Mountain Walk

Today was pretty much a rain event in Maggie Valley. However, this evening the rain and clouds gave way to a glorious evening as the mountain sky was overrun with streaks of purple and a half moon that promised a clear night. As I put my shoes on to walk the dog, Micah asked, "Can I go daddy?" Obviously I gave a resounding, "Yes." Little did I know that God would use it as a fresh visual aid to what he has been teaching me lately. Back to the walk in a minute. God has been teaching me lately that many times our prayers are dominated by the mind as we look to articulate the right words to express to our Lord. God has been teaching me this week that our prayers have little to do with refined sentences and fancy words. God isn't impressed with our rhetoric or our language....he created them all just as he created us. God cares about prayers that come directly from the heart. Regardless of our words or lack there of, God simply wants us to come with a heart that is turned toward him, expressing our true feelings, our true weaknesses, and a desire to simply be intimate with him. Each morning over the last week, I have paid special attention to sit in God's presence in silence. I have spent much time allowing God to examine my heart as I look to remove all rhetoric that would hinder my prayers. Back to the story, as Micah and I climbed the mountain during our walk, Micah slipped his hand in mine to help him with the severe incline as Val was preoccupied with new found smells. As we climbed up the mountain trail, Micah looked up at me and said, "Dad it's good to be with you all by myself." As my heart melted I responded, "You are so right Micah. You are so right." As the trail leveled out, Micah ran ahead checking out the acorns and falling leaves that had fallen victim to the rain. However, as we turned around and headed back, Micah's hand once again slipped into mine as he proclaimed, "Dad I love you with all my heart." Before I could respond he clarified, "That means that I love you very much!"

Tonight as I sit at my computer I am grateful to my Heavenly Father that he chose to use this walk to inspire my heart and encourage my soul. I'm grateful that he cares enough to provide visual aids that help this father see the true longing of my Heavenly Father.

Are you taking the time for mountain walks with the Father? Eliminate all the run on sentences, fancy words, and hollow words. Simply sit in His presence letting Him examine your heart, letting Him feel your heart, and letting Him encourage your heart.

Abiding in Him!

Stephen

Quiet Lessons

God has been teaching me a lot over the last few weeks about slowing down, letting go, and getting quiet before my Creator. Over the last few weeks my a.m. routine has gone like this: Wake up, grab a cup of coffee, take a morning jog with "Val" (running with her gives me a legitimate excuse to stop and rest), grab another cup of coffee and retreat to my porch to read and pray. I position myself about ten feet away from the hummingbird feeder that has become the center of my families attention. No doubt this has become a wonderful place to seek the face of my Lord.

I have never really taken the time to focus on the hummingbird. However, over the last week the bird has become my favorite. Have you ever stopped to think how the hummingbird got its name? Sure we could all take a guess and say, "because it hums." This week I learned first hand the reason for its name. When you get close enough to the hummingbird you realize that the hum doesn't come from a sound it makes with its mouth but rather the sound it makes from it's wings. This truth may have been obvious to you but God taught me something through the hummingbird this week. As I have sit in silence on my porch in close proximity to the bird I have come to have a first person understanding of the bird, I have developed an appreciation for the bird and I plan to purchase my own hummingbird feeder when I get back to Lynchburg. In such a simple way God used His creation to challenge me in my relationship with the Creator. He longs for me to get quiet, to sit close, and to focus on Him. He longs for me to seek a greater intimacy with Him through solitude, silence and a desire to pray continually. Yea! I know that all these things fly into the face of conventional wisdom as it relates to our society......even more reason to seek after these things.

As amazing as that hummingbird is it fails to compare to the awesome splendor of it's Creator. I'm praying for the people of LFCN daily, I am seeking God's face to become a better disciple and I am looking to the future with tremendous optimism.

Abiding!

Stephen

Wild Ride

Today I had the opportunity to take my family whitewater rafting down the Pigeon River in Tennessee. It was truly a glorious day filled with God's glorious presence in God's glorious creation. Today as I traveled down the river I could hear the Word of the Lord being proclaimed in Isaiah 45:12:

"It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it."

Let's take the time to rejoice and give God the praise that he so deserves.

Abiding in Him!

Stephen

Water Fall

The boys where excited to find this waterfall that runs directly behind our rental. We tried our luck at climbing and I am certain that this will become a daily routine.

