Nelson’s journal 3/11/22    

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Nelson defines “aggrandizement” and wonders, through his keyboard, how self-aggrandizement might be factoring into his life.

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March 11, 2022   

I finally got around to filling out the survey for Jimmy’s internship at church. I was asked to rate this one: “Willingness to live as a servant without pursuit of personal aggrandizement.”

Aggrandizement: to increase the power, status, or wealth of…myself.

That’s actually a biblical axiom taught by Jesus in Matthew 6 and 7 about money and other things that can corrupt a person’s character. Jimmy’s school actually rates a person based on that.

When I look into my own heart and think about how I see money and the choices I make trying to go after a career, I have to at least check myself on that one. Does that describe me? I have to admit that personal aggrandizement is a motivator some of the time. Interesting to think about.

Luke 12:16: ”And (Jesus) told them this parable: The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

It’s almost like the guy was given the “abundant harvest” as a test. What would he do with it? He asked himself this question. We have his answer. And we have God’s response to this man. “You fool!”

What do I do when God rewards my work? What does it mean to be rich toward God?

Henri Nowen talks about traveling with nothing but the clothes on your back like a monk, so that you are truly reliant on God. Then he can use circumstances to steer your path, instead of us relying on our wealth and power.

We are waiting on Annso to give birth to our little baby boy. Mom is here. Ralph and Astrid (Ann Sophie’s parents) are not. Waiting is not that hard as long as I know everything is ok in there. It’s hard not to let the horror stories creep you out a little, when there is delay. The enemy works havoc on you in the waiting.

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“If riches increase, set not your heart on them.” (Psalm 62:10)

Nelson’s journal 3/10/22    

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As their overdue baby boy continues to stay snuggled within Ann Sophie, Nelson continues to struggle with the leap from YWAM work (no two days alike) to electrician work (all days much the same). He’s aching to make the right decision at this pivotal point in his life.

He still has 2 Chronicles 16:7-9 on his mind as a new day dawns, focusing on his dilemma by tapping out the pros and cons on his laptop…while staying close by, in case this might be the day he officially becomes a father.

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March 10, 2022 

From 2 Chronicles 16: “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand… Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing…”

This passage might be applied to a person who is making a plan where his own idea or way out of a situation takes precedence over relying on God. I have this scenario set up to start working for Tim as a full time electrician instead of what we are now doing, which will include moving to Kama’aina Hale instead of Hale Ola (both on the Big Island of Hawaii).

Annso and I differentiate days from one another by whether they are “YWAM Days” or not. YWAM days are full and unpredictable. You don’t get paid and can’t amass a pile of treasure for yourself, but you have lots of people in your life, and it’s a little more complicated.

I look forward to the work of YWAM days and dread the regular working days. Working days are simple. You trade time for money and get a skill out of the deal. YWAM days are “Jack of all trades, master of none” kind-of-days. The working days are “master of one.” I’m just writing it out because it helps me process it, so I don’t make a mistake.

We have plenty of everything. We lack nothing. Mom came in last night. She’s here to meet our little guy when he comes. He’s already 8 days late and they’ll let him go until 2 weeks I think. I don’t mind how long he takes, just so he’s ok in there.

Mary Helen from church said her second born was 1 month overdue. Mom said last night that most of her friend Katey Warton’s babies were 10 month babies, too. So what do I know? All I want is a healthy baby. Everything else is ok.

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“When you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand.” (2 Chronicles 16:8)

Nelson’s journal 3/9/22

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Nelson started every day with Scripture and prayer. He didn’t always have time to journal, but this early morning hour with his heavenly Father was the impetus for the rest of his day. It put the Lord’s agenda at the top of his own, and after that first-hour, he counted on God’s guidance through the hours that followed. 

Today’s entry is a scriptural quote that powerfully influenced him on that March morning. He wanted to be that verse 9 guy, the one with a heart fully committed to his Lord. 

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March 9, 2022 

2 Chronicles 16:7-9:

At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen?

“Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.”

I was just reading a journal entry from March 6, 2014. What a different time. I had no idea what was coming. I was asking you for wisdom, Lord, just the same as now.

You have done so much for and in me since then. Even just that recently life was so much simpler, no masks to wear, not as much control coming from authority.

Love the verse above. “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (v.9)

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“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)