Anatomy of a Call

Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Is he your Cornerstone?

Is the only one there is so I sure hope so. Is the only one there is. Ice cream.

In our time this morning, Lord, be glorified.

Elevate yourself in our hearts beyond anything, that would be a Challenger.

I want you at the top of our life. I want to see you clearly. We want to hear you, well. Opus to hear you well this morning. We ask in Jesus name. Amen. In the Bible is open to Hebrews chapter 13.

Hebrews 13.

As we prepare to the end, enter the text together.

I need to share with you that Tara and I recently realized that we have to sell our house

and that does mean what you think it means. It means that there is a transition ahead of us in the future. We don't know when and we don't know where

a lot of pieces to this.

And this comes as much a shock to us as it is to you. And I've given a lot of thought and prayer to this and what I'm going to do is I want to just take the time this morning to tell you about it because I love you.

and because Jesus loves you,

And because I want you to hear it from me. Because I care deeply about your bright future and the future of this church.

Social forgive me. This won't be a typical serving. but it will be a Biblical sermon

I want to give to you the process. The last few months. The stuff in it. You never really hear people talk openly about.

Not because it's easy to do with his burnt when it's not. Probably the last thing I want to do is charge for a really hard to share.

But because of the admonition, we find in Hebrews 13. Where the church is exhorted. To remember your leaders verse, who spoke to you, the word of God is Siri the outcome of their way of life and imitate their face.

As much as I never ever right to use myself as an example. I've heard it said, Beware in, this is just a word to the wise. If you were anybody, that that was the hero of your own sermons. I hope you've never found that to be the case with me and I don't want you to think that today. I failed more than I've done well. But what you see here is lunch, performers openly before you, or how else can you imitate?

And so, I'm going to peel back some layers. So you can understand the process in what this looks like. Because when we read the stories in the Bible, we have to remember that they were real people, just like you and me living in real time in a fallen world. Under Sovereign, God, they were having to make decisions. They were having to do hard things. Not yet. I've got a little bit.

So I'm going to share with you this morning, my intense struggle with face. And what God has been teaching me. And my prayer. Is it by do this? It will strengthen your face. It will help you to discern the hand of God in your own life.

And it will give you greater confidence that God is in this.

If God is in this, that means he's going to not only care for my family in our future, but he's going to care for all of us and provide for all of them. so if you can allow me to be a bit vulnerable for the next few moments, I'm going to give to you the anatomy of a call.

Let me give you the backstory.

I started out by saying I mentioned even mentioned that we have to start our house. You've been around here for a while. You may have heard to prayer requests or just casual conversation with last, I don't know, you're too that the government's behind on giving a several tax returns. We're still missing tax returns from 20, 22, 23, and 24, and are usually quite significant to the child tax credits. Do you like around 8 or something like that? And so a lot of ways we count on that for upkeep and things that we couldn't do before and just like others do. And so about a year-and-a-half ago to try to get some help with this and just because it was something that we want to do for a long time. We Enlisted the help of some CPAs from Iowa that I have met at a faster conference Christensen brothers and And just said, hey we need help. I don't know personal finances. If there's anything we can do to help us get things on track and really appreciate it. 3 intake process. One of the things that they realized that we didn't know is it for about 9 of our ministry. Years Social Security wasn't getting paid. And we thought it was and no doubt as a place of your wrist, probably thought that we were doing it. And so it's not a time to find any fault. It's just what it is though. And basically where the amounts to something has to know about the way passwords, finances work. I've had I've heard many CPA say the two most difficult people to do finances for his passes and Farmers Farmers because you never know what you make until you finish your current cash out. That's all tied up in assets and they're only worth what they're worse when you sell. Passwords because you have a lot of weird tax code and your simultaneously considered an employee of the church in one sense. But then you're also considered a kind of you're on your own, you're self-employed, I your ear kind of like a contractor status I know most jobs, are you going to work somewhere and they will pay 6% of what you are and then you pay the other 666 in a password case in most situations doesn't have to be this way but in many situations are the churches, don't pay anything towards that. So you whenever you're figuring, what a pastor is getting paid, just understand their 12% of that's going out the door already but then on top of that, there's a self-employment tax, which makes the number 15.3 I say that because we didn't realize that for all these years.

