I call it "God things!"

The title of the blog is "It's those things again" because frankly that's just how I live my life . . .
I WANT so desperately to always KNOW and have the faith that all is going to be ok!

Yet when things happen that just don't make sense, I see hurting that is unjust, or just sometimes in my own humanity I have questions . . . doubts . . . fears . . .

And it is in those times that I find my self wallowing in self-pity or fear that I ask pretty loudly "God, where are you?"

Everytime in the depths of the questions, I get an answer.

It may not come as quickly as I would like sometimes but God is always there with an answer.

I think God must know that I am on some pretty FRAGILE ground right now with the Back to School Bash that has over 3000 students registered and the Launch of the West Campus. Between the two things, sleep is something not easily obtained.

This morning I realized we were going to need a considerably larger amount of food than I had imagined . . . so panic set in . . . again! I spoke and thanked the Methodist Men for their gracious contribution and support and then walked over to the office to prepare for worship. I spoke with Rebecca, our children's minister, and admitted my fear about this whole thing.

She reminded me . . . "Andrea, God always provides." Bob Chambers, the President of the Methodist Men, had previously said the same thing.

I went by my office mailbox and saw the bill for the backpacks lying inside. "Oh no . . . . here we go again. Now this is going to be another downer to a day that really has yet to get firmly started."

I debated opening it - it can wait for tomorrow for me to stress over.

Something "nudged" me to open it . . . I debated a few more minutes then kept feeling that nudge - so finally I gave in!

I should have known. It's that "God thing" again!

I opened the bill for the 1400 backpacks that we ordered for the kids and low and behold the bill was $1500 less than I thought it would be. . . . I'm sure it is just my "bad math" but . . . I am attributing it to being a "God thing!"

I read from Steven Furtick, pastor at Elevation Church, that we pastors really lose out when things happen and we don't take the time to record them. We get too wrapped up in ministry and life to see and hear the "God things" and to write them down. So then we find ourselves searching and looking later on when we could have had it all along . . . if we had taken some time to write it down!

I'm not a journal person . . . I say I will and I never get around to it!

But with the launching of West Campus it is rather important that my focus change a little, instead of just letting life happen and being in the "now" of the God moments, I want to remember them too!

So I invite you to follow along with the blog. My goal will be 3 times a week, more than that and I know I will fail! I'm about setting goals that are obtainable!

Check out West Campus on Sept. 12. I truly do believe it too, like this Back to School Bash, is going to be a "God thing!"

Andrea