| Daytona Beach Christianity and Real Estate. By Lisa Hill, "THE SMART CHOICE!" |
It was the summer of 2003 when our family left our previous church where we had been attending for several years. I had been anticipating that move for quite some time. I had literally dreamed it, and knew God was leading us elsewhere. And it was a good move for all of us.
When we joined the church family at Spirit Life Harvest Church , it wasn't long before I joined the Worship Team (as usual), my husband helped with ushering (as usual) and my daughter became a youth leader (new position for her =). This new church family was a spiritual leap forward for us, and God blessed us abundantly.
I realize that some people stay in the same church as their physical family for their whole lives. But we pray long and hard regarding where God wants us to be, so that each of us can grow spiritually, in wisdom and maturity. During the time we've been with Pastor's Ken and Laura Hope and their awesome family, God has blessed and grown our family beyond what we could have ever imagined.
During the time we've been at Spirit Life, we've gone through some major church growng pains, including a name change (long story there) and the loss of the building we had really loved! But that's how God brings about personal growth. We get stretched, and go through difficult changes, and if we stay focused on Christ, and let God work within us the way He wants to, we can become "firm, strong and courageous" .
Here's a mini sermon I heard a long time ago, taken from the story of David and Goliath....
The size of your enemy is a clue to the size of your promotion. It's not a mis-match. It's a setup. Before God can promote you, He has to introduce an enemy. God has custom-tailored your enemy for you. David never would have become King if Goliath had been a dwarf. Don't make God shrink your destiny. Stop asking for smaller battles & start believing for greater victory.
I use that story because through temporary buildings, name changes, and many other trials, God is still in control. And we wouldn't have gone through so many battles unless God had a great future planned for us. And this week, we moved into our beautiful new building! We're all so excited. We've been painting and decorating and hanging pretty mirrors and pictures, (and ordering pizza-lol) and getting ready for this Sunday. We're having our first service in our new building, with our new name... 
Living Stones Community Church ... on Mother's Day, 2009. (Sorry the site's not up yet)
Now obviously the principles I shared that I previously heard about David and Goliath, can be applied to many rough times. Many people are desperate on so many levels. As REALTORS®, we're desperately trying to help our clients. And we need to make money to support our families! But most battles begin, and end, in our thoughts.
I recently decided to listen again to an audio book I heard a few years ago. It was time for me to hear it again. The book is called "The Dream Giver" by Bruce Wilkinson. It's an incredible parable with an even more incredible lesson after the parable. I'm sure God prompted me to listen to this audio book again, because in doing so, I realized it was time for me to move forward with a "dream" I've had for many years. I'm not going to share those details yet, (it has nothing to do with my real estate career) but it's just another confirmation of how awesome God is, and how He is always in control if we just let go our fears. For me to see that it was time to begin the journey of my personal "dream", it was a matter of getting rid of distractions, and clearing out the cobwebs, to even know that it was time to listen to "The Dream Giver" audio book again. And as I neared the end of the story, there were two small sentences that turned my world upside down. Those two small sentences said...
Stop looking up at your giants from your perspective. Start looking down on them from God's perspective.
Wow! Is there even anything else for me to say? How have you been viewing your giants? Is God still God or not? Because from His perspective, our giants are like ants! Now get focused, start believing, and get moving!
Lisa- you made my day..I am in the middle of Joyce Myers "Never Give Up" which is an excellent read for anyone needing to align their perspective and especially those feeling like there's obstacles (giants) in the way...
Your mini-sermon was exactly what I needed to hear this morning. Thanks! (and best wishes on your "new adventure" and congrats on the church opening)
Lisa - A lot of wisdom in those words. We must take the right perspective and challenges will not appear so overwhelming. Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you ma'am for the insight. I needed to hear,read, what you had to say this morning.
I think you just gave me some insight as to what has been happening in my life, Lisa.......
hmmmmmm...lots to think about right now.....
THANK YOU SISTER!!
\O/
Hi Lisa, thanks for a straightforward and well written post about your new church home! I wish you and your family a wonderful Mother's day too!
Thanks everyone. But if you had any idea about the personal journey on which I'm about to embark, you'd scoff at the church family battles that have happened over the last few years! LOL. I'm in so far over my head that it HAS to be God!
Lisa, I'm with you. I believe in following where we're lead. I've not been posting much in the group in a long long time, just lurking from time to time. Your passion is what I've been needing to read. thanks for sharing.
Judi- I rarely post to the group. I have to be inspired. I guess I was inspired on this one =)
Lisa - Your inspiration is a much needed voice I needed to hear. Thank you, and I pray your personal journey leads you to yet more divine inspiration.
Hey Lisa. Like the inspiration and the comment that you're "so far in over your head that it has to be God." Funny how He always makes room for us to have to exercise our faith! Also, I believe He has a great sense of humor!
Karen- I think most of us need all the inspiration we can get. And we are supposed to encourage each other ;-)
Charlie- It's this constant "stretching" and "expanding of my territory" that keeps me from ever getting too comfortable in one place. Exhausting, but worth it.
Lisa,
After I read your comment on my post, I had to come read this. THANK YOU for sharing this!! I KNOW that God is calling me to something beyond anything I've ever really imagined. I just need to let go and let God do whatever He wants to do with me.
Whatever God has placed in your heart...go for it, and NEVER LOOK BACK, my friend!! I can't wait to hear about it. ~GBU~
Elizabeth- I won't lie... the battle is raging! And I have quite a way to go before my dream is fulfilled. But I want to be fully prepared. I'm willing to go through the fire. It's just not easy.