Oh that we might be moved by the Spirit of God, to grasp what it means to "glorify God by enjoying Him forever". That we would be transformed through the renewing of our minds in all areas of our life, but that the supremacy of Christ would be prevalent in how we view missions. Now, when I use the term missions, I should use the word evangelism because when we in the West think of missions, we think of going on a boat or across the sea or to venture off into some culture that is different than what we are used to. But, I purposefully left out 'evangelism' and have put missions because that is what we are called to do - be about the Mission.

Today as I read from John Piper's, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, my heart was so moved away from the legalistic, motivational speech towards the Mission. And may we (incluing me) repent of trying to coerce and conjure up guilt (let's call a spade a spade, cause that is what we're doing) in order to motivate the people of God to be about the mandate He's given to us. Why is it always something said like, "God has done so much for us, so let's go do something for God."? THAT'S A LIE! You can not do anything for God. He has everything and there is nothing that He needs, there is nothing that He needs you to do for Him. But He calls us to obey. It's not that we are acting out of gratitude in our obedience, but we are acting out of obedience, in understanding that what lies ahead for us is worth sharing. I guess this is a rough copy of what I hope to sharpen in terms of my thought on the topic. But what would be beautiful and Biblical to do is to share how valuable Christ is and how God is passionately committed to His fame. Piper states in that book that "God's ultimate goal is that His name be known and praised and enjoyed by all the peoples of the earth" (189).

Please allow me to share a brief excerpt from that book which I discovered today and is helping me think through the perfect sovereignty of God in all things including my privilege of being part of what God has called me to do:

"God's purpose to be known and praised and enjoyed among all the nations CANNOT fail. It is an absolutely certain promise. It is going to happen!

Jesus said, 'This gospel of the kingdom SHALL be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come' (Matthew 24:14). This is an absolute promise. It WILL happen. The ground of this certainty is the sovereignty of Jesus: 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore...' (Matthew 28:18). NOTHING can stop Him: 'I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it' (Matthew 16:18).

From this discovery we saw that if we as a church are disobedient, it is not ultimately the cause of God and the cause of world missions that will lose; WE WILL LOSE. God's counsel WILL STAND, and He WILL ACCOMPLISH all His purposes (Isaiah 46:10). His triumph is never in question, only our participation in it - or our incalcuable loss. We can be drunk with private concerns and indifferent to the great enterprise of world evangelization, but God will simply pass over us and do His great work while we shrivel up in our little land of comfort" - Piper, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, 190.

That is motivation - that God is getting His work done because He is in control over all things including man's soul, and that He's working for His name to be praised throughout all the nations, and He's not done yet; therefore, I am forced to come to terms with the fact that He's working now, and He sees it all and I don't, yet I lose out if I don't show people the mercy and grace that God has shown me. It's not my works that are anything - but that God works through me. It's an incredible motivation to know that the sovereign Lord is about the business of completing His Mission, and He is giving to us the honor of sharing His great name with nations that don't even have a word for His name.

Today, I've also thought about (thanks to more Piper reading) how alcoholics and legalists are both just about the same in many ways. Ya, you've got to check out the book to get that one though, cause I'm done on here.

Life is going well, and I'm finding myself being shown many things that I must be about, and I'm wondering how - but that is alright. I don't need hows, I just need to obey, and He'll do the work, He'll get the glory, and I'll get to be a part of the kingdom work (which He's doing through me)... It's awesome to know that I can't convince anyone of anything, but to know that God is working in hearts right now, of people that we love, and bringing them closer to repentance. I'm so glad that it's God who justifies, brings through sanctification, and glorifies!

I don't know what else to say and I'm convinced that I didn't say it the way I wanted to; but I just want you to look at Jesus and see the honor that it is to share about the ridiculous and scandalous grace that He showers upon us. In fact, we just come to expect it. That's how good His grace is; presents everyday that we just don't even notice anymore.

"Grace, she takes the blame, she covers the shame, removes the stain... Grace makes beauty out of ugly things" - U2

Enthralled by the Great Exchange.

Dwight

Sometimes I loathe doing certain things. And for some reason, updating xanga has been one of them lately. But I do need to with the info that I know thus far.

