Horizons

Today we got the news that Tim's Army Chaplaincy training will begin in early January. So he will head to Ft Jackson, SC then and we will be apart for some time. And then we will be stationed somewhere far from here. This is what we have been thinking would happen, so it is nothing new; it is just final now. Two words that have been on my heart and mind this week have been "captivated" and "horizons". I don't know why exactly I have been chasing those words in my head, I can only speculate that God is reminding me of how He is the one that has "captivated" me by His love and mercy and brought me to this place of preliminary acceptance. Perhaps "horizons" is supposed to remind me that as we begin to say farewell to so much of the familiar, there are horizons yet to come - reminders of the future that awaits us. A reminder to keep our eyes focused ahead of us on Jesus. A reminder that whatever He is bringing us to is greater than what He has brought us from or through...truly His best is yet to come. The song Whatever You're Doing by Sanctus Real has been a testament for me lately, as my heart echos the second verse and chorus:

Time for a milestone

Time to begin again

Reevaluate who I really am

Am I doing everything to follow Your will

Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills?

So show me what it is You want from me

I give everything

I surrender...

To whatever You're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos but I believe

You're up to something bigger than me

Larger than life...something Heavenly

Fall Fun

We spent some time in our leaf-stricken yard last weekend, trying to uncover the hidden grass and keep it alive this winter. Dylan had a blast playing in the piles and was a "big helper" with putting the leaves in the yard bags! It was definitely a fall fun family affair.

Army Intel

For those of you who have been praying and waiting along with us, I wanted to give you word that we heard from the Army today regarding Tim's Chaplaincy application. He has been accepted for active duty as a Military Chaplain with the US Army! We feel so humbled and priveleged that the Lord has allowed us the opportunity to serve Him through sacrifice. We don't know many details, but Tim is likely facing a 10-week officer's training course in January which Dylan and I cannot attend. After that, we are in God's hands. Well, we are always in God's hands, and have been so for the past year as we have prayed every step of this journey. Continue to pray for us as we seek to take care of details and arrangements that may prove to be stressful. We need wisdom as to the timing of selling our house and quiting/changing jobs. This is not going to be an easy process, but we are convinced now more than ever that this is where God is leading us. Much like Abraham when he had Isaac on the alter, we know that we are called to this sacrifice no matter how much it may hurt us...and that God will provide through it, as we identify with Christ through His sufferings. Thank you all so much for your prayers and words of encouragement!

Tate Farms Punkin' Patch

Today we went to Tate Farms Punkin' Patch in Meridianville, AL. The pictures are proof that we had a wonderful time!

Dylan's First Bible Verse

As promised, here is the actual footage!!

And a really sweet picture...

Thoughts from The Word

This morning I found myself in I John for my Bible study. I was actually in a hurry to read these verses, answer my devotional question, and move on to the next one in Lies Women Believe. But I found myself drawn to I Jn 1:9, and the more I read it and thought about it, the more it came to life. Now, I'm no Bible scholar (that would be my husband :) or commentator but I do know what I gleaned from this passage.
I Jn 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unfrighteousness.
I think the reason this caught my attention is because it seems to have elements of contradiction in it. Knowing that the Bible is infallible and that it is truth, I took a closer look. The words "faithful" and "just", at first glance, appear to be opposites. Faithfulness, when it come to forgiving sins, tends to imply unconditional love and favor toward us who are undeserving. "Just" or justice, when it comes to sins, tends to imply punishment and getting what we deserve. I have read this verse so many times yet never stopped to dwell on each adjective. It was almost as if I read them together so many times and so fast that they became a new word" 'faithfulandjust"! But seperating them back out brought them new life to me.
So how can God be faithful and just when it comes to sins? In order for Him to be faithful to forgive our sins, He had to bring about justice through someone else. God's supreme character demands (and I say deserves!) holiness. In His sovereignty, He set forth a universe with the sole purpose to glorify Himself unto that holiness. That universe turned its back on Him and left Him unglorified. A price had to be paid for that eternal mistake. And since we were the offenders, we should be the ones to pay. "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." Eph 2:4-5. God offered up His son as a payment for the price of that eternal mistake. God's wrath toward our mistakes was satisfied in the punishment of Jesus Christ - namely his death. There is the "just" component of our verse.
With Jesus having taken our blame through his substitutionary death ("and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." I Jn 2:2), God can now show His favor toward us through the redemption of our souls (salvation), eternal life, and forgiveness of sins. There is the "faithful" component of our verse.
Though at first this Scripture may have seemed "old hat" to me, I found (once again) that there is life in every verse. "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, as it judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Prayer for this Fall season

I saw this prayer on the DaySpring site and thought it was too good not to share:

There is so much happening in our world right now.

In the midst of it all, it's so good to know You're in control,

Your love is never-ending, and You provide for us.

As the trees turn colors, and the nights grow cooler,

may we be reminded that every season of our lives

is a part of Your loving plan.

Amen.

~Holley Gerth

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11