Twenty Statements Test

Today in Social Psychology we were asked to right twenty statements starting with "I am." It is to make some kind of point which will be discussed next class period; probably has something to do with how society shapes our identity. In any case, I liked doing this. I haven't been asked to do something like this since I was in high school. It was nice to take a quick snapshot of who I think I am at the moment. Most of them are temporal and only relevant to that moment but there are some glimmers of genuine confession peaking through. They are not in order of importance but just as they were coming to me. Without further ado, I give you my twenty statements test:
 
I am...

1. alive
2. forgiven
3. a Christian
4. hopeful
5. bored in class today
6. uncomfortable because of the heat
7. in love
8. anxious for tomorrow
9. trying to be a better student
10. hungry
11. an honest husband
12. wondering when my computer will arrive
13. patient but not enough
14. planning my next move for today
15. a busy person, maybe too busy
16. a mentor to 22 high school students
17. a tech geek
18. an aspiring health nut
19. in need of more money
20. right where I need to be

The one that really prompted me to post this is the last one. No matter what is going on in my life or what level of discontent I am in, I know that God has a purpose for me and that I am right where I need to be. Jeremiah 29:11 exclaims, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." To supplement that Proverbs 16:9 says, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

I know that God has plans for me to have a future and a hope. I also know that no matter how much I think I am in control over what my future looks like, God is planting my feet where I need to go. It is good to know that God is in control of my future and not me. Even with God's guidance I will make mistakes and make plans that are hasty or in ignorance, but God, in his loving kindness, has made sure I am right where I need to be to fulfill the purpose he has for me. 

I hope this finds you well and can bring you encouragement. It sure was a refreshing reminder for me to slow down and stop worrying so much. I would like to see what everyone else's twenty statements test looks like.

May Grace Abound!

Evian Roller Babies international version

hey everybody

First of all, I would like to thank TJ for setting this up. I think its a good way to share just about anything thats going on in your life, whether lighthearted or serious. This morning was my 6th treatment and so far so good. I'd like to share about a guy that checked in here at Hope Lodge 3 days ago. His name is Steve and looks to be in his late 50s. It was hard to look at him at first, his right cheek was sunken in from surgery and his mouth was disfigured. A couple of years ago he was working at his job and slipped and fell. A catscan was done to check for injuries and it revealed that he had a tumor in his right sinus and upper cheek. They gave him 5 or 6 weeks of radiation, then surgery. The radiation caused some deafness as well as blindness in his right eye. His teeth were blackened ( those that had not fallen out ). Close to his nose was a place they had to seal up. Evidently the radiation or surgery had damaged the tissue to the point that this hole developed. He was telling me this as we sat at the dining room table. He was eating a yellow cake with icing. He also told me that there was a hole in the roof of his mouth they had tried to fix with botox but it did not work. While he was eating and talking, this yellow ooze was coming out his right nostril and on several occasions he had to wipe it clean. He told me that when he eats or drinks, some of it will go through the hole and out his nose. As gross as all this was, my heart went out to him. He has no family ( wife or kids ) only a brother in Texas and a sister in Georgia. Please pray for him. Hopefully I will be able to visit him today. Thinking about this spiritually, I realized the awfulness of sins separation, how God cannot look upon it without holy disdain, and yet He chose to come down and hang on a cross to reveal his infinite and unconditional love for us. We love Him, because He first loved us. 1Jn. 4:19. God is daily revealing His great love. I love you!