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Friday, April 23, 2010

Grace and other blessings…

I well remember the day I was frustrated over something and cried out in my frustration “Oh God, when will I get this right and be a reflection of Jesus instead of this sinful lump of clay that I am?” God, in His great and infinite patience answered me, and I will never forget the simple answer He gave. “I designed your journey to last your whole lifetime. Are you finished living?” “NO!” I cried, and began by His mercy to accept that quite often, even though I am aware and learning and in many cases know the principles, and even teach them to others of living a sacrificed life before the Lord our God, there would always be further lessons to learn.
This week, I’ve learned quite a few of them! If you’ve read Clays blog entry, you’ve an idea of how God has been directing our steps. Over and over in this past month I am reminded of Hebrews 11:6- those that come to the Lord must believe that HE IS…… Those 2 words are bigger than I’ve ever considered them before, bigger than when I taught them as BIG WORDS. Bigger and of more significance than we can begin to wrap our heads around. HE IS. Before time was, HE IS. In the beginning, HE IS. Well, I’ll save that musing for another time. So here we are, picking our way through this new lifestyle one step at a time and a need arises. A tooth at the back of my head decides to make itself a nuisance. My husband, bless his cotton socks, asks a local pastor we’ve met if he knows a dentist. He does and gives a number. We call and as Clays blog indicates, we are blessed by an office full of Believers who want to be a blessing to these little old believers. While the hygienist is setting up and taking xrays, we share stories. I tell her about our adventure, she tells me how she came to Christ, and then she shares her pastors name and number with me.
On the way home from the dentist the Lord disciplines me about His grace. See, the dentist decided to bless me and correct my tooth ache NO CHARGE. I was UNGRACIOUS (ouch!!!!!) and insisted on paying at least for the xray cost. God spoke to my heart and told me that’s how I was treating His grace! I need grace, I want grace, I seek grace, I ask for grace and when He freely gives me grace, I then, OUT OF PRIDE (sin), try to pay for it!! OW! OW! OW! How it grieves my heart to know that I have stepped on the toes of my loving Father and He forgives me. Grace is free, NO CHARGE. I will be apologizing to the dentist and his staff when I see them next, and I will accept with GRACE the grace they’ve chosen to show me as a free gift from God.
I could easily continue this blog post, because God went on to do some wondrous things on Thursday, but I don’t want to tire everyone out with reading! Stay tuned! I’m telling you true, GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING AND I’M SO THANKFUL CLAY AND I ARE ALONG FOR THE RIDE!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

CLAYS BLOG TIME

Update 4/12/10 Clay speaking:

