The LORD Himself will provide a Lamb...

Came across this today and worshipped the LORD. He is so faithful, even when I am not.

If the wind is just right...

I love Goodwill. Not just “peace on earth, goodwill…” but the actual store. I shop there regularly. We are actually blessed to have one of the best Goodwill stores I have ever seen in my neighborhood. They may not have what you are looking for today, but if you check back often, you might just find that pair of running shoes you were seeking. (This was actually the case for me, only paid $4.00 for like-new shoes; Dave Ramsey would be proud!) One of my favorite things to shop for is books. Now, anyone that knows me knows I love books. And sometimes, I actually READ them! (A.D.D. moment here: I am actually reading William Bennett’s book “A Century Turns: New Fears, New Hopes--America 1988 to 2008” right now and will be writing a review in the coming days for Thomas Nelson. More details to come.)

One of my recent purchases was a Willowcreek small group study by John Ortberg on pursuing spiritual growth. It focuses on the difference between “training” and “trying”. It has been a good thing to focus my heart in the mornings. Yesterday, I was challenged as I considered that my “worship” (a word not literally used in the Bible) is, at its best, living with each and every moment in light of the sovereignty and love of Almighty God. (Sorry…no music required.)

Today, I was reminded of a concept I started learning about in the fall of 2006. As a matter of fact, I am still working on this one; it’s a “beaut”! As I stepped into the process of rebuilding a broken life, one of the hardest things for this self-obsessed, self-absorbed, and self-sufficient dude to capture was: what is my role in transformation and what is God’s role? (note how I put myself first…LORD, help me!) I have plenty of experience in taking over and managing the affairs of my day. But just exactly how do I go about “letting go and letting God”. Isn’t that lazy? Doesn’t that fly in the face of my “giftedness”?
In learning the “how” of this perplexing struggle, I was taught a great illustration about a sailboat. This application came back today in my study. Here is a quote from the study guide that illustrates what I began learning:

“Think of the difference between piloting a motorboat and a sailboat. I can run a motorboat all by myself. All I have to do is start the engine. I am in control. But a sailboat is a different story. I can hoist the sails. I can steer with the rudder. But I am utterly dependent on the wind. My job is simply to do those things that will enable me to catch the wind when it comes.”

“Spiritual transformation is like piloting a sailboat. I can open myself to it through certain practices, but I cannot engineer the wind. When it comes, it is a kind of gift. Seeing this saves me from pride and from the wrong kind of effort. Wise sailors know their main task is to be able to re ad the wind, to learn to raise and lower particular sails to catch the wind most effectively. They know when to stay on the existing course and when to set a new one.”

“So it is with the spiritual disciplines. Our job is to creatively and wisely engage in those activities that will give God a chance to work in our life. This can look different in different seasons of our lives. We can put up the sails and adjust them as needed. But what happens is up to God.”

So now I am shopping Goodwill for a model sailboat to display in my office. I want the visual reminder of how I am to live my day: faithful in the things to which He has called and equipped, yet always empowered by the wind of His Holy Spirit.

“We must simply obey and leave all the consequences with Him.” – Oswald Chambers

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” - John H. Sammis