Sweetness at the Cracker Barrel

This is a moment in the lives of the Williams family. :) When Laura and the kids flew out from Washington, her dad and mom (Mike and Jenelle) came for a week to see Florida and help us get settled. We are so excited because they are planning to move to Florida some time during the next year. They really want to be close to us and to participate with us in the work that God wants to do here. We are so excited that we will have our family here for support, but even though we know they are planning to move, saying goodbye is never easy. This video is from the afternoon they left—we ate our last meal with them at the Cracker Barrel, then May made this video for them. Our kids LOVE their Mammy and Poppi!

We want you all to know that we are really missing all of our friends and family in Washington. And though we are not able to see you often, we love you and are praying for you. We are also praying that God provides us with friends here as well. We are enjoying our time as a family, but are really asking Jesus to help us develop new friendships in our new home. When you pray for us, you can ask for this as well!

Yeah I said it 8-28-11

For this week’s quotes, I focused on what CH Spurgeon had to say. I am currently reading his book called "Soul Winner." I haven’t finished the book yet, but it is full of great truth and wisdom and these are quotes from just the first chapter. Be blessed!

"Whatever I believe, or do not believe, the command to love my neighbor as myself still retains it's claim upon me." by Spurgeon

A man need not take a dozen poisons to destroy his life; one is quite sufficient." by Spurgeon

"How can a man be a disciple of Christ when he openly lives in disobedience to Him?" by Spurgeon

"Dependence upon God is our strength and our joy." by Spurgeon

"Men need to be told that, unless divine grace brings them out of their enmity to God, they will eternally perish." by Spurgeon

"It is ours as the Lord's instruments to make men know the truth so that they may believe it & feel it's power." by Spurgeon

"If we do not teach men something, we may shout, 'Believe! Believe! Believe!' but what are they to believe? by Spurgeon

"The Gospel is a revelation of facts & truths that require knowledge & belief." by Spurgeon

"We are sent to evangelize, or to 'preach the gospel to every creature' (Mark 16:15)." by Spurgeon

"We have before us a mighty work, for which we are, in ourselves, totally incapable. No Christian living can save a soul." by Spurgeon

"A sinner has a heart as well as a head, emotion as well as thoughts. We must appeal to both." by Spurgeon

"Excitement will accompany every great movement." by Spurgeon

"We aim to bring souls to Christ rather than to make converts to our church" by Spurgeon

My friend, Tom Rush

My road to Florida was awesome, but one of things that made it great was getting to visit a number of really good friends along the way. Originally we were going to go the south route to Florida from Washington, BUT we changed our entire route so we could see the Rush family in Eastern Washington and my sister and her family in Montana. We are really good friends with Tom & Liz and their little ones, Bonnie and Daniel (I am pretty sure they named their son after me:). They have been serving in Aberdeen, Washington for many years at Harbor Calvary Chapel but recently got called to Walla Walla, Washington to pastor a church.  The church is called Calvary Fellowship Walla Walla. You can check out the website at www.calvaryfellowshipww.com

Tom and I have been praying for each other for a long time as we have both been desiring to start churches. So when he asked me to come over to his new land and visit his new church on my way to Florida, it was a no-brainer…it was southeast even if it was only a few hours away:) They welcomed my three friends and me into their new home our first night, and we were able to visit their church and meet the people they are serving in Walla Walla. The timing was perfect as we were able to be there for a Sunday morning and I was able to teach.  It was so encouraging to be able to teach people that I had been praying for and I really felt like I knew them even though we had never met. You can listen to that message by clicking this link http://www.calvaryfellowshipww.com/Topical_Messages/Entries/2011/7/31_Daniel_Guest_message.html. It was great to be able to serve there with my friend Tom and see how God has answered our prayers.

Being able to see how God brought that church and answered our prayers is amazing and so exciting, but my friend still needs prayer. So I would like to invite you to pray for him with me as he serves the Lord in Walla Walla. My prayer is that Walla Walla would be known more for the kingdom of God than for the wine and delicious onions! Here are some things I pray for Tom and his family and would love if you could join with me.

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE RUSH FAMILY

-That they would continue to fall more in love with Jesus

-That many lives would be transformed thru Calvary Fellowship’s ministry

-That Tom and Liz would get some new friends as they just moved to the area

-That Tom would be discipling a few men from the church

-For their kids, Bonnie & baby Daniel, salvation and protection

-That the lost would be saved and discipled thru Calvary Fellowship’s ministry

-For protection of their whole family

-That Tom would have favor from men as he serves Jesus

-That Tom would do well at his nursing job and be a good witness at work

-For their marriage and that Tom and Liz would be serving together with unity

Our First Hurricane

Well, we have been here for a couple of weeks now, so I guess that means we are ready for our very first hurricane. Coincidentally, it is named after Daniel’s mom, Irene, so it won’t be one we forget!

