Ohh, The Places We'll Go!

This is from my teaching last night on "An Overview of the Places in Acts."  We went through the book of Acts to see the 4 major outreach centers:  Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, and Rome.  My main focus was that we have the same doctrinal framework and the same spiritual abilities--The Word can move just like it did back then. 

So we read the last two verses in Acts then continued reading in Acts 29....

"And there was at Georgia in Columbus a certain committed few, abiding thence in the Hills of Club and Hardaway (the name of our apt complex).  There gathered together in one accord were Brent and Kathryn, Jack Isaac, Lindsey Ann of Little Rock, Abigail of Appleton, Chase and Abra Honeycutt from the land of Texas, Mike whose sirname was Reeves, the one they called AJ, along with Jeff , Jana, Tabitha and John the brother of David.

They went about to every place declaring glad tidings of good things. Moving from apartment to apartment, dodging the town guards, and shining brightly for all to see.   They increased in boldness and spoke to all who would and would not listen.  Throughout all their days, they moved with believing for to see God’s power manifested.  They lived with understanding that it is God which worketh in them; that they are witnesses of God’s prevailing might!  God worked in them and with them as they accomplished their goal of making a reality what others called impossible. They showed many signs, miracles, and wonders to the people of Columbus and filled to capacity that town with God’s Word.  They continued to Fort Benning and Phoenix City, once they were unleashed unto them, and all the land was claimed for the one, true God!"

Another main point was that we manifest the Christ within by way of speaking in tongues (1 Cor 12:6-11).  That is our proof in the senses realm that we are born again and can do what they did in the book of Acts.  When it comes to spiritual matters, we don't need to "take it by faith."  God wants us to be fully aware of what we have in Christ. 

Abi and I witnessed to a military guy while going door to door in our neighborhood.  He didn't seem interested at first but I invited him the next day anyway.  He has come to every fellowship since then.  Last night he told us that he wanted to speak in tongues so he could have proof that he was born again.  I took him outside and we talked for a long time about that topic.  We gave him the green book to read more about it.  He didn't want to do it in front of me because he felt embarrassed.  This afternoon I hear a knock at the door and within 2 minutes our faithful neighbor tells me all about his night of SIT.  

This was soooo awesome for many reasons.  One personal blessing is that I had written in my Way Disciple goals that I wanted to lead someone into SIT outside of the class.  I didn't think it would be in the first 3 weeks!  I can't wait to see what else God has in store for us. 

Job Hunting

*Chase and Abra following up on jobs*

The first day after we got here we went out looking for jobs.  It was a huge believing adventure.  We applied EVERRRYYYWHERE!  It really doesn't matter where we work, we just need at least 20 hours a week at minimum wage....ahh the beauty of budgeting.  It took us some time to all get employed.  A couple guys in our group were the first to get jobs.  Oddly enough, it was at Victoria's Secret.  All the girls in the group will be taking full advantage of this discount.   

The rest of us got jobs at different locations...McDonald's, La Quinta hotel, Michael's, Shogun, Charlotte Russe, Starbucks, and Chick-Fil-A.  Brent and I are so thankful because he is able to work full-time at his job...McDonald's :).  Once he got those hours we decided I would just stay home with Jack.  While I have loved staying at home with him for the last 18 months, I was sort of looking forward to getting a job.  I guess God knew that because the next day Michael's called me and offered me a part-time position.  They are very flexible with my schedule and are giving me the hours I want.  It will only be around 15 hours a week, which is perfect for me and our family.  God is good.  

This was our verse to claim while we searched diligently for jobs...

"Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it."  

-1 Thess 5:24

Housing

Fort Benning is the Headquarters to the U.S. Army's infantry and armour divisions (yes, I have learned what this is since I have been here).  It is one of the largest military bases in the world.  The week we moved here, the 3rd brigade (3,600 soldiers) moved in with us.  This was the last of three waves of soldiers returning home.  We were unaware of this happening while we were looking for housing.  Our leadership kept quite about it so it wouldn't be discouraging as we try to secure housing in an area quickly filling up.  

Brent assigned me and Jeff to find housing while everyone else went to look for jobs.  The first day we went all around looking at apartments, town homes, and houses.  We liked a house but the lady never called us back about it.  The next day while Jack took his first nap, we sat at the kitchen table and called different apartment complexes for two hours!  It was so tiring but it was what we needed to do.  After lunch, we set out on our detailed plan.  We hit up 6 apartments in two hours.  The second to last one was the place we ended up moving into the next day. 

Marlo and Millie told us that finding three apartments in one complex during all the military transitions was definitely God at work.  

I learned a lot from that situation.  The first day we saw some housing but did a lot of running around...mainly because I kept turning the wrong way and getting my directions mixed up.  It was almost a joke.  I felt bad for Jeff having to deal with me :).  The next day, when we sat down to make a plan and get clear, we were able to move out with focus and determination.  That's when when we saw what God had in store for us.  

It reminded me of Luke 8:1 --

"And it came to pass afterward (kathexes) that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him."

Kathexes is a Greek word meaning a systematic approach, with method and order.  Jesus Christ didn't waste time in speaking God's Word.  Planning is very godly and a very BIG part of Way Disciple.  We are certainly learning that everyday.  :)

***All the pictures are from Fort Benning's Infantry Museum, we got to go yesterday as an outreach event.***

Claiming our Promised Land

We finally arrived in Columbus after having a fantastic lunch at the Greene's home.  Rev. Greene drove an hour and 45 minutes to our new town just to be there with us when we arrived. 

That was really loving of him, it showed how im

portant this was.  We stopped at the town's welcome center and prayed together.  Rev. Greene told us to close our eyes and visualize God's will coming to pass.  He told us that this town is ours.  Just like when God gave the children of Israel their promised land of Canaan...Columbus is our promised land.  So rad.

Georgia on my mind..

COLUMBUS, GEORGIA!!!!! ...will be our home for the next 10 months. They told us Friday night at the special dinner for all the Way Disciples and alumni. They called for Brent and I to stand up and I couldn't see hardily anyone on our team because of where we were sitting. There was so much going on in my mind at that moment that I wasn't too sure of who was in our group for about 24 hours haha.

It was so exciting to hangout with the Way Corps from the different areas for a whole day before finding out where we were going. Originally, I wanted to go the Ann Arbor, MI but once it got cold here in Ohio, I wasn't really feeling the north anymore. Earlier Friday morning, we randomly sat next to Marlo Vergara (who will be our branch coordinator) during the STS rehearsal. We had the best time talking for about 30 minutes. We talked about the movement of the Word and also got to joke around a bit. I decided I would not mind heading back south after chatting with him. We were so blessed to find out we would be in his branch! It is Ephesians 3:20 to be able to work under the Greenes. I know the next six months will be priceless.