Blessed Beyond Measure (A Look at God's Providence in My Life)

As the time for our departure draws ever closer (T-Minus 64 days until Operation Move officially commences) I am reminded of how great our God truly is. For many years I have prayed that I might be a more effective worker for God. Now that He has opened this great and wide door (1 Corinthians 16:9), I look back at how He has prepared me for this new adventure. 

In November of 2006, I was approached by a kind older lady about preaching the gospel at this small congregation about 12 miles south of where I lived. I agreed, thinking that this was only to be a "part-time and temporary" arrangement. On January 7, 2007 I delivered my first sermon to the Midway church of Christ. They asked me back the next Sunday, and the following Sunday after that. Eventually I figured out that they meant to keep me. I have been there ever since. God truly blessed me by allowing me this opportunity to grow and learn. 

During this time I became very involved in online study and outreach efforts. I eventually came to serve as an administrator to two interactive study forums: The Preacher's Files, and the Bible Truth Forums (now thechurchofChrist.ws). Through these forums the gospel is taught to thousands of people all over the world, plus swords are sharpened through discussion with fellow Christians and debate with unbelievers. My sword started out rather dull, but it sure has been sharpened (Proverbs 27:17). 

While praying for opportunities to serve, I was also praying for a partner to walk with me in this life; God provided. I met Julia first through her mother, Joy, and she found me through the Bible Truth Forums. Joy got to know me through my writing and through direct discussion with me. The forum also served as the first line of communication between Julia and myself. While we would eventually find other means of communication, the forum provided an essential link between a girl in Africa and a boy in Oklahoma.

Now we flash forward, preparing to enter an intense two year training, and of course our God has blessed us in this regard. Our fundraising went remarkably well, and we have now reached our goal! This is a truly wonderful feeling. While the spiritual aspect is the most important, we do need to eat, to sleep, and to cover ourselves. It is a calm and peaceful feeling knowing that these needs will be met.

Needless to say, my God has been mindful of me! His wonderful providence is seen clearly, and if this much is visible to me now, I can't wait to see what else He has in store for us. 

-Lee

A Good Start

We are off to a wonderful start in our preparations for school! The encouragement we have received from brethren all over the world has truly made us feel very, very blessed. Knowing that so many are praying for us and supporting us is an incredibly humbling feeling.

Raising financial support has gone so well for us thus far. You know, sometimes preachers, preacher students, missionaries, etc. get discouraged - especially about fundraising. There's this inward struggle that goes on that is often very difficult for many to deal with. It has a lot to do with perception....

See, most people have a sense of decent pride and want to provide for their own. No one wants to feel (or have others look at them) like this:

There's also the worry that you don't want people to think of you like this:

No one wants to be seen as a beggar and no one wants to be viewed as someone just "in it for the money." Of course we realize there are some people out there who may really be in it for the cash, but most aren't...   and I would say that most of the time, no one is thinking that about us! But sometimes those feelings might start to creep in. What do you do when you're concerned about projecting the right image... when you want to be a pure Light on the Hill and you know at the same time that you need to eat? What helps keep our perspective in its proper place most of all?

"good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over"

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.       Matthew 6:24-33 

 God has truly taken care of us, and we don't need to worry! We are dedicated to trying our hardest to serve Him and He has blessed us so richly! People from so many places have showered blessings on us and we are awed by the love of our brothers and sisters in Christ. So THANK YOU! Thank you for helping us in our desire to go to school and for easing our burdens. Thank you for loving us and for allowing us to forget those worries that spring up when we are anxious because of what people might think. Thank you for your many prayers on our behalf.

We are excited about starting this journey and look forward to sharing our story with you all!

In Christ,

Lee and Julia