Has It Really Been A Year?
It has been awhile since I have just sat here at my portable desk, with the oil lamp lit, pondering things!
I kind of miss my front porch back in Texas, yet here in Kennesaw, Georgia the Lord has given me places to write. The little park down the street, Starbucks, and here in my office/study/room.
I can open the window, listen to the sounds of the night or the early morning, the wind blowing through the pine trees, the sounds of birds and other small creatures, a few lizards that make themselves at home on the screen at times.
I can hear the trains off in the distance, the gentle rain, the thunder, the lighting, all reminding me of other times of sitting on the porch back in Texas and remembering the things the Lord spoke to me. They were and they still are precious times now here in Georgia.
Sometimes it is hard to leave things behind but there comes a time when we must let go, truly let go and allow the Lord to have the reign of our heart, of our lives, trusting Him in every aspect to lead us on the path that He has for us that we might fulfill His call on our lives.
I find it hard to believe that I have been here just a little more than a year and so much has happen, a lot of changes, mostly for the good. Everything that has happen in this year has been in the Lord’s hands.
When we walk with the Lord, with the Father, He prepares the way before us. He puts everything in order! There are no accidents in the Lord! Each person, each opening, each door is an opportunity to move forward.
The birthing of Hill Country Thoughts last year and then basically being thrust forth from Junction, to be in the center of God’s purpose here in Kennesaw as been amazing to watch. For I know that I know that this is the place that He wants me.
The Lord has consistently networked me with other brothers and sisters in the Lord, to visit various home groups at North Star Church, to go through the Divorce Care Class, with Greg and Julie Jones, which was totally awesome, through the Saturday morning Men’s Coffee and Fellowship at Starbucks. I have met other writers, bloggers, and ministers there.
I have also met a lot of awesome college kids, who love to talk and visit and share and it is kind of neat to be able to just listen, to share a little and to be a friend, the Lord opens the doors, we just have to walk through an leave the rest to him.
There are a lot of young people looking for reality, and they need to see the reality that is in Christ, they need to see it reflected in our lives. I think one of the things the Lord is teaching me is to be quick to listen, slow to speak, really
I became a member of the Christian Authors Guild in Woodstock, Georgia last year, hopefully soon, CWG, will have a local Christian Writer’s Group monthly meeting in Douglasville.
Several months back I was invited to attend a Nehemiah Ministry meeting, that meets every Tuesday for prayer in Acworth and it has been totally awesome!
I have become part of Calvary Chapel in Marietta, Georgia. It has become another life changing time for me. To be part of the body there, to be involved with men with a heart after God, with a heart towards the father.
There is such a presence of the Lord and the heart of the people there, are hearts of a servant!
Yep, I met my pastor at Starbucks about four months ago
Also want you all to know that the Social Security ruled fully favorable so my benefits will begin in January and will also be retroactive to February 2003 when all this began. God’s timing is everything. He makes the way and the provisions and His timing is perfect.
Just sharing with you some of the events of the last year and to let you know how much I appreciate each and everyone of you. For my friends, family, for those who blog by, who leave comments, who E-mail and encourage me, for your love in Christ for me. It is so appreciated.
I know the Lord has great things in store as we step out in faith in this new year coming. As we put pen to paper, hand to keyboard, in faith, we will see the Lord make himself know through us, as we reflect Him in all that we do.
That as we share, as we encourage others, as we are real, that others will see that we really are real people, living in a real world, serving a real and living God, a risen Lord, who has called us to follow in His steps, to make His presence know in all that we do.
As friends, as mothers and fathers, as grand-parents, as employers and employee’s, we are to walk in the ways of the Lord, that others will see Christ in us, not so much by what we say, but by what we reflect!
December 28th, 2005 at 23:00
Thank you for putting me on your blogroll. I’ll do likewise.
Calvary Chapel… When I was in high school I went to a Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California… They didn’t have a building then, just this big circus tent. The Lord was moving a lot of hearts there. I think the church got pretty big. Perhaps it is connected to your church? I know that when the Calvary Chapel I knew got its own building my mother did a painting for their foyer.
Thank you for your kind comments.
God bless.