And so her and I realized this kind of some things came together, and I'll speak more on in a little bit here. And as we were talking through, we realized that for every week we stay in our house. We're going in the whole $220 a week. And Social Security can garnish wages and the nine years is behind us. Totals about $70,000 which they can ask for whenever they want you. Eddie said, all that. I want you to know it's going to beginning. This isn't really about numbers and turn. I have come to be able to see this very clearly. Because it started all back in April Point number one. If you're taking notes in a row, hope you will. We have no choice in the back if you need it. I think this is important. Phone number one is be listening for the store, small voice of God.

Back in April, first week of April, some of you will remember, I had one of my Rhymes flare-ups. I got Lyme's disease years ago from a deer tick that whole thing and flare-ups happen for me in times of peach stress. High stress for not taking care of myself, not sleeping. Well different things it'll happen and I was about one weekend to work ended up being 5 weeks fan.

I woke up one morning and it was as though the Lord put out the flame. In my heart for a ministry here. And I could not have been more shocked.

The very week prior I have been so putting up pictures on our walls at home.

The Sunday prior, I had announced that we were going to be doing a Ministry reboot study for an adult cuz I had all these thoughts and all these plans and how can we connect kind of coming off the heels of a book study, we did in the adult class, in what can we do to Gear Up For? What? Got somebody here next. At all, these kind of thoughts. All these kinds of I'm always developing always thinking always looking forward, always trying to plan for steps it was as if In the moment things changed. And I could not see where forward pass one of my feet. It was extremely disorienting. In the, the problem was I grew up as a PK so I grew up in this whole scenario. I've never not known this scenario and I was accustomed to it enough that I knew immediately what it meant. Did not like it.

What is very, very disturbing and I'm asking questions, like why now why why the timing? Why why this? Why does it have to be this way?

Weather in again. Remember these numbers aren't on my head. This this has nothing to do with anything doesn't ever. He was telling the truth doesn't have anything to do with any issues. I tell you all the time, it's a marathon, not a Sprint, I don't have wandering eyes. I'm in it for the long haul. That's all sincere and I wake up one morning and it's like the stars a different color and I know that sounds very subjective things. I want you to understand and we kind of this morning is some time in our conservative circles, were really good at getting or doctrinal. I started and T's crossed. Know where the subjective side comes into it. We're trying to discern God's will for us personally. Is is 95-98 99%. Yes, this is. Well, God your sanctification, your Purity, you're divorcing, your worth all this stuff. With too many Believers in our churches, don't leave room for a guy who actually leads believers. Through his Spirit which scripture says is like when you can't see where it comes from and where it's going.

You need to make sure if your skeleton is going to be good that you have room for that. Certainly everything has a square with scripture that has to be there because that's the way God describes it, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Lean machine from still Small Voice work with me. 1st Kings 19.

The prophetess. Having encounter with guidance. God said, go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord and pass by and a great strong moon. For the mountains broken pieces, The Rock before the Lord. The Lord is not a man who has a great big display. It wasn't it. The words not in the wind after the wind in earthquake. That's a great big display. But the Lord was not in the earthquake. I can use Quaker, fire. But the Lord was not in the fire.

and after the fire, Sound of a low whisper.

and when Elijah Hood, He wrapped his face was close, and went out and split at the entrance to the cave and stay with me. A voice came to him.

I'm not going to be a prophet. I'm just saying God's. Oh God.

And no, you don't expect to hear an audible voice there. Other ways that God can make plain his will to you and he does, if you'll pay attention,

Insults with m. get comfortable with the fact that it's going very, very personal when it happens. It's a message. Custom tailored for your own, good for your own Hobie deance.

God did this in my heart? and at this point he hadn't yet, done it and Terrace by the way, and so,

And all and all kind of external night here we just to learn. But as I was sure it was her. It was clear that this was used to her and that she wasn't sensing what I was sensing just yet. I also want to say though as you're listening to that still Small Voice understand, it's often perplexing.

It sometimes it's an encouraging word. Sometimes it's vexing. Turn over to Proverbs Chapter 11.

Point number two, in here for something I want you to remind to

While you're listening to this, while you're contemplating things I'm saying.

I want you to keep in your mind. That is quite likely. That whoever got intense to be the next Shepherd. Here is in the middle of this very process as we speak.

I would go so far as to say, it's quite likely.

Number to Seek public input.

Over the next several months, I just had a lot of conversations. It started with my wife, as I think it should. I talked to Tara Brett morning and just shared how trouble I was. Sherwood Garden seems to have made Great Plain inside of me. And And she took it in that was a very hard time. We spent several hours outside and some lawn chairs in the shade talking this out and struggling with it wrestling with it.

