by David Docusen | February 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
We sent off our paycheck request to our direct deposit company on Tuesday. At that point we were still $200 short from getting a full paycheck this month. This is the lowest our account has ever been since our move to Charlotte. I love updating this blog so all can see God’s amazing provision.
We got two checks in the mail today for $550. Our March paycheck is now covered with a bit left over to get us into April 🙂
Is this amazing to anyone other than me? I don’t want to sound like broken record, but God’s provision is absolutely, positively more than enough. He always provides. I rejoice today in his faithfulness and look forward to seeing his continued faithfulness in the months to come. This never gets easy (trusting God completely for our financial provision), but he has never failed.
Praise God!
by David Docusen | February 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
I have never been more excited and more fulfilled than I am today. The church is going great and the vision for the future is exciting. That being said, I don’t believe my margins have ever been quite so thin.
Balancing life and ministry can be very tricky at times. Add in a second job and the challenge becomes even more formidable. I have made a commitment to myself that I will not let the challenges of my schedule steal my time from being a great husband and father. I find that margins have become one of my greatest challenges in the past few months. My prayer is that I have the wisdom to do the important things first (faithfully show up on time and every time at Caribou and creatively and efficiently approach my time working on Hope Church stuff) so that I can get home to my MOST important role on this side of heaven: husband and father.
This is a constant struggle that is totally worth every effort. No one else can play the role that I play in my family. I love what I do. I love my family more. There is a balance between the two. This will always be an ongoing struggle, but its a struggle that I intend to embrace.
by David Docusen | February 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
I have had some great conversations with some great friends lately surrounding the topic of accountability. I always think of accountability as an incredibly awkward step toward true growth. It’s not easy to admit when you’ve done something wrong or stepped out of line. It’s so valuable, however, to have a friend that you can share the ups and downs of life together.
This got me thinking about a great program that I wanted to put on the blogosphere map. It is called X3Watch. This program helps anyone that might be dealing with temptation on the internet. It easily downloads on your computer and then shoots an email update to one or two of your friends that you choose. It lets them know if any questionable sites have been hit recently. This is a great tool because the greatest way to avoid temptation is to know someone will be there to confront you in a loving way on the other side. No one needs to fly solo. This program helps. It was designed by the team at XXXChurch.com. Great ministry.
Hope this helps. If you or someone you know could use this, pass this along. You won’t regret it.
by David Docusen | February 22, 2009 | Uncategorized
Jack (our two year old) was feeling creative yesterday so he grabbed a bunch of Play-Doh and started making shapes and a complete and utter mess. He was obviously feeling hungry as well because he stuck his finger in the Play-Doh, got a nice big chunk and stuck it in his mouth. He immediately looked at me as I’m beginning my disgusted discipline process to teach him not to eat his toys when he says: “I like Play-Doh.”
Gross. And cute.
by David Docusen | February 21, 2009 | Uncategorized
I tried something new this month.
Last month I spent the better part of two weeks absolutely freaking out. I was stressed because I had no idea where our paycheck was going to come from and I tried everything I could think of to provide for my family. During the last week of the month, God provided our full paycheck through multiple people who gave. I learned a lesson: God is our provider. Not me. That hits on every piece of “man pride” that I have. But it also is an amazing realization.
This month I decided to take God at his Word. The Bible says that He will always provide. I decided to put my head down, work hard at Hope and Caribou. I decided to enjoy my family time. I decided to do everything I could in my power to continue to raise support. Beyond that, I decided that freaking out did nothing except stress me out. I am happy to say that we just received another unexpected gift today that has brought us within striking distance of our full paycheck. I was overwhelmed today when Mike told me that two more checks came in the mail. I thought to myself, “this trusting God thing really works.”
I am not sure why am so surprised every time it happens. I am finding out in a very real way that God really means it when he says that he will always provide. I am continually amazed by my God who loves us enough to take care of every need. I am amazed that people continue to give to support our vision during an incredibly tough financial season.
This is the most exciting, terrifying, rewarding, challenging, incredible and powerful thing we’ve ever done. I love every minute.
