After my devotional time yesterday and writing this blog, I went to see my prayer partner. There are so many details needing to come together for this Fall’s kickoff of Celebrate Recovery and our Restoration Ministries. I needed to give all of these details to her so she could be praying over them and taking them directly to the Master. The time with her turned into a glorious session in which I was blessed beyond measure. She is such a lady of God. She is almost 20 years older than me, but her crisp mind and particularly her relationship with God allows one to be with her and get the complete sense God is present in Spirit and in Truth. She walked me through the Armor of God which I needed to be reminded of. She also brought me through some reflections where God had taken control when I was anxious or unable to see daylight. All this was God’s reminding me to not be anxious about my tomorrows. He is the One in charge. I get in the way when I try to do this.

This morning as I had my devotions I was reminded by God that this journey I’m on with Him is far from over. Being a new creation doesn’t mean I’ve reached the finality of growing with Him. Being a new creation is simply for me a change of mind. It is removing the character defect that I had to earn my way to God to now knowing I am a new creation. The growing I need to do will come from God as He brings me through life’s situations. I do love our Father God for His faithfulness!

The day yesterday couldn’t have been nicer. Getting the details done yesterday morning went smoothly. The time with my brothers and spouses was fun and warm. Last night was my highlight. Meeting with this young man and going through the dvd’s he wanted to complete turned into not only something he needed, I found I needed it too.

It is in the Conquer series I heard the author say a couple years ago that the amygdala of our brain is the throne of Grace where Christ Jesus sits–it is our spiritual heart. I recall so well thinking this is the dumbest statement I’d ever heard a “scholar” say. However, it was the next morning when God challenged me to think this through with Him. The amygdala is the control center of our impulses. Everything our body does out of impulse is centered there. All our organs function from this control center. Also, the thoughts that first enter our brain which sometimes cause us to spew something we wish we’d kept to ourselves comes from here. It has been between 2-3 years since I’d first heard this and last night when I was listening to this same author, I found myself completely understanding all he said rather than wanting to judge him. It is amazing how God completes Himself with us if we stay the course with Him. This journey we are on is one which needs us focused on The One True God. It is so easy to take control into our own hands and blunder, reminding us once again that God is waiting to be in the driver’s seat.

I use to firmly believe that my impulses–temptations were controlled by the abuse of my past. I couldn’t control them nor could I resist them at times. I also couldn’t let Christ come near them for they were the stench of Earnie. How God has shown me the flaws of my thinking. These sins done to me where already forgiven because they had been brought to God by the sinner/s, my brother, my dad. The fact I housed them as though they were mine was a defect of character Satan wanted me believing. It kept me from being as effective of a servant for God as God wanted. I still have my moments as I’m sure all of us do, but Satan’s lies are being seen now as such. I want to stay on this journey of becoming more and more trusting as my faith grows.

It is often true that what God does is far different than what we would do if left to our own devices. I suppose that is why God tells us to trust Him. If He were to give us His plan ahead of time we would want to twist it our way rather than following through completely with His own. This was the case yesterday morning. The meeting with the district superintendent and principal went extremely well. I’ve known the superintendent for a number of years. Her husband is having some severe health problems which require frequent doctor visits and therapy visits all which pull her away from the district. After the meeting I asked if they had someone to assist with transportation and would that be of help to them? She said it likely would be in the near future. She needs to hear what the doctors say, but the therapy appointments just require time. I offered to assist if they would like. Last night I received a text from her. It had nothing to do with our earlier meeting, but it was all about caring. I recalled God reminding me yesterday morning to listen and respond to His leading. I was concerned about a meeting while He was also concerned about a need.

There is so much to learn from this Father of ours. Being a good learner takes frequent reminders for me to not try and take charge, but to listen and do what God shows needs to be done. Tonight I’m meeting with a young man who is wanting help with a past addiction problem. I want to be God’s helper in this. Trust and Obey, these are two principles for which I need constant reminders in order to be a good and faithful son.

I awoke about 2:55 am having had the most troubling dream. In it I was part of a stage production in which I had a supporting role which put me on stage most of the production. It was a musical because most of my part was singing. It was opening night and I couldn’t get to the theater. I had finally made it but I couldn’t find the right entrance door and each time I attempted one it wasn’t it. I finally awoke in this dilemma.

