Isn't it amazing how God works?! He can give insights and open a door of knowledge out of the most common things, sometimes where you least expect it. Like on the couch watching the Discovery channel.

I was watching this show about amazing events that happen in nature. The one I happened to be watching dealt with the African desert. It detailed the yearly flood of this particular desert region. It showed how massive herds of elephants, water buffalo, zebra and countless others would make yearly treks across the desert to the flood. It showed how interdependent all the other animals were to each other. In some way they all depended on each other to survive. Even something as small as a termite contributed to the survival of the African animals. I could go on and on about the intricacies of African life and it would be a true testament to God's power. It absolutely amazes me how everything works together and it blows my mind to think of how God designed it all. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! But this is not what hit me while watching the show.

What hit me was how the waters that flooded the desert got there. It seems that the water that flooded the desert and brought new life(renewal) to a dry desert came from the heavy rains in the highlands 6 MONTHS AGO. It flowed for 6 MONTHS and traveled 1000 MILES to eventually bring new, life sustaining water to a dry desert. This event was 6 MONTHS in the making. The herds of elephants, water buffalo and zebras had to travel great distances over very hot and dry desert to reach the flooded desert. The most amazing thing is that when those herds got there it was at the absolute peak of the flood and the new plant growth needed for them to survive. They arrived at the time that would provide them with the most food that would sustain their lives.

How amazing is that? God works in lives a lot like that. We are on a path, on a journey, through life. Sometimes we are walking along, seeking God, but feeling like we're in the middle of the driest desert. Where is God, we ask? What are we to do? Where should we go? We have all been there. There are people in our churches, sitting next to us, that are in the middle of a desert. The thing is God has already provided provision for us. He has rained on the highlands and the water is flowing. It may take 6 months, 12 months or even years for His water to reach us, but it is coming. Oh, but when His renewing waters finally get here, we'll find that our journey out of the desert will put us exactly where we need to be to receive the full effect of His life sustaining waters. We will look back and see God's hand and provision and marvel at His power and grace. The Bible says that God knows the plans he has for us, that our steps are ordered and that the righteous will not be forsaken. God has provided an answer to our needs. We just need to trust in Him and He will lead us to his life renewing, life sustaining waters.

This is a great time of year for one thing, football. Specifically Alabama football. I love Alabama football. I try to watch every game. I read multiple news stories about the team during the week. I try to go to at least one game a year. I will carry on multiple conversations with friends during the week about last weeks game, how a player performed, who's going to win the next game....on and on and on. Some screaming and yelling is directed at the tv, either when things are going good or bad(pleading the 5th here). This is probably no different from any other Alabama fan. The thing is, this year, with football excitement in the air, I see things a little differently.

How, you might ask? Well, let me use an example the speaker used at my small group meeting last Sunday. We all the know the game of Jenga. Tower of blocks that get removed from the bottom and stacked on top until the tower falls. Okay, imagine that Jenga tower is the foundation of my spiritual life. As long as I read my bible daily, pray daily, go to church and get good teaching the foundation is strong. What happens when I start reading more articles on the internet about Alabama football than reading my bible? I start moving blocks from the bottom of that Jenga tower to the top. What happens when I am so enthralled with a game that I yell at my kids for interrupting? I move another block. What happens when I go to a game, get home late and decide to sleep in on Sunday instead of going to church? I move another block. What happens when I know more and can talk more about Alabama football than I can about the Bible? I move another block. By now I have so many holes in my spiritual foundation that I'm going to fall.

It hit me today like a ton of bricks; that Jenga tower has been me every football season. I have yelled at my kids, sacrificed family time, fought with my wife and neglected the most important thing, God. I could talk for hours about Alabama football, but not about the Bible. I've missed church because of football. I've neglected my quiet time, prayer and Bible reading because of football. My spiritual tower would fall every year and have to be rebuilt. Why? Does Alabama football really matter when compared to my walk with God or wonderful wife and kids?

Now don't get me wrong, I still love Alabama football. Always will. I'm not saying I have to give up my love for Alabama football or am I passing judgement on anyone else but myself. What I do have to do is remember what's important and that's my walk with God and my family. I shouldn't sacrifice my walk or my family for something that ultimately does not matter. It all comes down to passion, because I will seek out what I am passionate about. What am I passionate about? God or Alabama football?

