The Banzai Chronicles

Is the Word of God tremendously penetrating and sharp in me as I hand it on to you, or does my life betray the things I profess to teach? I may teach sanctification and yet exhibit the spirit of Satan, the very spirit that persecutes Jesus Christ. The Spirit of Jesus is conscious of only one thing— a perfect oneness with the Father. And He tells us, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" ( Matthew 11:29 ). All I do should be based on a perfect oneness with Him, not on a self-willed determination to be godly. This will mean that others may use me, go around me, or completely ignore me, but if I will submit to it for His sake, I will prevent Jesus Christ from being persecuted.

—Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest (28 January, "How Could Someone So Persecute Jesus!," emphasis mine)

Went to bed late and woke up early. The body and mind don't like to do as they're told, or to do what's best for them. Sometimes I fight it, but this morning I'm going with it— been awhile since I enjoyed my morning tea, and the day ahead might be boosted with an early start.

Learning, albeit slowly, to turn more and more over to Him. Why I insist on giving my life to Him piecemeal is nothing more than absurd faithlessness, yet I say this with a good spirit, not to be inordinately condemning of myself. Because I am, in fact, not condemned— "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). That sure makes it easier to get up in the morning.

Rather than studying a psalm for Community Group last night, we each made a coat-of-arms to get to know one another better. The six sections of the shield were:

1. an animal that represents you (or is a favorite)
   
2. a hobby or pasttime
   
3. what you bring to relationships/CG
   
4. what you want or need from relationships/CG
   
5. a time when God came through for you
   
6. a hope you have of God

I'll have everyone who wasn't with us last night (Beth, Jason, Jenae, Jeremy, and Nikki) do one and compile them into a log book for our group, one we can add to with our history, our pictures, and our stories.

Today is staff meeting, office work (which is always hard for me to concentrate on after staff), coffee with Micah, and pizza and television night with Connor and perhaps Sara. Full days of late; far more rich than overwhelming or burdensome. It is a good season in so many ways.