Ecclesiastes... A Study in PURPOSE

Thursday, July 7th is a day I'm anticipating...  We will begin a new Bible Study at Shelbina Christian Church (6:00-7:00 pm each Thursday).  For the next several weeks, we'll be diving into the book of Ecclesiastes.  A warning: this book is not for the faint of heart.  An encouragement: this book is for all of us who find living for Christ, in a very non-Christ-like world, to be difficult (at times).

It's a book of dark clouds, mixed with moments of sunshine.  It's a book of hope, mixed with elements of despair.  It's a book of pointlessness, mixed with purpose.  In this book we see the back-and-forth of a person struggling with a relationship with God.

Ever find yourself there?  Yeah...me too.  I often feel like the Apostle Paul, who once penned these pertinent words:

"I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." - Romans 7:15

The theme of our study will be: "Dead Ends - Life Pursuits Without God."  To begin this journey we'll consider the major themes of the book.  We will then look at the text chapter-by-chapter, and we'll see those themes developed as we move through it.

The book has a positive conclusion, though I must admit it's not as strongly stated as one would think.  And I've often felt the concluding words are a reflection of the book as a whole.  But in order to get to that conclusion, we'll have to wade through a mixed-bag of thoughts that will take us on a roller coaster ride of spiritual emotions.  Around every corner is an element of surprise.  And right when you think the author has it all figured out, there comes yet another detour...

Whet your appetite?  I'm excited...  And I'm looking forward to our study of finding meaning in a world of meaninglessness...

Be Yourself...

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." - Oscar Wilde

I've grown up in the church my entire life.  From the earliest times I can remember, I was always at the church building: Sunday School class, morning worship services, then back again for evening youth groups - those defined my Sundays.  During the week - yeah, it felt like we lived at church as well - Bible studies, missionary updates, service projects, special events - you name it.  And that is not a complaint; I knew of (and still know of) no greater use of my life.  Simply stated: I LOVE Christ's church!

But when I decided to go into the ministry, I learned that my view of the church would be altered.  Instead of that naive childish viewpoint, I was on the other end of leading a church.  And I was  now given a glimpse into her "difficult" side (for lack of better terminology).  The "politics" of Her...  And worse, the struggle for "power" within Her...  Oh, the church is still a beautiful place; She's the "Bride of Christ."  But I've seen Her beautiful white gown soiled with the stains of selfishness & arrogance over the years.  But I wake up each day with the aim of helping make Her pure --- radiant.

One of the greatest challenges of the church is to create an environment of "unity."  It was Jesus' prayerful plea in the gospel of John...  It's the call provided by Luke that jumps off the pages in the book of Acts.  But sadly, if the church doesn't embrace unity, She has only one other option: "uniformity."  I suppose there are many ways to define these two concepts, but I like to keep things simple...  Unity is when we embrace & love others in the church in spite of our differences.  Uniformity says I will only embrace you when you conform to my views of how things should be done.  A universal ministry lesson I have learned: when churches have a leadership vacuum, I can promise you that uniformity will always win the day...

So what is the result of this breakdown on a personal level?  My suggestion is this: we come to a point where we don't even know who we are as a person anymore...  In an effort to conform to the pattern of the "religious rulebook" -- we wake up and realize we've been pretending to be someone else just so we can fit in...  (At this point I'd ask you to re-read that quote - the very first sentence of this blog post).

In my 2016 Bible Reading Plan, I found myself in 1 Samuel 17 this morning.  It's a familiar story - one many of us learned as a child: David & Goliath.  When reading this story, there is a vantage point a child will have...  But as an adult, there are much deeper ramifications.  There are two verses in this narrative that totally grabbed my attention.  It's when David was getting ready to head out to the battlefield to confront the Philistine giant.  Saul (the outgoing king - only he didn't know it yet) suggests David put on his armor.  You can almost picture the comedy of this scene: a grown man giving his armor to a child to wear.  And give David credit - he immediately realized the silliness of this moment.  We are told the following in 1 Samuel 17:38-39:

"Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic.  He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head.  David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.  "I cannot go in these," he said to Saul, "because I am not used to them."  So he took them off."

