Day 1

[Kapok1]

Where to start? Six weeks ago, my 77-yr-old mother had major surgery for ovarian cancer. While my husband and I were staying with my parents to help out with Mom's recovery, I began reading "Zion's Fire," a Christian magazine my parents subscribe to. I read all the back issues dealing with the book of Revelation. The more I read, the more clear it became to me that I have been a "sometimes" Christian...and when I was in a spiritual mood, I was totally missing the point. I realized how very little I was doing to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Having completed all of Marvin Rosenthal's teachings of Revelation, I feel it is imperative that I do something...anything...to save as many people as I can from Satan's death grip.

But what can I do? I have always loved to write and have wanted to write professionally for as long as I can remember. I have been unable to work for a year now, and I have done very little writing. I have not been able to decide what I want to write about; I have been unable to write with a purpose. Now, however, I believe with all my heart that I have been called to write for the glory of God. This gift of writing/teaching has been given to me by God, and I feel impelled to use it to reach as many people as possible. I cannot believe it has taken me 35 years to figure this out!

The truth of the first lesson in this course, though, may be more difficult to get behind. This truth...the need to grow stronger in my faith...requires that I look at myself honestly. Ok, I can do this...but then, and this is the hard part, I must change. I must represent Jesus. I pray that I can do this. I pray that changing my sinful nature will happen not because I must, but rather, because I can't help it...because I long for it...Help me, Lord, to be all I can be...not for me...but for Your glory...

[FaithCW]

What the lORD has helped me to see, after many years of 'trying to change' is that I am unable. I didn't change me or my behaviors, I asked Jesus to change them for me. If we possessed such power, why the need for Jesus. Give it to God and don't take it back. Fall and stumble but get back up. Today, I am 15 years sober thanks to God's grace.