
Last week I was glad to see all the copies scattered around the room. A frown darted across my forehead when I noticed some of the pages were dog-eared. Covers were definitely starting to show the effects of handling.
Dear Reader, I'm embarrassed to admit I was initially aggravated at the students' seeming disrespect for a book (especially my book, of course). But God is so good. He doesn't want to leave us in the place called "Self". Jesus spelled it out for us up front:
Then Jesus called the crowd and his followers to him. He said, “Any of you who want to be my follower must stop thinking about yourself and what you want. You must be willing to carry the cross that is given to you for following me.
Mark 8:34 ERV


I continue to be a work in progress. Continue to be thankful for God's word. And continue to be thankful he plainly spells out his expectations:
3 When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. 4 Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 ICB