David understood something that many of us in the church would be wise to remember: you will never win life's battles pretending to be someone you are not.  God made one version of you - and you are left with a choice: embrace it or ignore it.  But if you take door number two, realize this: you will allow others to define you, and uniformity has become the dominant force.  (And that can happen quite easily in the church - because the church is a place where we keep an eye on each other).  Unity means I embrace the collective vision & values of the church, as defined by Scripture.  But in doing so, you get to use your unique flavor to help build that culture.

And remember something: unity is defined by love...uniformity is created by bullying.

Be like David...  Be wise enough to understand when the armor of another doesn't fit you.  God will walk with you, and as you embrace Him, He wants you to embrace you...

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.

Straining Ahead...

Back in February, I decided to make a couple critical choices about my health: 1) I needed to eat less, eat better, and stop eating so late at night.  (Our schedule is hectic, and sometimes I don't always follow through on the last part, but I try).  2) I needed to get more exercise.  I'll be 44 soon, so the easiest way to begin was by walking.

There is a deeper reason - besides what I saw looking back in the mirror at me.  It's because my son, Jaret, has been an inspiration to my life.  He was a very good athlete - a varsity cross country runner.  He was driven...competitive...dedicated.  I wanted to do this for his memory.  I needed to do this for myself.

Nearly 4 months later, I've lost 65 pounds.  (I won't tell you my starting point, except to say the scales were saying "one at a time, please.").  I'm down 6 inches off my waist.  I walk between 20-25 miles a week.  I've made a commitment to this lifestyle, not out of duty, but because I want to be in the best physical shape for my family and for my ministry.  It's also my "God-Time" - I can put my earbuds in to enjoy the music on my phone, and spend time talking with God - and just thinking about spiritual truths & enjoying His creation.  (Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.")

After awhile, I started jogging some.  Now, I'm a "big boned" guy, so jogging isn't so easy for me to do.  But, I give it the old college-try.  A few days ago, we had a torrential downpour that I got caught in the middle of (2 miles from home) while out on my walk / jog.  To not step in a big current of water next to the curb, I instead misstepped, and landed awkwardly on my right leg.  My knee started aching.  (Now, if you're a man, the first thing you do is look-and-see if someone saw you.)  I didn't fall, and stuck the landing (the judges probably would have gave me a 3.5 score).  But finishing the trip home would be painful...

There is not only a physical element to my story --- but I've learned there is a spiritual element here as well.  Ever taken a misstep in life?  Bad monetary decisions that created debt...  Bad responses that created broken relationships...  Bad emotional outbursts that led to anger & hurtful words...  

So here's what I've learned: I find that I often fail in life when I look TOO FAR ahead...  Life can be overwhelming when we look at the big picture instead of the moment in front of us.  Even Jesus said something about looking too far ahead in life: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:34 (and be sure to read this verse in context of the rest of Matthew 6 with regard to worrying & trust).  Even Jesus knows that life is hard.  The short-range view is always wiser than the long, He reminds us...

I once asked Jaret what the hardest part of running Cross Country was.  He answered immediately: "The part when I can see the finish."  I never quite understood what he meant.  After all, it would seem that is when you fight the hardest to finish.  But now that I've taken up jogging, I know full well what he was trying to communicate.  When I begin to see the house ahead of me, I'm tempted to just walk...

So I have learned a little trick: I fix my eyes just a few feet in front of me.  Occasionally I'll look ahead, but I immediately look back down to that spot on the road.  I've found it helps me...drastically.

If you are spiritually struggling with something, don't look too far ahead.  Trust me, I've been there.  When Jaret died, I didn't know how this could turn out for anything good.  I was looking too far ahead.  I simply fixed my eyes on what was happening in that day --- many times, just in that moment.  As the writer of Hebrews compels me, I just fixed my eyes on Jesus.

I would implore you to listen to the words of Paul in Philippians 3:12-14: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

When you feel like quitting...strain toward just what is in front of you.  Don't look back.  Don't look too far ahead.  God is not the "I was" nor is He the "I will be."  He's the "I AM" - here with you in this moment.  Finish strong...

Thank You BCC...

In October of 2004, I accepted an invitation to become the minister of the Brooksville Christian Church in Brooksville, Florida.  For nearly 12 years it has been my privilege to be your minister & friend.  A new door of ministry has opened for my family in Missouri, but I simply want to express my appreciation for the BCC family in this post...

