We had our first workday at our new building. We hope to begin worshiping there in January. One of the cool things we did was to take apart some of the huge shelving units that came with the building. We are going to use the sections of shelving for our stage at the Stokesdale Christmas Parade.
The stage is going to be awesome. Sixteen by twenty feet with two levels. Our drummer will be setting up on the high level. Then our parade commentators can sit up high after the parade begins. Should be great!
Also, the Stokesdale market will be held on parade day, so we will have a much bigger audience. It's coming soon, Dec. 12.
For now, it's time to think about being thankful. I think I have more for which to be thankful than ever before. God is good, and he shares his goodness with us. Thank you, Jesus!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Something Completely Different!
Yesterday we closed on a new building, a meeting place for our church. It is very exciting for us, because we have never had this opportunity before. We are working now to create a space for the community, where people can gather, visit, conduct business and share life.
I spoke to the town clerk yesterday, and mentioned that we want to make space available for people in the community to meet with clients or friends. She wants me to let her know as soon as this space is ready -- she has people often calling her, asking for suggestions for meeting rooms. This area in our new building can be used by realtors, builders, consultants, homeowners associations; or for birthday parties, social gatherings, small groups, and the list is endless.
Our goal is to be Christ to the community of Stokesdale and beyond. We want to share his love in practical ways and help people become all that God has created them to be.
I spoke to the town clerk yesterday, and mentioned that we want to make space available for people in the community to meet with clients or friends. She wants me to let her know as soon as this space is ready -- she has people often calling her, asking for suggestions for meeting rooms. This area in our new building can be used by realtors, builders, consultants, homeowners associations; or for birthday parties, social gatherings, small groups, and the list is endless.
Our goal is to be Christ to the community of Stokesdale and beyond. We want to share his love in practical ways and help people become all that God has created them to be.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Breaking down
How many things can go wrong at the same time? Don't answer that. I know better than to ask that, actually. So far this week we have problems with our van, a computer, a dishwasher, a washing machine and a power outlet. It takes all day to schedule appts and juggle everything around.
Meanwhile life goes on. I keep waiting for things to settle down, but it hasn't happened yet. I'm beginning to wonder if it ever will.
And so God is making it abundantly clear that I have to take a break, whether I can find the time or not.
Off to the car repair shop now.
Meanwhile life goes on. I keep waiting for things to settle down, but it hasn't happened yet. I'm beginning to wonder if it ever will.
And so God is making it abundantly clear that I have to take a break, whether I can find the time or not.
Off to the car repair shop now.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Sounds like real money
Last week we were in Washington, DC on a home school field trip. It was really inspiring to see all the monuments and historical artifacts.
Since I tutor several subjects for home schoolers, including economics, I have been watching the growing government debt with concern. On the train into DC one day, we met an accountant who works as an auditor for a private auditing firm.
His company is charged with overseeing the books of the General Services Administration. After telling a little about his story, he said, "There is a big margin for error," in his audits. He went on to say that a discrepancy of $130 million to $150 million doesn't merit much attention. "So they just write that off?" I asked. Yes, they do, he said.
To his credit, he was also appalled. He is an experienced accountant who has only been working in Washington for less than a year. It seems like he wants taxpayers to know what's really going on inside the Beltway. He still lives in Georgia and commutes to DC during the week.
His story tells about just one department of the government. All the other departments and agencies must also have huge "margins of error." Since I like to balance my checkbook to the penny, it makes me uncomfortable to think about undetected mistakes.
It shocks me to think that potentially billions of dollars can be written off in the accounting of all these government checkbooks. Can you imagine the temptation to embezzle? You could take a million dollars a month, and NO ONE WOULD KNOW IT!
Bi9 government has many drawbacks, not the least of which is that no one really knows all that's happening. Somebody must be supervising all this bureaucracy. The auditors are, and they are watching money disappear by the hundreds of millions.
No wonder we need to spend $1.4 trillion more than we have this year.
Since I tutor several subjects for home schoolers, including economics, I have been watching the growing government debt with concern. On the train into DC one day, we met an accountant who works as an auditor for a private auditing firm.
His company is charged with overseeing the books of the General Services Administration. After telling a little about his story, he said, "There is a big margin for error," in his audits. He went on to say that a discrepancy of $130 million to $150 million doesn't merit much attention. "So they just write that off?" I asked. Yes, they do, he said.
To his credit, he was also appalled. He is an experienced accountant who has only been working in Washington for less than a year. It seems like he wants taxpayers to know what's really going on inside the Beltway. He still lives in Georgia and commutes to DC during the week.
