and I have to tell you, I made it out of peer pressure, but I think I will actually write in it a lot. Anyways, everyone in the room was either making a blog, writing a blog, or already had a blog on here... these people are awesome people: Jenna Barney, Ian Brooks, John Ewing, Matthew Lopez, and Bryan Henderson. So, when trying to figure out what to call it, I couldn't think of anything that was deep, because I can't be deep all the time whenever I want to.
So as I was sitting on Jenna's couch and looking around the room, I saw good ol' Jenna Barney sitting in front of me with a t-shirt on, as well as other clothes, but the t-shirt stuck out to me... and the back of it said "Wildhorse Canyon"
"thank you Jenna Barney you are awesome! the name of my blog is going to be 'Wildhorse Canyon' like it says on the back of your shirt!"
In other news, yesterday was awesome. Hanging out with awesome people in a town I've only ever passed through. Leading worship and getting interrupted 40 minutes in so people could eat pizza, only to finish the last 20 minutes after a break so people could eat... at a 24 hour worship night. Out of all the time slots to get pizza and start eating, they did it in the middle of our set... haha. Creating blogs, writing blogs... Janelle and Joanna going the Blockbuster to rent the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and not getting there in time because Jo parks really slow, watching Prince Caspian, and reading Narnia quotes, all with lovely people. God showed me what a blessing it is to be alive and to have these people in my lives.
also, NFL wildcard games start today. YEAH FOR FOOTBALL!
So as I was sitting on Jenna's couch and looking around the room, I saw good ol' Jenna Barney sitting in front of me with a t-shirt on, as well as other clothes, but the t-shirt stuck out to me... and the back of it said "Wildhorse Canyon"
"thank you Jenna Barney you are awesome! the name of my blog is going to be 'Wildhorse Canyon' like it says on the back of your shirt!"
In other news, yesterday was awesome. Hanging out with awesome people in a town I've only ever passed through. Leading worship and getting interrupted 40 minutes in so people could eat pizza, only to finish the last 20 minutes after a break so people could eat... at a 24 hour worship night. Out of all the time slots to get pizza and start eating, they did it in the middle of our set... haha. Creating blogs, writing blogs... Janelle and Joanna going the Blockbuster to rent the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and not getting there in time because Jo parks really slow, watching Prince Caspian, and reading Narnia quotes, all with lovely people. God showed me what a blessing it is to be alive and to have these people in my lives.
also, NFL wildcard games start today. YEAH FOR FOOTBALL!
Romans 1:18-21 [NASB]
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened."
I think it is so cool that it says that what is known about God is evident within us as humans, because God has made these things known. Even from the beginning of creation, He has made himself known. In fact, he has made himself soo well known that he did it through what has been made, so that there would be no excuse to not knowing God and following His ways. Yet even though they knew God... brace yourselves... they did not honor him as God or give thanks.
(silence)
(more silence)
It's so amazing that though we know God, through His creation and revelation in Jesus Christ, yet we do not always acknowledge that HE is GOD. It's so funny that we claim to know God, yet our actions say otherwise because we don't acknowledge His presence and His work in our lives. I'm reminded of the story of Martha and Mary. They were housing Jesus for a night while Jesus was traveling. Martha being so caught up in herself, was desperate for Jesus, yet she was so consumed with preparing for him and making everything perfect. Mary on the other hand, dropped what she was doing, and sat at the feet of Jesus in awe of Him. In awe...
It's like we are begging God to be in our lives, and we know he is there, but we want more. And we beg, and beg, and beg for God... but while we are begging, we are doing other things that say something else. We know God is there, but when He's right here in front of us, we don't acknowledge Him and thank Him for being GOD and for the work He does in our lives. Folks, I'll be the first to admit that I'm not perfect in this department. I do it to! But what would it be like if we could recognize the fact that God is in our lives, and it stops us in our tracks...
and we take time to sit in awe of God...
and thank Him for what He does...
and for who He is...
So that in our foolishness, we would be come wise and grow in our faith.
Lord,
I thank you for making this apparent to me. Lord I know that I go about my days in such routines that I forget that you are my God... my Master... my Friend. Lord I thank you for being those things to me... for bringing change in my life... for sending your son as a sacrifice for all that I have done against you. Lord forgive me for not recognizing you and giving you thanks. Lord I pray that I would be stopped in my tracks this upcomming year by your power, your beauty, your mystery, your love... and that I would sit in awe of the fact that I'm lucky to be alive and privelidged to work with you. Thank you Lord!
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Your servant... James.
I think it is so cool that it says that what is known about God is evident within us as humans, because God has made these things known. Even from the beginning of creation, He has made himself known. In fact, he has made himself soo well known that he did it through what has been made, so that there would be no excuse to not knowing God and following His ways. Yet even though they knew God... brace yourselves... they did not honor him as God or give thanks.
(silence)
(more silence)
It's so amazing that though we know God, through His creation and revelation in Jesus Christ, yet we do not always acknowledge that HE is GOD. It's so funny that we claim to know God, yet our actions say otherwise because we don't acknowledge His presence and His work in our lives. I'm reminded of the story of Martha and Mary. They were housing Jesus for a night while Jesus was traveling. Martha being so caught up in herself, was desperate for Jesus, yet she was so consumed with preparing for him and making everything perfect. Mary on the other hand, dropped what she was doing, and sat at the feet of Jesus in awe of Him. In awe...
It's like we are begging God to be in our lives, and we know he is there, but we want more. And we beg, and beg, and beg for God... but while we are begging, we are doing other things that say something else. We know God is there, but when He's right here in front of us, we don't acknowledge Him and thank Him for being GOD and for the work He does in our lives. Folks, I'll be the first to admit that I'm not perfect in this department. I do it to! But what would it be like if we could recognize the fact that God is in our lives, and it stops us in our tracks...
and we take time to sit in awe of God...
and thank Him for what He does...
and for who He is...
So that in our foolishness, we would be come wise and grow in our faith.
Lord,
I thank you for making this apparent to me. Lord I know that I go about my days in such routines that I forget that you are my God... my Master... my Friend. Lord I thank you for being those things to me... for bringing change in my life... for sending your son as a sacrifice for all that I have done against you. Lord forgive me for not recognizing you and giving you thanks. Lord I pray that I would be stopped in my tracks this upcomming year by your power, your beauty, your mystery, your love... and that I would sit in awe of the fact that I'm lucky to be alive and privelidged to work with you. Thank you Lord!
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Your servant... James.
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