It's a song by Three Crosses; in it the vocalist sings about how God never ceases to amaze him. He says the more I take the more You (God) seem to give to me. Well, in our case it is not what it seems - it's what it is! Stick with me here! After I update you on where we spent our Thanksgiving, I will fill you in on what I mean.
We spent two weeks in Wytheville, Virginia. Thanks to Word of Life Ministries for both giving us a place to park and giving us their Sunday evening service to plea for help in providing Crossroads Shelter with regular meals. Ken and Sousin, from Wytheville Presbyterian Church, have taken it upon themselves to get regular meals provided for the shelter. Four Disciples Mission was able to provide Wednesday evening's meal, and deliver the Thanksgiving Day meal. This was a blessing for us as we were able to have a fantastic Thanksgiving meal cooked solely by an older couple at the Presbyterian Church (we praise our great God for people such as these). May they inspire you in whatever the Lord is leading you to do for His great Kingdom. I also was able to speak the word of God to some at the shelter, and we inspired a few to even play a game of football with us afterwards. We tried to get photos, but many are funny about being in photographs. So as if this wasn't enough for God to provide us with food and fun on Thanksgiving, there's even more! I'm going to go on a little longer than usual, so try to stay with me.
We left Wytheville and headed toward Chattanooga, Tennessee, as we planned to get to some warmer weather. I had to make a stop in Bristol, Virginia or Tennessee (I guess it crosses the border) to repair an exhaust leak that was getting fumes into the bus. I thought it would take about ten minutes, however it took two hours. So we spent the night in a parking lot. It got somewhat cold that night, so I got up early to continue driving toward Chattanooga (with the heat blasting!) I had hoped to warm up the bus by doing some driving before everyone woke up. As I was praying, while driving down I-81, I came across a sign that said 'Johnson City 15 miles east I-26.' I'm not sure why, (well, I am, but some reading this blog may not agree, and that's OK) but I took the exit and headed towards Johnson City. As I drove, I thought about the man that knocked on our bus door and gave us $100 for gas when he found out that our next stop was in Chattanooga. I thought about whether or not I was being a good steward of his money (which God led him to give) by going 15-20 miles out of my way on a feeling (which again, I know now was not just a feeling). As I got off the exit for Johnson City a lady pulled up next to me honking her horn and waving me over. I thought, Oh, no, I must have a flat or something, so I pulled over and out she comes with a fifty dollar bill. She said she had just gotten a bonus from work, and for some reason when she saw my bus she just knew she should give it to us. I gave her a prayer card hugged her, and said, "Our Lord will put it to good use," (I think I can presume I was where I should have been). We stopped at the first church we saw and went to their 11:00 service. That pastor contacted a man who called me this morning and directed us to Greenville, Tennessee, where our help could surely be used. They have a homeless poulation but no up and running outreaches. Don Minor, the guy in charge of the homeless census in the six counties around Johnson City, said that Greenville is where he would spend his time if he wasn't so overwhelmed with the influx of homeless in other areas. So pray for guidance as we serve, and wisdom on whom to approach, and for open doors. God has been so gracious in directing us when we aren't sure exactly where to go (remember how we got to our last destination - read the last post if you don't). I use this verse a lot, because it's true: Matthew 6 tells us not to worry about what we will eat, drink or wear, (and in this case even where you should go). Seek first God's kingdom, and all these things will be added unto us. I couldn't, even with my ADD mind, make these things up. God never ceases to amaze me!
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4 comments:
Awesome! Thanks for keeping us updated. It's encouraging to read about how God is leading.
God is so good. I am glad that you are doing well. Keep on with His leading and you will always be fine. You are in my prayers. Praying that His path will be clear for you guys. All of our love, xoxo.
I have been remiss somewhat in not following the blogs or responding to you directly recently. I know that your journey is blessing a countless number of individuals, as well as blessing each one of us. Love you guys.
Steven Ryan
C. S. Lewis wrote that, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains. It is His megaphone to ****** a deaf world."
Asking God to lead us in anything, is to ask him for guidance in everything. God either leads us, or he does not, we listen or we don't.
Why would Jesus come to die for our shortcomings and Love us enough to do so, but not take an intrest in guiding us?
Given our nature and free will it to often falls on deaf ears. Doug, it sounds to me like you where listening. God will lead you to where you need to be, when you need to be there. I need to listen and trust more wthout having to know the what, where, and when before I take the step of faith or so I think, Gods will. No, that is my will, and is lacking trust and faith in the Lord. I Pray that we are listening to how we need to serve God. Let the sheppard lead us, the sheep, to trust and serve the Lord. We want to do our own thing then try to figure out why God would let things go wrong. We look for what we are to learn from a certain circumstance, when the reality is that it was us that put us in that place not the Lord and we search to find what it is God wants us to learn from our misstep. The answer is clear. He wants us to choose to serve him and his kngdom. He has a perfect will and plan until we get a hold of it.
I pray the prayer of A.W.Tozer.
Lord, teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them. Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, “Speak, for thy servant heareth.” Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart. Let me get used to the sound of Thy Voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of earth die away and the only sound will be the music of Thy speaking Voice. Amen.
I miss the physical presence of all of you. You remain close in my heart and it hugs all of you in an unbrakeable embrace.
Love Dave
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