These lights have no right to burn, unless.....

Since moving to Glennville in route to Bulgaria, we have been attending the church where Susan grew up.  We have learned lessons about the unity of the church. The nearest PCA church is a pretty good drive for us.  We prayed over the issue of where we should go and settled on attending church in the community where we live.  Over the last four weeks I have been teaching a Sunday School class based on Eugene Peterson's book Eat This Book.  As anyone who has ever taught would say, I benefited more than anyone else in the class.The style of worship is not what we were used to when we came and there are obvious differences in doctrine and teaching emphasis between the PCA and the United Methodist Church.  Still, we have found it to be a place where the name of Jesus is held high.  There is a strong community of believers with whom we have been able to connect.  This past weekend was Harvest Sunday.  The church decided to direct a portion of the giving to our ministry.  We were blown away by the generosity.  Just a few short weeks ago I expressed discouragement related to support-raising issues.  Now I find myself very encouraged by the way friends have stepped up with kind words and how support has come from unexpected places.  Susan and I reviewed our status earlier today.  We are solidly at 85% in monthly support, but we also have several promising contacts.  Our next milestone is 90%.  This will allow us to head to D.C. to start the visa process.  Please pray that we would meet that target soon as it often takes a few months to get visas in hand.  We have good reason to believe that our current contacts could get us to 90% and beyond.  The preacher for Harvest Sunday was John Haney (former pastor of the Glennville UMC).  He was very engaging.  The one thing he said that stuck with me was this.  He pointed up at the lights in the sanctuary and said, "These lights have no right to burn, unless they help advance the gospel in some way."  Man, I believe that! Don't you? For a wandering missionary such as I am, I need words like that to focus and invigorate me.

Follow-up on previous blog entry

http://www.ajc.com/sports/high-school/greenville-coach-a-rock-210300.html
Unfortunately things didn't go so well for Greenville.  They got knocked out of the playoffs last Friday night at the hands of Wilcox Co.  Please continue to keep Jeremy and his family in your prayers.

Rooting for an old friend

Many of you may have heard about Jeremy Williams.  He and I played high school baseball together, but he also played football, and played very well I might add.  He started as a freshman for a division I college program.  He has been making news of late as a very successful high school football coach.  His team in Greenville, Ga. is undefeated and at the time of this entry moments away from starting a state playoff game.  However the reason he is garnering so much attention is that he has been battling ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) for some time.  He and his wife also have a disabled child.  Through a friend on Facebook I learned of an article written about Jeremy in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.  The article highlighted many of Jeremy's accomplishments and praised his determination.  Jeremy did not miss the opportunity to give glory to God.  In talking about his condition, he said that he would one day be restored in Jesus.  I brought him up before my Wednesday morning men's group to put him on our prayer list (something I would encourage you to do as well).  One of the men in our group, here in Glennville, Ga. already knew the story.  In exchanging an email with an old friend, I told him that I know Jeremy is walking a hard road, but he is honoring Jesus as he goes.  Inside sources tell me that this is the way Jeremy runs his football program as well   It would be nice to see his team go all the way.  During this playoff season I am rooting for Greenville and praying for their coach.  Win or lose, in good health or poor - To God be the glory!  I think Jeremy would agree.