What I DO Know

Lately, we have experienced quite a bit of "change" and transition. Actually, this whole year (and even beyond) has been a year of change and transition. Most of it is normal stuff, but some of it, though common, isn't as "easy" or fun in the moment, like leaving a job after 5.5 months after moving over 700 miles. And that was three weeks before Christmas. Had it not been for the school we were in here in Florida, and some really amazing people God put in our life, we would probably feel a bit lost.

I don't know a lot of things, particularly how things are going to work out regarding our financial outlook and our ministry/career, but here is what I DO know: God has been at work in us and around us, and it is really amazing and humbling to be involved in it.

Here are a just a few of the blessings we have experienced in the past two and a half weeks:

• Amy's book got published and people are supporting it so well!
• Amy and I STILL CONTINUE to feel a calling and burden to help couples and families walk through the struggles of life, pointing them to a loving, gracious, redemptive God. 
• I have a new job at another church for at least two months, full-time/temporary and have been able to meet some incredible people and see what God is up to there. 
• Friends and family have reached out to us to support us, encourage us, and bless us
• Our children have been able to have new experiences here in Florida, such as fishing and Busch Gardens, all because of the kindness of friends and family
• God has given us His peace, despite the temptation to give in to fear of the unknown, particularly about facing an uncertain financial future and being able to pay bills, etc. 
• Amy and I are closer than ever and will celebrate 20 years of marriage next summer!
• We are healthy, and seeking to be close as a family, even with our first teenager! That's been a roller coaster ride but such a blessing. 
• My prayer life is my life line to Jesus. I desperately need and want to keep an open fellowship with Jesus all day, not just for requests, but a friendship. 
• I have men in my life that I can call/text at anytime who will encourage me, confront me, pray with and for me, and vice versa.

God is very good. I have to daily fight the temptation to fear or give in to the things of this world in order to "numb" the pain of unbelief. However, despite the struggles and difficulties (many being "1st world" problems I caused), I know for SURE that God is faithful (Hebrews 13:5, 2 Timothy 2:13) and is for me/you (Romans 8:31). As Christ followers, we are in a spiritual war that will not cease just because we ignore it or fail to see it. Ephesians 6:10-13 and following makes this very clear:  

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Gratitude, confession, prayer, and knowing, believing, and living God's truth - these are powerful weapons in this fight we face each day. We can't do it alone. Jesus said He didn't do it alone - He relied fully on His Father in Heaven (John 5:19). We have the gift of the Holy Spirit and fellowship with God through Christ - we are fully equipped by Him to do the work He has called us to (Hebrews 13:20-21).

Will you, will I rely on that power (aka "vine," John 15) and thrive (even during trials and difficulties) or give in to our flesh and self-reliance, only the crash and burn at some point? It's a daily choice of surrender and empowerment to make. I pray that we make it, fully trusting in Jesus. And on the days we don't, I pray we run to Him, allowing His grace and mercy to redeem us, restore us, and fill us back up, so we can rejoin the fight for good, His good.
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Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus the Great High Priest

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,^[f] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.