Tim, Becky, Emma & Steven

Yesterday we had a great day in Steele Creek with the family to the left. Philosophy of ministry, gifts, preferences, convictions, past experiences, dogs, good food, adiaphora and many other topics were probed. There and many more discussions and decisions are to be made by our family and theirs plus those in authority over us - but no red flags yet.

We were there from 11 AM until 9 PM. The time went by so quickly. 

This in one of four main possibilities. Today we travel with Katie and Rebekah to Orlando to look at 2 other possibilities. The window we have set to decide on these is short - so please pray. (We will also take in Walt Disney World!)

Another visit to Steele Creek

Lynn & I are going to visit Steele Creek today and look at the area as a potential church plant. Pray for us and that God would clearly lead and direct.

This is one of a number of options but is certainly closest!

Tomorrow we travel with Katie and Rebekah to Orlando - more about that in another post!

Weighing yourself

To all my friends that are trying to lose weight - and not doing it! Here is the RIGHT way to weigh yourself and feel better about it! Be sure you have taken your blood pressure medicine before you get down on the floor!

Preached to Myself Today

While I was preaching to myself, a church was listening too!

If you are interested:

http://sermon.net/sermon-New_Hope_PCA_of_Clemmons_NC-11416.html

If you listen to it - I left out a major point in the beginning linking the text to the sermon - rusty I guess.

This Church has asked me to be their regular "fill in preacher" for at least the Summer while they and I pursue opportunities. 

26 Years

Today is our 26th wedding anniversary and we splurged on eating at KFC (white meat for me) and then we took in Prince Caspian.

So much has happened in all those years. We have had great joys and terrible disappointments. But the constant has been we have stuck together and kept seeking the Lord. Many laughs and many tears later we have a bright hope for our future. There is no one else I would rather walk another 26 years with than Lynn.

I realized that I have been married over half of my life. Where would I be without Lynn? I have no idea and do not want to think about it. God has used her to make me grow as a person in many ways. I know I got the better end of the marriage - she has to put up with me.

We prayed at dinner and she asked God for at least 26 more years - AMEN.

PS. On our 20th we went to Jamacia, after out trip to the Philippines we decided not to spend big bucks like that again on an anniversary. Mission trips are so much better for our souls and a much better investment in the Kingdom.

Dirt

It is amazing the amount of dirt you find when you touch things that have not moved in a long time.

Today I pack still more books. They are dusty and dirty - although my spouse would be quick to remind everyone that --- you can fill in the blanks if you know her. She has read most of these books - some of them twice.

I also took apart the shower door and threw it away. There was a lot of yuck under that door, beyond the reach of any cleanser. No amount of scrubbing could have gotten it - just a removal exposes the dirt.

Why do I tell you this? - not to justify my work today. To remind you and me - things left untouched get dirty. In your house and in your soul. God has a way of touching what we want untouched.

God's Will

What is God's Will for my life? What will my family do next? When you preach, (not everyone does but since I do preach indulge me), about God's Will people listen. Because so many people are in transition.

Now we are in transition, so I revisited this morning 

a sermon I preached Oct. '93 from the book of Jonah. I think I might preach this this Sunday at New Hope PCA in Clemmons - for them but also for me.

If "open doors" are the most important thing then Jonah had an open door to Tarshish: a waiting ship, money to pay for it, beautiful weather = "open doors." But we have read the end of the story. Even though he was at peace enough to sleep it was not God's will. The weather did not last, the captain and crew cared less and less that he had paid full fare. At one point his ticket was revoked without a refund and he took the first biblical submarine ride as alternate travel. This second ride was free financially but it took a toll on his physically and spiritually. This underwater ride was God's will being acted out in spite of what Jonah wanted to do. God had prepared a people to hear His Word and Jonah was the preacher. So God also prepared a storm, a big fish, a wind, a worm to prepare the preacher.

Since God is moving our family - my goal is to go where He wants first. I do not need the bleached blonde affects that Jonah had to deal with the rest of his ministry!

Here is a quote from George Mueller:

Without giving the whole sermon to you in this post, this morning God gave me peace (yes, using one of my own sermons but remember it is based on God's Word) that He will lead because all 12 points of the sermon - Lynn and I, are following as best we can.

A thought to ponder, since He is moving a family, can God be doing different things with different members of the family and we still go in the same direction? Can Lynn and I be following God, hearing His voice, and it be a  "big fish" submarine ride for one or all of our immediate or extended family? Be the second person to post a comment and let me know what you think.