8-14-2007
Twas the
night before doomsday,
And all
through the land,
Everyone
was praying,
To give us
a hand....
Well, not
only has nothing happened, things have almost gone in "reverse". In
fact, it's so unlikely, insane, improbable, and everything else in the book,
that the ONLY way we will get this ranch and convert it into "The Father's
House of Prayer on Thorn Creek," is if God supernaturally comes through.
In fact,
I'm almost excited, because it's all just too coincidental. Let me explain.
1. I
checked several places, but because of my debt load and bad credit from
when my ex declared bankruptcy, we do not qualify for any mortgage loan
that I could find.
2. Karen
found out today that she did not get the secretary job at George Fox University
that she had been praying for and had her heart set on. This was kinda crushing
to her.
3. I am
getting replaced at work too. I just simply cannot keep up with things on the
skidder. I am not getting the hang of it, and I've had several close calls that
have rattled me pretty good. I guess it's all in a days work for some skidders,
but me and my boss discussed it today, and between us we decided that he will
be hiring someone to replace me as soon as possible *unhappy sigh*.
So.... No
job for Karen, my job ending, no loan prospects, and bills due. What a tough
spot to be in.... Or maybe not...
I've always
prayed and asked God that when we got the ranch here, He would make it happen
in a way that brought glory to Him, and proved beyond a shadow of a doubt in
everyone's mind, that HE made it happen, and not me, Tim.
Which means
I am now pretty much powerless to make it happen any more. If it flies, it's
going to be because GOD is behind it. Which makes
it kinda exciting to think about what's going to happen next
:-).
Ironically
enough, if God is indeed going to somehow enable us to get this property now
and provide for our income, Karen and I are both now in a position to
work on this place full time to put it together and make it happen.
So God is
my God, and I trust Him. His very character, being good, means that He will
take care of me, since I have placed myself in His care and made Him Lord in my
life.
So
depending on what happens in the next several days, I'll either be gearing up
for work here fulltime, searching for another good job and possibly a house
somewhere (prolly in Boise), or raising family support/sponsorships.
God told
me two years ago that before this place could be a retreat center of any
sort, it needed to be a home first. I didn't completely understand Him at
the time, but now I do much better. With Karen and the kids here, I had to go
through the place and fix a ton of problems, add 5 bedrooms, work with the
layout of the place, and just in general make it workable as a home first, and
then a true lodge or conference/retreat center.
Which also
means that Karen and I are now also praying and asking God to allow us to build
our own home on a small section of land at the rear of the property, a
caretaker's home of sorts, so that we can vacate the main lodge as soon as
possible and open it up for prayer retreats (it now has 9 individual
bedrooms, 3 working bathrooms, several meeting areas, big kitchen, etc and so
forth). It still needs lots of renovation, but at least it's workable now, if
we can get out of it and moved into our own place.
I've been
doing a lot more writing lately, now that my first novel has made it into
print, and I am enjoying that. That has always kinda been a dream of mine, to
be a writer someday. Maybe it's starting to happen finally. That could actually
support us too, and the prayer center also, if it finally works out. Let's see,
projects I am working on? Editing the second book of the sci-fi trilogy (sequel
to the one just printed); working on a fantasy novel; working on a
book entitled "The Innocence of God" incorporating many of my past
"musings", researching for a book on ancient biblical history incorporating
a lot of new research coming out, and polishing several other
do-it-yourself books I have written at various points in my life. All of them
except the do-it-yourself ones have completely God-centered themes running
through their foundations. It's the best way to write. :-)
So, God is
a great big God, and I am honored to know Him. He just keeps asking me
to simply trust Him, and to trust that He knows best whatever the outcome,
so I do.
But in all
honesty, my own desire is that we pray that God comes through quickly for
this ranch. I spent yesterday afternoon in the main conference room in the
conference building, just playing my guitar to God, singing, reading my Bible,
and praying. And I could so clearly envision the prayer retreats and
camps happening here. My soul yearns to see that happening. It's an amazing
thing to see people on their knees before God, seeking His face and finding
healing in His presence. I almost cried I wanted to see it happening so badly.
It's like no other feeling I know, to be able to facilitate people coming into
God's presence in a powerful way. And people need HIS touch sooooo badly. I
hurt for people that I know/meet that could benefit from knowing Him.
We do have
someone working new on some full funding options for us, that I talked with
awhile this afternoon. My prayer is that he can put something together quickly.
Even the timing of his offer to help (just this week) is something that the
timing of which makes me think God is at work. We're just praying for God
to work.
Oh, pray
for Todd too, one of our board members. He has accepted a one year
job as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan.
Our two
boys, Sergei and Joey, are at camp this week. Pray that they have a close
encounter of the God kind while they are there.
Thanks,
everyone.
Stay tuned
:-)
In Him,
-Tim &
Karen and family
208-392-6723
timbenedict@peoplepc.com
http://www.bighouseministries.com
21 Yellowpine Lane, Boise, ID 83716