So, I spent the past while trying to figure out if I should go to language school in January (which was the plan) or wait until September, whereby I would be able to raise support and actually (hopefully) have relationship with churches that would support the vision to see churches planted in Montreal. After lots of debate, talks, prayer and thought, I've decided to go in September and remain in Maine for now. This was a massive bummer to me at first, but I have learned to accept it and actually rejoice at the things I will be able to do here now over the next few months that I didn't think I actually had here. So, language school in September, Lord willing. And, surprisingly, I will be in the advanced class. I put down that I thought I should be in the intermediate level, but after taking the test, they have placed me in the advanced level, but I'm definitely on the very bottom end of getting in there. I don't know if that is good or bad - but we'll see once I do finally get there.

Right now, I'm working as a substitute teacher in the Westbrook School Department, Kindergarten - Grade 8. I figure that maybe since people think I look like I'm in high school (I'm 26!), that maybe I should stay in the younger grades. But even once in a while, I get the puzzled look from someone, and actually one of the 6th graders asked me in the hallway, "Are you a teacher or an 8th grader?" Pretty crazy that there's no difference in how a 14 year old looks and how a 26 year old looks. I'm convinced that I'll be carded for quite some time. Anyways - there is a health position opening up for a few months that will be a regular teaching job because a teacher is going out on maternity leave. So, I've put in for that position and should get interviewed this week. Also last week, I figured that I needed a little bit more money, so I decided to go back to my old job of working with mentally-challenged kids. And I'm supposed to start this week doing that part-time. But get this... As I'm walking out from talking with the lady who's my boss, another manager stopped me and asked if I had thought about applying for a manager's job that is now available. Of course I said 'no', because I didn't even know about it. She then went on to tell me how much that job offered in pay - which is absolutely ridiculous! It's a lot of money, like more than I think the job should get - but whatev. She told me that she thought that I should apply for that position and that she was involved in the hiring. So, I walk out of there thinking about not doing the teaching thing or the part-time thing anymore, because there is a crapload of money to be made, and I'm thinking of all the debt that could be paid off, etc. (new paragraph)

Then this weekend, I get two amazing opportunities offered to me; one for a week in March, and another for a three or four month internship. Both opportunities are absolutley a blessing and would be. As I was walking today, thinking about the internship, I was thinking just how blessed I am to have this privilege. But here's the catch of life's situations. In order to take part in both these opportunities, I would not be able to apply for the job that makes a crapload of money; but maybe would still get that health teaching job, and still be able to work with the kids. But that doesn't make me very much money, with even both of those combined. The other option is to take the job, and lose out on all the other opportunities, but be able to go to Quebec in September debt-free. Those are the decisions that I'm getting to play in right now. They aren't bad decisions by any means; in fact, they're pretty decent - but I'm finding out that I don't get to do all that I want to do. What an important lesson to learn.

I also have some other decisions that will be affected by what choice I make in all this. I guess I'm just thinking a lot about these things with Jesus. I'm preparing to preach this weekend, and next weekend - then three more weekends in December; all in Montreal. So, on top of the decisions, I get to put together sermons, which is actually a blessing.

I was watching the movie "Casino" last night, and learned some important things about life and churchplanting. (It's amazing what you can learn from a mob movie) Sam, the lead character, is one of the best at what he does - betting. And since he's so incredible at it, each time he bets, all the odds in the country change. He's just that good. So, some of the mob wants to get him to run a casino, because he knows everything about gambling, and of course, this dude will make them lots of cash. Thus far, life is good for Sam. But where things go bad - is his choice of the people that he surrounds himself with, as well as refusing to kick out of where he is. Sam gets filled with so much pride, that he even marries someone that tells him straight-up that she doesn't love him, but she is hot, and dudes that run casinos have to have hot wives (I would imagine that's the way it goes). And without detailing all of the movie, Sam's world crashes down because of his choice of people around him, his unwise choices when he was aware of certain information, and that his pride got the better of him - not to mention the money which was the driving force to everything. There's too much about that movie that I could write about and different characters that represent different people, but I won't do that.

I learned that I need to be extremely careful with who I ask to help with what God is calling me to do. I also learned that I need to be extremely quick at disassociating or at least addressing problems right away as they come up. I learned a lot more, but I guess the coffee is ready downstairs, and I like coffee, so I'm going to go enjoy it.

Please pray for me. Life is very good right now, which always scares me a bit, but I know Who is in charge, and it definitely isn't me, which is a good thing. All is well right now.

