The Will of God?

I'm reading "The Forgotten God" by Francis Chan. It was a free download on Amazon (thank you) and I wondered what would grab my attention. Several things have but tonight I love what I've just read about "knowing God's will for your life". How many men or women in the Bible actually had the plan laid lout for them to see? When the disciples were called they were told, "Follow Me". How's that for a plan? 

Abraham, whose story God used for me, didn't have much of a plan either. How about, "Go to the city I will tell you"?  Yeah right. Or, "Go to the mountain I will show you" as he went to sacrifice his son Isaac. (Genesis 22) If I look at his life and trust me, I have looked intently many times and will continue doing so. What plan does Abraham have? A promise of good health? A nice place to live? A safe place? Is there a promise he won't be hungry? We know God promised to enlarge his family line with descendants beyond what could be counted so we know his life will be preserved but what will it be like?

 Really, that doesn't answer the questions most of us have on a daily basis.  These are some very real questions that came to my mind and heart when God had me surrender for Israel. I remember throwing a wild crying fit across my bed yelling I didnt' want to get nuked and go hungry. I would almost laugh now but I was being real and those were very real fears. When you're called away to a foreign land there are things you have to give up and know you will be okay. Would you really be okay if you didn't eat three meals a day? If war broke out and you couldn't leave would you be okay? Think of the people whose heart would be searching for Truth. Someone needs to tell them.

Looking at Abraham, God said to go and he did....That's what he knew. It's what he heard.

Can you hear Him? 

Maybe we need to forget about searching for God's will. He really wants your response to the Holy Spirit's leading day to day. Right now, today. It's easy to use the phrase "God's will for my life" as an excuse for you disobedience, your lack of action, lack of response. When you think about His will you usually think in future tense and want that plan all laid out for your approval or revision.

 What's He asking you to do now? Is it safer to commit to following Him someday or today? 

Will you know how to trust Him if you don't listen and act now?

Part of me longs to be gone to another land...

Right now God has me planted right here. I have to be obedient to what He shows me day to day and not just wait for the long range plan. Know His voice...Do what He says.

Official!

It's official I leave out in three weeks to attend the Israel Goodwill Ambassador Academy. I spent an encouraging two hours on the phone with the founders. We all agree, things are changing the Middle East and the approach that was used years ago doesn't get you in now. I have to share a few things the Lord has told me along the way.

The day I heard about the academy my heart nearly leapt out. I thought...could it be another opportunity? It's someone I trust though have never met. I fit the qualifications. In my Bible reading that day I read, (and this is paraphrased because I'm not looking at it but going from heart memory)
"From the house of Judah God saw fit to chose my family and from my family he chose my Father's house and from my Father's house HE saw fit to CHOSE ME....now go and do all the Lord commands you to do...Be strong and do it."
As time days past I began to hear other words from the Lord...like when I felt I should be going but couldn't begin to touch the price of the tickets. "This battle is not yours to fight but the Lords...Take your position, stand firm, go out tomorrow and see all that the Lord will do for you....Do not be discouraged, do not fear. This battle is not yours but the Lord will fight it for you." 
And another day, My gifts and callings are irrevocable..."   "God uses the foolish to confound the wise"
Now I wonder what He has in store. Some of the names of others attending nearly shock me. They are name I've heard all my home schooling years. People I would have wanted to meet but the opportunities never presented themselves. People who were my mentors, whose works encouraged me through tough times. How is it that now I will be "hanging out" with them in a small group for two weeks?

We have seen God work among His people to get a select group to come assist with the initial academy.
He is truly calling only those  that He wants there. It's humbling to know that since day one, my name is on that list.

Going?

I'm nervous and not sleeping. 

I think of all the emotional upheaval of the last year....The surrender in July '09,

the grief in July '10 from not going and the resolutions of July '11 to begin anew.

The call to go came days after the resolution. I read with disbelief and prayers began.

My devotions: Out of the House of Judah, the Lord God saw fit to chose my house and

from my house He chose my father's home and from my father's home He chose ME....

Now go and do all the Lord commands you to do.

Scary. Was I reading it through my Israel filter? Was I making it sound like He wanted me to go?

Days of reading the Word led to other instructions and all are run through my filter.

Time draws near, money comes in. There's nervousness, a pit in my stomach, fear and yet

I am drawn to go.

I once heard that no one goes to Israel that was not brought there by God.

Harvest House

Harvest House

From Masonic Lodge to Mandy's Bar...

We jokingly call it the "bar church"... or maybe the lodge?

We're starting a new ministry in Clarksville.

We are excited about the possibilities that are coming up.

Very soon we will be able to announce the plans.

God is working and people are taking note. Today we cleaned her up

and although there's lots more to do we feel good about the way it looks,

feels and smells! The beer signs are gone. The crosses are hung.

Thanks to TJ and Keitha who came by to visit, lend a helping hand

and donate some much needed items.

Annette worked side by side with us all day...It really was fun.

More details coming.....

A room with view.....

This is a great shot looking over the railing.

This will change over time; we have plans.

This is an area upstairs just outside the apt.

It's going to take some big time scrubbing to get this

kitchen ready to use. The stove is amazing.

We're trying to find what year it is.

Down below shows the backside of the bar which

which is spotless and ready to use.

We can serve a lot of people from here.

Awesome Annette!

We couldn't have done all of this alone and been done

so quickly. She is a great organizer...every time I turned around

to grab a broom she had put things away. Man...she made me want

to stay on task. We got so much done, had great music,

time invested in eachother as we visited is Priceless.