What marvelous things the Lord is doing. I started writing a book called “Walking in the Miraculous” with the idea of waking up every morning and asking the Lord, “What is on YOUR agenda today?” And then fulfilling that very thing. Well, that seems to be what is happening in the life of Clay and Marie Krebs. We headed down to Port Saint Lucie, Florida hoping that we had heard the Lord correctly, our goals not clearly defined as of yet. We had some ideas and we were set to start with those unless and/or until God directed or redirected our steps. I’m a firm believer in the idea that it is easier to steer a moving vessel as opposed to one that is docked. So one prays and seeks to hear from God and moves forward on what you think is the Lord’s voice and direction. How grand it is when you see God working things out in what can only be described as Divine.
I know that Marie has updated everyone on most everything so I won’t bore you with the details, however, I feel inclined to remind everyone of the highlights:
- We arrived in Port St Lucie the middle of March expecting to park in my brother-in-law, MC’s driveway only to find out that they were moving to a new location. And, although, MC had good intentions to make the necessary changes to accommodate us it was clear that God was doing something different.
- God lead us to an RV park in Jensen Beach where we set up with all the hook-ups for our RV. Praise the Lord where we were to park was solved.
- On that same day Marie and I were biting at the bit to begin the ministry that God had led us down here to do. The first chance we got we set out to find where we were to start. Marie received a vision about a house church and driving down the road we saw the church from her vision.
- After talking with Pastor Carlton Smith from Jamaica at that house church, we were invited to do some music for them. Being unsure of what exactly God was doing there we became hesitant to commit ourselves.
- We found a 1995 Nissan Pickup for $500.00 on Craig’slist and we are seeking part time employment. We are believing that God has it all under control as He is the great Orchestrator of our lives.
- Our searching led us to look into a part-time cleaning and laundry job which turned out to be at the Palm City Nursing Home. While Marie filled out an application I talked with the activities director and set up ministry there Tuesday nights at 7pm. We were able to pray for Ed, a man with gangrene in both of his feet and we are believing God will heal him.
Which leads me up to the latest piece in the puzzle that God is so wonderfully putting together in our lives as we seek to do His will. We saw this little yellow church in Jensen Beach and decided to attend on Sunday. We showed up Sunday morning expecting to attend their breakfast they had advertised on their sign out front and then sit through a nice little sermon probably amongst 20 or so attendees. What a pleasant surprise to show up and find out that they were on their way out to the park next to the water to serve breakfast to the homeless and we were invited to join them.
There we were at the park under a pavilion as they served breakfast to about 10 to 20 homeless that make their homes there sleeping under the bridge and on top the park benches. We fellowshipped with some of the “members” who came along with Pastor Jerry sitting next to those needing a bath and smelling of cigarettes and alcohol. But they listened as Pastor Jerry led us in song and then a simple message from the Word of God. After a baptism in the river he blessed us all and sent us on our way. Marie and I introduced ourselves, telling him that he’s doing exactly what we had come down there to do. He invited us back to the little yellow church.
We sat there with Pastor Jerry for about 3-4 hours talking about all things that God is doing. How that the previous pastor had handed Jerry the keys to the building and said, “It’s yours.” And he proceeded to continue in the venue in which he started, ministering to the homeless. Their facility is open almost all the time as they feed whoever is hungry. They have a house where they can house the homeless if they are willing to submit to prayer and the reading of the Word.
I’ve had a vision of doing exactly this throughout the United States, setting up (I was calling them bonfires) everywhere as the Lord leads so that we could consume as many souls for the Feast of the Saints in which Jesus told us to go into the Highways and Byways in order to compel them to come and dine.
Where will God take it from here? All I can say is: tune in tomorrow, same bat-time, same bat-channel. We’ll keep you informed as it progresses. What an exciting life!


