Reading about God's overflowing grace and how much he desires obedience to strengthen our relationship with him comforts me. As we are preparing for missions in Atlanta, finalizing logistics and juggling our own individual schedules, as a go-getter with high standards it is easy for me to stress over being as prepared as much as possible on every known detail. My desire to represent God well on every front doesn't make it easier for me to want to internally obey the Lord, but I am learning that part of the journey of "getting out of the boat" as we are reading this summer is to simply obey because knowing Jesus' love has changed me forever. Everything is covered by His grace, even it doesn't go according to the original plan/expectations or I might have no idea where it'll end up.

"When you fail...Jesus will be there to pick you up. You will not fail alone. You will find that he is still wholly adequate to save."

As the departure date comes closer, I pray that our team will continue to only want to know more of His heart so the Father's grace is evident to all in His Glory.

Mark 12:33(NIV): "To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

Revelation 3: 20 (NIV): "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

Current song choices: Closer by Bethel Live
Your love has ravished my heart
And taken me over, taken me over
And all I want is to be
With You forever, with You forever
  
So pull me a little closer
Take me a little deeper
I want to know Your heart
I want to know Your heart
 
Cause Your love is so much sweeter
Than anything I've tasted
I want to know Your heart
I want to know Your heart

- Freedom by William Matthews

You came to set the captives free
You came to bring us liberty
My sin and my rejection
Your blood and my acceptance
Now I'm alive to bring You praise
 
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom
Every chain is broken through You, Jesus
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom
Whoa oh, oh, oh
 
Your blood has covered every sin
Your grace empowers me to win
My pain and my oppression met
Your blood and my acceptance
Now I'm alive to bring You praise
 
I'm free I'm free, I'm free to dance and sing
I'm free, I'm free, I'm free to shout it out
I'm free, I'm free, I'm free to dance and sing
I'm free, I'm free, I'm free to worship You
I'm gonna worship you