In my bewilderment, I'm also wondering, how was it that I Shepherd the church right now. What is this? Even look like, what is the chief Shepherd doing? I only serve at his Command, right? I don't know. Service with pleasure, he's the one that knows what's really going on.

and so, My next few conversations were, I had multi our conversations with each pastor of this church all the way back to 1999.

Because that gave me the context of 26 years. Now a pastoral history and shepherding and caring for this flock. It was encouraging Frozen stimulating. Informative. My next conversation was with our State Rep Doug Crawford. how much more of the same I benefited from all these men's wisdom and guidance and over the next couple months I had conversations with over three dozen fellow pastors that are on 294 labors of mine or Ministry leaders just to get their input to get their Council.

Because Proverbs 27:17 if you taking notes to stay in 11 but jot down 27-17 says iron sharpens iron and one man sharpens another and I very much believe.

Ecclesiastes 4:9, 212 speaks or further. Two are better than one because they have a good reward for the oil. When you lift up his phone but woe to him. He was alone when he falls and has not emerged.

Again, if you lie together, they keep warm. How can one keep warm alone and do a man might Prevail against one, who's alone will withstand him? A three-fold cord is not quickly broken and I have understood over the years. I started out as what I would call lone-wolf that little mentality and I don't need anybody strong enough to pay for my psychiatrist and tell you don't and you're growing up short in the crash and burn. You don't have any way to lift you up. I had to learn that the hard way so many times. And thank God. He started to teach me some years back. You need, you need your brothers and sisters in Christ.

You have souls and gaps that you don't even understand and that's why I design. I don't want you to be an island in the family. I had to not only get over my own tried but to start to love the fact that that's true. Can't I love truth? Do I have to feel bad about that and about that or can I just say I love that truth. I love that. You don't have to look down on me for needing my brothers and sisters. Isn't that good for you? Men who shot father's p**** in 11:14. Where there is no guidance. A peeper Falls, but in abundance of counselors there is what's the word safety and go to chapter 24. I can't tell you how bad I needed this over the next couple months because this is not a path. I want to walk alone even though I knew what I make sense internally. I, I seriously needed and wanted and desired Godly input from those around me. I barely wanted it people that I could trust to walk with me, who would understand the context understand the concern to give wisdom because I felt exposed and vulnerable because here's the deal we had and we still have no plan B. She often times when things like this are brought to a church family. Somebody has already measured their steps to avoid. He made all the contacts of what you got to do. I can't tell you when I can't even tell you where we're going. I have no idea. We have some conversations going, but that's where it's at so far. It. We could be looking at two months. We could be working at first part of next year. I really don't know. I don't know what state

we haven't had a plan because I don't have wandering eyes. I haven't been Desiring this and so I have needed and I have benefited from internet has benefited from an abundance counselor. There's safety in that. Proverbs 24 verse 6. Says, by wise guidance, you can rearrange your War And we just need to understand from that big decisions aren't something to run into. You don't rush into these things, you don't just feel at one moment and ask for nextsource like a consonant

God does move in your so he does Shepherd his people on an individual basis especially if you connected through prayer. Don't expect God to speak to you. Personally, if you're not listening to him in the things, God for you everyday. If you doing that, he will Shepherd you and unique ways.

The teacher trying to an extent and get the Council of those around you because you're safe in that. And here's a practical question that we all need to think for a moment. Okay. How do I know if the guidance I had received is Bradley and wise counsel, that's a fantastic question. And that's why I think both in the Proverbs 11:14 passage and the one we're looking at now probably 46. You see what that last line is? In the abundance of counselors, there is wisdom.

I'll tell you right now that as I talk to all these pastors and Ministry leaders, there were, there were a little bit more than a handful but there was a handful that had questions. If I wanted, that ask the hard questions I want to do it. The Bible talks about being circumspect, meaning from around 360 degree view in Spectrum. Looking at something, you want to be able to look and find your blind spot. And look at something over especially if it's a big decision like this.

and so, you have to expect that they were going to be a variety of voices.

And don't be throwing off or somebody you love and trust and know, and knows you comes away with a slightly different take and challenging something. Take it. Listen, pray about it, don't even really dismiss it out of hand. Springtime, I think you're going to find that, you can take the sum total of all the input and what God seems to be doing internally and externally and it distills down to clear Direction because you're me a bunch of counselors there is Victory. Now, turn the Problems chapter 3,

Phone number three years. Resist the flesh, I guarantee. It will rare up on you and believe me. It's not your friend.

