9-29-2011

As I have been thinking about all the ways that God blesses me and looking at listing them all I started to wonder what in my life isn't a blessing. Everything that I have in my life I am thankful for. Even those things that I don't neccessarily enjoy. In June my daughter drove an atv into a telephone pole almost ending her life. Now as hard as it has been to see her rocover from such an event I know that that event changed our relationship forever. I have a new appreciation for my children and for life itself. Thank you God for that experience.
As I look at the relationships around me I have to thank God. Even those that have hurting marriages, broken families,bad feelings, etc., I have to thank God as I appreciate even more my marriage, my family, and my friends. God is so good and I don't deserve anything that He has given me. The sun, moon, and stars are just the beginning, but everything is more than I should have.

Thank God for being unfair and giving me what I don't deserve. For what I deserve is death and punishment. Thank you God for your grace and forgiveness.

9-22-11

I have just finished reading "Invitation to a Journey: A road map for spiritual formation" and this book has caused me to do a lot of thinking about my own spiritual journey and the journey of those at Salem Friends. There is an individual spiritual walk as well as a coorporate spiritual walk, both of which must participate together to infiltrate/transform the spiritual health of the greater community. What a great book that I am sure to refer to in the future.

This week I met with Hershal Smuck and we are going to fulfill the requirement for a mentor/accountability partner for each other. We know that we are both a little behind in this, but beleive that this will be a good fit and something that we will benefit from. Moving here and not knowing anyone has hindered my progress with this requirement. Enough excuses, now it's time to be and do what I need to be and do.

This journey that God has placed me on is not an easy one, but it is one that I know will change who I am and how I minister to the greater body.

9-15-2011

Yesterday I went to the Coffin's house and to Gibson park for a spiritual retreat. First I took along my fishing gear and fished the Coffin's pond. Caught a blue gill and two small bass but was a little cold so decided to drive to Gibson park. At Gibson park I walked the trail around their big pond and noticed a few frogs, an osprey, some fish jumping, and due to the water being low I noticed deer and what looked like racoon tracks in the mud. This got me thinking about how small we all are in the big picture.

For some reason God has decided to put me in Salem, Iowa. In a small town where a lot of the world would probably not even think much of. But God sees a bigger picture and in the grand scheme of things none of us are very significant. And I think that is what makes our God such a big God, because even in our insignificant states God uses us in ginormous ways.

I don't know all that God has in store for me, but what I do know is that God will use me in spite of my smallness, in spite of my weakness, and in spite of my insignificance. For through my weakness God's mighty hand will be seen.