Random? Yeah, it's all just random.
Interesting week. Aside from feeling like garbage all week, it's been one of those weeks where I think I needed to pay attention.
I mentioned I quit smoking last weekend. Last Sunday, I was so ready to bite through a nail, so I broke down. But I got right back on the horse and I'm proud to report I haven't had a smoke in three days. What finally made the difference? Listening. It started a few weeks ago with a very obscure comment from an instructor who was teaching a class I was in. During that time, I ran into someone who I used to serve with in the Guard who had also quit (and more importantly found Jesus!). I heard part two of an "Unshackled" episode where the man who had become unshackled, had a problem with quitting and told how the Lord finally helped him. My same friend shared with me his son had heart surgery and quit smoking. That was earlier in the week. The straw that broke the camel's back, though? I got a letter from a ministry wanting to share they had some resources for those with addictions. I seem to remember my own pastor mentioning addition to tobacco in passing a couple of weeks ago too. Apparently, I need to quit smoking. OK, I'm listening.
But then, I've been there before. The difference this time? I'm not worried about things like I was.
This is what was on my Facebook page this afternoon:
As a regular reader, you know I'm not above shamelessly plugging BBN Radio. They play a radio program called "Insight for Living". The topic the last two days? "Trust God". I was in the car both yesterday and today to hear this important program.
From the "Our Daily Bread" devotional I read and have shared links with you in the past, this as Wednesday's devotional title: "Waiting". Thursday's: "It's All About Him". Friday's: "True Security"; a short devotional about fighting spiritual battles. I share this with you today because one of the BBN Radio announcer's comments about protecting our minds today. He said it's one of the biggest ways the Christian's enemy tries to attack a Christian. I've felt that way. But there's a theme to all of this and it goes back to even before the beginning of the week.
OK, it's just random, right? The thing of how God redeems the fallen? The quit smoking express? The things on the radio? They're on all the time and I'm bound to hear something that's close to heart? Yup. i get that. But I was where I wasn't usually. I usually listen to these programs with coffee and a cigarette on the back patio. No coffee, no cigarette. I was running errands and had no intention of being in the car at this time both yesterday and today. Honestly.
The thing is that I wish I could share with you the rest of this because each little thing just kind of ties in with the next little thing. There's oh so much more, but that gets back to something you ought to be used to from me: The part where the story turns to swiss cheese. Not everything is for sharing as I've said before, but two of the ways God talks to us today are through His word and through circumstance.
And I can tell you tonight, with conviction: I'm listening! I'm trusting! I'm obeying.
Well that's it for tonight. Bucket's gotta go!
God Bless and please don't forget church this weekend.
Coop
I mentioned I quit smoking last weekend. Last Sunday, I was so ready to bite through a nail, so I broke down. But I got right back on the horse and I'm proud to report I haven't had a smoke in three days. What finally made the difference? Listening. It started a few weeks ago with a very obscure comment from an instructor who was teaching a class I was in. During that time, I ran into someone who I used to serve with in the Guard who had also quit (and more importantly found Jesus!). I heard part two of an "Unshackled" episode where the man who had become unshackled, had a problem with quitting and told how the Lord finally helped him. My same friend shared with me his son had heart surgery and quit smoking. That was earlier in the week. The straw that broke the camel's back, though? I got a letter from a ministry wanting to share they had some resources for those with addictions. I seem to remember my own pastor mentioning addition to tobacco in passing a couple of weeks ago too. Apparently, I need to quit smoking. OK, I'm listening.
But then, I've been there before. The difference this time? I'm not worried about things like I was.
This is what was on my Facebook page this afternoon:
If you will make the decision that you don’t mind being inconvenienced or interrupted, God can use you.
Think about that...Don’t waste another day of your life grieving over something that you cannot do anything about. Let God give you a new beginning. Your mistakes are not enough to stop God if you don’t let them.
As a regular reader, you know I'm not above shamelessly plugging BBN Radio. They play a radio program called "Insight for Living". The topic the last two days? "Trust God". I was in the car both yesterday and today to hear this important program.
From the "Our Daily Bread" devotional I read and have shared links with you in the past, this as Wednesday's devotional title: "Waiting". Thursday's: "It's All About Him". Friday's: "True Security"; a short devotional about fighting spiritual battles. I share this with you today because one of the BBN Radio announcer's comments about protecting our minds today. He said it's one of the biggest ways the Christian's enemy tries to attack a Christian. I've felt that way. But there's a theme to all of this and it goes back to even before the beginning of the week.
OK, it's just random, right? The thing of how God redeems the fallen? The quit smoking express? The things on the radio? They're on all the time and I'm bound to hear something that's close to heart? Yup. i get that. But I was where I wasn't usually. I usually listen to these programs with coffee and a cigarette on the back patio. No coffee, no cigarette. I was running errands and had no intention of being in the car at this time both yesterday and today. Honestly.
The thing is that I wish I could share with you the rest of this because each little thing just kind of ties in with the next little thing. There's oh so much more, but that gets back to something you ought to be used to from me: The part where the story turns to swiss cheese. Not everything is for sharing as I've said before, but two of the ways God talks to us today are through His word and through circumstance.
And I can tell you tonight, with conviction: I'm listening! I'm trusting! I'm obeying.
Well that's it for tonight. Bucket's gotta go!
God Bless and please don't forget church this weekend.
Coop
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