While I would usualy write at the beginning of the day, today I have found myself in such a state of busyness that well it's 9:30 pm and now I begin. By the time most of you read this Pastor Bruce Watson of Calvary Chapel in Shasta Lake will have resigned and appointed me as the new Senior Pastor of that fellowship. Dawn, myself, and many others have been praying for quite some time about taking this role and the Lord has made it very clear that we are to do so, yes even or dare I say especially in the midst of our current trial. You see the Lord gave me a vision for the community of Shasta Lake, one of transformation, revival, and healing of the people, and that vision and calling were not contingent upon our circumstances. At the time we had no clue that Dawn was terminaly ill, no more than we knew that we would not be killed driving home from Church, or that our home would not burn to the ground, or any other sort of crazy things one could fear. You see God did not ask us if we would go if everything went well, no He simply asked is to go and serve Him, se go we shall. Tuesday I asked Natalie if she felt that this was an attack on mom because of our obedience to going to Shasta Lake, her answer, yeah maybe. Well then honey maybe we should reconsider? Dad how could we, God told us to go, and we can't let the devil win no matter what!
Yes I am proud of her not only for what she said but because she truly believes it and means it. You see when God calls His people to extraordinary tasks He doesn't abandon them and watch them squirm in thier inadequacy, pain, or suffering, He never leaves, He is right there beside us comforting us all of the way. Yes our hearts are heavy, and yes we have fears about Dawn's survival, but one thing we will never doubt, that our God, our savior, the King of all that is, is holding us close, maybe even carrying the Burroughs family and thier friends on His shoulders, for He is ever faithful.
Gene
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ReplyDeleteGene, remember when I sang the psalms of ascent for you and Dawn? Part of one keeps going through my head this year in light all that has happened.
ReplyDelete"He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him." What makes this verse so cool is the context. "When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dream. Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy." Who would have ever believed that the nation of Israel would return after being carried 500 miles away to Babylon. It had never happened before. It was impossible. And what was the result? "Then it was said among the nations. The Lord has done great things for them." The Nations saw Gods goodness. The author continues.."The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy." Now he lays his requests before God..."Restore our fortunes O Lord as streams in the Negev (desert). Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy." And so we are back to my verse..
"He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." God has a harvest for you. Keep sowing even while weeping.