The Seed Has Been Planted

Vacation at the Oregon Coast, week of July 26^th

We spent a week’s vacation on the Oregon Coast just a few miles North of Depot Bay.  High temperature in the Tri-Cities was 95 deg; the coast, 65 deg.  We had a great time doing nothing but search for agates on the beach with a lot reading thrown in and staying cool.

On Thursday we decided to check out some the local antique shops so I entered a couple addresses into the GPS to help us find them.  Before we left for hunting antiques, Julie and I decided to fill out a Treasure map and hunt for God's treasure as we hunted for the antique treasures.  What could be more fun!  We had a short prayer time, asked Father God to direct us to His treasure, and off we went to Lincoln City.

A short time before we left, the maid came in to clean our room.  It wasn't long before Julie had her cornered in the bathroom speaking and praying with her with a Spanish/English mix.  Julie said she was highlighted to her by Holy Spirit so she took a risk and ended up having a God encounter in our bathroom.  There's something about women and bathrooms :-)

At the South end of Lincoln City we spotted a small area that had 3 or 4 antique shops.  We pulled in do what women really like; shopping.  In the last shop I found that the couple that owned the store was God’s treasure.  God gave us six clues to lead me to them and to confirm to them that God had highlighted them. 

The first was antique shop, and comic books.  This store had a very large antique comic book selection right next to the office area of the store.  I knew this was the place.  I told the couple that owned the store that I was on a treasure hunt and asked the husband if his name was Steve. He gave me a funny look and said “yes”.  "Are you a veteran?" He answered "yes".  He was also involved in a local veterans group.  "Do you have a bad back?"  "Yes".  His back was all messed up. He had gone through 3 or 4 back surgeries and three of his vertebrates were fused.  Do you walk with a limp?  His wife answered this for him.  "Yes, he has a bad knee which caused him to limp at times”. Then she asked, "How do you know this stuff?"

That opened the door to share Jesus with them and how Holy Spirit moves through God's people when they listen to His voice and take risks.  I told them that Jesus loved them so much he gave us clues to confirm to them that He was real, alive, and thinking of them personally.  I got to lay my hands and command healing to come into Steve's body.  I tried to talk him into getting out of his chair to "check it out" but he wouldn't do it.  A lot of miracles seem to happen as the person takes a step of faith and acts upon the word spoken over them.  This couple was blown away by what happened in their store, as was I. The seed has been planted!

Antique shopping is fun; especially if God helps you shop!

On Friday, as we were leaving to come home, we stopped at one last antique store.  The owners were a brother and sister. She had blond/gray hair and green/gray was his appearance. They were on our map from the previous day.   They fit almost all of our remaining clues.  Family, marriage issues, the initials of C, K, and T were her kids.  She also had a bulging disk in her back.  We had a total of 8 clues for them and their family.  Before we left their shop, the four of us were holding hands and having church right in their shop.  God is awesome!!!!