So much to say…..!!!!

Can’t write much now. Still processing. But a few highlights were tweeted. My top 3 were Beth Moore, Francis Chan, and Craig Groeschel. Beth and FranChan pack so much power in the punch because they preach the Word of God; the scripture-heavy, revelation inspiring, depth revealing, overwhelming (in a GREAT way) talks they give leave you full to the brim and yet yearning for more.

Craig’s talk today could be the pivotal conversation of our generation–explained and examined in a way that brought power and peace, might that comes from the Spirit and humility that comes from obedience, boldness that comes from the Hope we have in Jesus and a beseeching that comes only out of a heart ruled by love.

To say that it was powerful would be a gross understatement.

To say that it marked the end of something in the Church in America that will not be missed and the beginning of something that may never be replaced is closer to target.

Trust me. God is good. God is faithful. He is still sovereign. He is still speaking. and perhaps, most importantly: HE IS STILL MOVING IN THIS NATION.

Amen. [more to come!]

Why don’t we talk about this much in the church? If we believe that the world in which we live is a broken and fallen place where we need–daily–the Hope of salvation to survive, why don’t we spend more time talking about the constant war that is raging and our place in it?

Jesus “was manifested for the purpose of destroying the works of the devil” (1 Jn 3:8b).
God “has rescued/delivered us from the kingdom of darkness” through Jesus (Col 1:13-14).
Jesus sought to prepare us for spiritual warfare and to stand with us against it (Mat 16:18b).
The power of the Holy Spirit is the only way we can wage war against evil (Mat 12:28-29).
The epistles of the New Testament speak continually about its importance and the authority we have (and responsibility we have) in Jesus’ name (Jn 16:7,13-15).

Scriptural Basis:
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21 NKJV)
“…the battle is the LORD’s…” (1 Samuel 17:47 KJV)
“…the enemy… is the devil…” (Matthew 13:37-39 KJV)
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” (John 10:10a NKJV)
“We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds….” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4 NLT)
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty power in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8b KJV)
“For He has recused us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14 NLT)
“But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like satan and plunder his goods? Only someOne even stronger–someOne who could tie him up and then plunder his house.” (Jesus speaking, Mat 12:28-29 NLT).
“I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18 KJV)
“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries for tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below–indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(Romans 8:37-39 NLT)

All this to say: I’ve been experiencing a lot of spiritual warfare lately and it is not strange or unexpected–the devil is rather unimaginative, actually.

I spent the better part of yesterday in the ER because of an intense and paralyzing pain that was the result of a ruptured cyst on my left ovary (we later discovered). I have never felt anything like it. It was a complex cyst which means is was really big (about 2 inches) and had other things in it than just water liquid. If my ovary was a football, this would have been an explosive wound that was at least the length of the laces and twice as wide; and what came out when it burst was not simply water–hence the intense and immediate pain.

This is not a coincidence.
1. One week ago we added a member to our family–Evan. So satan attacks my ovaries (ability to become a mother to many).
2. The day I spent in the ER was the day we were supposed to meet my parents in Chattanooga so that they could meet Evan and welcome him into our larger family. So satan tried to mess up that plan and deny Evan that connection of love.
3. The issue of getting pregnant or not has been a hot topic with me and grant for almost a year. So satan wanted to come in and speak death over our future ability to have kids.

BUT GOD SPEAKS LIFE.

God wants to extend the boarders of our tent with children (Isa 54:2). God wants Evan to feel fully accepted into a loving family (Mark 1:11). God wants for me and Grant to honor His command to open our hearts and homes to His kids–orphans like Evan (James 1:27).

Spiritual warfare is not as “mystical” as it sometimes seems.
It is real.
It is spiritual.
It is both. But God has already won, the victory is His in Jesus Christ. and His plans (for me, for us, for Evan, for my ovaries and health) CANNOT be thwarted (Job 42:2). Ever (Deut 31:6,8).

God speaks LIFE (Gen 1:27-28).

So when satan comes against us when we are simply being obedient to God, we have Hope and do not lose heart (2 Cor 4:1). I know exactly what satan’s trying to do; problem for him is: we love, trust, and belong TO JESUS. and I will praise Him forever. Amen!

“”Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem, you who have never been in labor. For the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who has many sons with her husband,” says the LORD.” (Isa 54:1).

friends and family,

We have so much to blog about. We’ve been to Italy. We’ve travelled with some REALLY great people. We took some really great pics. So so much.

But for now, what’s more important than blogging about any of that is telling you about a new addition to our family–moving in Friday!

