A father's blessing

I realized something important over the past few weeks: having my father's blessing does not mean that he will approve of everything I do.

It might sound obvious for some, but it took me a while to figure it out. I have spend years trying to reconcile the two concepts: blessing and approval. My father reminded me that I had his blessing in everything I do. His comment took me by surprise considering the few "issues" we've been through over the past few months. I was so caught up in my need for approval that I lost sight of the meaning of a blessing.

No wonder Jacob so eager to steal Esau's blessing (granted Esau didn't seem to have much consideration for his birthright..)

EED

Forgiveness: how I got slapped in the face...

God slapped me in the face earlier this evening... He really did! Before I get into this, I need to give a little background information.

It all started last Saturday. I attended a prayer ministry training class on deliverance, and how bitterness (usually stemmed from un-forgiveness) can affect people both emotionally and physically. It continued the next day, when I attended a service at the downtown location of our church to support my friend Eric Wright, who delivered a beautiful message on forgiveness. It continued a few days later, when I read a post from my friend Brad, on... forgiveness.

See a pattern here? Good! Cause I didn't...

Anyway... as I was sitting in church this evening listening to yet another beautiful message on forgiveness (I don't think the message has been uploaded yet), I kept thinking:

-"Man, I really wished I had invited my friend X to hear this message! I think she really needed to hear this!"

I seriously thought this way the entire time! I kept thinking about her, and how perfect the message would be for her... About ten minutes before the end of the message, it happened; God slapped me! Wow, that hurt! In a good but uncomfortable way...

If I still believed in coincidences, I probably would have categorized this series of events in the "bizarre, but not uncommon events" section... but I have stopped believing in coincidences a while ago. Could it be that I have issues with un-forgiveness I need to deal with starting tonight? Well, the answer is obviously "YES". I spoke with a couple of pastors after the service, and we prayed for God to help me to solve any issues I need to deal with.

Thank you Father for calling me out on issues I would rather bury than deal with. Thank you for waking me up. Please help me remember Your Grace, Your Kindness and Your unconditional Love.

Thank you Father!

EED

Overwhelming

I kept hearing that word tonight... overwhelming.

Overwhelming love, overwhelming care, overwhelming grace...

Fill with me your overwhelming peace and presence, Father.

Patience

Even though, I know that God answers prayers, it still takes my breath away to see Him work.

He loves to remind me to be patient, but it's so hard! He showed me today why I need to be patient, so I will be... Of course, it wasn't the answer I was expecting (surprise!), but it showed me that He does listen, and He does care. Now, if only I could do my part, and keep trusting Him. On a similar topic, one of my friends told me once that all I can do is keep doing the right things for the right reasons. I should probably write it on a poster and keep it beside my bed.

Thank you for your faithfulness, and the free blueberry cheesecake! YUM!

EED

Q&A

I used to write down "tough" questions to ask God:

"What's the meaning of life?
Where were you?
Why did you make me go through this particular event(s)?
Why? Why? WHY?"

These days, I am so exited at the thought of meeting Him face to face, that I don't think I will ask ANY questions. I imagine myself giving Him a huge hug and saying thank you.

"Thank you for saving me. Thank you for loving me, thank you for your patience with me. THANK YOU"

EED

Ps 118:8

Dear Father,

Thank you for your comfort. Please Father, don't let my heart be troubled by things I cant control. I thank you for showing me the cause of all the confusion. Please help me remember this verse, and practice it every time I feel disappointment creeping into my heart.

"It is better to take refuge in the Lord,
Than to trust in man"
Ps 118:8

SO BE IT.

My New Orleans friends

Thank you God for all the wonderful & inspirational people I have met and got to know better on this trip:

Thank you for honest Darlene,

Thank you for sweetest Peggy and her faithful Mike

Thank you for soul searching Victoria, hard working Janet and curious Emma

Thank you for wonderful Rick,

Thank you for supportive and unstoppable Josh, Jon, Ralph, Ron, Jim, David, Derek, and Terry

Thank you for talented Pat and Gregg's leadership

Thank you God for using Mark to send me these words of encouragement:

"You can do it all! I've seen you do it all week. You can do anything you set you mind to, and NEVER let anyone tell you otherwise"