Saints in Arlington, TX

Trucker Tim

Joyce and I had the distinct privilege of going to visit the Church in Arlington, TX. Well, it didn't start out like that----let me start at the beginning.

One of my drivers got a large ticket in Arkansas last December, for a misread permit. I thought that I would go to Hope, AR to deal with this ticket. So, I looked into flight info, and soon saw that it was cheaper to fly to Dallas than Little Rock, and as we have Brothers and Sisters in Arlington---near Dallas, Joyce came with me, and we made it a weekend.

What a wonderful time we had with the saints there. Bill and Sarah opened their home to us---Bo, very kindly, and with much grace, gave up his room for us to use. (It was like old times, I used to stay with them in Atlanta, only better, because Joyce was with me, ant Bill and Sarah have two sweet children now too.) We talked, ate, sang, praised the Lord,...... it was wonderful. There was a meeting at Ev and Sheila's house (Sarah's Parents). Most of these Saints we had never seen before, but we knew them allready, because we are joined with them in Spirit. They were going over some of their notes from the Roanoke Experience. For any who don't know, Gene Edwards has several time had groups gather in Roanoke, AL, or originally in Maine, to spend a quiet and intense week seeking the Lord, or maybe just quieting ourselves so we could hear the Still Small Voice within. It is good to go over these notes, and to re-center our lives on Him again, so we can hear Him in our busy lives----or despite our busy lives.

And the Singing.........no words for that. Joyce was tired, and went to bed about 10:45 or so, but I stayed up with Bill and Sarah, and two brothers from Waco. It is wonderful to be with the Saints. The next day, we rose early---too early it seemed--- and the Brothers met quietly before the Lord. Then the Sisters had a meeting together, followed by the Church going to Breakfast together.

Just like that it was over. But it was one of those times which will live on in my heart forever, as will my Brothers and Sisters new and old from the Church in Arlington.

Joyce and I went to Hope, AR that afternoon, and I appeared in Court the next morning, only to find out that even though the violation was a Company violation, I could not deal with the ticket. Only my driver or a lawyer could do so. The Judge ordered a continuance until later this month, and asked that my driver appear then. Annoyed, I left the Court House thinking that my whole trip had been a waste. But then I thought again about our 24 hours in Arlington, and I knew that the trip had not been to go to Court in Arkansas, but rather was God's way of getting Joyce and me to Arlington.

A week later, I got a call from the DA in Hope, AR. I had tried to contact him while we were there, but he was busy all day in Court also. He told me that I had made an impression on both him and the Judge by my demeanor in Court, something they rarely saw from a defendant, and because of this they wanted to work with me so that I would not have to return to Court again with my driver. We agreed to a plea bargain deal which was less than 15% of the original fine, and once again I saw the Hand of God moving in mysterious ways in my life.

Brothers and Sisters, seize every opportunity, you never know what you may really be doing. You might think that you are going to Dallas as a perk of having to go to court in Arkansas, when really you are going to Arkansas to get you to Dallas. It might sound silly, but that is what happened.

Trucker Tim

Trucker Tim

Does it work?

Christ is ALL

We here in Philly just had another meeting this morning, the like of which we haven't had for a while. We started reading T. Austin Sparks' " The Centrality and Supremacy of Jesus Christ."

While it may be a little awkward to read, I would recommend it. It sparked a discussion, quite lively, and very much centered around our Lord. I can't remember when we had one of those last.

What stood out to me most? Well, I think two things.
One, human nature hasn't changed a bit through the years. Sparks was talking about how we so many times get bogged down in the form, the tradition, the denomination, the institution, what have you, and get sidetracked off of Jesus Christ and His being what it is all about. Jesus blasted the Pharisees and Scribes for the very same thing----It wasn't about the Law of Moses, but rather about the ONE who gave the Law to Moses. God and His Son have always wanted us to Know HIM, not know about Him, or His Law. He takes great Pleasure when we remember Him, turn to Him, love Him. And yet, He knows we are human, and while he might be saddened by our inability to do this all the time---for me, most of the time---He does not hold that against us, but rather encourages us gently and lovingly to turn to Him again.

Two, the first chapter ends with a prayer that the Lord would burn this knowledge into our souls, That HE IS The CENTER. It just may be that that is part of the mystery of Christ. He is the One who reveals to us that He is the CENTER. Maybe we would never realize this except He shows us.

