I am in awe of our God and how He works and moves in our lives. Truly He is high and exalted. Even now, after writing the first two lines, our state executive director came to me and began to pray for my family. How incredible to begin the day with others who love Christ with all of their hearts.

Then, another from our state office came and handed me a book on coping and "Experiencing Grief." Our Lord moves in the hearts of His people to bring comfort and direction, just as He has through each of you readers, and pray-ers. How beautiful are you in the sight of the Lord.

I want to share with you a writing of Beej's from a couple of years ago. One he did for school. The topic was often provided, this one he produced, then it was for him to write...and he did:

"Don't look down on anyone, only God sits that high."

"Today arrogance is almost considered virtuous, with pride and utter confidence in oneself. People are encouraged to think so highly of themselves that most of conversation is arguing over who is better. Of course, I am not exempt from this, but the difference between myself and many others is that I see my pride and conceit as what it is: a character flaw.

One of my teachers once said to a boy in my class that she wished that she was as confident as he, and she applauded him, but it was not just confidence that he was showing that she displayed as virtuous, it was unconditional arrogance of "I can do anything and everything better than anyone and everyone."

Only God sits that high.

Certainly, confidence is often a positive and necessary thing, but too much confidence in oneself is pride and arrogance. The ultimate goal and purpose of human beings is to worship God. Pride is not just arrogance, it is any extra attention paid or drawn to oneself, and so away from God. Not only is this a sin against God, it is only hurting yourself. For we humans, who seek by nature, fulfillment and purpose, are most fulfilled and whole when living out our purpose- when worshipping God. Not only this, but also being naturally evil and imperfect, constantly failing, would only be deceiving ourselves to bring attention to ourselves to exalt outrselves or think ourselves greater than another. For however high we put ourselves, we will fall that much farther whenever we fail."

He often struggled with pride issues, and fought hard to deny himself and bring glory to God. He was not perfect. He had many failures. However, his life points to Christ even now, and for that, I glorify my God for raising His own Spirit in him.

Praise Jesus!

dad