All is well in Charlotte!!! America may be another story?

Today is a beautiful day (in the 70’s).

We (Joyce and I) are in Charlotte, NC, and learning how to get around (thank God for GPS). I am in culture shock in a few ways.

One it seems so strange (but good) to see people from all different races in one place. When in Kane, PA, (last 5 years) it was almost all white, with a few exceptions (like George a black man in our church). This is one thing that has always been in my heart-to minister to all races. Charlotte will give me that opportunity – PTL! Sure wish I had taken Spanish class more seriously 3+ decades ago in high school. Also, in the last couple or few years I have had an interest in prayerfully ministering to college students (people in their twenties). Here in Charlotte that can become a reality as we are near University of North Carolina (UNC) with a yearly enrollment of 25,000 students.

Second area of culture shock is the abundance of stores everywhere. I’m like a kid in a candy store (even though it is mostly looking not buying). But we will finally get to use our “Family Christian Bookstore” and “Barnes and Noble” gift cards we got at Christmas! Everything I need is 5-15 minutes away in most cases. Some stores are packed showing no sign of a “recession or depression.” Yet, in other areas of town the recession is evident with stores closed down, many houses for sale, and lots of foreclosures. Any item I need is here! That is quite a difference again from being in a town (Kane) of 3,500 for the past 5 years where we have to drive 45 minutes to get to the nearest WalMart, and nearest Home Depot is over an hour away.

Third the traffic is obviously an adjustment. Compared to Kane with our one traffic light, there is a lot of traffic, but it is much less than what I experienced in Atlanta, GA, where I lived for 12 years. Charlotte sort of reminds me of a smaller Atlanta.

A few areas of prayer are needed:

1. To sell our house in Kane, PA, quickly (at a profit).

2. To find employment in Charlotte. Job market here like everywhere else in the country is slow. So I need prayer that the Lord will open a good job for me.

3. To find a permanent home/apartment to rent here (we are currently staying with friends).

4. That God would use “Go Proclaim Ministries (www.goproclaim.com) and Christian Pool Players Assoc. (www.christianpoolplayers.com) for His glory as we regroup and get established here in Charlotte. We have a new ministry address: Go Proclaim Ministries, P.O. Box 480551, Charlotte, NC 28269 . Ministry cell stays the same (814-558-7600) as it is known by all and all over the ministry websites and blogs so we’re not changing it.

In closing, I won’t get into the politics of the situation, but my title mentioned America. So here’s my quick take on the matter. I do feel America is going through a time of judgment and purging. Has America seen its finest hour already (in the past)? In my opinion, likely yes.

How about the spiritual landscape of America? It is yet to be seen, but at present, we are in a spiritual decline, although there are signs of some reviving, especially among the 20 something group – PTL! Overall, people are statistically more ignorant concerning basic Bible truths and even the basic things that make for salvation (clue –it’s not of works – Eph. 2:8, 9). I will hit on this subject more at another time, but sufficient to say PRAY FOR AMERICA!

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" - Psalm 33:12