4/21/2010 I feel like I’m “dum-de-do-de-do-ing” along as God orchestrates Marie’s and my life. God says “Go here.” And I respond, “Okay - dum-de-do-de-do-ing” along as I go. We are truly walking in the miraculous as God is directing. We set out on this missions trip with a little money and we are coming to an end of those funds and panic is starting to creep in. How will we pay our rent? Our financial obligations? Get food? What about dental?
I’ve got some dental issues and so far they haven’t caused me enough pain to have to retain a dentist, but two nights ago Marie’s back upper tooth started to pain her. It was abscessed. We went to Pastor Jerry, because I figured since he worked with the homeless he probably had connections to dentists. I was right and he directed us to Dr. Yates. We called and explained to him the problem. He called a prescription into the local grocery store pharmacy and we went to pick up the antibiotics. They were free. No charge. We were astonished. We set up an appointment and went there today.
Marie questioned them about their fees for a tooth extraction and was told about $300.00 with the x-ray. We could not afford that and we wanted to reset the appointment so that we could do some research on what other options we might have. Before we could leave however, Dr. Yates wanted to see Marie. She went in and she was told that it would be free of charge. Come to find out that the entire office is filled with born-again Christians and they wanted to bless us.
Marie and I couldn’t accept that and offered to pay for the x-ray and they took $25.00 from us. Later Marie repented before God for stepping on His grace. We pray for grace and when God gives it to us we feel we can’t accept it and push it away. The thing is - none of us is worthy of His grace. None of us measure up - ‘There is none righteous, no not one.’ There is no amount of work that we could do to pay for His blessings that He gives for free.
Last night at the Palm City Nursing home Marie gave a message called AWE, A Worshiping Existence in communing with the Lord of all creation. Only God can orchestrate such happenings. How can we doubt Him with such miraculous things taking place in our lives daily? There are daily things that happen and we, in our “dum-de-do-de-do-ing” along miss this or that and fail to give Him glory.
Marie and I are currently reading Numbers in the Bible and we just read about Children of Israel complaining and wanting to go back to Egypt when they are seeing God working in the Miraculous daily, i.e.: Manna, the cloud by day and the fire by night, not to mention the Glory of the Lord appearing above the Tabernacle from time to time, the earth opening up and swallowing up Korah and his bunch, water gushing out of the rock. How soon they forgot all that and still murmured and complained and walked in unbelief.
We look at them and shake our heads thinking “if I had been there I would never have doubted.” Oh? You think so? My brother Jay has a song called “Same Thing” - I would’ve done the same thing if I was there. We seem to think we’ve learned from their mistakes and we’re above all that, but here we are walking about in His miraculous world and we still doubt Him.
Walking in the Miraculous means learning to hear His voice - EVERYDAY. Seeking to do His will above our own - EVERYDAY. Learning to turn right when He says so, or turn left as He leads us, to stop, to go, looking for signs of directions - EVERYDAY. We, as human beings, desire things to be orderly, but I am convinced that God works in the chaos. He works at His best when things are in disarray.
This reminds me of the movie Crimson Tide when a fire breaks out in the mess hall and the Captain, played by Gene Hackman, decides to run a drill during the crisis. His Senior Officer, played by Denzel Washington, thinks that it would have been more orderly to deal with one crisis and then run an emergency drill. Washington questions Hackman’s decision, however, the Captain explains that war is not pretty or convenient and it doesn’t play by the rules or wait until it’s turn, no, it is the very opposite. As is this world that is ruled by sin.
When you sign up as a Christian you have entered the war-zone. (Truth be told, your in the war anyway!!) There’s a war going on. A battle over our souls. Too many want the fire insurance without having to deal with the ugliness of the war-zone. I’m afraid that option is not available. Either you are a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness. And if you have signed yourself to be one of His then you are obligated to be in the fight. And it is not pretty, or orderly. It doesn’t play by your rules. It is messy, obstructive, dangerous and yes, deadly.
When we decide to Walk in the Miraculous we throw ourselves into the middle of that cesspool of turmoil and learn to swim to shore. We step out of the boat, like Peter, and walk on top of the chaos with our hand firmly in His. Marie and I find as we wake up and try to put some kind of order to our day that ultimately, it is as He determines it to be. And then we stand back at the end of the day in AWE, knowing that we had very little to do with the miraculous things that went on, only that we happened to be at the right place at the right time and even that was because HE directed our steps.
Yesterday, April 21, Marie and I met with Pastor Carlton Smith of the Divine Anointing Worship Center. We wanted to clarify what God was doing in our lives and make sure they knew that just because we weren’t attending Sunday Mornings with them that we were busy doing what God had called us down here to do and that was to work with the homeless and that He did not call us down here to Florida to simply join a church and sit in the pew. We had a very good meeting with them and made sure that he and his wife knew that we were available to help them with any outreach they would like to attempt or do.
While we were in the meeting, Pastor Smith decided to call the local TV station that covers local events and Marie talked with them and explained our mission here in Florida. They gave us another number to call and I wanted some time to pray about it before we start calling a secular TV station and sounding our own horn. I would rather the works that we do to speak for themselves. We prayed with the Pastor and his wife and then went on our way knowing that God is doing things. We’re unsure of exactly what, but we are all open to what He will do.
Pastor Smith is a good man. He demonstrated that when he called and left a message for me to call him and I returned his call this morning. The TV station had called him back and asked who we were and who we were working under and he told them that Turn The Tide Ministries was working under the Divine Anointing Worship Center. He had called me to let me know that he had provided covering for our ministry so that they don’t think that we are some lose cannon out scamming people. He went on to make sure that I understood that he was not trying to tie us down but on the contrary wanted to give us the freedom to go and do what he knows the Lord is doing through us. Again, another example of God covering for us as were “dum-de-do-de-do-ing” along. God is so in control.
Pastor Smith also wants to pursue a book company that he knows so that we might get my books published. We’ll see how all that turns out. But if it’s anything like God has already showed himself powerful in doing then I’m sure it will be like everything else - MIRACULOUS.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

