A month later....

I laugh because my last blog I talked about lack of discipline with the hope that I would blog more often. Here it is a month later…. Anyways, I’m back and ready to give this a try again. And I think I need to make the blog public. Even though I don’t feel comfortable letting everyone read my ramblings, I think if it were public then others could ask me about it. There would be more of an accountability if the blog were public.

I am preparing for the 2010 fall leaders retreat. I am really excited. Mattie and I greatly miss Spencer, but I think this is a forceful opportunity for us to grow as leaders. This is also the school year that I have been waiting for. The last two years we have completely changed our structure. They have been great foundational years. But I have been looking forward to year three. This is the year that there will be breakthrough on campus. Breakthrough for our student leaders, breakthrough in prayer, breakthrough in reaching the campus, breakthrough in our fundraising (both of us are working hard at FD.) I believe it. The scripture that came to Mattie is:

Isaiah 61:1-4
The Year of the LORD's Favor

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

This passage has been implanted on my heart not only for our fellowship, but also for my personal life. I not only believe that God is going to show up in crazy ways I freakin’ expect Him to. And as I learned last spring, that God’s timing is never my timing, that I must be faithful with the work that has been given to me and wait.

The passage on my heart today is:

Psalm 4
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

1 Answer me when I call to you,
O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Selah
3 Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD will hear when I call to him.
4 In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices
and trust in the LORD.
6 Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.
7 You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.
8 I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.

I think this is a Psalm that I am going to need to keep close to me this year. There will be days of distress but I am to trust in Him. I love verse 8. Only He will have a safe place for me to sleep in peace, no matter what the circumstances are.