April 8, 2008

Divine Appointment

It's so good to be home!!!! We had a great time. We visited Lee University in Cleveland, TN and I have to say that we all absolutely loved it. It was a beautiful place and a wonderful atmosphere. We stayed in Cleveland Thursday and Friday night and after Lee Day was over on Saturday we drove on into Jamestown, TN which was a good 140 more miles. We stayed at a little motel in Jamestown, the only motel in Jamestown I do believe! We visited a dear friend, Jason Kerr a Youth Evangelist who has been speaking all of the world for more than a decade. The Lord has finally called Jason to settle and become a Pastor, a Sheppard of a flock. His church just launched last September and it is growing leaps and bounds.

We had planned to surprise Jason so we hadn't told him of our visit. I didn't rest really well that Saturday night and woke early the next morning. The girls beat me to the shower and I wasn't much of a happy camper and told Tony to take me out and give me time to breathe, cool off and make sure I didn't over react or say anything I would regret. So we rode out early into this little town. Strangely it reminded me so much of where we are from only....smaller. I would have never imagined. The fog was heavily misted over the place and we seen no life and had to wonder if we were even in the right place. Turning onto the road we knew the church should have been on we seen a odd looking fella getting into his car. Tony pulled in and rolled down his window and asked the man if he could direct us to the church we were looking for. The guy knew immediately and replied quite matter of factly , "Jason Kerr's church." Yes that was the one. "Its right there," and he pointed to the building we were parked beside of. The guy told us his name repeatedly, he asked us not to forget it and to tell Jason he had pointed us to the right place. We pulled off and I realized we didn't know where to find breakfast. I told Tony he should have asked that man where the nearest place to eat would be, he agreed and turned around to go back.

Sure enough that odd fella was sitting in his smoky car waiting for it to heat up some before pulling off. Tony asked him if he could tell us where to find a good breakfast and the man replied, "Follow me." We arrived at the Dairy Queen in Jamestown just seconds from where we were and when we were getting out the car Terry was on the phone with Jason's voice mail. Tony tried to tell him that we had planned a surprise for Jason but the cat was already out of the bag! We laughed! How funny it was because Terry had no idea. Jason called Terry back and Tony spoke with him for a moment and then Terry came in and had breakfast with us. Talk about Divine appointment. While our weekend had been nice and we had enjoyed the college it had been uneventful and I had not felt at my best. As everyone knows when mom isn't at her best it prevents everyone else from being at their's and presents an unspoken stress. Something you can't see but is felt.

This was eventful and it excited me.

It was obvious God had led us there and I was amazed that my short temper and intolerable mood had been used to bring us to exactly where the Lord wanted us to be. What a kind reminder of how in control God really is. This odd fella, this man named Terry began to pour out his heart, his struggles. He had been praying and we were the voice God used to speak to him, to answer that prayer. We had grace with him before the meal and afterwards we held hands and we prayed for Terry. Tears were shed as hope filled the air. It had been a long time since I had felt so used by my Father and I loved that He used my unshowered bedhead to comfort someone whom I know would not have been as or even at all comfortable had I been ritzed up as I would be for church. I had a strong feeling that it had been even longer for Terry. The blessing was double, it was two fold.

We hurried back to the hotel and quickly showered and made it to church just before the doors were closed and services began. The presence of God was so strong and of course the message was tailored just for me! It was called, "Obedience vs Rebellion" At the end of the service the Lord spoke to me and I entered into a worship that was so sweet. I spend a lot of time in praise but this was worship and it was another needed reminder of the difference between the two. After the service Jason met with us and asked us to share how in the world we came across Terry. We shared the story and then Jason shared with us. Terry had been the man that had led Jason at the age of 21 to Christ. I was amazed. The world is truly so small and the little things are truly so large. If we could only discern their importance and if we could hear the Lord more clearly we would see such a larger picture and we would know how very important down to even the most minute detail things really are.

The Lord used Jason to speak things we desperately needed to hear about the ministry the Lord has led us into and the place the Lord has us in. Thank-you Father for that answered prayer.

As I looked back over the trip from start to finish I could see the Lord's hand. I was able to remember things I had seen, things I had done, things I had heard and the things I had felt. I was able to have revelation as though a veil was removed and I was able to hear God speaking to me and showing me things and by the end of the trip I was able to put them all together for a full message. Just like a puzzle. The Lord revealed much to me that I had been blind to. I was able to repent, forgive, receive deliverance and come away in a new place with the Lord. A fuller place and I was renewed with reminders that we are ever growing, ever needing and that He is always with us even when we do not feel Him, see Him or hear Him. He is always knocking. This was Divine Training, another revelation.

I can't wait for the Suddenly that I know is coming in our life. The door is getting ready to open.

Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

what a great time you had! :)
thank you so much for sharing.

Cassie - Homeschooling Four said...

Isn't it neat when God uses our messed up plans to accomplish His plan? Very cool.

eph2810 said...

Sounds like you had a super trip :) Not only to check out the college for your daughter, but also having this wonderful appointment with God. It is kinda funny how He sometimes shows up in the least expected places.

Looks like a full circle for Jason and Terry. Now Jason is ministering to Terry.

Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us.

Be blessed today and always...

Kristen said...

Wow-amazing. God speaks to us just when we need it AND he uses us when we don't expect it.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful experience, I love when I can feel God in such a big way!

Mary said...

This is an awesome and very powerful post. God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes when we are in a quandry over something, God's Hand is at work in our lives. I'm so glad that you were touched by God and that it included Terry. What a wonderful, eventful trip it was.

We who are easily stressed need to be alert for God's work in our lives. Sometimes the worst situation can turn into the best we've ever had.

Thanks so much for stopping by my Writing Nook and commenting. It was wonderful to meet you and I hope to get to know you better.

Blessings for a beautiful Wednesday.
Mary

Susan said...

You KNOW I love, love, loved this!!!!! Oh Jenileigh we only get a small glimpse once in awhile of what it is all about. The truth of the matter it is ALL ABOUT HIM!!!!! And He loves us so!
Susan

Sheri said...

What a fantastic story of our Father's hand and goodness! Wow, and what an honor to be used by Him!

Thank you for sharing this story... and I'm glad to hear your family had a blessed and safe trip too!

Tracy Berta-daughter to the King, wife, mother, speaker, writer said...

Sounds like a great trip!

I love the side bar that says how you are feeling, what you are reading, etc. Love that!

Is Beth Moore's book good? I have heard her talk about it before.

Thanks, Jenileigh for stopping by my blog and thanks for the kind words!

Many blessings,
Tracy

Anonymous said...

It looks like you had a great time! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Blessings

Shari said...

Wow. What a weekend. I'm glad that you wrote about it.