As I began my Bible reading I happened to be reading about Gideon in the book of Judges. He was a timid man. God had to use many different means to convince him that God was truly God and He could accomplish what He wanted done through him–a timid man. Gideon just needed to trust more than he feared and then obey more than he feared. As the story plays out, Gideon uses 300 men who didn’t even have a sword in hand, but a trumpet and a jug. God did the rest. Gideon trusted and obeyed and God fought the fight.

Today my mind is filled with confusion regarding steps I’m to take. I’m meeting in a little over an hour with a school district that hasn’t done well for quite a number of years. It seems God is telling me to trust and obey. Trust more than I fear and obey over my fears. I am going to go and we will see just how God uses the time to complete the plan He is already working on. I will do whatever part He gives me to do. Right now, I’ll be still and know He is God.

Happy Father’s Day! If I read each of these words separately I see that for today the fathers are to be happy. The world needs happy fathers. There are enough grumpy old grandpas. Today we will give the world happy fathers and grandfathers.

As I began to read the book of Judges this morning I once again am brought to a piece of truth I’ve not noted before. As least I haven’t noted the significance of it until this morning. The judges which the book talks about are the heroes God put into place to rescue the Israelites from their enemies. The enemies would gain strength as the Israelites turned to other gods instead of to their One True God. The judge at the time would be a war-fighting hero as well as a spiritual hero bringing them back into focus of their One True God. There is a footnote which says that what makes them a hero (judge) is that they recognized their strength came from the One True God and not from themselves.

Man has such an ego. He wants to take all the credit for what happens when it is good. God wants us to recognize Him and give glory to Him for His Mighty Works. If we do this He rewards us with joy in our hearts. When we try to steal His Glory and make it our own, we will fall on our faces. I am learning much about being a new creation as I read through these Old Testament books. Man wants to think he is in charge of the world. God says to show man how He is not only in charge of the world, He is the Savior of it too through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. This is the Light we carry as a new creation. I don’t want any ego getting into the way of being a new creation thanks to Christ Jesus.

Today has no VBS in it and no reason for anyone to be up early. However, at 4:50 am I awoke with what seemed to be the weight of sin pinning me down. I knew there was to be no more sleep. I needed to get up and take this to God and see what He had to say about it.

The book of Joshua is an amazing book. When we read from Exodus through Deuteronomy we become well acquainted with the children of Israel and Moses’ role with them. We only read Joshua’s name as one of two faithful men always beside Moses with Moses somewhat like a mentor to him. All of a sudden with Moses death, Joshua becomes the one who leads the children of Israel into their promised land and leads the people to their victories keeping them focused on the One True God. In fact, as Joshua ends, he gives them one last charge: to keep God as the One True God having no other gods before them.

Yesterday I had an email sent from a friend who has a family member in crisis and to pray for them. Last night at the VBS closing event I had another talk to me about their family member who is in crisis, in the afternoon I had a wife contact me whose husband needs a mentor due to his prior poor decisions. In my own family I have my own concerns. As I read the last chapters of Joshua this morning I began to realize the importance of stability of man towards God and being the constant Light always reflecting God’s Ways. This was Joshua. Every family aches for ones not in tune with God and we reach out for prayer. This morning I give the weight of these needs to The One True God. He and only He has the plan through His Son Jesus Christ to bring each of us to healing, to truth, and to eternity with Him. This morning I want to be a Light carrier for the ones God has put in my path. Join me.

“Today is the day the Lord hath made, rejoice and be glad in it.” I wasn’t sure how to start this morning’s entry. The only thing that was coming to mind was this verse from Psalms 118:24. Having 4 grandkids with us for a few days was making me wonder what we should do? When I brought this to God this morning He instantly reminded me to “be” ahead of any “do”. Be grandpa. I can include the kids in what we will do. What is important is to be the grandpa God created me to be. Today I will rejoice in this day and I’ll be glad in it. The thing I will be is glad. What I will do is rejoice. That was just the focus I needed.

God is so good!

