new news . . .

I do a couple of things during my morning quiet times. Our pastor is teaching through the book of Romans right now, so I've been studying it on my own, too. For the last two weeks, I've been studying Romans 12. There is so much there! I also do a daily devotional for women, which offers a passage of Scripture to read in connection with the daily devotion "for deeper study". Today's passage was Philippians 2:1-12. I do a couple of other things and switch it up from time-to-time, but it was the Romans 12 and the Philippians passage that really spoke to me this morning.

Specifically, Romans 12:16:

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

and Philippians 2:2,3:

Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important that yourselves;

It caught my attention that two passages I was reading this morning talked about how not to regard myself. And that I was to be of the same mind -- or united -- with my brothers and sisters in Christ. In fact, these two passages cross-reference each other. And here they landed in my lap this morning.

So I've been contemplating them; rolling them over in my mind today; pondering their challenge to me. Do I walk in humility? Do I live in harmony with others? Do I tend to be snobbish or look down my nose at those I belief are 'beneath' me? Am I contentious or selfish? Do I think of others as better than myself? Do I adjust myself to my surroundings, so I'm able to give God the glory?

If I never got beyond those three verses, I could spend my life working on living up to Paul's directives. It's tough (for me, anyway) and takes persistent and purposeful practice.

But I don't believe in coincidences; it was for some good reason that God brought these verses to my attention; He's still working on me, preparing me!

So all this is rolling around in my mind, and I get a text from Todd that simply reads, "email". I acknowledge his text, but I'm in the middle of something and can't read my e-mail right away. As I'm walking back from the snail-mailbox, later one, I remember I have e-mail and check it right away. Sure enough, there's one from Todd, so I pull it up. It's an e-mail he actually received and has forwarded to me. The body reads:

Dear Todd and Denise:

Greetings and blessings from the North American Mission Board.

Your application has been approved by our Trustees and you are now eligible for assignment and service as a Mission Service Corps Missionary. Soon you will be receiving your formal placement letter reflecting the pertinent information regarding your ministry.

[ . . . ]

Congratulations! You are responding to God's call in your life. May He continue to bless you through years of missionary service with the North American Mission Board.

Isn't that awesome?!? I'm so excited! And perhaps, just perhaps, the Scripture that so caught my heart this morning, is a the directive by which we're (I'm) to fulfill our new appointment. How cool is this?

Still in awe. God is good!

:)