Unsure of myself, but trusting God's direction...

Something that I've kind of been thinking about lately is the fact that trusting the Lord's direction and communing with Him is so much more important than having a plan for future events. I don't understand why I should ever be skittish and worried when all the direction I need is found in Christ. Unfortunately, I struggle with this constantly. Like most people, I always want to know what's going to happen next and what I should be doing now to prepare for it. In reality, knowing that I can place all of my trust in the hands of a soverign God who knows what He wants for me, future events should be the least of my concerns. I pray that that Lord develops in me a heart's desire to just give my best effort to honor Him in each day and rest assured that He knows what He's doing. This year has been such a testimony to that fact and I smile looking back on it. Though I look forward to heaven with so much anticipation, it's such a joy to enter each day not knowing exactly what lies ahead but having confidence in God's plan and purpose. I want to live each day with that mentality and ask for the Lord's grace and patience with me as I learn how to do so. Merry Christmas everyone! God's blessings to all!

For His glory, Josh Gilbert

2009: A little up, a little down, but a lot of God's provision...

2009 has probably been the most exciting year of my life. As you might recall, I began last January with the intention of returning to The Master's College in Santa Clarita, California to finish out my studies in Biology. However, the Lord had different plans for me and provided me with the opportunity to transfer to Baylor University in Waco, Texas. I did transfer and after catching up from being a week behind everyone else that semester, I had some time to adjust to the new school. By God's grace the transition went very smoothly. While I really missed my Master's friends, I met some good people at Baylor and joined the fencing club to stay active. Little did I know that my involvement with the fencing club would contribute to my summer job. In April, I posted some of my info online and was called and hired by Pine Forest Camp in Greeley, PA as a fencing counselor. I studied hard to close out the semester before returning home, doing some shadowing at local healthcare facilities, and finding a work study job for the fall. I soon flew out to work at the camp and had one of the best learning experiences of my life. I got to visit NYC and met some good people there. It was a long but relatively productive summer and I flew back home with about a week of break left. After spending some time with the extended family, in town from Michigan, my brother, Dad, and I flew to Dallas to get set up for the new semester and part ways. We dropped my brother off first and soon I was back in Waco getting prepped for a new semester. I arranged myself with a very busy schedule this past fall and had to cut back on extracurricular involvment to lock in on my schoolwork. Everything ended up working out pretty well and I'm so thankful for the Lord's provision in carrying me to the other side of it. I'm also thankful to have nearly a month off to regroup and reflect now. What's in store for 2010? Only God knows but I trust His plan and pray that He gives me the strength and wisdom to fight through whatever circumstances He allows to take place. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

Blessings in Christ, Josh