What's Next...

For the past several years I have felt as if I have been in a state of change or transition.  A friend encouraged me some time back to be preparing for "what is next" whether or not I knew what the next thing was.  I had no idea how to prepare, but God was with me every moment that led to that day in  September when Ross approached me.  It has been since then that I have found a new vision and purpose for my life; my calling has been renewed. 

The book of Isaiah has been on my heart lately and I believe Isaiah 61 describes the purpose of what we, as the church in general, are being called to. 

¹THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound,^{(A)
    2}To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] ^[a]and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,^{(B)
    3}To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

I believe with all that I am that God is going to do something in the hearts of the people of Austin.  Every day I get closer to moving, my heart breaks a little more for the people that we will be ministering to.  It is my hearts desire to see Austin stand as an "Oak of Righteousness".

I would ask you to be praying for the people of Austin:

• That their hearts would become soft to the calling of the Lord
• That they would be prospered in their families and jobs
• That their relationships would grow strong and that they would be able to experience community

I would also ask you to pray for us:

• That the Lord would provide us with influence to speak into the lives of His people
• That provision would come for everyone involved as we move
• That we would be able to develop a strong sense of community between us
• That dissension would have no place in the work we will be doing

I am so excited and blessed to have all of you praying for us and to have some of you supporting us financially.  I look forward to updating you often on the work that the Lord is doing in Austin.

L