The Pool Pt 1

I wanted to wait for one more week before giving this update; however, the pictures I meant to show today are on my father's computer. This will be a series of three updates because the task of cleaning the pool has been too large for a single post. If you have ever wondered what happens to a pool if a house is abandoned for years, I have a treat for you. Apparently, some kids from the neighborhood had decided to have fun vandalizing the abandoned house.

Take note of the hand rail. We also found broken bottles around the pool.


Turtles, pool furniture, broken glass, leaves, and detritus had been accumulating for about four years.

My father had a small pump, so we did our best to drain the pool. The floor was covered with an unbelievable layer of leaves we had to muck out of the pool. It was a long process, so I'll keep from rambling by letting the following photos speak on my behalf.


Eventually the decayed leaves left a sludge so thick that our pump would no longer remove the water, so I bailed water with 5 gallon buckets.

We cleaned the walls with bleach and a pressure washer, and I was quite pleased with the result. The pool is by no means near a state that will allow relaxation on a warm spring day like today, but it I'm looking forward to summer.

Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7

The Deck

I have decided to update with a focus on one specific part of the house that has been improved throughout the process. These updates will not be chronological, but I hope that you get an idea of some of the work done as the weeks progress.

Let's start with the deck. It was in rough shape, and I was scared the the leaves were covering several boards in need of repair. We started things off by sweeping the leaves and getting rid of a few scraggly bushes. Then I was stunned by the progress we made with the pressure washer.

The boards were covered with a thick layer of mildew, but it came off and revealed the nice grain of the wood.

What do you think? I was encouraged to see how this part of the place transformed. I wanted to sweep away the leaves, but other projects about the house were more pressing. When all of this is said and done, I'm looking forward to sharing a cup of sweet tea while sitting around my corner benches with friends.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.

~Ecclesiastes 9.10a~

House to a Home

Greetings!

I have decided to start recording my thoughts and experiences in the process of becoming a home owner and moving to being able to dwell in that house. In the coming days, I hope to keep you informed via a weekly or biweekly series of updates with several before and after pictures.

After I'm finished, give me a call, and I'll have you over for a cup of tea.

Nathan

Some FITN Photos

Slideshow

Here is a link to some of the photos I submitted for the slideshow at our FITN banquet on Sunday. Enjoy.

Clay's End Time Class

I just had the pleasure of sitting through an incredible class concerning eschatology and return of our LORD and King. By the way, eschaton simply means last or end. It's a Greek word. The suffix -ology or -logy refers to a branch of knowledge. Eschatology is the study of the things that must happen before, during, and immediately after Jesus returns to the planet.

My greatest surprise after setting aside a significant period of time studying the End Times is the amount of detail given in the Bible. People at the house of prayer have spent a great deal of time and compiled a list of 150 chapters pertaining to the End Times. This resource has been a valuable one as I have embarked in this adventure to search out the Great and Terrible Day of the LORD. I desire to have some understanding concerning the day that Jesus says is in his heart. (Isa 63.4)

The class was led by Mr. Clay Edwards, and he taught us for about six hours. I enjoyed every minute of it. This man has been in the context of the place of prayer, worship, and intercession while studying the content concerning the Messiah's second advent for years. I am so very blessed to be in this environment. During the time, we addressed false assumptions related to the end times, had and opportunity for questions and answers, and created a basic outline involving Daniel 9, Matthew 24, and events from the book of Revelation that include but are not limited to the seals, trumpets, bowls, abomination of desolation, New Jerusalem, and Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the city of the great king, where He will dwell. (Revelation 6-21) I really liked the class.

Bonus: Now, I know that some of you are End Times experts, so I ask that you identify this eschatological symbol and provide its interpretation.

Return

¹⁷"And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. ¹⁸"But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.

¹⁹"Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ²⁰and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, ²¹whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.

~Acts 3.17-21~

This passage really touched my heart a few nights ago when I was in the Prayer Room during the 4am set. While reading these verses, I was gripped with a deep longing for Jesus to return. As I read through the verses, my heart was stirred to intercede. I cried out the the LORD would give my generation a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus that would no longer act out ignorance.

My heart yearned for them to encounter the uncreated God in the beauty of his holiness. I asked for my generation to delight in the fear of the LORD. With deep desire, I prayed for them to repent, to turn, to be made clean.

I look forward to the day when my faith becomes sight. I know that revival is coming. The Bride will be without spot or wrinkle. Israel will say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD."

The time after that is the hope that stirs me to pray. I am eager to experience the time of refreshing that comes from the Presence of the Lord, and my greatest desire is that Jesus would return and rule the earth from His everlasting kingdom in Jerusalem, the city of the great king.

Quotes

Clay Edwards

Stuart Greaves

Clay Edwards is the director of my internship, and Stuart Greaves leads the night watch. I value both of these men and their place of leadership in my life at this time, so I have decided to include a few quotes from my times with them.

"You can't be more valuable before heaven than I am."

~Clay~

"If God likes you, what business do you have not liking yourself?"

~Clay~

"Would you accept the fact that you're broken, my grace is sufficient, get your eyes off your navel, and let us see where I take you."

~Something God spoke to Stuart~

"My apostles are nerdy."

~Stuart~

"I say things with humor to make the medicine go down. Most of my humor is novacaine."

~Stuart~

"I don't even believe in the concept of pursuing your calling."

The interns respond, "What do you believe in?"

"Pursuing the LORD with all your heart, if you're called to Africa, Africa will come to you."

~Stuart Greaves~

This last line has been resounding within me I have been singing during the night.

The Sunrise does prophesy

My Beloved's return

While the night remains

I will prophesy

My Beloved's return

~Clay Edwards~

Blessings,

Silver

p.s. Let me know if you're reading.

p.p.s. I will link my photos to my blog if the link from my google site is not operating properly.