Over the next several months, it has been an intense struggle. Perhaps, maybe you've picked up on and last couple months and just not knowing what you're saying, I'm not real sure.

In addition to Lyme's, I've also had insomnia for the last several years, and it's a lot worse when things are weighing heavy on my heart. And I wake up in the middle night, working to get sleep to begin with. I had a night this week where I couldn't even fall asleep till 4:30 a.m.

and you're just, you're in the Gristmill, you're being sifted, you're being proven and tested and tried.

It's been very difficult, but I have been reminded of some things that Jesus talks about in Scripture. It says, if you lose your life, for my sake, you or what? You'll find it. You'll gain it. I'm told to die to myself daily, whatever I thought my plans were whatever I desire for my family and our stability, whatever I desire for this ministry. I have to remember what my life is not my own. I have been bought with a price. I am the right for saving serving Christ and imagine no other existence.

I have I have been thankful equipped to remember, but nothing ultimately depends on me. And we always have to remember that.

Got to remove any of us any time. And he will continue to carry on his perfect will I have to remember that this world is not my home. Most of you been out to my house. I got a sign in the driveway. Who can tell me what it says. Outpost. Hebrews 13, it's cuz this world is not my home. Where does she want to sign that? We're just traveling through. The passengers were sojourners.

It's comforting to get comfortable. My family is basically grown up here.

This is home.

In the Lord his Preston on mean, last couple months, is it? What's your concept of home?

How old is Toph?

But you must be available to him.

It's not disloyal to anybody to follow God's lead, if he's doing something in your life.

You must walk in the spirit be led by the spirit. That's number three. and I'll tell you, there's been a few times in my life where I was just about to

One of them was initially entering Ministry. I sense to call in 2004 turn. I married in 2006. Three months later we're living out in Maine that we just want some scenery in her wings, you know, East Osborn out there and then we realize what we're out here all alone

Move back to Midwest. I'm working for a couple years and listen to, I'm listen to sermons all the time working maintenance. So I can just kind of have earbuds in, you know, and I can remember listening to a series of being preached on the call of God.

I'm like, oh yeah, I remember that. Cuz I haven't done much with that. And while I don't even know how I'm going to now cuz my kids. Now.

That was a tough summer and I can tell you, I didn't just immediately talk to Tara. I sat with that for weeks and weeks and weeks and weeks and weeks let some stupid phone. What? A nice. We didn't want to hear it. I couldn't put it down your down there. and I came to feel like Chona, interesting. Know what you want me to do, but I'm not that eager to do it and I don't know how it's going to work.

That's what number for is submit to God.

One of the calls I had this was maybe I don't know month-and-a-half ago. Was worth a friend and mentor of Mine. Dennis, where are you from? You talk about the weather and strips are done for years for religion all that, and he sounded that Ministry long time ago. And I started going on those in 2010. He taught me a lot about discipleship, leadership and learning to walk the sky.

Especially in the context of growing hungry community. And one of the phone calls we had to get was a Saturday and we have already, the weekends are already had a meeting scheduled for. The next day off of the service, is our monthly. And so, Dennis and I are talking on the phone, the day prior, Saturday morning, and I don't know how the conversation got there, but he started to say to you, I have no plans and he's just trying to drive me through it. And he said, I know your heads full of questions right now, you got a big question marks and there aren't any easy answers. You've gone this long, you're not having Saturday. You know what he wants you to do but you don't know when and where and that's a pretty scary thing. But what would it look like to invite your church into this process? That was overwhelming for an awful lot of reasons. It's just hard to convey.

And he kind of gently pressed me on that, for the better part of 10 minutes. The problem was, I had actually been thinking the same thing for several weeks or haven't acted on it cuz I just wasn't sure. And I just kept rationalizing, like nothing's falling into place. I don't know what to do.

We hung up the phone. I grab a bite of lunch and afternoon. I called Terry bound our family room and we're talkin through And dismiss the kids so they can hear everything. We think our kids didn't know anything about this was just so you're aware. This is fresh. Turn. I talked about this for about 2 hours. I'd say, 23 hours and I just told her what I had talked about with Dennis and kind of What he was challenging me on and I told her I think this is the right thing to do, but I'm scared to death to do it.

