Clinging to the Familiar!

So with a lot of the things that are going on at the moment I was really blessed by this mornings Word for Today 
"Clinging to the familiar just buys you comfort today at tomorrow's expense. Draw on God's grace, plunge in and take the bull by the horns! Fourth, learn to live with uncertainty."
I know that as willing as I am to sometimes go in a direction that God is leading I often get into that situation and get comfortable with the familiar. Lord help me to Draw more on your grace and to live with uncertainty but cling to the certainty of who you are for me. Make me more like you Lord whatever it takes.

Growth

So I know its been a while since my last post but things have been really hectic for me here at the school of mission aviation technology. I have recently completed my Instrument rating (no that doesn't mean I can carry instruments!!!) and I have also just gotten my Airframe mechanics license. SO progress is definitely being made.

Talking of progress my recent experience with trying to grow some vegetables has prompted this post. I have just spent part of my weekend (or weedend) weeding, tilling, planting and watering. I have decided I love how much time that affords you to think and ponder and speak to the big man, if you know what I mean. I was thinking initially how amazing the whole put a seed in the ground and it grows thing but also the work an effort that goes into seeing real fruit but also how little effort (dont worry Ill explain in a bit). 

So the miracle of the seed thing I figure Ill just leave that down to God to understand (dont worry I dont need a birds and bees talk either and I understand the science but just think its amazing). However I was thinking how the effort that goes into planting is fairly big as the photo above shows though I had some mechanical help too (oh yeah the shiny stuff in front of the tiller is cow manure!). You have to weed the garden and that is no easy task then till the soil and make sure that is has the right combination of nitrates, alkalies, poop and all that other technical stuff. Then choose the right crop and where best to put it for drainage and sunlight then set out the rows then put in seeds and water it. Then continue to keep the area clear of weeds and well watered. That I was thinking is similar to what some areas of our lives are like really and our walk with God. You see I believe it takes a conscious effort to follow after God, not that it is or should be a chore but in order to see fruit in our lives we have to put in the ground work and if you never plant seeds then all you get is weeds. Like the parable of the sower in Matthew 13 seed the key ingredients for growth is a farmer sowing and good soil.

However there is a contrast or dichotomy (not sure if this is the right word but I sound intelligent right?). You see the amazing thing about our walk with God and relationship is just like the seed a miracle. That just like I said God causes things to grow that without him being involved in our lives it leads to dead and dry ground. There are times in our lives when things dont go as planned and our fruit doesnt seem as we expected but that is because God is ultimately in charge. Then sometimes God shows us a glimpse of His fruit in our lives. Personally I cannot begin to understand how and why God has brought me safe thus far. That he who gave everything and me who deserves nothing ends up seeing HIS fruit develop. Wow Lord thank you for what you have done in my life and allowing me to  be doing what I believe you have called me to do and be.

Then the next part of it is that we are meant to spread the very seeds from the fruit he has placed in our life. We need to see the harvest and invest in the harvest because the two greatest commandments are to "Love the lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and the second is like it Love your neighbor as yourself" It is HIS love in and through us that never fails to produce growth and fruit that lasts in our lives and should also bless the lives of others around us.

New year thoughts

So I know Christmas is over and done with but I thought Id fill u in on some of my Christmas thoughts. I was really blessed to be able to spend Christmas with some friends on a beautiful ranch in the Montana mountains. I was away from family but this also gave me more time to think on the reason for Christmas and to reflect on 2010 and look towards 2011.
I read Luke 1 and was reminded of how Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins but that he did this so that all the Glory could go to God not that we may live on easy street but that he name would be exulted.
I was also struck by the Angels comment and Marys response

³⁷For nothing will be impossible with God." ³⁸And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

So I guess as I look behind to 2010 I can indeed say that nothing is impossible with God and pray that I will have that faith for the year ahead. Also that my response to Him this year my be just as Mary's was 2011 years ago.

Lord I am your servant and so let it be to me according to YOUR word.

The beautiful view from my lodge that I stayed at for Christmas.