Waking up to my best friend

There is nothing like someone loving you unconditionally!  Nothing!  Yesterday morning I woke up in the worst mood, I was mad and mean and this attitude even showed up in my text.  My actions were wrong, I felt I had to defend myself and the person was just wanting to pick up my baby girl for a play date.  Yes, I know, very immature and redonkulous!  I called this person later and apologized for 'venting,' I was just ill?  Yet, for some reason I couldn't get over this attitude, I couldn't listen to any music to make me feel better and I didn't want to read anything to boost my ego.  I was a true 'Debbie Downer' and 'Potty-mouth Paul.' I didn't' even want to be around me!  Eventually, as I was driving, I remembered a verse from Joshua 1:8-9 "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Yeah, that shut me right up!  You see, the night before I fell asleep writing down stuff for a task at hand.  It wasn't focused on anything positive, it was the exact opposite.  I am having a hard time getting it done because I don't want to do it, yet it is required of me.  Hang in there because my point is coming before I close up shop with a Kenya story.  I fell asleep working on this project and woke up with it on my brain.  I didn't give it to God to handle at all.  I tried to deal with it myself, which by the way- NEVER works!  If I just said a simple prayer trusting that God will take care of it and speak up on my behalf I probably would have slept better and woke up NOT thinking about it.  If I would have read scripture over myself and the current circumstances I quite possibly would have not woke up worrying.  Lesson learned, be conscious of the word of God I have stored up in my heart and my noggin!  Not doubting how powerful it truly is!  See this snake?

I was just in Africa less than 2 weeks ago, I saw how profoundly real and strong my Father in heaven is!  I walked right over this snake while visiting a local school.  I didn't know it, the person behind me said:  "Guys, did you not see that snake?  Two of you just stepped right over it."  I asked our interpreter Chrispoh if it was poisonous and his reply "Oh, yes, if that snake bite you, you die."

I proceeded to take a rock the size of a football and kill it, because I didn't want to hear of one of the students at the school getting bitten.  There is no medical care in site, it takes over an hour in a car, and everyone that lives there walks (they don't have cars).  In Luke chapter 10, Jesus sent out 72 disciples to spread the good news and he gave them authority to be able to do all that he had done!  He even said (Luke10:19-20) "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."  I didn't go looking or pray for a snake or scorpion, I was just willing to share the gospel and stumbled upon a snake.  Sometimes we are just doing what God told us to and step over trouble.  And then sometimes we forget to even give God our issues- like when I went to bed and woke up with a bad attitude.  Yet, how we deal with it is the matter of the heart.  I knew I had authority in Kenya, and so I protected those kids and killed that snake.  Yesterday morning God reminded me HOW to remain in Him and remember how He has given me authority, Joshua 1:8-9.  I must stick by him, allowing him to feed me EVERY morning and EVERY night with his word......the BIBLE!  Today, I woke up to my best friend and I LOVE how he loves me!