AWE

AWE

A
Wonderful
Experience

How would you describe AWE? Does God AWE you? Does His Majesty and Holiness inspire AWE in you? I know it does me! I am in total AWE of Him, His grace, His goodness, His Mercy that I don’t have any business receiving and He just keeps on giving to me anyway! That AWE is not based on Him giving me anything and everything I ask for, no, that would be too easy. Christianity is NOT that easy! Surrender, commitment, OBEDIENCE, dieing to SELF, living for others, giving and trusting and being vulnerable and transparent. NO! NO! NO! Christianity is not easy and not for the timid!
Awe is based on Who He is, who I am, and our relationship. Yup, you heard me, relationship-not religion or a religious experience, but an ongoing, evergrowing, continual relationship with the Creator. The more I get to know Him, the more I realize I don’t know Him at all, and the closer He draws me, the closer I desire to be. The more I see, the more I realize there is so much yet to be seen. He is beyond our comprehension, and yet He wants us to know Him! Since that is so far beyond our ability, it has to come directly from Him in a form that is more than I am – and that form is Spirit. God is Spirit. Not ‘a’ spirit, He IS SPIRIT and those that want to know Him must do so in SPIRIT.
Yet, He relates to us on our level, too. In our flesh, He speaks to us, fellowships with us, spends time with us, makes Himself known to us, answers our prayers, shows us in tangible ways His great love for us. Just when I need Him most, He always shows me that He’s there, He’s always been there, and He’ll always be there. I’ll bet you can relate to that, I’ll bet you’ve experienced it. And what does it inspire in you? I’ll tell you what it inspires in me – WORSHIP. Pure, unadulterated, JOY filled WORSHIP of my Creator, my Savior, my God! Hebrews says that those who come to God must believe that HE IS. He is. Not that He is this or that, not that He is this way, or like this, or about that. But simply, finally, fully, always and in totality – in completeness – He IS. Hmmmm….wrap your thoughts around that for a moment or two. He…..IS. Why has satan, that old devil, put so much effort into getting people to “think” they don’t believe in His very existence? Could it be for this simple reason? Could it be this easy?
Could it be that we don’t have to have all the theology down, all the doctrine perfect, the whole Bible memorized, and know the names of all 12 disciples in the order in which they were called? We don’t have to have our lives all cleaned up and shiny and perfectly in order? We don’t need to pay money, attend every church service ever invented, recite prayers by rote, and NEVER< EVER have a bad day or say a cross word or think a mean thought or stumble or even worse FALL or my heavens even commit a SIN- God forbid!!
Is it possible that what He desires, seeks, asks of us, is that we acknowledge that HE IS? And then some? And that He rewards those who go a step beyond that and actually seek HIM?!? Could it be, that AWE, might be about WORSHIP after all? To know His word is to know Him. I could site lots and lots of bible verses, I know them, I’ve been trained to teach and preach them. And I LOVE preaching His Word. Here’s an interesting thought I’ve been kicking around: the more I get to know His Word (and I highly recommend it to everyone!) the more in AWE of Him I am at how simple He keeps things, and how complicated we human beings make them. (I’m automatically thinking of scripture reference in ICorinthians here!)
Is awe of Him a form of worship? When we appreciate Him, His word, His creation, His Gift of salvation…all of these things, then do our lives reflect, dare I say it… Him? When we are struck deep in our heart and soul by all He has made, and the wonder of it, the majesty of it, the beauty of it, the perfection of it all – and we acknowledge that HE IS, does awe translate to:

A
Worshipping
Existence?

