Refreshing and Retrenching

My goal was to return to my normal update posting schedule of at least once a month at the beginning of the month.  But two things have thrown that schedule off for this month. 

First, we took our first extended vacation since we arrived in Culpeper.  It was much needed and much enjoyed.  We stayed around Culpeper some and enjoyed the town we have grown to love.  We also traveled to Virginia Beach—my hometown—to visit with family and soak in some beach framed sun.  Charlie and David learned to swim.  Everyone caught a fish.  Hallie and I enjoyed some great conversations.  We made the most of all 14 days. 

Secondly, as some of you know Hallie has been struggling for two months with arm and neck pain along with strength loss in her right arm.  We finally got a firm diagnosis and course of treatment.  We saw a neurosurgeon who immediately scheduled her for surgery this week.  On Wednesday, Hallie will have her herniated disc removed and undergo the fusion of her C6-C7 vertebrae. 

The Lord has seen fit again to take us through unexpected suffering and trial.  We know he is good and await the coming weeks and months knowing he will lead us through. 

So for those two reasons—refreshing and retrenching—you haven't heard from us. 

Will you please pray for Hallie this Wednesday?  And will you continue to pray for her during her recovery? 

Our Growing, Suffering Church

In the midst of suffering our church is growing.  That seems to be the Lord's pattern.  Hallie's illness—while the most severe—is symptomatic of what our congregation is going through as a whole.  In my seven years of ministry I've never seen suffering like this—not necessarily on the level of catastrophic but more along the lines of prolific.  It seems as soon as someone commits to be a part of our church plant they get hammered by some trial.  You'd think there was some organized opposition to the work.  I suppose we must be doing something right. 

And that leads me to rejoice in God at the growth we are seeing.  Yesterday was my first day back with our little church family in 2 weeks and it did my heart well.  Half way into the announcements we had to put out more chairs because people kept coming in.  Yesterday was the first Sunday that we breached the 100 person mark.  Numbers aren't everything but they are something.  We rejoice in our God who is bringing people to our congregation to hear the gospel of his son Jesus. 

Continue to pray for us.  We want Jesus to be exalted most of all.  To be specific you can pray for two things for our church.  First, we launch our community groups this fall.  Pray for a successful launch.  Second, we want to see the lost come to faith in Christ.  Pray for conversions. 

Parting Quote

"Let us look steadfastly to the blood of Christ, and see how precious that blood is to God, which, having been shed for our salvation has set the grace of repentance before the whole world.  Let us turn to every age that has passed, and learn that, from generation to generation, the Lord has granted a place of repentance to all such as would be converted to him."