Godly Companions

Jon Acuff (@jonacuff) tweeted a couple of weeks ago, “Being aware of the story God is unfolding as he unfolds it, instead of realizing what was happening years later, is a gift.”

I believe this statement sums up my feelings after going through the “Living Parables” sermon series in February.  To know that God is in control, that he is faithful, that he is the Almighty God are a few of the facts that I am most guilty of overlooking.  There have been many times in my life that I have grown frustrated with myself and with God.  When prayers seem to go unanswered, when life’s trials seem to outnumber the victories, when struggles with sin seem to get stronger are all times when I am most prone to doubt God’s power.  Without a doubt after looking pack on the past and seeing where I am today I know that God has most definitely been in control orchestrating the tiniest of details to bring me to this point in my life.  Just as Ruth had Naomi as a companion God has placed some amazing people in my life.  Godly men and women that God has placed in my life at just the right moment have helped me through the many seasons of life.

The blessing that my family has been to me all throughout my life is truly amazing.  My parents are the ultimate example of how a follower of Christ should live.  It was from my family that I first learned about living a God honoring life.  An extension to my family is my first church family at Cullendale First Baptist Church in Camden, AR.  It was from the great men and women at this church that I heard the Gospel story and learned from bible stories in sunday school and worship time.  My youth minister here took a lot of time to teach me and a handful of other youth about leadership and that to be a leader you must be a humble servant.  After graduation I moved to a town I knew very little about.  I moved not knowing anyone at the college and spent my first weeks away from home wondering if I would be able to make a connection with people.  By the end of the second week at UAM I knew I had found my connection.  It was through the ministries of the local Missionary Baptist Student Fellowship (MBSF).  My time with the MBSF was definitely God ordained.  It was here that I learned how to love people with everything I had. I learned about giving and caring about people’s needs across the world.  I also met the wonderful people of Pauline Baptist Church through the MBSF and quickly found a home inside the walls at Pauline.  Pauline is an awesome church family and being a part of this church has given me the opportunity to serve and grow spiritually.  Also, while at UAM through a series of meetings and opportunities (which is another story in itself) I started working part time for a company which 5 ½ years later I am still with.  It was through this job that I had the most important meeting of my life, I met my beautiful wife!  Now three years later we are married (1 ½ years) and are expecting our first child, a daughter, any time.

I truly believe that God has been at work in my life since day one and has placed people in my path to direct my steps to where he wants me to be.    Although at times I have questioned particular steps and why some have been more difficult or painful than others I know that each have played a vital role in my physical and spiritual growth. I know that God is faithful to his promises and that he will never leave or forsake us.  I know that he is almighty and is in control guiding me each and everyday!

Spring Has Arrived

Had the opportunity to go for a walk this past Saturday afternoon.  The cold/rainy weather Saturday did not feel like Spring but the blooming pear trees were definitely a beautiful indication that Spring is here!

How Did I Get Here??

We recently completed a series called "Living Parables" at Pauline.  During this sermon series our staff of ministers made application from where they are in their lives to go along with teaching from the book of Ruth.  This series really made me look back at my life and review where I came from to where I am now.  Everytime I go through this process of reviewing the past it always causes me to sit in awe at how divine God is.  To see how he is working out the seemingly insignificant details of my life for a greater purpose is truly amazing! During the upcoming days and weeks I am going to work back through this sermon series for my personal study and will try to comment here with regards to what I learn.