The next level.......

You know that next level of spirituality that I mentioned in an earlier blog…..my desire for a new revelation? Well the good news is I got my revelation. The bad news is……..I got my revelation.

God has a sense of humor, doesn’t he? When you pray for finances he sends you overtime. When you pray for a revelation he reveals things about yourself that aren’t very flattering. I had been searching in different directions for a new revelation; reading my Bible, reading good books, listening to my favorite speakers. The revelation came, but not from any single avenue. It came to me slowly as I contemplated what I’d read and heard from all my sources.

God revealed to me that my exterior didn’t match my interior. I am a fake. He wasn’t as blunt as that. The revelation trickled in gradually day-by-day so I wouldn’t be too offended. Being this way was having a negative effect on me. When I got around a lot of people for a while, it was so draining. It was hard work keeping up that “nice” façade. I couldn’t wait to get home to be my old grumpy self, which didn’t take any work. Some people excuse their dislike for crowds on their introverted personality. Impressed by their self-awareness, I started to use that same excuse. For them maybe it was true. I can’t say. But for me, now I know better. My prayer is for God to make what is on my inside match what I show people on the outside. Lord knows I can’t do that on my own.

Driving out to the church the other night, I started to realize a strong sense of God’s presence in my life. Then suddenly it dawned on me. He had been working quietly in the background of my mind for weeks. He seemed to have shown Himself about the time I started searching in more than one source. He had been looking over my shoulder the whole time, whispering to me. It was an awesome feeling.

I have four reasons to be hopeful about my future. One is that God has revealed to me a new weakness He will help me to overcome. The other three are the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

When God is hidden.....

I have been reading a book by Graham Cooke called When the Lights Go Out (Surprising Growth When God is Hidden). Kevin West, Director of Family Life, at New Pointe Church recommended Graham Cooke’s books. Kevin always reads great titles. Check out his blog for his favorites. You can get to it from my church link.

Anyhow, Mr. Cooke is at a spiritual level way above me. I can sense some of what he is saying. I agree that when you reach a certain level God will stop you there because he knows that you’re not ready for more. That's happend in my own walk. Some friends of mine read strictly from the KJV bible. As difficult as it is to read, they say that when God is ready to reveal to you what he wants you to know, you will understand exactly what it says. The first time I attempted to read it, that did happen. As time went on, it stopped happening. Maybe God doesn’t think I’m ready to move on yet. He revealed to me at that time what I was ready for. My search will continue. Anxiously, I await the next level. Maybe when Graham Cooke refers to “God being hidden” is during those times when I'm not ready for the next level.

Update on Haiti trip...

I’d like to update everyone on my August 3 blog with some pictures that Kevin Kate brought back from Haiti. He had an incredible ride down there; lots of God moments. He came home safe and sound. He and wife Linda will be going on a mission trip to Africa next. These two don’t let any dust settle. As always, we’ll be praying for them.


Kids waiting for water.

Two kids and a fence.

This just caught my eye.

Workers and Kevin Kate in

front of well

drilling machine.

Water gushing from well.

Praise God.