As I decompressed from my eight hours of posting yesterday, the Spirit brought some things to mind that I overlooked. During the last week or so of my time in VA, God impressed on me the story of Nehemiah. How he had a strong burden to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. How God used the King and His influence to get the “job” done.
Nehemiah 2:7-9 7) I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? 8* And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests. 9) So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.
As I have said, I had the strong sense that my friend in VA and His “political consultant” were going to be used of God to open a door for the next work the Lord had for me. At some point I had heard that the “political consultant” had worked for Dr. Dobson of Focus on the Family. So, when all the Colorado and Tim Tebow Foundation stuff started happening I said to God,,,”Could you be setting up something beyond my wildest imagination?” Note: This past winter, Tim and his Mom did a Super Bowl ad for Focus! So before I left VA I told these two guys; “You are my “kings”, for you are going to write my “letters” that God will use to pave the way for my next work.
Now, Enter one of the passages the Lord gave me to hold onto over the last 6 hard years.
EPHESIANS 3 : 20 – 21
20) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21) to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
O.K. I need to explain something here that I can’t believe I overlooked! My editor, the Wild Goose, was gracious in pointing this out to me late last night. When we moved to SC instead of CO, we became members at a Church in SC where the lead pastor is from Denver and we the congregation have heard many of his Denver stories. How funny is that? I want to move to Denver and I end up in SC at a church with a lead pastor from Denver! Now here’s the kicker! For six years I have heard Ephesians 3:20-21 recited as the benediction. Now the Wild Goose has shown me that he “surfs” on verses like this! Verses that activate our faith! God so wants us to take Him at His word and run with the promises on our own Wild Goose Chase.
Now, the second promise I have been holding onto…
Romans 8:28
More Than Conquerors
28) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose
An insight about promises… Holding onto them, especially when things seem real bad and couldn’t get worse, is not very popular! I can hear the naysayers now….”He’s trusting in God and look where its gotten Him!” “If that is what you get for being a Christian, man, I want nothing to do with it!” Remember Job’s friends? I think anytime someone goes through a prolonged refining period, your so called friends start to waiver and even fall away! Sad to say but I find it to be true. Everyone loves success and the general populace gravitates toward money and popularity. No one likes to be around a “loser”!
A TIME TO GIVE THANKS………
I am grateful to the Lord for much! Over the past 10 years, especially the last 6, the Lord has been so kind, merciful, compassionate and gracious to me and my family. He has truly blessed us so much as we have waded through the storms of life. He has never left me nor forsaken me, even in my darkest hours of doubt and hopelessness.
Note: Now I know He never changed in the other 4 years and His love and faithfulness were always with us. But when you are in a time of prolonged trials and then see His hand over and over again- It just stands out more! Is more evident to our humanness!
I would like to recognise some people who have been with me and stood by me whether they knew it or not!
My SC men’s group! My Band of Brothers! They have stood with me and loved on me these past 6 years! I love you guys! They were the ones to introduce me to the following person.
John Eldridge and Ransomed Heart Ministries. I have never met John but I feel like we are very close friends. His ministry and books have been such a blessing to me! Understanding that my heart is good and that when I live my life at the “heart level”, God can do great things in and through me! Because, the Spirit, the Wild Goose, operates and lives in the Heart!
My other friends… You know who you are! Thanks for standing with me!
Tenth Avenue North. Mike, you guys are awesome! Your way with words and themes through music have touched me deeply! I am eternally grateful to the Lord for you guys! When I heard that they were coming out with a sophomore project I thought, “they will have a hard time topping the first album!”. Funny thing is, they have gone to a whole new level with this new one! Guys, keep pressing into Jesus, then and only then can He do immeasurably more through you than you could ask or imagine! I believe that you and Ransomed Heart Ministries need to tour together! Your music and John’s message go together like peanut butter and jelly!
To my VA “family”. Thanks for putting up with me as I labored and “found” the path of the Wild Goose! You guys are great! Your zest for life is contagious! The love and laughter I experienced with you left a deep impression. One I will never forget.
To my kids! You guys are great! I love being your Dad! You have never complained through all we have gone through! I am so proud of you!
Lastly, to my Bride of 25 years! You are awesome! I thank God that He blessed me with you. You have stuck with me through it all! Thanks for all your patience and persevering love. Thank you for never complaining while I was working in VA! The way you worked full-time, held down the “fort” and managed to be a great soccer mom still amazes me!
I look forward to serving the Lord with you as we follow the Wild Goose together! He has awesome things in store for us!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
SELAH
