Recently, Lisa posted on her blog some thoughts as she studies Hosea. Take a look at what she wrote by clicking here.

Her blog entry has had me thinking. I am constantly amazed at God’s grace in saving me, despite the immensity of my sin. But God’s grace is even bigger than that. Not only has He saved me and assured me of a place in paradise when this life is over, He shows me undeserved favor each and every day!

Why is it that He makes food delicious? Why is it that He provides for our monthly needs in amazing ways? I live a life where I frequently fail. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t sin – effectively scorning the gift I’ve been given. Despite this, He manifests His grace to me with each passing breath.

As many of you know I recently lost the use of my laptop. That laptop is something I rely on heavily here at seminary. Sadly, it was out of warranty, and the replacement parts cost just under what the cost of a brand new MacBook Pro would have cost anyway.

Today I went to the Apple Store with the laptop to get an official diagnosis. Again, I am several months out of warranty. God manifested his grace to me today through the good people working the Genius Bar at the Apple Store! They checked out my laptop, confirmed that there were a couple of different problems…And repaired it, free of charge! The work they did today would have cost at least $1,300 if I had sent it in to Apple for repair. But they had the parts there, and because I’m such a “loyal customer” (I think that means I have too many Apple products in my home) they took care of it, despite it being out of warranty!

God is good. He is faithful. He continues to work miracles of epic proportion in our lives. Y’all notice the sun today? Yeah. He did that. I am so unworthy of His love…and I stand in awe of His grace! Thank you for your prayers, your support and your offers of assistance – I jokingly asked people to pray for “miraculous technological healing.” And here we are!

Side note. Apple is amazing. Incredible products, incredible customer service and an all around great company. It may cost a little more on the outset, but the level of support and service you receive during the life of your investment is second to none. I strongly recommend you seriously consider an Apple for your next tech purchase. And the men and women who man the Genius Bar at the NorthPark Apple Store in Dallas are top-notch.

Quick update! I have an insane amount of work to get done this week, but I wanted to pop onto the blog to give God glory for what He has been doing recently.

As I mentioned in my last entry, an anonymous individual called in and paid the remainder of my tuition bill. Wow! That is huge. Despite that incredible blessing, I still find myself staying up at night worrying about how bills are going to be paid, rent taken care of, etc.

But God is faithful! A while ago, I mentioned that a friend from back home helped us out with buying textbooks for this semester from my Amazon wishlist. Well, as the semester continued on, another good friend from Illinois stepped in and picked up some more books from my wishlist. They just arrived today! Just in the nick of time, too. I have a big research project coming up soon, and these tools will be invaluable for that project, as well as in future ministry.

Another unexpected suprise… Lisa and I hit the financial back wall earlier this month. We had exhausted what little resources we had left and are now living completely on faith. God provided a small internship that is enabling me to meet my primary obligation (child support), but that is about all. Two days ago, we were blown away by a grocery cart full of groceries sitting in front of our apartment door. Once again, Wow! We had resigned ourselves to dinners of Ramen noodles and saltines for an indefinite future. But God provided for us through some good new friends who surprised us with this gift.

As I study the history of Old Testament Israel, I see how they witness God’s miraculous provision over and over again. Yet they continually returned to a state of doubting, complaining, and running to false gods. I see that in my nature as well. Our rent is due tomorrow, along with a handful of bills that have built up on us. In addition, Lisa and I need to find new, affordable insurance. It is my initial reaction to panic, and to see what I can do to meet that need.

Well, I am in that terrifying (And by terrifying, I mean perfect) position of being unable to do anything to meet these obligations. All I need to do is look back over the past year and a half to see how God has provided for us time and time again. Just as we see in the testimony of Scripture.

You know what? I have nothing to worry about. Please join me in praising God for meeting our needs, before we even know what our needs are!

God is good.

It is amazing to me how time after time God provides for our needs. Yet when I find myself in a situation where I can’t see any solution, I panic. Then, at the last minute, God comes through again!

Lisa and I began this semester at DTS on an uncertain note. We had just moved into our new apartment, using the last of our money to put down the deposit and the first couple of months rent. I hadn’t bought any of my school books for the semester, nor had I paid my tuition.

Shortly after the semester started, a good friend called out of the blue, and bought the majority of the school books that I needed from my Amazon Wish List! This was a huge relief, as I had no idea how we would get these books in time.

When classes began, I still hadn’t put down a dime towards tuition. The financial aid office allowed me to start attending classes as I had several pending scholarships. Lisa and I watched with amazement as our nearly $8,000 tuition bill slowly shrank as scholarships came in. Then, we reached the end. $2,040 was left on my tab, and we had no idea how we would meet this obligation.

Once again, God provided in an unexpected way! On Friday I received an email from the accounting office. Someone had called in, found out what was owed for Fall tuition, and paid my bill in full! They requested to remain anonymous.

I was speechless. Often as we struggle through the weeks I ask myself, “Are we doing the right thing?  Is this really what God is wanting us to do at this time?” Having 100% of our tuition covered this fall by scholarship and anonymous gift certainly seems to be a confirmation that we are in the right place at this time!

We continue to live by faith. Rent is due in two weeks, and we have less than $400 left in the bank to meet our needs. Part of me wants to panic. But how can I, when time after time God steps in and shows me that He is in control. He is ultimately the one providing for my family. I have a strange sense of peace as I look into an uncertain future, knowing that it is out of my hands. This is a good thing – if it were in my hands, I would be sure to mess it up!

Am I supposed to be here? Everyday I am amazed by what I am learning, and everyday I see God’s hand on our lives. He is guiding our steps, and providing for our needs. That is the only place I want to be – in His hands.

Thanks for your prayers!