I'm sitting here, 11:30 at night trying to figure out what I want to talk about today. I learned so much today yet it made me realize I still have so much to learn. I think the one thing that stuck out the most was from Sunday School. We've been studying about spiritual renewal. One of the things that hit home for me was the need to share the gospel with others.

We were discussing how if I'm not renewed in God then when I present the gospel to someone, it rings hollow because there are no actions to back up what I am saying. The teacher told a story of how he tried to sell some cutlery but failed due to his lack passion for the product. How do you sell something if you yourself don't believe in it? That used to be me. I couldn't share Jesus because I didn't believe it myself. Not only was I spiritually dead, I had no actions to validate my faith. This is something I still struggle with. I was away from God so long that the things I knew about God 10 years ago are different and not relevant to me now. How can I share Jesus with people if I don't have a relationship with Him. As someone put it this morning is Sunday school, it would be like trying to sell a car without knowing anything about the car. How can I share Jesus if I don't study His word, pray to Him daily and constantly seek his face?

Lord continue to renew my soul. Continue to fan the fire that burns within me to serve you and to go where ever you lead. Give me the strength and confidence to share the salvation of Jesus with others. Continue to place a desire in my heart to seek your face and your direction for my life. I can't do anything, but God can do everything.

I've been throwing around ideas all day of some things to write in today's post. The problem is I've been extremely busy. I've been at work non-stop for the past month putting in 12 - 14 hour days and 6, sometimes 7 days a week. I am very involved at church which eats up another chunk of my time(considering the spiritual desert I just came out of, I am certainly not complaining about that). That has left very little time for my wonderful wife and 2 precious kids. The most heart breaking thing to hear is to have one of you kids say to mom, "Is daddy coming home tonight, will I see him before I go to bed?" That's hard, I could barely make it through typing that with out breaking down.

One day last week on my one off day and night home, something happened that was so simple and innocent, yet moved me and spoke to me in a powerful way. After bathing my kids I sat down to relax for a few minutes before the kids went to bed. My son was laying on the couch watching TV. I had been seated for a few minutes when my son got up off the couch and crawled up in my lap. He had the biggest smile. All he wanted was to sit in his daddy's lap and be close me. He wasn't prompted, he came on his own. My heart melted and I gave him the biggest hug and tons of kisses. He was grinning from ear to ear. Children are such a blessing of God. That one simple gesture renewed me in way that a few minutes of relaxation or a good night's sleep could.

The next day as I thought about that event, it dawned on me that God reacts to us in the same way. All God wants is true worship and it is his desire that everyone come to him through Jesus. However, he will never force us to accept him or force worship. God wants people to come to him of their own will, because they want to. God reacts the same way when we seek him and give him praise unsolicited like my son did. He will grab us in his arms and give us the biggest hug and shower us with love. So much so, that our hearts will be filled with joy to overflowing. It is truly that simple. I'm reminded of the words of a song:
"I want to sit at your feet, drink from the cup in your hand,
Lay back against you and breathe, feel your heartbeat,
This love is so deep, so much more than I can stand,
I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming."

So, this is my first blog post. It's amazing how God orchestrates things in our lives. I never would have considered having a blog. Quite frankly, I didn't really understand the appeal. But in my daily quiet time I started to write down my thoughts in a journal. To my surprise I really enjoyed it. The more I wrote the more I felt God speaking to me. This has helped me in my daily walk(hence the name of the blog) and allowed me to see a side of God I hadn't experienced before.

So, I am looking for ways to serve and be used of God. I started to think that maybe other people could benefit from what I learn in my daily walk with Christ. I started to think of some ways I could share with other people what I am learning. Having a blog serves that purpose and is a natural extension of my daily journal. I'm not anybody special. I may not even make sense most of the time. But, my hope is that through my humble writings that people will find strength and a renewed faith in God. Ultimately, I want people to be saved and accept Jesus into their hearts. Check back often for updated posts and if you like what you read, share it with a friend. Read PS 16:8-11