And you should check out Driscoll's sermon series on Philippians. It's ridiculous!

enabled.dwight

Oh that we might be moved by the Spirit of God, to grasp what it means to "glorify God by enjoying Him forever". That we would be transformed through the renewing of our minds in all areas of our life, but that the supremacy of Christ would be prevalent in how we view missions. Now, when I use the term missions, I should use the word evangelism because when we in the West think of missions, we think of going on a boat or across the sea or to venture off into some culture that is different than what we are used to. But, I purposefully left out 'evangelism' and have put missions because that is what we are called to do - be about the Mission.

Today as I read from John Piper's, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, my heart was so moved away from the legalistic, motivational speech towards the Mission. And may we (incluing me) repent of trying to coerce and conjure up guilt (let's call a spade a spade, cause that is what we're doing) in order to motivate the people of God to be about the mandate He's given to us. Why is it always something said like, "God has done so much for us, so let's go do something for God."? THAT'S A LIE! You can not do anything for God. He has everything and there is nothing that He needs, there is nothing that He needs you to do for Him. But He calls us to obey. It's not that we are acting out of gratitude in our obedience, but we are acting out of obedience, in understanding that what lies ahead for us is worth sharing. I guess this is a rough copy of what I hope to sharpen in terms of my thought on the topic. But what would be beautiful and Biblical to do is to share how valuable Christ is and how God is passionately committed to His fame. Piper states in that book that "God's ultimate goal is that His name be known and praised and enjoyed by all the peoples of the earth" (189).

Please allow me to share a brief excerpt from that book which I discovered today and is helping me think through the perfect sovereignty of God in all things including my privilege of being part of what God has called me to do:

"God's purpose to be known and praised and enjoyed among all the nations CANNOT fail. It is an absolutely certain promise. It is going to happen!

Jesus said, 'This gospel of the kingdom SHALL be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come' (Matthew 24:14). This is an absolute promise. It WILL happen. The ground of this certainty is the sovereignty of Jesus: 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore...' (Matthew 28:18). NOTHING can stop Him: 'I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it' (Matthew 16:18).

From this discovery we saw that if we as a church are disobedient, it is not ultimately the cause of God and the cause of world missions that will lose; WE WILL LOSE. God's counsel WILL STAND, and He WILL ACCOMPLISH all His purposes (Isaiah 46:10). His triumph is never in question, only our participation in it - or our incalcuable loss. We can be drunk with private concerns and indifferent to the great enterprise of world evangelization, but God will simply pass over us and do His great work while we shrivel up in our little land of comfort" - Piper, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, 190.

That is motivation - that God is getting His work done because He is in control over all things including man's soul, and that He's working for His name to be praised throughout all the nations, and He's not done yet; therefore, I am forced to come to terms with the fact that He's working now, and He sees it all and I don't, yet I lose out if I don't show people the mercy and grace that God has shown me. It's not my works that are anything - but that God works through me. It's an incredible motivation to know that the sovereign Lord is about the business of completing His Mission, and He is giving to us the honor of sharing His great name with nations that don't even have a word for His name.

Today, I've also thought about (thanks to more Piper reading) how alcoholics and legalists are both just about the same in many ways. Ya, you've got to check out the book to get that one though, cause I'm done on here.

Life is going well, and I'm finding myself being shown many things that I must be about, and I'm wondering how - but that is alright. I don't need hows, I just need to obey, and He'll do the work, He'll get the glory, and I'll get to be a part of the kingdom work (which He's doing through me)... It's awesome to know that I can't convince anyone of anything, but to know that God is working in hearts right now, of people that we love, and bringing them closer to repentance. I'm so glad that it's God who justifies, brings through sanctification, and glorifies!

I don't know what else to say and I'm convinced that I didn't say it the way I wanted to; but I just want you to look at Jesus and see the honor that it is to share about the ridiculous and scandalous grace that He showers upon us. In fact, we just come to expect it. That's how good His grace is; presents everyday that we just don't even notice anymore.

"Grace, she takes the blame, she covers the shame, removes the stain... Grace makes beauty out of ugly things" - U2

Enthralled by the Great Exchange.

Dwight

Sometimes I loathe doing certain things. And for some reason, updating xanga has been one of them lately. But I do need to with the info that I know thus far.