December 29th, 2005 at 06:57
December 29th, 2005 at 07:02
Hi Paul. It’s been a while since I’ve visited. So good to hear that God is working things out for the good in your life. Isn’t he great? He is working out his purposes for your life. He’s setting you up! Our God is awesome!
December 29th, 2005 at 07:15
Wow…a lot of water under the bridge, as my mom would have said! So glad to hear what a full life you now have!! Sounds so much more than what you had before…like perhaps God is restoring some of what the locusts have stolen from you!! And so glad to hear that! And what a great thing to finally have the social security ruling over with and favorable! That surely will make life much easier! Will you be getting your own place then, or staying where you are? Blessings and it will be exciting to see where God takes you this year too.
Elizabeth
December 29th, 2005 at 07:24
December 29th, 2005 at 07:31
December 29th, 2005 at 09:31
Brother Paul,
So awesome to hear of God’s moving AND provision in your life!God’s incredible.So glad to hear that Soc.Sec.ruled in your favor.Went through with/for my husband Steve after his heart,lung problems and mild stroke in 2002.Was rough going till his disability kicked in.Getting back pay was awesome.:-)He’s still on disability but is somewhat improved.Driving again,praise jesus.Applying for disability and getting it is something else,eh?Be blessed my brother.And thanks for your kind words and encouragement over at my blog brother.
Sharon:-)
December 30th, 2005 at 10:39
Oh, Thanks a lot brother Paul, for all the prayers over my kin…I so appreciate it! Little Nathan now has the problem of growing so well he needs new clothes!! THAT is a very welcome thing…when we once thought he might not ever grow anymore and just fade away till he was gone from us!!
And we had another partial answer to prayer too…my middle child, who does not follow God, and lives with her boyfriend, got an engagement ring over the holiday. And asked that we give her some wedding ideas from our new and current path of faith (as I have explained in email) in order that she might HONOR us too in her wedding. Knock me over with a feather…never expected the word HONOR to come from her lips!! But in a way, I have now more hopes even of her coming to the Savior…HE is at work in ALL things. Though we are not happy about her live-in situation…we are hopeful that EVEN in this, HE is still at work. When such events happen…the “Hound of Heaven” comes to mind, do you know that poem? I feel HE is in hot pursuit of their very souls…and who knows? I have hopes for the entire family of her fiancee as well…they are Jewish you know, so of course, our Heavenly Father longs for them!
Blessings and prayers for your continued work for HIM,
Elizabeth
December 30th, 2005 at 13:26
God has blessed you with a great year, and I hope the coming one is just as full of new beginnings.
December 31st, 2005 at 10:46
Hi Paul. Wow, so much has happened in your life over the past year. I pray that 2006 will be an awesomely blessed year for you as well. Thank you for blessing me every time I read your blog! Happy New Year!
December 31st, 2005 at 18:31
Blessings Paul, I know a great year is ahead for you and Hill Country. I’m so glad God is doing such a great work in your life. You have been such a great encourager to me. I look forward to another year of your wonderful writings and friendship. Happy New Year!
January 1st, 2006 at 20:29
God has brought you a mighty long way my friend. I know He’s got great things in store for you in 2006!
January 1st, 2006 at 20:40
January 1st, 2006 at 20:49
January 1st, 2006 at 20:52
January 1st, 2006 at 20:55
January 1st, 2006 at 20:59
January 1st, 2006 at 21:02
January 1st, 2006 at 21:26
Happy New Year Paul! Thanks for sharing the ways that the Lord has worked in your life this past year. What a wonderful and inspiring post this was. I know He’ll continue to bless you this year as well! Have a Christ filled day!!
January 2nd, 2006 at 01:32
Yep you are right, the “stranger” could become a part too…grafted in…but when they are not Believers…then what? I would like to think that they are being pursued in a special way, anyway.
Blessings…and hope this year will bring many good things your way!
Elizabeth
January 5th, 2006 at 19:38
Paul! What a nice comment you left for me today. I’m so happy you happened by my blog. It’s always wonderful to meet a brother in the Lord, but an even nicer surprise when it’s a fellow Calvary Chapel brother. Sounds like you have a wonderful fellowship there in Georgia. I don’t know what I’d do without my own.
God has certainly blessed us with an incredible loving church family.
Bless you, Paul. I’ve linked to you (and thanks for your link to me
and I will certainly be back!