What I've been doing instead of blogging

I have to tell you about this book I've been reading. I grabbed it to take to work with me for lunch time reading because I couldn't find anything else quickly. It's a book Dave's mom gave us to read a while back and I never got to. But I laughed, I hurt, I cried, then I sobbed, and I was convicted over it.

I think everyone should read this book--"Same Kind of Different As Me" by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. Maybe you've heard of it, maybe you haven't. But I recommend it. No, I insist you read it. I found a couple sites where you can order it online for less than $5--you can't beat that!

As we're planting Jesus in Hot Springs, God is sending us some people that I'd like to keep at arms length--but we can't! We have to love them and get to know them--without judging or condescension. We have to share Jesus with them and then invest in their lives as we try to disciple them and bring them (and us) closer to the Lord.

I was so convicted of my biases and prejudices as I read this book, but it was so applicable to what we're doing here. And it is so applicable to your life too. Jesus sends some people into your life that aren't the kind of people that you want as your new BFF. But Jesus calls us to be more than spiritual snobs to these people. He wants us to play a part as He restores them to Himself.

Bottom line: Read this book--then leave me a comment telling me your thoughts on it!

Thanks
Lad

One Year Later...(and counting)

What a difference a year makes, huh?... One year ago on July 1st I found out I had a tumor in my groin. The next morning, I had surgery to remove it at Forrest General in Hattiesburg. A few weeks later, while at Bogg Springs teen camp and after taking a CT scan, I found out the cancer had spread to lymph nodes near my kidneys and that chemo was likely. 3 months of chemo, a little lost hair, millions (maybe a SLIGHT exaggeration) of needle pricks, and many prayers from amazing family and friends later-Dr. Bellare texted me on December 23rd that I had no sign of cancer in my body. HALLELUJAH!

Still to this day, God has seen to it that I have No sign of cancer in my body.

One year... So much has happened in one year. I have seen so much, felt so much. And yet I feel like I have learned two consistent things: 1. I have some truly marvelous friends who have prayed for Lad and me month after month, day after day, (and now) for a full year. I want to say thank you for all who pray for us here in Hot Springs. God IS moving here. We are seeing God move here. But I also want to thank those of you who pray for my health.

I have seen a new doctor and we have another CT scan schedule soon. Also, my chemo damaged my lungs and we have to do breathing tests every six months. I'll have that done in a few weeks.

The other significant thing I learned this year is that God is still on the throne. Ain't that good news? He's the ultimate authority, and reigns supremely. You can't impeach him, dethrone him, or out vote him. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And I need Him. He never left me through this last year, and He's not about to start this year. I have never known of my need for Him more than I did this last year, and He came through with flying colors.

This year was tough, but I just wanted to say Thank you to all of you. Thank you for your prayers. Whether you prayed consistently or inconsistently, THANK YOU! But I wanted to thank the Almighty. Words cannot express my gratitude for letting me live another day for Your glory.

What does this next year hold? I don't know... but I want to live every last minute of what I have left for Jesus Christ.

New Core Group members

The Garage Church has just added 2 new core group members. Meet Andrew and Amanda! They just moved here from another part of Arkansas and commited to being a part of the Garage Church before they ever got here (that's faith!). We love them already! Andrew is running a business here in Hot Springs and Amanda will be working very soon (we're praying for a job). They are very close to mine and Dave's age (a little younger), so that's pretty cool. Deby and I have added Amanda to our LTG (I just remembered I was supposed to tell you more about those...oops) and Mike and Dave have added Andrew to theirs.

Our LTG's are spreading like wildfire! Praise God!

Okay, a little about LTG's (so I won't forget again). They are Life Transformation Groups (LTG's). We are using them as our primary method of discipleship. This is how they work. Each group is made up of 2-4 same gender members. Each week, you meet to review a preset group of accountability questions. We also commit to reading 25 chapters of the Bible each week. As part of the meeting time, we discuss our reading and then hold one another accountable to some general issues as well as specific issues that we have asked to be held accountable to. They are very cool!

I just heard someone ask, "What happens if you don't read all 25 chapters in one week?" That's a good question. We just encourage that person and all group member re-read that section of Scripture for another week until we've finished it. And, no, it doesn't get old. The Word of God is alive! We've learned that something new comes out of each reading. It's amazing!

