I had a conversation with Benji after everyone had left and found myself almost giddy about the upcoming changes. He's got a great new way of doing things and the fact that I like it says alot. I'm not much of a changer, or decider.
Actually, I do like things getting shaken up occasionally but I was a little worried about these changes because I've been so fond of the way we've done things for... hmm, let's see... three years now? Wow.
Of course, I won't spoil things by telling you what the different schedule is. That's not my place. But you'll like it. Trust me.
My excitement, though, is not really in the new schedule, it's the new approach. What the Grand High Potentate has come up with is one of those things that builds and strengthens relationships between us all. It's back to that whole accountability and encouragement thing we all blogged about months ago (whatever happened to that?). Remember Jonah? Dying to self? Swallowed Alive?
I guess life and summer got in the way. That happens, ya know. But no matter. What does matter is that we all have that same desire to grow closer to God, each other, and pick up where things left off. Not that we've fallen or stumbled or anything bad, but our intensity faded. Our focus fox got ran over.
Sarah said it best (she does that alot). Discipline. There are many disciplines that we need in our lives but our spiritual disciplines are essential. It's not just the daily prayer and study time, but the vision, creativity, fellowship, and family time with our crew that keeps us strong and, yes, focused.
It's like the Good Reverend said just tonight, we are in a battle everyday. No one can stand alone. That's very true. We need our little pow-wows to regroup.
So I look forward to tightening the noose around my own neck. That may not be the best way to put it but I need to be spiritually challenged to grow. You do, too. We need the trials of life, the mountains and valleys, but we also need to simply re-evaluate our walk every now and then. We need to look at our way of living and our decision-making and see if they match up with God's desires. Holiness is a lofty goal, but it's attainable.
So that's why I'm Snoopy-dancing today. Because God has brought us to a place that will bring us closer to Him by putting our love for Him to the test through our obedience to Him.
Didn't the old G.I. Joe cartoons say something about "knowing is half the battle?" Hmmm...
