Hi Brian!

I am going to do something different again this week! Terri Lynn gave me a devotional a few years ago by Oswald Chambers called "My Utmost For His Highest". He was a Scottish minister in the late 1800s to early 1900s. The phrasing is sometimes different than what we would use today, but he had some really good insight! Today's just reminded me of you and your life so much! 

The Call of the Natural Life

When it pleased God…to reveal His Son in me… —Galatians 1:15-16

The call of God is not a call to serve Him in any particular way. My contact with the nature of God will shape my understanding of His call and will help me realize what I truly desire to do for Him. The call of God is an expression of His nature; the service which results in my life is suited to me and is an expression of my nature. The call of the natural life was stated by the apostle Paul— “When it pleased God…to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him [that is, purely and solemnly express Him] among the Gentiles….”

Service is the overflow which pours from a life filled with love and devotion. But strictly speaking, there is no call to that. Service is what I bring to the relationship and is the reflection of my identification with the nature of God. Service becomes a natural part of my life. God brings me into the proper relationship with Himself so that I can understand His call, and then I serve Him on my own out of a motivation of absolute love. Service to God is the deliberate love-gift of a nature that has heard the call of God. Service is an expression of my nature, and God’s call is an expression of His nature. Therefore, when I receive His nature and hear His call, His divine voice resounds throughout His nature and mine and the two become one in service. The Son of God reveals Himself in me, and out of devotion to Him service becomes my everyday way of life.

Your love and care for your family and how you relate to other people is such a great reflection of the Father's love and character! There is such a peace in your home, in the midst of all the 'commotion', and such inner joy in your lovely ladies! You and Kristine make such a great team! I just wanted to share that and say "Well done", as I am certain the Father is saying, too!  Here is Hillsong with a song about desiring to be like God! I think it's very appropriate! "To Be Like You":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!