me: noticing the empty chip bag in the trash- "Kevin. You ate a whole bag of chips today!"

him: from the couch in the living room- "There was just a quarter of the bag left..."

me: slowly recovering from the shock of finding the empty chip bag in the trash- "You have to quit eating so many chips...I didn't buy any at the store, so this is the bag you bought YESTERDAY. You ate a whole bag of chips in 24 hours!"

him: annoyed but undaunted- "Why do you always have to be SO specific! That's two days if you ask me..."

back by storm...

It’s been years in the praying, but last night, listening to him testify to our small group that God makes good on His promises, will make my fav list of 2009 and then some. Hearing him say how turning off the morning news channels and spending that 45 minutes immersed in the WORD had not only created a thirst and anticipation to read more, pray more, listen more; but had supernaturally replaced much of the anxiety current events and news creates with a peace that passes and lasts into his work day and beyond. Hearing him communicate that these times of communion have taken God from this far-away box and notion into an internal, personal relationship just. about. floored. me. And still does. But it shouldn’t. Because God makes good on His promises. And He is only getting started. His WORD is alive and even a lifer like me can often underestimate its power. I married a believer but not a spiritual leader with a hunger for Christ. The day he said yes to lead a small group (kicking and screaming most of the way) all that began to change. I worry sometimes if it will last or if it’s just a phase and then I remind myself of my Sovereign God and let Him walk me through where He’s brought us so far. It’s pretty crazy to think about sometimes. All those prayers. All those promises. All God.

“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!”

- Ephesians 3:20-21 (The Msg)