Never forget where you came from

"In the process of restoration some things need to be discarded, some replaced and some just need a good polishing."

This is true in the restoration of one's life as well as a historic building.

The highest point on "My Fathers House" is the the turret and covering the turret is a decorative cap which seems to have been a tradition on Victorian homes of that era. Not only is our turret cover decorative, but it is a piece of history. We removed the dull and weather beaten cover in order to put on a new roof, but the home seemed incomplete without its decorative cap. So, with the help of some good friends and a local artisian, the copper cap was restored and put back in it's place.

Many of the men who have been touched by God through Milestone Ministries and their lives restored will often tell me that they never want to forget where they came from.

I hope that the same will be true of "My Fathers House". As we restore the house inside and out to make the property new again, the beautful and historic cap will be a shinning example of where it came from.

"My Fathers House", God's work continues

For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. Heb 3:4

It has been a while since my last blog but the work on My Fathers House is coming along wonderfully. The work is far beyond my knowledge or ability, but the Lord has sent laborers....many wonderful laborers. Their strong backs and wisdom is supported by their grace filled hearts. For each and everyone, I am grateful.

Now that the new roofs are on, we continue to focus on the structural integrity of the carriage house which will one day be home to our Chapel.

As soon as half of the first floor was structurally sound with new floor joists it was time to focus on the other half...this is where the chapel will be. As usual we have a new surprise....all of the floor joists must be removed before we jack up the building to put in a new sill. Well under the floor we found about 7 yards of sand entombed in a cement and brick casing.

Thanks to the many strong backs of dedicated volunteers it was all removed.

Our volunteers are amazing...all of this happened in only a couple of days......God be praised!

Shingle by Shingle

"My Fathers House" update:

As we watch the long and difficult task of stripping off the old roofs and putting on new shingles the wonderful lyrics of the song "Shingle by Shingle" are stuck in my head.

It is ironic that his old house needed to be freed of it's old roof before a new one was placed. It would have been cheaper and easier to just try and cover the old shingle, but I was told by people in the know that the old shingle must go. The old shingle has to be delicately removed by pros (Top Notch Abatement Company) because it contained asbestos. And while covering the old with the new might have looked good for a while the potentially dangerous fibers in the old shingle might just come back to haunt us. And a bonus was that a tremendous with was removed from the house.

"Folks stumble and fall anin't nothin' new at all

We just keep comin up with new ways of goin' down
Whether your're poor or rich at the bottom of the ditch
You can finally see the light'll finall turn your life around
Single by shingle I'm patchin' up the roof
Row by row I'm bringin' in the crop
Love Makes a change I'm lining the proof

New waters in the well and I'm grateful

for every drop"

(Lyrics and music by Eric Bibb http://www.lyricskeeper.com/eric_bibb-lyrics/227298-shingle-lyrics.htm)

Our lives, much like the roof on our home of ministry have been protected by what was acceptable for time, but now it was time for new life. As soon as we realize that our old life or covering could be toxic to our future it is better to remove it rather than cover it. And it sure feels good to have that weight off of us.

"I've had my share of debts and some regrets
I'm leaving all that behind and movin' on
I thank God today I can truly say
My soul's dark night has turned to dawn"

My Fathers House will offer men the opportunity to recognize the danger of their previous covering and to be delivered from it. As Eric sings "you can finally see the light'l finally turn your life around".

We hope to have the new shingles on the main house and carriage house by mid May.

In the meantime, work on the Carriage House (soon to be chapel) continues.

-Interior structure being rebuilt - Thanks Joe.

-New siding will be put on May 13th - thanks Keller Williams.

I am grateful to all of those who have given of their time, money, skill and prayer.

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for and yet unseen." I must admit that My Fathers House has brought me to a whole new level of faith. But hope springs eternal.

Stay tuned!

Spring Cleaning Day at "My Fathers House"

April 17, 2010
I received an E-mail asking if there was a rain plan.

My response was "yes, we plan on it not raining"

It was a perfect day, not hot and not cold. Just damp enough to allow us to have a wonderful bonfire and yet it never really rained until we were all done packing up at 5:00.

My daughter Jen and wife Cathy arrived at 8:00 AM along with Rick and I. Jen put on the coffee and prepared the dining area with homemade breads.


I had sent out a few E-mails inviting people to join us for a day of fellowship and Spring Cleaning. A few people committed to attend and bring a rake, chain saw or garden tool, but I still wondered how many people might attend; especially on a day that the meteorologists predicted would be wet and miserable. Well at 9:00 the first cars began to arrive and they just kept coming until every parking space was full and about 50 people from 2 states. And the next thing I know, Men women and children were hard at work moving firewood raking leaves, clearing brush and falling trees on our 3 acres of anointed land.

Besides the incredible clean up that was accomplish, many new friendships were formed. People were sharing visions about other ways to serve God by serving his people. We laughed and ate and made My Fathers Place look wonderful and loved.

To all of those who joined us today......THANK YOU....and May God bless you abundantly.

Serving God at "My Fathers House"

God has blessed us with dedicated laborers. Our wonderful volunteers are cleaning, ripping apart and rebuilding the carriage house at "My Fathers House" They are preparing what will be our Chapel and Music Center. Thank you for your service.

Jack Knox went home to the Lord

Jack seen here with his legendary band "The Continentals"

On Tuesday February 23rd my good friend Jack Knox went home to be with the Lord.
Please pray for his children.

Jack was always a faithful friend.
He loved his children, his music and the Lord with all his heart, soul and mind. Jack was a true entertainer with a God given voice and a seasoned stage presence. He sang from his heart and soul with a passion that cannot be learned.
In 2003 when Jack began to give his voice to the Lord and the anointing on his music was so powerful that the audiences would weep. I would often invite Jack to sing at a church where I was preaching because his songs were his testimony and his testimony moved mountains.
For most major events in my life over the last 20 years Jack offered his talent. My wife's 40th birthday, my daughters wedding and my ordination were marked with his performances; usually accompanied by his band "The Continentals".
This world will never again hear his powerfully anointed singing voice but I know for sure that it is now added to the choirs of heaven and for that I am grateful.
I look forward to seeing him again one day and hearing his wonderful voice.
Until then, I will certainly miss him.

The following link is a wonderful article about Jack Knox.

http://gerrynutt.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/goodbye-to-a-local-legend-jack-knox/

My Fathers House

The photos posted here are "before" photos of the inside and outside of the carriage house at Milestone's new project. At this time we are still on target to complete this part of the project by spring. Since these photos the house has been cleaned up and cleaned out. We are about ready to get our permits and begin the renovation. It is our prayer that this building will be the home to a private chapel, meeting space, music room and retreat center.
God has given us the charge to create a place for those who are in need of care and the love of God.
Please pray with us that God will send the laborers, finances and supplies to complete this project.


If you would like to join us in this project please contact me at jack@milestoneevents.org.