We wrestled with that hard.

At the end of that conversation.

we got a moment where we finally resolved before God in her spirit that come Whatever May

This is what has to be done.

It's a let God deal with results.

as soon as we did that, as soon as we came to that place internally like a lightning bolt,

I'll just say from europol. I mean use a Pauline phrase here. I'm going to speak with human foolishness here for just a point out of nowhere out of the blue. This thought came into my head. I know now where it came from. It was out of the blue. Wait, way above blue. About the school, social social security thing. I thought about that in a long, long time, probably,

It was as if in the in the moment. Change Main Alexa turn on mic element. We have to sell her house.

And she's like, what are you, what are you talkin about? I sure will remember that the whole Social Security

What time do it once in a while? Build for gibbed everywhere? Like it's rare but sometimes if you're coming to them, it's not a. The moment, maybe they'll forget it. But it's so expecting again, it's about 75, I said, look, even if they forgive that. We're living on a different number than we thought we were at our house based on that number. And she's like, oh shoot. and, she ran the numbers real quick, and that's when she realized that we were going in the whole nother, 220 every week, and That was. That was a new level of heavy. Because what had previously do then that we know God is doing something moving us on this chick in a level of urgency that is tangible that neither of us expected.

and, Ends. Now I heard. They're coming swimming and I'm like We're confident at this point. We know what God wants us to do, at least first half of it. Or is it just for kicks? Check? Like what would we be able to do if we even tried to get a place and she did the math and the number came up to a Max total of 130, But she can hardly buy a garage around here.

She went on a Realty, app inch x 30 Mi radius of the church 5 faces. Came up all mobile homes, but we couldn't afford those either because you still have monthly Lauren Tran.

And it was at that moment that it became very evident to me and it became the first apparent to her in a row that the Lord was going to Shepherd her. It became clear to me that she is testifying to be candy that moment. if this was the final affirmation, And here's what I want you to know. Once you know what God wants you to do, do not delay. Good humor is 11 / 6. Without faith. It is what? I can do a lot of months or years without food in God, because I don't have Face. What are you doing to me? Time. You think your showroom is this your place? Emily.

It's impossible to please him for whoever would draw near to, God must believe that he exists and that he rewards, those who seek him. Is there a salt different directions? But I asked her to write. Yeah, obviously coming to him in space and salvation with you disconnect me. I would that's also supposed to be how you live the rest of your Earthly life. The righteous will live by. Yeah, you know, the verse work I have seen people act too fast without much extra confirmation. The Safety Council in the wisdom of our Godly individual, I've also seen people stay too long and they should have gone a long time ago.

I've also seen people squander their potential ribbon instead for themselves and perversely Comfort or convenience or pleasure.

And one of the lessons, he taught me in there.

He reminded me. He won't always give you all the details up front. Before you have to express your faith in him. We must trust God with our question marks. Hebrews 11 goes on to say by faith, Noah being warned by God and I know it's concerning events as yet unseen.

In reverent fear getting back, like I told him to do a Shan, by space Abraham obeyed. Look at the next. Well, when he was called to go out to a place for his receivers and he can't stay with me, not knowing where he was going. Minister doesn't hit me between the eyes. In scripture little with examples like this you know Abraham's call the repairing is also covered in Genesis. Chapter 12 is leaving his homeland in his family for land. Would show him without specifying the destination. You're just going to start walking. I'm going to show you once you get there. We see Abraham sacrifice of Isaac. Where it was going to happen on a mountain that God would designate. And then at the very last moment, God steps in and Spares. Isaac providing a ram and affirming. Abraham's Trust. I can give you more examples, Israel crossing the Red Sea and they don't know that things in open up. They just have to keep going forward. It, they don't know what's going to bury the army, they just have to keep going past it. Israelites at Jericho break down a big block wall. Don't ask questions. Trust God. Give me his battle against a million 8 / 300 dude, instead of 32,000 take on a mini night Army, don't ask questions to ask guys.

Elijah and the Widow in Zarephath. If I use this Romaine salad oil to feed the prophet, how do I keep eating? Trusting God. Peter walking on the water. Oh, he just called me out. Now I actually got to walk on the stuff.

Where are the boat?

And soul in that conversation Tara and I resolved but we're going to start by telling the Deacon we're going to do it right away tomorrow when I can delay, the meeting already happening for both. Going to go in there and tell him as much as we know so far.

