Knowing God

Some important points for me that come to mind when I think about knowing God's Will:

-Biblical principles are important to know when seeking God's Will in any circumstance

-God's Word teaches us His principles

-Knowing biblical principles is knowing God's character and is about discerning His ways, for His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts

-God doesn't want to be vague. He very much desires for us to know Him and gives us so many means to do so. There is no confusion in His truth

-When I get "coincidental" incidences that seem like signs from God I try to make sure I don't take them as answers to questions but reminders and "love notes" from God left here and there to remind me that He's involved in everything I do. The answers are in His Word, in knowing Him.

-Knowing Him is the foundation to any other thing I do when seeking His Will such as finding the right counselors and what advice to take and what to ignore

-When I study His Word, seek to know Him, and discern His Will I must always remember this happens in the renewing of my mind and is part of the process of me becoming more like Him. Prayer is so important for it is not by my own strength but it is through Christ that strengthens me! God alone enables me to do any of this anyway! I need His Holy Spirit to pick up my hoisted sail and bring me to the destination of Christ. Amen.

Here's an awesome sermon (and sermon series) by Andy Stanley that ties this all together very nicely.

Discovering God's Will, Part 3: Checking the Compass

By Andy Stanley of NorthPoint Church, Georgia
(the rest of the series found: here)

Surf's Up in February!

I don't quite remember it being warm enough during February to surf at the Jersey Shore, but last weekend it was. I was thinking about taking surfing lessons this summer since I've been missing the snowboarding season so far. But I wonder if being able to swim is a prerequisite? :-P

This is a pic I took of a lone surfer dude out there.

It was nice to be near the ocean, to hear the waves, and feel the breeze in my hair. I collected some shells and found the beauty in different shades of blue present amongst them.

Before I left, my friend and I prayed on the boardwalk and as I closed in prayer a bird nearby flapped it's wings and flew. Cheesy? Cliche? I don't know. It thought it was nice.

Praise the LORD, my soul.
LORD my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

The LORD wraps himself in light as with a garment;
he stretches out the heavens like a tent

and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.
He makes the clouds his chariot
and rides on the wings of the wind.
Psalm 104:1-3 TNIV