So, I spent the past while trying to figure out if I should go to language school in January (which was the plan) or wait until September, whereby I would be able to raise support and actually (hopefully) have relationship with churches that would support the vision to see churches planted in Montreal. After lots of debate, talks, prayer and thought, I've decided to go in September and remain in Maine for now. This was a massive bummer to me at first, but I have learned to accept it and actually rejoice at the things I will be able to do here now over the next few months that I didn't think I actually had here. So, language school in September, Lord willing. And, surprisingly, I will be in the advanced class. I put down that I thought I should be in the intermediate level, but after taking the test, they have placed me in the advanced level, but I'm definitely on the very bottom end of getting in there. I don't know if that is good or bad - but we'll see once I do finally get there.

Right now, I'm working as a substitute teacher in the Westbrook School Department, Kindergarten - Grade 8. I figure that maybe since people think I look like I'm in high school (I'm 26!), that maybe I should stay in the younger grades. But even once in a while, I get the puzzled look from someone, and actually one of the 6th graders asked me in the hallway, "Are you a teacher or an 8th grader?" Pretty crazy that there's no difference in how a 14 year old looks and how a 26 year old looks. I'm convinced that I'll be carded for quite some time. Anyways - there is a health position opening up for a few months that will be a regular teaching job because a teacher is going out on maternity leave. So, I've put in for that position and should get interviewed this week. Also last week, I figured that I needed a little bit more money, so I decided to go back to my old job of working with mentally-challenged kids. And I'm supposed to start this week doing that part-time. But get this... As I'm walking out from talking with the lady who's my boss, another manager stopped me and asked if I had thought about applying for a manager's job that is now available. Of course I said 'no', because I didn't even know about it. She then went on to tell me how much that job offered in pay - which is absolutely ridiculous! It's a lot of money, like more than I think the job should get - but whatev. She told me that she thought that I should apply for that position and that she was involved in the hiring. So, I walk out of there thinking about not doing the teaching thing or the part-time thing anymore, because there is a crapload of money to be made, and I'm thinking of all the debt that could be paid off, etc. (new paragraph)

Then this weekend, I get two amazing opportunities offered to me; one for a week in March, and another for a three or four month internship. Both opportunities are absolutley a blessing and would be. As I was walking today, thinking about the internship, I was thinking just how blessed I am to have this privilege. But here's the catch of life's situations. In order to take part in both these opportunities, I would not be able to apply for the job that makes a crapload of money; but maybe would still get that health teaching job, and still be able to work with the kids. But that doesn't make me very much money, with even both of those combined. The other option is to take the job, and lose out on all the other opportunities, but be able to go to Quebec in September debt-free. Those are the decisions that I'm getting to play in right now. They aren't bad decisions by any means; in fact, they're pretty decent - but I'm finding out that I don't get to do all that I want to do. What an important lesson to learn.

I also have some other decisions that will be affected by what choice I make in all this. I guess I'm just thinking a lot about these things with Jesus. I'm preparing to preach this weekend, and next weekend - then three more weekends in December; all in Montreal. So, on top of the decisions, I get to put together sermons, which is actually a blessing.

I was watching the movie "Casino" last night, and learned some important things about life and churchplanting. (It's amazing what you can learn from a mob movie) Sam, the lead character, is one of the best at what he does - betting. And since he's so incredible at it, each time he bets, all the odds in the country change. He's just that good. So, some of the mob wants to get him to run a casino, because he knows everything about gambling, and of course, this dude will make them lots of cash. Thus far, life is good for Sam. But where things go bad - is his choice of the people that he surrounds himself with, as well as refusing to kick out of where he is. Sam gets filled with so much pride, that he even marries someone that tells him straight-up that she doesn't love him, but she is hot, and dudes that run casinos have to have hot wives (I would imagine that's the way it goes). And without detailing all of the movie, Sam's world crashes down because of his choice of people around him, his unwise choices when he was aware of certain information, and that his pride got the better of him - not to mention the money which was the driving force to everything. There's too much about that movie that I could write about and different characters that represent different people, but I won't do that.

I learned that I need to be extremely careful with who I ask to help with what God is calling me to do. I also learned that I need to be extremely quick at disassociating or at least addressing problems right away as they come up. I learned a lot more, but I guess the coffee is ready downstairs, and I like coffee, so I'm going to go enjoy it.

Please pray for me. Life is very good right now, which always scares me a bit, but I know Who is in charge, and it definitely isn't me, which is a good thing. All is well right now.