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

WOW what God can do....

there aren't enough hours in the day to track all that is happening, so I'll try to stick to the highlights. Last night Clay & I took our nephew Connon with us to the Palm City Nursing and Rehab center, to do a song and word service for them there.
WOW what a time we had! Prayer, worship and a message from God to knock your socks off! Once God opens the flood gates of Heaven, watch out, cause things happen and they don't stop!

We continue to maintain, Christians need to stop "doing" church and start BEING the CHURCH Jesus called us to be! Church should be a state of living, not a Sunday activity. In the midst of all our imperfections a PERFECT God can do GREAT things through us when we just tell Him YES!!!

My mind is utterly boggled by the doors He is opening, the hearts He is touching, the work He is doing, the lives He is changing, ours included, and all because He
called and Clay and I said "ok". Trust me, WE ARE NOTHING SPECIAL! We have no special education, we aren't so "wonderful" - BUT - this one thing we are:
WE ARE WILLING TO OBEY HIM.
Try it, you'll LOVE it!!
til next time, we are ONE in Christ with all who call Him Lord. Blessings!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

and now we see what happens....

okay, I think I've got this Posting blog thing down, but no counting of the chickens and all that. hopefully, I've linked successfully to our website page link (turnthetideministries.com) and hopefully people will actually read this blog!
This is all about the ADVENTURE! The adventure of my lifetime, but also for others, because not everyone is called and gifted to do what Clay and I are doing, but they can still be part of the adventure through this blog for instance.

For those signing on who want to catch up, here's what is going on. I started reading the Bible when I was 6 years old. And the thing is, I believe it. Every single word without exception. Because I believed it, I started to act on it. And because I started to act on it, I've seen some incredible things happen! In spite of my making outrageous mistakes and bad decisions and committing outright SIN against God, I've watched God TRANSFORM my life and seem some awesome miracles! God put it in my heart to travel the United States and preach the Gospel. No formal plans laid out in advance, no specific places to go, no known source of income. Just a call by Him to 'GO AND PREACH THE GOSPEL'. Then, He blessed me with an incredible husband with the same heart - all off we went! Closed down our ice cream shop, gave up everything, sold all we were able, and got into the little 20 foot RV God gave us and left our beloved Colorado. We are currently in Jensen Beach Florida and it has been GREAT!!!

Stay tuned, I'll fill you in on all the exciting details in future blogs. And it has been exciting! God Almighty is.....

Previous Posts prior to 4/13/2010

I may run out of cool titles but He never runs out!!

Once upon a time Jesus said if you would lose your life for His sake, you would find life. His definition of life. I like His definition.
MORE THAN ABUNDANT.
Truly the only gift that keeps on giving! We spent Palm Sunday at Divine Anointing Worship Center with Pastor Smith and his wife, Clover. The worship service was indeed anointed and blessed our cotton socks off. The congregation responded with fervent worship as Clay and I shared some of our original songs and words of encouragement. Then a timely message reminding us of Gods faithfulness and our frailties. At lunch with Pastor and his wife the next day we discussed how Clay & I might best come alongside them and assist in the work God is doing. They were so open, so in agreement with us and what God is doing in our lives. I have to admit, there was a tiny part of me, as we left Colorado, that wondered, “How is God going to do this?” Not doubt, but wonder. He is truly a wonder! How He opens hearts, opens doors and directs our paths!
I am certain that there are many times doubt enters your hearts about actually doing some of the things the Bible says are best for us. In our narrow vision we have trouble seeing how God can bless us in that circumstance, meet our need, provide for us in this particular situation. God is well aware of the human condition, and His response is always one of love, never impatience. It is amazing, but giving always blesses the giver, loving the “hard to love” always results in love all the way around, honesty really is the best way to go and obedience never fails to result in our BLESSINGS!
I know some thought we were a little off our rockers when we declared we would be selling EVERYTHING, deliberately becoming “homeless” and traveling to preach the Gospel with no “formal” backing. That’s ok, because I also know God is our “backing” and He is using this experiment of His to show His love and faithfulness for others to see and build their trust in Him. He is opening doors- a church for us to bring those we minister to that need that kind of setting. An informal fellowship we’re leading for those who will best respond in that situation and we are convinced that anything else He wants to do that we’re willing to put our hands to work at He’ll equally bless and provide for.
We’re listening to His direction to form “The H.U.B.” His United Body. The prototype we envisioned of a center for church, business and the whole community of believers to come together and reach out to the lost, feed the hungry, teach life skills and offer hope to the hopeless!