- I want to thank the elders for their invitation and support over the years.  Ministry is about relationships.  And what we know to be true about relationships is that they will be filled with laughter and joy, and sometimes they will have to overcome difficulties & tension.  We have had many, many meetings over the years, and in the course of them we've had to make decisions, some church-altering.  But you men were the ones I stood next to as we battled all that Satan could throw our way.  I thank you for taking on the task to be the shepherds & overseers of the flock.  I will look back with joy at the times we traveled together to a seminar or conference (especially the trip to Louisville to Southeast Christian Church).

- I want to thank those of you who have loved our children.  Kristi & I want our kids to forever love Christ and His church.  The greatest way for this to happen is for them to see Christ in your lives.  One of the greatest reasons I entered into the ministry is because of the people who shaped my life, many of them teachers & youth sponsors, especially my youth ministers & preachers.  That will go a long way with our kids, so we thank you for teaching them and loving them, and showing them Christ in your life.

- I want to thank those of you who were with us at the hospital the night Jaret died.  I don't remember much of what was said...but I do remember your faces as you stood next to us in the darkest moment of our lives.  I know how hard that was on us...I can't imagine how hard that was on you.  Jaret was very much a part of the fabric of BCC, and you were there with us when we handed him over to the arms of Jesus.  We will be forever grateful for that.

- I want to thank you for the opportunity I had to baptize a number of you into Christ.  Of all the things I get to do, this is THE greatest moment I can share in your life with.  It wasn't just the baptism itself...  It was the moments we had to talk, to teach, to learn, to pray - everything that led up to that decision.  I will also remember that all of my children were baptized at BCC - and those images will stay in my mind forever.  Stay with it...  Be a disciple who in turn makes other disciples.

- I want to thank the staff I've had the privilege to serve with.  Earl & Ann Hagar took Kristi & I in to their hearts and home, and we miss them as they have went home to be with the Lord.  I had a special friendship with Earl, and it was always a joy to be with him.  To the youth ministers I served with: Justin, Ben, Jeff & Joey - I thank you guys for everything you meant to me.  It was especially my honor to watch Joey grow up in his teen years, to then work with him and do his wedding ceremony.  Those are memories that last a lifetime, and my prayers are with Joey & Candace as they will welcome a beautiful little girl into this world soon.  My thanks to Sandi for all her efforts as our office administrator - you were a help to my ministry, and I thank you for loving what you do!

- I want to thank you for laying your life on the line for Christ and His church.  So many of you volunteer in so many different ways.  Whether it's the outside grounds, preparing communion, preparing for a youth event, cooking meals for an all-church luncheon, preparing a meditation thought, teaching a class, singing during our worship, leading or serving in a ministry team - or the countless other service opportunities you do - thank you for loving Jesus so much that you would do that.  You didn't take a dime for your efforts, and that is the most commended ministry of all.

We love this church...  And I will forever have these words of Paul (from Philippians 1:3-11) etched on my heart & memory when I pray for BCC...  

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

All Things...

Many of us Christians probably have a favorite verse in the Bible.  We have chosen it because it has some sort of special meaning to us.  (Stop for a moment and think about yours).  Mine is Colossians 1:17: "He is before ALL THINGS, and in Him ALL THINGS hold together."

There are a couple ways to consider this verse...  In the immediate context (the verses immediately preceding & following) it has to do with God's sovereignty over His creation.  Literally, God is holding this world together.  He spoke it into existence, and He is still involved with His creation.  However, there is also a deep, spiritual truth in this passage: when we look at this verse personally, God is holding our individual lives together.  One condition: we have to put Him BEFORE everything.

Jesus verified this truth in Matthew 6:33: "But SEEK FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness, and ALL these THINGS (the needs of life) will be given to you as well."

Hold that thought for a few moments...

