Today I have an opportunity that I'm both excited and nervous about... I'll begin leading chapel services for a local Christian school (the elementary classes, K-5th). I'm excited because I love doing this ministry and it's a chance for me to teach God's Word in a fun (and crazy) way. In a previous ministry setting I led chapel services each week for a church daycare (same age group).
"So why am I nervous?", I've been asking myself. Part of it is the same nervousness I get every time before I speak (just like Sunday mornings). I'm nervous about how I say things, "will it come out right?"; "have I done enough preparation?"; "what happens if I goof and really mess up?"; "what will the response be?"; "is my fly up?" Public speaking does not come naturally for me and is something I have to work at.
Another part of the nervousness is the awesome responsibility that is placed before me. No matter whom I'm speaking to I realize the importance of the message of God's Word that I'm trying to communicate.
My scripture reading this morning took me to Revelation, chapter 22. I read the words of Christ about the handling of the Word by not adding to or taking away from the message... what a sobering reminder. My devotional reading dealt with leadership today and ends with the quote, "Only as we follow Christ can we lead others in the right direction."
Lord, Jesus may I yield my spirit to Yours as I prepare and then communicate Your Word to these little ones today. May I lead them in the right direction... directly to You. Thank you for this opportunity; may I be found faithful in Your service... may I be an instrument to be used by You this day. -Amen.

There has been a change in our household... largely because there has been a change in me (funny how that works huh?). I guess the change has been due to a combination of things, but what I am experiencing in our home is peace. Not that we didn't have peace before, but there's a difference... I'm not feeling so stressed. The dog still barks, the kids still fight and argue, the wife still... ah, encourages me to do things. Could this difference be due to my increased time/devotion to the Lord? I believe it is. The vacation helped, routine helps; but the greatest help for me is a renewed closeness with my Lord.
My time in the car has become a time of deep reflection (while still focusing on the road). The Lord and I have had some heavy conversations as of late... it feels so good to be able to talk with my heavenly Father this way. I have been experiencing a renewal within my spirit. I have experienced these times throughout my Christian life and walk. And I can always tie them directly with increased time with the Lord.
Which leads me to consider what happens that my time decreases. LIFE. I'm certain I am not the only one that has allowed life to come crashing in... I don't have to 'allow' it, it just happens... Life happens, and I neglect my spirit. Praise God for His presence... He does not leave me. He is here drawing me back... pursuing me the whole time. When I realize I have turned and begun to walked away from God, and then turn back to seek Him out it's like I turn expecting to have to run to find Him only to find that He's right here (almost like I turn to run and bump into Him).
My devotional reading took me to Isaiah, chapter 65. Verse 24 really stood out to me, "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear."
Thank you, Lord for being there...

A good word can come from unsuspecting places... such was the case this morning. Yesterday evening a friend gave me some empty potato chip bags and encouraged me to read the brief stories on the back. The chips were Uncle Ray's and on the back was a short encouraging story from Uncle Ray himself. Turns out Uncle Ray is a Christian and chooses to share about his life and faith on the package of his products... Next I'll have to try the chips; perhaps my friend will bring me a "full" bag next time!
I have learned (even from recent experience) that speaking the truth will not always endear me to everyone. In fact there are some people that will express feelings of anger, sadness, and will even cause some to avoid me. It is sad for me when this occurs.
One of my devotional readings this morning dealt with the fact that each of us have an eternity to live. Obviously not in this world, but in the world to come. Eternity means an existence that will never cease. The question is: Where will we spend that existence? Today I will be attending a funeral... a reminder of this eternity.
The connection between speaking the truth and where we spend eternity is made even more clear to me. Will I risk speaking and demonstrating the truth by loving and serving others the best I can for the sake of their eternal home? My scripture reading took me to Romans, chapter 8 this morning. In this chapter it tells how as Christians we are more than conquerors. And although many things may happen to us in this life we will emerge as the victors because of God's Spirit dwelling within the lives of those who trust in the Lord, Jesus Christ.