Mountain Top

The Willis family has spent the last two days settling into our rental in the Smokey Mountains. Today has truly been the most relaxing of them all. I look forward to sitting on the deck, listening to the stream, reading the Word and praying for my community of faith back in Lynchburg.

generosity lesson

Tonight the Willis family arrived in Maggie Valley N.C. It's a quaint little town in the far western mountains. When you bypass Asheville and keep driving you know that North Carolina doesn't have a lot of miles left before you run into Tennessee. After finding our "home away from home" and getting our things into our rental we headed out to find some dinner. We found a nice little mom and pop restaurant just a few miles away and we sat down and enjoyed a wonderful meal. As the meal concluded the waiter came over and said, "Sir there is a couple in our restaurant who was admiring how well your kids behaved during dinner. They have already picked up your bill." I couldn't believe what I heard. I inquired of the waiter to point out the generous couple. He pointed to a couple who was heading to the door. I quickly ran over and with astonishment thanked them for their unbelievable generosity. I introduced my family to them yet they never told me their names. Despite there warm smiles it was obvious that they would have rather gone unnoticed for this act of kindness. I returned to the table and gave my waiter a more generous tip than normal. However, Lisa gently challenged my own generosity. She stated, "Let's pass on the blessing to the degree that it was given to us (paraphrased)." I agreed and doubled the amount that was initially left for our waiter. I walked out of the restaurant with mixed emotions tonight. First, I was grateful for the kindness that was offered to my family. Second, I was a little disappointed in myself that it was Lisa's idea to give with extravagance. As we got in the car to head to the grocery store I quietly did three things. First, I thanked God for his tremendous provision for me and my family. Second, I asked him to forgive me for not initially being extravagent in my generosity. Thirdly, I determined in my heart that I would look with "eyes wide open" for the next opportunity to "pass on a blessing" to whoever crosses my path. No doubt God has been so good to us and he has called us to be generous in a way that reflects Him.



"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8



Gratefully Abiding!



Stephen

Sacred Solitude

It's been a few days since my last post. One of the great parts of sabbatical is only doing things whenever you get around to it. :) We arrived back in Lynchburg earlier in the week and we leave for the mountains of North Carolina early Saturday morning.

I wanted to take the time to share with you what God has been teaching me. I just recently began reading a "christian classic" entitled "The Way of the Heart." The first chapter significantly talks about the power of solitude and it's importance in our christian walk. I couldn't help but recognize the fact that this spiritual discipline is probably one of the hardest and most often neglected. Truthfully many of us are afraid of solitude and we work hard at filling our lives with stuff that enables us to avoid it. As I look at this truth I am personally challenged to make solitude apart of my life. Many of you are probably thinking it will be easier for you during your sabbatical.....not necessarily..... I have three boys. :) I made a commitment to the Lord this week to awake earlier than I normally do to place a greater emphasis on my time with the Father. Please pray for me that this time will be rich and meaningful. I'll pray the same for you. :)

Stephen

Beach View

The Willis family on vacation at Sunset Beach!

Father and Son

As I mentioned earlier Nick and I participated in a father son golf tournament today in Myrtle Beach. We met up with my old college roommate and his son at the International Course on Hwy 17. This was only the second time that Nick has played an entire 18 holes. I spent much of my time focusing on teaching him the game, proper etiquette, and encouraging him through the sand traps, water holes, and long fairways. I didn't mind it a bit .... it was a great day for Nick's father. I couldn't help but be reminded throughout the day that my Heavenly Father is doing the same for me spiritually. I often fall short, I don't always understand my surroundings but I know that my Father in heaven is "abounding in love" and "encouraging me to the next level spirtually."

Abiding and resting in Him!

Stephen

Campus Crusade

This morning Nick and I left early for a father and son golf tournament in Myrtle Beach. We stopped by the area Dunkin Donuts for some donuts and coffee. As I stood in line a young man in front of me dropped a book on the floor. I quickly noticed that the book looked familiar. The book was a book I read during my course of study entitled "The Master Plan of Evangelism." After I saw the book I struck up a conversation with the boy. I learned that his name was Corey and that he was from Minnesota. He was staying in the Myrtle Beach area this summer working for Campus Crusade with Christ on an evangelism trip. Honestly the young boy looked a little homesick. I told him that I was a pastor from Lynchburg and I wanted to encourage him in his efforts to reach people this summer with the message of God's love. I also informed him that I would be praying specifically for him this summer. Will you join in prayer for Corey? Will you allow his example to impact you today? Who are you trying to reach for Christ? "Let's lift as we climb in 09."

Big Family

Tonight I sit in my hotel room tired from a tremendous week of activity at our General Assembly in Orlando, Fl. Everyday has been filled with legislative sessions as I served as one of the Virginia delegates for the assembly. Having the opportunity to serve has been very rewarding for me personally. However the greatest joy is to be with my brothers and sisters from around the world. Today I had the opportunity to catch up with three of my Jordanian brothers that I met while in the Middle East back in February of 2008. What a tremendous opportunity it was to share this time with true heroes of the faith. These men have dedicated their lives to preaching the good news of Jesus to their Arab communities. I recognize that we have a significant role in helping them as we continue to give toward World Mission. This week I have learned that we still have a long way to go as a church but we are on the right track. We truly have become a global community that is doing it's part to proclaim the message of God's great love.

The Willis family will be leaving Orlando in the morning heading North to North Carolina. Looking forward to a beach chair, a cold mountain dew, and a good book.

Stephen

Isaiah 30:21