I have been struggling to find the
next appropriate subject for the blog. Right now there are many things on my
heart and mind. I am reminded almost every minute of the day that God has been
far too good to me. I can’t begin to list all the blessings here. In fact, I
can’t even count them all. But I will mention how wonderful it is to have a
wife who so loves both me and God. I am truly blessed to have a God-centered
marriage and such a wonderful “help mate”. I have also been greatly blessed
with two beautiful daughters that I never thought I would have. (Biologically
they are my stepdaughters but you can’t tell that to my heart.) And I have a
great Christian Mom and a terrific sister both of whom I know have faith in my
God and are a source of inspiration. But my greatest blessing is that I know
God has purchased me and has adopted me into His family. To list any more blessings
would be the beginning of an endless list.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is
God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”.
I
should also tell you that the Bible study I am teaching seems to be going quite
well. Both my men’s share group and the Adult Bible study class at church seem
to be getting a lot out of it. But I really have to give credit to Francis Chan
and David Platt for such a great book and resource, “Multiply”. The study I am
leading is taken directly from the book and I encourage everyone to get a copy.
“Disciples making Disciples” is what it is all about. And it is at the heart of
the Christian life. It’s also my life’s ambition. So really, leading the study
is pretty easy because the material is so good and so Biblically accurate.
Matthew 4:19 “…Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men”.
The
other thing that God has laid on my heart and on my wife’s heart is our own
ministry. We have been seeking to serve God together any way that we can. Some endeavors
are successful and some are not. But we learn from all of them. After months of
prayer we are convinced that God is calling us into the Evangelism/Missionary
field here in the USA. We believe this to be our vocational calling. We are
full of excitement and sometimes a little nervous. Walking by faith is easy
when you have a crystal clear vision of where you are going. But when the light
on the path barely reaches past your toes it’s a little more challenging. We continue
to pray as we begin starting a campground ministry. We see our local community
as a mission field. But we also see people at campgrounds who need to hear the
Gospel of Christ just as much. Right now we are trying to reach both while we continue
to serve in our home church. My wife has begun building a website that should
go public pretty soon. We are looking into graphics for the camper, Christian
garden flags for the campsites, tracts, T-shirts, and the list goes on. We are
also both continuing our education online. Of course we spend time in the
Scriptures and do a lot of praying. We expect (enthusiastically) that we will
also be helping to establish and/or reestablish campground chapels as well as
visiting other churches for revivals or special events. I will actually be
getting back in the pulpit in July. I haven’t done a pulpit sermon since 2008
so I’m a little excited about that. Basically we are looking into every opportunity
God puts in front of us. And when there are times that we see no such opportunity
we still seek them out. We really don’t look for the ministry to be “fully
established” for a couple years. It is all being done for His honor and glory
anyway and it will come to fruition when He says, “It is time”. But at least
God has given us a goal to work towards while we continue to seek hard after
Him. And who knows? Maybe we will get to see some of you on the road soon.
Remember us in your prayers and may God bless you greatly.
Mark 16:15 “…Go into all the world and preach the gospel to
all creation”.
Deuteronomy 28:12 “The Lord will open for you His good
storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless
all the work of your hand…”
Psalm 90:17 “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And
confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands”.
Peace and blessings,
Evangelist, W. Shannon Caplinger
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