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posted by James on 06/17/07

Wow! The first week of FOCUS was quite eventful. Each day contained something extraordinary. In fact, I could write a specific thing for every day. But being in the time crunch that I am, this would be impossible. Thus I will relate only one of the major projects we have done.

Directly after breakfast on Wednesday morning, most of the students and leaders went back to work on a project we had started the afternoon before. It was one tough job. Our mission was to completely clear out an area approximately 40×40 feet which was totally over run by waist-high weeds and young trees. The area was once a sewage drying field having not been used for years. But now that it was needed, it had to be cleared. Everything had to come out, even the roots and top layer of sod.

Despite 90 degree temperatures and direct sunlight, we plowed into the job wholeheartedly. Both Green and Blue teams worked with diligence, endurance, and thoroughness to accomplish the seemingly impossible task. Sunburn, blisters, scrapes, dirty conditions, and achy muscles did not deter our steady work.

But as in all difficult projects, there were many “soft choices” made. The old nature was hard at work as well. To put all our heart into it was a constant struggle. This was an important test for the students to see if they would succumb to their selfishness or if they would demonstrate true endurance. It was also a test for me as a leader because it was my responsibility to set the example and keep my men working.

But as a result of rejecting our own selfish desires, we were able to accomplish our task early that afternoon. An estimated two day job took slightly more than one! I am reminded that the same endurance we are to demonstrate physicaly, we must apply spiritually. “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

5 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

posted by Donald on 06/16/07

It’s less than two weeks away! Pete Olson, a good friend who is also a historian with a contagious love for history, will be in Salem, West Virginia, sharing on “America’s Providential Founding”. Come one! Come all! Knowing Pete, it will be very educational and very encouraging!

One of his stops is the Salem Depot. While the railroad tracks that put Salem on the map are now themselves a part of history, the Salem Depot remains as a welcoming host to bikers, hikers and . . . history lovers. Pete’s presentation there on the last Friday of June at 7:00 in the evening will be complete with a question-and-answer time for those who seriously want to understand the hearts and minds of our founding fathers. For a complete listing of presentations, including ones at Salem International University, Smithburg and Sabraton/Morgantown, visit Vision Heirs.

We will not only learn about history, but we will be challenged to apply Biblical principles and character to our own lives as we are inspired by the vision of our forefathers and see more clearly how we can even now return to the foundation that made it great. It will be a landmark day! Pray with us for God to receive much glory as we uncover His ”wonderful acts to the children of men”. History is His-story! And He wants for each of us to have a part in it.

3 Comments » | posted in Historical Glimpses, Ministry Reports

posted by Esther on 06/12/07

I was very excited when the opportunity arose to help a friend of mine for two months with mission work. But as I sought the Lord He made it clear that I was not to do it. I could not doubt the peace He was giving me to stay home for the summer.

Tuesday morning a week ago, right after I had made that decision, I was reading 1 Thes. 3 where Paul expresses his desire to go visit the believers but cannot so he sends Timothy instead. Knowing that I, like Paul, could not go, I asked the Lord to send “a Timothy” that could help my friend with the work.

Later that week an email came from my friend which read: “You said that you prayed on Tuesday morning for God to raise the right one up.  That is really amazing, because that evening, He did.  There is a girl who is going to be coming, so I am very grateful.”

Praise God for directly answered prayer! God’s timing is incredible!

3 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by James on 06/8/07

For the past four days, I have been busily preparing for the leadership role in the upcoming Life FOCUS XV. It is amazing how God has led me to participate in this program for basically the whole summer.

Having participated in the same program last year, I was not sure if He wanted me to do it again this year. Thus, I needed a specific word from God to give me clear direction. One morning in March, I just so happened to be thinking about the passage which compared wheat harvest to soul reaping. Due to the nature and focus of the program, I thought this would be an appropriate verse for direction on going. However, I did not want to claim it unless I knew it was directly given by God. Not knowing where exactly in the gospels these verses were written, I decided that if the next thing I read in my normal daily Bible devotions was about this same analogy, than I would claim it as a final “rhema” and clear direction from God. Thus, I opened the Bible to John 4. You should go read that chapter! I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes as I read verses 34-38. God loves to surprise those who go to Him for guidance! To make things better, verse 35 said not to wait four months to harvest, but to start working and preparing immediately; FOCUS would start in approximately four months. This was a direct leading from God showing me that there was indeed wheat to be harvested and I was the one chosen to enter the field.

So that is why I have been preparing for Life FOCUS for the past few days. Working with many other dedicated leaders, I have been busy learning skills in Biblical leadership, successful discipleship, PT, and EMT training. God has blessed the first few days greatly and I know He will be at work for the next seven weeks. Please pray that the leadership would work and learn as a team, deepen their sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and continue completely surrender themselves to the lordship of Jesus Christ!

5 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

posted by Esther on 06/6/07

When I was teaching the qualities of forgiveness and wisdom in different classrooms, the Lord was faithful to show me what to teach. Here are some examples of times He gave illustrations I had not even considered.

During one class on forgiveness, the principal announced an offense over the intercom and said she needed to talk to the one who did it. So instead of an interruption to our class, we  saw it as an illustration of the importance not only of forgiving those who offend us but also of asking for the forgiveness of those we offend. There was no way anyone but our faithful God could have planned an illustration like that in the middle of the class!

Another time I asked if anyone had had a chance to make a right choice since our last class on wisdom. A boy shared how he had broke a chess piece and felt like leaving and pretending not to have anything to do with it but instead he openly admitted it was his fault it broke. Later someone in the class mentioned a car related accident where the driver had hit someone and sped off without stopping, admitting he had done it, and helping the one he hurt. From this, the Lord led me to bring out the point that small right decisions lead to big right decisions. I praised the boy for dealing with his seemingly unimportant accident, thereby strengthening his character to help him deal with more serious accidents in the future.

On a third occasion, we were out at recess with them when they asked for a story. Sitting in the grass in a circle, I told them about the hardest time it had ever been for me to ask for forgiveness. Meanwhile, they picked little flower leaves and put them on my lap. Why? I think it was because God in His faithfulness wanted to once again surprise us with an object lesson. He gave me the idea to say that offences clutter up our lives like all these little leaves were cluttering up my skirt. The kids then brushed them off like forgiveness clears up the problem. Did I plan that? No, of course not.

These points were not planned - by me anyway. I am so grateful that if we ask, we can have the guidance of His Spirit in all we do. Luke 11:13 says “how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” I praise the Lord for answering the prayers of friends and family who were praying this for me.  God was faithful to guide each class!

6 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports