Blessed Ash Wednesday! 

I was honored to participate in the Ash Wednesday service tonight at Rush Creek. One of the highlights of the service was the placing of the focus of our Lenten journey on the cross in the sanctuary.  We did this along with receiving Eucharist. It was a very meaningful part of the service.

Thank you for all of your prayers. I completed every assignment on or before time. It was by God’s good grace and your supportive prayers that this part of the semester was completed. Thank you once again. I completed the outline for the Immigration class and was able to lead a pretty good discussion about theology, scripture and Immigration. 

I must also thank my personal editor and beloved husband who sees every word I write and pushes me even when I am tired and do not want to think anymore. He makes sure that I say what I want to say not just what I think I am saying. Bruce sacrifices a lot of time to support me in this journey and without him I would be lost. Thank you my B—loved.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you so very much for staying with me through every moment of my day and night.  Sometimes when the forest gets so thick with the business of home, school, church and ministry that it becomes overwhelming, You call me to stop, take a breath and remember You are here in my heart and by my side telling me to slow down and breathe in the Holy Spirit and exhale peace. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.”

Psalm 42: 5

Tonight I opened my devotional reading and these were the words, “TRUST ME HERE AND NOW. YOU ARE IN RIGOROUS  training—on an adventurous trail designed for you alone. This path is not of your choosing, but it is My way for you.”

If ever I needed the assurance of God as to His presence in this journey it was this past week.  As of noon today all of the assignments I was given were completed, at least for the next week and a half. Next week is Minister’s Week at Brite and there are no classes.  Maybe I can scrape a layer or two of dirt off of my floors before I begin studying again. 

Now that I have a few moments to take a breath here is what I need to remember. No matter what is going on I must remember to focus on God and my relationship with Him especially when I am feeling so very overwhelmed and I am begging for a break. I do need to stay focused on my studies, but not obsess over them. I have a tendency to think I will never measure up to the scholarship of others.

God has promised in His very Word, His most unshakable Word to affirm my trust in Him and that God is Present with me all the time.  Tonight during worship I read the scripture from Matthew 7: 24-27; the brief parable of building the house on the Rock. When I begin to tremble in the presence of uncertainty and stress I know that I am standing on the Rock of my salvation and life. I may shake, but God remains firm!  I am standing on the promises and assurance of God through belief in Jesus.  And if I stand firm I will see what God will do.

Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, pray with a heart filled with gratitude and get some sleep. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni, Travis and Sarah.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com     

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.