And you should check out Driscoll's sermon series on Philippians. It's ridiculous!

enabled.dwight

Oh that we might be moved by the Spirit of God, to grasp what it means to "glorify God by enjoying Him forever". That we would be transformed through the renewing of our minds in all areas of our life, but that the supremacy of Christ would be prevalent in how we view missions. Now, when I use the term missions, I should use the word evangelism because when we in the West think of missions, we think of going on a boat or across the sea or to venture off into some culture that is different than what we are used to. But, I purposefully left out 'evangelism' and have put missions because that is what we are called to do - be about the Mission.

Today as I read from John Piper's, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, my heart was so moved away from the legalistic, motivational speech towards the Mission. And may we (incluing me) repent of trying to coerce and conjure up guilt (let's call a spade a spade, cause that is what we're doing) in order to motivate the people of God to be about the mandate He's given to us. Why is it always something said like, "God has done so much for us, so let's go do something for God."? THAT'S A LIE! You can not do anything for God. He has everything and there is nothing that He needs, there is nothing that He needs you to do for Him. But He calls us to obey. It's not that we are acting out of gratitude in our obedience, but we are acting out of obedience, in understanding that what lies ahead for us is worth sharing. I guess this is a rough copy of what I hope to sharpen in terms of my thought on the topic. But what would be beautiful and Biblical to do is to share how valuable Christ is and how God is passionately committed to His fame. Piper states in that book that "God's ultimate goal is that His name be known and praised and enjoyed by all the peoples of the earth" (189).

Please allow me to share a brief excerpt from that book which I discovered today and is helping me think through the perfect sovereignty of God in all things including my privilege of being part of what God has called me to do:

"God's purpose to be known and praised and enjoyed among all the nations CANNOT fail. It is an absolutely certain promise. It is going to happen!

Jesus said, 'This gospel of the kingdom SHALL be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come' (Matthew 24:14). This is an absolute promise. It WILL happen. The ground of this certainty is the sovereignty of Jesus: 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore...' (Matthew 28:18). NOTHING can stop Him: 'I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it' (Matthew 16:18).

From this discovery we saw that if we as a church are disobedient, it is not ultimately the cause of God and the cause of world missions that will lose; WE WILL LOSE. God's counsel WILL STAND, and He WILL ACCOMPLISH all His purposes (Isaiah 46:10). His triumph is never in question, only our participation in it - or our incalcuable loss. We can be drunk with private concerns and indifferent to the great enterprise of world evangelization, but God will simply pass over us and do His great work while we shrivel up in our little land of comfort" - Piper, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, 190.

That is motivation - that God is getting His work done because He is in control over all things including man's soul, and that He's working for His name to be praised throughout all the nations, and He's not done yet; therefore, I am forced to come to terms with the fact that He's working now, and He sees it all and I don't, yet I lose out if I don't show people the mercy and grace that God has shown me. It's not my works that are anything - but that God works through me. It's an incredible motivation to know that the sovereign Lord is about the business of completing His Mission, and He is giving to us the honor of sharing His great name with nations that don't even have a word for His name.

Today, I've also thought about (thanks to more Piper reading) how alcoholics and legalists are both just about the same in many ways. Ya, you've got to check out the book to get that one though, cause I'm done on here.

Life is going well, and I'm finding myself being shown many things that I must be about, and I'm wondering how - but that is alright. I don't need hows, I just need to obey, and He'll do the work, He'll get the glory, and I'll get to be a part of the kingdom work (which He's doing through me)... It's awesome to know that I can't convince anyone of anything, but to know that God is working in hearts right now, of people that we love, and bringing them closer to repentance. I'm so glad that it's God who justifies, brings through sanctification, and glorifies!

I don't know what else to say and I'm convinced that I didn't say it the way I wanted to; but I just want you to look at Jesus and see the honor that it is to share about the ridiculous and scandalous grace that He showers upon us. In fact, we just come to expect it. That's how good His grace is; presents everyday that we just don't even notice anymore.

"Grace, she takes the blame, she covers the shame, removes the stain... Grace makes beauty out of ugly things" - U2

Enthralled by the Great Exchange.

Dwight

Sometimes I loathe doing certain things. And for some reason, updating xanga has been one of them lately. But I do need to with the info that I know thus far.

