Details to the small things, not the big picture

Pay attention to the details, the little things. I know it may not always be the funnest thing but it will be rewarding. Looking at the whole picture allows you to see the beauty in its entirety but you miss out on a lot of the smaller aspects.

I lately have been focussed on the big picture, Trips that I want to take, Graduation in a year and a half, my career choice, Im looking to much on the future and big picture.

My fault is I should be paying attention to the finer points, the steps needed to get there. I need to put a focus the Present. I have no control over the what is coming, As Andy Stanley pastor of North Point Community Church said in a leadership podcast "There are thousands of variables we have no control over" "and for the man or women who thinks its because of me that's just blind ignorance" More than that my focus needs to be on the one who has the big picture in his hand. Because He is in control of it all including the thousands of variables. Examples of these variable below.

The last few days have been rough 2 speeding tickets and a fine for my dog getting out of the yard and getting caught by Animal Control. Lesson learned and no Im not talking about watching my speed when Im in the drivers seat(although that needs to be addressed as well) Im talking my focus needs to be shifted from me to his plan. Jeremiah 29:11-13 says

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

If I would just seek Him and His will everything else will fall into place as it should. His plan for me is better than anything I could imagine or want for myself.

Now that I know the lesson its time to put the plan in action to live it out. I love that my God is a merciful God and gives me opportunities to learn from my mistakes and he takes the broken pieces and puts them back together and makes something even prettier than it was before. I am not perfect nor will I ever be on this earth but He is going to mold me the way he wants I just pray that Im soft enough to know its him doing it and allow him to work instead of trying to stiffen up and stand my ground.

View from the stage

DSC_0066, originally uploaded by ramchenry11.

5th and 6th graders submitting in full worship to the Lord on High. Laying on the ground putting nothing above He who is the King of kings. Complete surrender. I pray that these kids don't lose this as they grow up and that they would be an example to the Generations that God is real and very much present.

I can't wait for Christmas.

Im excited for Christmas to get here, but not to receive presents but to give one. The day after Christmas I head down to Juarez to join a team from Kansas to be able to give a family a home Im sure whoever reads this is probably getting sick and tired of hearing this but for me its Exciting. I read facebook updates and twitter posts about how its the Holiday season and everyone is going Christmas shopping and baking holiday treats. Which is awesome good for them but I think people forget the real reason for the season. Christmas is not all about presents and spending time with family, don't get me wrong its a great thing spending time with those you love, But there is something much greater happening. We need to remember that Christmas is the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior the little boy born of a Virgin that was laid manger because there was no other place for them to lay his head. He became a man who didn't sin yet died a brutal and agonizing death to pay for our sin. To often people don't think of that when they think of Christmas, I have done it myself Im not perfect but Im trying to not forget the main reason for the season. When I join this team in Mexico we are giving a family a free gift, a home, with walls a door windows celling fan. They don't have to pay a dime for it. We tell them we give them this free gift because we ourselves were giving a free gift the Gift of eternal life. We give them a bible, and the opportunity to accept Jesus into their hearts. A gift of eternal life with the Father and the Son. The opportunity to live in a perfect heaven with a perfect God for all of eternity. That is why I am excited about Christmas. The opportunity to be a light in a dark city. The opportunity to remember The real Reason for the season.