Yesterday I didn’t plan enough time between getting up and leaving for an early doctor’s appointment in Boise–thus no blog. When I’d returned home, my wife Kathy told me my post hadn’t registered for the day. I rarely don’t get up in time to ensure this gets done, but yesterday was my exception. Sorry.

Today I have an unusual thing happening. There is a man who contacted me a week ago wanting to meet. He is finally ready to face “the demons” in his life he has kept in the closet. We talked on the phone a couple days ago and set this morning at 10:00 am to meet. He talked to me as though we know each other well. I cannot place who he is. I’ve racked my brain for any memory I’ve lost, but it all remains blank. I guess I’ll just have to wait until he arrives to know if I do know him or not. Either way, after we meet, I will then know him.

Yesterday, after the doc appointment I had one of my grandsons helping me with yard work. He wants to earn money for school clothes. He is at a very vulnerable age. We have set this Friday afternoon to go school clothes shopping. This morning I was journaling to Jesus about my concerns. When I asked Him what I’m to believe and know for today, His response was immediate. He said I am to not fret but anticipate. I cannot anticipate unless I believe Jesus is Real and is actively working. So today I’m going to believe Jesus is working regardless of what I can see. I believe He is putting together His Plan and I will take my step into it as He sheds Light for the step. Instead of fretting (worrying) I will anticipate, believing Jesus is truly working all the while!

Today I reenter the consulting work with the school district where I spend most of my consulting time. As I was having my devotions I suddenly was made aware that this time I am going into the school as a new creation. I’ve known for years that the promise of being a new creation is for all of us who have accepted Christ Jesus into our hearts. However, believing this to be unconditionally true for me was not there. Today, however, I believe this to be true. It is not something I know, it is something I believe as well as know. I don’t know how this may change anything I do, but I do know that I rest easier knowing it is not me who needs to be the one to help, it is me who needs to point always to the very One who will help as we turn to Him.

There are so many people crises at the present time. In them man has little or no peace. However, Jesus is wanting to be the answer for each and every one. Today I want to be an obedient servant to my Almighty King no matter what the problem or who I’m with. Jesus is always waiting for us to turn to Him and help others do so too.

It has been three years since God had me start journaling to Him instead of to His Son Jesus. He wanted me to know Him, believe Him and trust Him. Now, He is wanting me to do the same with His Son Jesus.

Last night I became aware of a crisis I’ve been praying about. This morning as I started my journaling I found myself wanting to journal to God rather than to Jesus because I now know God is Almighty so I wanted Him to be the one to take charge of this crisis so the crisis will for sure be dealt with properly and overcome once and for all. However, part way through my journaling I was led to address this point with Jesus. Jesus has always been the thoughtful, kind and gentle redeemer and savior. Today though, God is wanting me to capitalize Redeemer and Savior adding to them Almighty and King. Jesus is so much more than the Son of God who brought about our pathway to heaven by dying on the Cross. He was established as King of the Universe, Almighty to save. Today, the crisis I know, I gave to Him!

As I asked Jesus this morning what He wanted me to know and believe, He said, “Believe in Me–Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved–saved from the uttermost darkness. Save–this is what I do. Help those ones you love to see Me as Savior. Savior from Eternal damnation and Savior from their own personal darkness. I AM the LIGHT of the world. No man can come to the Father except through ME.”

All of this I not only know, but today I believe it with all my heart and God is teaching me to believe it in every aspect of my daily living. Jesus is my Lord, my Savior, my Redeemer, and my Friend. How lucky can be man be?!

Today, the journey begins quite late in the morning. I haven’t slept until 8:30 am for so long I cannot remember. However, I haven’t stayed up until 4:15 am for so long I can’t remember! Two days ago Kathy and I arrived at my daughter’s @ 3;30 am to pick up her and our granddaughter for the university visit in Phoenix. 48 hours later (this morning @ 3:32 am) we arrived once again at our daughters to drop them off from the visit.

It was a whirlwind trip and I certainly feel the consequences of it as I sit here. However, I cannot deny the presence of God this morning as I had my delayed devotions. It seemed like ages ago that we were in Phoenix and I sensed Him directing me back to His Son Jesus. Yet, this morning I began to journal to Jesus and all of this was confirmed again. Somehow I know I’m ready to trust and believe Jesus as I’ve never done before. I’ve needed to understand the “power” of disobedience as well as the “overcoming” power of obedience. This morning as I asked Jesus what He wanted me to know and believe for today, He said my first step in obedience is to believe. There is so much I could add to this first step which I now understand. But, it starts with me believing once and for all that Jesus is ALL POWERFUL just as His Father is. He isn’t just the wonderful son of God through man who “made it through life without sin”. He conquered sin through His obedience and He is our Teacher who will help us do the same. I’m ready to be His next student with my full attention on Him.

Yesterday was an amazing trip to Phoenix with all going extremely well. Today we visit the university and afterwards head straight back. It’ll be worth it, I’m sure.