His story tells about just one department of the government. All the other departments and agencies must also have huge "margins of error." Since I like to balance my checkbook to the penny, it makes me uncomfortable to think about undetected mistakes.
It shocks me to think that potentially billions of dollars can be written off in the accounting of all these government checkbooks. Can you imagine the temptation to embezzle? You could take a million dollars a month, and NO ONE WOULD KNOW IT!
Bi9 government has many drawbacks, not the least of which is that no one really knows all that's happening. Somebody must be supervising all this bureaucracy. The auditors are, and they are watching money disappear by the hundreds of millions.
No wonder we need to spend $1.4 trillion more than we have this year.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Washington, DC
I haven't been to D.C. since I was about 10 years old. It was a cool visit then. I'm excited to go see the Capital again tomorrow. My older daughter's 10th grade (home school) class is going on a field trip, and the rest of my family is going along, too.
I really don't know what to expect to be different. I just love history. I had a dream recently that I met the president. Not counting on it really happening, but that would be very cool.
They are supposed to be voting on all the Obamacare stuff this week. Maybe I can tell them to keep the government out of the free market.
Even so, I am so glad to be an American. I am really inspired by the principles on which our country is founded. I do hope that we can return to them.
I really don't know what to expect to be different. I just love history. I had a dream recently that I met the president. Not counting on it really happening, but that would be very cool.
They are supposed to be voting on all the Obamacare stuff this week. Maybe I can tell them to keep the government out of the free market.
Even so, I am so glad to be an American. I am really inspired by the principles on which our country is founded. I do hope that we can return to them.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Surfing
It seems like life comes in waves. Right now we've got a few waves to ride. We have a group of 18 people going with us to Catalyst Conference, and some of us are leaving in about an hour and a half. We've also got a wave of opportunity for Crossroads as we purchase a new building. That is opening up all kinds of possibilities for ministry and worship. Then, this weekend my daughter is in a play, Mulan, her first acting experience. That has been a blast for her.
Life doesn't get boring, that's for sure.
For now, I'm praying for our group attending Catalyst to hear the voice of God. He wants to take all of us to a new level -- individually and as a fellowship. These are exciting times!
I'm grateful for the waves God sends our way. Sometimes I think I'm going to drown, but he always pulls us through. And I would not have it any other way.
Life doesn't get boring, that's for sure.
For now, I'm praying for our group attending Catalyst to hear the voice of God. He wants to take all of us to a new level -- individually and as a fellowship. These are exciting times!
I'm grateful for the waves God sends our way. Sometimes I think I'm going to drown, but he always pulls us through. And I would not have it any other way.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Coming Together
It has been an amazing week of seeing God's plan coming together. We have been working for weeks to get a purchase contract on a foreclosed building. Finally we got a contract in hand on Monday. We have also been working on financing, trying to get a loan approved for the purchase.
So, on Monday we get the contract to purchase. We have until Oct. 5 to sign the contract, and until Oct. 9 to prove that we have the money to make the purchase. Well, we are moving through this process by faith, trusting God to work out all the details.
Then yesterday afternoon I have a meeting with our current landlord. He says that they want to give us plenty of notice, and that they want their building back by April 1. Looks like God is closing that door. No longer do we just have a feeling that we need to leave the Long House; now we know for sure.
When I come home from that meeting yesterday, I get the email saying that our loan with the NC Baptist Foundation has been approved! Only God could put together such a series of events.
There is a great feeling of affirmation from God when things work out like this! When we move forward in faith -- knowing that unless God shows up, we're in trouble -- God can really get the glory.
Now, I'm eager to believe God for the next amazing feat. He's changing the world, and we want to be part of it! He does amazing things in powerful ways. He wants us to ask him, so that he can deliver and bring his kingdom!
So, on Monday we get the contract to purchase. We have until Oct. 5 to sign the contract, and until Oct. 9 to prove that we have the money to make the purchase. Well, we are moving through this process by faith, trusting God to work out all the details.
Then yesterday afternoon I have a meeting with our current landlord. He says that they want to give us plenty of notice, and that they want their building back by April 1. Looks like God is closing that door. No longer do we just have a feeling that we need to leave the Long House; now we know for sure.
When I come home from that meeting yesterday, I get the email saying that our loan with the NC Baptist Foundation has been approved! Only God could put together such a series of events.
There is a great feeling of affirmation from God when things work out like this! When we move forward in faith -- knowing that unless God shows up, we're in trouble -- God can really get the glory.
Now, I'm eager to believe God for the next amazing feat. He's changing the world, and we want to be part of it! He does amazing things in powerful ways. He wants us to ask him, so that he can deliver and bring his kingdom!
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