Our son died on Wednesday, December 9th.  In an instant, Jaret's earthly life was over in a tragic accident.  And much of what followed was the most lonely time of my life.  What's worse: I was being criticized by other people for not reaching out and doing more.  (I honestly didn't know it worked that way - I thought people would reach out to find me, but that wasn't necessarily the case).  On that December night, I had to identify my son - and I was all alone in that hospital room (Kristi had not yet arrived from work).  I remember on that night that nobody prayed for me - again, I had to be the rock for my family and pray for us...and I didn't even know what to say.  I put Jaret's service together.  I had to keep Kristi strong.  I had to keep an eye on the kids.  And all the while...I was falling apart.  There is only so much strength one has, and I knew mine was spent.  So I masked it and pretended to be strong...because I suppose that's what I do...

But I had finally reached a point where I didn't know if I could keep doing this.  Physically I got very sick.  Emotionally I was hanging by a thread.  And spiritually...I remember looking up to God one day and pointing a finger of anger at Him and asking: "You don't give a sh*t, do you?"  (If that offends you, my apologies - but it's where I was.  I was isolated, hurting and being criticized - I guess that's we sometimes do in those moments).

So back to the "all things" idea...  I wondered: "Is God REALLY before all of this??"  And "Is He really going to hold this together??"  I felt like God was the puppeteer and I was the puppet, being held onto by the final string, and that string had just snapped.  My life was in a free-fall...  I could only wonder when rock-bottom was going to be found.  I saw myself as damaged goods - and Satan's darts were squarely hitting me, his bullseye.

But something has to happen in those desperate times...  It's a choice that the "prodigal son" had to make.  It's what I call the Luke 15:17 moment of "coming to your senses."  I had to come to mine.

And I did...

Suddenly one night I just got up off the couch and decided to go for a walk.  It was February, and even in Florida it can get cold.  But I needed to get up - go - do something.  It's as if God was communicating to me that things are going to have to change.  Not a band-aid fix, but all-out surgery.  The sitting around and moping and feeling sorry for myself had to stop.  And God reminded me that night as I was out walking: "Mike, I am still before all of this...and I'm still holding things together.  Just trust me...  You do your part, and when the time is right, I'll do mine."  

And He did...

There is another very powerful "all things" verse in scripture.  Romans 8:28: "And we know that in ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

All things...  Even when your son dies.  Even when you feel abandoned and isolated.  Even when you don't know what to do next or how this is supposed to work.  Even when you're scared that this will break you.  All things...

I decided on that cold February night to hand all of this over to God.  I had nowhere else to go with this tragedy.

And now??  I look back over the last few months of my life, and I'm almost ashamed of how I felt about God...what I said to Him...wondering if He even cared.  I've been more disgusted with myself than anything.

But there's something we have to remember:  

Part of the "all things" He offers us is GRACE.  It's not just a familiar song we sing of how amazing it is...  It's THE BEST of what God has to offer us!!  And I'm thankful He has given that to me.  I don't deserve anything good from His hands, but God is working everything out for good in my life.  My son's death was not good - but God's love & grace is and always will be good.  It's His purpose in the midst of everything that shook my life apart.  I have been deeply humbled and broken in spirit through all of this.  He is before all of this...  He's holding things together...  He is working it out for good...  He is blessing my life and ministry in a way I never saw coming...

He hasn't given up on me...

He hasn't given up on you...

So I ask YOU: What do you need to trust Him with?  What pain do you need to hand over to Him?  What hurt are you still carrying that you have to let Him take care of?  

I have some simple advice: just get up...and let His arms embrace you.  This world has nothing to offer us.  His grace is more than sufficient...

Whatever your "all things" are - He's got it under control.  Trust me...I know.

  

 

Broken...But Not Broke

I have a disclosure to make: In my past I've been an uncaring, hard-hearted person.  Oh, don't get me wrong...I have always cared about people.  I'm a minister...  I wouldn't be doing what I do if I didn't love people and enjoy their presence.  But, you can be around people so much that you can reach a point where you don't notice them.  And you can reach a point where you don't care if you don't.

And when that happens, you become "task-oriented"...  Ministry becomes a series of jobs to be done; a checklist of items that must be finalized each week because you run week-to-week in this life.  (Great irony: as I type this blog, someone stopped in to see me and talk.) Sunday's come - many things to be completed.  Wednesday is almost here - a Bible study to prepare & finalize.  Devotionals to write.  Meetings to attend.  Research to dive into.  People to minister to.  The list goes on...

