CCDA 2007 First Day!

I come now as a humble servant of the Most High.    I'm not a popular speaker but here I come to gather with my fellow Christians to build up a vision for God's kingdom.  I enjoy CCDA because it is something much bigger than myself.   It is through Christ that I live and with him I stand.   Everyday I discover who God is.  What does he want for me?  What does he want for us all.   My weakest moments are a testament to his unconditional love for me.  I am overjoyed by this experience here.   The day began on an off note but God gave wisdom to overcome the situation and a joy to see that any situation good or bad is for His Kingdom.   At the airport coming to CCDA in St. Louis this year, My fellow travelers(Diana Thompson and Camille Britton) and I checked in at the airport.   Everything was okay until one of the pieces of baggage was overweight by around 19 pounds.   This was a lap top case filled with lap tops we were taking to CCDA.  It was suggested that we take some of the computers out of the protective case and put them into regualr baggage.   We all thought that this would be bad for the computers since the machines would be subjected to very rough handling.  Wow, I didn't know that computers and all the peripherals could weigh so much.   We thought for a while then decided to take some of the computer peripherals out of the case and put them in my normal luggage.  God gave the sound wisdom to act on such an idea and we came out without too much extra cost! This worked out as now both of my pieces of luggage could be put on the plane.   The plane flight was okay, it ended up in two parts because of the lateness of reservations, but  we arrived in St. Louis around 2.30PM  I think it was.   Anyways, We arrived at the Hotel and our reservations were made.   Funding was not properly secured beforehand and there was a slight wait time for some of my fellow travellers to check in, but thank God we all got checked into the hotel.   The computer laboratory was set up (we bought a number of ethernet cords, but it seems the Hotel had a wireless connection set up for the conference room!  God's provision set forward in a place unseen by those who truly believe is what this is evident of.    I pray that the work that I do everyday (that we all do) each day at TechMission is blessed.   Through day after day of working TechMission I have seen God's provisions evident in abundance.   He has smiled on us.  By the very work that we set about doing and in His name that we do it, it is evident to the World who we believe in , who we live for, and Who loves us so dear.   Through our tears, our laughter, our crying, and our sacrifice for what we believe we show ourselves and the world that we will not back down and grow impotent from the darkness and brokenness of Our Present Day world.  We stand the tallest when we bow on our knees to our God and give him praise.    In discovering our own brokenness and disconnect, we strengthen ourselves and strengthen the huge lamp  (The Body of Christ) by which the world receives its true light.   The love of God is a true light shining to all this World.   In it is a joy that is not connected to what is happening (as happiness) but a deep joy.   Jesus came to us as a saviour and redeemer, not to condemn, but to forgive.   Jesus knows our pains, he knows our frustrations.  He knows because he felt them.  He came down and gave up all of the power and majesty of Heaven and Earth to know first hand the human experience.  What greater sacrifice can there be and by comparison, how far are we willing to go to see God's works fulfilled in our daily lives?   Every day, there is a new pouring down of the Holy Spirit that comes to fill our cup.   Is there a time when we hold our hands over the cup to hold off and fill it with temporary filling?   I pray that I will remain open and seek what is my good daily portion.   I have short changed God but  I have come to the realisation that he nevers short changes me.   This is a relationship and I pray God shows me what real relationships are like.  God is my Father and I pray that God shows me what a true Father is like.   God is my friend and I pray God shows me what true friendship is like.   My fellow Christians are my family and I pray God shows me what family is to be like.   I pray God heals me from the inside out and guides me.   This is my prayer to God , for all of us, this day.