Contract Signed!!

We are so excited. The family came back with a counter offer on the house that was acceptable. We are now under contract on our new house. I thought I would include a picture of it. I guess the word is excited. Here are a few more words: scared, humbled, in awe, nervous, and I guess I could sit and think of more emotions.

Three weeks ago we were cruising along renting a great house with not even a concern or thought of moving. In fact we would make statements like, "To move would just be a nightmare" or we would hear of someone having to move and think out loud, "Man, I'm glad that's not us." Doesn't God have a sense of humor.

Actually, I don't feel that He is playing with us at all. I don't think He works that was. Don't get me wrong, I do think He has a sense of humor--He created Greg and Randy! Ha! I couldn't resist that one. But seriously, God has purpose in our lives. I feel this to be more of a leading than a playing. That's how I've viewed this since it happened. When I say that, I'm not trying to be some kind of spiritual giant. I just know that God said He would not leave us. I believe Him. Even if the loan don't go through and we have to continue to look, I feel His presence with us. We must do that I think.

You guys in my church family and blog family and family family have just been great through all of this. Not only do I believe in God, but I believe in the strength of family more as we continue through this.

I am learning the power of faith. It is definitely tested in something like this. I am preaching Sunday on the story of Abraham offering Isaac as a sacrifice to God. In the story, there are many interesting things, but the most interesting thing about it to me is the statement that Abraham said to his servants as he and Isaac continued to the mountain. He said, "You stay here while we go and worship and WE will return to you later." Did you hear that? "WE" will return. He knew beyond any doubt. He trusted God before the event. WOW!

Please continue to pray as we have more hurdles to jump before the process is done. Thanks to you all for your love and concern.

Made An Offer On House

Hello my blog prayer warriors. We made an offer on a house today. I am asking you all to continue to pray that this be the one if God is willing. It is about four houses from our church building. It is great in size for our family. I will send you a picture if the contract is signed. Please pray the owners will be amenable to our offer.

When we walked in it just felt right. The layout, the size, the location were all perfect. Keep praying!!

Thanks to you all for praying for our faith. God is awesome!

Faith Battle!

What in the world does this verse mean? (Matthew 18:19 NCV) ""Also, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about something and pray for it, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven."

It is in the context of settling disputes, conflicts, or disagreements. I have heard people lately say that it means if you and I agree in faith on any particular subject or desire it will happen. Can that be true?

I need some help here. Faith is believing in things we can't see or can only hope for. Hebrews 11 talks of it as though it were a "done deal." Explain that to a 15 year old when she asks, "What good is faith when you pray and God doesn't answer your prayers?" Danielle had a few short seizures tonight and again is battling this age old debate about faith.

My wish is that these things stop. Will you agree with me in faith that they will? Will you trust God with me strong enough that our faith will sink strongly into her mind? More than anything I want her to have faith in God.

Sunday I'm talking about Abraham and Isaac. What faith! How can this man offer his son? The only explanation is that he must have believed that God would take care of him even through resurrection if so be.

So many faith issues. So much to wonder about. So little I know when I think I have a handle on faith. Help me here. I need all of you to be in prayer for Danielle and for us as we try and hold her up in the face of this trial.

Thanks for letting me talk about it. God bless you all.

SIDE NOTE: Keep praying about our housing situation. We are still looking. We are somewhat pressed for time, but have a few prospects.

Big Blow

It's the renter's nightmare! Yesterday after my blog about how great things went at Creekside, my landlord called and informed me that she needs to move back into her house. She and her husband have apparently been having problems and are splitting up. That is a sad event in and of itself.

For my family it is truly a sad event. We have to move. She would like for us to be out by August 30. I just don't know about that. Seems awful sudden to me. The whole thing seems like some kind of dream, but it's true. I even pinched Ellen yesterday to make sure it was real.

So, here's what I need from my blog family. Please begin to pray. Here are some specifics. We would like to stay in this school system. Our kids have been here for nearly their whole life. Britney and Brandon have been in this system their whole life. We also need a house big enough for the "Brady Bunch." We would like to rent if possible because in four or five years, we would like to move back to Florence to be closer to the majority of our church family. Either that or try and buy a "fixer-upper" and try and make money on a house.

I know this sounds like a "wish-list," but Jesus said, "ask anything in my name." God has never let us down on His promise to provide for us. I have all the confidence in Him to continue to do the same.

Just a side note, but an important one. It is interesting that I have been preaching for the past three weeks on "Living By Faith." God help me and my family to practice what I preach.

Great Day With Our Family!

I had to write and let all of you know what a great day we had at Creekside. The worship time was uplifting and we all enjoyed being together in the Lord. Truly we had great FAMILY time.

We were blessed with many guests. There were friends from way back--the Mauldins. The Richards were there. They had visited with us a long time ago. Steve Puckett, our blog pal, was there too. I had never met Steve except through the internet. He's not half as bad as Cecil said he was:). Then we had Jessica and Danielle Debellow, two young ladies who came to know the Lord at Creekside a couple of years ago. They have lived away from us for some time now. Danielle is moving back, however, and I hope we get to see her more now.

Many of you reading this don't know most of these people I mentioned by name, but it does not matter. You have the Lord Jesus in common and therefore are family. Praise God for family.