And all it takes to become cynical and callous is to let a few tough people in your life convince you that EVERYONE has an agenda.  A hidden one...a selfish one...a hurtful one.  And it becomes easy (and in our minds, probably necessary) to build walls and put everyone at a safe distance.

And that's where I WAS...  Emphasis on WAS.

All that changed for me on December 9, 2015...  The day I lost my son to a tragic death that was totally unexpected.

Disclosure number two: I have never been an overly emotional person.  I have faced different emotions in the course of my life, but the goal was to hide it.  Don't let anyone see it.  For me, the goal become to pretend they don't exist - fight back tears.  Hold it in.  Be tough...  Because that's what being a man is about, right?...

On that tragic night I watched my kids have an emotional experience I hope I never witness again.  I saw my wife at her worst moment.  I was numb.  This couldn't be real.  If there was ever a definition for the term "surreal" - I was experiencing it to the maximum.  

And I didn't know how to deal with it.  I didn't want to.  And again, I tried to hold everything inside and hide it.  Suppress it.  Not only that night...but I did so for weeks - which became months.  But I reached a point where I simply couldn't do that anymore.  I had to let that stuff OUT.  And one way you do that is by letting others IN.  Not everyone - because I knew not everyone could handle this.  But those closest to me...I finally let them in.

Slowly - in a day-by-day process, I started to get in touch with my emotions.  I had to, or it would have destroyed me.  I'm not perfect at it (who is?).  But I'm getting there...

And the greatest thing God has done with this part of me: he's shown me how to care for OTHERS again.  To have real compassion - "to suffer with."  To step into their feelings and to understand where they're coming from - and the depth of that pain.

Yesterday, April 27, 2016 - will be a moment I will never forget.  I found myself in a hospital room in Tampa sitting with a man named Nick, as well as his mother.  Before December 9th, I never even knew who Nick was.  But now he's a friend for life...

You see, Nick is a recipient of one of my son's organs - a kidney.  Without going into great detail, we discovered each other through Facebook.  The details lined up - clearly Nick was the man who had received Jaret's organ donation.  Yesterday, we met face-to-face for the first time.  It was an overwhelming moment.  Nick shared his story - and it was a long journey of pain, waiting, discouragement and hope.  But he still has a long battle ahead.  As I listened, my heart was breaking.  I realized: every single one of us has "a story" - don't we...  

As we were getting ready to leave, we wanted to have prayer together.  The four of us held hands - Kristi & I, and Nick & his mom.  I led the prayer.  I got about 3 sentences in, and I just broke down in tears...I couldn't even say another word.  I tried again, but nothing would come out.  And instead of being ashamed of that moment, I just stopped...  And something happened: the four of us simply collapsed on each other in one big hug.  We just held each other.  I didn't say much more...I couldn't.  I knew in that one moment that all of my pain AND all of my joy collided...  All I could say was "God, be with Nick...help him get well...we love him.  In Jesus' name, Amen."  

I am a broken man...but I am not broke.

Changes...

It's been awhile since I've posted a blog here.  One of the items on my personal to-do list is to get back into the habit of writing here.  Not because I feel I have some great piece of wisdom to impart that makes me look intelligent or needed by the masses, but because I understand part of my ministry is to help others find their way to Christ in a more meaningful way.  We are all aware that life is a journey - somewhat like a modern role-playing video game, it has endless options for us to roam.  However, truth be told, many of us are confined to responsibilities that include jobs, family - obligations that keep us centered and grounded within a certain locale.  But each day provides us with new opportunities...challenges...possibilities.  Many are positive.  Some can be life-changing...

I am in a phase of life right now that a year ago (for reference point) I could have never imagined.  Four & a half months ago our oldest son, Jaret, was killed in a car accident.  We later put our home up for sale, concluding through family discussions & prayer times that moving would help in the healing process.  The plan was to rent somewhere near our current location - and we had found a place we wanted to rent.  (Thankfully that didn't work - a story for another day).  And a little over two weeks ago, it came to be through a conversation with my leadership that a new ministry opportunity would be in the best interest of myself and the congregation I serve.  Sounds simple, right??...

When faced with life's challenges, we are left with choices...  Not just decisions about what to do, where to go, and when to do so.  No, it's deeper than that...  We are also challenged by the ATTITUDE in which we face them!  If we are doing life with God's intentions for us at the forefront of all we do, one thing becomes clear: CHANGE is inevitable!  Not just change for the sake of change itself, but change that comes with a DEEPER PURPOSE.  A GOD-DEFINED purpose...

