The church where our little congregation meets was built in 1935. Now, to my friends in the UK, where there are churches and castles centuries old, 87 years isn’t all that much.😊
As you can see, the exterior of the church is getting a face lift. Over eight decades of south-central USA weather have taken their toll, especially on the original stained glass windows and roof. Things had gotten so bad, every time it rained, you could literally see the building disintegrating.
Many of us thought this renovation would never happen. Five years ago, we were told the estimated cost of the work was $1,000,000. And more damage has happened since then. A little background info: our church is a chapel on a US Army post; yearly budgets for religious support operations are routinely cut.
Further complicating things, every few years the post gets a new CG (Commanding General) and a new Installation Chaplain–a colonel who is over all the chapels and chaplains. Understandably, each of these leaders has their own opinion about how and where money should be spent.
Fast forward to our current CG and current Installation Chaplain. Last year, these two teamed up and found the money to fix the chapel. Praise God!
Come let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.
Nehemiah 2:17b (NIV)
Parallels between our deteriorating church building and the story of Nehemiah are plentiful. Here was a guy who shared God’s heart to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. So, he committed 100% to the goal and got the people to join him. There were obstacles and opposition along the way but Nehemiah, and the folks of Jerusalem, kept moving forward with their God-sized project.
So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height.
Nehemiah 4:6 (NIV)
Kind reader, is there a God-sized opportunity in your life that is half-way-there? Then commit, or recommit yourself to accomplish the work–with God’s help. While you’re at it, inspire others to come along side. You’ll both be glad you did!
So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.
Nehemiah 6:15 (NIV)
I’m not sure how long our building restoration will take, but at some point we will have our beautiful chapel back–good as new. And all this happened because two guys and God set their hearts to make it so!
I close with a quote from the highest ranking CG ever:
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Jesus-Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)
Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
43 responses to “Getting Things Done with God”
Exactly what I needed and been looking for. God is good. Thank you.
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Thank you, Simply B! It’s great to see something happening with our church, after all this time. We are still worshiping inside the building as the outside is being renovated. Thank you for your input!
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Great post. Encouraging to see the hand of the “highest ranking CG ever” at work. Blessings to you today!
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You’re most welcome, brother! There’s a place in the Bible where Jesus literally says to his disciples “ask me for some thing! “Nothing is too large or small for our loving heavenly father. Thank you for reading and commenting. Blessings!
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Great post. And exactly what I needed to read. This strikes straight to the heart and made it remember with humility. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Jesus-Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)” Thank you.
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Just in time is right, sister P! There was talk, a few years back, that the chapel would be closed. Thankfully, it didn’t happen, and restoring it seems like evidence that our little church building is here to stay. Thanks for stopping by. God Bless!
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I’m so glad your chapel is being repaired. It sounds as though it is coming just in time. How exciting for the congregation! Praise God for getting the work done!
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Thank you for sharing, brother! It’s amazing what we can do together, but it’s miraculous what can be done together with God. The restoration of our church building is nothing short of a divine miracle. I’m glad you’re encouraged by my wee story, as they say in 🏴 Scotland. 😀
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It is always good to hear of such projects with God at the heart of them, it is encouraging to every believer, including me. Trying to do things on our own is doomed to failure. May I remember this encouraging post and seek The Master Builder in all I do. God bless you Brother David.
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Will do, Lena Rae. Thank you, and God Bless.
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It will be beautiful again. When it is finished please post pictures so we can all praise God for His answer to prayers.
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Yes, we are super excited, Beth. As I told another commenter, this is a project 10 years in the making. I’m glad my thoughts were Jsy what you needed. Praise God!
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All is well brother. We should catch up via telephone again soon!
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Well that’s good 😊
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Hello, Andy B. The work at this time is completely on the exterior of the building. We are still meeting inside every Sunday.
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I thought of you while out this morning and wanted to touch base. I hope all continues well with you!
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How long before you can move back in again?
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God in his timing brought the right people together to get the chapel renovated just as he did in Nehemiah’s time.
