Greetings from Ormond Beach, Florida!
It has been way too long since I last sent an email update. A few weeks ago, I was in Greensboro, North Carolina, for a few days and some people let me know that I have severely fallen down on the job. I am sorry, please forgive me.
The last email was dated 10-13-23…a lot has happened since then, so its time to bring you up-to-date.
14600 Christian Castle
One of the big topics of the last update was my house in El Paso. At that point the pending sale had not happened. I withdrawn from the contract and I had just listed the house on the real estate market a few days before.
The house sold and closed on January 13, 2024. I am grateful to have that part of my life in El Paso closed. The house didn’t bring as much as I had been lead to believe it would bring. In addition to continuing to make house payments for all those months my bank account took a major beating but God was faithful through it all. And HE continues to be faithful…
I could tell you several stories of events during that time that made the situation more stressful, but I will spare you those tales. The bottom line was everything added up and I needed to stop or at least slow down the drain on the bank account.
During the last 12 months, I have been involved in the selling of two houses and the purchase of one. UGH!
A New Gig
One of the ways that God provided during that time was through UBER. I was putting resumes out daily and the quickest response was from UBER. I started doing food deliveries and then as my background checks, etc. passed I started doing passenger rides. I actually loved my little side gig. It was good of me spiritually, socially, and financially.
Every day when I would leave my house I would pray: “Lord, I know you have the people that will get in my car today already lined up. Help me to encourage the people I meet and don’t let me miss what you are doing in our lives.”
I can’t say that I was 100% faithful to see what God was up to with each passenger. BUT, I can tell you that God was with me every mile I drove. And He allowed me the privilege to bless people. He also blessed me tremendously. A bit more about one of those blessings in a bit.
Taking The Next Step On YOUR Journey
Since January, we have made some significant progress with getting the ministry up and running. Our board of directors have been a blessing as God has directed us. A big “thank you” to those folks for their encouragement and prayers.
The ministry is now official in the state of Florida. The official name is “Taking The Next Step On YOUR Journey, Inc.” The identifier “Inc” is required in the state of Florida.
Currently, our application to the Internal Revenue Service for the non profit status (501 © 3) is in their hands. It was filed on February 16, 2024. Their timeline says 1 – 3 months. Please pray that they will work quickly. This will be a significant step…it is very important.
In the mean time, I am working to meet pastors in our area. I write a brief prayer letter and send it out through email to about 75 pastors and ministry folks around the country. My goal is to send it every week to as many people as I can. As I type each person’s name I call their name out to the Lord. My desire at this point is to get acquainted with as many pastors and ministry leaders as I can. Please pray God will give us favor as we attempt to connect.
God continues to give me insights into my new calling. Today I say my purpose is to meet pastors, staff people and ministry leaders, encourage them in their ministry and express appreciation to them from the body of Christ.
Would you please pray with me as I seek to fulfill God’s purpose in my life. Ask God to direct my steps in this meet and greet process. Pray God will give “Taking The Next Step in Your Journey, Inc” favor with new people. And most of all pray that God will be honored and His Kingdom will be encouraged and strengthen.
There is a quote that I used a lot during my single adult ministry days. And I believe it is just as true today as it was all those years ago. “Healthy people attract healthy people. Unhealthy people attract unhealthy people.” Healthy pastors…
A Divine Appointment
One Saturday morning, I was doing UBER rides. I got a message to pick up a couple beach side and to take to the airport. It was a beautiful morning and I had on a Tennessee t-shirt (orange obviously). I opened the trunk area of my vehicle and the couple loaded their luggage. As they got in, it became clear that it was going to be an enjoyable trip as we immediately began to talk.
My Tennessee orange t-shirt quickly became a topic of conversation. The riders currently live in Franklin, TN. And of course, I told them I grew up in Tennessee (not that my accent hadn’t already revealed that).
They were on vacation in Daytona Beach. And I told them I had recently retired from a church in El Paso, Texas.
With a bit of concern in the man’s voice, he asked, “You mean you just quit?”
So I proceed to tell him about God’s directive to me to retire from The Journey and the call God had placed on my heart regarding “Taking The Next Step On Your Journey, Inc.” I told them where we were in the process (legal work, etc.). And they seemed very excited about the work in which God was calling me.
Much too quickly the ride was over. I stopped in front of the airport and got out to help them get their luggage.
I need to insert a side note here. For a few weeks I had been receiving emails from a ministry called: Standing Stone Ministry. The name resonated with my heart, but I had never read the emails. I had saved them for another time…
Back to the airport…when I get their luggage out, Michelle hands me a business card. And she said, “Check this out, it might save you a lot of headaches with getting everything done with the government and allow you to do what God is calling you to do.
Are you ready for this? My heart still beats faster when I tell this GOD & UBER story. Michelle is a shepherd with Standing Stones Ministry.
When I looked at her card, a tingling went up and down my spine. I replied, “Well, this UBER ride was a divine appointment?”
She replied, “Definitely!”
God is definitely up to something!! Take a minute to check out: standingstoneministry.org This will help you have a much better understanding of what God is calling me to do with the next season of my life. There is more to the story. Stay tuned.
Prayers Requests:
- Pray for The Journey in El Paso. They moved to a different location. They are renting space from a Seventh Adventist Academy. Their first Sunday there was March 3.
- Ask God to work in a great and mighty way as we seek His direction with the “Next Steps” in the journey.
- Please let me know how I can pray for you. I am blessed and honored to intercession on your behalf.
- Send me an email with the name of your pastor and church staff along with the name of the church they serve and their email addresses. PLEASE SHARE THIS EMAIL WITH THEM! Developing a network takes a lot of work. I have a great story about that for the next email.
Thank you for taking the time to read my update. I love you and I’m praying for you!
“Taking The Next Step On YOUR Journey, Inc.”
Morris Horner
333 Timberline Trail
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
morrishorner@me.com
(832) 752-2296
http://twitter.com/morrisonmission
https://morrisandmissions.wordpress.com
Morris Still On The Journey 