Last time we talked about stepping out to follow God on a great adventure. What holds you back? Is it the fear of commitment? The problem with commitment is it just seems so...so...permanent. This photo of Karis is moments before she got her ears pierced. Do you see the fear in her eyes? Again, it just seems so permanent.

We read in the Bible about people just like us who stepped out to follow God. And I bet we could have found a hint of fear in their eyes as they stepped out. We know how the story ends, but they didn't. Think of little David looking up at Goliath and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo about to be thrown in the fiery furnace. They were committed.

“Father, thank you for giving us the courage to step out and make commitments that need to be made, even when a hint of fear looms in our eyes. Amen.”

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

What is it that you feel you are supposed to do, but you've been hesitating? Is there anything nagging in your thoughts and in your heart that you feel needs to happen? What can you do to step out and help make it happen?

What holds you back? The fear of failure? Uncertainties? This photo of Micah is a great picture of taking a leap of faith. What fears do you need to abandon in order to take a leap and follow God where you feel He is leading you?

“An adventure awaits you, an opportunity to explore and create a future. If the future terrifies you, take one moment at a time.” -- Erwin McManus, Seizing Your Divine Moment

“Father, thank you that you know the plans you have for us. Thank you that you promise to equip us and provide for us everything we need to do what you lead us to do…one moment at a time. Amen.”

We welcomed my 14-year-old son home from Africa this month. Dillon went on mission with a group of adults from our church to South Africa and Zambia. “Dr. Dillon”, as his group called him, had the privilege of fitting hundreds of people with free eye glasses and even being assisted by a registered nurse (thank you, Leann). I heard from a number of friends on the trip that Dillon, on his second mission trip to Africa, threatened to lose his passport more than once.

As we welcomed him home at the airport decked out in our African clothes, he told us about getting to preach his first sermon at a Zambian church, and being invited back to preach the next Sunday by the pastor. “Sorry, I have to... get back to school,” he said.

Dillon may be home, but he left part of his heart in Africa. As he looks at the wooden African animals in his room, his South African flag, and his world map, he dreams of how the Lord might use him there in the future.

“I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4

“Thank you, Father, for working in a personal way in my children's lives and for using them as soldiers for your Kingdom. Please protect their hearts, minds, and bodies in Christ Jesus. Amen.”