Getting Soaked

I know that it will not come as a surprise to any of you when I tell you that I have embarrassed myself once again! The other day I was talking about water bottles with someone and I told them how much I loved Nalgenes. I went on and on about how they couldn’t break and all that stuff. I looked down the row and noticed that friend Maddie had one. So I went over and asked if I could demonstrate. She said yes and I grabbed it and threw it one the ground. The bottom of the bottle completely busted open… I looked at Maddie and her mouth was just hanging open.. I didn’t know what to say. I had just grabbed someone’s water bottle and smashed on the ground…

 I told her how sorry I was and that I would replace it. She assured me that it was no big deal, but continued to make off handed comments of how thirsty she was… 

Alright! I’ve been here seven days now! I wish I could tell you that I have found a groove or a rhythm, but I can’t yet! I feel that every morning I wake up every morning asking, “ So, what’s on the schedule for today?”  But I'm sure that doesn't surprise most of you (Abbey).  We usually have about six lectures a day. So I have a lot going into the brain.

    In lectures we have been going through the life of King Solomon, in 2 Chorincals. We have been talking of how awful of a King he was when it came to taking care of his people and staying in tune with the Lord. As we learn about this I cant help but see some parallels in my own life.  I look at Solomon’s prayer for wisdom:

That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."

⁸ Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place.⁹ Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth.¹⁰ Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

¹¹ God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king,¹² therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."

God gives Solomon what he asks. Solomon goes on to entirely abuse and ignore gifts that the Lord has given him. He ends up chasing after a more impressive looking life, with wealth and power, rather then spending his time and energy on glorifying the Lords plan and His will.

I look at this and feel convicted about how many times the Lord grants us beautiful gifts and we just ignore them and try to tackle our problems ourselves. I think of His gift of forgiveness and His promise of eternal life. So many times we get so caught up in the problems of our lives that we forget that our mistakes are covered by His blood. We are afraid to step out and accept it.

  Here in England It rains a lot. I love seeing the rain fall and how it makes everything green and alive. I get this picture of us standing underneath an umbrella in the middle of a rainstorm. We are safe and dry under the plastic that navigates the water away from hitting us. We don’t step out into the rain for we might get wet and uncomfortable. I feel like this is how some of us are with our walks with God. We dwell under this umbrella of security sitting warm and dry in our problems, struggles, and guilt/shame. But if we just accept the gifts that Jesus has given us, stepping out into the rain letting God’s strength, gifts, and forgiveness wash over us we will see what makes Him so different, and so awesome! and Be drenched with his Love and gifts! Don’t ignore them! Ask for them, and when he gives them to you, seize them!

            I almost didn’t seize my opportunity to come here to Capernwray. I had asked Jim and Nela Wright if I could use my semester next year because I wasn't trusting the Lord enough to take care of all my worldly details. I wasn’t receiving a gift that he was giving. I was trying to stay in my comfort zone, under the umbrella. There was a point where I was going over my finances for the one-zillionth time to see if I could work something out, when I just said, “God if you want this to happen, Do It. I’ll be Available.” I stepped into the storm, and within days He had taken cake of every detail. I felt like he was saying, “Well, I did my part… Your turn.

            Don’t be afraid to accept what he’s got, to step in to the rain, It’s SO much better then what you have now!

LIVE IT UP!

Now I need to find a cheap Nalgene 

Wes - These are the are the urinal cakes here in the castle. I try to move them when I pee. I feel that you would be good at this. Olivia Westwood, a hilarious Brit. that i have met, calls when guys peeing, taking a slash. Thought you would like that as well...