SELDOM EARLY, NEVER LATE!

You’ve all been there, waiting on God, certain He just isn’t paying attention to the timetable you’ve set up, sure He’ll miss the deadlines you think are so important and upon which (in your ever so humble opinion) hinge actually accomplishing His will. And He makes you wait, and wait, and He gives you other tasks to do, which you don’t see how they possibly connect to the “big picture” of what your trying to do for Him! Suddenly He moves, and everything falls perfectly into place and you go “aha!”
As you may have guessed already, that’s where we are right now! As always, Gods timing is PERFECT and what He’s had us doing wasn’t “busy work” but the actual work of His Kingdom, to bless one of His children. Allow me to elaborate on this for those incapable of reading my mind. We arrived in Florida ready to take on all comers and bring everyone, in one big sweeping motion, directly into the Body of Christ for Gods eternal glory!! Only, that wasn’t what He wanted us to do! We arrived to discover that circumstances dictated that my brother move from the home he’d been renting- which had plenty of room for us to park the RV and work out of. He was moving into a house better suited to the needs and desires of his family, so it was a GREAT move, and would cost them less each month as well, and has a POOL and fenced yard for the dogs that he really needed, but… no GREAT place to park an RV.
We didn’t sweat it – he’d figured on putting down some extra “ground” at the side of the house and having us park there. Except, hmmmm that wasn’t going to work as well as it sounded. So we just got to work, cleaning the new house, moving all the stuff, and there was a LOT of it with all his auto mechanics equipment, and then cleaning the old house for the new tenants. The whole time, we kept the RV at the old house, wondering what we were going to do. We also kept trying to make contact with local shelters and churches to get a “home base” set up for evangelism. Things that needed to be done for my brothers family kept taking all our time, and we were glad to be able to help and do for them, yet we were chomping at the bit to “get started”. On Wednesday, God gave me a very definite vision of a house converted to a church. When I shared the vision with Clay he reminded me that God had been definite about us not starting a church but remaining mobile. Hmmmmm………. Wednesday evening we treated ourselves to pizza out and laid out a definite schedule to pursue the next day, and prayed. We knew that man makes his plans but God directs his steps and we were claiming that for ourselves!
Thursday morning found us again trying to contact several shelters we’d gotten information for, and again, as previously, all the doors seemed to be shut up tight in that area! We couldn’t touch base with anyone, and when we drove out to one shelter, it wasn’t even there! We were a little discouraged, so changed course and decided to check out a church we’d been given info and an address for. As we drove around, we just couldn’t locate the address or the church! Out of nowhere, God spoke to my heart – “Your to leave Port St Lucie”. So I repeated that to Clay. He didn’t’ believe God brought us here and was now telling us to leave, so we were both feeling a little edgy – unsure of ourselves and wondering if we’d failed to hear God correctly? So we stopped at a Dunkin’ Donuts (Clays favorite coffee!) and went on line. Nothing in the email to encourage us. Just to see, I pulled up RV parks and found three in the area. So we decided to check them out. One was in Jensen Beach, so we decided to go there first. As we driving out of Port St Lucie, a tiny 8x11 sign caught my attention in front of a very nice yellow house. It said: Church 10:30am
That’s it, nothing else. I asked Clay to u-turn and pull into the driveway, which he did. We walked around and peeked in the windows. Sure enough, it was looking like a church inside! We found another little sign tucked into an alcove with a phone number on it, so we called. It was a Pastor who rented the building for service in Spanish on Sunday afternoons. He gave us the name and phone number of the person who owned the building. As we headed back down the road, we called Pastor Carlton Smith and he asked us to return to the church and talk, as he was just getting there and we had only just left to continue to the RV park. We turned around and went into the church and had the most wonderful meeting! First, he prayed, with power and anointing! Then, he asked us to share, which we did. He told us he needed a worship leader, and had been close to hiring someone. Could Clay play guitar? We said yes, and that we wrote worship songs if he’d like to hear them. Which he did and this Sunday, we’ll be leading worship for the Divine Anointing Worship Center! He’s excited about our evangelism ministry and wants to help us in that direction, possibly opening other doors for us in the future. We offered him a chance to get our references, etc, which he declined with a simple “God knows what He’s doing”. We’d say this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, except this is the SECOND time God has done this for Clay and I! we experienced this in Denver, when I asked God how we could possibly just go somewhere and minister in His name without anyone knowing us, and He showed us!!!
On the RV park – which is perfect for us and has a community Clubhouse available to us free of charge to hold Bible Studies, and the manager said no problem with us inviting the other RVer’s to join us if they’d like! We’ve rented space #25 for the next 6 months and are right across the street from the water! There’s a wonderful place for Jack in our “spot” and we are in AWE at Gods provision for us – and all in ONE DAY!
We now have a church home to bring people to who will need that type of atmosphere, and a less structured Bible Fellowship we’ll hold for those we witness to who will thrive in that atmosphere. We couldn’t see how it would come together, but from the foundations of the world, God had it all in place! And now the real work – sharing the Gospel and bringing souls into the Kingdom for Gods Glory!!
GOD BLESS YOU AND PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR US! WE LOVE YOU ALL.




WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT….?

What would we do without the encouragement of others? I hope to NEVER find the answer to that question! We are so thankful for each and everyone of you that replys with all that wonderful and NEEDED encouragement when an update is sent out! We truly thank God for you and pray for you! When you hit that reply button, keep on encouraging us, but also, please let us know any and all specific prayer requests you have. It is our joy and privilege to pray for Gods people!



SOLELY FOR THE SOULS!

We stopped in Erwin TN, the birthplace of Clays Mom. Met Aunt Ted(Thelma! I asked!) and Aunt Norma, who still lives in the beautiful house she and Uncle Billy built back when. She was slightly under the weather with a cold, so we were doubly blessed to be able to pray for her. Turns out the “little stone church” Clay remembers swimming in Rock Creek behind is none other than a Church of God! (My background and where I earned my ministers credentials!) We had no trouble joining right in with our sisters and brothers in Christ and had a rousing time of praising the Great God we serve who loves us so very much! After a word in due season (so often it seems God sets up sermons ‘just for you’, doesn’t it?) we continued on our way. We stopped at a Ryans restaurant in Georgia, where we were so very blessed to meet Jensie and Mandy. Not only was the food pretty good, but God opened the door, and we were privileged to share truth with them, and minister grace to Mandy, who had gone through a divorce, and believed she was no longer loved or wanted by God or the church. She surely knows better now, and we pray she enjoyed a special presence of the Lord healing her wounded heart this past Sunday!
GOD CONTINUALLY REMINDS US HE IS INTERESTED IN INDIVIDUAL SOULS, NOT IN OUR GATHERING GREAT HORDES AND IMPRESSING OURSELVES WITH “HOW MANY”. WE ARE CALLED TO BE A VOICE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, CALLING EACH LOST LIFE TO ETERNAL LIFE THOUGH CHRIST THE SAVIOR. ALL OF HEAVEN REJOICES IN ONE SOUL. SO SHOULD WE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL. DON’T STOP PRAYING FOR US.