Yesterday I wrote about how much I love being with our grandkids. Well I get a chance to demonstrate this since 4 of them will be with us for the next 5 days. I’m not sure if the greater test will be theirs or ours?? I’ll have to report this next week.

This morning’s bible reading in Joshua told that the Israelites set clear boundaries as the land was divided between them. The boundaries were to be clear so there would be no dispute about what belonged to whom as God had indicated to Moses and then to Joshua. In the world today there is a lot of talk about setting clear boundaries with one another so “we don’t walk into temptation or let someone take advantage of us”. We know that boundaries are shattered for children when there is abuse in their lives. I’ve known this but in my own head I’ve always wanted to limit the strength of this message. I wanted to be stronger than the need. As I said yesterday, I would measure my success about boundaries by looking at dad or my brother. I didn’t explode with anger and beat someone up or I didn’t blatantly engage someone in sexual activity, etc. What I know now is that my boundaries were built from “fear”. Today God is wanting me to realize that healthy boundaries are built by Him. He gives clear guidelines in His Word as well as with His Holy Spirit’s voice. I want to work on this. This morning as I was journaling He seemed to say, Trust and Obey. These are the two simple steps to take in order to keep healthy boundaries. I’m going to give strong attention to this.

“The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Have you ever read this and thought–how true this is! I have many, many times and even sung a chorus by the same title. This morning as I continue to read in Joshua, he asks God to give them more time. The enemy is great and the battle is raging but the day is ending and they needed more time. God did just that–he stopped the rotation of earth and sun to lengthen the day giving them just what they needed.

I don’t know about you, but I often forget the intense message in the statement quoted above. What started this off for me was my thinking how weak I am now that I’m older. My mind forgets so much more, my body wears down by mid afternoon and I get sluggish, my emotions weaken and I find myself irritable and much more susceptible to temptation. It was when I journaled this that God reminded me about the verse above. I don’t have strength within me to stand against the world and particularly the spiritual warfare of our world. This is why God wants us to know–that we can take great joy in Him for He is our STRENGTH when we do. What’s even more touching for me personally is that He wants to be our strength if we will only admit we are weak and need His Strength.

This morning I was thanking God for this message and for loving me in spite of my weaknesses. His reminder to me was this, “Earnie, you know how much you love your grandkids? Do you love them less when they do something wrong? Does it hurt your heart? Well, in the same way, when you do something wrong and show your weakness, I don’t love you less. Yes, I hurt, but I wait for you to take joy in Me, confess your weakness and ask for My Help. Then I can offer you My Strength. This is exactly what you do with your grandkids. I do the same for you in even greater intensity for I AM GOD ALMIGHTY.”

Don’t you love our FATHER!

The absence of bondage/the presence of freedom. This morning in my Bible reading Joshua met a warrior in the field as they were approaching Jericho. He could instantly tell this person was a warrior from his garb and weapon which he carried. Joshua asked him if he were for or against the Israelites? The response was amazing: “No (neither), but as Prince of the Lord’s host have I now come.” He goes on to have Joshua to remove his shoes for where he was standing was holy. This is found in Joshua 5:13-15.

This morning I was reflecting on yesterday. God opened a couple doors for our Restoration Ministries which gives us more freedom. In each occasion I just thanked Him right then and there in my heart. All I did was show up for He had already prepared the ones involved. This morning as I’ve been having my devotions I was once again reflecting on the differences of the starting phrase for this entry. Living in the Presence of Freedom without the weight of the past’s bondage is astounding. In this presence is the Prince who doesn’t join your team, He simply lets you know He is not for any man’s team–He is the Prince of the Lord’s host. You (I), We are being asked to lay down all our man made messages, weapons, thinking and begin to understand once and for all–The Prince of the Lord’s host is present and He will take care of the battle. God wants us doing His Kingdom Work letting His Prince fight the battle.

Today I felt as though I was invited to join a Spiritual Team I finally recognize. God seemed to say that He wants me along with all of His men working for the same cause: “Bringing His Son Jesus to those lost. The battles in so doing this are His to fight and His Prince will lead this. The bondage I use to carry is now a memory I can now use to show the lost this Light of Christ Jesus which will enlighten the path to great FREEDOM. How grateful I am to be part of God’s Team.