New Birth

I stand amazed at the faithfulness and goodness of God. Two weeks ago we started a three week series based upon Acts 2. As a result LFCN is having it's own Acts 2 experience as the presence of God has moved in such a fresh and real way. Over the last two week we have had the opportunity to baptize 39 people. Young and old a like have idenitifed with Christ through public baptism. To GOD be the glory for the great things he has done.

Stephen

Stephen

Kin Folk

On Thursday I had the opportunity to meet up with my brother Bill on an I-40 park and ride and drive the short distance North to Harrisonburg to see our older brother Kerry. When we arrived in Harrisonburg we went to dinner at a local restaurant, then promptly to the legendary ice cream shop called Kleins. After ice cream we returned to Kerry's home as we talked into the early morning hours about past memories, about family, and about the goodness of God. On Saturday we loaded the golf clubs into the back of Bill's CRV and headed to Shen Valee Golf Course in New Market, VA. The weather was great, the company was better and the swings were numerous :). One of the highlights of the trip was learning things about my family that I had never known. The stories that my older brothers shared gave me new insight, better helping me understand my roots and the family that I was born into. I left Harrisonburg with a couple of thoughts.

#1: We don't get to pick our biological family: I often have thought about the "why's" of the family in which I was born. Why was I born in a quaint fishing village off the coast of NC? Why was I born to godly parents who taught me through their example what it meant to be a Christ follower? Why was I born the youngest of three boys? Why was I so blessed to have such a great childhood and wonderful family? I realize that I have had it better than most and I realize that to "whom much is given much is required."

#2: I am extremely grateful for my family: As I looked at my two older brothers it shocked me just how old they gotten (sorry Kerry and Bill....I know you will read this). As I look at my brother Kerry I see Granddaddy Gray. As I look at my brother bill I see my Father Billy. I say that to say this--- I am more grateful than I ever have been to have older brothers who have spent their lives loving me, supporting me, and encouraging me to be all that I can be for God's glory. Yea I'm getting old as well but I'm ignoring it. :)

#3: We can't pick our biological family but we can pick our eternal family: One of the reasons it is such a blessing to have older brothers is the fact that we are brothers in two respects. We are "biological brothers" and we are "spiritual brothers." Our earthly father is Captain Billy Willis and our Heavenly Father is Almighty God. Today as I give God the praise for my biological family I am even more grateful for my "kingdom family." Today on this 8th day of August I give God the praise for my salvation and my acceptance in His family. No doubt God's family has transformed my life. As I enter into the last week of my sabbatical I truly do miss my church family in Lynchburg. I am more grateful than ever to have the opportunity to lead such a great family that chooses to meet every Sunday in a building on Wards Ferry Road.

Abiding in Him!

Stephen

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.