Is it Sudan, Lord? I know You're gearing me up to go somewhere, but where? When? I'm so excited about this class, Lord! I'm excited about being part of Your global plans. I'm excited about getting some perspective.

As I go out today to a woman's house that is poorer than mine, help me submit, considering her better than me, being a good friend, being interested in her, showing love, being humble, encouraging, taming my tongue. May Your Spirit guide me, give me words and attitude and heart. Help my kids behave and get along well together with her kids. Help me not to judge.

Tonight as we have friends who have lots more material stuff over for dinner, help things go well. Help us not to judge, not to envy. Allow Your grace to flow through us. Help us be open at all times to what You're teaching us.

"The way we continually talk about our own inabilities is an insult to our Creator. To complain over our incompetence is to accuse God falsely of having overlooked us. Get into the habit of examining from God’s perspective those things that sound so humble to men. You will be amazed at how unbelievably inappropriate and disrespectful they are to Him. We say things such as, "Oh, I shouldn’t claim to be sanctified; I’m not a saint." But to say that before God means, "No, Lord, it is impossible for You to save and sanctify me; there are opportunities I have not had and so many imperfections in my brain and body; no, Lord, it isn’t possible." That may sound wonderfully humble to others, but before God it is an attitude of defiance.

Conversely, the things that sound humble before God may sound exactly the opposite to people. To say, "Thank God, I know I am saved and sanctified," is in God’s eyes the purest expression of humility. It means you have so completely surrendered yourself to God that you know He is true. Never worry about whether what you say sounds humble before others or not. But always be humble before God, and allow Him to be your all in all.

There is only one relationship that really matters, and that is your personal relationship to your personal Redeemer and Lord. If you maintain that at all costs, letting everything else go, God will fulfill His purpose through your life. One individual life may be of priceless value to God’s purposes, and yours may be that life." My Utmost For His Highest

OK, Lord, You got me. I am self-loathing again, which is in defiance to Your love and grace. I'm being so rebellious right now with not wanting to repent!!! Why IS that?!? Too bad, self, you are not in control any more. I DO repent, and confess that I have sinned against You, Lord. Even if I don't feel all the appropriate feelings of repentance, I know that lots of times when I do something anyway, despite my feelings, I start to get the corresponding emotions.

I'm pretty sure You want me to fast today (up until our dinner), so I'm saying it out loud so that I'll actually do it. It occurred to me that fasting would solve both the problem of humility and the problem of remembering to pray. Thanks, Holy Spirit :). Now, since I've never fasted, I'm finding my hunger pangs a curious sensation... It just took a few minutes to realize how obedient I am to my stomach! It bids me to eat and I promptly act. But not today! :)

I so love that You have a fresh word ready for me at all times if I'm willing to listen. I love that You know exactly what I need, when I need it, for the road ahead.