Our trip

Well, we made it to and from the Cities with no problems. The roads were perfectly clear almost all the way to Alexandria; from Alex on to Monticello the roads were snow covered, and although we had to slow down a bit, it wasn't slippery or anything. By the next day, the snow had melted off of the roads, so they were clear pretty much everywhere. I was able to drive from Monticello to Maranatha (which is on the U of MN campus) on Saturday, so it was good to get some big-city experience. And no, I didn't total the van; Mom said I did really well, especially for my first time driving there. :-)

Church Saturday night was awesome. There weren't very many people there that we knew, but it was still good to reconnect with those we did know, and to meet some new people (Bruce, we missed you, and are praying for a speedy recovery!). The worship was really good, and the sermon was powerful and convicting. It was about the strength and danger of pride. Here are my notes from the sermon:

Isaiah 14:12-15--Pride starts in our relation to one another.
Ezekiel 28:2, 12-17--Pride starts with lifting up our heart; it is like sitting on God's throne.
Pride is so deceptive that a man will go to his death in pride.
Hebrews 12:15--When pride enters your heart, the root of bitterness goes down quickly and deeply.
If we don't deal with pride, we will lie agianst the Holy Spirit.
James 3:13-16--Once pride is rooted in your heart, everything is calculated in order to put yourself forward and tear others down.
Hosea 7:10--Don't be deceived by thinking we can be deceived into pride; the pride testifies to our face. We cannot be in fellowship with God and be in pride, for no one can serve two masters. You cannot be god and serve God.
Luke 14:26, John 17:10--As Christians, we are called to rank below those who are honored or rewarded; and we are not to expect honor or reward.
2 Timothy 3:16--To accept reproof means to say, "I'm guilty, and I know it. I acknowledge it." Pride is desiring worship from others; instead, we must accept reproof.
Matthew 23:11-12--The greatest enjoyment of God comes when we are most humbled.
Isaiah 57:15--The High and Lofty One dwells with the humble and contrite; therefore the humble are lifted up to dwell with Him in the lofty places, while the prideful are fallen to the depths of Sheol.
Romans 12:2--God wants us to experience what is good, acceptable, and perfect, but to have that we must be in the will of God.
1 John 2:15-17--We cannot be in the will of God and in pride.
Matthew 7:21-23--Only those who do the will of the Father--as opposed to self-will--will enter the kingdom of heaven.

The true believer will overcome pride because they can't go without Jesus Christ's fellowship.

Proverbs 3:5-7--How do you acknowledge God in all your ways? Change your ways; line them up according to the Word of God.
Song of Solomon 2:15--We must catch the little foxes of pride, because they will destroy the tender fruit of the Spirit.
Matthew 5:23-24--Don't think you have fellowship with God if you have offended someone.

If we will accept the reproof from God and from others, we will find ourselves rich in wisdom.

1 Peter 5:5-8--Humility is something you must actively put on.
Romans 12:10--We should outdo one another in showing honor.
Proverbs 15:31-33--If we disdain reproof, we hate our own soul!
Proverbs 29:1, 27:6
Psalm 141:5
Revelation 3:19--We must be zealous in repentence.

I will leave you with one quote from the night that has really made me stop and think twice.

"Pride is in opposition to trust in God. By not trusting in God, you are telling Him, 'I know better.'"