In the moment, we did that the moments that we expressed confidence in God and faith in our future, in our church family, and all the details involved. It was as though, God finally said, that's what I wanted you.

Oh, by the way, you have to show your house.

KangerTech heads spun.

It. No longer has eroded. Its guys playing. Look. You have been trained all along that. I really make it plain and obvious and I missed it by closing the door. So what type of clothes are so so why did you can't close it? Have I not now done?

I had to resolve to stop fighting My Own Strength because one of my Temptations, I'm a planner and a big picture guy. Strategy guy. And Proverbs 3 5 & 6, must be some repairs versus for me to live out. You know those horses.

Trust the Lord, with all your heart, and all your ways acknowledge Him. Don't lean on your own understanding and she will direct your path. I can be really terrible that by default. Because I want to figure it out. I want to make sense of it. I want to know my steps on my, my Direction I want to figure out Solutions.

It's so many times in life, got his head with Jeremy up to my limits and put me in situations where I got you soon. I love you for your good because I allow you to keep going on your own. That's not close to me. That's not faith, without faith. It's impossible to please. God, it's not good for me, either by the way.

One thing we have to learn to do in this space, a submitting for God, is we have to go to their attitude. That can also be challenging. Your whole ball of emotions, you're going to be a mess to be a wreck. You can be irritable. You can be confused, you can be depressed. You can be sad when you can be over worm. And you can feel sorry for yourself.

And when the Russians in this is to not be grumbling about things not to feel sorry for yourself. And to remember, like, Joe had to loan God gives and God takes away. And what's the rightful response? Say it with me. Blessed, be the name of the Lord.

Number 5, just a few more left.

Training cruise nights in biblical terms.

2nd Peter 1:19 talks about eating scripture as to a light shining in a dark place. I don't know how you would possibly navigate this world in this life without this book, open on the regular.

It has been an anchor for me. It's been a guide for me.

And you just have to remember that God is doing something my specific context. I've had to remember that God is doing something here.

We go through processes. As churches for churches to bring in a pastor. But ultimately, we also have to remember the overarching at all. Paul is speaking in Acts 20:28 to the Ephesian elders elders, at the church of Ephesus. And he's giving some parting words and some instructions to them and some comfort and find the other, and all this, and he talks to them about caring for the flock and watching over them. And he says the flock, which the Holy Spirit has made you over Sievers So is there to be unity in the church in these things? Yes. Is there to be confirmation? Affirmation. Selection appointment. All these things. Yes. Understand though, above all of that God is on the Move. Doing this ultimately, And so I have to remember and you have to remember in times like this, God has not left the stream. God is fully Sovereign and he will take care of everybody involved. And this is another thing. Believe that, since you are much, loved God will provide for you. I love this version. Romans 8, chapter 8:32. He who did not spare his own son, that gave him up for us all. And then, here's the rationale. How will he not also with him? Graciously, give us all things. you believe that this morning, if she's not empty Heaven's pockets and provide price for you and for me, I will he not also handle everything else, right? And you have to remind yourself of biblical truth, because that's where the anchor is. It's not my emotions, it's not and how well, I can make sense of things if not and how well-connected I am. I resources that can be a real Temptation or no. Just trying to call. I know, just what to do. Did you stop to pray? I know you choose.

Did you pray have you sought Godly counsel? Are you in the word? If you ask God for it, even before you speak. Who cancel, you know what's possible to speak Godly counsel from humanistic efforts, I'm overwhelmed. I don't know what to do. I need to go to the guy. Maybe you can tell me what to do. The friend that can tell me how I walk to Atlas how to make this decision that stuff in front of me.

But did you ask God? how is God shepherding you

because I hope you realize that if God never answered a single person's prayer, and if the Holy Spirit was not at work, you could have all those same conversations.

And I should be frightening.

We don't want a Christian Life. Devoid of the God, who gave it.

Phone number to 60 challenge you with what has God called you to. I don't want to think this is just for me or our church. Even though most said in this context, One of the things that has come to mind in all vessels, we have a lot of campers that went to church camp this summer and I know by personal testimony. There's number of you have been to church camps to the years or youth events and I don't know why but I usually just in both trying to settle into an Evangelistic me that we as adults ever get Challenge on. Where you holding back from John, what is he been following you to do? Prying into do, maybe, maybe some years back. Eat you move in your heart that you were going to serve him in such and such a way. I don't know what it is. You might Are you paying attention to it? Are you hating? Are you saying why don't know how he would ever pay that off? Now I'm I'm past the point or I'm in Destin this or that I'm I'm too old you might be on the other end saying I'm too young to do anything but forgot, I don't see that in the Bible. I don't think he's going to call you if he's not going to help you with it. Amen.

