"Getting On Track"

Yesterday morning (Sunday) I began a 40 day personal devotional book entitled "A Call to Die" by David Nasser. Ended up having an incredible quiet time with God for about 90 minutes.

The devotional dealt with selfishness. How to keep from putting yourself and the things that are important to you before God. Spent time in prayer, memorizing scripture and reading "The Ragamuffin Gospel" by Brennan Manning. This was the first focused time with God I have had since starting starting my sabbatical. Pray for me, that I will stay committed to every day in hopes of growing with God. Thanks to Derek Cain for recommending the books.

I then attended Southland Christian Church in Lexington and thoroughly enjoyed the service. The message, the setting and the music was all very good. It was a unique experience and there use of media was great.

Later that day, Dewey and Joan Segler and Kevin and Felicity Slemp came over. I made smoothies for everyone and we enjoyed the evening. I am so blessed to have such good friends.

Elizabeth and I are still preparing for our trip out west but are still making time to have some fun including a little Nerf battle with Noah and Ethan. Of course, I get the cross-bow and Noah gets the machine-gun. I think I am out-gunned.
It has been a fun week. Noah getting baptized last Sunday was exciting for all of us, and we also saw a little 4-square action with Derek and Scott.

In closing I wanted to share a little excerpt from "The Ragamuffin Gospel."

"When I get honest, I admit I am a bundle of paradoxes. I believe and I doubt, I hope and get discouraged, I love and I hate, I feel bad about feeling good, I feel guilty about not feeling guilty. I am trusting and suspicious. I am honest and I still play games.

To live by grace means to acknowledge my whole life story, the light side and the dark."

Pretty much sums it up for me.

Alan

"That is So Weird"

My sabbatical began this past Monday and to be honest, it's been kind of a weird week. First, I keep waking up and starting my day very early. Usually around 5:30 am. Second, I can't seem to get work off of my mind. Which is really odd since I'm not working. That's normal and I remember going through the same thing five years ago, but still a little weird.

Third, despite my weirdness, I have gotten great satisfaction out of completing several jobs this week. I fixed my mower, took some things to the Restore, built a ladder for some bunk beds and I am working on cleaning my garage. (I know... you gotta' party with me.) Elizabeth and I have spent a great deal of time preparing the RV for our trip out west. We leave in 12 days, but who's counting.

A sabbatical is intended to be spent drawing closer to God and seeking His face. Oddly, in the past few days, it has been difficult to quiet my mind and focus on the scriptures I read. Could be the change in schedule or just the excitement of having the days to myself. I'm not sure. However, I know that if I continue to search for God in His Word and in my worship, I will see Him. I know He is with me.

"In shady green pastures so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along.
Where the cool waters flow bathes the weary one's feet,
God leads His dear children along.

Some through the water, some through the flood.
Some through the fire, but all through the Blood.
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song.
In the night season and all the day long."
-"God Leads Us Along"
George A. Young, songwriter