September 16, 2007

I wish that someone would have told me how hectic the final week of preparation was going to be. Tryng to take care of all of the last minute preparations, tie up loose ends at home and getting all of the normal, everyday stuff done was overwhelming. The outpouring of love and prayer has been humbling. We are so humbled that God would call us to do His work, but then again, isn't that why He created us in the first place? To bring glory to His name??? Our enemy's presence is strong, but I don't want to dwell on it because God's work will prevail. A last minute date mixup could have had a lot more of a negative impact had we not caught it when we did; a nasty wind and rain storm on the way to the airport was squelched after just a few miles of driving through it; but leaving our kids for 17 days has proven to be tougher than expected. Why is it so hard this time? The length of time away? The distance? The nature of the trip? Satan distracting us? I know I want to do God's will and we are safest when in the center of His will. I know He will take care of our kids and of us while we are apart.

As we sit in the airport and I see the unending streams of people filing by, it pains me to see the lostness and brokenness of our own country. A country where nearly everyone has access to the gospel yet chooses not to obey. We are a stiff necked and obstinant people who have too much and are way too comfortable in our reliance on ourselves, our worship of SELF and we've become far too casual in our approach to a holy God. How does one spark a massive revival and change? Oh Lord, help me to see people as You do and love them like you do. I pray for all of our hearts to be open to Your love, our eyes to be opened to the truth of Your Word and may we align our purpose in life to Your will so that Your name may be glorified in all that we do.

Well, I will sign off for now but I want to quote a statement from Beth Moore: Whether or not we realize it, all sin is born of these same words, "I will" while obedience is found in the opposite words, "Thy will".

Lord, help me focus on Your will and die with my own.