. . . it has not yet been revealed what we shall be . . . —1 John 3:2

Our natural inclination is to be so precise—trying always to forecast accurately what will happen next—that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We think that we must reach some predetermined goal, but that is not the nature of the spiritual life. The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty. Consequently, we do not put down roots. Our common sense says, “Well, what if I were in that circumstance?” We cannot presume to see ourselves in any circumstance in which we have never been.

Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life—gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises. When we become simply a promoter or a defender of a particular belief, something within us dies. That is not believing God—it is only believing our belief about Him. Jesus said, “. . . unless you . . . become as little children . . .” (Matthew 18:3). The spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, just uncertain of what He is going to do next. If our certainty is only in our beliefs, we develop a sense of self-righteousness, become overly critical, and are limited by the view that our beliefs are complete and settled. But when we have the right relationship with God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. Jesus said, “. . . believe also in Me” (John 14:1), not, “Believe certain things about Me”. Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in—but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him.
By Oswald Chambers

We remember when Michaella started reading a lot more on her own she read to Lemuel at times. Now we are seeing Lemuel read to Justin. We enjoy seeing our children reach out to each other and bond in these type of ways. 
The joys of being parents!

When Jesus died and rose from the grave He did it for more than just getting us saved from our sin so we can go to heaven. He did it so we can be sanctified to become more like Him, have a deep personal relationship with Him, and to know His purpose for our lives.
It is through this relationship with our Father we learn who we are has sons and daughters and receive healing.
This Easter Sunday thank God for His forgiveness, but also pursue a deeper in relationship with Him. Jesus is not only waiting for us to come, He is reaching out to us through the cross.
May you go deeper with Him this Easter season.

 In May I (Dustin) will be teaching on Relationships in the Justice DTS in Phuket, Thailand. It is a DTS with the focus on Justice issues and God's heart toward them. If you read the overview (click here) you will see how important the topic of relationships is for this school 
Even though I will not be teaching in the DTS until next month, please take the next minute to pray for this school which is currently running. Pray that God would move in the lives in the students and also staff of this school. I believe what God has big plans for the people in this DTS.

Ask yourself this question. Without using my name, who am I?

I had the privilege to teach in the first week of the DTS in Siem Reap, Cambodia on a topic of Identity which is something that God has been working deeply in my life for the past 5 years. So to be able to spend time teaching on it revealed to me how much this topic has grown in me.
Knowing who we are in Christ is the most important aspect in living the Christian life. And I find that there are a lot of people who get their identity from what they do, what they have, and what others say / think about them, and not from being a child of God. And since this is where most people get their identity it affects their relationships with others and their obedience to God.
Needless to say this is a deep topic. But I had great joy helping others see how God sees them and how to view themselves through the Word.

This is by far one of my most favorite topics to teach and I look forward for the next time when I will get the chance.

I am looking forward returning back to Cambodia in August to staff in the DTS Equip!