Who is in control?

Sorry that it has been so long since I last blogged. Man today is August 27 and I have not blogged since June... Hard to believe, but as you might have guessed it has been pretty busy.

We have folks living with us in our apartment in Chemnitz, Roy and Tiffany Rhodes. The Rhodes are here as HIM (Helping In Missions) workers for two years. Karen and I will be moving to Leipzig next month and they will stay in the apartment here in Chemnitz. It is a stressful time for everyone. Sullivans are looking for a small apartment in Leipzig, the Rhodes are trying to get money transferred and figure out what all they are going to have to buy to live here once we move to Leipzig and take all of our furniture with us, and of course we are struggling with trying to get all the stuff organized for the move, getting the visa stuff all taken care of (which is looking like we will have to get another temporary one and then more paperwork.... then maybe a real one... for one more year) as well as trying to get all the things line out for beginning the work in Leipzig. Ha, okay, I know that all these things are working towards the work in Leipzig and continuing the work here in Chemnitz... I just needed a little time to vent.... Thanks.

Today the Rhodes, Sulllivans and us met together to spend some time praying together, studying Gods word and practice and learn some of the ways to better use the LST (Let's Start Talking) material... Using English to teach the Bible. Larry had a great lesson that came from I Corinthians. What made the greatest impact on me this day is one, remembering that it is all God's work, we are just helpers. Some people excel in somethings others in other things. Everyone is not a great preacher, everyone is not a great singer.... you get my point. But God uses each one of us the way HE SEES FIT. Ever have the problem of having a great plan on how you are going to serve God and then it doesnt work out right? Of course you have. Step back and take a look at "what went wrong with the great plan". Maybe nothing went wrong. Maybe what actually occured was a wonderful thing that you would have never even imagined would have happened. Welcome to God working in your life. I needed to be reminded today... as things are so hectic for all of us, with our plans, dreams, challenges and agendas, that God has a plan and he is going to work that plan despite my best intentions. Relax, I am talking to myself here, enjoy the day God has given you (me) and look for opportunities that are coming our way. Ways we can use the gifts that our Father has given to us as individuals to serve Him in His work.

Jesus said more than once, the two most important things in following God is to love God with everything part of our being, ALL OF IT and the next is almost as important (and often seemingly harder) love others as much as we love ourselves and treat them the way that we WANT to be treated. That is what is really important. When we do these two things, love God and love others, we will be serving God and taking advantage of the things He is doing in this world and in our world.

God is in control. He has a plan, doesnt need our advice, actually doesnt even need our help, but He knows we want and need to help Him as we seek to serve Him. Go out and have a blessed day giving God the praise for Him working in His world.