What a difference a day can make! Yesterday I was “dealing with doubts”. Today the Lord has restored confidence. In my last two blogs, I finished off by asking you to “pray for that divine appointment”. Well I had my first one this morning!
I went to Cracker Barrel to meet Mike of the Birmingham Alabama Baptist Association. I mean this guy has a long tenure in ministry – I mean with lots of experience. We really connected well over breakfast. Too long to explain all that transpired but Mike totally validated and affirmed the vision for the Eastern Canada Mission Centre given our situation in Canada, especially in Eastern Canada as we look at what needs to be done in the next 10 years for our CNBC 2020 Vision. He totally gets it when it comes to the great need for a “3rd line support”. So I felt totally affirmed. And no I am not crazy in pushing this vision forward. He had great ideas for contacts I need to pursue in the helps of making more significant headway with our vision.
So no I didn’t know Mike before this morning and I totally did not know what to expect from our breakfast meeting. Connecting with Mike was because of a great connection and friend of Sequoia in Brentwood Tennessee, Maurice, who’s come to Ottawa and knows the story of Sequoia well. But from Maurice led to Mike and from Mike led to Bob.
Mike happened to invite Bob along for our breakfast. Bob is the Editor & President of the Alabama Baptist Newspaper. Bob knows our situation well in Canada. He gave me some great insights as to my approach for greater advocacy and momentum for the unfolding reality to the ECMC. He then actually asked me if I could spare a few moments after breakfast. Sure I said. And then off we went to his work place for an interview. The story of the ECMC and Eastern Canada will be shared all over Alabama!
BTW: I mean I was so impressed even with “Bob’s work place” and the history of this newspaper – ie since 1843 if my memory is correct. I mean there is so much history and an incredible Christian foundation to so many churches and Christian organizations in the South! I mean just look at this next picture. Yes – that is First Baptist Church Montgomery. For sure that kind of history and foundation is still alive and well with so many. And we have the privilege of “tapping” into it.
Well after my interview was finished in Birmingham, I made my way over to Montgomery. I mean Montgomery is almost like my 2nd home away from home! I mean I love these guys at FBCM. They are so encouraging. They are like family. I reconnected with a few of them this afternoon.
To be honest, every church in Canada that is started should have the incredible blessing of having a church-to-church partnership like we are enjoying with FBCM, and like we also had enjoyed in the first few years of Sequoia with Brentwood. These kinds of partnership have made a difference, I believe, in not only our survival but also in helping make Sequoia a strong church in Canada for our CNBC.
Over the next few days I will be connecting with so many of my wonderful friends here in Montgomery. As well, the church just also happens to have a major revival planned from Wednesday to Sunday with “Ken Freeman”. He has an incredible testimony. He has already led this year 1000s to the Lord. Check him out at http://www.kenfreemanministries.com/
Well I know today is a longer blog than most days. Maybe it’s because lots happened today. I guess because I wasn’t expecting it this morning, I would say connecting with both Mike and Bob was that divine appointment I was praying for. But that’s only the start. I am praying for more divine appointments as the momentum of this one-month crazy trip continues. Please pray with me for that to happen. I mean let’s pray for people connecting with people who connect me with other people who will be moved by hearing the passionate and urgent story in Eastern Canada for our CNBC 2020 Vision. And most people I talk to are also impressed that a church – Sequoia Church – is behind this huge initiative!
BTW: my little RV is parked at Harold & Helen’s place in Prattville (suburb). I am camping out in their driveway! I will be here in Montgomery till Sunday. Then I head-over to Orlando Florida for perhaps the biggest church-planting conference in North America for the year – called “Exponential”. Check it out at http://www.exponentialconference.org/
Well maybe I did have a 2nd “divine appointment” today! I got a call from my Buddy Donna. She got a crazy seat sale with West Jet from Ottawa to Orlando for $75 one-way (same the other way). Yep – she’s surprising me and flying to join me in Orlando for a couple of days starting Sunday night. That is so cool!
Well – maybe I should start thinking about hitting the sack. It’s late and morning will come very quickly!
God bless – keep praying passionately – remember the “rocket boosters”! God is about to do something!
Press on, Rick! :) I was praying for you yesterday, for the kind of encouragement that only He can give and the kinds of amazing things that He sets up.
ReplyDeleteOur Rachel wrote something on a post-it note that she put above her desk: "don't live life on the edge; live over it". Keep going.
Thanks so much Barb. Very cool ref Rachel. Give her a big hug from me. You know the songs by Britt Nicole "Walking on Water" and by Kuthless "What Faith Can Do" keep coming over and over on the radio. I am simply trying to live those songs out for His glory and needed reality in Ottawa and Eastern Canada to be tangibly unfolded. Thanks again. Miss you guys.
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