Give Thanks...

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.
the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever...

Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness.
His faithful love endures forever! [Psalm 136: 1-16, NLT]

Anybody else want to break into song with me? Talk about a rally cry and don't you just love how David makes the motivation of our "giving thanks" crystal clear...for His Faithful Love Endures...Forever!

Kelly and I just returned home from an amazing trip to the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove where we spent 5 days in the gorgeous landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, NC! And if you want to talk about community...we were surrounded with incredible men and women of Faith that truly encouraged our souls through the demonstration and expression of God's Faithful Love! There were complete strangers praying, crying and encouraging us with experience, knowledge and wisdom! It was amazing to see how God moved in and through all those we had the opportunity to share God's story and miracle in Jackson's life!
It was a last minute trip, and one we will never forget! Two incredible bible teachers brought the Word...and 4 straight nights of rain! I mean it rained cats and dogs! But did we ever give thanks, because you see at the Cove they don't have downspouts to collect the rain when it pours. The rain just runs right off the roof, and onto "river rock" that has been strategically placed that just echos the tranquility of a waterfall throughout the campus! It is so quiet, so peaceful, and offers a retreat, rest and renewal all at the same time!
It is most likely the last trip and time we will have just the two of us before Jackson is here, and we took full advantage of this time alone, as we filled ourselves up with incredible food, fellowship and the encouraging Word! And when we returned home...we were whooped! Of course this was a ministry trip, and I had to speak 10 times in the 5 days as the Ministry Ambassador of the BGEA, but talk about an opportunity for incredible conversation and fellowship...Kel and I had more than 9 hours in the car both ways to pray, cry, laugh, plan and talk through so many aspects of our family, the move and Jackson - it was just incredible! We truly had a week to remember and give thanks for this incredible blessing...and here is the biggest walk away from our time at the Cove: God is - was - and always will be Totally Victorious! That's it...but oh how powerful that statement is!
Think about it...we face trial, struggle, adversity, danger, deception, defeat and discouragement every day - don't we? And yet what do we have to worry about: God is, was, and always will be Totally Victorious! And when my heart embraced these words from Pastor Don Wilton of 1st Baptist Spartanburg, SC...my perspective and posture was transformed! I' ve known this Promise of God for a long time now, but I am not going to lie to you - Kelly and I are worn out! We are absolutely exhausted! We are weary and weak...BUT GOD is, was and always will be Totally Victorious! That is the Promise of 2 Corinthians chapter 4! That is the Promise of Psalm 136! That is the Promise of the Living Word from Genesis to Revelation! We have stumbled at times, we have fallen, we have made mistakes, we have made poor decisions - and not just in the last three months! But there is Power in the Blood of Jesus that was poured out on the Cross of Calvary for you and for me - and forever will be Totally Victorious! That is the Seriously Ridiculous Love of our Heavenly Father! We are being pulled in so many different directions right now by life, health, the move, ministry, writing this blog [which by the way, never was intended to be what it has become...just being honest, but thank you to all of you who have shared your encouragement with Kelly and I to continue writing...but Praise Jesus not doug! Christ alone is Worthy to be Praised - and I am so blessed to be His vessel, and will continue to write as led by the Holy Spirit! I have four incredible gifts in my life that will forever be my first priority - Kelly, Carter, Jordyn and Jackson - right behind my relationship with Jesus Christ! And that means that at times there may be an extended delay in updating the blog as I spend time with Bubba, J.O. and Kel in these fainl weeks leading up to Jackson's birth - but don't worry...God is, was and always will be totally victorious! ] and there is renewal, restoration, and redemption in Christ's blood, and I give thanks for His Love never ends!
So how are we...never been better! Still exhausted, still uncomfortable, still experiencing a ton of adversity and struggle...but God is, was and forever will be totally victorious! Kel is 8 months pregnant - Praise the Lord - and experiencing being 8 months pregnant. Running to the bathroom 3 times throughout the night, extremely sore, and desperately ready to nest in the new home and we are all ready to get reconnected to our friends, church, and community! We miss you all so much...but this time in the wilderness (as I watch a beautiful morning begin with God's sunrise - imagine the view from Heaven! How cool will that be for all of us who know Christ Jesus as Lord!) has been transforming and absolutely awesome - in the truest definition of awe! God is at work...and we believe that greater things are yet to come!

Jackson update:
He continues to have great fetal movement! He continues to grow and literally is coming out kicking...he is a fighter! Jackson will be here - most likely - around Thanksgiving [that will be a new definition of "giving thanks"!] and we should know the exact "latest date" they will take him by c-section after our next appointment on November 4th! At our November 4th appointment Kelly and I will meet with the team of doctors to bring more clarity to the delivery plans following an echo and ultrasound. We will also be meeting with the Neo-natal teams of Magee Women's Hospital and Children's Hospital as we begin to prepare for Jackson's intensive care. And one note here...just because we are preparing for the worst, does not mean that we are expecting it! We truly do believe that God is going to heal Jackson! Period! But...how foolish would we be if God wants to heal Jackson through the ICU, and we/they are not prepared! We will continue to walk by faith...but God also has given us wisdom and knowledge to realize how severe Jackson's heart condition is, and He has blessed us with an incredible team of doctor's - and who knows He may just want to bring Glory to Himself through them! And so I am asking you to pray for Jackson fervently - but pray because you believe! Don't pray and then doubt...but continue to pray and let God encourage you through His response in His Faithfulness, Love, Mercy and Grace!

Move Update:
After meeting with Kevin and Beth a week and a half ago...the move-in date is set for November 14 - at this point! We knew the blessing of the moving company supporting us was huge on the front end and getting us out of 200 Andrew Drive, but how amazing is God's provision now that we will be moving in with at most only a couple weeks to get settled before Jackson arrives! It is going to be a tight turn around - but God is good and we will be leaning on our brothers and sisters in the Lord - don't you worry about that! Please continue to pray for Kevin and Beth in their transition and move to Lancaster, PA. Pray for their home search as they are trying to find a rental that will bring them the sense of community, security and "home" they desire! Kevin and Beth have been such a huge blessing to us - and I trust God will overwhelm them with incredible provision!

So there is the update...and sorry again for its length! But I hope that you were encouraged again as much as we were by the reminder of God's Promise and Total Victory! Be still...and know that He is God! Every knee will bow, and all the nations will Exalt our Lord - Christ Jesus! And thank you again for all your prayers, love and support! And as you reinforce the foundation of prayer that has been laid, remember to build each other up - and pray in the power of the Holy Spirit! [Jude 1:20]

All Eyes on Jesus!