So, I spent the past while trying to figure out if I should go to language school in January (which was the plan) or wait until September, whereby I would be able to raise support and actually (hopefully) have relationship with churches that would support the vision to see churches planted in Montreal. After lots of debate, talks, prayer and thought, I've decided to go in September and remain in Maine for now. This was a massive bummer to me at first, but I have learned to accept it and actually rejoice at the things I will be able to do here now over the next few months that I didn't think I actually had here. So, language school in September, Lord willing. And, surprisingly, I will be in the advanced class. I put down that I thought I should be in the intermediate level, but after taking the test, they have placed me in the advanced level, but I'm definitely on the very bottom end of getting in there. I don't know if that is good or bad - but we'll see once I do finally get there.

Right now, I'm working as a substitute teacher in the Westbrook School Department, Kindergarten - Grade 8. I figure that maybe since people think I look like I'm in high school (I'm 26!), that maybe I should stay in the younger grades. But even once in a while, I get the puzzled look from someone, and actually one of the 6th graders asked me in the hallway, "Are you a teacher or an 8th grader?" Pretty crazy that there's no difference in how a 14 year old looks and how a 26 year old looks. I'm convinced that I'll be carded for quite some time. Anyways - there is a health position opening up for a few months that will be a regular teaching job because a teacher is going out on maternity leave. So, I've put in for that position and should get interviewed this week. Also last week, I figured that I needed a little bit more money, so I decided to go back to my old job of working with mentally-challenged kids. And I'm supposed to start this week doing that part-time. But get this... As I'm walking out from talking with the lady who's my boss, another manager stopped me and asked if I had thought about applying for a manager's job that is now available. Of course I said 'no', because I didn't even know about it. She then went on to tell me how much that job offered in pay - which is absolutely ridiculous! It's a lot of money, like more than I think the job should get - but whatev. She told me that she thought that I should apply for that position and that she was involved in the hiring. So, I walk out of there thinking about not doing the teaching thing or the part-time thing anymore, because there is a crapload of money to be made, and I'm thinking of all the debt that could be paid off, etc. (new paragraph)

Then this weekend, I get two amazing opportunities offered to me; one for a week in March, and another for a three or four month internship. Both opportunities are absolutley a blessing and would be. As I was walking today, thinking about the internship, I was thinking just how blessed I am to have this privilege. But here's the catch of life's situations. In order to take part in both these opportunities, I would not be able to apply for the job that makes a crapload of money; but maybe would still get that health teaching job, and still be able to work with the kids. But that doesn't make me very much money, with even both of those combined. The other option is to take the job, and lose out on all the other opportunities, but be able to go to Quebec in September debt-free. Those are the decisions that I'm getting to play in right now. They aren't bad decisions by any means; in fact, they're pretty decent - but I'm finding out that I don't get to do all that I want to do. What an important lesson to learn.

I also have some other decisions that will be affected by what choice I make in all this. I guess I'm just thinking a lot about these things with Jesus. I'm preparing to preach this weekend, and next weekend - then three more weekends in December; all in Montreal. So, on top of the decisions, I get to put together sermons, which is actually a blessing.

I was watching the movie "Casino" last night, and learned some important things about life and churchplanting. (It's amazing what you can learn from a mob movie) Sam, the lead character, is one of the best at what he does - betting. And since he's so incredible at it, each time he bets, all the odds in the country change. He's just that good. So, some of the mob wants to get him to run a casino, because he knows everything about gambling, and of course, this dude will make them lots of cash. Thus far, life is good for Sam. But where things go bad - is his choice of the people that he surrounds himself with, as well as refusing to kick out of where he is. Sam gets filled with so much pride, that he even marries someone that tells him straight-up that she doesn't love him, but she is hot, and dudes that run casinos have to have hot wives (I would imagine that's the way it goes). And without detailing all of the movie, Sam's world crashes down because of his choice of people around him, his unwise choices when he was aware of certain information, and that his pride got the better of him - not to mention the money which was the driving force to everything. There's too much about that movie that I could write about and different characters that represent different people, but I won't do that.

I learned that I need to be extremely careful with who I ask to help with what God is calling me to do. I also learned that I need to be extremely quick at disassociating or at least addressing problems right away as they come up. I learned a lot more, but I guess the coffee is ready downstairs, and I like coffee, so I'm going to go enjoy it.

Please pray for me. Life is very good right now, which always scares me a bit, but I know Who is in charge, and it definitely isn't me, which is a good thing. All is well right now.

And you should check out Driscoll's sermon series on Philippians. It's ridiculous!

enabled.dwight