For those of you who have not checked out "Little Lincoln's Blog", you should. He is the son of some great friends of ours. And he has been through a lot in his short life. I won't go into all the details (as you can see everything for yourself on their blog), but a couple of surgeries and a heart transplant later... He is proof that God has things quite in control!!

It is amazing how God sets things into motion (and lets us think we did it) to reveal His glory in His perfect time! I have had the wonderful blessing of being surrounded by christians at nearly every job I have had. At my current job, however, I work with non-christians and have an opportunity to witness to them. And it seems amazing to me that God has placed me here at this job, now, at a time when I really feel God is calling me to be bold about my faith.

I've never been one that denied his faith, or tried to hide my beliefs. It is just that I feel a nudge to be more outspoken, to see those around me as people that God wants to save just the same as He did for me. It is all about changing my perspective to be more eternal. To see all that really matters is people's hearts and souls. Not what they think of me, whether or not I get embarrassed, none of that matters.

Now, I realize none of this is revolutionary or even novel. It just seems that God's proverbial 2x4 has finally penetrated my thick skull. I was doing some research this week and ran into a hymn I hadn't sung in years, but was hit by the reminders within that speak to where I am right now... Enjoy

Be still, my soul--The Lord is on thy side!
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide.
In ev'ry change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul--Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul! thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul! the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul! when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Have a great day!!

ODC

So, I start with a picture of the kids with their cousins, Ellie and Clark. They got matching pajamas for Christmas and love to wear them when they get together.

Yeah, yeah, I know I haven't blogged in forever. But who really has the time? Well, okay there are millions who make time for it... I do think it is a great way to communicate with those you might not get to otherwise, I just don't want to make that much time to do it. I love my family, I love my job, and everything else seems to fight for the remainder of my time.

I spent some time today reading the blogs of friends I have not talked to in probably a decade. I miss old friends... Isn't funny how a smell or a picture can bring back a flood of memories that are just as real as they happened yesterday? I am glad to see where God has placed me and to see some purpose behind each placement in my life. Each step along the way preparing me for what He has laid out ahead of me. How great He truly is!!

I've decided to take a new step with this blog. I am going to use shate how God is working in my life. If He is truly as big a part of my life as I claim Him to be, I want to share it with the world!!
So here goes nothing:

God's Hand is in EVERYTHING!!

I've known this for a long time. Pretty much my entire life. My parents, my grandparents, and countless others have told me this... I see it as I read His word. Yet, sometimes I forget it. God is sovereign. He is in control. He knows the big picture. I don't. I act like it sometimes, but man am I wrong. Even when you don't see it, God is putting things together in your life to lead you where He wants you to be. I am constantly amazed at how God is orchestrating things together for His glory.

Well, I am going to get going. We'll see how how God hits me next.

ODC