Thursday, July 27, 2006

Yesterday...40 years ago

Yesterday, God was watching me in the same place he was watching me 40 years ago!

You see, yesterday I was in my parents bedroom grabbing a little "quiet time". For an introverted nomad who has had no place to call home for the last two months, I desperately need to get my "recharge time" somewhere, and my parents bedroom was the only quiet refuge!

I've been reading through Psalms in my devotions lately, and yesterday's reading led me to Psalm 139. I was drawn to verses 13-16.

13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.

14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.

That's when it hit me. I was in the exact phsical location I was 40 years ago - except 40 years ago, I was only about 10 weeks old inside my mother's womb! Yes, I will turn 40 in February for those of you now trying to do the math! And yes, my parents still live in the same house as when I was born.

So 40 years ago, in the same room that I was reading, I was being physically formed inside my mother. Even in the secret place, He knew me. And this passage tells me that God could see what I would be doing 40 years later - reading about Him forming me and preparing me to live out the purpose for which He was making me!

My conclusion? The same as King David's in verse 6...

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it.


What message is there for me from this insight? As I prepare to lead my family on a journey to the other side of the planet, here are seven quick nuggets from Psalm 139 that I will take with me as I prepare for the "second half" (or perhaps 2 minute warning!) of my life...

1) He knows me better than anyone on the planet.
2) He has ordained my days and know the exact number of them.
3) There is nowhere I can go without His presence.
4) Our God is an amazing, ALL-KNOWING God. There is no god like Him among the nations.
5) He's still at work forming me - in the secret place.
6) He knows my thoughts from afar - every one of them - and still loves me!
7) He's always watching - and He's always thinking about me. Me? Yes, me. He made me. He knows me. He loves me. Yes, even me.

And do you know what? He knows you too! And He's crazy about you!

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Daniel meets Shamu



Daniel had a great day at Seaworld playing in the water, watching Shamu, and riding with his beautiful cousin McKynna.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Tis the night before "D" day

Tis the night before "D"-day
And all through the Quad
Not another soul stirring
Except me and my God

A "D"aughter "D"eparting
Can this ever mean joy?
From the first day of school
To marrying "the" boy?
(gorilla didn't rhyme)

But daughters times two
Going 3000 miles away
Could make a dad go crazy
And force them to stay

Yet, what's this?
Coming out of the blue?
But a calm assurance
And a peace that is true

Jesus gently reminds me
To Him all authority was given
He is the One sending them out
They've enbraced His Commission

Yes, Soul, how can you not be joyful
When your children obey?
And follow hard after the One
Who has shown them the way?

To this they were called
Because Christ suffered for us
Leaving an example
To take up our own cross

It is well with my soul
Yet, Lord, I have one plea
Make their life a bridge
To bring glory to Thee

Monday, July 03, 2006

When it rains...

Thanks for your prayers re: our house. We have a contract! We didn't get all we were asking but are very content with the deal. Assuming all goes well with the inspection and loan approval, we will close on July 28 - five days before we depart for the field.

AND to add to that good news...We received word this morning that my employment visa has been issued. This was done rather quickly and we are grateful that process went very smooth.

AND to add to that good news...our local team went "house hunting" for us today. It sounds like they found us a good deal on a 3BR apartment in a good location of town - near the airport. It will certainly help us narrow the field on some schools. For this we would ask your prayers for continued guidance.