Ordered the first couple of books for the Deacon Training.  I don't have a Deacon sponsor, and I don't have a service department in which I am seeking leadership, and I really don't feel like a spiritual leader.  But that's as may be.  There's this quote floating around that goes, "God doesn't call the prepared; He prepares those whom He calls."  That's not in the bible anywhere, but you can find something pretty close.
"I am sending you.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." [Matthew 28:19-20]
He said this to Peter who was still kind of a screw up, and to James and John who, at their mother's behest, had asked him for favoritism over the other disciples, and to Thomas who didn't believe the resurrection, and to all the rest who had sworn loyalty then fled from him the night of his arrest.  He sent them as ambassadors of himself.  Knowing that God would increase them and teach them and make them ready as they stepped out of their self-doubt and into obedience and faith.
"God said, ‘Look, I have given you all the plants that have grain for seeds and all the trees whose fruits have seeds in them. They will be food for you.'” [Gen. 1:29]
A blog I happened across pointed out this verse.  How God made everything, prepared the whole garden, and then brought Adam and Eve there.  Knowing they would mess up.  Knowing His plan for redemption.

- J