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How exciting! I’m so glad that this building project inspired you to put forth the exhortation-“is there a God-sized opportunity in your life that is half-way-there? Then commit, or recommit yourself to accomplish the work–with God’s help.” It’s exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you!
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Thank you, Andy. God Bless!
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Fabulous to hear of this rebuild.
Andy B
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Exactly, Jeff! Our congregants see God moving in two dimensions— physical and spiritual.
I am happy to hear of your progress, brother. Thank you for the update. I will pray your desk job comes to fruition. I appreciate your stopping by and sharing your wonderful thoughts!
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I’m sure those scaffolds are a beautiful sight for all your members! It’s good to see how God moves in physical as well as spiritual ways!
Things are good here. I got my foot braces and have started transtioning to a cane instead of a walker, but only with the therapist for now. Also talking to my company about going back to work in a desk-only capacity. Hope springs eternal! All the best to you and yours!
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I am grateful for your input, Manette Kay. It is indeed inspiring to see God work and to join Him in the work as well. Blessings!
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Thanks, Bridget! We’ve been hoping and praying for this project for about 10 years. It’s so wonderful to see our prayers answered. I remember the post I wrote about the empty prayer room in the mega church. It was quite a contrast to find it empty and the coffee shop and bookstore full of people. Thank you for stopping by. His best to you.
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I love that quote!
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Over the years there have been hundreds of weddings at the chapel—including my own. In fact, retired four star general Tommy Franks and his wife were married there in 1966. It didn’t hurt that he was one of the people pushing for the chapel to be saved.😊
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Thanks, Barb! I’ll take some pics when the scaffolding comes down. Amen, as Gary said, “God’s will is God’s bill.”💕
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Thank you, Andy. Yes, it is a real Praise the Lord that our chapel is being restored.
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Thanks, BG. God Bless!
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Great article! A real encouragement to trust God’s timing in all things but to move forward with the thing/s he has entrusted each of us with!
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Great post! Praise God for restoring your chapel and thanks so much for giving us your encouragement.
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I can’t wait to see pictures of the completed work. If God is in it…who can come against it!
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This is wonderful, David. Perhaps the face lift and some local publicity will encourage some to come check it out when it is completed. That will be an opportunity. And I like how the quote was attributed to the “highest ranking CG.” Enjoy your day!
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I am happy to hear that your chapel is getting some much needed renovations. God bless the two men who made sure the funds were available. And I appreciate your point to complete whatever work God has laid before us. (And by the way, I noticed a few weeks ago that my church has a prayer room. I didn’t even knew it was there! But it reminded me of your post from awhile back.) God bless!
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David, praise God for the lessons you drew from Nehemiah. “While you’re at it, inspire others to come along side” is a powerful truth. I pray the faith and convictions of Christ’s followers’ daily lives inspire others. God bless you and the restoration project.
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I think there is always something life-giving about rebuilding the temple. It generates new hope in our hearts. Thanks for sharing your experience here.
As an aside, I’m originally from the UK so we have many churches that are older than yours 🙂
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“God’s will…God’s bill.” I love it, Gary! Thank you.
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A huge praise David for your chapel. The potential decision making in a chapel on an army base.
God’s will…God’s bill.
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Thanks, Rainer. It’s wonderful to see the work progress, after 10 years of hoping and praying. Out congregants aren’t physically involved with the job, but we feel involved, none the less. I appreciate your reading and commenting. Blessings, brother!
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Yes sir! I came to the chapel first, as a musical mercenary—my college voice teacher is the music director. Later, I started teaching music at the elementary school on post. The chapel is also where I met my wife. We were married there. The “church” is not a building, but we sure are glad to see this structure restored.
Thanks for stopping by, fellow early morning lover! God Bless.
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I really dig this post, David. Yes, what we consider to be an old building pales in comparison to our Christian brothers and sisters across the pond. But stewarding old buildings is a beautiful opportunity to come together and glorify God, especially old churches and chapels. Great post!
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So you are teaching and are attending chapel on an army base. Sounds intriguing but also great point. We need to trust our God who has so much bigger plans than ours!
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