Within His will

Some discussion from Sunday morning's class focused on recognizing opportunities that God is placing (or walking) in front of us. How do we know if we are walking in the will of God. Ps 37:4 says "delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

If you are delighting yourself in the Lord then you are more than likely within the will of God. Staci discussed walking within the valley of the will of God. God will direct us within the Mountains and He just wants to keep us going in the right direction.

There are several people in our class and church that are looking for answers. God is good and will provide the answers as we walk in the right direction. Moses didn't know everything that was coming, he just took his shoes off and the rest is history.

I am excited that new people are finding our class at just the right time in their life. God will bring people to us that we can help.

Now go jump on a lion. I know you can see them better now. God has raised your awareness to see them as they come. They can't hide anymore.

Wally

WOW !!!!!

Hope you made it to church this morning. God is doing some business in our church.

Are You Comfortable?

God has been speaking to those around me regarding the level of comfort we experience in this country and it has got me to thinking. Are you comfortable? I googled "comfortable" and found 154 million possible hits around the world. We are consumed with comfort.

When talking with a client today about my impending trip, he mentioned that he is reminded of our comfort every morning when he tests the shower to make sure it is just perfect before getting in. (not too hot, not too cold) The concept really stopped me in my tracks and spoke to me. I would venture to say that I am guilty of being a disciple of the cult of comfort.

As we look around the world, those born in the US are some of the luckiest people in the history. Even the poorest among us live better than a majority of the third world. We were the lottery winners. We did nothing more than being born in this great country.

How did we get chosen to be the winners? I really don't know. I would enjoy your answer if you have one.

Having had all these conversations has led me to the conclusion that God isn't looking out for my comfort. He must have tremendous pain as he looks at his people's suffering. The problems seem so big, yet God is big enough for them.

I pray that God moves you in a way that does not end with you being comfortable. God is doing something in our church and our little class. It is not comfortable to step out and do something out of the comfort zone but you will be so happy you did because God will show himself out there.

Wally

On Your Mark...

The latest installment of "hey I haven't done that yet" is the topic of the White Rock Marathon. I have decided that it is probably time to go public with this small endeavor. If for nothing more, I am beginning to wonder about whether or not this is a good idea so I will put it out there to hold myself accountable.

Before admitting to completely loosing our minds, we have modified the andeavor a little. Staci has assembled a team that will be running the marathon relay and I will only be running half. See not so crazy after all.

Before any of you ask and I have to feel like a bad guy, I don't run with people. I am chubby, slow, and only trying to maintain the ability to process oxygen so running with people does not work. Staci and I tried it. Nope...

If you are feeling like signing up, go to www.runtherock.com to get signed up. Come to think of it, I should go ahead and sign up...

I promise a more spiritual post next time. God is so good.

Wally

Beyond Measure

As I have contemplated my recent decision to follow God to Africa I have slowly been made aware of the honor to serve God with my talents. I have been made keenly aware that I have the opportunity to return a very small portion of what God has given me. I feel more alive (and scared) than I have in a long time.

"I know that I've been given more than beyond measure. I come alive when I see beyond my fears" (Jeremy Camp, Beyond Measure, 2006)

God isn't going to reveal the whole story at the beginning, it would take the fun out of it and we probably wouldn't be able to handle it. When we decide to break down and give God control, every next step is an extraordinary scene. God is revealing Himself to us and our Church as we move toward Him.

My hope in sharing is for those of you looking to step out and risk something will see that it isn't easy for anyone. We all have crazy fears. Name your fear write about it with the steps we discussed in class then: JUST BEGIN... TAKE A STEP... See where God will take you.

I am looking forward to this Sunday in the Conference Center. We will finish this chapter so you can relax beginning next week.

Wally

Taking Risks

Wally dove in to Chapter 6 (Taking Risks) this morning - most likely he'll post about it later.

Just had to put up one of the bullet points from his outline:

"Lion Chasers have the courage to overcome inaction inertia. The fear of missing out is greater than the fear of messing up."

I'd like to say this described me perfectly. But I've missed too many years being more afraid of messing up than missing out. In fact, I've gladly "missed out" more than once because I was afraid of blowing it - messing up - failing - and wondering what others would think.

I can relate to what Gwen said in class - much of that fear has been focused on a desire to "not fail" my children. Or, should I say, "not fail in front of my children."

Either way - I've got to trust that God is in control. Like we discussed a few weeks back, whether I choose to embrace uncertainty has a lot to do with my perspective on life. Do I really believe God is ordering every footstep even when it feels like I've taken a wrong step? Do I really believe God is sovereign when nothing seems to be going my way? Do I really believe God is good even when bad things happen?

I want to.

And, like Wally mentioned this morning, I want to continue trusting that God is connecting the dots of my life, even if I can't comprehend what "in this world" He's doing.

Even if it never makes sense this side of eternity.

Dennis

Now that I was able to play nice for one post I wanted to present a challenge for you. Take a look at this blog http://www.wivafrica.blogspot.com/ and take a look at someone that decided to chase a lion right into the lion's den. Please take the time to go down through the blog to see how God honors the work of those that honor him first.

Has anyone else noticed that God seems to be waiting for someone to sign up for a ride? I know a few of you have really taken this thing to heart and are moving forward on your lion. I am moved every time one of you shares another story about what is doing through you. Please sign up to be a story and share it with the rest of us.

Those of you that are waiting to hear the voice of God, He says "Be still and know that I am God." Here's to being still.

New Blogger...

Just wanted to take a test drive on this and make sure it works. I know I need to write something here that provokes serious thought or how great family is over the Labor Day Holiday, however, I just don't have anything awesome right now.

I will have an update soon on a serious lion encounter in a couple of days.

We are so crazy excited about our move on Sunday mornings to a larger place. I hope you join us in our new digs. God is doing something in our our church and our class is one of the places it starts.

Thanks to Dennis for taking the time to put this thing together. You are one of a kind dude.

Wally and Staci