Librarian Part 2...the sequel

So, I am back in the library for a half day, and I again, can't get around the firewall, nor want to try, so here I sit with nothing really pressing me, so I figured I'd write in here again.

In the past week I have bought my plane ticket...385 bucks for a one way to Panama City, it's also non-refundable, which means I'm either going, or losing that money, so i'm going :)

Had some enjoyable experiences last week, including a trip to Allendale Missouri to Old Town Cafe, it was good stuff, you can never go wrong with a little chicken fried steak and potatoes. On to more spiritual matters....

I'm trying to get on task with raising a little support and have found peace in that. The missionary's wife emailed me saying that really I wont be left out in the rain, but that I should use this as an opportunity to speak to people about what God is doing in my life, and also give them the opportunity to serve on mission with me. We had a bible study in Phillipians last week, we finished it, and so we were in chapter 4.

God spoke to me through verses 14-19 "Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having recieved from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus"

In this passage, Paul just got done talking about how he was content with surplus and with nothing, that he had learned that. I love that he says in verse 14 that he doesn't seek the gift himself, but only the fruit for the people who do it. By giving them the opportunity to give, they are bearing fruit, and storing up treasures in heaven.

So, i have tried to incorporate this heart when raising support. I do need the support, but I know that God will provide whatever is missing if I am called there. So that's one thing God has taught me in the past week.

Other than that, I realized at church yesterday as Pastor Paul was preaching on prayer, that my passion for God, the amount I pray and read the word is pretty sparse right now. Not that I'm being really disobedient, but i'm definitely not sharp, not sensitive to sin and at times apathetic, all this for a guy who is headed to panama in roughly a month. So today I picked up the word and decided to study 1 Timothy, Pauls letter to his "child in the faith." One verse that stuck out to me today was in chapter 1 verse 16...just after Paul says he was the worst of sinners, he gives us the reason why God saved him: "that in me, as the foremost sinner, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life."

So, Paul says that the reason Christ's grace rests upon him is to show all believers that if God will save him, and have patience and grace towards him, then he can on anyone.

I just love the character of God that we see revealed in scripture. What a God we serve!