Proverbs 19:27 If you stop listening to instruction, my child,
you will stray from the words of knowledge.

Today I am challenged to contnue to get to my Lord better by continuing to LISTEN to Him.
It's easy to know God is out there waiting for our requests. But so much more difficult to truly put Him in charge...sitting on the throne.

I am reminded of the day during my freshman year at North Iowa Area Community College when a Fellowship of Christian Athletes representative visited the campus and "by chance" met as we walked across the dam to the campus. It was that meeting that provided me the opportunity to realize I was using God as a convenience God. I knew about God but my faith was in myself. That day, in 1976, I recognized the importance of putting Him truly on the throne on my life instead of someone who was on the side waiting for my requests.

It has been a long time since that important visit. I have been blessed with friends who have helped me get to know Him better. God is so patient when I forget about Him. It is such a blessing to know our kids have made similar decisions and are showing it throught their life decisions.

I too often beat up on myself for not being a better dad/husband than who I am. I need to remember God's grace. I need prayer today for:

• peace as we prepare for our family vacation. It seems there's a lot to do to get prepared!
• turning work over to God. He has a plan. I need to have peace to realize His plan is perfect and I need to depend on him
• blessings from renewed friendships in Grundy County
• a working relationship with Him as I travel to experience His joy and beauty of the summer
• a special time with Marilyn as we continue to encourage our kids and the network of young families in the area.

Thanks, God for being with me today. Help me know you are close by