Following The Map

Much of what we do seems to me to be beyond us. I tell people all the time that our little church could never have done what has been done. In our weakness, God has been very strong. He has sent people with skills and without, all to serve the helpless. I truthfully have no idea what the future holds. Where will we be in one month? I'm clueless. Sometimes someone will e-me or call and ask about next May or June. This makes me happy because it reflects the kind of long-term planning we will need to bring recovery to this community. On the other hand, who can say what things will look like even a few months off? God is drawing the map and we just follow along. We only have two choices. We can follow the opportunities or we can abandon the opportunities. There is great conviction among all of those working here that God is calling us to something bigger than ourselves. Simply put, I think God is teaching us how to love like He does. As we follow His map, He leads us to love the beaten, helpless, and needy. This weekend was so packed, so exciting, held so much promise that it is hard to write about. There were several things going on at once, which is referenced in my last post. Let me just say that everyone involved did a great job and many people experienced the love of God through the service of His people. Brothers and sisters from five Nashville churches blessed us - all in different ways. They do not all have the same views. They take very different approaches to ministry and worship. They did not even all plan the trip together. But God used them as they were willing to serve. We were touched by the gifts given to our congregation, and we were blessed by the spirit of those who brought them. But I think that the thing that touched me most was Sunday morning at the close of service listening to an elder pray through his tears. The ministry both at Central and on the Holiday Cruise Ship is all to God's glory, and we hope and pray that God will move many towards His kingdom. This work is touching people. I believe we had people here this weekend from South Carolina, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. This week our focus is on getting Christmas presents out to those for whom they are prepared. That should be a big but managable task. On a personal note, we now have central heat and air. BIG thanks to Otis Bowman, minister of the Johnson Grove Church of Christ just out of Brookhaven, MS. Through his suggestion and encouragement, the church there bought the units for our family. Thanks to Clarence Kimble, who helped get the best deal, and Lucky Horne who drove it down to the Coast for me. Then there's thanks due to Paul England and his friend from Kentucky who installed the units over the past two weekends. It takes a lot of people to bring about a blessing this big! But it is a HUGE step toward bringing my home back into a liveable status. Again, God's great family has come through for us in unexpected ways. Tomorrow night we'll join Danny and Terri Dodd in Pensacola for a Christmas dinner. We appreciate their hospitality, support, and continuous encouragements since August 29th.