Borrowed Post

I read this on another blog today and was really encouraged and challenged by it...

caught by surprise

Have you ever heard the expression, "Be careful what you pray for, because you just might get it"? When someone started a thread in my community with that title, I was struck with the realization that that very expression applies remarkably well to my walk through life at the moment.

You see, lately I've been praying for patience. And for an ability to trust in God's sovereignty. And God has most certainly been faithful to answer my prayers!

But you see, that answer has come at a somewhat uncomfortable price. Because, in order for God to help us learn patience, sometimes He allows us to be in situations that really test our patience. Maybe something that we are expecting will happen soon just drags on and on, while hitting innumerable bumps in the road. In enduring the frustration that is the unexpected waiting, we are presented with a chance to either become bitter and frustrated, or to embrace the time of waiting as a way to practice patience.

In learning to trust in God's sovereignty, God has allowed me to be in situations where trusting Him is difficult. I have recently struggled through some situations in my life, and have actually had the audacity to be tempted to question if God really knows what He's doing. Trying to blaze my own trail, I forge on as we humans sometimes do. And then, sometimes in fiery, stormy ways (reminiscent of the intense weather we've been having up here in the Frozen Warm and Humid Tundra), God boldly reminds me that He is, indeed, in control. He is sovereign, even when I can't see the wood for the trees.

No matter how careful our planning, we can rest easy in the knowledge that God's plans are greater than ours, even as we watch the plans we had set in motion unravel. When we face these stormy days and nights, we may be taken aback by the fiery intensity of it all, but God is never surprised. He's like the universe's best boy scout: always prepared. God is ever ahead of us, even when we lag behind, mouths agape as we see where He is leading us.

So, as cute at I think the expression to "Be careful what you pray for, because you just might get it," is, I say go ahead and pray with reckless abandon anyway. Don't be careful. In my case, God needed to teach me some lessons, and I say take that step of faith and ask to be taught. While the road He might allow you to walk down may be scary, He promises that He'll be by your side.

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

No matter what unexpected twists and turns the path we're on takes, God will neither leave us nor ever be caught by surprise.

The Principle of the Path

I read a review of a book called "The Principle of the Path" by Andy Stanley and really was intrigued by the points listed that the reader was struck by...
I'm looking forward to reading through this book.

* Direction–not intention–determines our destination.

* You don’t have problems to fix; you have directions that need to change.

* Our problem stems from the fact that we are not on a truth quest…We are on a happiness quest. We want to be-as in feel-happy. And our quest for happiness often trumps our appreciation for and pursuit of what’s true.

*Choosing the right path begins with submission, not information…Specifically, submission to the One who knows where each path leads, as well as where it doesn’t lead.

*Don’t trust your heart, trust God with your heart.

*God’s will for your life will always line up with his law, his principles, and his wisdom.

*It is next to impossible to hear the voice of wisdom if we are not really listening for it to begin with.

*What gets our attention determines our direction and, ultimately, our destination.

*…the principle of the path in 3 words: attention, direction, destination

*The things you give your attention to function as the directional beacon for your life.

*When we resist God’s will for our lives, we are in essence resisting God. When we resist the priorities he has established for us through Scripture, we resist him.

*Knowing doesn’t make the difference. Doing does.

Homecoming!

On Sunday we were excited to welcome home my sister Josie and her family from Indonesia where they have been working with New Tribes Mission for the last 3 years! We sure have missed them and are looking forward to having them around for the next year - ish :)

Matanuska Glacier and Moosen

On Sunday we went on a walking tour of the Matanuska Glacier. The river that we've showed photos of earlier, the Matanuska River is the run off of melted ice from the Glacier. Incredible!!! Matanuska is actually the name the Russian explorers gave the area when they saw the small stature of the native inhabitants. The moose photos are from a four wheeler drive Ryan and I took up to TeePee ridge. Enjoy!

Chapel Band

This is one of the songs we really enjoyed from chapel for the sr. high kids this week! It's a little bit loud so be forewarned...