Tired...excited...hopeful...

Hey, everybody...
I am such a bad, bad blogger. It has been well over a week since I have taken the time to say anything. I have thought about it several times, but keep putting it off. The last week has been an emotional roller coaster ride. But, then, at this point, who is surprised by that? This has, beyond a shadow of a doubt been the craziest year ever. So much has happened to us all. But I must say, that in the last couple of weeks, God has really been doing some major work on me. So much of the hurt I had been feeling has just disappeared. He has literally changed my heart about some issues that I have been struggling with, and my whole outlook has changed in many ways. I am very thankful for that. I needed it.
I had a very interesting weekend. Friday night, the church in Lexington, KY, which is pastored by my wife's grandfather, Brother Clarence Wilcox, held a gospel singing. their church is made up of a lot of her family, as well as a number of people who can legitimately claim to have known me for ALL of my life. Some of them carry the embarrassing pic's to prove it. (Can you imagine? I am thirty one, and some of them have pictures of me as a very small child [yes, a very small child]I am so loved...) As it happens, this church is a part of Brother Danny Carter's region of IN/KY/OH. This makes it compolicated. The two "groups" which have been created by the turmoil up[ here have had very little association, most of it on individual levels. Anyway, I was invited, and so were some of my members at Winchester. We decided it would be a good gesture to attend. Five of us went (my wife had to work). We were very well received, and sang some songs, and worshipped with them. I felt the fellowship was enjoyable, and throughout the night no one seemed to feel it necessary to make any needless comments, or take any jabs. I had a few very meaningful exchanges, privately with some people that I believe may represent some open doors for reconciliation. The following, day I received a call to come a drive Brother Wilcox down to Pineville, KY, in the mountains. He also pastors a small congregation there which meets on Saturday nights. I prayed it over and decided to go. When I went to his house to tell him I'd go, he asked me if I'd like to preach. I was quite surprised, but pleasantly. SO I went and preached. I felt such a strong anointing, I thought I'd preach myself silly. He and I spent nearly four hours on the road together, and had a very pleasant discussion on a nymber of topics, including the turmoil in the Church, and our region in particular. We don't necessarily see eye to eye, but man am I hopeful. This whole last two weeks, the Lord has dealt with me about reconciliatiuon for our region. I want so much to reach out to these people! I have worked in this region my entire ministry. I have seen many of their children from their first year at youth camp, to being Senior campers, and even camp staff! I have preached at many of their churches and alot of them have preached in mine. They have been, and are my friends, my brothers and sisters... I know reconciling this problems that have happened here will be a tough process, but I pray God will help us to see it through. We need it. This region needs to be healed. Our families need it. Broken relationships need mending and healing. It's been a long year, and we're all tired, and so many are hurting...but I am also very hopeful, and a little excited. God is in control. Thank God, He is in full control.
God bless you all...
Brother Donnie