"What's next, Papa?"

Romans 8:14-16 The Message

God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!

This resurrection life you received from

God is not a timid, grave-tending life.

It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike

"What's next, Papa?"

God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are.

We know who he is, and we know who we are:

Father and children.

~***~

Tom and I are praying about which mission trip to go on this summer. There are actually 26 trips to choose from through our church for the entire year, but our schedules permit June to mid-August. The Dominican Republic sounds like a very worthwhile trip...building cinder block houses in a refugee camp near Puerto Plata. Guatemala City, Guatemala...reaping a harvest from years of planning and preparation. Two weeks ago groups from 3 churches were there to witness 2000 souls come to know Christ as Savior. South Africa...serve HIV/AIDS affected regions. Belfast, Northern Ireland...a formerly closed door that now seems to have inched open. We trust that God will reveal His plan for us. I would have thought yesterday morning that He would direct us to either the Dominican or Guatemala, but then a phone call came. We have been asked to lead the team to Belfast. We eagerly await God's direction.

"I want to know Christ!"

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death. Philippians 3:10 (Amplified Bible)

WOW!! Philippians 3:10 (Amplified)

What a neat booklet ($1.99 @ Lifeway)! From the book: "God has designed an excellence, a single purpose for you and me." "And when your life becomes totally focused on Him ... your life will be radically transformed." ~***~ Our ladies small group is spending the next 8 weeks in the 4 chapters of this little book. Our goal since last Monday has been to read chapter one 6 to 10 times during the 2 weeks till we meet again, and to "hang" on every word, phrase and sentence. We are asking God to say ALL He has to say to us, and to confirm His word through other means such as other Scripture, sermons and songs. We are journaling so we will be able to share how God is speaking in our lives. I can't wait to see them again. Luke 19:48 "... all the people were hanging upon His (Jesus') words." May we "hang" until He tells us everything we can possibly absorb.

Philippians 1:20

…my own eager desire and persistent expectation and hope (is),

that I shall not disgrace myself

nor be put to shame in anything;

but that with the utmost freedom of speech

and unfailing courage,

now as always heretofore,

Christ (the Messiah)

will be magnified and get glory and praise

in this body of mine and be boldly exalted in my person,

whether through life or through death.