Dear friends,
I am
writing this September 2, as Barb and I are traveling the 4th-18th, and
you are reading this around the middle of the month. As of this writing
things are heating up in several areas; Syria, world and US economy, US
budget, Obamacare, and so on. When planning this trip we had heaviness
in our spirits for the time frame of around and just after the middle of
September through mid-October, with a larger season of difficulties
through the spring.
You’ll
recall this spring one of the things the Father spoke to me concerning
this fall, was an uncertainty in our nation, people not knowing what to
do or where to turn – it would appear this is coming to pass from the
President on down ranging from Syria to the budget to Obamacare to how
so many families now reduced to part time work will make ends meet, and
much more.
Yet I
want to remind you that Jesus never came into someone’s situation and
said ‘Be afraid’. He always said, ‘Fear not’. Nothing in our lives or in
the world has caught Him by surprise, and provision has been made for
us His body, and children of our heavenly Father.
Our
oldest son Chris is 33 years old yet about 4 years old mentally, due to
lack of oxygen from the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck in a slip
knot in labor and delivery. He lived at home his first 24 years, and
during that time Barb and I rarely got out just the two of us. One of us
always had to be at home to care of Chris.
When
Chris moved to the group home almost 10 years ago, Barb and I felt very
strange going out together on a whim, just ourselves. 24 years had come
and gone and we felt like naughty teenagers meeting on the sly. We
thought, ‘Can you believe that couples without a handicapped person in
the home can make their own schedules and meet for lunch or dinner
anytime they want?’ It was so new to us!
I was thinking about that as it relates
to our life before Christ versus now in Christ. We have a treasure in
these earthen vessels. Think about it – Christ lives in you – the God of
the universe, Creator of all, lives in your spirit. There are times I
think this is just too good, I’m too happy, I have too much joy inside.
Don’t get me wrong, there are pressures all around, needs and burdens I
carry daily that never leave my mind and thoughts – but in my spirit,
there is such joy, such peace, such excitement! Before I met the Lord it
was like being held captive, but with Him, suddenly free like those
first days of freedom Barb and I experienced after Chris moved to the
group home. Christ in us is something special!
Earning
a living by ministry is always interesting, and we have to live with
focus to be about the Father’s business while He makes sure our needs
are met. He uses people like you in our lives, for which we are very
thankful. Sometimes a regular monthly supporter will let us know their
finances have changed and they are reducing or suspending support for
the time being, which is SO considerate and appreciated, others just
stop giving with no explanation which is like suddenly getting that much
reduction in pay without notice come payday, while others start
supporting us for the first time ever. Our job is to be about the
Father’s business and let Him figure the rest out, and He always
provides.
My
biggest desire is to have the time to talk on the phone/Skype/IM/text
affiliate leaders and financial and prayer supporters on a regularly
scheduled basis. That would be so wonderful to be able to tell each
person how much their gifts and prayers mean to us.
Unfortunately
time and travels and such extremely limit my time. Yet that doesn’t
change the warm affection and appreciation we have for those who support
us, and I hope my writings and teachings and the whole home and
relationship based ministry we’re all about, or any other benefit you
gain by having me in your life, are truly appreciated as a token of my
love for you and the body of Christ.
Thank you!
John and Barb
New cd/MP3 series:
(2 CD's $15 or MP3 $5 each)
Paul
said if we judge ourselves we won't be judged of the Lord, but if we
are judged by the Lord it is so we won't be condemned with the world.
How does the Lord judge us? What are the ways He uses to get our
attention that we should judge ourselves in an area? Would He make
something private known to others? Is His judgment always harsh, or are
there increments of judgment with increasing insistence from Him that we
judge ourselves? All these questions and more will be answered in this 2
cd/MP3 series, and will give insight into the Lord's efforts to get us
to grow up, clean up, and be all we can be in Him!
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