New Attitude

The New Attitude conference in Kentucky was so good, I want my older brothers and their wives, my cousins, my mom, and several more of my friends to take the trip up with us next year! Seriously, I was thinking Luke and I could have some car washes this summer to raise enough money for the hotel and food so that no one would be financially burdened. The rooms at the Hyatt were really nice and surprisingly about $27 a night with a room of 4. We shall see what happens.

The conference was mainly about the Gospel and how to apply it to our everyday lives. Initially I thought that Na was only about relationships since Joshua Harris, known for his books "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" and "Boy Meets Girl," was helping Eric Simmons head up the conference. Last fall I went to a retreat in the Smoky Mountains with VFC and it was there that the Lord revealed to me about the truth of the Gospel. I had never really understood the seriousness of my sin against a holy God and that He sent His Son to die in my place so that I could be clothed in His righteousness and live eternally with Him. I was so overwhelmed! In the VFC meetings that followed, Mike Plewniak kept speaking about applying the Gospel to our everyday lives. The Lord has done a work in my heart these past six months to put a desire to learn more about the Gospel and the Holy Spirit's role in our life. The conference was all about this! It was really cool to see how the Lord put the desire to know more about the applications of the Gospel and then for Him to provide.

Mike Bullmore led a breakout session about the importance of studying God's word and gave some practical suggestions about how to do so. I was already convicted about not studying God's word faithfully and was so blessed to sit in his session because he did not make guilt the motivation for studying, but instead led in such a way that encouraged me to seek to know who God is. And God, who is so faithful and gracious to us, has again kindled my passion for Him.

Today while I was at work at the railroad yard cleaning with Luke, I was struck with the thought, I desire Him today, but what about tomorrow? Immediately I started worrying about all of the what ifs: what if I got lazy again this summer in my quiet times or let my devotions slide when the rigors of school life started up again or this passion and direction that I thought God so clearly showed me at the conference was only something I made up? Then I thought of a paragraph I read from E.M. Bounds book on prayer:

True prayers are born of present trials and needs. Bread, for today, is bread enough. Bread given today is the strongest sort of pledge that there will be bread tomorrow. Victory today, is the assurance of victory tomorrow. Our prayers need to be focused upon the present. We must trust God today, and leave the morrow entirely with Him.

All I could remember about this paragraph was that faith for today, is faith enough. If I can just pray every day that God will give me the grace to desire Him and live for Him that day, I can trust Him for all of the future days. I know I will stumble and continually sin, but I trust in His mercy!

In closing, it was a very, very good trip. We got to spend time with part of the Wohlschlegel family, which was a real treat since we don't get to see them often. The schedule was pretty packed, so the last evening we hung out with them almost all night! Poor Mandy, I felt bad that she was so tired and got drug up to the spiral in the top of the hotel to view the city lights at 2:30 am when she really would have liked to go to bed instead. What a trooper! I am sad that the conference is over, and that our visit was again all too short. Next year will be here before we can blink though, and perhaps we will be able to bring a bigger crowd to the city.

Well, it is sleepy time. Tomorrow I'm getting up early to go with Luke, Reuben, and maybe mom and Deanna for a hike in the Smokies. 'Bout that time of year. Tootles!