Good Service!

Today, July 18th, was a good day for us at Life Pointe Church! We stayed faithful and continued having our services at Huff Lane School. We had 8 people there today but that's ok, I think God blessed us no matter what the number present was. Today I talked about John 2 and Jesus turning the water into wine. Reminds me of how He turns us into something special before God. I await further instructions for what we are to do next. I feel similar to what the soldiers did at D-Day as we wait for the go ahead to head to our next "beachhead" landing. God is good and so we are faithful in the Army of God, serving as faithful "soldiers" to the King. We had a good service today and enjoy talking a lot after; I think they call that "fellowship" which is so good to see as we continue to "point lives to Christ!"

Gradual Peace

Well, here it is July 15th and I realize once again it's been quite a while since I have posted anything, yet God continues to work and bless my heart. Tomorrow is our Life Pointe Church's monthly movie so we continue to be faithful and do the things God has called us to do. Yesterday I went up to Round Hill Elementary School and this was only the second time yet a much different experience than my first time. The first time I went up, I was almost scared to go in the building after hearing from my wife how bad the place was. I am afraid everything she said was true. Or at least it sure seemed that way. The place looked trashy, dirty, and just left me feeling a little disappointed if not defeated about what the future held. But then came yesterday. And this was after I had spent a week at Camp Ta-pa-win-go experiencing God working on young hearts there. Perhaps it was an extended blessing from there, but nevertheless, as I went in to the school yesterday, I had a different expectancy. As I walked in, I felt "this could work!" and so as I walked down the hallway, which looked "warmer" this time instead of so dirty as I previously thought it was, I felt God impressing upon my heart that He could do a work there. And then as I walked through the cafeteria, I actually felt that God would bless our efforts there. I started blinking back tears as I felt that God could indeed make this a place of "hope" and "encouragement" to all those who would come visit us. It just seemed so different this time. God had obviously given me a new spirit about being at Round Hill and so for that I am grateful. Does that mean it is always going to be easy?? Probably not but at least for now, I am much better than I use to be. I walked around the school and prayed a lot and just ask God to place His Hand on our ministry. I just was burdened and blessed all at the same time so I am so thankful for that. I kept thinking: I used to be sort of aggravated; now I am alright; I use to dread going to Round Hill; now I am sort of looking forward to it. Only God could change my attitude that much. So while we are still in transition going from Huff Lane to Round Hill I feel better and know that God is with us. Praise the Lord for that. Oh, and one other thing. I stopped by the church beside the school hoping to see the pastor. It turns out he about came out the door as I drove up. He was positive and upbeat and glad to have us close by. He was an encouragement to me and seemed very willing to help. Again God is opening doors and I believe we can accomplish many things if we just stay faithful and keep going. It's tough but God has renewed my vision and I know He's with us. We can do it. May we be found faithful. Amen.

Time Goes On,,,Faith Gets Tested!

Today is June 27, a mere 15 days or so from my last post. As I read my last post I noticed I had wrote "it is with great sadness" and I am happy to say that I am trying to no longer look at the closing of Huff Lane with great sadness but rather with anticipation and eagerness to serve God in a new and better way! How's that for just accepting what God has in store for me and most important what He has in store for Life Pointe Church! I pray we will actually be able to live our our "motto" or goal and that is to "pointe lives to Christ" and with almost 500 kids at Round Hill we should be able to do that more effectively. That's 479 kids getting a monthly mailing about our movie night and potentially telling their parents about the new church that is meeting at the school! God is moving us for a reason and that reason is to bring folks to Him. The picture gets a little clearer as times passes..,doesn't mean it's still not tough to leave our familar stomping grounds but since God is moving us, it's got to be good and the best thing for us! Praise the Lord!

Huff Lane School Will Close

It is with great sadness that I type this post. This past Thursday, the Roanoke City School Board voted to close Huff Lane School. This is not only where Ginny has worked for almost 15 years, this is the place where lives have been changed and altered for eternity. As I went over to the school yesterday, I walked into the doors and saw boxes already being filled, taped shut, and placed in the gym. Having our Sunday service is probably going to be difficult to do with the all the things already in the way. But we will have it and continue to be faithful as God makes His will more clear to us. It is a trying and confusing time. I love the Lord and want His church, the church He has called me to plant, to continue, but right now there is a lot of uncertainity. I have been told by Ginny, that the principal at Huff Lane will let us meet at Round Hill next year, so God can still change lives there. It is just not the same and it is very tough right now. These are the times that try men's souls, I believe was a quote from George Washington but my soul is not being tried, but my spirit is. May God get the glory as always and may we see the picture clearer soon.

COMMON GROUNDS DEBUTS!

Well tonight is the debut of yet another outreach of Life Pointe Church! We have been showing movies for soon to be 2 years; hosted 2 community wide Block Parties; hosted a week

The Battle Continues!

I am not quite sure if God is teaching me lessons or the devil is just uping the aggravation and trials. After learning the school (Huff Lane) is going to be closed next school year, (at least that is what has been proposed), I went into the school today to get set up for church and then Ginny ran to Wal-Mart just before the service was to start. Ginny walked in the door about a half an hour later, having walked from the bridge close to Valley View, since the van has stalled out and then just died on the side of the road. I went back over and tried to start it, and the ended up having to go and take the battery out and take it to Advance to get it charged. Turns out after I tried to jump start it using Steve's car, that taking it to get it charged at Advance was the best thing to do. As soon as I got back to the school, since charging the battery was going to take an hour, Ginny, Andy, Ashley, Karen, Matthew, and my brother Tim has used the time to pray since I wasn't there to hold the service, so it was good to pray about all the stuff going on, especially with the church. We went ahead and sang our songs and had announcements and prayer then called it a day. I then went back to jumpstart the van and it started up just fine! So God is still in control, the church is still going, and we are waiting on God's next step and orders on where to go or what to do next. It's trying sometimes, but we must persist. God is good.

Sad News

My, what a difference even 24 hours can make! Last night we had a good Bible Study with all of us being reminded that we are called "sons and daughters" of God. That we will enjoy the same inheritance that Christ will enjoy because we are joint heirs with Christ! So there is now no condemnation with God because we are His children who He lavishly poured out His love upon. So with that encouraging thought going to bed, I awoke this morning and felt pretty good and then had Ginny call at about 9:30 am to tell me that Huff Lane School will be closing this fall! I didn't really know what to say. Not only has Ginny worked there for 14 years, and her fellow workers and friends are there, but that is the home for Life Pointe Church, our church, the one we feel can make an eternal difference in the lives and souls of so many people. So it's sad to think we may not have a church home in a few months. We were planning on starting a coffee house ministry this summer and continue with movies so this may be a halt to all of that. This is when we really must trust God for the future. He knows what is best and I must lead with the assurance that God is truly in control. So are "dark times" ahead for Life Pointe Church or is this just the beginning of something much, much better? God knows and so we trust Him for all we need. It is still hard to believe that Huff Lane School will close. Maybe God will change things so we must wait, but meanwhile, we pust on for the high calling that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.