Today's passage: John 11

I don't know about you, but I really like it when things are done within my time line.  This story in John deals with a family who could not comprehend the power and timing of God.  During these chaotic and stressful holidays, are you trying to live by your time line or God's?  Your time line will be based on your schedule, your desires, your plans.  God's time line will be based on his schedule, his desires, and his plans for you.   

I think it appropriate for all of us this morning to begin our day with a prayer.  Not just any prayer, but a prayer that calls out to God that we want to live by his time line.  The most important aspect of living by God's timing is recognizing his power.  In this gospel story that is the fundamental mistake.  They thought, "Surely this man cannot be raised from the dead!"  But they were so very wrong.  Today let us put our trust in God's power.  As we go about our busy schedules of work, visiting family, and of course watching football, let us be about God first!