Sunday February 6, 2011

 

 

Waking Up in aTruck Stop

Denmark, Tennessee, to Nashville, Tennessee

Sunday, February 6

 

 

The view outside my truck window this morning

 

 

As I watched the sun rise this morning, I thought about the interesting turn of events on this trip.

We have no idea why God opened the doors for TFC to send us to Dallas for two activities (a large tailgate party and a parade exposing the trafficking of young women through truck stops and at the Super Bowl), then closed the doors before we got there.

It was a bit disappointing to head east again before completing our purpose – or what we thought was our purpose. But we know with assurity that God is still God.

I keep thinking about a few things I taught at the Ladies’ Day of Refreshment last Saturday.

~~~

Do Not Complain About the Wind – Adjust Your Sails

~~~

God is the “I Am that I Am” in any “It is what it is” situation.

 

 

 Walking in the Spirit is far better than pacing in a self-imposed prison of worry, fear, and complaining.

~~~

Thank You, Lord, that You work all things together for my good

…bad things and good things

…ordinary things and extraordinary things

…stressful things and peaceful things.

 ~~~

I stand amazed at the complexity and mystery of Your wisdom. Thank You, Lord, that Your wisdom makes it safe for me to trust You.

It makes me willing to safely commit my location and situation to You, knowing that You have the right to shift me anywhere on life’s checkerboard.

 

 

We had a great morning of worship with Truckers’ Christian Chapel Ministry in the drivers’ lounge in the truck stop. They only use the small chapel (see photo from yesterday’s post) for evening Bible studies.

 

 

The services at this truck stop are sponsored by a local church.

 

 

The church provides the music prior to the message.

 

 

This man has a fabulous singing voice.

 

 

Chaplain Sam shared a challenging message on walking in the spirit. He oversees the chaplaincy work at this truck stop.

 

 

Afterward Chaplain Sam invited us to have coffee with him, Tyson and Stanley. He was interested in learning more about our work with Transport For Christ, and we asked about his work with Trucker’s Christian Chapel Ministry. There can never be too many ministries who are out there sharing the gospel to the men and women of the road.

Sam said that the Bible verse about going out to the highways and byways refers to where roads cross and people meet.

 

 

We were also blessed to meet Tyson and Stanley, and learn about their lives as salesmen for Bonnie Plants. You can find Bonnie Plants at Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Lowes, K-Mart, and several other stores in your area.

 

 

They wanted to see our chapel, so came out to where we were parked before going back to their motel rooms.

 

 

The front of the Truckers’ Christian Chapel Ministry building. Since worship was not here, I wanted to ask Chaplain Sam if we could see inside, but forgot.  

 

 

We had just gotten back on the  road when we came upon this accident, which surely changed these peoples plans for the day.

 

 

Love the words on the back of this trailer.

Shortly after this, another driver went past us blowing his horn (it sounded like a train whistle) from the time he began passing us until he was in front of us. Then he commented on the CB that he liked our rig. I was talking to our daughter Deb at the time. She could barely hear me because of the drivers “noise”.  

 

 

Another driver sharing his faith. It looks like his truck has been in some rain and snow.

 

 

We arrived at TFC’s Nashville chapel just as Volunteer Chaplain John Welcome was preparing to leave. It was encouraging to meet him. He told us about the experience of leading a driver to the Lord following the morning service today.

 

 

John Welcome – that is a great name for a chaplain.

 

 

 

 

He and Cerwin discussed a few needed repairs that Cerwin will be working on tomorrow.

 

 

There was an available parking space for us right in front of the permanent one. That will make it handy for Cerwin tomorrow when he needs to get his tools from the rig in which we are traveling.

 

 

We had communicated with our friend Howard Moses, who serves with Truckstop Ministries out of Atlanta, Georgia, and discovered he was in the Nashville area today. They have a chapel a few exits away.

His wife, Angie, died suddenly in December (complications from appendicitis) and we were not able to attend her memorial service, so it was good to spend time with him.

 

 

We had a motel reserved for tonight since we are going to be in the area tomorrow. It was time for a bit of luxury on this trip. I enjoy sleeping in the truck – and my bunk is quite comfortable – but it is nice to prop up my feet and watch TV (the Super Bowl of course).

 

It was an encouraging, rewarding day.