Answer the question. I think we are all be asking at all times you talkin to God, get the most out of my life. And ask him that.

And be yielded and ready for him to answer that question. But I can tell you this. If he does and you do you won't regret it. Life might look different but you will not regret it.

I recorded this this morning and get it in this format in part because I wanted you to hear it from me and I want to take my time with it and I want to explain the entire process. Because I love you.

I'm also doing it this way, so if you'd like you can we listen or share it? I want, I'm going to be sending this out to everybody who couldn't make it here with us. In person this morning, there are those who aren't with us and I want them to get the same thing from you that you just heard it.

Also, want to give you some thoughts on what to expect in the days and weeks ahead.

Looney the future holds. We don't know what time line. I don't know what it looks like. Sorry. Just encourage you to just take it a day at a time as I'm having to do take time to absorb this. And to be alone with God start there.

Talk freely with one another and encourage each other in the Lord. Remind each other of biblical truths and that he is still on the throne and he cares for us.

Also, want invite you to talk freely with me and hold our family falls during his time as we desire to hold you close, Have a server. Let's do coffee. Do fun stuff for their kids. I can tell you they're reeling to you our family to us. And we want to take advantage of whatever time, short or long that God gives us here. Beyond that, we want us always to be a place. We can come to inform right back in when we're out and about and playing some trips and stuff.

Also say, we will ask for your help at times next few weeks. The first kind of priority in front of our family is we got to get out from under this house. Even if that means before we leave the area, we've had a couple generous and gracious offer to stay with some people and some places here in the area. And so you will see us trying to sell things with the house ready. We'll have some invitations for anybody wants to come and do some projects and helping our house, isn't ready for company, let alone selling, okay, we have not been planning for this at all and so there's some things that need to get done in order to get it listed in for every week. We don't, we're going in the hole further. And so I think the best thing that could happen to get out of the house as soon as possible get it served and we're still in the area as far as we know, he's got a couple places we can stay but pray that we can get that house sold and do it soon. Also just know and I might go without saying but know that we will be gone. I'm sure it's some point down the road intermittently as we're visiting some places in churches and trying to feel out the Lord's will. But don't think that anytime we're gone that that's what we're doing and I'm going to be very open about that so you won't have to guess because we were put away with telling you just know also that another reason we're going to have some space is because we haven't really done hardly any vacation this year and we're kind of way and Esau is going to be going off to college in about 2 weeks and the kids have been gone Counseling in Tampa most of the summer. And so really haven't had a chance to family and as he's going in the mission or very well aware that this could be the last summer, we all have together. So we're even trying to figure out M, do we have time to do something in this next couple weeks before? He goes to school so that's going to be a moving Target. Just work with us if you would. And of course, then we have to get you saw off the college. Please don't let the deacons and I are working together. We're all still kind of getting our minds around us. So pray for wisdom, pray for guidance, in our State Rep, Doug has already been contacted, there's a conversation for you than the gun there. There's discussion of an interim. I also know that in the meantime, I have a great list of men, both in the church and looked in the end external who are ready and available and happy willing to preach. And so, the desire that we have is it all of ministry and all the shapes. Keep moving forward. Unbroken, regular counter calendar. We're still doing The Harbours 100 year anniversary missions. Trip is still on all these things are just going to keep our kids are still in the world.

So, we're not changing anything until God make something plain or available to him for his time. And I want to keep as much rest as possible in the ministry here, you guys mean the world to us. And I think and I hope you know that. And so I'm going to be doing some things to try to just prepare as well as I can. It's going to include some white trainings on some of the things I do that. I just want to make sure if they smelled going forward, is also going to be some volunteer opportunities, some gaps that you can step up and fill in. And I mean it, when I say it, it's going to take everybody come together. And that's not a bad thing. Sometimes this is a time when the Lord does younique work in the church and we get involved and encouraged in ways we hadn't anticipated or none with you. And so I look for that, too. Find me. I asked that you would be in prayer with us for us for the church. Seek with small voice, whatever. God is doing in your own heart and trust him.

He is very, very good and he will care for us even though. Remind now is full of questions, okay?