Just thought we’d let everyone know we are keeping a very close watch on the weather channel, weather websites, and of course we now have a hurricane watch phone app! How could we live without that?? Right now, we are all stocked up on food and water and all the other things we are supposed to have ready in case of a long-term power outage. The forecast keeps on changing, but at this point, the storm is supposed to be headed toward the Carolinas with Florida feeling only the very edge of the storm. But it is suppose to be a major hurricane and you can watch the news with us below:)

So, just thought we’d ask for prayers that the storm does indeed miss us this time, and also that maybe God will use this as an opportunity to meet and help others here! We are very willing and ready to leave our home for a day or two if it sounds like the storm will be dangerous here. So, we will keep everyone posted!

Yeah I said it (8-20-11)

"Jesus cleared up a lot about who God was (Heb 1:1-3). "I know what you have heard but I say to you..." by Jesus"

"You're not going to meet a person that God doesn't have a claim on there lives. He either has them or wants them. (psalm 24:1-2)"

"Power accompanies faith. (read Mark 5:24-34). Everybody was pressing into Jesus but power was given to the woman who had faith."

"Money isn't the answer for everything. There is a "deceitfulness of riches" (Mark 4:19). Don't let the love of money choke out the Word."

"Don't be offended when people ask you questions or want you to clarify.  Even Jesus' disciples asked Him to explain His message (Mark 3:10)"

"Another name for Jesus is in Jer 33:16: "The Lord is our Righteuosness." What a beautiful truth. (2 Cor 5:21)."

"Give thanks to the Lord of host, for the Lord is good, for His steadfast love endures forever." (Jer 33:11) /// this is all over the Bible.

"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand" (Mark 3:24). /// unity matters!

"Jesus sent His disciples out 2 by 2 (Luke 10:1). There is power in pairs. My wife is my greatest partner."

"Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth."(prov 5:18) /// blessed and rejoicing today:)

"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not know." (Jer 33:3) /// seek God for wisdom.

"Lesson learned from Jeremiah 33:3-9. When God works He will receive the glory. Waiting on the work of God today."

"I want to preach the same message as Jesus (Mark 1:14)."

Jeremiah has Jesus in his heart

All settled in our condo now, Jeremiah and Daniel took the five minute walk to the beautiful Atlantic beach for a couple of hours while Mailey and I rested in peace at home. :) It has been incredibly wonderful having the ocean so close to home! The afternoon sun does get a little hot if you're not in the water, but the boys have no trouble jumping right in and enjoying splashing and coming home covered in salt and sand. Daniel loves spending time with Jeremiah--laughing, exploring (they found both a dead frog and sea turtle on this particular day), and talking (of course). If you know either Daniel or Jeremiah very well, you know they love to talk. :) And throughout their talks, Daniel is constantly teaching Jeremiah about Jesus. Our first ministry is in our home with our children. And it is a such an amazing thing seeing them grow into kids big enough to begin to understand the things of God.

We wanted to share something from our personal lives with our four-year-old son, Jeremiah. Last Saturday night (August 13th), as we were getting the kids settled down and into bed, Jeremiah and I were talking about Heaven. He has always been a very analytical kid with all sorts of interesting (and sometimes disturbing) questions. We have had lots of conversations together that I wouldn't have expected to have until he was older, and one of those conversations has to do with death and dying. He tends to be pretty anxious and fearful about things, and wants to have all the information about something before he will trust you and try something or do something new or scary.

He has had a lot of questions about Heaven, about dying, and about death in general, and we are always quick to speak of the peace we having knowing we will be with Jesus in Heaven when we die. We have had countless talks about being in Heaven together, what Heaven might be like, and why we don't need to be afraid. Well, this time, Jeremiah wanted to know about people who don't have Jesus in their heart--what happens to them? He thought that since they don't go to Heaven, they don't ever have to die. He has often told us (in the typical Jeremiah fashion), "I don't EVER want Jesus in my heart and I won't go to Heaven!" Then he'd do his "villain" laugh that he's famous for, and we would look at each other and try not to freak out. :) Well, this time I understood why Jeremiah didn't want to go to Heaven. He didn't want to die. 

Well, realizing that Jeremiah's resistance to Heaven had to do more with death than with Heaven itself, I began to tell him what the Bible says about people that don't have Jesus in their heart. I told him about Hell, and I started answering his questions--one after another, after another. 

We talked a long time, and Daddy joined the conversation with us part-way through. Jeremiah was adamant that he didn't want to be in Hell. And he didn't want Jesus in his heart quite yet. So, we prayed with him, and promised to talk more about it tomorrow.

As I tucked Jeremiah into bed, he wanted to know about people that don't have to die ever--people that Jesus will come and take to Heaven with Him. And I told Him we don't know all about that, but we DO know that Jesus promised He was coming back, and that there will be some people, (maybe even us!), who won't have to die, and will be in Heaven with Jesus too. He thought for a second, and told me we would ask Jesus in his heart tomorrow. "But what if Jesus comes tonight?" I asked.

