Learning

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'" Revelation 21:3-4 (NIV)

I realize that it's been a while since my last post. A lot has been going on, and I haven't had the time (OK, yes I have) or energy (that's true) to sit down and write. So, I'm lying here in bed at 12:30 in the morning. Why? I may have had two cups of coffee after dinner. Decaf? I don't know. All I know is that I am awake when normally I am off in dream land.

There are a lot of things I've been learning lately. Where to start?

1. In about a week's time, I listened to Francis Chan's entire series on Revelation. It was about 30 sermons all together. I've never really taken the time to read or study the book. It's always freaked me out, and I never fully understood it. What did I learn? That I don't have any time to waste. I must pray without ceasing that those I love and those I have a hard time loving and those I don't know hear about Jesus. And His life, death, resurrection, and His coming back. It scares me that people don't change no matter what God does. It also scares me that I take too much stock in my own success. One day this will all be gone. Why not sell what I have, pay off debts, and live my life serving others who grew up without what I have?

2. I'm sad about the Church in America. We're all (not all, but too many) about stuff and lights and fog machines. What happened to pray first and let God do what He will? Isn't more amazing to see the masses flock to Church because God answered our prayers than us manipulating folks to get them to come. Who gets the glory for that? Certainly not God.

3. Despite all of that, He still loves us. It blows my mind. It blows my mind that people don't even begin to grasp His love. Otherwise, we wouldn't be asking silly questions like "Can I do this or that and still be a Christian?" If we understood His love even a little, those questions wouldn't even cross our minds. We'd be asking Him how we can best love and glorify Him. How far can I go to glorify God?

4. I am excited and nervous about the church plant I am involved with. The Campus Church at Kennesaw State. I shouldn't be nervous, but I am. I only want what He wants. I want Him. Go, God. Glorify Yourself. Please.

5. I wouldn't want Heaven if there was no Jesus even if there were all my friends, family, wealth, health, and rest. I only want Him. Without Him, there's nothing. NOTHING.

6. I am glad that Jesus didn't return last year? Why? I was drowning in sin. I would have been ashamed many many times if He returned at many given points last year. Also, I'm glad because there are some people I love who I am not completely sure of their salvation. I'm glad He's patient. Glad is inadequate.

7. Love is more than I can comprehend.

8. I think God likes to laugh, and I am thankful for that.

9. I love and miss Dresden and the people there.

Please, please, please pray for my dear friend Erica. She's leaving Monday for a series of flights and orientations to being 27 months with the Peace Corps. She'll be living with the great folks in Paraguay, and they're the most blessed people to be getting her. Pray for her family. Pray for us, her friends. I love her dearly, and I'll miss her.


 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)