Sunday, November 16, 2014

The Start of Our New Adventure

A year ago, I found myself commenting to close associates that the Fall of 2014 would begin a period of major transition in the Body of Christ.  Worldwide, God would quietly be reassigning and repositioning many of His people to station them for a coming move of God of global proportions.  To my wife, I said that would be my time.  I wanted "in" on what God was doing.

That time for us has arrived...and I've been amazed and humbled to personally witness how such a life transition unfolds.  You see, Bev and I are being sovereignly relocated to the St. Louis, Missouri, area from
our home here in Louisiana.  Other than a year I spent on the mission field, Louisiana has been home for my entire life.  But since the start of 2014, the two of us began to notice how things in our lives were shifting.  We were sensing a series of disconnects from all the things we long held dear.  Then in July, the final and most significant disconnect took place.  My full-time employment was cut in half and I was immediately, fully aware this was the Lord's doing.  Bev and I both knew instantly it was time for me to shift from the marketplace to the ministry arena.  What's more, it was time to move to the St. Louis area; something the Lord put strongly on our hearts simultaneously 8 years earlier and the move would happen after Thanksgiving 2014.

We've watched an amazing number of people whom we personally know very well who are being launched into new phases of ministry ALL beginning THIS fall!  Every one of them I can think of just now have required relocating.

So while we're excited about what the Lord has in store for us, we're at that tender place of feeling emotional about the beauty of all we leave behind.  Louisiana is gorgeous and culture-rich. Fragrant pine forests, lush bayous lined with cypress, moss-draped live oaks, and hidden harbors to interlaced waterways.  From the stately, antebellum homes of bayou country to the Creole cottages of the French Quarters...my lifelong home has been a grand showplace.  But all that is only a backdrop to the lifestyle of Louisiana: working hard to play even harder, lots of laughter at every gathering, backyard crawfish boils and tailgating, ALWAYS time for a good time, raising close-knit families and quick to make others feel like a part of the family.  And friends.  They are the REAL beauty.  Friends who are as dear as family.  It is these amazing friends that we will miss most.

To our friends: God graced us with an abundance of you...precious saints every one of you...who surrounded Bev and I with the warmth of your deep caring for us.  Whether we gathered in living rooms, backyards, church foyers or had one of those wonderful, chance meetings where we simply bumped into each other, you always felt like a brother or sister to us. You always let us know we were loved...and you treated us that way.  Each of you has left a deep impression on us and have forever changed us.  Our lives were made rich because of you!

The Lord assures me the best is yet to come.  I can't imagine how He will outdo what He's already done.  But we leave with huge anticipation for what lies ahead knowing it is a great adventure in His kingdom...and knowing we get to take you with us!
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1 comment:

  1. WillNovember 17, 2014 at 6:40 PM

    Jack - You are such a treasured friend and bother to me. I'm REALLY going to miss you. You've made such an impact on my life. Your visionary confidence, balanced evaluations, mature perspectives, prophetic insights... are all wrapped up in the warm and joyful person that you are.

    I appreciate you're thinking inside and outside the box - expanding perspectives which is important so that we can accept the new wine God will pour out.

    You meet people where they are. You comfort and encourage those who are battered, bruised, and worn out. You encourage and salt those who are well leading them into walking in greater fullness of God's Kingdom and knowledge of Jesus.

    Knowing your intimacy with Jesus, His grand accomplishments through you, and His promises about your future... the increase you'll walk in can only fit in sanctified imagination.

    I have full confidence that you'll walk even in apostolic call and anointing. Jesus has worked the character into you that is needed to carry and exercise such gifting.

    It has been a wonderful journey with you to grow in the knowledge of God's glory. To walk in the heavenly realm with our Beloved. My life is so much richer because of your fellowship and discerning contribution.

    I know that I'll stay in touch with you. Your dear friendship and rich insight are things I won't part with regardless of distance. I love you!

    All of God's best to you, dear one, as you continue on your adventure. I know you are a blessing of the LORD to be poured out on those you will come in contact with. You have certainly blessed me. I count it a privilege to have had these years with you. It has certainly been my honor.

    You loving brother always,

    Will

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