Sunday

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.  "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55: 8-9

I had a great day in church today.  Mr. Stewart is such a wonderful Sunday school leader/teacher.  His love for the Lord just pours out of him.  I am waiting on someone to tell me to close my mouth one Sunday because I know I am sitting in my chair with my mouth hung open in awe of his "realness." 

Today's sermon was on praising God.  WOW!  Music was awesome and so was the message.  Dr. Lincoln's sermons have been entitled "The Holes I Did and How to Get Out of Them."  Messages have been from the book of Isaiah. 
Dr. Lincoln shared a good point that our worship should be a balance of both praise and thanksgiving.  When we focus too heavily on thanksgiving, then we tend to be focused more on WHAT God has done for us rather than on WHO God is.  Today's message is definitely worth going back and listening again.  I can't wait for it to be posted on Shandon's website. 

After church, we headed to get some lunch.  I have just been too tired to cook.  Since I didn't have to drive, I pulled out the Parent Page from the Rooster's worship service.  The "bottom line" for the lesson they heard today was:  I should trust and obey even when I think my way is better.  (Message came from Hebrews 13:17)  The bottom of the paper reads:  Sometimes we want to stomp our feet and get our way.  But think about it:  When things don't go like you thought they would, aren't you glad that there's someone else in control?  Go outside and look at the sky.  As far as the sky is from the ground, God's wisdom and know-how is that much greater than ours!  How awesome is it to have someone who knows everything (EVERYTHING) looking out for us.  God, who was big enough, smart enough, wise enough, and strong enough to make the entire earth knows what's best for you! 

The Roosters' Parent Page got me thinking about faith.  I may have said this before on this blog, but I don't lack faith.  Let me explain.  I KNOW God loves me.  I have no idea how much b/c I am not capable of understanding the love He has for His children, but I do know He loves me.  I know He has a plan for me.  (Jeremiah 29:11)  I know that His plan is and will always be the best plan for me even though I may not understand where He is leading me or why I am going through trials He is allowing me to endure.  I know He is with me through them all and that He can work all the bad and the ugly for good somewhere down the line.  So, no matter what is going on in my life or the world, I KNOW God's plan is the best.  However, here is the funny part--I get anxiety at times because I am afraid God isn't going to work things out THE WAY I WANT HIM TO!  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  You know, me.  The one that thinks she knows it all and knows exactly what she needs.  How silly?  How childish?  I'm much better than I used to be (Thank you, Lord!), but I still have those moments when I really want God to fix things the way I have a situation all planned out.  Garth Brooks had a line in one of his songs that said, "I thank God for unanswered prayers."  (Not that any prayer is ever unanswered.  The answer just might be "no".)  I am very grateful for the millions of times (I kid you not) that God decided not to fix things the way I "thought" was the best.  Whew.  What a hole I would have dug!  However, trust me, I've dug some holes in my life being bull-headed and not following God's direction.  I have been on my knees too many times to count asking God for His GPS.  (You've heard the old joke:  What does GPS stand for?  "God Please Save me." 

So, today has been a good day with some ponderings.  Here are a few photos of me with my John Ryan rooster. 

 

One of those "selfies" I have a hard time taking.  My arms are never long enough and our noses look huge.  Ugh!

 

John Ryan snapped this one.  Gotta love when one side of your head looks like a rat has been digging around in it.  Ha!

 

Remember:  God is big enough, smart enough, wise enough, strong enough and LOVES YOU enough to know what is BEST FOR YOU!!  Follow Him. Don't worry if you don't understand His plan at the time.  Just trust Him.  He has great plans for YOU!!