Sorry, not trying to be too deep, but it just occurs to me.

My Fleet 

Moving On

Another year has begun. This morning we got together again as a Church, for the first time in a long time just to sing and worship the Lord as a Body. How refreshing. There were even some faces present that haven't been coming very often. We just sang and worshipped the Lord together, and His Presence was there. We didn't discuss whether we were still a Church or not, or if we should be doing things to be a Church, or anything of the sort. We just sang and worshipped. In other words, we just were the
Church, instead of "trying to be" or "wondering if we were."

It seems as if this year is a new beginning for us here in Philly, and for me personnally.

As I said in one of my previous blogs, last year was a good year, but different from what I envisioned at its beginning. I see this year as being a good year, too, but I am ready for anything. I know that it is in HIM, and I know that He Knows Best.

First, a little background. I started my business hauling equipment, working for various large Equipment Haulers. Then I went into dumptrucks in order to settle down and be home more. Then, three years ago, I went back into hauling equipment, but this time, finding customers myself. Since then, I had one dumptruck, and gradually came to have three tractor-trailers hauling equipment.

In December, we decided to sell the dumptruck and concentrate on the equipment hauling. I finally got some pictures together and placed a listing on the internet on the 12th of January. this listing actually became active about 2:30pm the 13th. Would you believe, I had three offers on it by 5:30pm, and had a solid sale by noon the 14th?!!!!!!

Wait on the Lord, folks, and look to Him for guidance, but be ready for a ride when He moves!!!!

So, we continue looking to Him, for the Church, for our personal lives, and for our business, because they all really belong to Him.

The Year in Review

When this year began---2005, I had big dreams for the year. Being the owner of a small business, I thought maybe this would be the year when it turned a corner, really began to go places. But, as happens all too often in His Kingdom, the Lord had different plans and priorities for the year 2005.

It was a year of growth Spiritually rather than in business. A time of finding Him in the lows and valleys, rather than conquering the heights. While my business has grown some, I have found myself waiting on Him for direction more than ever. The things that used to work don't work the same anymore.

Years ago, when I first started, I used to ask Him for guidance, and as I am one of those people who don't often hear Him in an audible voice, I would ask for practicle signs of His Leading. Now, I find that I need to go more by Faith, make the decisions that I feel I should make, and Trust Him to stop me if I have blundered(hopefully before I have totally screwed things up.)

I was reading Sarah Heroman's blog tonight, and Sarah, I got so say, I was blessed by your piece on Failure, Especially the part about failure meaning that you had direction, and at least you could fail, or die trying, rather than never having tried.

A little Poem that we memorized in High School comes to mind
"How Did You Take It?"
Did you tackle that trouble that came your way
with a resolute heart and chearful,
Or did you hide your face from the light of day
with a craven heart and fearful?

Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce,
or a trouble is what you make it.
And it isn't the fact that you're licked that counts,
But only how did you take it?

The harder you're thrown---why, the higher you bounce
Be proud of your blackened eye,
It isn't the fact that your'e hurt that counts,
But how did you fight and why?

And though you be done to death, what then?
If you battled the best you could,
If you played your part in the world of men,
why the critic would call it good.
It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts,
but only How Did You Die?

I know that I am rambling again---some of tend to get that way---but, seriously, my point is that this year was a good year, just not in the way that I may have hoped. The Journey continues, and each day we find opportunities to look to Him for guidance, to wait on Him for answers, and sometimes to just plunge on in and take a chance, knowing that in Him, we cannot fail, for all things are in Him. If we fail here on earth in any one of the millions of ways we can---or it it more like quintillions?---, He is still there to be found. Just keep on looking.

And, Brothers and Sisters, I challenge you to make 2006 the Best Year Ever, Searching for what is important----OR Rather He who is Important.
When we fail, look within, to that quiet place where He waits to be found, where he gives rest and solace and strength to us when we realize that we don't have anything but Him.

He is there, and He is Enough.

Atlanta Visit

Hey Guys,
Never done this before, but guess you gotta try new things sometime.
Any way, several weeks ago the Saints from Atlanta took time away from their busy lives to visit us here in Philly.
Wow!!! Don't have much better way to put it. We have been very tired recently, and not doing much together other than the occasional hang out and eat thing(not that that is bad). What an encouragement it was to have them all up. It was short, sweet, and very powerful. I think that maybe we are starting to be able to pick up our "tents" again and begin to move forward together in the Lord.