"New"

I've started on new ventures over the past few months. To start, I'm finally kicking off my new law practice. I've opened up an office in Oklahoma City. I am excited about the opportunities God will present that will allow me to invest in the lives of people in the community. My practice will mainly focus on immigration, estate planning, and business consulting. Now that I have an office, I feel a sense that things are becoming more permanent in this area of my life. It is amazing what happens when one feels secure and that things are moving in a forward direction.

Also these past few months have seen some ups and downs for me relationally. I was engaged to be married, and then that dissipated. I have now been seeing a young lady who challenges me to apply lessons learned from other relationships and learn new lessons on a continual basis. I am motivated on a moment-by-moment basis to reflect on my motives, maintain discipline, and to remain on a constant path forward as the head of a dating relationship. While we are two humans trying to understand each other, I am amazed at how God shows us that he is in control, that he is gracious, and that he calls us to live a life pleasing to him at every turn.

I have also been challenged spiritually. It has not been an easy road. It has definitely been a Romans 7 kind of journey over the past few months. This turmoil, this struggle, this...well...I don't know how else to describe it, has produced a greater knowledge that God is holy and that God delights in his children and that he is gracious and compassionate, as he declared to Moses as he passed by, "Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness..." (Exodus 34:5, 6 NIV) What a great God!

While I've met some setbacks, I've had opportunities to rejoice with others as they celebrate victories over sin. It's been a joy to connect with my family in closer bonds since Grandpa Bewley's death. I think the intentionality (is that a word?) we have been displaying since April 6, 2010, has been nothing short of miraculous. God is good. I've also been able to see folks come to the Lord and accept him as Lord of their lives, and then declare their decisions in baptism. It has truly been a blessing.

Father, thank you that you let us live life. Father, teach me to live as one who clings to your word with my whole heart. God, I want to be the man that is close enough to be guided by your eyes, as the Psalmist declared in Psalm 32:8.