Sometimes I get overwhelmed...

-by God's goodness and provisions.

-by the fact that He WANTS to talk to me...the creator of the UNIVERSE WANTS to talk to me.

-that I don't make the time to talk to HIM.

-with gratitude that even when I don't make the time, He still speaks, and LOUDLY...

Take this morning for example...

We got up early with the boys. We did our usual Sunday morning routine (only this week my mom was here too). We played, watched cartoons, had breakfast, etc... Never once did I ask God to speak to me this morning. Never once did I wonder what I would take away from the message. I prayed for Jeff this week as he prepared it, but didn't pray for what I was to learn. I was excited about going to church, but not anticipating what was in store.

Two weeks ago we had the honor of having a group from Ohio come to Church Central and do a "discipleship conference" with us. It was awesome, to say the least, and that would be a blog all in itself!

With that (discipleship) in mind...come with me to church for a few minutes. I am sure the sermon had a title. I am also sure we read scripture...several if my memory serves me correctly. The bottom line was this- We are not just called to commit, we are also called to submit. Anyone can make a commitment. An agreement. Give their word. BUT (change of direction) it takes courage to submit. You commit on the day of your wedding, but you submit to your mate and THEN you have a marriage. When you go from having faith to tapping into courage, a courage only God can give, it is then that you will begin to "bear much fruit". We commit our life to God on the day of salvation, the day we ask Him in our hearts, but we submit when He calls us to do something and we obey.

For me, it's like this. When I can go from saying I am not in control to truly allowing God to have FULL control, it is then that I have both surrendered and submitted. I don't think it's a one time thing. I think it's a daily thing. Oh yes...Jeff did share that verse today...Take up your cross DAILY and follow me. Oh yes...we learned that the week before in discipleship class..."Daily in the word". But...I want details. I want to know how it looks. I want to know the end result. I WANT...etc. If you have ready my blog for very long you will notice two things...

1. I struggle with control (among many other things)

2. I struggle to MAKE time to spend with God each day

Two things that are constantly in songs I hear, sermons I sit under, or, like tonight, discussed in a small group I am blessed to be a part of.

God will always give us enough understanding for today. That is all we need. That is all we can handle. If we needed more, He would grant it to be so. If we could handle more, we would be God. But we are not, He is.

You might say...He is first...and we are second!

How will this week look different than last? What are my goals?

1. Relinquish control...again...and again...and again.

2. Make time to walk and talk with God each day.

3. Try and remember...I AM SECOND!