Today’s devotional challenges me to start reaching out to Jesus and His teachings. In so doing to then be fully obedient to them. Somehow Jesus was obedient even unto death. I’m not sure just what God has in mind in this but I am sure of His voice and His leading me now to put my eyes on His Son and learn to obey His Holy Spirits leadings. His words this morning were: “The Holy Spirit awaits your obedience. Only then can you know the righteousness that awaits obedience. I’m ready to step into today with anticipation rather than fear. To God be all Glory!

Today the journey has Kathy and me leaving early, 3:00 am, to go pick up my oldest daughter and oldest granddaughter and driving straight to Phoenix, AZ. We are checking out a university my granddaughter is considering. She wants to be a special education teacher. The only universities in Idaho which have this major are the state universities and she doesn’t want to attend such a big one. Likely I won’t be publishing a blog tomorrow. We will be making a quick visit and guided tour with meetings and then headed back here. It’s a marathon trip but well worth it.

God is good all the time!

Today is a new day and as I walk into it I’ve reflected on the day of yesterday. I have just reread yesterday’s blog entry and for the most part, the day fit right into what was planned. However, there was one specific item which never materialized and it left me very troubled by the end of the day. As I brought it to my Father this morning asking what I am to know and believe from Him for today, He spoke clearly. “If I am to be of assistance for someone, I must first believe I am bringing Light–God’s Light to the picture. I cannot be a Light carrier if I do not see the Light myself.”

In the situation of last evening I could only see frustration, man’s ways and man’s wants. I could hardly say anything for I could see nothing good attach to in words. Nothing was resolved and yet there were no condemning statements–only that sense of hopelessness. This morning God really awakened me to my role first and foremost. If I am to be a warrior in His Army I am to first of all prepare myself for battle. This means I am to believe He is present and allow Him to shed His Light. He only addresses hopelessness, as in the case of last night, as we put the hopelessness up against His Light. It is then that hopelessness is seen as darkness and the evil intent Satan has for it.

Yesterday was a day where I saw much of God’s Light as I walked through it. However, when I got to last night there was no Light shining. Now I recognize it (my part) and I believe. I believe there is an outcome which God will orchestrate. I will do the part He asks me to do and let His Light so shine!

Today has a number of tasks to get done. Some of them are simply chores like mowing the lawn, cleaning the swimming pool and treating the water; others are ministry things for the forthcoming start of Restoration classes in September and Celebrate Recovery’s kickoff in September. There are two other things which I typically would do with much anxiety for they are confronting issues. When I was talking to God about them this morning He was reminding me that doing things His Way enables people to see His Light which gives them direction. He does not condemn, He shows us how to get out of darkness and into Light. This is what He wants us to do when we need to confront someone–do it as He does–by shedding His Light. I can only do this when I let Him be in the lead and I am His servant. I really needed to hear this today and in so doing, all the anxiety left.

Wrapping up the reunion yesterday with the last of our company leaving, I have to say again just how much I loved this time. I got to know some of our family so much better and also got to know some family I didn’t know at all–only names. As I said yesterday, the thing I enjoyed the most was being myself without all the bondage of self-image I’ve carried all of my life until most recently. Being a new creation takes on a whole new meaning when we finally allow God to take the “stains of our past” and make them tools in His tool chest instead of “our identity”. To God be all Glory! How much I love Him!

This journey of life each one of us lives is a wonderful gift God has given us. I am awakened to so much truth this weekend. I’ve lived so long under the lies of my past abuse. I thought I’d need to earn any credibility with our family. I didn’t want to be a Lewis from my dad’s side of the family. I wanted to be a Wretling from my mom’s side. At least the Wretling’s didn’t show any evidence of abuse and their history showed being kind and good to people. However, I am a Lewis by name and an example of God putting the genes of the two families together to create who I am. God did this on purpose just as He did all of the family members. I found myself rejoicing throughout the weekend to be who I am. It is an amazing thing to finally feel like a genuine, new creation in Christ–not ashamed any longer for being the person I am. Instead, I get to be on assignment to complete God’s purposes for giving me life. I don’t have to prove myself worthy–God gave me worthiness through His creation of me. There is no haughtiness in this as dad would have said, there is simply a passion to be one of God’s kids on assignment for Him doing what He motivates and leads me to do.

I will always look back on this weekend as one to give thanks to God for bringing all of us kids together. To God be all Glory!

Yesterday was a tremendous day. Not only did the event go on with great success, I learned so much about our family I hadn’t known up until this time. I’m so glad this weekend took place!

Yesterday morning the quartet I sing in was to sing for a funeral of a man who had been a wonderful mentor to some of our Celebrate Recovery young men. Two of those young men gave tribute to him during the service. Ahead of the service our senior pastor talked to me briefly about doing a radio interview with Christopher Yuan as we approach his coming mid-September. I love the idea and pray this can materialize. It would assist the advertisement of the weekend tremendously. I love how God works! In my finite mind I envision the things happening which I know about and plan. However, when I take a step away and see what God is planning and that I don’t need to be in charge, I can see a much greater vision of work being done. It is an amazing process learning to let God lead and to know I just need to do my part. I know I’m not done with this big lesson, but I do love seeing how God works and patiently teaches what obedience of Him is all about.

Today we meet one last time as a family unit for a breakfast and send off for all those who came in from afar for this event. It has been a blessing much better and bigger than any of us ever dreamed. God is so GOOD!