VERY long story short–through a series of emails that found their way to my boss, Grant and I heard about a functional orphan who needed a place to live for a year or so. Without revealing too much of his story, he’s been living with his aunt and uncle since his dad died two years ago, and the living situation has been… let’s say, less than ideal.

He LOVES the Lord, is smart with good grades, and has a grateful heart. When he could be rebellious, angry, and closed-off, he is respectful, sincere, and open. That’s what happens when Jesus steps in–our God is mighty to save. Praise the Lord. I know it will be tough at times and a bit different for me and Grant, but my goodness we’re excited about him moving in!!

We said ‘yes’ before we had met him (which was Monday) and I have to tell you: God created a whole room of love in our hearts for him. This is one of those things that you ‘think’ you’re helping someone else, but really that other person is showing you more of Jesus than you could’ve ever imagined.

We are just happy to have the opportunity to respond to this situation in obedience. This kid is AWESOME! We’re glad to share our life and love with him. You can pray for him by name–Evan. He’s moving in Friday!!!!!!!!!
[we’re a LITTLE EXCITED if you can’t tell ;)]

We’re certainly not the only ones doing this. Many of our friends are fostering kids, adopting, and making room in their homes and hearts for a new generation of God’s children. We’re just glad to be a part of a community of believers who take God at His word and react in obedience. We are surrounded by such a cloud of witness. Thanks, God. We’re certainly not celebrating the road that brought him here, but Lord, we are ECSTATIC that we are privileged enough to be in his life and create a home and family for him with us. Amen!

So. Here’s our very basic itinerary while we’re in Italy. You can follow along if you want and know what city/ what sites we’re seeing each and every day! Pics will be posted asap upon our return.

BUON VIAGGIO!

9/4
Check into Hotel
Get Roma Pass @PIT Termini
→(collection code: U43SL7UV)
Angel’s Tour—Vatican 11:00 (9/4)
Lunch
Castle de San Angelo
Dinner
Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps

9/5
Colloseo, Forum
Capitoline Hill—Lunch
Walk around—Enjoy!
Dinner

9/6
Final things in Rome
Check out by 3:00pm
Train to Florence—Explore!

9/7
Day Trip: Cinque Terre
[Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Corniglia]

9/8
Duomo, Bell Tower, Baptistry
Lunch
San Lorenzo Market (Leather Market)
Galleria del’ Accademmia (The David) 1:30pm
Hospital of the Innocents

9/9
Piazza del Republica
Loggia del Mercato Nuovo (the Boar)
Signoria Square, Pallazo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio
Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
Lunch
Uffizi Galleria (1:30pm)
Santa Croce
Dinner
Piazza crawl

9/10
Check out
Santa Maria Novella
(Other: Orsanmichelle, Medici Chapel, Brancacchi Chapel)
Train to Venice—Explore!

9/11
San Marco Square, Bell Tower
Rialto Bridge
Grand Canal Tour—water taxi
Lido Beach
Doge’s Palace/ Bridge of Sighs
Gondola
Murano (Venician glass)
Train to Rome—Explore!

9/12
Rome—Home!
Unpack, unwind, upload pictures!

Our dearly beloved… let’s call him Penji… has left his wallet at Ryan’s house.

Ok, so he’ll have to get back to Ryan’s to get his wallet…

…but Ryan is in Athens for the day… Maybe Keef will be there around 5:00 to let him in.

Ok, so Penji can wait, then get in his car and drive down to meet Keef at Ryan’s to get his wallet.

…but Penji left the keys to his car in Brody’s truck…

…and Brody left Atlanta and is now in Athens…

…so Penji picks up his phone to call his girlfriend in Athens to get his keys from Brody and bring them to him in Atlanta…

…but his phone’s dying dying dead… Where’s his phone charger? in his car–right outside–without keys he can only look at it…

…so he calls his girlfriend, gets her vm and then he checks twitter: she’s getting her hair cut… no response….

…so maybe if his girlfriend calls my phone after her hair cut but before Grant and I leave, Penji will get her to get his keys from Brody and we can take him to get his wallet with Keef from Ryan’s house and she can bring him back to get his car at our house… and then they can go to Athens.

This does not happen to normal people… except our friend Benji (oops, told on you 😉 who swears that he “is a grown up some of the time”

We love our Benji and will take him even if he’s a mess 😉

ps. Benj: this was too funny not to share. we love you very very much and hope you can stay with us as long as you want/ need to. I mentioned that you could just use our spare key… Grant said you might lose it….