Making a Move: When it Started

So a few weeks back I said I would post about how we got to Newcastle, Oklahoma from Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Well, it is not a short story. It actually starts over two years ago, well before I began dating Danielle.

I finally decided to buy a scale to weigh myself. I knew I was obscenely overweight. But I had never really known how bad it was because I didn't have the number. So, I bought a scale. I took it home. I weighed more than the scale would weigh. It was devastating. Seriously, I just sat there and almost cried. I had never felt like such a failure in anything. Ever since my dad died of a heart attack, I was sort of scared straight. Well, in July of 2006, I had to return the scale for one that had 50 more pounds added to the weight limit. I needed almost all 50. That was sobering.

I met with a counselor for a couple of sessions to figure out why in the world I was eating so much. We figured it out. Then I met with a doctor and we developed a diet plan. Then in November it started. As I was journaling through October I really felt that God was making a covenant with me.

Basically, if I lost the weight, He promised me three things:
1. A renewed life and job.
2. A wife.
3. A new job to go start over, to start fresh.

A full year later, in December of 2007, God reminded me harshly about the promise I was ignoring. It was easy to stay where I was. But he clearly reminded me that He had kept his first two promises. And He would be faithful to keep the third.

So, around December, I started thinking, well maybe God would move me. Or maybe he would move US when we got married. But I thought we were looking at 2010 or 2011.

But his timing was a bit different. And he was clearly speeding the process up. He wanted us to move and move quickly. And we are blessed by that.

Coming Soon: The specific verses God used to move me. And later, besides the lame, age-old "God made me move," what else figured into the move.

SYATP Part Dos

Today started at 4:30 in the AM. It should end around 10 in the PM. Yes, fair traveler, it is SYATP day. I blogged about the history of this a year ago, here.

So, now I drag onto the finish line. And the kids should be collapsing now that their Krispy Kreme-induced sugar high has worn off.

Something New

Well, we have made the move. We left eight years of ministry in Hot Springs AR and moved to a similar position in Newcastle OK. Over the course of the next week or so, I will sort of go through the process that led us to a new place of ministry.

For starters: The process is always impressive. For me, it is a process God started well over two years ago. He began preparing me for the new move back then. And as I look back and see how I improved or grew, how I stumbled and regressed, I can now see God reshaping me into something altogether new.

So, hang on over the next week or so and I will post in two or three new posts and give the scripture behind the move, the promises of God I decided to cling to, the wrestling match God and I had over moving and also the benefits of a move that God put us through. Also, I will share the confirmations that I asked for and some I didn't.

If you or someone you know is in this process, hopefully this will be helpful.

Plus, I think my wife is ready for me to post SOMETHING new.