Day 2

In the journal, the story of the prodigal son is compared to God and people that are lost. We often think on the suffering of the people who are lost, but what about God's suffering? This quote put it in perspective for me:

"When the devil has kidnapped a child of God, it is God who hurts the deepest, who suffers most."

That was challenging for me. Imagine if someone you loved more than anything was missing; wouldn't you want anyone who knew to be looking for them? That's what God wants from us -- we can't rest until His children are found. I couldn't help but think of all the people in my own family who are lost. If I'm going to be committed to God, I have to be committed to finding His children.

"God, I'm sorry for not looking
to bring your children back to
you. I'm committed to doing
more. I pray that your heart
would become my heart. Help
me to be open to see opportunities
and give me the courage to take
them." Amen.

Day 1

John 15:4-5,16: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing... You did not choose me, but I chose and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you."

This chapter is about abiding in Jesus and spending extravagant time with him daily. Every person's quiet time is different; we have the same essential elements, but we all do them in our own way. I've never been one to spend a large amount of time doing these things, just as long as I did them daily. But one of the challenges the journal offers is to tithe your time during the 30 days of the journal. That's roughly 2 1/2 hours every day.

It can sound a bit overwhelming, but when you consider the things you clog your day with like T.V., Facebook, etc, it makes it easier to see how 2 1/2 hours isn't too much to ask. What do you really get from watching that movie or from sitting at the computer playing games? You know the saying "Could've had a V8?" Well, how about "Could've prayed!", or "Could've read the Bible!"

Then, when you start spending extravagant time with Jesus you want to do it more. That time becomes special. I just spent an hour only on reading the Bible. I've never done that before(It's a pretty neat, if I must say so)! I can't wait to see what I'll discover by spending extravagant time with Jesus every day.

Journey

In these past few weeks my life has taken a turn for the completely unexpected. Beginning with the final night at the Deepening with learning about the newly discovered people group in Peru, and then being confirmed by learning about the unreached people groups in East Africa, I have felt a call to missions.

I know, right? Who would've thought? Me? I'm one who has had my life planned since I was a little girl, knowing exactly what I wanted to be, how to some-what get there, and planned to live happily in Arkansas for the rest of my life. Let's just say I've been a bit emotionally overwhelmed lately.

It's a scary feeling knowing that my life is about to completely change. But, it's still satisfying, all the same. I mean, who's plan would I rather follow? My comfortable, flawed plan or God's fail-proof plan that calls me to do more than I could ever imagine?

In saying this, I have a lot of heart and life work that needs to be done. So, with the help of P. Randy and P. Rod I am starting a journey and want you to be a part. I'm beginning the "Live Dead" journal and it isn't easy. So, I plan on blogging my thoughts and some prayers throughout and would love to hear your thoughts as well.