Last year I flipped through the pages of my journal to try and pull out the highlights and gathered them in a post called A Year In the Journal. With 2012 in the books, here are again a spattering of entries from the last year.

• The incomplete joys of this world will never satisfy the human heart.
• Preach the Gospel to yourself – even Jesus did! (Luke 4:1-13)
• Courtesy of Brian Key from Redeemer Fellowship, downtown KC
  • God is great so we don’t have to be in control
  • God is glorious so I don’t have to tear others down
  • God is good so we don’t have to look elsewhere
  • God is gracious, so we don’t have to prove ourselves
• Courtesy of Orion Berridge from the Avenue Church, Independence
  • Repentance and forgiveness is a daily lifestyle. Forgiveness to others in view of the forgiveness given to you at the cross.
  • Jesus is asking us for more than a friendship – He’s asking for Lordship.
  • The faithfulness of Jesus eclipses our failures. (Mark 14:26)
• We will need His grace to raise our Grace. (this has become increasingly apparent)
• Our expectations of God are sometimes incompatible with His will.
• Encountering resistance on mission can be a good indication you’re headed in the right direction.
• Our first response to our “neighbors” should be compassion because of the compassion we were shown at the cross.
• The Holy Spirit slows me down. He quiets the rumble of my life. He encourages me, reassures me, directs me and leads me out of the selfishness of my own heart.
• While I can’t earn the favor of God, I can exert effort in response to the relationship.
• “Keep pursuing me my son…my relationship with you is specific and unique, just like you. Do you think I made you so special that our relationship would look like everyone else? I’m revealing my plan for your life. Let it unravel and take comfort in knowing your life is mine. Have no fear, doubt or worry – for I have ordained this. Walk in it. Praise Me in it. Don’t forget – you can do nothing without my Spirit. Call on Him to embrace the Father and the Son. He reveals us to you.”

• Faith