Happy Tuesday! After the wonderful weekend I had, life is beginning to get back to normal - kind of. I had shared with you a couple of weeks ago that I was going to register for some college classes at Moody. My brother-in-law is a professor at Lincoln Christian College and wanted me to attend the Linc-Up program there instead. The difference is that at Moody, I would take only internet classes, which is what I thought I wanted but then I found out more about the LCC classes in which I go to class one night per week and then do the homework over the next week at home. After getting all my information, I have decided to attend LCC and will begin Feb. 23, 2009. My feelings are mixed between excitement and fear. My admissions counselor told me that for people "my age", the biggest hindrances for college are fear and finances - AMEN and AMEN!

Here is the coolest part: I knew that God was prompting me to further my Bible education, but at first I wasn't sure how. Over time, He has made more clear His calling for me. Yesterday, I sat down with a notebook and began writing my questions to God about the whole situation. His answers came so clear to my heart as I wrote. I feel confident that I had made the right decision by His answers to my prayers. Now, I will rely on Him to give me exactly what I need for everything else. No more FEAR!

Please be praying for my brain to learn how to work again! :)

Now, on to our study of James. 1:16-18 "Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the Word of Truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures."

Do not be deceived - there are no coincidences! Everything that is good, comes from God. I use to use the word coincidence to describe those situations where things happened in amazing ways but then figured out that I don't believe in coincidence - only in the divine power of our God. He connects people, He works amazingly in situations, He makes all good things happen.

God created us - He formed us - He imagined us - why would He not be totally capable of taking care of us?! By His will, He brought us forth by the word of truth - His actions are not coincidences but acts of love and faithfulness to His children.

See the good around you. Look for it and then give praise to God.

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie