January 4, 2008

As I write today, I am sitting in the Tampa International Airport, glad to have spent the time here with my Dad, but also eager to get home to see my brothers and sisters in Christ as well as my dog and cat. My trip has been a real blessing. The time with my Dad was excellent. Of particular blessing was the spiritual time together. Each morning, after breakfast, we spent time in devotions. The time with him and the Lord was very special. I had mentioned in my last entry that we were going to his church for prayer meeting. We did so. It was wonderful. The pastor had not yet returned from his vacation, resulting in the associate pastor speaking. His message came from Acts 2, specifically talking about the three "P's" found there: Prayer, Preaching and Power. This, he shared, was thte beginning fo the first church. Christ had just ascended to the Father and the disciples and others returned to the upper room where they immediately began to pray. Peter then begings to preach the Gospel and finally, God's power was observed as a result of the prayers and preaching. The pastor presented this message as the body there will be involved in a week of prayer later this month and will also have a guest speaker / evangelist in February. Ted was "stirring" the brothers and sisters to be in much prayer for these two special events. In that my local Bible Study group will begin a study dealing with prayer next week, I thought this was a very appropriate message.

On another note, in my personal time this morning, I was once again impressed with the need to "wait on the Lord". My timing and his are not necessarily the same. I want to run ahead of Him too many times. My mind specifically goes to the events of last year with Bonnie and her departure. It has been 10 months now since her announcement and three since things were finalized. I question why God has not heard my prayers and respond to what I believe to be His will (God is not a god of division, but of unity. He does not divide, but puts that which is broken back together again. He does not teach divorce, especially for the reasons Bonnie has cited as her "reasons".) As a result, I often get discouraged and saddened. But, I am constantly reminded HE ALONE IS IN CONTROL, Bonnie may think she is, but, ultimately, He is. I need to wait on Him, be it a few more days or years. I must wait on him.Well, enough for now. God's blessings on all who might find this. I trust God will work in you His will and good pleasure. To God be the glory!