One of the cool things about LTG's is that you don't have to be well versed in the Bible to participate. Brand new believers belong in LTG's, Long time believers do too! I love that LTG's let new believers explore scripture with the help of an intimate group. In the Garage Church, we want ALL our members to think that Christians read their Bible daily. And we try to set the example of that. I love that concept!

If you're not part of the Garage Church (and most of you aren't), let me be the first to tell you--Christians read their Bible daily--you should too!!! Join us in reading 25 chapters per week. Choose 5 chapters and commit to reading those 5 chapters 5 times this week. It'll change your life!

More news to come!

Keep praying for God's harvest in Hot Springs.

Love you all

Lad

Teamwork

Dave has been shelling peas every spare minute he's had today. So tonight, we put up peas....lots of peas.

What a night of worship!

Sunday night is our core group meeting night. Tonight, Andrew and Amanda, our newest core group members were there. They just moved to Hot Springs from antoher part of Arkansas and commited to joining us before they ever arrived. Mike and Deby met them earlier this month and Dave met them last week as they moved in, but I didn't get to meet them until tonight--and they're going to be a GREAT addition!
We had a great Bible study tonight and then got to grill hamburgers. Then Mike's two younger sons and their wives came in for a visit. One of Mike's sons broke out the guitar and led us in some praise and worship! Really great night!
Dave and I just got home from spending the 4th of July with family in Alabama. We had a great time, but it's always nice to get home.
Pray for us this week, Deby and I have added Amanda to our LTG (info on that later) and Dave is starting his second LTG this week. We're excited to see some spiritual growth in Hot Springs. Things are picking up slowly, but definitely picking up.
I have to go to work tomorrow, so bedtime is coming quickly. I'll try to post in the next couple days to fill you in on more info.

Thanks for praying--keep it up!
Lad

New Venture

We've started our second Bible study now. It meets at the crisis pregnancy center here in town (AKA Change Point). This past monday night there were 10 people there. It was great! I wasn't there (I had to work), but Dave got to be there. We're having doors open up to us through Change Point to reach some of their clients for Jesus. We never know exactly what areas God wants us to get involved in, but there are more opportunities in Hot Springs than we can realistically become involved in. We're having to say no to some things that although they would be good opportunities, we don't feel that God is leading us to spend considerable time on them. Maybe in the future though...

Keep praying. He is still the God of this city!

God's Amazing Timing

Today stunk. My attitude was pitiful and nothing suited me all day. I didn't want to have to work today and had volunteered to be overstaffed if the hospital census was low--and they overstaffed someone else!!!! I felt so slighted--and I dwelled on it all day. I'm serious about my attitude being sorry. The bad part was, it would've been a good day at work, if I'd just gotten over my selfishness and moved on. I did get off early and I am thankful for that, but I still have to get past this little disappointment before tomorrow morning (when I go back to work).
I got home this afternoon and checked Facebook (doesn't everyone do that when they get home every day?) and there was a message from a girl I went to high school with. I saw her name and it immediately took me back to my senior year....

**this is me reminiscing**

I remember our guidance counselor asked me to talk to this girl and to try and share the Gospel with her. I'm not sure what all she was into in high school, but she ran with a rough crowd and was seriously in danger of making nothing productive of her life. She and I had been friends in middle school, but rarely saw each other in high school. But my counselor thought it would be in her best interest to hear from me. So, she gave us her office one morning and I told this girl that I thought she could make more of herself than she thought. I remember very specifically sharing the Gospel with her. She didn't have any intention of accepting Christ at that point, but I promised to pray for her.

So today I got a message from her. She told me thank you for praying for her and told me that she wasn't saved back in high school, but is now. She is married and has 6 beautiful children.
I was humbled by that message. I can't believe she even remembers me, much less thought to write me and let me know what became of her.

God really is in the business of restoring lives! He reminded me of it through that one little Facebook message. What a great reminder to keep praying for restoration in people's lives. No one is "too far gone" for God's restoration. His word is true when He says He came to seek and save the lost! Praise God the lost are still being saved!