Standby

Well, there is a reason they call this mode of travel "Space Available." First of all, there has to be a plane available. And apparently there won't be one heading to Chas till Saturday morning--hopefully. So we will wait around here till then. I am confident that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, but what about those who wait upon the Air Force? You just wait, I suppose! So if you are looking for prayer requests, how about mentioning a flight for 5 Thornleys to SC on Saturday? Much oblidged.

Gone to Carolina . . . .

"In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina

Can't you see the sunshine

Can't you just feel the moonshine

Ain't it just like a friend of mine

It hit me from behind

Yes I'm gone to Carolina in my mind."

Come Thursday, Deo volente, we will be heading to SC for the first time in a year as a family--19 glorious days in all. Yes, the West coast is nice, but the South coast is home. We'll be taking a Space-A flight (probably a C-17) from Travis AFB in San Francisco to Charleston AFB. ITS FREE! You just have to be ready to go when they call you name for available seats. From Chas, we'll head up to Spartanburg where we'll be 30 July-6 August, then down to Georgetown 7-12 August. Almost all of our families are there, as well as two congregations that Andy pastored for 10 years. A lot of living was done down in that heat and humidity! All of the girls were born there, but only Sarah and Abby will remember much about it. We will have to fill Rachel in on the details (why do I think that will be a futile exercise?). Of course, the only real detail they care much for is "where is the beach?!" We will try to keep the blog up if I can successfully get it up and running on my laptop. Next post will be from Dixie!

Thinking About the Cowboy

I'm still thinking about the fun we had on Sunday's horse ride up the mountain. I am also thinking about "Cowboy Ron." Ron is in his 50s, a Vietnam vet who at first came off as a tough old cow hand--he warned us not to let his horses eat grass or any other nonsense. He wouldn't tolerate it. But he began to soften up halfway through the ride. I think Sarah seemed to remind him of his own child, who is about her age and lives in Florida. He hasn't seen his boy in a long time (I gathered he is divorced). Then when he discovered I was a chaplain, he rode back to my horse, looked at me with moistened eyes, and through a lowered voice asked if I would pray that he would see his son again. Later on, he asked me to pray for him again. It was one of those divine appointments when folks reach out towards the Lord. So, wherever you are, say a prayer for Ron tonight. Pray that the cowboy gets Home.

Sarah Horses Around on Her Birthday!

A decade is a long time, isn't it? Not to us, for the past ten years of Sarah's life have flown by. Sarah and her dad took a horse ride up Refugio Canyon (yes, THE Refugio Canyon where Ronald Reagan formerly lived) as part of her birthday gift. Sarah's horse had a bad episode--he relieved himself in my horses face just before the ride commenced. I must say, I was horrified at the manners of Paco, her horse. My horse (Puddin'--don't ask) never recovered, and stumbled like an old mule the whole way up the mountain. We had a stinky but good time. Boy, it was dusty though! Sarah rode up front with Cowboy Ron, who looked like he walked out of a John Wayne Western. A genuine cowboy, he has worked on ranches from Florida to California. In fact, he will be moving to Arizona shortly to work a dude ranch. Ron and Sarah had a great conversation. But when Sarah told him I was in the Air Force, he took a special shining to me and wanted to chat with the "Capt'n" all the way up and down the mountain. Thanked me for serving and everything. He also asked me twice to pray for him when he discovered I was a chaplain. I was glad to do it as he seemed to be really reaching out. Sarah's favorite part of the ride was when we trotted. But we paid for it later when we dismounted--we hobbled back to the truck walking like John Wayne himself. Rachel and Abby rode a pony in the corral while Leigh sneezed her head off (horse allergies, you know). We had a big time today, but we really want to thank God for that blessing in our lives who is Sarah. She grows more special to us each day.
Update on Sarah's Spiritual Birthday: You may recall my previous post on our caution about Sarah's repentance. But day by day, we are seeing the fruits of conversion in her life. Continue to pray for her! We are looking forward to baptizing her in the swimming pool at the Castros in Spartanburg on 6 Aug. Please come if you are in the area to celebrate with us.

There's Joy In the Camp

Well, the day for which Leigh and I have been praying (for over 10 years now) seems to have finally occurred! After years of impressing the gospel to her heart and mind, Sarah has professed Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Our first reaction was cautious optimism. Though the circumstances surrounding the breakthrough are too detailed and personal to discuss here, everything "looked right" to me in the biblical sense. There was confession and brokenness over sin as she was alone in her room (Abby informed Leigh that Sarah was crying). In fact, Leigh was next door for a quick visit with a neighbor when all of this occurred. But it happened over an open Bible, where Sarah read, wept over her sin, and was gloriously birthed into the Kingdom of God.
We have been very cautious about offering any sort of pressure on her to repent and believe. She's heard (and hopefully seen) the gospel consistently, but she has never been cajoled or coached. After 15 years of ministry, we have seen too many hasty "conversions" of children (my own conversion at 7 was ill-begotten I think). In fact, we have dissuaded Sarah before as she has declared she was saved, reminding her that genuine salvation is accompanied by "fruits worthy of repentance." There was no change before. There is definitely a newness to her life now. She is voraciously reading her Bible (and mine--her's has too many kid words, she says). She remarked that today she has felt lighter--her heart was not heavy anymore. She smiles incessantly. She obeys the first time. And, get this--she is cleaning her room without being told! Can anyone doubt the girl has been saved?
Of course, I'm a pastor, so you know I wonder. After many times being disappointed in discipling new "believers" (and seeing them drift back into sin, and even being hardened to the gospel), we have some pause. Nothing is worse than thinking you have something you really don't, except finding that out when it is too late. Hopefully, we have faithfully presented that message to this little one. But as it stands now, we rejoice! Ultimately, our faith is not in Sarah's "decision" anyway, but in the Lord's good pleasure to save His elect ones--and to keep them. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it unto the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6). And so we celebrate, and hope you will too--particulary you family and friends who have imparted gospel influence to Sarah, and prayed for her salvation. We are grateful for all you have done. Now may the ultimate glory and honor go to the pardoning God of heaven and earth . . . to His Son who has translated us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. Amen.

"Santa Barbara." That's Spanish for "unaffordable housing." Two things about the view: 1. You can't believe it 2. Nor can you afford it (unless you made a few movies lately). But hey, we were there and this snapshot proves it.

A Little Theology, a Little Travel

Greetings blogosphere. No grand designs on cluttering up the internet with my ramblings ("In the multitude of words sin is not lacking"), but occasionally I hope to spread some cheer and some clear thoughts to lurkers and what not. Mainly, this is a site to keep the traveling Thornleys in your thoughts and prayers. And to remind us of your lives as well. So blog on, Garth.