I've been ministering with my congregation, Brooksville Christian Church, for nearly 12 years.  Serving this long in one location has taught me many life lessons: maturity, growth in God's Word, endurance, wisdom, prayer, understanding people...and the list goes on.  I have done many positive things here over the years.  I've made a number of mistakes as well.  And though it's hard for some to accept, it's time for a CHANGE in my life.  Not a knee-jerk reaction to what has happened with our son.  No, this was in the works for quite some time - it's just that nobody knew.  Myself included...

Back in late 2014, I remember sitting down with a blank piece of notebook paper...  I started sketching out potential ideas for my ministry plans at BCC.  I didn't want to become stagnant - going through the motions.  I also knew then the church needed a spark of life.  That we would need fresh ideas - we needed God to show up.  In short: I knew that 2015 was going to be a key year which would serve to be critical to my future ministry with BCC.  I also knew in my heart that as 2015 was drawing to a close, well before Jaret's death in December, that a potential ministry relocation was a possibility.  It was becoming clear the time for something new was needed...  Things were happening that drew me to conclusions that a potential ministry change would be inevitable.  But like Nehemiah scanning the rubble under the cover of darkness, I kept those thoughts largely to myself.  My wife, Kristi, knew.  Jaret knew.  But I didn't say much to anyone else because there was still much I wanted to see unfold.  This was not going to be my plan - it would be GOD'S plan.  And that is often hard to decipher, isn't it??...

I made a decision that, at the time, I didn't understand the ramifications of.  On April 5th, I shared in a private Facebook group of Independent Christian Church ministers (and families) a post...  I asked for prayer.  And I did so for a couple reasons: 1) because of the challenge our family had faced in the death of our son months ago (asking for prayer is a good thing, right?!), and 2) to ask if anyone could share potential ministry openings on our behalf.  And that is when things went into motion...things I didn't know about behind the scenes...

That afternoon I received a phone call from a man named Kirk.  My name had been given to him by another man I did not know, Chuck.  We finally had an opportunity to speak that day - I immediately felt a connection to Kirk.  His kindness and understanding was clear.  A week later, an interview was set up for me to speak with the search team at the First Christian Church in Shelbina, Missouri.  I had prayed about this.  I had discussions with Kristi and the kids.  I did my research.  I prepared myself for potential aspects of our discussion.  I knew this COULD be the beginning of a crazy ride...  In short, I wanted this to be a "GOD-MOMENT" - that if anything were to happen, it's because HE was going to put it together...

In less than a half-hour following the interview, Kirk sent me a text...  The search team wanted us to come to Missouri.  I was blown away - deeply humbled.  I enjoyed the conversation that night, sent a follow-up email with some added details I thought might be helpful to them.  But I didn't expect such a quick response.  And over the course of the last week or so, I've had an opportunity to get to know some of their people through Facebook postings, private messages, and phone calls.  I've had other conversations that have been extremely positive and helpful.  One thing seems to becoming clear: GOD has His fingerprints all over this...

On May 6-9 we will be traveling to be with them.  I am honored and humbled by this...  Our family is truly excited.  We love our BCC church family - but we also know that CHANGE is a part of the process of life...  God always has His chosen people on the move - literally & figuratively.  We are grateful for the love shown to us - by those in Shelbina, and by the understanding of our church family in Brooksville.  We do not want this process to be ugly or painful...we'd rather see this as a movement of God.  And when that becomes clear, it's hard for any of us to deny this is THE right thing to do.  Sometimes...sometimes, His will for our lives - well, it just becomes clear.  When all of us see that - it's a beautiful thing...

We know there is more to the process of all of this coming together.  We're just going to go to Missouri in a couple weeks and enjoy the moments.  We'll let God sort out the rest of the details, and if this is to be finalized.  My family and I have been through a lot in the last four-plus months.  A trip to Missouri??  That's pretty simple when compared to the rest...  We've trusted HIM this far ---- we'll just continue to let HIM put together the rest...  We trust Him, because of this:

"And we know that in ALL THINGS (emphasis mine) God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28