Not Waiting For Normal

Hey there!

Blessings and peace again this day!

Waking up early (or in the middle of the night) has been a part of my life for many years now.  While I sometimes still fight it, wander around the house, or look at Facebook, I’ve also had some pretty rewarding time with Father.  I get out my Bible or tell Him about my frustrations; even listen a bit.

So it was this past Saturday morning, sitting in my favorite chair, venting to Father about our current situation and the mounting sense that I wasn’t up to the weight of tasks that seemed to be piling up around us.  As I got it all out and began to rest my mouth, His peace began to settle in and the Holy Spirit impressed me with a simple message: This time we’re living in isn’t about survival, it’s about moving ahead; about recognizing that, as the needs grow, my ‘reserves’ are being quickly tapped out. Self-sufficiency in my life, at least, is being exposed for the fraud that it is.

If you were here during our journey through John’s account of Jesus and his subsequent letters, you remember we spent a lot of time exploring what Jesus meant by “abiding”.  We looked at the meaning of the words; about Father being real and present, of Father ‘pitching his tent’ right next to ours, and of walking together inseparable.  We saw that Jesus said of himself that he couldn’t speak or take action unless Father directed him through the Holy Spirit. As we prepared those messages, I prayed hard that this idea of ‘abiding’ wouldn’t be perceived as some spiritual abstraction, but rather a very real and practical way of living.

And here I was, early last Saturday, realizing that I had been doing that very thing: Trying to walk through some of the most unfamiliar season in my lifetime, sensing the empty tank, somehow imagining I’d be able to press on without Father’s refreshing.

Self-delusion isn’t pretty... but I’m the only one, right?

As I was mulling all of this over the phone with our friend, Leonard Lee, this morning, he said the same, but with more clarity:  If ever there was a time when God’s children needed to discover how to feed their own souls and deepen their dependence on Father, it is now.  But, not satisfied with just observing, Leonard took it one step better; he offered to help!  This is the coolest!

Tomorrow evening, Tuesday, April 7, from 6:30-7:30, Leonard, through his ministry called 4Gen Network, is teaching a one-hour Webinar equipping you to make your time in the Bible come alive as the cornerstone of your relationship with Father.  Entitled, “Developing A Deeper Connection With God Through His Word”, 4Gen is offering this at no charge to any disciple who has that gnawing desire for their time spent in the Bible to come alive. Leonard’s style is so easy that I’d recommend this for your kids, as well.  All you need is a computer with speakers.  Register online at https://www.4-gen.net/onlineclass and 4Gen will send you an e-mail with how to get connected.

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