THE GREAT ADVENTURE!
Isn’t that what life is? Isn’t that what it ought to be? Why do we think life must be what “everyone else” has defined it to be? Once upon a time, people lived very differently than how we currently do. Once upon a time, they were nomads, traveling wherever, whenever. Once upon a time people went where no one had ever been, and did things no one had ever done. All of it ordained by God Almighty, the Creator and Great Innovator of all time! We are thankful for this wonderful opportunity God has given us to travel and meet so many new people and see things we might never have seen otherwise! Thank you God!
…and one of those new people has been Adele Musgrave- child of the living God and mother to Ann Musgrave Krebs – our sister-in-law! What a blessing to stop in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and visit with Adele and enjoy the gorgeous place she lives! We sat on the dock at the pond this morning and prayed, as I imagine many people have done before us and will do after us. What a great place to contemplate the Glory of our Lord, peacefully watching the fish swim under our feet, the dogs romping and playing – Oh Yes! Jack Dog made fast friends with Blacky and Lynn, the two dogs that live here. Lynn even let me pet and scratch her ears after she saw that Jack liked me well enough :0)
Now we’re back on the road, trusting God for each day and every moment and doing our best to allow His light and love to shine through us toward others.





Apparently I needed a reminder that God is always on time and never late! Clay and I had misplaced something of some value. We searched high and low, and then checked everywhere again, once again, and twice checked places we were certain it could not possibly have ended up! For two days, we went through everything we owned, every possible spot and nothing turned up. We prayed, and left it in Gods hands. (with just a little constant concern on my part!) Several days later, on the very morning we honestly needed the item and were prepared to do without, lo and behold there it was, right in front of our faces! Clay suddenly remembered setting it aside in that place, figuring it would be safe. It was certainly safe, as even we couldn’t find it when we looked! Yet, on that morning when it was needed, no effort or struggle on our part whatsoever, God led me directly to it like it was the most natural thing in the world. And it was! When our lives are fully in His Hands, the supernatural IS the most natural to us!
I encourage all of us, TRUST IN THE LORD AND NOT IN OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL OUR WAYS AS WE ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, HE TRULY WILL DIRECT AND ORCHESTRATE OUR PATHS AND WAYS! (see Proverbs!)
It amazes me how many times and the many different ways God shows Himself faithful and trustworthy and STILL we struggle to trust and believe Him! Remember the Israelites? God parted the Red Sea for them and then closed it over their enemies and utterly delivered them – and still they worried and wondered and complained even about if God would truly care for them and meet their needs!
Now, here’s the very best part of this. God knows we are human and that we’ll constantly need reminding of all His Goodness, and HE DOESN’T MIND REMINDING US! He never gets impatient or fed up with us. He will never give up on us. He is ALWAYS steadfast, always faithful, always trustworthy and always loves us. My my my, what truly blessed people we are!
My earnest prayer is that we will all be encouraged by these updates! Praise God for His constancy and sovereignty in our lives!!


God continues to show Himself faithful! In the midst of finishing up packing, selling everything that we can, and getting all the last minute details seen to, we find ourselves faced with opportunities to share Gods awesome grace with others who have need.
At the Open House the other day, a gentleman inquiring about a purchase began to tell me the tale of his life – how after 38 years his wife left him, he has a heart murmur and was just informed that he has pancreatic cancer. And how much was the comedy movie he was looking to buy? Instead of pricing I gave him Proverbs: laughter doeth good like a medicine.
His eyes widened and then he smiled, a real, full face smile, and I “felt” the presence of God inspire me. I asked if I might pray for him, and he eagerly told me yes. I took his hands, and prayed, and the man who left with the comedy movie tucked under his arm was DEFINITELY standing taller and straighter than the man who first walked in!
I don’t know what God is going to do, and I hope he really does call me and follow up as I asked him to do, but I do know that Gods word never comes back void, and what occurs now is between him and God.
Let’s never lose sight of the very present FACT that God is interested in each single individual. We often think in terms of “groups”, but God is an individual God! Hope to hear from all of you what’s going on in your lives???

Clay, Marie and Jack Dog, of course!

What if??

What if…….?
What if one were to take God at His word? This wouldn’t be something that’s never been done before. See, it has been done, and done successfully time after time after time. BUT…what if YOU did it?