Day Five of the 6-Day Challenge

Personal Note:

Most of you probably know by now that Ben & Maria Canfield had a baby girl by the biblically rich name of Zion Hope on February 24th  at 5:25pm. This was about one month before she was supposed by have the baby by all accounts, except the account of our sovereign Father who is in heaven, whose will was done today in a dramatic and special way.

It's interesting how one day can change one's life so rapidly. It was just a day ago that Ben was sitting in my office. I said, "Can you believe that you're going to be a dad in only one month?" He looked a bit dazed when he replied, "No, I can't believe it." And today, that one month of dazed consideration is forever gone as he now holds his little girl in his arms. In one day, his whole life has changed.

Christy and I just got back from Jacksonville, Fl, where God had providentially prepared for Maria give birth (without  telling any of us I might add). I'm very certain that every aspect of their whole ordeal - from being just a few hours away from boarding a Delta plane to stumbling into St. Luke's Hospital in the middle of the night - was all directed by our loving and wise God. They had plans but God had the answer (Proverbs 16:1).

So, tomorrow as you pray through the Lord's Prayer, pray with a sense of reflection on the way in which God moves all the affairs of our lives to demonstrate to a curious world that His way and will for us is always an adventure of supreme mercy, hope and love! Even when we don't get it. Especially, when we don't get it! He is always up to something astounding whether we're in the know or not.

So pray through the Lord's prayer asking God to make you a VIVID example to the watching world of deep trust in a trustworthy, righteous God!

Let's be salt and light. Let's challenge the decay of self dependence and shine the light of God reliance in all things. Whether pain or pleasure, confusion or confidence, life or death...

VIVID...may our church, and even little Zion be just another striking testimony to the faithfulness of our great God!!