"Then I should ask Him to come in now!!" He sat up in bed and we prayed together and Jeremiah asked Jesus to come into his heart, to forgive his sins, and to take him to be in Heaven someday.

This is our greatest PRAISE report ever! We are so thankful that God is at work not only in us, but our kids as well! Let's continue to pray that we can raise children to know the love of Jesus in their lives! 

danielandlaurawilliams' photostream

danielandlaurawilliams' photostream on Flickr.

Here are all of my instragram pictures from our road trip to Florida.

The best road trip of my life!!!

#day 1

Said goodbyes, attached AJ's jeep, got some free boogie boards, ate an amazing Miners burger, visited with the Rush family in Walla Walla Washington, and were amazed at how good the onions really are in Walla Walla. 

#day 2

Was blessed to preach God's grace at Calvary Fellowship Walla Walla, saw Geoff's grandpa, ate at the legendary Ice Berg, jumped in a river in Idaho, almost ran out of gas, hung out with my family (my sister, Sarah, and her husband, Greg) until 2am, and ate some homemade strawberry rhubarb pie.


#day 3 

Got 3 hours of sleep before hitting the road, traveled for 16 hours, changed up our route, went to Wall Drug, drove through the craziest lighting storm I have ever seen for 4 hours, and finally bent our dolly trailer.


#day 4

Continued our detour, fixed our dolly situation, had a Bible study at The Diner in South Dakota, ate at the Blues, Booze, and BBQ in Omaha, drove in 4 states, spent the night in the Kansas City Walmart, and started to feel the humidity. 

#day 5

Had lunch with Emily and Rebecca Shultz in St Louis, went to Metropolis, Illinois to see a giant superman statue, tire blew so we spent some time in Paducah, Kentucky, Geoff jumped in the polluted Ohio river, and we saw how God works everything thing out in all situations and were able to share the gospel for about an hour with some new friends in Paducah. 

#day 6

Went to the ATL for the first time, hung out with the Fitzgerald family, ate at Little 5 Pizza, worshipped in the park, drove our 45 foot rig thru downtown Atlanta, bought a pair of Tom shoes, and probably had the best glass of sweet tea I have ever had...and I don't even like sweet tea. 

#day 7

Went to the Waffle House for breakfast, felt the southern hospitality from Gail Fitzgerald, had a great conversation with "Rev Kev," drove into Florida, met up with one of my first Floridian friends, David Shepherd, in Gainesville, Geoff and Noah tried fried okra for the first time, and scheduled our whole day around Hurricane Emily. 

#day 8

Woke up after 2.5 hours to go swimming in the Gulf, went to Honeymoon Island, ate some gator and frog legs, road jet skis in the Gulf, went to Jupiter and saw our new condo--which is awesome and very close to the beach, and someone went skinny dipping in the ocean at midnight...it wasn't me:) 

#day 9

Unloaded the U-haul into our 3rd story climate controlled storage unit, found a great local Mexican restaurant, swam in the Atlantic while it rained and defeated Hurricane Emily, and went to Walmart for all of our basic needs. 

#day 10

Woke up to see the sunrise, had a Bible study on the beach, unloaded the rest of the U-haul into our condo in the real feel of 103 degrees, got AJ’s jeep ready with the top off and then it broke down, took Justin and Noah to chic-fil-a for the first time, and baptized Noah Potis in the Atlantic…pretty good day:) 

#day 11

Officially ended our road trip as we continued to set up the town home for Laura and the kids, dropped off the U-haul, swam in the Atlantic with the guys one more time, drove to Orlando, picked up my family who I missed desperately, and took them home...the best road trip of my life:) 

Yeah I said it (8-5-11)

This weeks tweets are focused on purity...


"I can't hear what you are saying because your life is speaking to loudly." /// does your life match your words?

"We will see the power of the early church when we embrace the purity of the early church." by Kevin Fitzgerald (acts 5)

Your life is an example to others.

An important lesson from Joshua 7 & 8: Israel couldn't stand before there enemies until they took away their sin. /// your purity matters.

Lot's testimony was compromised so when he told his family judgement was coming they laughed at him. /// your purity matters.

The only way we can be pure (righteous, santified, and redeemed) is in Jesus Christ (1 Cor 1:30).


"Not to know and depend on the Holy Spirit's provision is to live a life of spiritual poverty." by WarrenWiersbe
In this life we can always repent and turn to Jesus. I repent daily!

Has the life you have been living given you power in preaching the gospel?

The way we deal with sin is by going to Jesus with it.

Sexual sin is so accepted in our cultural today BUT it is not the will of God. (Read 1 thes 4:3-8).

Jesus is our standard but He is also our savior. We can't be holy without Him. (2 cor 5:21)

What are you filling your mind with?

Self improvement doesn't work. We all need a new heart (Ezekiel 36:22-32).

Tire Swing