Stepping out of the boat and into the arms of Jesus!

Well I always say that "I would rather be a wet water walker than a dry boat sitter" and yesterday was my first opportunity to prove just that.

Yesterday I preached my very first sermon and I have to say that God was faithful 100%!

I knew that he would be but a small part of me was still doubting and thinking that I would get up there and make a mess of myself. That I would just step out of the boat and sink right to the bottom like I had some concrete shoes or something. But God did not disappoint. In fact God took me to a whole different level these past few weeks and revealed things to me that I never would have thought could even exist.

When I was asked to fill in for Chad while he was on vacation I honestly feel that it was in response to a prayer I prayed for God to "open doors". (See my post about Hearing From God). And since that prayer was fruitful the three weeks leading up to yesterday's sermon stretched me beyond belief. Here are just a few of the things that God taught to me in those three weeks.

1. That no matter what happens or how things might look God wants an intimate relationship with me more than anything else! First and foremost above all other things.


2. God answers prayers! (i.e. "open doors") :)


3. God blesses those who make an extra effort to put Him first.


4. If I am willing to be obedient God is willing to supply.


5. Leaving behind my independence and replacing it with God's dependence is more freeing than you might think! We often think that being independent is sometimes the ultimate freedom but I learned that isn't always the case in the last few weeks.


6. When you have a ton of people praying for you you can really feel their prayers! (Thanks to all who prayed for me these past few weeks. Without you guys I couldn't have done anything.)


7. "Kingdom thinking" is truly better than "me thinking".


8. Quite time with God is more refreshing than a two week vacation.


9. Growing my faith and trust in God is way better than growing my faith and trust in myself.


10. Sometimes the loudest things come in small and subtle ways.


11. And I truly would rather be a wet water walker than a dry boat sitter.

God has truly opened my eyes to new things and stretched me more than I could have ever imagined and for that I am forever thankful to the Lord.