Under a (Kind) Shadow

One of the men that I look up to as a mentor and friend, Stan Miller, has recently faced huge health challenges. A few weeks ago, the hepatitis C infection he has long suffered from began to cause liver failure and internal bleeding. It's been touch-and-go as he's been in and out of the emergency room several times.

Then just a couple days ago Stan successfully underwent a liver treatment that will restore him to ongoing stable health. Even now he's back home resting. Praise Jesus!

The following are some thoughts Stan wrote about what he's been going through. I was so happy when he asked that I share them with you...

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Hello Friends-

I recently found myself in a dark place. Now for many of us that means the enemy must be creating this darkness. Not so for me, not this time. It was different. There was Peace in this darkness.

I have a common practice I use during these times. First I ask the Lord, "What is going on?" At this particular time I didn't hear a word. So my next thing is to start thinking of Scriptures that have something to do with my situation. Bingo. David wrote in Psalms 17:8, "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings..." David was asking for a covering. That was it--He was sheltering me from what the enemy meant for evil. His covering over me was to keep me from seeing things He didn't want me to see. I felt the presence of evil for a moment; then He covered me, protected me from something I was afraid of.

You know when you're laying on a bed and helpless, I think that's when God wants us to take a good look at our trust in Him. You are forced to look under the hood and see what you really believe. It becomes painfully obvious God's in charge no matter how much it hurts. He's not wanting to point out our failures; He's wanting to show us that we are a people with deep convictions. He wants us to see we're not just a bunch of nice people doing this thing called church. We're not suppose to act like everyone else.

There are those times when we do get it right. I'm thankful for that because I really need to offset the other time. As we grow in Him, it's so important that we grow closer to each other.

I will forever be grateful for all He has taken me through. And Judy and I want very much to say to all of you, "Thank you!" I might not have been able to see everybody that came into the hospital to see me, but believe me--I felt the LOVE. Judy would come and tell me all who came by and the conversations that took place. It warmed my heart.

Also, the emails that were rolling in from all over saying, ''We're praying for you.'' I've never felt so loved.

It's a beautiful thing to have a family, but also so easy to take it for granted. I want to be a man that is a deep lover of people.

For I have been forgiven much, now I want to love much,

Stan

God is the Ultimate Giver!

Our friends at the Shelter Alb church in southern Germany recently moved into a new building (such a bright, beautiful space! That's Juergen at the lectern at the front of the room). How exciting! As an expression of our love and excitement for this big transition for them, our Council decided to send a small housewarming gift to them. It was a bit of a stretch because things are really tight for us financially... but we really didn't want to miss the opportunity that we felt God had put on our hearts.

Then last week, we discovered an account with one of our long term vendors that had an incredibly huge positive balance. Somehow we had been overpaying them on a monthly basis for 15+ years. Interestingly, we're going to be getting a check from the vendor that is exactly 10 times what we were able to give to the Shelter Alb church.

Coincidence? I think not... ;)

Launching Forward

I dropped Asher off for his first day of school this week. What a fun moment! I am so excited for him growing up. He's loving his new friends, the unknown toys, the books with pictures he's never seen before, new playground, and of course the school garden (he's never even heard of gardening before -- not really Hils' or my thing).

A few weeks ago, the Lord gave me a picture of where we are at as a church family--at the top of a water slide. He was encouraging me that all the work we've put in (climbing the flights of steps to the top) are going to have a readout. There's a wild, fun ride ahead of us that's full of refreshment and excitement.

The verse in my mind is:

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm then... Eph. 6:13-14

I like how it repeats the phrase, "Stand firm." After you've done everything in preparation to stand firm, don't forget to actually stand firm! Sometimes I get confused and think that prepping for battle is the whole point. But that would mean all work and no victory!

I feel like He's encouraging me (and us) not to get tired or discouraged. The reward for our hard work is just ahead of us. Now is not the time to sit down in exhaustion. It's a time to sit down and lean forward. The ride is going to be great!