The House of God

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 31
NT: John 11
W&W: Psalm 71.1-16

Today’s Reflection:

As part of the interview process for a new ministry position, Lana and I visited the congregation of the Church of the Nazarene in Bethel, Ohio this past Sunday. Bethel is a suburb of Cincinnati. I feel that we probably will go to the Bethel Church.

First of all, several weeks before we received the call to visit the congregation, I sensed God’s call to “The House of God,” not making a connection to Bethel, Ohio. (Bethel means house of God.) Then, as I prayed one morning following the call to meet the board, I sensed God saying, “This is what I meant when I called you to serve in ‘The House of God’ several weeks ago.”

Secondly, we seemed to fit in with the people the other night. I like a small town, and these folks seemed like my kind of people. Lana was quite comfortable meeting the congregation as well. (She did a great job in front of them, too!)

We spent the day yesterday looking at real estate, in anticipation of receiving the call. It was a great day with friends Dan and Linda Miller.

We came up to Michigan last night to spend a few days with Amy and Jon in Saginaw. Then it’s back to Georgia to see Avery! (I think Jenny and Eric will be there, too…) I have a revival in Lynn, Indiana the first week of May. Then we’re off to Illinois the 8th and 9th for Amy’s graduation. (She finished in December but will “walk” in May.) After that, we will see how the vote goes and then hopefully be in Bethel to find a house and get back into pastoral ministry! Yay! We are so excited!

During this time of uncertainty, we have felt certain of God’s faithfulness. We have never felt panicky or like things were out of control. We have consistently sensed God working his will. From one step to the next, God has given us just enough light to keep moving ahead. It’s been an adventure for us, and the peace of Christ has been incredible!


This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.1: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.